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Sunday 30 September 2018

Autumn Winter Fashion at Queensgate | AW18 Blogger Challenge*

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the latest Q Blogger event at Queensgate; this time celebrating the autumn trends that have landed. 

#autumnatqueensgate

We were all invited along to Carluccio's restaurant to begin the evening, where were met with our envelopes detailing our individual challenge and platters of the latest starters on the Carluccio's menu.


Carluccios, Peterborough

Being the foodie I am, I was super thrilled to sample the starters and had a soft spot for the chicken liver paté on ciabatta and the mushroom bruschetta which were just gorgeous with a glass of red wine and good conversation. 

After a good natter over fine wine and food, I was off to do a spot of shopping and I have to say the centre is looking fantastic after some revamping. I am loving the fresh new look of the shopping centre and have always loved the fact that it is open late on a Thursday and Friday until 8pm!

Queensgate Shopping Centre

There are lots of exciting things happening at Queensgate over the next coming months, from the Christmas lights switch on being done in a new and exciting way, plus there's new shops coming into the centre; being both permanent and pop up stores. Keep an eye out on all of the Queensgate_PB social platforms as well as my own for more information!

So onto my challenge.. I was tasked to find five staple pieces for this season at Topshop, H&M and River Island. 

Queensgate Shopping Centre

My first stop was River Island and I was instantly drawn to the tan and leopard pieces in store.

#autumnatqueensgate

#autumnatqueensgate

#autumnatqueensgate

This coat spoke to me instantly- I mean look how cosy it is! I could see it being worn with a casual tee, converse and ripped jeans whilst the weather is milder, then layered up with black jeans, boots and a turtle neck come the winter months. A coat in this colour is definitely a staple piece for your autumn wardrobe and the borg fabric gives it a modern twist. Love!

Queensgate Shopping Centre

My next stop was H&M and I felt as though the mustard colours were following me around the store.

#autumnatqueensgate

The fluffy coat trend was also following me, with this H&M version being even fluffier than the River Island version but is more of a cropped cut. If mustard clothing feels a bit much for you but you're a fan of the colour, adding a piece such as a mustard beret can be just the right amount to give you the autumn feels and nail the colour for this season. This colour is also fab paired with burgundy! 

#autumnatqueensgate

The next thing that caught my eye and is a staple with a twist was this gorgeous grey knit jumper embellished with pearls and small diamantes. I love being cosy during the colder months but this knit is just that bit extra and could easily be dressed up with a white shirt underneath, black jeans and heeled boots for a more dressed up casual look that is still comfy and warm! Style and comfort? That's a win win in my book.

Queensgate Shopping Centre

My final stop on the challenge was Topshop and I fell in love with something everything.

#autumnatqueensgate

Topshop have always been known for their boots to die for and every year they deliver. I am in love with these March boots, being incredibly soft leather and giving all the Western vibes. A good boot is definitely a staple for Autumn and I'm definitely going to be getting my hands on these babies in the near future!

#autumnatqueensgate

And then I saw this... Drapped on a mannequin in all its animal print glory- I just had to try it on...

#autumnatqueensgate

This zebra print pinafore dress is just perfect for this season and as I was very kindly gifted a voucher for Queensgate for the challenge, I bought it instantly! A gift card for Queensgate also makes for the perfect present for anyone who loves shopping.

 A good dress for autumn winter is my final staple to tell you about. With animal print being the pattern for this year, you'll be sure to hit the trend and with this particular dress you can dress it up or down! So far I've worn it with a sleeveless body and strappy heels for dinner but I'm also planning to wear it with a long body (like the one I'm wearing above), tights boots and a leather jacket for a day look.

So coming away from this challenge my top five staples for your autumn winter wardrobe is:

- A camel coat
- A flash of mustard: A bag, a beret or whatever takes your fancy
- A western boot
- A cosy knit
- An animal print dress that you can dress up or down

Thank you so much to Queensgate for inviting me along to do this challenge. It was so much fun and you can see more of what I got up to on my Instagram stories highlight under Q Blogger!

