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Kate

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Sightseeing in Cascais

Continuing my trip to Lisbon last month, our third day was our final day as a five-piece as one of the girls had to fly back home *insert sad face emoji*

One Sunday in Sintra

Whilst researching my trip to Lisbon I came across several recommendations to visit it’s historical town, Sintra. And on our second day we did just that.

A Father’s Day Gift Guide

happy-fathers-day With Father’s Day creepin’ up quick (this Sunday, folks!) there’s nothing like a spot of last minute shopping for gifts, am I right?

Dad’s can be difficult specimens to buy for but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered – and it’s all under £20…

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HomeSense has a ton of gift ideas in store for you to ponder over, and with plenty to choose from you could be in there a little longer than you anticipated (I actually had to stop myself from buying too much). They have even carefully selected items and placed them all together to make it easy for you to locate dad-related gifts!

From gadgets to grooming tools, you are guaranteed to find something to make your Father happy this Sunday. In the past I’ve picked up everything from wallets to cafetieres so this year I was on a mission to find something a little different, but on a £20 budget*.

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With a pound to spare, here is what I picked up:

A bag of A.M. Ground Coffee* | £3.99

Hornby mug* | £2.99

L’oreal Moisturiser* | £4.99

Adidas Eau de toilette* | £3.99

Guylian chocolates* | £2.99

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Not forgetting the important Father’s Day card, I’m thrilled with my bundle of goodies I am showering my Dad with this weekend. (I’m even going to treat him to a trip to the cinema to watch Jurassic World, shh…)

You can check out more details on the HomeSense website and find your local store.

How are you spoiling your father this weekend?

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* I was kindly gifted vouchers by a PR company to pick up these items in store.  The opinions expressed are all mine and my obsession with HomeSense is real.

Blossom Dandy by Essie

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‘Blossom Dandy’ is one of the beautiful shades from Essie’s 2015 Flowerista collection and is perfect for summertime. A gorgeous bright duck egg shade, it has a hint of mint without taking anything away from the blue tones.

I’m obsessed.

I have been searching for a shade like this for a few weeks but all the polishes I have seen seem to be too blue or too green – I wanted that famous Tiffany’s colour.

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Using the Essie base coat and two coats of colour, the drying time was great and I didn’t have to endure any smudging (I’m a fidget which always proves problematic painting nails!)

 I can’t comment on the staying power as it’s only been on my nails for a couple of hours but Essie polish usually lasts a good 5 days before chipping. During the hotter months (or week, in the UK) I change up the nail colour quite a bit so longevity isn’t too much of an issue for me, but I have a feeling I’m going to be opting for this shade quite a bit…

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You can find more details on the Essie Flowerista collection here.

What do you think of this colour? Have you bought any shades from this range?

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Rococo Gardens, Painswick

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It was a cloudy Sunday afternoon spent in the most gorgeous, greenest of gardens. I think I found my new happy place.

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Rococo Garden in Painswick, Gloucestershire is the most picturesque place. I did a little research on local ‘escapes’ and came across this beauty of a location – the perfect escape to the countryside (not that you have to travel very far out of Cheltenham for beautiful views). Sunshine or not, the flowers were all in bloom and I found myself humming along to Laura Mvula’s Green Garden. 

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Probably not the best day to be wearing a skirt, I certainly felt the breeze between my knees, March winds in May were in full force!

It’s incredible that this is the only surviving Rococo garden in Britain, I have never seen a garden like it. The term Rococo translates to an ornate style of architecture, art and furniture, which was popular yet short-lived in the early to mid 18th century.

This is the first view you are hit with, the green valley.

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We were about to embark on our stroll when the wind took a strong turn so we crept back to the Tea Room for shelter, coffee and cake were calling!

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That was some of the best coffee cake I have ever eaten. I mean, it even rivals my own (my Cappuccino cake is a specialty of mine).

Bellies full, we took a wander along the first path that we came across, not knowing where we were going to end up or what we may come across…

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The Red House, I’m not sure if it was because there was nobody else about or that the weather was a little overcast but the building had an eerie vibe to it. I have clearly seen too many horror films in my time and my imagination went into overdrive, so I stayed clear of entering the house and admired the architecture from outside instead.

Then out of nowhere, a visitor came to greet us.

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Our new friend escorted us along the next path, stopping now and then as I took photographs, what a purrfect companion.

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Coat | Oasis

Top | Vintage

Skirt | Miss Selfridge

Boots | H&M

Bag | Zara

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The ‘Excedra’ is an impressive feature within the grounds, a structure that you must take a snap of before you leave…

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A photo opportunity arose…

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I had quite the audience during my silly shenanigans…

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Shakespeare and Augustus Caesar to name just two watched on, as I frolicked around the garden. Parting is such sweet sorrow but it was time to continue my escapades elsewhere – the maze was just around the corner!

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There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

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I have had a fascination with mazes dating back to when I was just a small child. The excitement of entering the ‘unknown’, racing friends and family to get to the middle first, pretending that I’m in the Labyrinth and I’m en route to the Goblin Kingdom

No? Just me who does that? Okay, let’s move on..

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You can quite easily find yourself getting lost here within the six-acre valley garden, with the wondrous woodland paths surrounded by wild flowers.

As one path ended, we turned back round to find the next one to explore. Passing our friends Bill and Augustus, more beautiful flowers caught our attention.

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Hay! Who is this guy?

