london-nightlife-bar

Unique places to visit for quirky London nightlife

by with No Comment Uncategorized

I don’t get to visit London very often, but love the idea of spending a weekend there.  In an ideal world, we would stay with my family in Kent so we could take the children into London during the day to see the sites and visit all the museums, then they could go back with their Grandparents and Steve and I could spend a bit of time checking out London after dark.

There are so many options though, of places we could go, as there’s really no shortage of quirky and fun nightlife in London.  I’ve had a bit of help putting this post together, and come up with a couple of weird and unique locations to visit when you’re next in the heart of London.

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Bunga Bunga Bars

Bunga Bunga Bars in Covent Garden give you a wealth of sophisticated entertainment that isn’t to be missed if you enjoy a good cocktail. Not only are these bars fantastic for relaxation, but they’re also great for a spot of gambling too, if that’s your thing.  You see, the unique thing about Bunga Bunga Bars is that you can play a spot of blackjack or roulette with the exact person that serves you a drink! This creates a unique atmosphere that’s similar to a regular bar, yet also has notes of a classy casino for you to enjoy. If you love the thrill of the casino, and fancy some drinks to go with it, then don’t miss out on this wonderful location. If you want to take a group of people here, then they also offer private dining for dozens of guests and have regular shows each week.

 

Fu Manchu Bar

Fu Manchu gives you an exquisite taste of Asian and Western fusion. There are plenty of Chinese teas, fun cocktails and upbeat music that last until late at night and even support for private parties. This is more of a clubbing location that’s located in Clapham, making it a more affordable venture no matter what your budget is. Fu Manchu is just a short walk from the Clapham North Station, making it accessible throughout most of the day. However, after midnight, the London Underground closes and you’ll need to find a taxi or call an Uber to get back to your hotel. The crowd at Fu Manchu tends to be on the younger side, so this is more of a casual spot for teenagers and young adults as opposed to a classy location for adults like Bunga Bunga Bars.

 

Zigfrid Von Underbelly

Located in Shoreditch in the North of London, Zigfrid Von Underbelly is a unique bar that has a wonderful punk aesthetic. It’s a place of home cooked meals, drinks and free thinking. Zigfrid Von Underbelly is a colourful location that offers some of the most quirky nightlife that London has to offer. With whimsical interior decorations and bright lights, it’s a place that is both memorable and fun. The clientele at this eccentric location is usually the younger crowd. There are many young professionals and trend-setters here, so you’ll look out of place coming in with a suit and tie. There’s no proper dance floor either, which makes it a very free and open area where people kind of just find their own spot to sit, dance and drink. Because of the lack of dance floor, the music typically isn’t the focus of Zigfrid Von Underbelly, making DJs less of a consideration than if you were to visit Fu Manchu or another dedicated club.

 

Nightjar

Yet another iconic bar located in Shoreditch, Nightjar is a place with the bespoke decor, quality cocktails, amazing service and plenty of live music. Nightjar is a critically acclaimed cocktail bar and for good reason. The food is absolutely astounding, with a collection of Spanish tapas dishes and some odd cocktails to go with it, you won’t be leaving Nightjar hungry or thirsty. For those that love social media, there’s no shortage of fun and unique creations to take pictures of and show to your envious followers. Nightjar is a location where the atmosphere is important. You’ll feel absolutely stunned by how unique the decor is. With the live jazz music playing in the background and the wonderful wooden tables and chairs that adorn the location, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into the past as soon as you descend the stairs into Nightjar.

 

So there you go, if you’re looking for some wonderful and unique locations to visit when you’re on a trip to London, don’t miss out these four fantastic places. They’re quirky, fun, serve some delicious cocktails and food, and are filled with colourful characters that you’ll get to know as the night goes on.

 

Disclosure – this is a collaborative, sponsored post.

Show-you-were-there-round-up

‘Show you were there’ round up (week twenty three)

by with 2 Comments PhotographyShow you were thereUncategorized

Time for another round up from my lovely little instagram community #ShowYouWereThere.

In case you’ve not heard about it, #ShowYouWereThere is the hashtag to use every time you have a photo to share that features you in some way.  It could be a selfie, a photo of you with your children or just your hand holding your morning coffee (or evening wine).

It’s all part of encouraging more parents to get in more photos, both with and for their children.

