Bank Holiday Trip to Peckforton Castle

This bank holiday weekend we took ourselves away to the stunning Peckforton Castle in Cheshire!
We were both in need of a night away and some time as a couple again and with the incredible weather, we had timed in perfectly!
My Mum had bought us the night away as a Christmas present and we'd already had to re-arrange the date once as I was taken to hospital with appendicitis.

We arrived on Sunday around 3pm and checked in. The entrance and drive up to the castle itself was beautiful. There was a wedding reception taking place that evening but the building was big enough  so that we went unnoticed.

The grounds were lush green and so picturesque. We felt as if we were abroad and both of us felt so noticeably relaxed.

After checking in and dumping the bags, we headed to Panama Hatty's which is about a 5 minute drive for cocktails and some nibbles.

I had some gorgeous cocktails and we shared a sharing board starter which included, BBQ ribs, potato skins, onion rings, corn on the cob etc. We didn't want to eat too much as we had dinner included in our deal at the castle.

The weather was glorious and we were so lucky so we took advantage and sat outside. It was lovely to be able to have some real adult conversation and time to ourselves without being interrupted by a little person every 2 minutes or having to take it in turns on toilet duty!
Don't get me wrong, we really missed her even though we were only away for 24 hours! Its funny  how we crave some adult time away but its strange when you get it and you end up FaceTiming the Grandparents every few hours to check everything is ok!

Dinner was delicious and we ate in the brasserie which was roomy and quite quiet but the waitress was great and very attentive.
We both had Sirloin steaks with twice cooked chips, slow roasted tomatoes and watercress served with a Shropshire blue cheese sauce and had bottle of red wine between us. We also had dessert each. 

I had a chocolate and vanilla delice with a ginger crumb and rubarb compote and  Andrew had a berry mousse with a citrus crumb and gooseberry curd. 

We then had drinks in small drawing room to the side of reception where there were a few other couples enjoying drinks. We had some drinks here whilst discussing more wedding details and getting excited about the fact its just less that 4 months till the big day!

The room was spacious, clean with all the character still of the castle. High ceilings and large windows which makes the room ooze opulence but remain comfortable. They have the perfect mixture of historical fixtures with slight modern flare.

We had a wonderful night sleep and went down to breakfast in the morning which was a breakfast buffet with all the full English components, pastries, fresh fruit, yogurts and cereals. Toast was cooked fresh for you and all served with fresh fruit juices, tea and coffee. It was perfect and set us up for the drive back.

Checkout was seamless and the reception staff were very friendly and pleasant.  We drove home, roof off and enjoying the sunshine feeling refreshed.

We will definitely be returning to Peckforton!


With Love, Olivia x

Dublin!

As some of you may know one of my New Years resolutions was to travel and see more of the world. Not necessarily travelling long haul places and far off lands but keeping it simple! 

I had never travelled to Ireland before and considering the Emerald Isle is just a one hour flight, it seemed criminal that I hadn't been. 

We booked our flights with Ryanair and you can always pick up cheap flights with some great flying times. We paid £33 for return flights from Birmingham, 

We flew on a Saturday morning at 8am and was in Dublin by 9.10am. 

Flying across to the Emerald Isle 

A taxi from the airport into the centre of Dublin was €30/35 and as there was 5 of us it actually worked out slightly cheaper to get a taxi (and more convenient) rather than the bus as this was €7 each. 

We stayed at StayCity Apartments on St Augustine Street. This was a great location. It was less that 300m to Temple Bar and conveniently a short walk from lots of lovely restaurants and shops. 

The apartment itself was great, very clean and spacious. It had 2 double bedrooms and a large comfy pull out sofa bed in the lounge area. The kitchen was well equipped and there was a large bathroom and balcony. The apartment block has a lift and a secure place to store luggage. There is also a manned reception 24hrs a day. For 2 nights we paid £610 so between 5 of us it was £122 each- a bargain if you ask me!

