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Monica

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

Today I’m sharing my review of My Picture to print a photo canvas and their Mixpix to create a magnetic gallery wall. If you’re interested in any of the products I’m sharing, you can order them on MYPICTURE.co.uk using my 15% off discount code – THETRAVELHACK15 This 15% off code is in ADDITION to any …

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It’s getting to that time of year where we’re preparing to hunker down for winter. But, before you do, make sure you’ve got your winter sun holiday planned and booked! Nothing beats a week of winter sun when we’re in the depths of a cold, wet winter. It gives you something to look forward to …

Read More about Riviera Maya vs Cancun for your next winter sun holiday

If you’re looking for camping clothes and ideas for what to wear camping then I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my favourite camping outfits and what women should pack for a camping trip. Shoes The right footwear is really important for a camping trip. You’re going to be outdoors a lot and there’s …

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If you’re flying with Ryanair, everyone gets a 40x20x25cm item of luggage you can take on board at no extra fee. It doesn’t matter what luggage you’ve paid for (if any!) Every passenger gets a Ryanair personal item size bag which is 40cm x 20cm x 25cm. This bag needs to fit under the seat …

Read More about Ryanair personal item size: 6 perfect Ryanair 40x20x25 bags

Manchester is my favourite city in the UK. It’s smaller and friendlier than London or Birmingham and has more of an indie, creative vibe. There are also so many things to do in Manchester thanks to the city’s rich industrial heritage, vibrant cultural scene, and world-famous football clubs. Here are my favourite things to do …

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If you’re looking for carry on luggage for kids I’ve got 10 great suggestions to help make your flight as smooth and simple as possible. Before choosing your kid’s carry on luggage, make sure you check the size allowance for the airline you’re flying with. It varies significantly from airline to airline and you don’t …

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*This post has been created in collaboration with Very. If I’m ever asked for one key piece of parenting advice it’s this: “Photograph as much as you can and treasure those memories.” It’s an old cliche but time really does go so quickly and documenting your memories is one of the most precious things you …

Read More about Creating an Instax family photo journal

Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in Powys and quickly became a favourite of mine. It’s the highest waterfall in Wales at 73 metres high and it’s incredible to stand at the bottom and feel the force of the water nearby. Legend has it that a fairy queen named Blodeuwedd, who …

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Last weekend I stayed in the most perfect log cabins in Wales at Trawsfynydd Holiday Village. It was an idyllic escape and these cabins are a hidden gem…so ssssssshhh, keep them quiet!  ‘It’s like stepping back in time here,’ I was told as I checked into my log cabin for the weekend. ‘But we’re slowly …

Read More about Log Cabins in Wales: The perfect escape at Trawsfynydd Holiday Village

We’re delving into some real adulting today as we chat about travel insurance and money saving hacks!  Did you know that if you use Cedar Tree travel insurance, you get access to a member’s club where there are massive discounts for both travel and everyday spending? I started using Cedar Tree for my family’s annual …

Read More about How to get your travel insurance for free, and make annual savings that could even mean an extra holiday

I’ve been using a beach trolley for nearly two years now to cart the ridiculous amount of stuff we take to the beach. When my kids were little, I loved having a double pushchair to load up with beach paraphernalia but we, stupidly, got rid of it when they got bigger and had to invest …

Read More about 5 best beach trolleys + what to look for when buying a beach trolley

Are you looking for the perfect 45x36x20cm cabin bag? Maybe you’re looking for the ‘free underseat luggage’ you can take on easyJet flights. It’s the bag that fits under the seat in front of you and you don’t need to pay any extra to take it onboard. You might be surprised to find how spacious …

Read More about easyJet hand luggage: 5 best 45x36x20 Cabin Bag

We all love a day at the beach but please tell me I’m not alone in forgetting HOW MUCH STUFF you need!? There are so many things to take to the beach to make sure everyone is happy all day. Beach packing is an underrated art form! You think you can just grab a bag, …

Read More about 47 things to take to the beach: Your ultimate beach day packing list

Llangollen is the prettiest little town in Denbighshire in North Wales, UK. I live about 20 minutes from Llangollen (often shortened to ‘Llan’ by locals) and it’s one of my favourite places to visit on a sunny day. The town is situated on the River Dee so many of the things to do in Llangollen …

Read More about 30 things to do in Llangollen, North Wales

Here are 12 Abersoch beaches you’ll want to visit on your next visit to Abersoch. The most popular thing to do in Abersoch is visit the beach. And rightly so! The beaches in and around Abersoch are stunning and, thanks to that famous Llyn Peninsula microclimate, you often get sunshine when the rest of the …

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Would you stay in a shipping container? Probably not, that’s a silly question really isn’t it! What about if the shipping container looked like this…. I’ve just returned from a gorgeous glamping break and this time I had the pleasure of staying in a converted shipping container at The Box BNB in North Yorkshire. It’s …

Read More about The Box BNB review: Glamping in a shipping container in North Yorkshire

The Hand Hotel in Llanarmon is possibly the cosiest place I’ve ever stayed. It’s all roaring fires and low beams, snug corners with comfy chairs, welcoming smiles and friendly chit chat over large glasses of red wine. I arrived on a snowy Thursday afternoon to find the excitable yet tranquil atmosphere that can only be …

Read More about Review: The Hand Hotel in Llanarmon, Wrexham, the cosiest country hotel

You don’t need me to tell you there are so many famous buildings to see in Barcelona! But to make it a bit easier to plan your trip, I’ve got 10 of Barcelona’s most famous buildings to see when you visit Barcelona! There really is nowhere else in Europe that does architecture like Barcelona. Some …

Read More about 10 famous buildings you have to see in Barcelona

As you probably know, I like to go big on family days out! Whether it’s the weekend or school holidays, I like to have a busy schedule filled with activities to keep the whole family happy and entertained.  I have three energetic kids and, if I’m totally honest, they just drive me mad when we …

Read More about Cheap family days out: 15 hacks to save money on family activities

Are you looking for a relaxing spa weekend in the Lake District? In today’s blog I’m sharing the details from my recent spa break to the Lakes. It was perfect and included a gorgeous spa hotel on Lake Windermere, amazing food, country pubs, pretty villages and an easy but adventurous hike nearby. I’m not going …

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If you follow me on Instagram you’ll know I’m obsessed with my standing desk from Flexispot. So I’m really excited to be giving one away! All you need to do is like this post on Instagram and a winner will be selected at midday on Monday 27th March 2023. I will contact winners via Instagram …

Read More about Win a standing desk from Flexispot worth up to £439.99

Mollie’s Motel Bristol Review & Summary: Mollie’s Motel is a gorgeous, stylish and affordable motel just off the M5. It’s perfect for an overnight break from driving and it’s WAY better than your standard motorway hotel! My stay at Mollie’s was a complimentary press stay in exchange for an honest review. Mollie’s Motel is a …

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If you’re thinking Tenerife is just all about package holidays and resorts then think again. The island has a striking volcanic landscape (did you know there are 300 volcanoes on the island?!) packed with hiking trails, gorges, unique plant life and fine-dining restaurants.  If you’re planning a trip to Tenerife or would normally write it …

Read More about 50 things to do in Tenerife

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to backup your iPhone without spending a fortune on iCloud storage? Today I’m sharing the simplest way to backup your iPhone. It doesn’t take hours You don’t need to pay for online storage You can access files without Wifi You can easily backup your files while …

Read More about How do I backup my iPhone? Quickly transfer photos and videos from your iPhone