Cali Adventures

A few days in Anaheim meant a visit to Disney's other park: Disney California Adventure.

I was very impressed with the theming of this park, and how it ties in with the state it is situated in. It is similar to Disney's Hollywood Studios in WDW, with similar rides and theming, however, being a stones throw away from Hollywood itself made it feel more relevant (if that made any sense). 

My favourite part of the park was Paradise Pier. This is unique to this Disney park and was my favourite place to hang around (and take good Instagram photos).

Let's not forget that my favourite chocolate shop in the world is there (yep, you guessed it: Ghirardelli). Simply walk in, claim your free sample of chocolate, then cross over to the bakery opposite for a free sample of bread! Who doesn't love a good freebie!

The shops and restaurants around here are themed around the San Francisco piers, so it kind of felt nostalgic and like I was revisiting the places I had already been to on this trip.

Paradise Pier is home to a very cool ride, California Screamin', which is a fast rollercoaster that launches you across the lake and sends you flying upside down!

California Screamin'

Also situated here is Toy Story Midway Mania, which is the same as the one in DHS. I really like this type of ride but hate the long queues it has so try and ride this early, because it is so worth it!

Disney California Adventure has some other really cool rides that I would recommend riding. First up is the Grizzly River Run. 

Rapids and I don't really mix, so it was no surprise that I was the one that got the wettest on it! Thank god for Californian sunshine!

The aftermath of Girzzly River Rapids

Around the corner is Soarin' around the World. This beauty of a ride is a Disney classic and will blow you away. I don't want to spoil it but I will say it is a calm, gentle ride where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.

Over on the Sunset Boulevard strip, you will see the looming The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This is also a Disney classic, and I was so glad I got to ride this before it turns into a Guardians of the Galaxy themed ride. This also attracts long queues so FP it!

I said this is my DHS blog post, but I really recommend taking the time to walk down the Buena Vista Street to take in the detail here. It really is like being transported onto a movie set and there are shops and restaurants situated along the street. Also, the street entertainment is abundant here and is a great way to break up the attractions.

Buena Vista Street

If you head straight to the back of the park, you will enter Cars Land. You will literally be transported into the Cars movie, the set is that amazing! I was really impressed and even got to see the one and only Lightning McQueen. Plus, it is home to the arguably the most popular ride in the park: Radiator Springs Racers.

Word of advice, join the single rider queue if you want to save time!

The good thing about this park is that it has a show for you to take a nice (air conditioned) break from the heat. At this time, it happens to be Frozen: Live at the Hyperion. Now I am a big fan of Frozen but even I am a little overwhelmed by how much of this film we are bombarded with. It's a big film which I haven't been able to escape since it was released. However, I just could not miss seeing it onstage.

As this is the only show there, it is popular and will attract a big queue up to 90 minutes before it starts! If you want a decent seat, get there early!

I started queuing about 45 minutes before and was told that I had a slim chance of getting in. I was actually a little disappointed at the thought of missing it as I knew this was my only chance to see it whilst being here. Luckily, I managed to get in by the skin of my teeth, and I am so thankful that I did because it was one of the best shows I have ever seen.

I am a big fan of musicals and I have seen some great ones, but this was something else! To have such a talented cast sing the well-known songs was really magical, and the set design was even more amazing! As a member of the audience, you really are transported to Arendelle and it is so much more than a corny, karaoke version of the film. Only Disney can recreate Frozen and do it with justice.

People of all ages will love this so if you really want to see, you will be glad to hear that you can get a FP for it! It will be 60 minutes of enjoyment of the incredibly popular film.

All that was left was to watch the night time show at Paradise Pier. As it got dark, I took the opportunity to see the different lands with the lights on after reading recommendations. Cars Land is especially good to see in the dark because it looks amazing the neon lights, and you can get some great photo's.

The finale of the day was watching World of Colour. 

This is where classic Disney movies are projected onto the fountains in front of the Mickey Ferris wheel, and it is the icing on the cake for a day spent in Disney's California Adventure.

This also uses FP, so get one for a guaranteed good view.

After standing for god knows how long, it was time to say goodbye to my time spent at Disney. I was really glad to get back to my hotel room and crash on my bed. This day had been the perfect ending to the most perfect trip, and I am so lucky to have been able to travel all this way and visit a place that I love and have dreamed of visiting for so long.