We ate at some really lovely places including one of my favourites Avoca on Suffolk Street. 

The Avoca shop is really an Aladdin's cave of the wonderful, including clothing, home interiors and jewellery. It also has an award winning cafe on the top level and a coffee shop and deli on the lower level selling beautiful read-to go meals and artisan food.

Poached eggs, chargrilled sourdough, crushed avocado, roast plum tomato & mixed leaf salad

The food was lovely, fresh and filling. 

I can see why it was described by Vogue UK as one of the Best 100 Shops Outside of London.

'Barn' is located on Exchequer Street.

We also visited some wonderful independent shops including Industry&Co which again, is a lifestyle shop and eatery in one. They also have a gorgeous sister shop called Barn which is a sells a fantastic, unique collection of baby and children's home and lifestyle products. 

I could have stayed for hours perusing though the tiny clothes and accessories. So cute!!

Located just off Grafton Street is Powerscourt Centre. Its full of over 40 creative and original independent shops nestled next to high end international shops such as AllSaints and French Connection. 

There are also restaurants located inside stunning Georgian building.
We ate at Farrier and Draper and also tasted some of their gorgeous cocktails here. The setting was beautiful and the decor was to die for. Splashes of bright neon colours teamed with Victorian styled paintings and lighting. 

The inside of Powerscourt Centre.

Previously a house, Powerscourt Centre was once home to Richard Wingfield 3rd Viscount Powercourt and his wife Amelia and was used for entertaining and parties! 

In an evening we headed to Temple Bar which is famous for the traditional Irish pubs and bars.
Its rare to find one without live Irish music or the pints of Guinness flowing! The atmosphere is great and the place is normally buzzing with people, laughter and singing. 

We also headed to The Stags Head on Dame Court. We had heard it unofficially served the best pint of Guinness in Dublin! I cant say that I would know if it was good or bad, but I did drink it and it wasn't unpleasant! 

The Stags Head located on Dame Court

As we aren't traditional Guinness drinkers we didn't do the usual tour of the Guinness Storehouse. Purely because we don't usually drink it! We had spoken to a couple of people that said unless you like it or you really want to pour a pint of it then you wont find it particularly thrilling. 

There are so many things to do in Dublin. We were a group of 5 girls ranging from 20 to 60 years old and there was so much for all of us to do. 

I'd definitely go back to Dublin. The people are so friendly and always so welcoming.

Have you been to Dublin? Let me know your thoughts and tell me where you'd recommend to go!

With Love, Olivia x

February Favourite Skin Product!

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream 

This winter season my skin has well and truly suffered. I have very typical combination skin and normally its under control pretty well but for some reason this winter its gone crazy. 

My forehead is so dry that my foundation wasn't sitting well and then my chin kept breaking into spots from being too oily. I really felt like I couldn't control it. That was until I re-found my love for Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream.

This stuff is sent from the Gods and isn't new either! It was first invented by Elizabeth Arden in 1930.  

I first had this cream when I was about 19 and I don't think I appreciated how wonderful it was back then.
My skin wasn't half as bad as it is now that I'm in my 30's (God damm my younger self!) and if I'm honest my skincare routine was pretty non-existent.

Now I'm older (and slightly wiser) I've learnt that no good comes from abusing your skin.

The apricot coloured cream itself is more like a gel and it's so thick. The smell is also fantastic and really makes your face smell like it does after a luxury facial. I know not everyone likes fragranced moisturisers and it is available in fragrance free.

It contains vitamin E and Lanolin, which if you've ever been a breastfeeding mother, you'll know Lanolin cream is a fantastic healer. The eight hour cream can be used on chapped lips, dry skin on hands and elbows and even can help remove waterproof mascara.

Its definitely a handbag must-have and wont be going anywhere out of my beauty routine anytime soon.

Click Here for a link to the Elizabeth Arden Website


With Love, Olivia x