Cocktails & Karaoke At The Kabannas Relaunch Liverpool

What's the first thing you look for when you step into a new bar? Maybe it's a good vibe and upbeat music, dreamy cocktails and delicious food, or maybe it's somewhere to have a chilled evening and catch up with the girls. Well what if I told you that I've found the perfect place to do all that and so much more. 

Oh and want to hear the best bit? It's right in the heart of Liverpool!

Introducing Kabin at Kabannas

Brought to you by hybrid hotel brand Kabannas, the Kabin is one of Liverpool's most exciting new venues bringing something special to the famous Cavern Quarter. Aside from unique accommodation, guests can also enjoy a feel-good social experience over two floors, bringing an impressive Asian inspired menu, interactive bar, retro games and a private karaoke room. 

There's nothing I love more than trying out new bars and restaurants, so I was delighted to be invited to the relaunch of Kabannas Kabin Bar last week for an evening of cocktails and fun. On our arrival the place was bustling, the drinks were flowing, and we could already sense that the party was in full swing. I just knew we were destined for a fabulous evening! 

What's so different about Kabannas? Well, let me tell you.

If you're looking for a quiet, chilled space to enjoy your evening then head upstairs to the Highball Bar. With its large open windows, warm atmosphere and sophisticated vibe, it's the perfect place for a date night or to enjoy an evening drinking cocktails with the girls (and trust me when I say, the cocktails are absolute perfection!).

Right next to the bar you'll find the interactive 'self-pour wall' where you can help yourself to a selection of organic cocktails, draught beer or cider. Simply select your drink, pull the pump and you're good to go! So if waiting at the bar isn't your style or if you just fancy taking on the role of cocktail pourer then I just know you're going to absolutely love this as much as I did. 

However, if your vibe is sitting at the bar and watching someone else pour your cocktail then you can also find an extensive menu of sustainable wines, classic cocktails and non-alcoholic options there too. We were drinking the Limoncello Spritz for most of the night and oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how dreamy it was. I've never really had limoncello before but I've definitely found a new favourite drink, it was refreshingly sweet. The team at Kabin very kindly gifted us our cocktails and food, and I can confirm that they're strong contenders for the best cocktails in Liverpool. 

In order to offer an exciting food element, Kabannas have teamed up with renowned Asian eatery Little Bao Boy to serve a variety of fluffy homemade bao buns, flavoursome rice bowls and a range of tasty sides including crispy cauliflower bites, gyozas and loaded fries. 

I'm quite fussy when it comes to trying new food but I was really pleased with the variety they had on offer. There was literally something for everyone, including veggie options too. We had the Char Siu Pulled Pork Fries and they were absolutely divine. A bowl of salted fries, loaded with char siu pulled pork, chilli mayo, spring onions and toasted sesame seeds...my mouth is watering just thinking about them! 

One thing I noted, and loved, is that all the food and drink is very affordable. Plus some of the cocktails are 2 for £12 so that's a win win situation if you ask me. 

If you're in a sociable mood and fancy more of a party atmosphere, you can head downstairs where you'll find a large games and events space. Complete with colourful lighting, wooden benches, retro arcade games, a smart darts lane and a dedicated karaoke room available for private hire, there's something to keep everyone entertained. There will also be DJs and live music from Thursday to Saturday, a perfect place to go and start your night out or let your hair down after a week at work.

We absolutely loved being in this space, if we weren't dancing to the absolute tunes coming from the DJ booth then we were in the karaoke room belting out an absolute classic. I'm also pleased to report that the karaoke room is in fact soundproof so no one could hear me singing Shania Twain at the top of my voice, probably a blessing when I think about it.

Why is it that when you enter a karaoke room you just forget every song you've ever known and can't decide what to sing!?

We spent the rest of our evening drinking cocktails, dancing and singing a song or two in the karaoke room. I really do love the whole vibe of the place, they've succeeded on their mission to create a space that welcomes everyone no matter who you are, how old you are or what you look for in a venue. 

There's nothing quite as unique as Kabannas Kabin Bar in Liverpool. Whether you're a student looking for somewhere to socialise, a couple looking for a new date night idea or a group of friends looking for a place to have a cocktail and a catch up, Kabannas is the place to be! 

Thanks for having us Kabannas, you're one of my new favourite venues in the city, that's for sure.

