A weekend exploring Swansea...

There is nothing like a weekend away to leave you feeling recharged and this weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Swansea*, a Welsh city which has it all in terms of things to do. The lovely team at Visit Swansea Bay had planned a super itinerary and I arrived full of anticipation for the weekend of food and fun which lay ahead. We checked in to a spacious suite at the four star Dragon Hotel which is centrally located, close to the city attractions. Our suite was equipped with a separate lounge as well as the bedroom and bathroom and every amenity needed for a comfortable stay was on hand. The hotel has great leisure facilities including a swimming pool and an AA Rosette Brasserie and there is so much to explore close at hand. 

After checking in to the suite, we drove a short way up the coast to the pretty seaside village of Mumbles where we hastened to discover the delights of Verdi's; a traditional Italian style café, ice cream parlour and restaurant with a reputation for delicious gelato. Verdi's has amazing views as it is located on the sea front and there are 30 flavours of ice cream to choose from! We ordered a cookie crunch sundae and an artist's palette sundae and I can confirm that the ice cream is amazing - so rich and full of flavour, 

Verdi's

Knab Rock ,

Mumbles

Swansea

SA3 4EE

http://www.verdis-cafe.co.uk/

After those indulgent ice creams we strolled along Mumble's Pier - the Victorian pier was first built in  1898 and although the weather was a little damp, we enjoyed the beautiful views across the bay and we found a rugged cove with a lighthouse at the end of the pier. 

After heading back to the hotel to get ready, later in the evening we went out for dinner to Grape and Olive which is situated right at the top of the tallest building in Wales and offers panoramic 360 degree views across the five mile expanse of the bay. The dishes are inspired by land and sea and there is plenty of variety on the menu, from comfort food classics to vegetarian dishes, steaks and seafood. 

The meal commenced in style with a tasty duo of starters, my dining companion decided on the classic choice of baked Camembert topped with roasted walnuts and served with celery, Granny Smith apple, carrots and toasted bread. This was well presented and served in a generous portion.

I selected the crab and crayfish ravioli; a wise choice as the pasta was light and the rich lobster bisque complemented the filling, while the pea shoots added freshness.

Fish and chips is a favourite of mine, so for the main course I went for the beer battered haddock with thick cut chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. You just cannot beat this comforting dish and it tasted even better with the tremendous views.

My dining companion indulged in the Tomahawk steak which was perfectly cooked medium rare and served with Café de Paris butter, confit tomato, flat cap mushroom and thick cut chips as well as Bordelaise sauce. 

We rounded off our evening with the dessert sharing slate of chocolate and almond brownie, sticky toffee and date pudding, apple and blackberry crumble and winter berry Eton mess served with vanilla pod and peanut butter and caramel ice cream. 

Dining at Grape & Olive was an experience and it is renowned for both its great food and exceptional views. 

Grape & Olive 

Meridian Quay, 

Maritime Quarter, 

Swansea, 

SA1 1JW

https://www.sabrain.com/pubs-and-hotels/south-wales/swansea/grape-olive-swansea/

The next morning, a hearty breakfast at The Dragon Hotel set us up for the day ahead. My partner had the 'Full Dragon Breakfast' of bacon, sausage, fried egg, baked beans, mushroom and hash brown while I went for the vegetarian breakfast which made a satisfying start to the day. I loved the inclusion of Glamorgan sausage too (a traditional Welsh vegetarian sausage made from cheese and leeks).  

After breakfast we went for a walk around the city to do a little shopping and sightseeing. We headed to the Maritime Quarter and we browsed the Marina Market held in Dylan Thomas Square where there were lots of street food stalls including poutine, vegan pies and wood fired pizza! There is plenty to do in the area including visiting the National Waterfront Museum, but it was time for us to make our way to lunch at The Swigg, which serves small plates made with local Welsh produce. The restaurant has a cool and contemporary feel to it, with a stylish tiled bar area flanked by a chalkboard menu and the space is filled with light thanks to the large windows. 

We were immediately served water for the table and I cannot emphasise enough how much I appreciate restaurants which do this, as it allows you to feel refreshed on arrival rather than waiting to order drinks. We chose a few dishes to share as recommended by the friendly team - the fishcake with laverbread, samphire and lemon mayonnaise was an elegant dish with flavours of the sea which worked well together. 

Welsh rarebit with homemade brown sauce was another treat, and the Gower Gold Ale really brought out the nutty flavour of the cheddar while the brown sauce was tangy and fruity.

A vibrant Tabbouleh salad with bulgar wheat, tomatoes & parsley was a refreshing dish which conjured up summer and it contrasted well with the rest of our order.