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His jokes were a bit corny but he impressed me with how outstanding he was in his field.

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It’s difficult not to fall in love with this place, it’s a fantastic backdrop for whatever occasion – you can even get married here!

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The sun came out just as we decided to call it a day (which the camera didn’t capture).

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I’m already planning my next trip – perhaps when the sun comes out to play and I’ll be sure to wear more sensible attire for walking adventures.

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Check out the website for full details on admission and events coming up!

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My Netflix Obsessions

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I’m not sure what I watched or did to occupy boredom before Netflix entered my life, but I’d love to shake the hand of whoever created it!

From 90’s classics (hello – Clueless, need I say more?) to some of the best British and American TV comedies and dramas from the noughties era, you can pretty much find it all on this online portal of joy. I am happy to admit that I actually choose to spend enjoy the occasional Friday or Saturday night, binge watching my latest TV series obsession, and I thought I would share a few of the best shows I’ve seen so far.

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#1 Once Upon A Time // Have you ever imagined what would happen if all your favourite fairy tale characters came together? Well, this show pretty much answers this request. Taking you between two worlds, the Enchanted Forest and the fictional town of Storybrooke, the characters have to break a magic curse that has taken their true identities. I think I watched the first series within a week I became that addicted, and I try and watch a new episode or two every evening before bed. Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin is worth a watch alone, he is bloomin’ brilliant! In fact, the entire cast are – sign up now if you haven’t already! (*Spoiler* – Anna and Elsa from Frozen feature in season 4…ya know, just in case I haven’t persuaded you yet).

#2 Suits // Two words: Harvey Specter. I’m totally kidding (I’m not), that is definitely not the only reason I watch it…if you don’t know who I’m talking about, Google him. Man crush aside, it follows a corporate lawyer (Specter) and his associate Mike (who never attended law school but has one hell of a detailed memory) as they try and settle cases in New York City. There is an undertone of humour that runs throughout the series which is why I rate it higher than other law dramas, and the whole cast bring something different to the show which really holds your attention. Season 4 is being aired on UK TV at the moment but you can catch up with the first three series on Netflix.

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#3 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt // I watched the whole season in less than a day, as I nursed a bad hangover. It follows Kimmy adjusting to life in New York after being rescued from a doomsday cult in Indiana, and she soon lands herself a job as a nanny and finds the best roommate ever – Titus Andromedon, a struggling actor. Written by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, the series has unsurprisingly already received rave reviews from critics and the second season has already been confirmed (phew!). Even if you only watch five minutes of the show make sure it’s the one with the ‘Pinot Noir’ song, it’s something you may never want to forget.

#4 The Good Wife // That American legal and political drama with Mr Big from Sex and the City in, you know the one. He plays Illinois’ former State Attorney Peter Florrick who is arrested following a political corruption whilst his wife Alicia (played by the brilliant Julianna Margulies) starts a new job as a litigator to help provide for their two children. With a cast as awesome as this (Christine Baranski and Alan Cumming to name just two) and compelling cases in each episode, it’s the perfect show to sink your teeth into and you will be hooked in no time.

#5 American Horror Story // Okay so technically I haven’t watched much of this series, I’m a big wimp who can’t handle gruesome stuff, but what I have seen has been excellent viewing. Aside from the super scary scenes that I make my friend watch (and then she tells me what has happened, thanks Al) the cast and acting is incredible and the storylines keep you hanging on, making you want to know more. If I could mute the bits where people are being violently murdered I know I would be much further along the series than I am right now, but for those who are okay with this kinda stuff you will love it. I dare you to IMDB the cast, it goes on and on and on… even Lady Gaga stars in it in season 5!

I try not to watch too many shows at once, mainly because I don’t have the time but also I think it’s hard to balance more than a couple (especially if they take a lot of concentration!) There are a few shows however that I wish were on Netflix *ahem* (Netflix, if you’re reading this, take the hint), in particular these gems…

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Nashville // I’m totally, utterly obsessed. From the music to the characters, this show has me singing and dancing around my kitchen to wiping back the tears – what other show does that? Season 3 is currently airing on E4 in the UK right now (my Wednesday nights are sorted) but I’d really like to watch the previous two series all over again.

Real Housewives // …of Beverly Hills, of Orange Countyof New York – a total guilty pleasure of mine and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Following the lavish lives of rich women and their families, it’s not all diamonds and caviar and some of the feuds get ridiculously out of hand (much to the viewers amusement).

Sabrina the Teenage Witch // Just one example of a classic 90’s TV series I grew up watching, I would love to go back and watch some of these shows and reminisce. Saved By The Bell, Sister Sister… the list is endless!

Revenge // From the first episode to it’s current season, I’ve been addicted. Following a woman as she seeks revenge on a family who framed her father when she was a child, the show takes on many twists and turns so you never get bored. It takes a lot of concentration (think of each scene as a piece of a jigsaw puzzle) but I welcome that hour every Monday night to enjoy something a little bit grittier than other series I love. It’s an hour where I put my phone and laptop away, drink my cup of tea and perhaps eat a cheeky piece or two of chocolate and end up on the edge of my seat longing for the next episode! I’ve tried to convince so many of my friends to watch it and Netflix would be the perfect home for it to air, especially as the last ever episode airs tonight (I think) in the UK.

What Netflix shows are you obsessed with?  Let me know in the comments, I love hearing new recommendations!

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