3 days in Lake Bled - an itinerary of what to see and do

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! Visiting Lake Bled felt like a dream come true; the scenery, the mountainous landscapes and the walks were a peaceful escape, and I loved every minute. 

As a sought-after destination, planning ensures you fit everything you'd like to see. As Lake Bled isn't overly huge, you could squeeze this into a 2-day trip, but an added third day means you can take lake life at a slower pace. If you're planning a trip to Lake Bled, here's my 3-day itinerary of what to see and do.

What to see and do

Day 1 - Get your bearings around Lake Bled

Walk around Lake Bled 

The route around Lake Bled is 6km long, and depending on whether you stop off or walk the entire route in one go, the walk can take 1.5-2 hours. I loved this walk as you can see the lake from different angles, visit sites, like the castle en route and hire a boat from one of the stop-off points. You'll spot activities dotted around and other walks to enjoy. If you prefer cycling, you can hire a bike and cycle around, which can be quicker than walking. We also saw many people on a daily run!

Visit Bled Castle and St Martin Parish Church

One of the best attractions is Bled Castle, as you can learn more about Bled's history and experience a gorgeous viewpoint. En route to the castle, you'll pass St Martin's Parish Church, and that's also worth a visit to admire the church's interiors. There are many steps up to Bled Castle and a slightly steep road, making it not the most accessible, but you can get a taxi up there if need be. The footpath is around a 10-minute walk to reach the castle!

Entry to Bled Castle is 18 euros and includes all the museums, galleries, courtyards, castle print works room, castle walls and restaurant access. The shops are also handy for authentic souvenirs of Bled and Slovenia.

Try Bled Cake

You can't visit Bled without trying the authentic Bled Cake. Every restaurant and café will likely have Bled Cake on offer. It's a cream cake with a custard-like layer, cream and thin pastry on the top - and it's delicious. The best place to try Bled Cake is the Park Hotel, as that's where it originates.

Take a hike up to the viewpoint

The beauty of Lake Bled is undoubtedly the lake, and the surrounding scenery and visiting one of the viewpoints can help you take in its sheer magnificence. There are a few different hikes, varying in difficulty, including Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica.

I did the Mala Osojnica hike (which took around 1 hour), and honestly, it was incredibly difficult and steep, with ropes at one point to pull you up. The hike is 685m high, and despite the difficulty, the view was worth it, and it blew my mind. If you're not as comfortable with hiking, I'd suggest the Ojstrica hike as it's shorter, slightly flatter, more popular with tourists, and takes around half an hour.

Day 2 - Lake Bled attractions and excursions

Take a Pletna Boat over to the island and explore the attractions

The focal point of Lake Bled is Bled Island! You can either take a rowing boat or an electric boat. The rowing, Pletna boat is the classic and traditional way to head over to the island and costs around 20 euros for a return. You'll have one person row you over to the island and give you 45 minutes to explore the sights, including the Church of the Assumption and the clock tower. It costs 12 euros each to visit the church and tower, and although small, it's a lovely addition to visiting the island. There's also a museum included in that price.

Get the bus to Lake Bohinj

One of my favourite things about Lake Bled was its accessibility to other locations, including Lake Bohinj. There's a bus from Ljubljana airport that first stops at Lake Bled, then Lake Bohinj. The bus then loops back towards the airport.

The buses come around every hour and cost a couple of euros for the 45-minute drive to the lake. Lake Bohinj is a location that didn't feel real. The lake is double the size of Bled, and the walk around is 12km. We only saw about 5 people the entire time we visited (mid-March), and I loved its peaceful energy. The lake is beautiful but has a lot less around it compared to Bled. Enjoy a gorgeous walk - there's a bus stop at either end of the lake so like us, you can walk half the way round and get the bus back to Bled, rather than do the full 12km.

Watch the sunset over Lake Bled or Bohinj

Sunset is ever so magical - and watching it over the lake makes my heart full. You can stay at Lake Bohinj to watch the sunset or hop back on the bus to Bled and watch the sun go down.

Day 3 - Soak up Lake Bled and head to the city

Wander around Lake Bled for the last time.

You can use the last day to soak up your favourite parts of the lake, such as taking another stroll and hiring a bike - or doing another one of the hikes I mentioned. Have a delicious breakfast with a view and bid goodbye to Lake Bled.

