Blogs
52 weeks in Brum
- Curious case of the wrong door. A Snow Hill Taleby 52 Weeks In Brum on 1st September 2014 at 1:22 pm
One day last week at work I went to the toilet. Except that inexplicably I walked into the work kitchen instead. The two rooms aren’t even adjacent, so I have no idea what brought me through this door and into the kitchen where some of my colleagues were having lunch. Once I’d realised, I of
- It’s all about what we see, or how we see it.by 52 Weeks In Brum on 4th August 2014 at 9:54 pm
My once poor eyesight is most probably the reason I embarked on this 52 Weeks in Brum project. Back in 2008, some 20 years after I started wearing spectacles I decided that, as my eyes were feeling more and more irritated and dry (a consequence of the contact lenses I also wore when not wearing
- Week 9 – The Jewellery Quarterby 52 Weeks In Brum on 6th July 2014 at 5:42 pm
- Week 8 – Paradise Forum / Birmingham Central Libraryby 52 Weeks In Brum on 6th July 2014 at 5:42 pm
- Week 7 – Canals, Canals, Canalsby 52 Weeks In Brum on 6th July 2014 at 5:41 pm
In June 2014, I handed the 52 Weeks In Brum @52Brum Twitter feed over to everyone to post their pictures of Canal Life in Birmingham. Using the hashtag #BrumCanals I received dozens of photos which I retweeted and featured during a two-week period with many of the images retweeted all over Twitter. As a little
Emma Victoria Stokes
- A dreamy eco-luxury stay at The Tawny Hotel: Our mini-moon in the Staffordshire countrysideby emmastokes on 13th November 2025 at 12:27 pm
Emma Victoria Stokes visited The Tawny in Staffordshire for a mini-moon retreat. Amazing food and a gorgeous luxury treat... The post A dreamy eco-luxury stay at The Tawny Hotel: Our mini-moon in the Staffordshire countryside appeared first on Emma Victoria Stokes.
- The Den, Stirchley – Independent breakfast, brunch, café & bar in Birminghamby emmastokes on 16th June 2025 at 1:21 pm
Formally known as ‘House of Kards’ on the Pershore Road, I used to pop in there for birthday stationery. My gast was absolutely FLABBERED by the recent changes. The building now flaunts itself as brand new cafe called The Den. There is a brand spanking new independent café & bar in Birmingham that you just need to ... The post The Den, Stirchley – Independent breakfast, brunch, café & bar in Birmingham appeared first on Emma Victoria Stokes.
- Breakfast with Santa: The White Swan, Edgbastonby emmastokes on 16th December 2024 at 2:26 pm
If you’re looking for a special Christmas experience that is suitable for both children and adults in Birmingham – the Breakfast with Santa experience at The White Swan, Edgbaston is one for your list. Across several weekends during December, families have the opportunity to enjoy a lovely breakfast with The Man in Red for just ... The post Breakfast with Santa: The White Swan, Edgbaston appeared first on Emma Victoria Stokes.
- High tech Simba mattress are renowned for ‘helping to save relationships’by emmastokes on 25th September 2024 at 9:56 am
AD / Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best thing a person can do. Which is why when Simba reached out to me at the start of the year, I jumped at the chance to trial some of their best selling products. It’s completely understandable why sleep-deprived shoppers are continuing to flock ... The post High tech Simba mattress are renowned for ‘helping to save relationships’ appeared first on Emma Victoria Stokes.
- Step Into Nature’s Paradise: A family visit to UK’s Largest Tropical Butterfly Haven at Stratford Butterfly Farmby emmastokes on 20th August 2024 at 12:05 pm
Ad-gifted experience | The last time I wrote about my visit to the Stratford Butterfly Farm with my partner and son in 2022, I was unknowingly pregnant! This time around, we revisited as a family of four. My wonderful inlaws-to-be came with us for a day out, too. There’s always something magical about visiting here ... The post Step Into Nature’s Paradise: A family visit to UK’s Largest Tropical Butterfly Haven at Stratford Butterfly Farm appeared first on Emma Victoria Stokes.