Until next time!

Trek America: San Diego and Los Angeles

My final Trek America post starts in San Diego. Before we arrived we drove from Vegas and into California, stopping off at a retro American diner which literally transported you back into the 1950s!

After a long drive, we arrived in San Diego in time to see the sunset on the beach. It was a poignant moment to our last few days left on the tour!

San Diego beach is like the typical Californian beaches, with cool shops along the front and a mini amusement park. Sort of like a cooler and more hipster version of Brighton!

Cali Sunsets

That night, we ate in a really cool Italian restaurant where you share big plates which are distributed around the table via a turning table top, which even had a statue of the pope on top (a bit weird!) If you are in San Diego, I'd recommend going, especially if there is a big group of you. It's called Bucca di Beppo.

Our hostel was situated near and was called USA Hostels. This chain is very nice and I would recommend staying in one of them anywhere!

The next day was our free day, which was spent by the beach. We went in the sea a few times which was really warm although a bit rough! We also explored the amusement park and had a few rounds in the amusement arcade.

It was so hot that even the amusement park had a power cut which meant that we couldn't go on the rollercoaster, so we ended up pretty much chilling and sunbathing on the beach all day. If you do this, make sure you reapply sunscreen to avoid looking like a lobster.

Other places to visit in San Diego include the San Diego Zoo and it is also home to the original SeaWorld.

Our final night was spent in the most appropriate way, by a fancy meal followed by us hitting the bars!

We went to a dueling piano bar, which I'd really recommend going to as I don't think there are any in the UK. Basically, the singers on stage will sing the songs you request on the spot using live piano's and instruments! These people are so clever and entertaining.

Afterward, we went to a cheap bar near our hostel which played the best music, and of course did cheap drinks! The night gets a little hazy at this point but I know that it was the perfect end to the most perfect trip!

In the morning, we were all feeling a little worse for wear, but it was time to depart for our final location and the one place I have always wanted to visit: Los Angeles.

Our first stop was Venice Beach. I have to say, it's nice but a little rough. Very hipster and home to the muscle beach part. If you wander further up, you get to the nicer Santa Monica area where the pier is located. It is definitely worth hiring a bike and cycling between the two.

Venice Beach

Due to feeling very hungover, I don't have many pictures of the beach, however, believe me when I say it is worth visiting! We drove into Hollywood after to the finishing point of our tour: The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Everyone had told me beforehand that I would hate how tacky LA is, and yes, it is a bit tacky, but I loved it! The street is full of entertainment, shops, food places, photo opportunities and loads more!

You could spend hours looking at all the stars, and the Highland mall also has the perfect view of the Hollywood sign. Definitely worth visiting and also a great place to hop on a Hollywood/Beverly hills tour.

My 'I finally made it to Hollywood' pose

The trek came to an end and it was an emotional moment saying goodbye to people who had become really good friends! It was sad because a few were going on to travel afterward so it wasn't like we could meet up soon in the UK.

And so my Trek America posts draw to a close, and if you have enjoyed reading these and are considering joining a trek, 100% go for it! Every fear and anxiety you have before going will disappear as soon as your tour departs. You will regret not going for it more than regretting going on it.

Finally, just a quick thank you to Trek America for being such a fab company and giving me memories that will last a lifetime. Check out their website for their huge range of North, Central and South America trips! Just be prepared for the worst post-tour blues.

Hope you enjoyed this series,

Love Charlotte x

Lazy Girls Guide to Lazy Days

Lazy days... we all need them once in a while.

And whilst I probably give myself too many, nothing beats waking up and deciding to stay in bed or at home for the entire day.

There is nothing to feel guilty about, I actually think it's beneficial for the mind to take some time away from the stress of daily life.

Whether it be to catch up on emails, study, work on assignments or even online shopping, you can still be productive without moving from your bed.

And when the weather outside looks like a scene from a disaster movie, there is all the more reason to stay inside.

Here is my guide to lazy day essentials:

1. Dressing Gown

It's got to be worn. Mine is from primary and is the fluffiest thing I've ever bought. Not only is it cosy, it's also cute with little bear ears. The hood goes up every time. Good for saving those pennies on the heating bill as it will keep you warm at the sam time.