We also added a portion of Aspen fries to our meal and these thick cut chips topped with Parmesan and truffle oil were pure indulgence. Small plates make for such a varied meal and I enjoyed the combination of flavours here, as well as the use of local produce which is always a huge plus for me when considering where to eat. It is easy to see why The Swigg was voted Welsh eatery of the year 2017.

The Swigg
Unit 1B Waterfront Museum

Swansea Marina

SA1 3RD

https://www.theswigg.net/

After lunch we went for a stroll along the sweeping sands of Swansea Bay. The vast beach is so pretty, with expansive views for miles around. The sea air left us feeling refreshed and it was time to bid Swansea a fond farewell in time for the drive home.

I was so impressed by the diversity of this city, there is so much to do and a really cosmopolitan atmosphere abounds, with something new to appreciate around every corner. A big thank you to Visit Swansea Bay and their partners for creating a wonderful trip which allowed me to experience some of the many highlights of the area. I already cannot wait to return and Swansea has so much to offer as a destination for a holiday or short break, with all the attractions of a city combined with the peace of the seaside to enjoy. You can find out more by visiting:

https://www.visitswanseabay.com/

What do you all think, would you like to visit Swansea for a short break? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post. 

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

*I was hosted as a guest of Visit Swansea Bay for this trip. Opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

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Celebrating life...

I love exploring new places and during the last year I have travelled so much, discovering amazing locations and meeting interesting people who have really changed my world view. Writing about food and travel takes me on some incredible adventures and having a lifestyle which allows me to travel more is a dream come true. I love visiting new destinations both near and far and recently we went for a weekend away in Mid-Wales. 

My partner was celebrating his birthday, so we resolved to celebrate both his birthday and life in general while we were away. We made a late reservation at Baravin in Aberystwyth, a restaurant we had dined at and enjoyed last time we were in the area. I love the energy of this restaurant and we arrived on Saturday evening to find a bustling atmosphere was already evident. 

The curved bar area is a great place for a pre-dinner drink and the cocktail menu is impressively varied. We were soon installed at our table (booking is advisable due to the popularity of Baravin) and I ordered a classic vodka Martini which was perfectly mixed - dry and chilled, with a twist of lemon. 

Bruschetta with grilled halloumi, smashed avocado, red onion and chilli jam got dinner off to a delicious start and we shared a garlic and parmesan flatbread too, which was full of flavour. 

Admittedly, we were a little overly liberal when ordering our starters as we just could not decide, but I am so glad we chose two dishes to share as these went well with our drinks and the bruschetta were especially irresistible. 

On to mains and for me there was no question that I would choose the tomato, basil and organic buffalo mozarella pizza. This classic pizza cannot be beaten and the quality of the ingredients made the simple flavours shine, while the thin and crispy base was far too easy to devour! 

My partner went for the seasonal special of brie, cranberry, sprout and chestnut pizza - this was another winner and the sweet and tart cranberries paired well with the creamy brie and nutty sprouts. I appreciated this festive take on a pizza and who would have thought that sprouts would make an ideal pizza topping!

We had just enough room left for the legendary dessert pizza, which we had sampled on the previous occasion we dined here. The pizza arrived, topped with a thick layer of chocolate, shards of honeycomb and a scoop of locally made ice cream. For a sweet-tooth this really hits the spot and the balance of chocolate, chewy honeycomb and rich ice cream makes this a decadent note to round off a meal on.

Baravin

1 Marine Terrace,
Aberystwyth 

SY23 2AP

www.baravin.co.uk

We had another lovely evening celebrating at Baravin and I will be sure to return again when next in the area. Full marks for tasty dishes, a good range of drinks and service which is efficient and friendly even at busy times. What do you all think, do you like the sound of Baravin and would you try this dessert pizza? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

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Why sometimes simple is best...

This weekend I had plans to go away on a trip which originally involved flying out from one airport, flying back to a different airport and travelling from one city to another half way through the stay. As much as I was initially looking forward to it, as the trip drew closer, I began to feel the weight of anxiety bearing down on me with alarming intensity. I was so caught up in wanting this trip to be perfect and I was growing increasingly stressed with regard to arranging every little detail in time. On the eve of departure, I ended up asking myself ‘why am I even going on this elaborate trip, when it is causing me so much unhappiness before I have even gone anywhere?’ It just did not feel right, so at the very last minute I decided spontaneously to change the plans completely and in doing so I felt that a huge weight had been lifted from me. Instead of the original, complicated trip which was booked, I made a reservation for the weekend at a cottage in Wales where we stayed last September.

I have travelled so much for work lately anyway, so I felt that a low-key weekend in Wales was exactly what my soul needed. All of this is leading me somewhat laboriously, to the point that sometimes keeping it simple is the very best thing that we can do for ourselves.
Instead of long and complicated travel plans involving planes, cars and trains, we were able to hop in our own car and drive directly to the cottage, with the car loaded with everything we would need for the weekend including a few treats.