So, on with my picks from this past week.

First up is this gorgeous Throwback Thursday photo from Louise at Mummy Miller.

Didn’t she make a stunning bride?

 

My second choice is this lovely photo from Jax at Jax and Joseph.  What I love most about this photo is the caption that goes along with it, as Jax sums up exactly how I feel about the importance of us parents getting in more photos!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXONwt7FcVg/?tagged=showyouwerethere

 

Next up is this gorgeous picture from Hayley at I Am River.  There is just so much happiness in this photo, I love it!

 

Finally I’ve chosen this from wife life in the mother hood.  Another photo that just screams joy!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXJZlz9FRFG/?tagged=showyouwerethere

 

Thank you so much to everyone who is using #ShowYouWereThere, I love seeing your photos popping up over on instagram, they always bring a huge smile to my face!

 

Now my turn.

After spending a fair bit of time indoors lately, thanks to rainy weather and poorly children, we made the most of the sun yesterday and headed out for a quick walk at Swansea bay.

As we walked along the sand I realised that there was a gorgeous patch of wildflowers up along the front.  So we climbed up from the beach and had ourselves a quick photo session.

This is one of my favourites.  So nice to see both Rhys and Nerys laughing away after not quite being themselves recently!

show you were there round up

 

If you’d like to join in with my little community and possibly be featured in my next round up (with a nice link back to your blog!) then just share a photo of yourself over on instagram using #ShowYouWereThere.  It’s all about getting more parents in more photos.  And if you’d like to take part in my guest post series ‘The photo I’m thankful for‘ then take a look at this post or email me at thisgloriouslife@gmail.com for more information.

 

one-hundred-toys-grimms-review

One hundred toys – Grimm’s wooden toys review

by with No Comment ReviewsUncategorized

I am really loving watching Nerys play lately.  She is getting more and more creative and seems to really enjoy imaginative play.  She loves role-playing games like mummies and daddies and will spend ages playing shops with any willing play mates.  She also really loves playing with her dollhouse and using building blocks to create other buildings and things like slides for her little dolls to play on.

So when Alexis from 100 toys asked if I would like to review some items from their amazing online shop, I knew almost straight away what range I would pick from.

The gorgeous wooden toys from Grimm’s caught my eye right from the start.

So I was thrilled when we were sent the Grimm’s coloured house and the Grimm’s purple framehouse to take a look at.

Grimm’s coloured house

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The first toy that we opened up was this beautifully brightly coloured house.

The pieces are all handmade from lime wood, and instead of being painted and varnished they’re dipped into a non-toxic colour stain and left with a natural finish.

I really love the look that this gives the toy, and it makes playing with it an amazing tactile experience too.

The real beauty of this matte finish though is that it means the pieces don’t slip off each other, so you can get really creative with your constructions!

grimms-rainbow-house-one-hundred-toys-reviewI love how this toy opens up so many play possibilities, for children of all ages.

For little ones it is a great toy for stacking and learning about balance.  Then for bigger children, all it takes is a little bit of imagination and it can become a house with a garage, a tunnel for cars to drive through, or a series of caves for dolls to explore.

And just look at it, it’s so pretty!

This is one toy that will most definitely not be kept tucked away in the toybox, I’m happy for this to sit proudly on our mantelpiece brightening up our lounge!

 

Grimm’s purple framehouse

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The second toy we were sent to review was the equally gorgeous purple framehouse.

Each framehouse is made up of  24 pieces of different shapes and sizes that mean your child’s creations are only really limited by their imaginations.  They can build a tall tower block or a whole little village of houses.  As with the coloured house, every piece in this set is made of lime wood and hand-dipped in non-toxic colour stain to give beautiful colours with a natural finish.

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The framehouse comes in purple, green, blue and red so there is bound to be a set that appeals to every child.  I chose purple for Nerys as it’s one of her favourite colours and I loved the mix of tones in this colourway.

One thing I really love about the Grimm’s toys is how well they integrate with each other.

You can really get creative when you mix up the coloured house and the framehouse, building all manner of towers and houses and tunnels and caves.

As part of the Grimm’s range you can also get simple wooden cars, trees and people which would add even more fun.  I can see us expanding our collection quite soon to include some of these things to build a colourful little world for Nerys (and Rhys!) to play with.