Where do you love shopping in Queensgate? I'd love to know your staple style pieces for this season!



Tuesday 18 September 2018

Bumbling in The Lake District | Why Van Life is perfect for a festival wedding*

Bumble Campers review

The beginning of September marked an exciting time for Chris and I. Not only were we going to a wedding in one of our favourite place in the UK- The Lake District, we were visiting campervan styley which meant we could really get in tune with the stunning scenery of the lakes.

Bumble Campers review

We rented from the fabulous Bumble Campers who you may remember I did a post with last October on discovering the Peak District (here). Having had such a great experience and making lots of awesome memories travelling in their campers, it seemed only right that we used them again and so off we went in another of their campers, bumbling about in the beautiful hills of Cumbria.

Bumble Campers review

Bumble Campers review

The Lake District is a fair old trek from where we are in Lincolnshire but thankfully the journey was made really easy for us; having comfortable captain style chairs on board and the van itself being an automatic so Chris could just put his foot down and cruise all the way there. The automatic engine was also a god send when it came to the hills meaning we didn’t have to worry about what gear to be in or worse- stalling on a steep incline!

Bumble Campers review

Once we reached our destination we were greeted by the stunning scenery and views over Lake Buttermere- something you just cannot get from a hotel here so we felt very lucky to have a home on wheels to take in the views over the weekend. We could see why our friends have fallen in love with the lakes and this was the perfect location for a festival come village fete wedding and to take some amazing photographs- so much so I may have twisted Chris' arm into doing a little photo shoot with me...

She's A Gentry and Beersbikesandbistro

She's A Gentry and Beersbikesandbistro

She's A Gentry and Beersbikesandbistro

She's A Gentry and Beersbikesandbistro

I mean, do I really have to explain why I wanted to take photos here!?

Bumble Campers Review

The campervan was totally perfect for this style wedding as being in the middle of nowhere and with non-existent phone signal, we didn’t have the worry of sorting taxis or feeling like we were leaving the party too early. The van was parked behind the marquee meaning we could dance the night away then curl up in the full size double bed in the back- bliss! With posh porta loos, we had access to washing and toilet facilities just like you would on a normal campsite and with the back of the van consisting of a fridge, gas hob and sink with running water, we were good to go an everything we needed to feel fresh as a daisy and ready for the day. The day after the wedding we may not have been fresh little daisies thanks to alcohol but our wilted selves were so thankful to be able to cook up a bacon butty on site when we awoke!

She's A Gentry and Beersbikesandbistro

The journey home may have been long with a hangover but I was perfectly happy and entertained thanks to the leisure battery with plug socket and USB plug in space so I could watch a film, edit photos and even start the write up on this blog post! It was a total life saver for both Chris and I being technology addicts knowing that we had fully charged phones and devices on the go.

She's A Gentry and Beersbikesandbistro

Yet again we had another fantastic adventure thanks to Bumble Campers. If you’re looking to hire one and seek adventure, I’d highly recommend coming up to the Lake District. The scenery is just phenomenal and unlike anywhere else I’ve been in the UK. I’d also recommend a camper for a festival wedding over a hotel anytime. It’s less stress and you are free to come and go as you please plus both Chris and I agree it’s a lot cheaper than mucking about with accommodation and taxis! Our next venture will most likely be to a festival but whether it’s a bumble rental or one of their vans for sale? Who knows. We are teetering on the edge of getting one eek!

She's A Gentry and Beersbikesandbistro

After this trip I feel truly buzzing about Bumble Campers all over again and feel so fortunate to have had experiences on our trip that you'll only get in a van/ camping setting rather than a four walled hotel room. I also think it just makes a trip that bit more exciting and more of an adventure so what are you waiting for?

If you want to see more of what we got up to on our adventures, I also did a vlog!



When are you booking to #bumbleabout ?


