Goddess Guides

Books

Gisèle Scanlon has written a few Goddess Guides, all of a similar ilk. They are factual books based upon her experiences of life. And are a lifestyle guide, offering you style, location and experience advice.

The books are her experiences in life and advice but are a little gem of a book, each has a beautiful flocked cover (no use buying on kindle), with gorgeous illustration on most pages.

There are recommendations of secret style places, eateries, clothing, gift stores in the major cities she has been to / worked in. I think this is a lovely treat to buy yourself or ideal for a gift. As usual Amazon is the cheapest place I could find them on, averaging just over £7 per book.

Tiny Tower - Secret addiction

IPhone Application

Um I feel slightly ashamed admitting this but I have a secret addiction. My partner thinks I'm having an affair all the secret grabbing of my IPhone to make sure my tower is still building. Tiny Tower is a free app on IPhone that, bear with me, allows you to build a skyscraper, get residents and open up shops. And that's it....! Yet I still find myself addicted.

I do have a love for silly iPhone games and a few have got me more addicted than others. Angry birds annoyed me, I think I'm too impatient. But this one has a nice gentle feel and I'm trying to keep my residents happy whilst getting me a big tower block :)

Storrs Hall - Great romantic hotel

http://www.elh.co.uk/hotels/storrshall/index.aspx

Whilst thinking about what to post for today's blog I had a good think about which amazing hotels I've stayed in in England which I really recommend.

The first one that popped into my head was Storrs Hall in the Lake District. I remember deciding I wanted to spend a little more on a room for a long weekend and picked here. So let me emphasise it is a little out of my normal price range but I was truly not disappointed.

When we entered the room I can only say i was slightly taken aback, the view from my room was AMAZING! I normally get lumbered with the car park view. All we could see from our gorgeous room was the lake, how beautiful. Also when i got closer to the window, the family of rabbits that lived on the lawn outside our window. The grounds were a lovely way to spend an hour,  to walk around as the hotel, as it is right on Lake Windermere. The hotel has history, character and is warm, intimate and inviting.

If you have a little more to spend and plan to stay in the area, you wont be disappointed.

TK Maxx - online..!!

www.tkmaxx.com

I'm sure that if you've shopped in any high street in the last few years you'll have experienced TK Maxx. It is a high street staple and fabulous for picking up designer bargains. I got a CK bag for £29!!!. However I really have to be in the right mood to shop here., i.e. plenty of time spare and strong elbows to get stuck in.

However did you know they are online......? And there is a clearance section. I understand this may take away some of the actual rummaging appeal that the store has to offer but I have found it alot easier to search for a named bargain quicker than spends ages in store. Free P&P over £75 so good  deal if you intend to spend a bit and cant be bothered to get off the sofa.

http://www.artisanalbistro.com/

Restaurant

Now this restaurant will be like marmite for you. Question before I begin....do you like cheese? Reason being this restaurant is a fromagerie, i.e. specialises in cheese.

When I visited New York recently some colleagues visited here and I was desperate to try it but didn't get the chance. Reason being I love cheese, however I do know some people who don't like to small chunks of salty creamy goodness, how odd.!

So this post comes not from experience of how brilliant this place is, but how desperate I am to go and try it. Let me know if you've had the pleasure?

Le Bistrot Pierre - My favourite restaurant chain

http://www.lebistrotpierre.co.uk/

Restaurant chain

This small chain of restaurants is very Midlands / Northern based. Its principal is gorgeous fine quality tasty french food at a very reasonable price. The decor is clearly sourced from France and the feeling is intimate and classy with a wonderful atmosphere.

My favourite bit is the amazing french bread and butter they serve pre starters, gorgeous herby olives, deep fried Camembert, fresh salads, dauphinois potatoes, yum yum. visit if you're in one of the areas.

Graze - Healthy Snacks

www.graze.com

Graze promises to deliver healthy snacks to your door or office desk in that impossible endeavour to get us off the unhealthy muffins and chocolate. Can't say it has stopped my unhealthy obsession but I am eating more nuts and fruit so can't be a bad thing.

There are a selection of options to choose from, I get 4 (reasonably) fresh healthy snacks for £2.99 however you can a variety of delivery options. Worth checking out the website for the full range. I used to get delivered to work and LOVED the days when it arrived on my desk. I now have it delivered to home and relish taking in a little pot every day to work, means I don't wolf all at once.

If you'd like to try I have a code for a free box and will re post this on twitter.

JBFJXLZ           

Worth trying for the free box, then can always cancel if you don't like. Trust me this wont happen :)