Trek America Wish List

With the evenings getting lighter and the temperature slowly creeping up, I can't help but get excited for summer.

I'm not going to America till September, but I still am getting prepared by drawing up to-do lists of what I want to buy.

I thought I would compile a wish list for the USA, which is taking inspiration from other peoples travels. Hopefully I will have the money and I can treat myself to these things to take with me on my travels.

1. Go Pro

This is every travellers dream camera, which can be used underwater and films the most amazing videos to cherish those memories forever. It does come with a hefty price tag, with a typical Go Pro costing around £94 for the cheapest model. Cheaper versions are available which I may have to resort to if I can't save the money, but this is the perfect camera to film those amazing moments, such as the helicopter ride I will be taking over the Grand Canyon, or travelling across the Golden Gate bridge in San Fransisco. This is my must have item.

2. Bum Bag

This is what I've grown up calling them but essentially its a fanny pack. I've found some funky ones with cool patterns on, and this will be perfect for walking around the cities. It holds just enough for the essentials, like money, phone and camera, and keeps it safe in front of you. Check out this cute one I found on amazon!

3. Backpack

Essential for hiking in Yosemite or for a day around Disneyland. I use backpacks when I need to carry more than the basics, such as water and a rain mac. It's so much better than a one shoulder bag and helps with the backache as well. You can also make it look fashionable, with most high street stores like Topshop, New Look etc. offering cool bags that will suit all types of outfits.

4. Iphone Charger

My phone contract needs upgrading soon, so I will be resorting back to the iPhone. The reason I ditched an iPhone last time was the disappointing battery life, but after having a Sony, it's made me miss it and this time I will prepare myself with a portable charger. This means I can charge it whilst on the go and still the able to use it for connecting with friends/family and taking pictures. I'm going for the Anker Astro E4 for around £20, but there are loads on the market for a range of prices.

5. Ray Bans

A must for traveling around sunny California with. I've never invested in a real pair, I actually opt for the fake ones. As I will be visiting Turkey this year, I will no doubt be utilising my bargaining skills to buy a new pair at the markets. That way I don't mind if they get ruined or broken.

6. Nike Air Max Trainers

Perfect for walking around and seeing the city sights, plus they can make an outfit casual and comfortable. Although they are pricey at £90, these will last a long time and can be used for exercise, worn with jeans or to dress down a going out outfit. They are also available in loads of varieties and colours, meaning I can wear them with pretty much any outfit. The classic white are my favourite and I can just picture myself wearing these with denim shorts in the American heat!

Review: Nutrition Mixer

I have to say, I'm quite hard to please. And when it comes to spending money, I don't like to be ripped off.

So I've had my eye on the Nutribullet for a long time, ever since it came out.

I've also been consumed with jealousy when coming across people's instagram pictures of delicious, colourful looking smoothies that people create using these blending machines.

I realised it was time to invest in one when I really fancied a bowl of warm, homemade soup that wasn't straight from a tin. This was impossible to make without some sort of blender, so when I heard that Lidl were creating the Nutrition Mixer for only £29.99, I took the chance and purchased my own.

At around £80, the NutriBullet is £50 more expensive than the Nutrition Mixer, which both do the same job.

So, armed with my blender and an collection of recipes I had been saving up, I got straight to work making that bowl of soup.

I chose to make a simple, yet satisfying butternut squash soup.
When it got to the blender step, I filled up the beaker, flipped it over and began pureeing it.

The Verdict:

I was amazed! 

Not only is it super fast, it whizzes everything into a smooth puree within seconds! Yes it's loud, which I expected, but the results blew me away and I could finally enjoy that fresh bowl of homemade soup I had been craving for ages.

Now I cannot compare this to the NutriBullet because I've never used the NutriBullet. But I can review Lidl's Nutrition Mixer and I have to say, I'm impressed! I certainly do not feel like I'm being ripped off.

 I cannot wait till summer to try fresh smoothies, and I've already planned a Mexican night where I will use the machine to make homemade guacamole.

So if you are looking for something cheap, good value for money and does a fine job of blending, then definitely consider this model! I guess what they say is true, good things come to those who wait! I'm certainly glad I waited until a cheaper model came out than jumping straight on the bandwagon and buying the NutriBullet.