Lots of Love,

Meg x

Twenty Six Things I Learned Being 26

I'm Officially In My Late Twenties!

Honestly, why did I ever feel old at 20!? I was literally a child.

Tomorrow, I welcome in my twenty seventh year of life. It doesn't seem two seconds since I was writing my 'Twenty Things I Learned At 20' post. When I read it back I can't help but wish I could go back to being that age again when things weren't so complicated. However there's one thing that hasn't changed; I didn't know what I was doing back then and I still don't know what I'm doing now. I guess that's what's fun about being in your late twenties, you're still young enough to dream but old enough to chase it.

If you're new here, welcome to the yearly tradition on my blog where I tell you about all the things I've learned in this past year. Twenty six has been a crazy year (saturn return, is that you?) and a lot has changed for me personally; I travelled to some beautiful countries, focused on my mental health, and I lost a huge part of my life when I said goodbye to my darling boy Buster. 

I know I say this all the time but I genuinely look forward to writing these posts every year, it's so nice to look back and see how much I've grown as a person. 

So without further ado, here are 26 things I learned in my twenty sixth year.

1. Heatless Curls Are A Game Changer

I'm on the heatless curl hype and I'm obsessed. I bought my heatless curler from Aldi and it's so simple to use. Literally just wrap your hair around the curling rod as tight as you can, secure it with a scrunchie and voila! You wake up in the morning with effortless curls. 

2. Stop Being So Available All The Time

I include boundaries in every single one of these posts but they are so important. I'm learning to stop being so available all the time. It's okay to leave your phone at home and be in the moment, you don't need to be the beck and call of people all the time. 

3. Castor Oil Is Incredible For Period Pains

Every month I suffer with terrible period pains, to the point where I'm walking round with two hot water bottles and dosed up on medication. I was introduced to castor oil by Dr Barbara O'Neill who recommends to put a little drop in your belly button and around your stomach area every morning. I started doing this 3 months ago and to my surprise, it actually worked. If you're suffering with bad period pains and are looking for a natural remedy then get yourself a bottle of castor oil and give it a try!

4. Corfu Is One Of The Most Stunning Places

My twenty sixth year saw me take a trip to the beautiful island of Corfu and it's one of my favourite destinations I've ever been to. The Old Town is absolutely stunning and it's the perfect place to pretend you're living your Mamma Mia dreams, I know I was!

5. If It Didn't Open, It Wasn't Your Door

Have faith in the fact that what is meant for you will never pass you by; rejection is redirection.

6. Radio 2 Is So Much Better Than Radio 1

Is this the real sign I'm in my late twenties? I can proudly say I'm a regular Radio 2 listener and I absolutely love it. From Vernon in the morning, to Scott in the afternoon, to Rylan and Ry-biza on a Saturday; they literally play tune after tune.

7.  It's Okay To Say No

Sometimes it's a good idea to take a break and stop packing out your social calendar through fear of letting people down.

8. Late Home Flights Are So Much Better

I just love spending the last day of my holiday chilling on a rooftop bar before heading for my flight home. It makes the trip feel that little bit longer and slightly helps with the holiday blues. 

9. Nothing Prepares You For The Loss Of A Pet

Earlier this year, I said goodbye to my darling boy, Buster. We were lucky to love him for 15 years but nothing could have ever prepared me for the day we said goodbye. It's one of the hardest things I've ever been through. It's crazy isn't it? We think our pets are going to live forever, even though we know one day they'll go over the rainbow bridge. I wish they could live forever though because I miss him everyday. 

Goodnight my Buster Boo, I love you endlessly x

10. Nothing Lasts Forever

I learned this lesson in two ways; the first is that if you're going through a tough time then you must have faith that it will pass, the second is that you should treasure all the happier times you have with those you love, live in the moment and never take it for granted.

11. Liverpool To Dublin Is The Quickest Flight Ever

I'm still not over the fact it takes 30 minutes to get from Liverpool to Dublin on a flight. That's the same amount of time it takes for me to get from my house to Liverpool, madness.

12.  Dublin Is Perfect For A Day Trip

Following on nicely from my last point, take this as your sign to take yourself on a little day trip to Dublin; visit the Temple Bar, have a pint of Guinness and take a stroll around Trinity College. If you fancy seeing what we got up to in Dublin, I wrote a little blog post all about it. 