Get a bus to Ljubljana and explore Slovenia's capital

I couldn't visit Lake Bled without actually seeing Slovenia's capital as we flew into Ljubljana airport. The bus into the city from Lake Bled comes around every hour and takes about 1.5 hours to get to the city.

Ljubljana was an incredibly gorgeous city with a lovely, calm and quaint ambience. Some highlights to visit include Metelkova, the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, the Dragon Bridge, the Castle and generally taking a mooch around to explore the local shops.

Where to eat

Old Cellar Bled - A gorgeous, family-run restaurant with classic Slovenian dishes, and pasta dishes, all freshly cooked and reasonably priced.

Alpine Breakfast - A local delivery service of fresh produce from local village farm shops, such as yoghurt, pastries, cheese, eggs and meats.

Art cafe - A classic and cute café with ideal breakfast and lunch options, such as cooked and cold dishes.

Park Cafe Hotel - The place to be for the iconic Bled Cake and classic Slovenian and European dishes for lunch and dinner.

Wine Bar and Restaurant Carman - A gorgeous and warm spot for delicious pasta, meat and fish dishes.

Pizzeria Rusticka - Classic homemade pizzas for a slightly cheaper, yet delicious dinner option.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning to visit Lake Bled?

Thank you for reading <3

My advice on how to stop comparing yourself to others

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Comparison is the thief of all joy. I've heard this phrase a million times and preach it often as it's incredibly true. In today's world with the influence of social media, we're constantly comparing ourselves to everyone's highlight reels and their successes, making many feel inadequate and unworthy.

I've struggled with comparison for years and at times, I still struggle with looking at everyone's lives and thinking 'I should be like that'. If you're someone who compares yourself often, here is my advice on how to stop comparing yourself to others.

You're in different life chapters.

One of the BEST reminders which helps me out a lot when I'm overthinking and comparing myself to others is knowing you're in different life chapters. You may be comparing your chapter 1 to someone's chapter 5, whether that's your career, saving journey, travelling or buying a home. 

It's also worth noting, you can't be late in your life. We all have different life journeys and experiences, where some people do things younger, some do things older but we all achieve different successes in the time that's right for us. For example, just because your friend is engaged and you're single, it doesn't mean you're behind, it'll happen when the time is right for you. 

Work on your self-love

I have spoken about my self-love journey many times but learning to love myself has helped immensely with comparisons. When you're confident and self-assured, you become less bothered about what other people do with their lives and more focused on your own. 

 Honestly, learning to appreciate and love your life and be more grateful for what you have can help you avoid comparison. Why would you compare to someone's success when you're so content in your life?

Step away from social media as much as you can

I love social media, however, it can have many negative implications, such as comparing yourself to others. If you find that's your biggest trigger, start to limit yourself to social media usage, whether that's setting physical limitations on your phone or having phone-free evenings. I'd especially recommend avoiding your phones in moments you're feeling down or insecure.

Understand we're all in the same boat

Just because someone has bought a house on social media or is smiling on a holiday, it doesn't mean they lead a happy life or don't compare themselves to everyone else. Everyone has down days, hard moments or life-altering news which can affect their lives. The sooner you understand that concept, the easier it can be to avoid comparison.

Nobody lives a perfect life

Nobody is perfect. Nobody has a perfect life. The best way to avoid comparison is to understand nobody is as perfect as you think they are.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What advice would you add?

Thank you for reading <3 

Self-love - what it means to me now

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Self-love is a term I used to chat about when I was in my 'healing' era a couple of years back, and it is still a topic I adore talking about today. Everyone has a different definition of what self-love means, how they practice it and what the effects look like.

We're all evolving, and for me, self-love has been a journey like no other.

If you're on your self-love journey and keen to hear my thoughts, here's what self-love means to me now.

Self-love is a term used widely, with the idea of falling in love with ourselves and loving every piece, including how we look, our personality and the life we lead. Self-love can mean whatever you want, and as I've grown, my definition has also changed.

What does self-love mean to me?

Self-love means showing up for yourself consistently and loving and appreciating that version of yourself. We don't wake up every day feeling like a 10/10. Some days, I'm bloated, some days, I'm in a low mood, and some days, I get frustrated at myself, and that's okay. Self-love on those days is being respectful and appreciative that you're not feeling 100% at that time, but you will again. It's accepting it's okay to feel rubbish about myself and I won't always feel a 10/10.