Battle of the Christmas Drinks

This post is about Christmas drinks! Yes I know what you're thinking, Christmas has been and gone, but I started this around 2 months ago. I wanted to try as many Christmas themed drinks as possible, and only managed about 5 but I have included my thoughts on the most popular flavours:


So I just tried the famous  Gingerbread Latte from Costa, which is one of their festive special edition drinks and my first ever holiday drink!

Yup, I've never tried any Starbucks, Costa, Pret, even McDonalds festive drinks ever! Call me crazy because it was the biggest mistake of my life!

So I had an epiphany, why not try as many festive themed drinks as possible and review them all? At first this sounded like a good idea, who wouldn't want to gorge calorific, sugary drinks and call it research?!

Then I realised how bad they were for you, so for 'research' purposes (and so I don't get diabetes), I will be trying the skimmed/non-fat sugar free versions. Also, these things aren't cheap and due to being so busy, I only got around to trying ones from Costa and Starbucks.

Disclaimer:
This is my personal opinion and taste, which differs from every single other person, so just because I don't like something doesn't mean you will too!

Up first is...

1. Costa Coffee Gingerbread Latte 

Well, this was delicious in every sense. I had it with no whip because I hate the stuff, but as soon as I took one sip of this I was succumbed to that warm, festive feeling. The gingerbread is prominent throughout the whole drink, not just the first few sips. It also meant I could enjoy a coffee without the need for sugar because the sweetness finishes it off nicely. If you are a fan of gingerbread, this is the drink for you. It was sensational! Extra points for the cute cup designs as well.

2. Costa Coffee Caramel Fudge Hot Chocolate

Admittedly I tried a sample of this as I'm not a big fan of hot chocolate, but nevertheless it was nice. I failed to taste the difference from normal hot chocolate's though, which made me question why it was a festive drink if there was nothing festive about it. It was pretty sweet, too much so that a full size drink would have been too much for me. Last year I believe they had a chocolate orange drink which they never bought back this year, to many peoples anger, and I couldn't help but feel this would have been better than the fudge version this year.

3. Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte 

Well this surprised me. I expected it to taste like a generic toffee latte, but the nutty flavour really stands out. I'm not the biggest fan of nuts (no pun intended), but this adds to the whole drink. It's subtle enough to not overpower the sweet toffee syrup in the milk, yet it adds a nice festive touch. I found myself wanting another one straight after. Again, I went for no whip but it was still really nice and I would definitely recommend trying it! I would even go to say that it is worth the more expensive price than the other coffee chains, just because it is quite a unique flavour.

4. Costa Coffee Black Forest Hot Chocolate

Another sample I tried, but I was remarkably surprised by this drink. The cherry flavour really is prominent in this drink and compliments the chocolate well. It really is like drinking a Black forest gateau. So if this is one of your favourite desserts, then this drink is the one for you!

5. Salted Caramel Cappuccino (Costa)

A cappuccino is by far my favourite coffee drink so I was very excited to try this. I love salted caramel as well, and when I received the drink it was topped with gold chocolate! How cool is that?! So when I took a sip of this I was a little disappointed. I could taste the caramel, but no salt. It tasted like a regular cappuccino but with a pump of caramel syrup. It did redeem itself with the gold chocolate though!

6. Starbucks Gingerbread Latte

So my last taste test was the Gingerbread Latte from the American chain, so I could do the ultimate comparison between Costa and Starbucks. I have to say, this was good, but Costa ever so slightly won in the taste test. In fairness, they do taste pretty similar so it was hard to distinguish which one was better, but maybe Costa had that little extra drip of syrup.

So that's all I managed this Christmas because these drinks ain't cheap!
My favourite and winner of this experiment has to be Costa's Gingerbread Latte, just because I love ginger and the cute cups made it slightly better than Starbucks!
However, it is followed closely by the Toffee Nut Latte which was unique and still just as delicious.

Hope you enjoyed this experiment, I know I have! Now it's time for a sugar detox as I wallow in post Christmas depression. See you next year!

WDW Guide: Epcot

Oh Epcot. You either get it or you don't.

I've heard a lot of people say this is their least favourite park because it has no solid theming throughout.

