New York Photo Diary...

For our 5 year anniversary, Ben and I decided to splash out and head to New York as an end of the year treat. We were lucky enough to stay in a friend's apartment which made the trip a lot cheaper than it could have been! As this was our second trip to the Big Apple, we did less 'tourist' things and spent a lot of time wandering round new areas and eating our body weight in food! As ever, I had my camera in hand so here's a selection of my favourite snaps...

When I Grow Up...

For many lucky people, blogging is a full time occupation. Unlike other careers, bloggers working from home can do so in the comfort of pj bottoms and slouchy jumpers. Workwear Express realised that bloggers don't have a work uniform and have come up with a new campaign #WEChildhoodDream. The campaign centres around a blogging uniform and the infamous question 'what do you want to be when you grow up...'

When I was little, I wanted to be a dancer. From the age of 5, I was desperate to join all the other girls in my class and start ballet lessons after school. My parents bought me my first pair of ballet shoes that Christmas and a love affair began. Over the years, I branched out into tap, modern, jazz, contemporary and eventually chose my secondary school for it's brilliant dance facilities. I spent my teenage years dancing most evenings and all day Saturday - it played a huge part in my life, so much so I decided to take a different route and do a Dance degree rather than a traditional academic one. After three fab years dancing everyday, I fell in love with the theory and written side of dance and was lucky enough to get an internship with the UK's leading Dance magazine. I'm not working in the dance world anymore but I'm pretty proud that I managed to stick with my childhood dream and who knows, I may stumble back into the world of pas de bourrees and pirouettes in the future! 

Thanks so much to Workwear Express for sending through my shiny new blogging uniform and the accompanying bits that are the perfect blogging accessories! What did you want to be when you grew up? Join the conversation using #WEChildhoodDream...

#CarnivalFiesta with Thomas Cook Airlines...

Last Tuesday I headed to Shoreditch after receiving an exciting email a few weeks ago inviting me to Thomas Cook Airline's #CarnivalFiesta. I was greeted at Bario East by the fabulous Erica and directed to the mojitos  - the perfect way to start a Carniva themed party! The night started with some brilliant Samba dancing by two pros from Brazil before we were then split into groups before heading off to five different Carnival themed stations! Throughout the fun filled night, we glittered up, had a Samba lesson, glue gunned away to make amazing headdresses and got a cocktail masterclass!

We also had a chance to speak to some of the team from Thomas Cook Airlines, did you know that the second largest carnival in the world takes place in Tenerife? I certainly didn't but after hearing all about it I definitely want to head there next February! Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has two parts, the official Carnival and the Carnival on the street - each year is themed and 2016's is the roaring 80s! For someone who loves dancing and sequins, this sounds right up my street! Getting right into the swing of the Samba lessons (it's the closest I'm going to get to appearing on Strictly so I went for it!) a full on Carnival is next on my bucket list!! 

With flights to Tenerife starting from as little as £40, I may have to head there before the Carnival fun in February! Thanks so much to Thomas Cook Airlines for putting on such an incredible event last week, fingers crossed I get to see the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife with my own eyes next year...

Luxury Lifestyle..

As part of a competition luxury Motor Yacht company VanDutch are running, they've asked what my ideal luxury lifestyle would be like...


If I could live a luxury lifestyle it would most definitely include travel, particularly experiencing more beaches like the one above from my travels last year to Thailand. This time round it would be in style (think 5* hotels with complimentary daily spa treatments and sunning myself on remote islands). Top of my destination list would be Indonesia where I could sail from island to island on my private yacht before mooring and  exploring what each island has to offer. 

A perfect day in my idea luxury lifestyle would include waking up to a sea view and enjoying a breakfast of exotic fruit on my luxury 5* beach hut balcony. I'd then take my yacht out on crystal clear waters to go diving and explore the coral and turtles in their natural habitat. The afternoon would be filled with exploring the history of the local area and eating food from the local market. Early evening would include relaxing spa treatments back at the hotel along with some pampering like manicures and a nice new hairstyle. We'd then head out to a Michelin star restaurant for cocktails at sunset and an incredible dinner of locally sourced seafood. The day would end with dessert on the beach under the stars.

If only dream lifestyles came true... What would your ideal luxury lifestyle be like? 

New Forest Adventures...

For Ben's birthday a couple of weekends ago, we took a trip to the New Forest (Ben had signed up for a 64 mile bike ride so we decided to make a weekend of it). We stayed in a quaint B&B just outside of Brockenhurst and spent a sunny Saturday wandering around the forest. The New Forest is beautiful and the perfect place for a quick getaway from London. 

Soho Eats - Street Food Union

Working in Soho there’s always plenty of incredible places to grab some foo, but Thursdays and Fridays are by far the best lunch days because of Street Food Union. A stones throw from my office, this international food market pops up at the end of the week and is the perfect one stop shop for a quick delicious meal!

On Rupert Street, Street Food Union is an independent market set up by three food traders keen to champion the best up and coming talent on the street food scene. With dishes ranging from juicy burgers to aromatic curries, you’ll find it hard to choose – I’d recommend the Argentinian Steak Sandwich or the Korean Pulled Pork Flatbread! Next time you’re in the Soho area on Thursday, Friday or Saturday between 11am and 3.30pm, make sure to stop by!

Carsten Höller - Decision...

Last weekend Ben and I visited Carsten Höller's 'Decision' exhibition at The Southbank Centre. Starting with a pitch black tunnel, this immersive experience was different from the very moment we set foot into the Hayward Gallery. 

Sprawled out over several floors, visitors were given the opportunity to explore ideas of perception and decision making. From entering virtual worlds to deciding whether or not to touch an ever increasing pile of tablets, the experience was left down to us to make our way round and decide what to do. The best parts of the exhibition were definitely the goggles that flipped the world upside down and the slide to exit the gallery! 

#LumiaStreetArt...

On Tuesday evening I headed to Shoreditch after work as I was kindly invited to Microsoft's #LumiaStreetArt event by Talent Talkers. Outside of Shoreditch High Street Station I met a bunch of lovely London bloggers where we were given Lumia 930's to test out! Being an avid Apple fan, I was really looking forward to trying something new and had high hopes for the camera! 

After spending a few minutes getting to grips with the new phone (three years of an iPhone apparently makes you forget how to use anything else!), I couldn't believe how much the camera lets you do! From adjusting white balance to altering brightness and playing with ISO, the Lumia 930 gives you so much freedom to take amazing pictures. I may not be fully converted to a Windows phone but it has certainly made me wish I had access to a mobile camera as good as that everyday. 

It was such a fun evening learning about the difference between graffiti and street art and how to use the Lumia 930's camera to the best of its ability. I wish I could have a guide taking me to cool locations and a photographer giving me tips all the time!

Thanks so much to Talented Talkers for inviting me along, to Karim for guiding us around Shoreditch and to Phil for the top camera tips. 

Read Microsoft's write up of the tour here.