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I’ve left the coloured house and the framehouse out on a table in our living room and Nerys has been coming back to play with them over and over again in the last few days.

It’s been wonderful to watch her instinctively know how to play with the blocks, as they’re so open ended there isn’t really a ‘wrong’ way to play with them!  The chunky pieces are just right for her hands and they’re reassuring to me as they feel like they’ll stand up to a bit of falling down.

Wooden toys in general have a timeless feel to them, and these toys from Grimm’s are no exception.

They feel classic, but cool at the same time, and I love the thought that my children will be able to get so much use of them and then potentially pass them on to their own children one day.

If I don’t decide to keep them for myself as little wooden ornaments that is!

Discount code

If I’ve tempted you to get some gorgeous toys for your family, or as a gift for another child in your life, then you can get 10% off your first order from 100 toys using my exclusive discount code – GLORIOUS100

Disclosure:  I was sent the coloured house and framehouse from 100 toys for the purpose of this review, but all words and opinions are my own.

hidden-flower-meanings

The power of flowers – psychological benefits of flowers

by with No Comment PsychologyUncategorized

I think everyone will most likely agree that there is something special about flowers.

They make us happy, brightening up walks through the park and adding a splash of colour to our homes.

But did you know that there are some real psychological benefits to spending time around flowers?

power-flowers-psychological-benefits

A study carried out at Harvard medical school found that flowers really do make us happier, and reduce anxiety and negativity.

The people who took part in the study reported that they felt less negative after just a few days of having flowers in their homes, and that they found themselves keen to look at the flowers when they woke up in the morning.

Nancy Etcoff who conducted the research said:

“As a psychologist, I’m particularly intrigued to find that people who live with flowers report fewer episodes of anxiety and depressed feelings.  Our results suggest that flowers have a positive impact on our well-being.”

What’s particularly interesting is that these positive emotions stay with us throughout the day.

Etcoff found that people were more likely to feel enthusiastic and happy at work if they had seen flowers in their home in the morning.

This is echoed in research carried out in Tokyo which found that looking at roses in the work place led to people feeling more comfortable and relaxed as they went about their working day.  So it seems that workplaces could benefit from having more flowers and plants around for employees to enjoy.

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Another slightly surprising finding from Etcoff’s study is that living with fresh-cut flowers in their homes for less than a week led to people feeling more compassionate and kind towards other people.

I wonder if that’s how the flower industry works.

One person buys some flowers for their home, which leads to them feeling kinder towards other people.  So they buy a bunch of flowers for someone else, as an act of kindness.  That person then also feels happier, and kinder, and so they buy flowers for someone else!  And on and on it goes!

If you want to give someone you love a boost by buying them some flowers, you might want to take a minute to consider the meaning behind the ones you choose.

Roses, for example, represent love.

Not all that surprising, they are the classic gift to give your partner on valentine’s day and are closely linked with all things love.

They do have other, hidden meanings though, depending on the colour you pick out.  

White roses represent sympathy, while peach coloured ones represent friendship.  So take a moment to consider the person you’re buying for, and the situation, before you make your final decision!

There are loads more hidden meanings behind all sorts of flowers, and the experts at Flying Flowers have put together a brilliant guide to them over on their site.

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I don’t have one particular flower that I like more than the rest, although tulips are up there for me.

I love the vibrant colours of the different varieties, and think there’s something really beautiful in their simplicity.  And I’m clearly not the only one who loves them, as 76% of people asked in a recent survey said that they would choose tulips if they were to buy flowers for someone’s birthday or anniversary, or to say congratulations to someone.

Do you always have flowers in your home, or are they a special treat once in a while?  What type of flowers do you normally pick out?  

I’d love to know your choices and your reasons for them in the comments!

 

Disclaimer – this is a collaborative post

first-trip-london

A weekend of firsts for children in London

by with No Comment Uncategorized

The other day in the car on the way to school Rhys started asking if we could go and see Big Ben.

Not sure where that came from, but he seemed really quite excited about the idea!  So I told him that maybe in the summer holidays we could go and stay with his grandparents in Kent, and head into London one day for a bit of sight seeing.

The children have never been into London and while I’m a bit nervous about the thought of taking them, it’s also quite exciting.  There is so much to see and do there, and I really do love the atmosphere in the city.