Strangeness & Charm
- A day trip to Kosovo from Tirana, Albaniaby Hayley on 11th January 2026 at 10:44 pm
Whilst planning my recent trip to Tirana, Albania I realised how close it is to nieghbouring country, Kosovo. I’m always excited when I can cross off more than one country in a trip, so I started researching. I only had two days in Tirana, so I wanted to make sure that I had enough time to take everything in before I dedicated a day to Kosovo. Luckily, it appeared that it would all work out well, so I found a day trip to Prizren and Pristina with GetYourGuide. Where is Kosovo? Kosovo is a landlocked country in the southeast of Europe. It’s bordered by Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro […]
- The Best Hotels in London for Solo Travellersby Hayley on 24th December 2025 at 5:53 pm
Comfort, convenience and style for those exploring the city alone London is one of the world’s most rewarding cities for solo travellers. With its rich cultural history, excellent public transport, and diverse neighbourhoods, the city offers endless opportunities for independent exploration. Whether you are visiting for business, creativity, leisure, or a personal reset, London allows solo travellers to move at their own pace while still feeling connected to something vibrant and alive. Choosing the right hotel is especially important when travelling alone. A good hotel doesn’t just […]
- Turning Memories into Masterpieces: How Personalised Paint by Numbers Elevates Your Craftby Hayley on 9th December 2025 at 2:55 pm
Personalised art kits offer a unique and engaging way to express your creativity without needing years of art school training. While standard kits feature beautiful landscapes or animals, making a custom paint by numbers uk piece allows you to transform your favourite photographs into tangible, hand-painted works of art. By choosing a custom kit, you infuse your crafting experience with deep personal meaning, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your life and memories. The process of creating a custom painting is both relaxing and rewarding. Each kit comes equipped with all the […]
- Switzerland Travel Guide for First-Time Visitorsby Hayley on 29th September 2025 at 9:24 am
Switzerland is a dream destination, where majestic mountains, clear blue lakes, and charming towns come together in perfect harmony. Before you get swept up in the beauty, it’s helpful to understand the practical side of visiting. Knowing how to manage your budget and choose the best places to stay will ensure your trip is smooth and memorable. Planning Your Budget and Understanding Costs Switzerland has a reputation for being expensive, so it’s important to set expectations. Daily costs vary depending on your choices, but on average, a meal at a casual restaurant will cost CHF 20-30, […]
- Gaining Confidence at Social Events with a Natural-Looking Smileby Hayley on 25th July 2025 at 11:44 am
Many people feel pressure to look their best when attending social occasions. From formal work events to casual get-togethers, the way we present ourselves often shapes our interactions with others. For those who feel unsure about the appearance of their smile, these gatherings can become a source of anxiety rather than enjoyment. Being self-conscious about crooked or uneven teeth can affect both how we behave and how we are perceived. Some may cover their mouth while laughing or avoid smiling altogether. This behaviour can impact confidence, reduce participation in conversations and affect […]
John Tyrrell
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The Thing Thang
- The ‘sticky sandwich’ nail hack to making polish last (ad•gifted)by Ting on 14th April 2021 at 5:30 am
There is something a little bit throwback about the ‘sticky sandwich’ nail hack. I first discovered it years ago before gel nails became my go to. I’m hard on my hands so finding ways for nail polish to look good beyond two days is a challenge. With the ongoing pandemic restrictions, I’ve rediscovered the ‘sticky sandwich’ nail hack as a way to make regular nail polish last. The basis of this technique is to sandwich your colour nail polish between layers of a ‘sticky’ base coat. I love to use the Orly Bonder Rubberized Base Coat (£14.99). This works with any brand or colour […]
- Pixi Beauty Rose Bodytreats (ad•gifted)by Ting on 26th March 2021 at 6:30 am
I am a huge fan of the Pixi Beauty Rose range of skincare. It’s hydrating and caring for my dry and dehydrated skin. Excitingly, Pixi Beauty have brought out a range called Rose Bodytreats. This is what my skin needs in the lead up to spring. It’s a time when I might dare to put away those winter woolies and reach for the lighter layers instead. The first Rose Bodytreats product is the Pixi Beauty Rose Body Cleanser (£18). This is a nourishing cream body cleanser . The formula is rich in flower oils so it gently cleanses skin whilst also hydrating and softening. I found this rich cream […]
- Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant (ad•gifted)by Ting on 18th January 2021 at 6:30 am
There’s nothing more satisfying than finding a decent face mask to pep my skin during all this time at home. It’s so important to use a good exfoliating product once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells. This helps active skincare products to absorb better into skin, helps makeup apply better and improves the general health of bare skin. I have been using the Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant (£55) in my Sunday self care routine for the past few months and loving it. The Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant is a hydrating and exfoliating mask treatment. It suits all skin types but […]
- Little Blackwood bao at home | pandemic lifeby Ting on 14th December 2020 at 6:30 am
Trying to arrange a birthday celebration during a pandemic is challenging. Our usual celebrations involve meals and possibly drinks out with friends and family. Maybe even multiple outings depending on the occasion. With the current pandemic, we are adapting so we marked my husband’s birthday with a Little Blackwood bao takeaway. We had some good fortune that Little Blackwood were doing their bao specials at the right time. It’s not their usual offering but with covid19, businesses are doing what they can to adapt to ever changing guidelines. We ordered a Family Bao Box (£79), with 20 […]
- The ethical Christmas jumper to wear all year roundby Ting on 7th December 2020 at 6:30 am
Trying to dress more sustainably for me involves thinking about all the ways I can utilise what I have. I don’t want to keep buying things for one specific occasion without considering longevity and cost per wear. Given that most of my clothes are currently in storage whilst I await my house move, I was considering how I was going to dress for the colder British winter – and Christmas. I found a few great options but this ethical Christmas jumper (£34) from Rock on Ruby is perfect as it works all year round – not just the lead up to 25th December. Firstly, the slogan speaks to my […]











