I certainly have got the holiday blues right now. The hot(ish) weather that has treated Scotland over the last couple of weeks seems to have gone, all too soon, and has left me dreaming of holidays in the sun. I even posted a photo of a previous holiday just so that I could reminisce and try to feel that holiday feeling once more.

Transun are holding a competition right now to win a trip to see the Northern Lights, and to enter they ask that you share your top three places you want to travel to. So you guessed it, this post is an entry to that competition (because who doesn't want that opportunity!) but it also gives me an excuse to look up more of my favourite places and day dream about finally getting to travel there - just another 2 years of uni to go!



1. Turkey
Ever since I went on a family holiday to Side, then on another holiday to Gumbet, I've dreamed of travelling in Turkey. I've even started to fill a book with the dream route I'd take. First of I'd love to start off seeing Catalhoyuk. This is a place that I've learnt a lot about during my first year of archaeology, and considering how important it is, it's relatively unheard of. Its the largest and best surviving Neolithic settlement we have, and so I feel like its a must for my studies that I should visit this town. I then want to travel down the Aegean coast - where the towns are situated by the sea and in bays, with picturesque backgrounds. They seem to be filled with gems for those history geeks / enthusiasts like me  - from forgotten towns & ruins to being home to two of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Having the chance to uncover the fascinating history of these towns while under the sweltering sun is literally the dream for me.

2. Greek Island Hopping
One of my other dreams, which I really hope to be able to do once I finish university, is to go Greek island hopping. I've been studying the Greeks at uni for the last two years, and I love learning more and more about them. The thought of being able to visit the Greek islands that I've been told about and I've seen in the text books would be amazing. I currently have my eye on the Cyclades, with the island of Naxos a definite point of call on this trip. One of the things that draws me to this is the idea of being able to sail from island to island (within reason). There's something about being on a boat in a clear blue sea with beautiful scenery around that excites me beyond reason - which is odd coming from someone who wouldn't want to commit to a cruise. To be able to prepare my own little tour of these historic places seems like such a cool concept that I won't be able to get out of my system until I actually do it.

3. Discover Spanish Villages
I've always fancied travelling to remote little villages in a country. This could be in Italy, France, wherever but Spain stands out as one of those places I want to discover. There's something about being in small villages, away from tourists and the busy beaches and being able to experience traditional ways of life. I think you would get a proper feel for the culture if you're fully surrounded by locals. The white washed buildings look so inviting, and the sandstone buildings of Besalu are just asking to be explored. Getting away from the big tourist spots is definitely a type of travelling I would love to do one day.

Check out Transun's competition and enter if you fancy a chance at winning this amazing trip - why wouldn't you?

What places are on your travel bucket list?

Love,
Emily
xxx

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Covered Magazine are running a little competition for bloggers that I thought I'd take part in. All you need to do to enter is to post a picture of your favourite holiday memory, and tweet the link to @covered_mag on twitter and you could be in the running to win a pretty amazing prize.

Since I'm currently lusting over holidays abroad, and picked up some brochures to start looking for next summer already despite still planning for this busy summer of travelling, I thought that this competition gave me the perfect opportunity to look through some photos from previous holidays. It also lets me escape the snow that is currently flying about my window despite it being spring!

There have been so many holidays that I've been on that I have loved so much that I cry on the last night. Family holidays are one of my favourite things ever, just having the family away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday routines we're in, relaxes us all. I've always enjoyed spending quality time with the fam, and being somewhere new that we can explore together adds excitement to that time.

One of my favourite places in the world is Turkey - all my family and friends know that I dream of travelling the Aegean coast of Turkey when I finish university, and discovery all the ancient towns that I'm taught about in my degree for myself. This desire was realised when we went on a couple of family holidays to Turkey. The history that these towns have is just so fascinating - with so many different cultures and influences shaping the different areas. The last time I visited Turkey, we stayed in Gumbet, in the peninsula of Bodrum - the birth place of my favourite ancient historian, and a site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It's no surprise that Bodrum is on my list of places to travel to - a rare occurrence as there's so many places to see, so why go back to one you've already seen?

When I saw this competition, I started to look through my album from this holiday, consisting of three different memory cards, so indeed it was no mean feat. There were so many pictures that I wanted to share - some nights when we got drunk on the all inclusive cocktails, boat trips, scenic pictures of the bay that we were lucky enough to wake up to everyday and many of the historic areas that I loved. But the picture that I've decided on is, ironically, not even from Turkey.

Bodrum is just a short boat ride to the Greek island of Kos, so one day we booked tickets to go and visit the island. The day wasn't a favourite day of the holiday, we found the beaches of the island to be pretty crowded, and more about tourism rather than culture, but non the less we enjoyed the scenery and the heat.



This picture was taken by my dad. We had decided to have a break from walking and settled at the harbour, where we sat on the top step, and had our feet dangling in the water which lapped up at the second step. We were all engrossed in our books - a standard sight from our family, who are all avid readers especially on holiday. What I like most about this picture is that we are all looking out to Turkey, which is the land you can see beyond the sea. This picture seems to encapsulate the heat of the sun on our backs, as well as the gentle and refreshing sea breeze, and the stillness and calm that surrounded the island.

Let me know in the comments if you've ever been to Turkey and what you thought of it? Or have you got a place you're dreaming of visiting one day, like me? Be sure to enter the competition - the winning hamper looks awesome and a total dream to win for those who have caught the travelling bug - and if you do, leave me your links for me to check out your #MyHolidayMemories.

Love,
Emily
xxx

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A couple of weeks ago I was very kindly invited by Zomato to go to a bloggers event at Halo Coffee Company in Edinburgh. Life sometimes runs away with you, and I've found myself 3 weeks down the line without sharing how the evening went - and because I had such a great time, a post is definitely needed.