Like Animal Kingdom, this park should not be underestimated. This is Walt's baby, as EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Centre of Tomorrow, and he had a heavy influence on the attractions seen their today.

It can easily be done in a day, or half if you are hardcore and don't take in all the details.

Popular rides here are Test Track, which most definitely will have a long queue in peak times, so fastpasses or single rider is preferable on this attraction.

Similarly, Soarin' is popular and has the slowest and most boring queue in the world so try and get a fastpass for this (single rider isn't applicable).

Other attractions include going into the big 'golf' ball, called Spaceship Earth, and Mission Space. These are great to experience, but I wouldn't say they are must do's in my opinion.

There are other low key attractions at the park, but since I haven't ridden them, I feel I can't really comment on them.

The other big attraction is the World Showcase, an area featuring 11 different countries where you can walk around each pavilion and immerse yourself in the different cultures.

Mexico

The countries featured are Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, UK and Canada.

UK

Each pavilion features the architecture typical of that country, as well as merchandise, food, drinks and some attractions/entertainment.

Morocco

This could take half a day to walk around if you really wanted to see everything, but if you aren't that bothered then I would suggest visiting Mexico, Morocco, France, Japan and China.

Of course, as I'm British, a visit to the UK is a must for me!

I ate at the Akerhusus Banquet Hall in Norway for breakfast, as it was character dining and included in my disney dining plan. You get to meet most of the princesses who come around to your table for a chat, as well as performing a princess parade around the restaurant where they lead little prince and princesses around in a procession.

The food was nice, in a buffet style featuring traditional Norwegian foods along with the usual american fare. They also have a hot plate with sausages, bacon, eggs and hash browns which can be replenished if you ask the servers.

To work of all the food we ate, I wandered around each country, stopping to buy a drink in the Rose and Crown pub in the UK and also to take a look at the delicious french patisserie in France. Next time I go, I will most definitely be buying a treat from there.

 

My favourite shop was Karamell-Kuche in Germany, where they sell a selection of Caramel treats. The smell of that shop made me want to live there forever. It smells like a Werther's factory a.k.a. heaven!

Germany

Here you can buy caramel apples, caramel corn, caramel chocolate, caramel cupcakes... yeah you get the gist! Unfortunately I didn't get anything which I really regret but next time, that will be my first stop.

Another highlight at Epcot that stood out for me was browsing the merchandise at Mouse Gear, which I think is one of the best places to buy merchandise.

Also, you can have a go at tasting the flavours of fizzy pop from around the world. Some are horrible (Beverly) and some are yummy (Fanta Melon) but its fun to try them all.

To end a long day here, IllumiNations is the evening show to watch. Not only are there spectacular fireworks set to an amazing musical score, but it is also magical to watch at various places in the world showcase where the lights on the buildings are in sync with the show.

Definitely make sure you see this show, and if you want to splash out then certain restaurants around the world offer dining packages where you can eat in the perfect firework viewing area.

A Visit to Winchester Christmas Market

Another Christmas market that's worth a visit, this time it's in Winchester!

This is a quaint city that is trendy yet historical at the same time, and by the cathedral are little market huts where you can browse the gifts and do a little spot of Christmas shopping.

The best way to visit the market is by going into the city via the Park and Ride. This way you get dropped off right at the beginning of the market.

If you've ever seen the film 'The Holiday', the part where Cameron Diaz is shopping in the local village in Surrey, this is what Winchester reminded me of!

The lights were magical as Christmas lights usually are, and there was a cute ice rink in the centre of the market that was on the grounds of the Cathedral.

You could find all sorts of unique gifts, from super cosy scarfs to scented candles and bath bombs.

One part I did love was watching the brass band play traditional Christmas carol songs in front of the Christmas tree. It bought back so many nostalgic feelings of when I was in Christmas carol concerts in primary school.

Me and my dad couldn't resist helping ourselves to a cup of hot mulled cider. This was delicious and definitely my drink of choice this Christmas.

I finally got to try a Bratwurst German sausage as well, which is basically a giant hot dog. They seem to appear at every Christmas market though so I felt that I needed to try one for myself.

To end the festive day, I treated myself to a Greggs Christmas tree cookie, which was so cute!

Winchester is the perfect place to visit if you are down by the south coast in the UK even without the Christmas market, so make sure it's on your bucket list!