The best part was that I felt all the anxiety I had been carrying around for weeks regarding the other trip vanish in a moment and with it came the realisation that we all need to slow down occasionally.
I feel that the nature of life in general has become so fast-paced nowadays and most of us spend our days rushing around, breathlessly hurrying to make sure that we reach meetings on time or in order to finish work by a certain deadline. This is all well and good, but balancing a busy lifestyle coupled with the incessant pressure to check and update social media can make modern life very draining -especially if you work in the creative sphere, when having a strong digital presence is vital to your very livelihood.

With all the demands we have placed on us, and indeed those which we place upon ourselves, it can sometimes feel as if there is no time left over to truly appreciate life. Watching birds take flight from the beach, observing a sailing boat gently swaying from side to side on the emerald waters of the estuary, feeling the kiss of salty sea air on my skin and curling up by the fire with a glass of wine - all of the tiny pleasures I experienced this weekend reminded me of what is truly important in life. We get so caught up in thinking what happened before or what is about to happen next, that the moment we are actually in often gets lost. I needed to slow the whirlwind down, to step away from it however briefly so that I could come back and face the new week with renewed vigour and determination.

At times, the most satisfying act of self-care can be to step back from everything for a couple of days and it can be especially helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed or if you are questioning what to do about something. All in all, the weekend was exactly what I needed and it was very simple which made it so special to me. We walked on the beach, went out for a meal, stopped at a few quiet pubs and absorbed each precious moment spent doing nothing in particular.

What do you all think, do you ever feel the need to step away from the whirlwind of life and what do you like to do to relax when you need to take some time out from everything? I hope you do not mind this introspective post, in fact I hope you will find something to take from it and that it will encourage you to make time for yourself. After all, we give so much of ourselves to others in this fleeting life that we must remember also to give something back to ourselves.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

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Thoughts on the end of the year with Daniel Wellington...

The end of the year is a time when many of us can feel a little tired after a busy twelve months, so it is just as well that we have a few days to get together with family and friends over the holidays, when we can relax and recharge. The past few days have been all about good food, drinks and company and I have relished the chance to switch off for a while and to reflect on the highlights of the year. 

I feel as though I have changed so much this year and as I look back and take stock, I realise that I have grown up significantly too. I have travelled regularly for work and the chance to meet so many people and to visit new places has renewed my enthusiasm for life. 

Over the past year, I have learned to let go of the things which were holding me back and now I am more eager than ever to embrace life. I no longer feel guilty about focusing on my goals and I feel so much more at peace since deciding that I want to look forward rather than wasting precious time looking back. All this talk of looking forward brings me again to the passage of time – another year has slipped by and here we are on the cusp of 2018. I do not often share outfits with you these days, but this is a little glimpse of what I often wear on the weekend. I like to be casual but to still look smart and I think this outfit just about manages those aims – I bought this Boohoo wrap coat a while ago and I paired it with my Yeezus t shirt, skinny jeans and ankle boots. 

The accessories I chose were a classic black choker, my Balmain sunglasses, a black chain strap bag and my new Daniel Wellington* classic 40mm Sheffield watch with rose gold details and matching rose gold cuff which is engraved with Daniel Wellington. This classic watch and cuff makes every outfit look so stylish and do not forget that you can use my exclusive personalised discount code COCOCAMI15 to get 15% off purchases at www.danielwellington.com and free shipping and returns are available worldwide too. 

This year, I have tried to be mindful and to be aware of the moment I am in rather than worrying about the past or the future. I have been reading lots of books which have helped to give me a new outlook and I have worked on projects I have enjoyed so much, which I can look back on with contentment in future years. I have even learned to smile more! After all, life is for living and I want to enjoy it for the wonderful and thrilling ride it can be. I am happier than I have been for a long time because I am doing what I love which is writing and I have got to know myself more and tried to stop being so hard on myself all the time. None of us are perfect after all - that is what makes us human. 

Once again, if you feel like treating yourself at the end of the year, you can enjoy 15% off at  www.danielwellington.com using my discount code COCOCAMI15 and there is free shipping and returns worldwide too. I love my Daniel Wellington watch and cuff set and I am excited to wear them more often.

With regard to new year resolutions, I have not made any yet - other than to enjoy every moment! 

I hope that you all had a lovely holiday time and I am wishing you all an amazing 2018. I am stepping in to the new year with shorter, lighter hair and I am feeling refreshed after the break and eager to embrace 2018. There is nothing like a hair cut to make everything feel brand new! 

Thank you very much for supporting me on this blog, I appreciate every single reader and I love sharing my life with you. Have you all made any resolutions and what are your plans for the year ahead? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post. 