If you’re thinking of taking your children into London for a weekend, then you might also want to take the opportunity to squeeze in a few other ‘firsts’ with them.  Here are some ideas of first-time experiences you could try.

Their first big show

Your children may have experienced a theatre show before now.   I mean, all those pantomimes count don’t they?  But, theatre doesn’t get much better than the west-end of London. Here, you’ll find shows like Les Miserables and The Lion King. These are top-end shows, with top-end actors and actresses to boot. Experiencing one of these could lead to a lifelong love of theatre in any child.

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Picture Credit

As this is their first big show, you may not know which would be best. So when you try and decide, think about your child’s tastes. Is there an actor they particularly like? If there is then a show starring that person is bound to be a hit! Or, perhaps there’s a story they particularly enjoy. If there’s a theatre version running then try and take them to see it, a familiar story might be more appealing to little ones.


Their first music concert

We all remember our first music concert. It’s a big deal and a big step towards adulthood. As such, their first music show is something your kids will take into later life. Why not make it the best it can be by choosing one in London? You could take them in at the deep end with a trip to the O2 Arena in Peninsula Square. This has been the world’s busiest venue since 2008 and hosts some fantastic stars. As it’s so popular, there are plenty of restaurants and hotels around, too. So, you could focus your weekend around the event.

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Picture Credit

Or, perhaps you want to keep things more modest. Such a big gig as a first experience could, after all, be overwhelming. An option like the O2 in Shepherds Bush might be a better bet. This venue has a capacity of 2000, so it won’t get too crowded. And, you’ll still be okay for sleeping. All you’ll need to do is choose a Hotel in Shepherds Bush instead. Bear in mind, though, that smaller venues don’t host such big names. So it may be harder to choose a concert to suit your child’s tastes. 


Their first art gallery

London is home to some absolutely amazing art. If your child has a creative flair, use this chance to take them to their first gallery. There are many to choose from. Most notable are Tate Modern in Millbank, and The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.

I love the idea of taking my children to an art gallery, to introduce them to all the different styles of painting and art work that there is out there.  They are both quite creative and I think they would love wandering round and looking at different artists’ work.

 

So there you have it, three ideas for ‘firsts’ you can experience with your children on a trip to London.  Which would your children enjoy the most?

 

Disclosure – this is a sponsored post.

weekend-away-without-children

A weekend away without the children – where to go and what to do

by with No Comment ParentingUncategorized

When I was little, if anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say ‘a mummy’.

It was all I ever wanted.  And I am unbelievably happy that my dream came true, and that I get to be mummy to my two little ones.  It is absolutely amazing to get to see my children grow and develop, and to be able to spend as much time with them as I do.

Being a parent isn’t always easy and fun though; some days are just hard.  I think every parent craves a bit of time to themselves now and then.  A chance to go to the toilet in peace, and to finish a hot cup of coffee.

Having a family trip away like we did recently when we went to Bluestone can be a lovely way for everyone to enjoy themselves.  But having an afternoon to yourself, or with friends, every so often, can be a great way to have a small break from being a parent, and remember what it is like to do something for yourself.  Having a whole weekend away, however, can make a huge difference to your sense of well-being and lets you come back feeling refreshed and ready to give parenting everything you’ve got again.

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There are so many places you can go for a weekend break, and this depends on your preferences and what you want to do. This might mean a relaxing spa break with your partner, or letting your hair down with some friends; this is entirely up to you!

Here are some ideas on what to do, and where to go when you want a getaway.

Stay at a boutique hotel

Staying at a boutique hotel will give you all the service that a hotel provides with the added luxury and personal touch that comes with this particular hotel. The great thing about staying at a boutique hotel is that it will be a lot quieter and offer you a personal service. Deciding on a destination that suits your needs is the first step, you might, for example, be interested in country stay or you might want to enjoy the many offerings of London.Take a look at the modern rooms of the Eccleston Square Hotel if you are considering a stay in the capital.  London with it’s bustling streets makes staying in a boutique hotel all the more desirable for those that want the option to retreat away from the crowds after a busy day out.

Have a spa break

Spa breaks continue to be popular amongst parents and couples for a good reason. They provide you with the luxury and downtime that you might have forgotten about as a parent who’s only time alone is the 10-minute shower in the morning. Unwind and pamper yourself at a spa with friends, your partner, or even by yourself! Look here for some of the best places to enjoy a spa weekend away.