13. Everyone Needs To Go And See 2:22 A Ghost Story

I don't want to say too much so all I will say is that it's one of the best pieces of theatre I've seen in years and you absolutely must go and see it for yourself. I won't shut up about it and neither will you!

14. Stop Stressing About What You Post On Socials

So what if your hair doesn't look perfect or the lighting isn't quite right? I promise people are not bothered. The less you care about what people think, the happier you'll be. 

15. Being Near The Sea Makes Me Happy

There's just something so calming about being near the sea, listening to the waves and breathing in the fresh air. It's one of my happy places.

16. Independence Isn't A Bad Thing

If someone is intimidated by your independence then that says more about them than it does about you. It's okay to want to spend time on your own and recharge your social battery.

17. I Actually Quite Enjoy Guinness

As long as it's got a little bit of blackcurrant in it.

18. Stop Comparing To Your Teenage Self

I don't know who needs to hear this but stop comparing your twenty six year old body to your sixteen year old body; you've grown from a young girl into a young woman and you should be so proud of who you are. It's also completely normal for your personality, your style and your interests to change, embrace it!

19. The Beauty Crop Do The Best Setting Sprays

Their Glow Milk Mist has been a holy grail in my make up bag for the past year, it gives a gorgeous glowy finish all year round and keeps your make up looking perfect all day.

20. Ibiza Is A Whole Vibe

Last year we booked a spontaneous trip to Ibiza and it's safe to say I fell in love with everything about the island, from the music to the sunsets, it just felt as though it was my kind of place. I knew it would be a destination I enjoyed but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, I'm definitely in my Ibiza era!

21. Cafe Mambo Is Incredible

Watching the sunset at Cafe Mambo in Ibiza is simply stunning. It's something I've wanted to do for years so to be sat there drinking cocktails and listening to the best disco house music was a dream come true. As you can tell from the photo, I was really happy to be there.

22. Don't Be Embarrassed About Where You're At

It's okay if your life isn't looking the same as those around you, we're all on different levels and as long as your happiness is a priority, that is what matters. Remember, you are exactly where you're meant to be.

23. The Scouse Pantomime At Liverpool Royal Court Is Next Level Hilarious

We watched Scouse Dick Whittington last year and I can honestly say I have never laughed at a pantomime so much. I can't believe I haven't been to see one sooner!

24. Social Media Does Not Define Your Worth

You are not the number of interactions you get on social media, don't let numbers on a screen define your worth.

25. Self Date Days Are So Important

Make time for them.

26. Be Proud Of Yourself

This is your sign to give yourself more credit and be proud of yourself; for the big things, the little things and everything in-between. You're doing great.

I can't wait to celebrate with my family and friends tomorrow.

Here's to Chapter 27!

Lots of Love,

Meg x

My Guide For A Day In Dublin

Hello there, it's been a while!
You're probably wondering where I've been and truth be told, I don't really know what to say. I started my blog almost 10 years ago when I had all the time in the world, and now life is super busy and finding a spare hour to sit and write a blog post is a luxury. However you'll be pleased to know that I'm back and I've got so much to tell you about!

So, what better way to start than with a post all about our day trip to Dublin. Yes you read that right, we went to Dublin for the day. It's a place that has been on my 'to visit' list for years and it certainly lived up to expectation; it's a city packed with culture, the architecture is stunning and surprisingly, the Guinness is quite nice too! 

My friend Chloe and I went on our little day adventure back in February so this post is very overdue, nevertheless I hope some of these recommendations help you out if you're thinking of going to visit.

How much fun can you have in Dublin in one day? Let's find out!

Flights

Our flights to Dublin cost £30 return. We flew from Liverpool John Lennon Airport with Ryanair and in thirty minutes we'd touched down in Dublin. I can't actually believe how quick the flight was. Our estimated flight time was 55 minutes so we paid the extra £8.99 to sit together, had we known it was going to be so quick we wouldn't have bothered. 

We caught the 7:15am flight to Dublin and then the 8:20pm flight back home to Liverpool. These were perfect flight times for us, although the early wake up call was hard and I did find the tiredness catching up with me halfway through the day.

I drove to Liverpool Airport and parked my car on the Long Stay Car Park which cost £33.99 for the day. It was super easy to find and only a two minute walk to the airport which was perfect.

