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Monica

Hi, I'm Monica! This is my family lifestyle blog where I share posts about motherhood and microadventures.

Today Suzanne is sharing the best food and drink to try during your trip to Lisbon. She’s also got some great suggestions for the best restaurants in Lisbon for the tastiest trip possible. I hope you’re hungry… When you’re not hurtling around on Lisbon’s trams or Instagramming the alleyways of Alfama you’ll want to tantalise …

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Today’s post is a bit different because I’m chatting to Elle about her debut novel, her book deal and what it feels like to be a published author! Oh yes, if you didn’t know, Elle’s written her first book, The Guilty Wife. She’s got herself a book deal for not just one book but two …

Read More about The Guilty Wife: Elle Croft’s author secrets and what it’s like to publish a book

Michele Frolla is sharing her top travel tips for Rome. Like most cities, Rome can be a little overwhelming for a first time visitor but we’ve got lots of simple insider travel tips to make your trip to Rome easier. Michele’s Rome travel tips will save you time and money and make your holiday as …

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Here’s my review of the VAGO baggage compressor, a clever travel tool to help reduce the size of your luggage by up to 50% with a tiny, portable vacuum compressor.   Does anyone else always wish they had just a tiny bit more space in their luggage? If this is you then I have a …

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We live in a world where everyone wants everything to be bigger, faster, stronger, brighter. We spend our lives consumed by wanting more and we’re programmed to spend way too much time and energy on achieving this unattainable ‘more’. We want bigger TVs, faster cars, bigger homes, better jobs, bigger bank balances, more clothes, more …

Read More about Consumerism, overspending and why I love camping

Over the past few years, blogging and being a social media influencer has become big business and the internet is swarming with tips on how to make money through your blog. It’s true that with a lot of hard work and a lot of passion, you can turn it into a profitable career but I …

Read More about 4 monetisation strategies to make money from your blog

I’ve been a big fan of Osprey backpacks since my first backpacking trip way back in 2009. It actually wasn’t my backpack, it was Sam’s but I was so envious. Sam’s Osprey backpack had cost a little more than mine but the extra £50 he’d spent could be seen in the quality and design. His …

Read More about Win an Osprey Transporter 95 Backpack worth £130!

As well as being incredibly cool, Lisbon is also beautifully photogenic and totally Instagramable. The city is built on seven hills which means there are more than a few panoramic viewpoints. Ancient districts are packed with steep cobblestone streets, gorgeous Azulejo tiles and street art. Camera in hand, you’ll be drawn to the sleek lines …

Read More about Lisbon’s 10 most Instagramable spots

If you’re looking for things to do in Manchester this weekend then I’ve got a great Manchester weekend itinerary that includes all of my favourite things – vintage shopping, gorgeous cafes, ancient libraries and even the adrenaline fuelled bonus of skydiving! There are so many things to do in Manchester and it can be a …

Read More about Things to do in Manchester: Vintage shopping, cake eating, library hunting and skydiving!

A road trip is my favourite way to discover a new destination. I love the freedom of the open road and that feeling as your soar through the countryside with the wind in your hair and your favourite song blasting through the car. I love stopping at road side cafes and every little gem that …

Read More about Road tripping: My Travel Hacks for your first time driving abroad

A compilation of the best travel books – as shortlisted by Stanfords! If you made it your New Year’s Resolution to read more this year then I have some of the best travel books for you. These travel books were all shortlisted for The Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards. Yes, Stanford’s – that gorgeous store …

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Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, makes for a fabulous European city break. There are so many things to do in Lisbon that you can be a busy or as chilled as you please and the city is totally on trend for 2018. There are lots of reasons to love Lisbon; it’s cosmopolitan, colourful, chilled-out and has a …

Read More about A beginner’s guide to Lisbon: 10 things to do in Lisbon during your first trip

I love the fact that travel photography is such an accessible hobby to us all. Even great quality cameras can be picked up second hand for a couple of hundred pounds and virtually everyone has a smartphone in their pocket at all times. We take more photos than even before and it’s only going to …

Read More about How to photograph your travels and still be in the moment

The Gothic Quarter, or Barrio Gotico, is at the heart of Barcelona’s old city, and plays host to some of the most beautiful historic sights the city has to offer. For today’s post I caught up with a friend of mine living in the city to find out some insider tips on exploring the Gothic …

Read More about A local’s guide to the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona: 9 things you have to do!

Winter sunshine. Ahhh, it’s like music to my ears. It’s always at this time of year when I start thinking, ‘I wish I’d booked a winter sun holiday! Why wasn’t I more organised back in October!?’ If you’re in the same boat, it’s not too late to book a winter sun holiday for this year! …

Read More about 10 reasons to add Tenerife to your winter holiday bucket list

If you’re looking for the best British beaches to add to your summer wish list then you’ve come to the right place! We Brits are often guilty of travelling all over the world in search of white sandy beaches and crystal clear seas while forgetting about the beautiful British beaches we have right on our …

Read More about 10 best British beaches you have to visit this summer

I’m all about travelling with kids, you guys know that. I don’t think parents should put their lives on hold for 10 years while their children grow up. We shouldn’t stop travelling and taking holidays because 10 years is a long time to stop doing all the fun stuff we love! Some people say that’s …

Read More about Why we won’t be taking any more winter city breaks with our kids

It’s over 8 years since I left to go backpacking around Southeast Asia and Australia. I remember the day we left like it was yesterday. I was so excited I thought I might burst but I was so scared I thought I might break down in tears and refuse to board the plane. We had …

Read More about 10 things I wish I’d known before backpacking southeast Asia and Australia

Today I’m sharing my blogging goals for 2018. I’m doing this for a couple of reasons: Accountability – if I write my goals down on the pages of this blog then I’m going to have to try and do it! Nosiness – I’m hoping this post will inspire other bloggers to write something similar and …

Read More about My blogging goals for 2018 + an exciting blogger’s competition!

Here’s my honest review from our family holiday to Tenerife and our Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife review with Jet2Holidays.   I was a little worried about writing my blog post about our family holiday to Tenerife with Jet2Holidays. The reason I was worried was because it was perfect. No, really. Everything. Every single little detail …

Read More about The Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife review: An honest review

Yes, that’s right, heated jacket. Heated! Today I’m reviewing the new Explorer Jacket from Blaze Wear, a heated jacket that’s a complete game-changer for people, like me, who are always cold. Blaze Wear specialise in heated clothing and their new Explorer heated Jacket is basically like wearing a gorgeous coat filled with mini radiators. Seriously, …

Read More about Blaze Wear Explorer Jacket Review: The heated jacked you need to beat winter

I was absolutely honoured when Lucy, the blogger behind Wanderluce and the awesome podcast What She Said, invited me back to the podcast for the second time. What She Said is a podcast for bloggers and creatives and Lucy has interviewed some of the most inspiring women in this crazy blogging world of ours. I …

Read More about How to make money through your blog + my second appearance on the What She Said Podcast

If you’re lucky enough to have 1 week in North Wales then this is the perfect itinerary. There’s so much to see and do in North Wales and this itinerary will take you from gorgeous golden beaches to historical towns to one of the quirkiest villages in the world. You’ll see the summit of the …

Read More about 1 week itinerary to see the best of North Wales

This is what we all want really? Isn’t it? For our lives to be happy, our bodies to be healthy, our minds to be organised and to generally be more efficient so you can finally get through that to-do list that’s longer than your leg! And then maybe even have a little time to relax. …

Read More about Simple New Year’s resolutions for a happier, healthier, more organised and more efficient 2018