Fly or take a train to Europe

Make the most of the budget airlines and go on a city break somewhere in Europe. There are so many countries and cities to choose from, so deciding on where to might be the most difficult part! Have a look at some of the most romantic cities to visit in Europe as a couple, and enjoy your time away. Travelling by train is becoming increasingly popular, and many people are choosing to do this over flying. In fact, with the time spent waiting in airports and getting transfers, it can even be quicker to get the train than to fly somewhere. For example, getting the Eurostar from Paris to London takes just over two hours!  My parents have actually just taken the train all the way to the south of France for their holiday, and said the journey was fab.  It definitely sounds easier than driving the whole way overnight like my dad used to when we were younger!

 

So there you go, three ideas for where to go and what to do if you ever get the chance to have a weekend away without your children.  When was the last time you did something like this?

 

Disclaimer – this is a collaborative post

first-impressions

How quickly do you form first impressions?

by with One Comment PsychologyUncategorized

When you first meet someone, how quickly do you think you form that all important first impression of them?

A minute maybe?

A little longer?

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From the colour of a person’s eyes to the office reception furniture of the company you’re interviewing for; we assess every detail unbelievably quickly and form quite lasting first impressions.

Turns out we form an impression of a stranger from their face alone in a tenth of a second.

Psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov carried out a series of experiments which found that we form these impressions of people in a staggeringly short amount of time, and that looking at a person’s face for longer doesn’t significantly alter those first impressions.

Part of the reason why we often stick to our first impressions is confirmation bias.  Generally speaking, we like to be right about things.  So once we’ve formed an opinion of someone or something we look for, and pay more attention to, evidence that backs it up.  So if we decide in the first second of meeting someone that they are stuck up, for example, then we’ll pay attention to other details about them and their actions that seems to support that idea.

There have been quite a few studies carried out that have looked at first impressions, and they’ve produced some fascinating results.

Apparently men with brown eyes tend to be perceived as more dominant.  What’s interesting though is that it’s not just because their eyes are brown.  A study by study by Karel Kleisner et al found that men with brown eyes also seem to have other facial features that cause others to perceive them as more dominant.  So, a blue-eyed man wearing brown coloured contact lenses wouldn’t be seen in the same way.

What you wear can also influence what people think of you, right down to your shoes.  A study by Omri Gillatha et al. found that people judge those wearing practical and affordable shoes to be more agreeable,  while people who wear shoes that look brand new and in good repair are perceived to be more concerned about making a good impression and avoiding rejection.

Makes me wonder a bit what people think of me when they look at my pink shoes!

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There’s more to it than just the way we look though.

Psychologists at Northeastern University carried out a study which found that people who make more eye contact when they’re chatting are perceived as more intelligent.  Just be careful not to overdo it, too much constant eye contact can easily make people feel uncomfortable.

Picking up the pace when you talk can also change how people perceive you.  Research carried out in the 70s found that people assume that those who talk faster are more competent.  Those who talk more slowly, on the other hand, were perceived as being less truthful and less persuasive.  Maybe that’s why Lorelai did so well for herself in the end in Gilmore Girls, she talked so fast that people believed she was capable of anything!

Of course, it’s not just people that we form super quick first impressions of.
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We do the same with places.

A study commissioned by Airwick found that it takes us around 26 seconds to form an opinion of someone’s house when we go and visit them for the first time.  So, a little longer than it takes us to form an impression of a person, but still pretty quick!

As you might expect, the things we that give us a positive impression of a person and their home is a pleasant smell when you walk in, a clear and clean entrance way and a general ‘homely’ vibe.  For me, I think that vibe or gut feeling about a place is really important.  You know how some places just feel right to you, as soon as you walk through the door.I know when I was trying to decide what school to send Rhys to, one of the things that swayed me towards the school we chose was the atmosphere there when we went for a visit.

Businesses too know that this first impression that people form is incredibly important.  Shops spend ages putting together their window displays to entice people in, and all sorts of businesses make a real effort to make sure their reception area looks good and gives a positive impression of the company.

The company I used to work for have revamped their reception area, with lovely colourful furniture and it looks really inviting now.  Those first impressions really do count, especially when we make them as quickly as we do!

What impression do you think people make of you in that first tenth of a second?!
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post