2. Cup of Tea

So this does require effort to go to the kitchen and make one, but it's worth it after you've got back into bed and settle down to whatever you were doing whilst taking sips of any warming drink you prefer.

3. Laptop

In the old days, this wasn't an option, but now you can practically work from bed with your laptop and still get everything done. I sometimes find that I
m most productive when I'm most comfortable, and sitting in bed is way more comfortable than at a desk. Its great for catching up on TV, listening to music or picking out your next outfit online.

4. Chocolate

This is the one time you can indulge in chocolate by yourself (unless you are having a joint lazy day) and not have anyone judge you for eating the entire bar (yes this is acceptable). Go on, be a slob for once, no one's watching!

5. Notebook

For some reason, all my creative and wonderful ideas pop into my head whilst I'm in the most comfortable position in the world. By having a notebook by your side, you can jot them down for later instead of having to move from the bed.

6. Charger

Make sure you have this because when the time comes where your phone or laptop is about to die, the last thing you want to do is move.

If you are reading this thinking you cannot remember the last time you had a lazy day, treat yourself to one! Even a lazy hour is beneficial and some me time is good for the mind. Shut out the world outside and give yourself time to be lazy once in a while.

Right, I'm going back to the bed now (I never left)

My American Road Trip

The travel bug has bitten me again and spending 3 months in South Carolina last year was not enough, and I will be returning in September for one month!

My love for the USA will be never-ending and I could not bare to go the whole of 2016 without revisiting it.

This time, I will be going to one of my top destinations on my bucket list: LOS ANGELES!

A lot of people have told me that I will be disappointed with LA but I do not care. Finally I can see it for myself, the place I've dreamed about for as long as I can remember.

I'm going to the USA with Trek America, a company specialising in tours of the US. The actual trek I chose will depart from New York and travel cross country to LA and is called the Southern BLT. This includes budget lodging and not camping, as I'm not the most outdoorsy person!

On my way, I will visit places such as Washington, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis and Las Vegas.

My Route!

http://www.trekamerica.co.uk/tours/snb.html

The tour lasts three weeks but I will be spending an extra week in California to explore the State more. I will be writing a bucket list soon of the things I want to tick off whilst out there. If anyone has any 'must do' places, please feel free to send them to me as this will be my first time on the West Coast.

For anyone interested in joining a Trek America tour, they can be pricey, which is why saving is a good idea. I will be spending every penny of my summer job on this.

Not only do you have to pay for the trek, which is £2399 in my case, you will have to fund your own flights and any pre or post accommodation. Then there's spending money for American bargains and excursions, such as a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon (how cool?!),  and anything you will have to buy for the trip. So overall, a lot of budgeting, but perfectly doable if you want to do it.

Tours vary in length, so you can just go for a week if you wanted to and obviously this will be cheaper, but equally if you are like me and love to immerse yourself for as long as possible, you can spend up to three months travelling.

The tours are done in small groups, giving you the opportunity to meet new people and get to know them well. It is run by a tour leader who will take care of you and offer their expertise.

I will be going on my own which does not bother me at all. These tours are designed for solo and group travellers so do not be put off by going on your own. I will also be spending my last week by myself which is cary but exciting at the same time.

Any questions, please do leave a comment and if you have been on a Trek America yourself then I would love to here your advice!

But for now, the countdown begins... eek!

190 days to go

Why You Shouldn't Care What Anybody Else Thinks

It came to my attention this week that I started to worry about what people were thinking of me everytime I did something.

I always thought I was the type of person who didn't care what people thought about me, but it wasn't until I actually realised that I was trying to justify doing something that made me realise I am caring what people think of me.

And then I thought why?

Why am I so concerned about the opinion's of others when it doesn't actually matter. To put it into some contexts, I worry about the slightest things such as whether I should go to the gym, or not wanting to go on a night out but stay in instead.

The gym situation has only started happening recently, when I lost a lot of weight (unintentionally) and suddenly I felt conscious exercising in public.

At the time, I was going to the gym at least once a week, and suddenly I started worrying that every time someone would see me in the gym they might think I was overexercising because of an eating disorder. The main reason for going is a) get my money's worth and b) it makes me feel good.