Self-love isn't only loving what you look like, it's loving your personality, the good and bad of that, the quirks and unique ways that make me who I am. I think a lot of self-love is down to liking what you look like, but your personality is worth more than that as looks do change, but your personality is everything, showcasing your soul. It's helped me appreciate my humour, my kindness, my giving nature and my adventurous spirit.

Self-love is about setting boundaries, stepping away from people in my life who don't make me feel my best and investing time in others who lift me up and allow me to be myself. It's about having respect for myself enough to wave goodbye to certain friendships and now allow myself to remain in spaces where I feel seen.

Self-love is being grateful for my life and working on a positive mindset to help me stay hopeful about my everyday life and what's to come. It's about preventing that negative and mean voice in my mind, always trying to look on the brighter side of life rather than what's gone wrong.

Self-love is believing in myself, knowing I have what it takes to achieve my dreams, but also being able to try new things and push myself out of my comfort zone. It's my biggest supporter and the thing that keeps me going in the hard moments. 

Ultimately, self-love is learning to put my needs first. I spent years people-pleasing and thinking about everyone else, but now, I'm focusing more on what feels right for me, prioritising my mental health and wellbeing and creating a life that serves that.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What does self-love mean to you? 

Thank you for reading <3

Owning who you are - how that builds confidence

 Confidence is something that develops as we grow, as we experience life, falling in love, heartbreak and all the ups and downs. Some people are more confident than others, and some become more confident as time goes on. Wherever you fall in that, it's okay. I never used to be a confident person, I was shy, quiet and introverted and never had the confidence to do anything. I wouldn't say I'm completely confident now, but my confidence is much higher than it once was.

The heart of what I learned is that owning who you are is how you build confidence.

We're constantly told growing up to 'be ourselves', but in a world that also tells you to fit in, it can be challenging to live authentically and express your soul to a judgemental world.

How does owning who you are build confidence?

Confidence is learned. It is a skill like everything else, and the heart of it comes from falling in love with yourself. I speak about self-love a lot because by falling in love with your authentic self, you'll see the world in a brighter light, avoid comparison and feel more confident about being yourself.

Firstly, you need to lean in and figure out who is the authentic character you've been hiding? I think it's easier to follow along with a crowd than be the one to stand out. But your quirks are what makes people love and respect you because only you have them. Why would you want a friend/partner/work pal/family member who is all exactly the same? That would be boring.

Lean into your true self and talk about your passions, wear clothing you adore, stand up for what you believe in and ultimately, push yourself to take risks.

All of these things will help you build that confidence because you will be living a life that feels right to you. When we step away from who we are, we feel anxious and unworthy because we're trying to live up to what we think people will like.

If you spend all of your time learning how to fully express yourself rather than fit in, you'll feel more assured and confident and like you can follow your dreams.

Here's your reminder: owning who you are is the biggest gift you can give yourself.

The world deserves to see your heart, your kindness, your unique talent and that amazing smile.

I hope you enjoyed this post. How have you become more confident?

Thank you for reading <3

24 hours in Brighton - my favourite things to see and do

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Brighton is one of my favourite cities in the UK. It has a seaside charm with the rush of a city, and I love embracing that ambience every time I visit. Even if you're a frequent visitor to Brighton, the city never gets old with quirky independent shops, cafes, restaurants and a gorgeous coastline.

You could easily spend several days exploring the wonders of Brighton, however, if you're limited to a day, here is my guide to 24 hours in Brighton and my favourite things to see and do.

Morning - Exploring the Lanes

Brighton is always busy, whatever time of year however, early mornings when everything is opening up is a fab time to head straight to the Lanes. I adore the Lanes and could spend longer than a morning roaming around, visiting independent shops, my favourite chain stores, cafes and bakeries. Whether you're shopping for new clothes, a handmade item, jewellery or something quirky, you can find a shop here. Also, don't forget to get a cute photo of your trip at Photomatic!

Whilst in the Lanes, you can grab some breakfast, brunch or lunch, as the options are truly endless! Some favourite spots include the Nowhere Man, Flour Pot Bakery, Trading Post Coffee Roasters, Cafe Coho, Lost in the Lanes Café, Red Roaster and Kooks. 

The Lanes aren't huge. However, they do consist of many streets with brightly coloured shops and things to see and do. You can also walk around Brighton Pavilion, grab yourself an ice cream from Boho Gelato (it's never too early) and visit one of the local markets if it's market day. The Lanes are also close to the many high street shops where you can continue shopping in the morning.