Tuesday 11 September 2018

The Atkinson Grimshaw Suite | North Star Club*

When you flick through Pinterest do you ever see these idyllic cabins set in the woods with fairy lights and décor gorgeousness then wonder- where are these places? Do they even exist? Well I can confirm that there is such a place IRL located in North Yorkshire and I’ve been lucky enough to stay not once but twice! May I present to you- North Star Club

North Star Club

If you read my post from May last year, you’ll know I had the sheer pleasure of staying in the Moon Suite at North Star Club (which you can read all about here) whereas this time around we were in the hideaway suite known as the Atkinson Grimshaw.

Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

This is the latest suite to join the North Star family, being just a couple of months old and on first impressions I couldn’t get over how stunning it was! Yet again the interiors have been nailed with the green and rose gold décor being a breath of fresh air against the white wash wood. So why is it called a “Hideaway Suite” you ask? Well, this style of cabin is more secluded than the traditional lodges, being entirely surrounded by trees and set back from the others. You get a real sense of seclusion both inside and out of the cabin which makes for a wonderful romantic retreat and place to unwind from the world.

Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

The layout of this suite is a clever use of space but in a different way to the other cabins. This time the emphasis has been put on the bedroom and living space being one large room; all featured around the main attraction- a comfy cosy bed that boasts relaxation in pretty surroundings. I much preferred the dining room also being in the same room as it means you can enjoy the fireplace when both eating or relaxing.

Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

Staying in the lodge was a much needed and welcome break for both Chris and I from our hectic lifestyles and we celebrated the seclusion with candle light, wine and paperback books along with plenty of much needed sleep. We had so much sleep in fact that on our first night we slept a total of 12 hours! Whoops! This just goes to show how tranquil staying in the lodge was and how much we truly relaxed in our surroundings and to me that’s a sign of a good place to stay.

She's A Gentry at Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

Last time we stayed at North Star we indulged ourselves in eating out at The Star Inn at Sancton; just a couple of miles from the camp but this time we decided to use the lodge to its full potential and eat in. Whoever says eating in is boring hasn’t got an imagination because we went to town on our menu! The first night we had a feast of minted lamb chops, greek yoghurt, couscous, hummous, salad and more all accompanied by red wine and it as sensational. Chris cooked the lamb on the BBQ to perfection and by the time we were finished our bellies were at bursting point. And we didn’t stop there with the food- oh no. The following morning we were feasting on smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels with bucks fizz. We take our eating very seriously! If you don’t want to eat in there is always a wonderful selection of restaurants recommended on the North Star website.

Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

Before heading out for the day, the Wood Shed is a great place to get a hit of coffee and a slab of cake to start the day right. Coffee and cake is provided on honesty bar basis which I think is a great idea and means you can come down whenever suits you.

The Woodshed at North Star Club

The Woodshed at North Star Club

Here is also where you can pick up extra communal pots and pans for cooking or just come and relax in the lounge area or at the grand wooden table. I imagine this area is pretty perfect for groups of people coming away together and is another stunning space to be in as well as your cabin.

The Woodshed at North Star Club

The Woodshed at North Star Club

One of my favourite parts of staying at North Star has to be the cabin wood burner so naturally we spent our second night toasting marshmallows over the flames and cosying up listening to the fire crackle and burn. Its little things like this that make staying here so special and create memories to look back on fondly.

Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite


Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite

Overall North Star yet again did not disappoint with its luxurious glamping site. I feel like we made more of a point of unwinding this time around and I can honestly say its probably the most relaxed I’ve been staying away from home. As I mentioned before when I did a write up the only thing for me that it is lacking is the dog friendly element but that is out of North Star’s hands; being a decision made by the land owners. I know Harry would have loved to come and stay too but alas it was not meant to be and instead he went on a dog holiday to my mama’s.

If you want to see more of what we got up to during our stay be sure to watch the vlog below!



Atkinson Grimshaw Hideaway Suite


Have you booked your stay yet?





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