Another situation was choosing to stay in whilst everyone else was going out, which I then thought would make me look boring. So I forced myself to go out and pretend I wanted to be there. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I do want to go out and I have a really good time, and these are the best nights out. But sometimes, especially in final year of university, I just want to stay in
and have some me-time, that's just how I am.

So when I tried to justify why I was so concerned about what others were thinking, I couldn't think of a reason why.

Everyone on this planet is an individual, whose into different things, looks differently, reacts differently, it's just natural.
So by worrying that others might not think the same way as you is silly and I am so fustrated with myself for even letting it get to me.

And that's when I knew I had to stop caring.

Suddenly, I started doing the things I wanted and not having to explain why I am doing them. If people wonder why, then that's their problem. Besides, curiosity is a human trait so I don't blame them for wondering why. It was hard at first but it's just one of those things we have to overcome.

But the thing that really stopped me from caring is the fact that they probably aren't thinking about what I'm doing or how I look. It's me overreacting and being paranoid.

And therefore, worrying about something thats unknown is not worth it.

So I guess my advice is the next time you worry what others think, ask yourself, do I care? Do they care? Probably not.
And do I want to do this or am I scared that if I don't, others may judge (but probably won't)?

 Just a little thought.

A Few of My Favourite Things: January

So blog post ideas have been lacking recently, probably due to the fact that final year project mindset has kicked in so that's all I can think about at the moment. Plus I seem to be spending all day everyday in the laboratory which makes it hard to find the time to write a blog post.

So I thought I would round off, in my opinion, the worst month of the year with the things I've been loving!

Here goes...

1. Lidl Nutrimixer

Yes that's right, it's from Lidl and it only costs £30. I can't compare it to the Nutribullet or other higher priced machines, but from using this, it is amazing! I only use it occasionally for making soups, baking and attempting to be healthy by making smoothies, and it does the job perfectly. If you don't want to spend a fortune on expensive makes, this does the same job for half the price and is perfect if you are like me and will only use it occasionally.

2. 24 Hours in A&E

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a doctor but have never had the courage to apply to it. By watching this programme, it feeds my obsession with medicine and genuinely engrosses me on what actually happens in A&E. No one wants to end up there, so the people you see on here display their raw emotion when a loved one is sick, and it really puts your life into perspective. It makes me realise that this could happen to anyone, and you really never know what's around the corner. That's why I try and live by the motto, live every day like it's your last. It's hard, but watching this programme reiterates why it can be important.

3. Crumpets with Jam and Peanut Butter

Another breakfast discovery, in a previous post I discovered jam and peanut butter on toast, but it just got a whole lot better when spread on crumpets. Top tip, microwave your crumpets before toasting to make it fluffy!

4. Lighter evenings

As soon as Christmas is over, my next time of year to look forward to is Spring. I love seeing the nature bloom and as the evenings stay light for a tiny bit longer each day, it is so nice start to see flowers start to blossom and the sun staying out for longer. I notice a massive difference in my mood as well.

5. Metcalfe's Rice Cakes

Wow, these are amazing as a snack, and so filling! Plus, they're sort of healthy! But I love dark chocolate, so these layered rice cakes are the perfect little sweet treat. The only downside, they're pretty pricey!

6. Uniqlo Disney Collection

How amazing is this Disney collection? I've never bought anything from Uniqlo before but as soon as I saw their collection of Disney sweaters, that soon changed. They aren't pricey at only £20, and they have the perfect choice of cosy sweats to wear on any occasion. I went for the navy blue one, but they have a good choice of colours and styles including hoodies, sweatpants and t-shirts. Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/feature/uq/disney-magicforall/women/

7. Benefit Porefessional Primer Balm

I don't usually join the hype for high end, expensive facial creams and primers, in fact the most expensive skincare product I own is a Mac primer, but I received this in the Benefit beauty advent calendar and boy does it do wonders. I'm not sure if it is actually doing what it says in the fact that I don't tend to address the issue of pores and blackheads (too many better things to think about), but I love the way this feels so silky and smooth, the way a primer should feel! I apply this before any make-up and it means that applying foundation and concealer feels so much easier to blend in than my usual moisturiser. It's also nude in colour which means it kind of acts as a tinted moisturiser as well, so spending £25 on a primer, tinted moisturiser and something that's gonna minimise the appearance of pores is not too bad!