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Monica

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

I’d like to take this opportunity to make sure you all know that I don’t usually stay in swanky hotels. Of course, from time to time I’m lucky enough to stay in a gorgeous boutique hotel or somewhere exotic or on the beach. But the majority of the time, particularly on city breaks, I’m in …

Read More about 8 ways to make a budget hotel feel more luxurious

That’s a very bold title isn’t it? The best massage IN THE WORLD. Obviously I haven’t tried every massage in the whole entire world but I’ve tried a lot and this one was pretty darn good, the best I’ve ever had. Le Meridien Limassol is a luxury resort and spa in Limassol, a city on …

Read More about The best massage in the world at Le Meridien Limassol Spa, Cyprus

Earlier this year I spent three weeks travelling in the USA. I began in Miami with a fabulously luxurious trip to Miami Beach and a stay at Metropolitan by COMO. I then flew to LA to join a two-week camping trip with Trek America. As a blogger, it was absolutely vital for me to stay …

Read More about Using Explora Phones in the USA: The solution to mobile roaming fees?

My final few days in California were tinged with sadness. We’d done so much over the past few weeks and I felt like I’d been travelling for months and couldn’t imagine going back to ‘the real world’. I’d got back into the backpacking way of life and felt like I could carry on for years. …

Read More about A road trip through Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara and Venice Beach

Before I visited Cyprus the one thing everyone said to me was: “Oh my goodness, you’re going to LOVE the food.” They didn’t tell me about the gorgeous views, the beaches, the bright blue sea and those incredible Cypriot sunsets. No, everyone just went on and on about the food. It wasn’t until I had …

Read More about Food from Cyprus: Making a quick and easy Cypriot Meze

Choosing a hand luggage bag for travel is way more difficult than you’d ever imagine. You think you just need a bag that complies with airline size limits and is big enough to hold all your stuff, right? If only it were that simple! I usually check my main luggage in so here’s what I …

Read More about Is this the best hand luggage bag ever? Valencia Camera Bag from Aide de Camp

“A blogging…festival?” I can hear the cogs whirring already. “A blogging festival? What on earth is a blogging festival?” Well my friends, this weekend I was speaking at Blogstock, the world’s first blogging festival, and I can tell you that it was flipping marvelous. There are lots of conferences set up for bloggers from all …

Read More about #Blogstock Blogging Festival and how bloggers can work with travel brands and PRs

Now that I’ve moved out of London I see it in a whole new light. I’m still in London once or twice a week so it’s enough to not feel like a stranger but not enough to get bugged down with city life. It’s as though a magical pair of rose tinted glasses are stuck …

Read More about 10 truths about the London Underground and how to survive the tube

You probably all know by now that my luggage addiction is getting a bit ridiculous. While most women dream about designer handbags, I’m drooling over suitcases and backpacks with hidden storage pockets and handy compartments. I love packing for holidays and travelling to airports so I must project a lot of this excitement onto suitcases …

Read More about Suitcase Review: Eastpak Tranverz Carry On Bag

Scotland is one of those places where, with the right weather, it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful. You can’t believe you’re just a few hours from home (if you live in the UK that is)  and I had the overwhelming feeling the whole of Scotland has been keeping this incredible secret from me. Why did they not tell …

Read More about A luxurious day at Loch Lomond, Scotland

Each year we spend the entire winter dreaming about beach holidays. White sands, blue seas, bright sunshine and golden tans. Arrhh, this is what dreams are made of. Just after Christmas we re-join the gym and spend hours finding the right skin care regimen, hoping that it will have us looking as beautiful as Beyonce …

Read More about My 5 beach and beauty essentials + how to fake it on the beach

It was this time last year I was busily planning my trip to Iceland which I took in October. Early October was the perfect time to visit Iceland thanks to the blue skies, chilly but bearable temperatures and a light scattering of snow that dusted the ground. Iceland immediately became one of my favourite places …

Read More about A photo journey through Southern Iceland and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

I’ve spent the last few weeks telling everyone that they just HAVE to take a weekend away or a short holiday to Ljubljana. If you’re not convinced, take a look at my post 10 reasons to love Ljubljana. So, for all those people who are starting to get the message, this is for you… How …

Read More about How to plan a holiday to Ljubljana, Slovenia

In this series of blogging posts I’m attempting to answer some of the questions I’m asked as a full-time blogger and freelancer. I’m often approached by people who have begun to earn a small side income through blogging and freelance work and want to know how to make the leap and do this full time. …

Read More about Tips to leave your job and become a full time freelancer

If you’re looking for an affordable and unique weekend away then glamping in a yurt might be the perfect option…. I remember a time when camping holidays in the UK were something to be dreaded. Cold, wet nights were spent eating burnt BBQ food while huddling under a canopy to stay dry. I always ended …

Read More about Glamping in a yurt in Hay-on-Wye, Hereford