Halo Coffee Company is set in Edinburgh's New Town, just behind the St. James centre and only a (slightly behind schedule) bus ride from my flat. The exterior is super cute, with fairy lights around the fencing. Walking down the stairs and into the cosy coffee shop, I was met with the faces of fellow Edinburgh bloggers - non of whom I had met but all of whom I got on great with - as well as the welcoming faces of Andrea and Claudio, from Zomato.



The inside of the coffee shop is very chic, I loved the little touches added to the simple decor - such as the bath room door sign (I know its lame that I took a pic, but that's just me). It felt like a very relaxing place, and definitely somewhere I will be returning to - especially after seeing the lunch menu!


After a few greetings, we started off on the event itself. Laid on the counter were lots of treats, alongside rows of little coffee cups ready to be filled. Excited was an understatement.



Michael, the owner, stood behind the counter as he talked us through the different flavours of teas we were going to be tasting. After letting us all smell the dried tea leaves, as well as the leaves after boiling, we were given a cup full of each flavour. I've never really been into tea before, but after tasting the different flavours that were offered I have now uncovered a whole new bed time drink option, instead of my hot chocolates. Although I wasn't a huge lover of the coffee - a personal preference -  I appreciated the way in which Michael made each brew, and did have a taste of the mocha and cappuccino. Michael was so enthusiastic, demonstrating the right way to make all these drinks and explaining each step to us. He's obviously very passionate about his shop, and this came through when he was talking to us.







It was such an enjoyable evening - and I've met so many new people, who I hope to stay in touch with and will hopefully be seeing them at future events. And of course, before we all started leaving, there was an opportunity for a group selfie / zelfie (which I've stolen from Andrea - I hope this is okay!).

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I recently went for a look around Urban Outfitters in Edinburgh. Aberdeen unfortunately doesn't have this store, so I spent my school years lusting after a shop I could never visit. Now that I'm living in Edinburgh, my student budget can't stretch to regular shopping sprees, but it doesn't stop me from day dreaming about owning these clothes.

Which is why I've complied a little wishlist of the clothes I would love to stock my summer wardrobe with - and I have truly had to limit myself as I would live in Urban Outfitters if I could.

As this week's instalment for my 'Happier and Healthier' series is a little post about one of the things that makes me feel happy, relaxed and refreshed.




Many of you will see over my instagram pictures of beach walks with my little doggy Alfie, or perhaps have seen some blog posts about Aberdeen's beach. Nothing makes me happier than getting the opportunity to walk along the beach. Despite the weather making it less appealing at some points, timing it right can lead to a beautiful walk. Often I'll get up in the morning with my dad, and go on a walk at 8 in the morning. When the sun is coming up, its beautiful seeing the shadows cast across the waves, and often can be the only time that we see the sun that day.



Despite the sand giving your legs a fair work out to walk in, its lovely to walk along the shore line, hoping along the groynes as they appear. I often collect sea glass as I walk, trying to find the most unique fragment or a rare colour.



It makes me happy to hear the waves crash, and the gulls over head. Which is why I love being able to get out of the house and be in this peaceful surroundings. Walks by myself helps to get my head together, and gives me time to think things through. Walks with my mum, dad or sister are always fun, and help me to get my mind off of anything that's worrying me.





Having time away from your work space, or where you feel stressed is important, and I've found that being able to get out of the house and breathing in the fresh air helps to relax me, as well as giving myself some gentle exercise.

 What's your place that you love to go to when you want to relax? I think its important for everyone to have a place that they can walk to and get out of the house and have some fresh air.

Love,
Emily
xxx

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Just because I have been loving experimenting with what I'm cooking - and actually trying to cook healthy, substantial meals unlike the typical student meals I lived off of in 1st year - I've got another recipe to share for my 'Happier and Healthier' series.

Spag Bol has always been one of my all time favourite meals, so trying my hand at it made me a little sceptical - could I really beat my mum's home made meal?






Although I would never say I beat my mum at a meal, I've got to admit that I've come gey close to it.

Ingredients :

• Mince Meat - 500g
• A Jar Bolognese Sauce 
• A Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
• One Onion
• Extra Veg- such as Mushrooms
• Spaghetti Pasta

The same weekend that I took a trip to Steak, for a try of Steak On Stones, I spent the Saturday afternoon having cocktails at Candy Bar on George Street in Edinburgh.



This cutesy bar is ideal for a girly catch up, some yummy food and delicious cocktails. So, I thought I'd give you a wee look at the things I tried, and try and tempt you to go for yourself if you're ever in the beautiful capital.

 I started off with a Candy Cane Swizzle, purely because I saw it came with both a candy cane and a glow stick! Nothing says fun like a glowstick! Holly opted for the Passion Fruit Daiquri and to make the day get off to a good start, we both had a Jammy Donut Shot - Bailey's Irish Cream with Creme de Framboise on top.




Emily
xxx

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I made a trip out to a small place just outside of Edinburgh called Cramond Island with my sister a few weeks ago. Cramond lies on the Forth, a mere 40 minute bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh. The place itself has been mentioned in quite a few of my lectures as it has a great history behind it, so obviously the geek in me wanted to take a trip out there.

Typical Scottish weather (very unlike the weather we've been having this last few days) left us cold to the bone, despite the many many layers.

When the tide is high, the little walk way to the island is covered in water, but as the tide lowers the walk way becomes clear and its safe to walk there. And we managed to miss judge the times and weren't able to actually reach the island. We were able to walk along some of the island, but since the tide was still relatively high we were a little scared we would either get stranded, or a huge wave would come and sweep us off.
























Emily