Planning the Perfect Date in Bath

So, it’s been a while since I last posted on here. I’ll explain properly why in my next post but there has been a very good reason and it’s fair to say that I’m one happy, relaxed and loved up lady.
So, what better way to return to my blog than with a post all about happiness and romance eh?

I’ve been approached by the cupids over at Match.com who asked me to post a little something about how to have the perfect date in Bath. I love my home town and think everyone else should too so, of course, I agreed.

Bath is classically a very romantic city. Think Jane Austin, beautiful Georgian architecture and darling little cafes tucked down side streets so it’s no wonder that it is seen as the perfect romantic retreat. But Bath has so much more to offer!

The Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk:

This is something that I have done a couple of times now. The Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk is a great chance to explore the city at twilight, taking in all of the views and atmosphere but with a different spin. They describe the experience as thus: “You’ll laugh yourself silly when you join the celebrated stroll which take an irrelevant look at the city of Bath. You’ll experience unforgettable mysteries, thrills and surprises that stretch the traditional image of the city”. This is a fun option if you are staying in Bath for a few days, or if you are going on that lightly awkward first date and want something light hearted to do that you can talk about long afterwards.

Rent a punt and have a canal adventure:

There is a lot of water around Bath and it is just waiting to be explored. From the Bath Boating Station you can hire both small boats and punts which can be taken out onto the canal for the day at a very reasonable price. Particularly fun I’ve found if one or both of you have very little previous experience in a punt! Take the chance to pack a picnic, top up a tan and get some fresh air.

Give glass blowing a go:

A well-known and very popular Bath company is Aqua Glass. They create beautiful pieces using hand blown glass and now offer interactive demonstration classes where you can blow your own glass bauble to take home as a keepsake. Another great option if you don’t live in Bath that gives you a chance to create your own memory. You can then either pick up your bauble the following day or have it posted to you for a small extra fee.

A cosy, countryside pub with the best food around:

If you are visiting Bath during the colder months then I cannot recommend this option enough. One of my favourite places to visit for food, especially in the winter, is a little pub called The Hope and Anchor. Not centrally located, this may be a better option for those who either live in or around Bath or have a car available. I have been on some wonderful date here. In the winter you will be greeted by a large open fire and mulled wine, in the summer, a garden that is full of flowers. The menu is changed to reflect the season and the specials are always delicious too. There are also some wonderful walking routes surrounding the area.

There are, of course, many other amazing things to do and experience in Bath and it is really difficult to narrow it down. You can also find museums, crazy golf, cocktail bars, parks, cinemas, theatres, the world famous Roman Baths, Royal Crescent and Thermae Spa.

Having grown up, lived, loved and laughed in Bath it will always be one of my favourite places in the world, hopefully if you come to visit, it will become one of yours too :)

Annie xxx

Feeling Cosy with Yankee Candle

So, I am currently pretty much bed bound with some horrible flu like bug hence the lack of beauty posts, but when you feel like poop there are some things that just lift you and make you feel that bit better. With me, it's lighting a few beautifully scented candles, snuggling down under a blanket and watching a film or reading a book.
(I apologise now for the Instragram low resolutions photos, I just haven't had the energy to take better the last few days!)

There's something so therapeutic about the soft glow of candles and  I am totally hooked. My favourite scents have always been the sweeter, foody smells like the Christmas Cupcake and Merry Marshmallow offerings above. Although, until recently I stuck to offerings from the likes of Ikea and Primark which gave off very little scent.

However, I am now a Yankee Candle convert. I picked up a large jar of Fireside Treats when I was recovering from my tonsillectomy and the long burn time and the strong, room filling delicious scent was enough to leave me wanting more.
Since then I've picked up quite a few others, including Butter Cream, Whoopie Pie, Gingerbread Cookie, and my very favourite; Christmas Cookie.

I am so in love with the scent of Christmas Cookie! Described by Yankee as smelling like "buttery rich, vanilla scented holiday cookies" I'd say that it's pretty much true to its word although the reason I rank it above other cookie scents from Yankee is that it doesn't have that weird, artificial biscuit smell that some do, its just pure vanilla, buttery goodness.
At the moment I'm also eagerly awaiting White Chocolate Bunnies from the Spring collection, a Candy Cane Cottage swirl and a Moon Pie swirl so I'm pretty excited.