Afternoon - A seaside wander 

As a seaside city, you should make the most of its glory on your day trip. The seaside is only around a 10-15 minute walk from The Lanes. Before you head here, grab some lunch in The Lanes or pick up a classic fish and chips from the seaside chippies, restaurants or along the Pier. You have plenty of options to buy some delicious food. 

I'd recommend heading to the Pier either to eat or, once you've eaten, have a long stroll up and down it, making the most of the arcades and, if you can stomach them, the various rides they offer too. From the Pier, you can take a beach stroll, either toward Brighton Marina or, my favourite way, toward Hove. Along the Hove route, you'll wander past many seaside shops, ideal for purchasing souvenirs, a hot drink, ice cream or exploring the local artist's work. 

This route also has many activities, such as the upside-down house, outdoor sports, a kid splash pool and of course, the beautiful pebbled coastline. As you approach Hove, you'll see the stunning colourful beach huts and the crowds will quieten slightly.

In Hove, you can head into the town to explore their local shops or return towards Brighton and embrace the sea views again (this walk takes around half an hour). Depending on the time of year, use the rest of your afternoon relaxing on the beach, sunbathing and swimming.

Evening - Enjoy sunset and nightlife 

After a full day of exploring, the evening is what you make of it, especially if you're travelling back that day or staying in a hotel. Watch the sunset, either on the beach or as you roam around the city, finding a restaurant that's right for you.

Option one - Travelling back in the night

You'll probably be tired after an exciting day of seeing Brighton's best sights, enjoying a lot of delicious food and hopefully treating yourself to some cute trinkets. If you're travelling back for the night, grab some dinner and head home. Great dinner options include VIP Pizza and Red Snapper Thai restaurant. Or you can have fish and chips on the beach at sunset!

Option two - Staying in Brighton 

If you're staying, I'd recommend travelling a little further out away from the city in the luxurious White Horses Rottingdean Hotel and having dinner here. On my last time in Brighton, I stayed here with my sister it was such a luxury experience and the food was delicious. Or for a slightly cheaper and central hotel, the Charm Boutique Hotel is close by to all the attractions.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you visiting Brighton?

Thank you for reading <3

My twenties.

We're told that being in our twenties is the decade for everything. Falling in love, travelling the world, having a family and succeeding in your career. But life doesn't end at 30, does it?

It's a constant lie sold to us, especially women, that we need to have it all in our first decade of adulthood. That unrealistic goal makes many of us feel constantly lost, searching for answers and comparing ourselves to our counterparts. Nobody has it all in their twenties, we're all learning what being an adult is, making mistakes and picking ourselves up over and over again.

The beauty of our twenties is that evolution; how we go from a teenager into an adult figure, making memories, achieving goals specific to us, gaining friends, losing friends, loving hard, having our hearts broken and failing over and over again. 

The rollercoaster that is our twenties is what makes it incredibly beautiful. We're not meant to be at the peak of our life, we're meant to be learning to love life, learning to love ourselves more, and figuring out what feels right to us and what our future should look like. We all change. We all evolve, and that's okay.

Boundaries. Self-love. Self-care. Pity parties. Deep chats. Heartbreak.

Your twenties aren't meant to be easy. Your twenties are about learning.

I'm nearing the last year of this powerful decade, and I'm nothing like the 20-year-old girl I once was.

Confidence. Power. Self-love. Self-belief. Respect. 

These words stick out more in my mind about how I am. I've lost friendships. I've cried over those who have hurt me. I've failed multiple times. I've changed jobs. I've moved away from my home town. I've travelled the world. I've learned gratitude. I've changed my mindset. I've gained respect for who I am.

I am different, but I am the same. The heart of who I was hasn't changed. I've embraced that and learned how to be my authentic self and how that authenticity helps me feel confident, loved and valued.

Being in your twenties is a challenge. You'll see friends and people online who are thriving and constantly compare yourself. You'll doubt yourself at every new decision. You'll break at everything that goes wrong. This is okay. This is normal.

Every person in their twenties is figuring it out. 

Every person in their thirties is figuring it out.

Turning a year older or a decade older doesn't mean you'll suddenly be successful or feel differently. It's how you hone in on who you are, practice and learn what feels like a happy and content life for you, and surround yourself with people who love you.

I'm grateful for what my twenties have taught me so far. How I've learned to love, deal with heartbreak and appreciate life isn't always about the big moments; the little moments make us feel fulfilled and content.