Getting Around

One thing I loved about Dublin was that the transport links were brilliant We booked a coach transfer to get us from Dublin Airport to the City Centre via Air Coach. It cost €9 return, our tickets were emailed to us and the coaches are parked right outside the terminal so they're super easy to find. I'd definitely recommend booking your transfers in advance as you get priority, otherwise there's no guarantee there'll be room for you on the coach. 

Our transfer time was around 30 minutes with good traffic but I can imagine it taking a little longer at busier times. The coaches were on time, the pick up points were well signposted and it made our journey to/from Dublin a lot easier.

Once you're in the city centre most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another and it's pretty easy to walk around, plus it's the perfect way to take in the sights. We did around 30,000 steps so make sure you take some comfy shoes!

Where To Eat

Róco

13 Lord Edward Street

When we stepped off the coach in Dublin, the city centre was just waking up. This was at around 9:30am but it felt a lot later for us; we were in desperate need of a coffee. We stumbled across Róco on our way to find the Guinness Storehouse and the smell of freshly baked pastries pulled us straight in. We sat upstairs with our cappuccinos and pain au chocolat and talked about all the things we wanted to do with our day. It was the perfect little coffee spot; with cosy interior, reasonable prices and friendly staff, what's not to love!?

Hard Rock Cafe

12 Fleet Street

We probably could've been a little more adventurous when it came to our food choices in Dublin but we wanted something quick and reliable so that we could do as much sight seeing as possible, and that's exactly what we got. I think this is potentially one of my first times visiting a Hard Rock Cafe, and it didn't disappoint!

There was a good variety of food on the menu and it was reasonably priced too. I ordered the Tupelo Chicken Tenders and a Strawberry & Basil lemonade, both of which were absolutely delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by the portion size too, I was expecting it to be a lot smaller but it was more than enough. The meal came to around €25 which I thought was really good for what we got.

The whole place was filled with good energy, the staff were super friendly and there was no need to book which is always a perk. If you're heading to Dublin and looking for food to please everyone, then Hard Rock Cafe is the place to be!

What To Do

The Guinness Storehouse

St James's Gate

Have you even been to Dublin if you didn't have a pint of Guinness?

Visiting the Guinness Storehouse is a must when you're in Dublin, regardless of if you're a fan of the drink or not. Chloe and I booked the experience not really expecting much but let me tell you now, it was our favourite thing we did on the trip!

We pre-booked our tickets online via the Guinness Storehouse website which I would really recommend doing as the tours can sell out very quickly. We paid €20 for the standard experience which included our entry and a free pint of Guinness. There are other packages available where you can learn how to pull your own pint and even get a pint of Guinness with your photo on it but the standard experience was perfect for us. 

Spread over seven floors, the Storehouse takes you on an immersive experience from brewing to advertising. Guinness is a brand that was a big part of my life growing up as my Dad used to work for them, so to be able to walk around the Storehouse and see how the timeless drink is made was truly fascinating. I particularly enjoyed seeing all the old advertisements and how they've changed and modernised over time. The whole tour was so informative and we learned so much, not only about the brand but their Irish heritage.

However, my favourite floor was the seventh floor which is the last stop on the tour and home to The Gravity Bar. Surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows, you can grab a pint of Guinness and take in the beautiful sights of the city. Chloe and I took advantage of our free pint and as someone who isn't the biggest fan of beer, I actually quite enjoyed it. Although we did add a hint of blackcurrant, just to make it taste a little sweeter. 

Overall, it took us an hour to get round the tour and then we spent an hour in The Gravity Bar. There's absolutely no rush to leave so take your time and enjoy the experience; it's so worth it!

The Temple Bar

47-48 Temple Bar

Visiting The Temple Bar was at the top of my Dublin to-do list. It's been a dream of mine for years and I was so looking forward to visiting, but I was slightly disappointed. 

Okay, let me explain.

Our first visit to Temple Bar was in the early afternoon and after we'd taken the obligatory photos outside, we decided to call in for a drink. I always perceived The Temple Bar to have an electric atmosphere and be buzzing all the time, and although it was busy the atmosphere just wasn't doing it for me. I expected everyone to be dancing and having a good time but there was none of that. We stayed for one drink and then left to do some more sightseeing. 