I'm thinking about adding a few more lifestyle posts to my blog between the beauty posts to break things up a bit. Would that be something you'd enjoy seeing? I'm thinking decor, recipes, organisation, books and more Yankee candles. Let me know :)

Annie xx

The Lust List- The Chilly Edition

So the cold months have started to fall upon us, they must have as I have been out and bought my supply of thermal tights for the winter along with lots of thick and snuggly socks. The heating is on and the jammie shorts have become jammie trousers and all my sandals have been buried beneath all my boots and slightly more practical pumps. Today I even bought a pair of "water resistant" boots from Blowfish to stop my toes getting soggy when walking to work in the rain!
There has been a definite craving for warmth and cosiness I can tell you that, and I have spotted some really lovely winter items popping up in the shops, here's some of the things I've been lusting after.

1. British Nanny Face cream- This face cream from LUSH is fab for cold winter days, its rich and creamy formula keeps skin hydrated even with the wind and dry heat from radiators, it also has SPF 30 so skin will be kept safe from sun if it does ever pop its head out.

2. Faux Fur Trimmed Cape Coat- I am obsessed with cape coats, I think they look really striking in the winter with skinny jeans and boots of wooly tights, I like the oversized look they have without making people look like a sack of potatoes. The fur trim on this one from Dorothy Perkins looks particularly cosy.

3. Camel Sherpa Mittens- Despite their impractical qualities, mittens are so the way to go for ultimate warmth during the winter. I had a pair similar to these when I was little and I'm all for recapturing that immense snugness!

4. Fox Beanie Hat- Yes, I am one of those people who cannot resist a kooky novelty hat. I tried this on in Dorothy Perkins at the weekend and fell in love. Perched on top of all of my hair it actually looks fairly subtle and also sits beautifully. I love that instead of sewing on ears, they have just used a square shape so the ears naturally sit at the side of your head.

5. Bright Wooly Slipper Boots- Slipper boots are what I live in during the colder months. We live in an old house that whilst beautiful, gets incredibly cold so they're perfect to keep my toes as snug as possible. The colour of this pair from Accessorize make me smile whenever I look at them.

6. Starry sweatshirt- How beautiful is this sweatshirt from French Connection? I found it in the sale for just £27 down from £77 and at that price its taking a lot of restraint to keep from buying it.

7. Oversized geo print scarf- Scarves are a must have for winter and I love how they can so easily brighten up an outfit as well as keeping you warm. This one from Urban Outfitters caught my eye with its pretty pastel print.

So those are my most wanted items for winter. Are you a fan of any of these? What are you looking out for ready for the cold season? I think I'm going to spend the evening relaxing in a hot bath scented with a Phoenix Rising bath bomb and grab an early night before a long shift tomorrow.

Annie x

Photo a Week Challenge- Week Six

Hello,
Another week gone means it's time for another weekly photo challenge. This week was trickier because the topic given was Spirit which could be interpreted in lots of different ways.

 My photo has taken the term spirit as a cold and almost ghostly feel. This photo hasn't been edited in any way, it was honestly just so cold and grey that day that the effect of the light made the image almost grey scale.

What have you taken photos of this week? How would you capture the topic "spirit"?
Annie x

A Freezing Cold Picnic

Hello lovely blog readers.
Here in sunny little England it is fair to say that we are now very much feeling the winter chill after several lucky months of mild autumn. However, being the brave, if a little fool hardy, adventurers we are, Daniel and I decided to brave the biting January cold and spend yesterday's sunny afternoon going for a lovely long walk through the Westonbirt Arboretum with a picnic.
It was lovely. We had a nice time wandering between the trees and following a seasonal trail that had been set out to show all of the best winter trees. We both decided that by far our favourite was the Chinese Witch Hazel which boasted bright yellow flowers that would have looked at home on the sea bed.
It was really nice to take my much loved Nikon out for the afternoon too after so long. I managed to get some interestingly lit photos of trees, some lovely photos of Daniel and even some cows we found wandering around. I cant really think of a much nicer afternoon... especially when it was rounded off nicely with a big cup of soya milk hot chocolate :D
What did everyone else do this weekend?

Annie x