Twenties wonder. Twenties joy. Twenties heartbreak. 

I'm excited to see the love and happiness in the rest of my twenties. 

Best financial tips to stay savvy with money

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've always been a good saver. Growing up in a family who were always money-conscious and taught me the value of the pound has made me aware of how to make money last and invest when needed. I'm no money expert, however, I've picked up many money- saving tips over the years which have helped me save and manage my money as a freelancer. 

If you're saving up for a big occasion or keen to learn better money skills, here are my best financial tips to stay savvy with money.

Focus on your needs, not your wants.

In an over-consuming world, we constantly compare ourselves to what everyone else has. Here's your reminder, that what you see online is not normal and unlike a normal life. Most people aren't on holiday all the time, most people don't buy new clothes all the time and most people don't have a 10-step skincare routine. It's normal to want things, you have to enjoy life, whether it is a weekend away or some new trainers, however, you don't need to constantly be shopping for things you want.

Focus on affording the things you need, and the things you want come every now and then. And if you want something that badly, waiting for it will be a great reward and you'll appreciate it more. For example, you may see a trending gadget online and think you want it as everyone else is getting it, however, once the trend is over, you may forget about it. If you wanted it that badly, it would have stayed on your mind. 

Set an automatic payment to your savings account.

It's easy to forget to save money unless you push and remind yourself. There are two ways to save effectively. The first is putting money in your savings account as soon as you get paid and the second is setting an automatic payment to your savings. With an automatic payment, you won't have to think about actively saving as it'll do it for you - and you can actively save on top. For example, send £10 a week as an automatic as it's the price of two coffees and not necessarily money you'd miss (unless you're on a really tight budget). From there, you can add more to your savings but there's already money ticking over into the account.

Don't touch your savings (unless it's an emergency)

I know so many people who can't save as they always dip into their savings, and therefore the money doesn't increase. Don't do that. You need to get into a disciplined mindset where once the money is in your savings, it's only to be used for that saving purpose, such as a new car, a holiday or buying a new washing machine. Whatever it is, the money is in there for a reason. The only time you should ever touch it is if it's an emergency, such as your car is broken or you need to replace something immediately.

Have a set budget for days out and fun activities

When we have a day out or an activity booked, it can be easy to simply enjoy ourselves and not think of the money repercussions. However, to keep an eye on your money, have a budget for that day out. For example, say you're going for dinner and drinks, have a number in your mind that you expect to spend and don't go over that.

Understand what your disposable income is and how you spend it.

Everyone has different levels of disposable income. If you have a budget spreadsheet listing all of your expenses each month, you'll know what's left to spend on whatever you want. It could be £50 or even £500. Whatever the amount, decide where you'd like it to go. For example, you could put some towards a holiday and some on a meal out.

Have set savings goals each month

It can be difficult and unmotivating to save if you don't have a goal. I recommend setting a goal for the year and then breaking that down to how much money you need to put in your savings each month to reach it. The goal will push you to be more careful and consider your money when spending too. 

Any money left at the end of your month put it in the savings

This is a privileged position to be in. However, if you have any money left over before your next payday, put it in your savings account. Even if it's £10, it can make a massive difference over time.

Plan for birthdays/Christmas in advance.

Shopping for presents adds up over the year and if you don't plan for it, it can set you back with your money. At the beginning of the year, list all the birthdays you have coming up (and other occasions) and set a budget for each one, giving you a rough prediction of how much you intend to spend and on which month too.

Use what you have, rather than buy something new.

It's incredibly easy to buy and replace items rather than use and fix them. If you have things in your house that are a little old but usable, continue using them. You don't have to buy new. Or if something breaks and you need an item, see if you can find it second-hand rather than spending a large amount of cash.

Always be on the hunt for deals - shop around.

Deals are always around, from supermarkets to holidays. You don't always have to pay full price for anything. Think smarter not harder and remember, by looking after the pennies, the pounds will look after you. If you're shopping for something new, search different shops and see where is the best value for money.

Avoid buying things on finance.

Buying things on finance isn't a financially smart move. I understand in some cases, like your phone, it can seem impossible to have the money upfront. However, for larger items, such as a car or a sofa, by buying it on finance, you're really spending more in the long run, wasting money and adding to your monthly expenses. It's better to save up or buy second-hand than be stuck with a large bill every month.

I hope you enjoyed these tips. What would you add?

Thank you for reading <3