Later in the evening we headed back to The Temple Bar and I'm pleased to say that it well and truly redeemed itself. There was a live band playing Irish Folk music, everyone was dancing and getting in the spirit and although I lost my glasses, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I heard Tell Me Ma played live in Temple Bar in Dublin, an absolute dream come true! 

Moral of the story? Unless it's a Saturday then save your visit to The Temple Bar for the evening. Oh, and take plenty of euros because it's an expensive one!

Trinity College

College Green

Trinity College is a location famous for so many reasons and it's easy to see why, with its stunning architecture, gorgeous surroundings and fascinating history. It's free to go and have a look around and trust me, you'll feel as though you're in your own little film. Personally, I was channelling my inner Marianne from Normal People. There are guided tours of the college and you can also visit the Old Library and Book of Kells Exhibition which is something I would love to do next time I'm in Dublin. 

Molly Malone Statue

Suffolk Street

A lot of Dublin's main tourist attractions are within walking distance from each other, plus most of them are free and don't take up much of your day. The Molly Malone statue is a must-see when you're in Dublin, although I hadn't heard much about her until I started telling people I was visiting the city. Apparently her story is based on a song telling the tale of a traditional fishwife who died of a fever when she was young. It's clearly a hit with tourists because there was quite a big crowd around her statue. 

Ha'penny Bridge

Bachelors Walk

The Ha'penny Bridge is as much of a landmark in Dublin as the Coliseum in Rome. It's one of the most famous sights in the city so of course we had to walk across. One thing I found so strange about Dublin is the fact that little parts of history are placed in the middle of a fairly modernised city. It adds such a lovely feel to the place. 

We did so much walking and sight-seeing in Dublin and I know it probably seems as though we did a lot, but towards the end of the day I think we found ourselves looking for things to do. This is why I'm glad we visited for the day, although if you were planning on having more of a bar crawl trip to Dublin then I'd definitely recommend staying over as there are some lovely hotels. 

It's also important to remember that Dublin is a city so there are plenty of shops including a huge Primark, ZARA and a Disney Store. We tried to avoid doing any shopping due to Ryanair's baggage allowances because we knew we'd come back with quite a bit of stuff that we probably wouldn't be allowed to bring on the plane with us. 

As you can probably tell, we had such a fun day in Dublin and it's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. I'd definitely go back and visit for the day, I still can't believe it's the same amount of time to get from Liverpool to Dublin via plane as it is to get a train from my house to Liverpool!

I hope my little guide to our day in Dublin has given you some ideas of what you can do if you're visiting the city, or that this post has inspired you to book a day trip. I'd love to hear if you have any more recommendations so leave them in the comments!

Lots of Love,

Meg x

2023│The Highlights

Happy New Year Everyone!

The new year is almost here and I can't quite believe how quickly this past year has gone, mentally I'm still in summer sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere (or at least I wish I was). 2023 was a year I walked into feeling inspired but also apprehensive and now looking back I can say it's been a year of adventure, new friendships and plenty of fun!

This year saw me travel to two stunning destinations; Corfu & Ibiza, run around a Greek Island pretending I was in Mamma Mia, drink cocktails whilst watching the sunset at Cafe Mambo, celebrate Eurovision coming to Liverpool, watch some amazing musicals and of course, finally see Peter Kay live! All of which I did with the most beautiful group of people who I feel so lucky to call my friends.

Tonight I'll be welcoming in the new year with my family, friends and a glass of gin. I'm feeling quite positive and grateful about the year ahead and I'm hopeful that it's going to be a lovely year, but for now here are some of my highlights of 2023!

The 1975 At Their Very Best

I started the year with one of my favourite bands; The 1975. My friend Hannah and I booked some last minute tickets to go and see them on their At Their Very Best tour in Liverpool and they were amazing, as they always are. They played songs from their new album as well as some of their most loved tracks from previous albums, and to be quite honest I can't actually believe they've been around for 10 years!? We sang and danced the whole show. They really are at their very best. 

Puppy Yoga

The following week my lovely friend Chloe and I booked onto a Puppy Yoga class in Liverpool. I know this may be a controversial one to include with the bad press these classes have received in recent months, however from our experience the puppies were looked after, they had water at all times and they weren't forced to socialise if they didn't want to. It was such a lovely afternoon, we grabbed a coffee before the class and then had the most amazing yoga session whilst the puppies ran around the room, some wanting to play and others just wanting to cuddle. However if one saw their friend enjoying a cuddle then you were guaranteed a puppy pile on! I'm a complete yoga novice and the class was so easy to follow, both Chloe and I left feeling happier and incredibly zen. 