A Guide to Christmas Shopping in London

Christmas shopping can the stressful, especially if you are visiting the capital to bag some bargains.

London transforms into a magical place at Christmas. Like any other city, the lights go up, the Christmas trees get decorated and the shops go overboard with promotions and discounts. It can also transform into one of the busiest places where you feel like you are cattle being herded into a tiny confined space.

I decided to go and see the Christmas lights (and shops) myself, before the busy crowds hit one of the busiest shopping streets in the UK. It was the emptiest I've seen it in a long time, which gave me the idea that it would be really handy to combine a miniature guide to the main shopping destinations in London, and also the places to go to see the best decorations.

I started off in Covent Garden which was going with a sweet mistletoe theme.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is the place to go for seeing the pretty decorations whilst having a stroll around. It is always scattered with street performers to entertain and provide a break for the shoppers, plus there is a vast array of food places which make it the perfect place for a bite to eat. My recommendations are Shake Shack for your American burger fix or the famous paella which they cook in huge dishes in the courtyard of Covent Garden. Many other coffee chains and restaurants are dotted around the area as well for a nice break.

The shops here are quite specific, with a lot of high designer brands such as Chanel, Burberry and Mac owning stores here. No high street shops so for something special, this is the place to go.

My next location was Leicester Square, which is almost always busy. If you are not bothered about seeing the square, avoid! Take a detour through China town which is just off the side roads, and you can experience some oriental cuisine.

They had a Christmas set up going on, although I didn't have time to look closely. It resembled Christmas market huts. Various restaurants and bars are located around here, however there is a lack of shops so it's quite nice to walk through on your way to the big shops. One highlight though is the M&M store though! Overpriced but fun to look around, and the personalised M&Ms make great gifts!

The next stop is Piccadilly Circus, I couldn't help but have a look around Whole Foods market. Another American import, they have the best deli area for a bite to eat. You can have anything from pizza to curries, and you know it will all be fresh. I had a quick look at their Christmas selection, which is really good for those with allergies and food intolerances, but overpriced otherwise. Shops around here aren't high in numbers but do include Boots, souvenir shops and lots of restaurants.

This will be packed with tourists, but it is the start of Regent Street which has an array of shops like Hamley's, Banana Republic, Mango, Michael Kors and many other upmarket brands. The Christmas lights always have a theme every year and make a great photo when lit up.

One place you must visit is Carnaby Street. It's tucked away on a side street from Regent Street, but the decorations are always so pretty and there are a section of popular shops and restaurants there. It tends to be a nice break from the busy regent street, and I use it to make my way to Oxford Street whilst avoiding the crowds on Regent Street.

Carnaby Street

The famous department store Liberty's is found here, which you should definitely visit if it's your first time in London. Its history is really nice to see when you look around, and again it offers unique gifts.

I finally reached Oxford Street, which was busy as you can probably guess. This is the place with the big stores. The Topshop is really good, with three floors of clothes and even a brow bar and Bleach salon. Urban Outfitters is also a good store to visit. As you travel further along the road, many big chains pop up like Forever 21, Boots, Zara, H&M, M&S, John Lewis and the famous Selfridges. Plenty of choice for any type of Christmas present. For cheap clothes and accessories, visit the famous Primark. Be warned, you will get hot and flustered here as it is very hard to manoeuvre around the crowds, and is almost always full of tourists.

Oxford Street

My favourite store here is Pull and Bear, a clothes shop that has a unique style and is relatively inexpensive and I really recommend having a look in.

There are plenty of food and drink places. Ben's Cookies is situated on the street and they honestly do the best cookies I've ever tasted. Seriously, when you eat them they are still warm! My top tip is to explore down the side streets if you are looking for a bite to eat, as they are busier nearer the main street, and get emptier the further away you go.

The lights are always so pretty here as well, with the big stores lighting up the entire exterior of the buildings.

Food Recommendation:

I went to Tortilla for the first time, a Mexican burrito place that resembles Chipotle. I've always wanted to try Tortilla, so when I stumbled across it I thought I would give it a try.

I went for the naked burrito bowl, with lots of Guac!

It's really good value for money and the food is delicious. You can eat in as well so if you are looking for a filling meal that is quick and cheap, give this a try!