With less than three weeks to go until Valentine's Day I thought I'd dedicate a few posts to share some ideas on things to do to treat your other half! The first covers those who are considering a trip to London.

Last year I stayed at an amazing hotel called The Montcalm. Located at Marble Arch, this five-star hotel is located close to many of London's key attractions. It's also a short trip for Mayfair, which boasts some great bars and restaurants that are definitely worth a trip during the evening.

 I believe the Montcalm is a relatively new hotel and it's clear on first impressions that nothing was compromised when it was built. The room decor is luxurious and the bathrooms are particularly impressive - be warned when booking a suite though as it may have a glass-walled bathroom!

In addition to a bar and brasserie, there's also a spa - great if you want to relax and take some time out after a hectic day. The Montcalm is on the higher end of the price scale, however as a treat for a loved one it's bound to impress.

I've heard a lot of people talking about Mulberry's recently unveiled Spring Summer collection that is due to hit our stores a little later this year, however there was one item in particular that really intrigued me!

The Mulberry Willow Tote features a detachable envelope clutch that can be zipped off in an instant. Incorporating two bags into one can be a risky decision, but after seeing the pictures of the Willow it really doesn't seem like Mulberry have compromised style for convenience.

I love both bags and can see the detachable clutch coming in very handy for impromptu nights out after work! I've added a picture of the Willow Tote ,below, that has been borrowed from Mulberry's blog. You can view the rest of the collection on their blog by clicking here.

I've already added the Willow to my wish list and can't wait to see it when it arrives in store! 

I've recently bought a new house which is located in Greenside, part of the Newcastle Great Park development. The estate is located just off Kingston Park Road, close to Kingston Park and many of its local amenities such as a retail park and the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club.

Plans for Great Park include a shopping centre and several restaurants and bars, however they will only be started once the estate is nearing completion, so it could still be several months or even a year or two off before they are finished.


With that in mind, I was delighted to hear that a new bar had opened in Kingston Park recently. Located above the already popular Luciano's, The Rooftop Bar gives the feel of a city centre cocktail/sports bar. It is decorated to an extremely high standard, with TVs fixed above the centrally-located circular bar for those who are keen to watch the latest sports fixtures.

The Rooftop Bar regularly plays live music and has a selection of bar snacks available throughout the day and night for anyone who gets peckish. The bar is quite dimly lit and the décor features booths, standing areas and comfy sofas - all of which are ideal for couples or groups of friends.

Additionally, there is also the added benefit of Luciano's restaurant downstairs for those who'd prefer a sit down Italian meal. Whether you live in the area, are heading to the rugby or just passing by, I'd certainly recommend a visit!

There are two main things that I like to spend my money on: bags and shoes. I try and treat myself to a couple of designer bags each year and rarely leave the house without them. The problem is, unless they're locked away and only used for special occasions (which I can't see the point of), they all at some point suffer some kind of damage or wear and tear. This has happened to me several times and there really is nothing worse. Luckily, they can now be restored!

Handbag Clinic is a specialist in handbag restoration and cleaning. They will take your bag, restore it to all of its former glory and then send this back to you looking as good as new. When you're spending a lot of money on a bag, it's good to know that you can get this cleaned up when it starts to look like it's had better days.

Handbag Clinic is also able to completely change the colour of any leather - I've seen this process first-hand and can honestly say that you would think you had a brand new bag once they're done.

This service is well worth it. You can take a look at some before and after pictures that Liz Jones featured in the Daily Mail recently by clicking here.

I honestly cannot recommend these guys enough - their work is fantastic. You can find full information by clicking here and please do feel free to share your experience if you've used this service!

I made a trip to McArthurGlen designer outlet recently and I must say that it was a very worthwhile trip. Located just off the A19 in York,  McArthurGlen boasts a range of designer shops that offer significant discounts compared to the high street. I often find outlets very hit and miss, however I managed to purchase a few items that had completely sold out in my local stores, as well as making a saving of around £140 - result!  In addition to free parking, there's also a food hall.

Stores located within McArthurGlen include:
Reiss (with quite significant discounts and fairly recent stock)
Ted Baker (as above)
Ralph Lauren
Hugo Boss
Kurt Geiger
Tommy Hilfiger
Thomas Pink
Nike
Adidas
Calvin Klein Underwear
Coast
French Connection
Paul Smith


For those of you who are considering a trip, you can visit their website by clicking here. 

Following on from my previous post regarding Plunkets in York, I thought I'd share some information about a hotel that's ideal for those looking for somewhere to stay whilst visiting this beautiful city.

The Elmbank Hotel is located a short distance outside of York and is around a 20 minute walk from the city walls. Located in a quiet area known as The Mount, this hotel is ideal for couples or groups of friends who are visiting the City.

Priced between £35-£55 per night, depending on when you stay, this hotel is ideal for those looking for something simple and close to local attractions - it also offers free parking.

The Elmbank Hotel is clean, the rooms are of a good standard and the staff are very attentive. This is by no means a five star hotel, however I'm always keen to get out and about when visiting York so this really doesn't bother me.

If your ethos is that you get what you pay for then you won't be disappointed!

Plunkets is a hidden gem located in the city of York. I discovered this restaurant completely by chance about seven years ago and I've been a regular visitor ever since.

Located in a quaint terraced house that was originally built in 1640 as the local doctor's principal residence, Plunkets provides a mix of English and Mexican cuisine. Tables cannot be booked, however part of the experience is enjoying a drink in the bar area upstairs whilst waiting for your table. The bar area is dimly lit and regularly has a log fire burning - great for escaping from the cold winter weather. Many of the original features of the property still remain and you could easily believe you were back in the 1600s.

Downstairs, the restaurant area is a reasonable size and the service has always been very efficient. One of the main issues with Plunkets is that, although it has a web presence, its menu is not available - something which I would normally find frustrating - however after being a customer for so many years I'm usually pretty sure of what I'd like to order before I even arrive.

If you're looking for a recommendation, their Chicken Wantons with Sweet Pepper Jam are fantastic. They also do a great Brie and Mushroom Dip with Crostini which is absolutely divine (although highly unhealthy I imagine).

Their main courses consist of dishes with an English and Mexican twist, however my favourite is a tortilla stack filled with mediterranean vegetables, mushrooms, cheddar and goats' cheese, topped with salsa - I cannot recall its name unfortunately. They have a great selection of meat dishes, however their vegetarian selection is very good too. As someone who doesn't eat red meat this is ideal for me.

The restaurant is quite reasonably priced. A bottle of wine starts from around £15, with starter coming in at around £6-£7 and main courses around £10-£11.

I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who is visiting York, and a drink in the bar upstairs is also a must - especially on a cold winter night! I'm already planning my next trip.