Theatre Trips & Musicals

And so the theatre trips for 2023 begin!

February and March saw me take a few trips to the theatre (3 to be exact) so I thought I'd compile them into one highlight as they were all at the Liverpool Empire. 

The first show I went to see was Bugsy Malone which was a High School favourite of mine and one of the first shows I watched that really made me want to pursue acting whilst at school. The production was amazing, exactly how I remember it with all the classic costumes and songs and of course the cream pies! 

Following on with the High School theme, a few weeks later I went to see a production of An Inspector Calls, the play we all remember from our English GCSE exam. I remember being hooked when I first read the play in Year 11, so ten years later I just had to go and see it live. It was incredible to see the characters come to life and the whole show was captivating; my inner English Literature and Drama student was very happy!

Then at the end of March, Mum and I went to see The Bodyguard and as a huge Whitney fan I had very high expectations. Despite having people around us who clearly knew nothing about theatre etiquette and sang their way through the entire show, it was actually really good. The vocals were on point, the costumes were gorgeous and in some parts the show was actually quite scary (if you know, you know).

Eurovision

Hello Liverpool, this is Eurovision calling!

I'm sorry but how did my home city host the biggest song contest in the world!? There was such a buzz about the city and it was so heartwarming to see so many different nationalities fall in love with the place we call home. In the weeks leading up to Eurovision I think everyone was just trying to soak up every last bit of the atmosphere because it truly was a party. I was gutted that I didn't manage to get tickets but the girls and I got together and had our own Eurovision themed 'bring a board party' and we had the best night! Although I still think Belgium should've won.

A Thong For Europe

Continuing nicely with the Eurovision theme, Mum and I went to see A Thong For Europe at The Royal Court in Liverpool. It was absolutely hilarious, just pure Eurovision joy! It's also the first show I've ever seen at The Royal Court and it's such a gorgeous little theatre who really do host some of the best productions. I wasn't joking when I said Liverpool really got into the Eurovision spirit! 

My 26th Birthday

Don't even ask me how I'm 26 because I really don't know, I still only feel 22! 

I had such a lovely day celebrating my birthday, we had gorgeous weather and my family and friends made me feel so special. I started the day by volunteering at my local Dementia Group who treated me to a lovely card and birthday cake, then Mum and I called for a spot of lunch before having a BBQ with my family in the evening and enjoying the sunshine in the garden. 

Corfu

A few weeks later Chloe and I headed to Corfu for our girls holiday. It was my first time travelling in three years and what better place to go than one of the stunning Greek Islands. I've been to Corfu once before when I was younger and it's just as lovely as I remember. We spent our days exploring the Old Town, drinking cocktails at Imabari, relaxing by the pool, swimming in the sea and trying plenty of Greek cuisine. Our hotel was right next to the runway so we'd constantly have the planes flying over our head and we loved sitting at Sky Bar on an evening watching them. I was literally living my best Mamma Mia life. Corfu is truly one of the most stunning places I've ever visited and I can't wait to go back!

Mambly's 90th

At the beginning of July a very special lady celebrated her 90th birthday. My lovely Mambly had such a gorgeous day celebrating with the family and her meal of choice was, of course, fish and chips. Although she still refuses to believe that she's 90 and refers to herself as 89+1.

Soul In The Park

A little known fact about me is that I was brought up on soul music and it's one of my favourite genres to listen to, this is why I can never choose a favourite type of music as I listen to such a variety it would be impossible for me to pick just one. In summer Mum and I went to the Soul in the Park event which is a big soul music party held at a hotel and every function room plays a different type of soul music. We had such a fun evening dancing to some of our favourite songs and it was one of my favourite days of the year!

Barbie

It was the big decision of the summer; Barbie or Oppenheimer? In absolutely no surprise to anyone, I chose Barbie. I mean who wouldn't want to have their own Dream House and can we just take a moment to appreciate her wardrobe! The girls and I had a Sunday roast at Alberts Schloss before watching Barbie at the Everyman Cinema in Liverpool and it was such a gorgeous day, the film was SUBLIME!