Here is to the new year! 

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

*This post features items sent to me on a complimentary basis by Daniel Wellington. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

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A relaxing weekend with Daniel Wellington...

It is beginning to feel a lot more like the festive season is underway and this weekend I went to visit my family. There has been quite a lot of snow recently where they live, so it looked like a winter wonderland when I arrived. I have been looking forward to visiting for a while because I have been away travelling a lot lately and I haven’t had the time to catch up with them as often as I would like. Once again, this got me thinking about the importance of making time for the people we care about, even when life is busy. We did not have anything special planned and sometimes that is exactly what I need – it is good to relax and spend time doing nothing in particular with loved ones occasionally. We gathered around for some hot chocolate and caught up on all our news and then on Saturday evening we had a take away. On Sunday I headed out to do some last minute gift shopping with my Mum wearing my new Daniel Wellington watch and cuff*

If you are still looking for some last minute gift ideas, the Daniel Wellington Christmas bundles come in assorted sets containing either a watch and a cuff or a watch and an additional strap and they make a special gift. Don’t forget that you can use my exclusive personalised discount code COCOCAMI15 to get 15% off purchases at www.danielwellington.com and free shipping and returns are available worldwide too. The Christmas bundles all come in a beautiful black gift box tied with red ribbon for a luxurious feel and I chose a Christmas bundle which contains the classic 40mm Sheffield watch with rose gold and a matching rose gold cuff engraved with Daniel Wellington. 

We went out for a coffee over the weekend too and I got so many compliments on my Daniel Wellington watch. I have fallen in love with it because it goes with my entire wardrobe and it looks so elegant and classic. The large watch dial is definitely my style and I love how the watch looks with the delicate cuff. I teamed the watch and cuff with jeans, t shirt, boots and a teddy bear jacket. A simple black backpack with silver details completed the look. 

I love the minimalist style of this watch and I am looking forward to wearing it over the holiday season and next year. There are lots of gift sets to choose from on the Daniel Wellington website and you can customise your own gift set too and at the moment you can choose two favourites and get 10% off. Shop the gift sets here: https://www.danielwellington.com/uk/create-gift-set/

I invested in a few last minute gifts this weekend and I always try to buy a few bottles of champagne for people as an easy gift idea. 

What do you all think, did you have a good weekend and are you ready for the holidays? Would you like to spoil somebody with a Daniel Wellington watch or cuff and who would you gift them to? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post. 

Until next time,

Camille

xo

*This post features items sent to me on a complimentary basis by Daniel Wellington. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

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The perfect gift with Daniel Wellington...

Can you believe that Christmas is already just around the corner? This year seems to have gone so quickly and I have done so many things which I will remember for the rest of my life, such as travelling to five amazing countries to write travel features. Along the way, I have met some lovely people and had so many wonderful moments to treasure. Time is such a relative concept and I wear a Daniel Wellington* watch every day so that I am on time for all those important events and special occasions. I was delighted to receive a Daniel Wellington Christmas bundle in the post recently and you can use my exclusive personalised discount code COCOCAMI15 to get 15% off purchases at www.danielwellington.com  and free shipping and returns are available worldwide too.

This is a time of year to reflect and to look back at all we have done during the year, but also to look forward at the promise of a new year. The thought of a new year is always exciting to me, a blank canvas of twelve months full of possibilities is an exhilarating thought – but of course, before then there is time to celebrate with family over the holidays.

The Daniel Wellington Christmas bundles come in assorted sets, containing either a watch and a cuff or a watch and an additional strap, which all come in a beautiful black gift box tied with red ribbon, for a luxurious feel. My Christmas bundle contains the classic 40mm Sheffield watch with rose gold and a matching rose gold cuff engraved with Daniel Wellington. I will be wearing these constantly over the festive season and beyond as they make every outfit look so polished.

These gift sets are the perfect present for somebody special and the timeless elegance of a Daniel Wellington watch looks great on everybody. I relied on my Daniel Wellington watch to make sure I was on time for so many flights this year and I never travel without mine! They are just such a must-have accessory and the matching rose gold cuff is sleek and simple. I love to stack the watch and the cuff together, for that Instagram worthy look!

Have you done your holiday shopping yet? I am that sort of person who leaves it all until the last minute so I definitely need to go Christmas shopping soon! There are lots of offers on the Daniel Wellington website over the holiday season, so be sure to take a look. These bundles are a great gift idea and a classic watch is an accessory which will never go out of fashion.

What do you all think, would you like to spoil somebody with a Daniel Wellington watch or cuff and who would you gift them to? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post. 

Until next time,

Camille

xo




*This post features items sent to me on a complimentary basis by Daniel Wellington. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

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