Ibiza

Two holidays in one year? Who do I think I am! 

In September Chloe and I decided to book a very last minute holiday to Ibiza and I think it's the best decision we've ever made. I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this holiday and how much I've fallen in love with the island. It truly is the most spectacular place, we hadn't been there an hour and we'd already decided that we were coming back next year. I've always wanted to watch the sunset from Cafe Mambo and it was more stunning than I could have ever imagined. From drinking cocktails at sunset, to exploring Ibiza Old Town, to sunbathing on rooftop bars, I can honestly say Ibiza is one of my favourite destinations ever and gave me some of my favourite memories of the year!

The Body Shop Events

I've been lucky enough to be invited to some lovely events with The Body Shop this year and I still pinch myself every time they ask me to attend. I've met some of the most amazing people and made some gorgeous new friends who are literally just the most supportive girls you could ever meet. I feel so lucky to be able to work alongside some of the most talented bloggers and amazing brands.

A Scouse Panto

Then it was officially Panto season!

And what better way to start the festive season than with A Scouse Dick Whittington at The Royal Court. It's the first scouse panto I've ever seen and it definitely wont be the last. It was hilarious from start to finish, even though it's the most bizzare panto I think I've ever seen!

Bents

In the middle of November, Mum and I did our annual festive trip to Bents Garden Centre which is quite possibly the most festive garden centre in the world (and that's not an exaggeration). Christmas officially started this year with the Panto and then a trip to Bents a few days later and the decor this year is as gorgeous as ever. We had a mooch around all the festive displays, grabbed a hot chocolate at the Christmas Market and then treated ourselves to some new advent candles which is a tradition in our house.

Peter Kay Live

At the start of December, it was finally time to go and see Peter Kay live!

Liv and I have been waiting for over a year to go to his show and he was as hilarious as ever. I don't want to say too much as I know people have tickets to go and see him in 2025 but all I will say is that you're in for a treat and it's so worth the wait!

The Light Before Christmas

Last year, Mum and I attended The Light Before Christmas at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral and we loved it so much that we booked tickets again this year. This time the show was called The Light Before Christmas: The Manger and it was just as stunning as the previous year. The cathedral walls became a canvas for the different light displays as the magical sounds surrounded you; from the Christmas story, to A Christmas Carol, to Father Christmas himself making a special appearance, it was just pure magic. I think this is going to be another one of our festive traditions.

Festive Celebrations

December has been filled with plenty of festive celebrations, from Christmas meals and Christmas Markets, to impromptu nights out and festive shopping trips. I feel so lucky and so grateful to have spent this year with some of the most amazing people and to have celebrated the festive season with them all.

The Wizard Of Oz

My final theatre trip of the year took us to the merry old land of Oz. A few weeks ago Mum and I found ourselves back at the Liverpool Empire to see The Wizard of Oz and we absolutely loved it. I used to be obsessed with Dorothy when I was younger, she was my go to character for World Book Day, so my inner child was having the best time. The show starred Aston Merrygold as the Tinman and The Vivienne as the Wicked Witch of the West, both of whom were incredible in their roles. It was such a lighthearted production and such a lovely show to watch.

Family & Friends

2023 has had some amazing moments but it's also had its challenges too. I've made memories to last a lifetime and I know that's mostly thanks to the gorgeous, supportive, wonderful group of people I have around me; from friends who will get up and sing karaoke without a care in the world, to the lovely new friends I've made this year, to my own family who show me so much love every single day. I will never be able to express my gratitude and love for you all. 

From the theatre trips and soul parties with my Mum, to the rugby chats with my Dad, to singing Sinatra with my Mambly, to all the cuddles and walkies with Buster, to booking spontaneous holidays and having cocktails with the girls. These amazing people have truly been part of my happiest memories this year and I couldn't have got through the year without them.

Overall, it's been another crazy but lovely year. It's had its highs, its lows and challenges along the way but we made it and I'm proud of us. I've travelled to the most beautiful places, seen some amazing shows, met some lovely new friends and I'm thankful that my family, friends and I are entering 2024 healthy and happy. It's been a lovely year and I know I've got a lot to be grateful for. I'm hopeful that 2024 will be another good one.

I hope you have a fantastic New Year and that 2024 is filled with happiness, success and love!

Lots of Love,

Meg x