Perhaps you've been reading from day one. Perhaps you've only just discovered one of my chapters. The Reading Room is where you dip in, dip out or binge read, fall into a story and stay a while. Either way, I am happy to have you here.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need another box of chocolates. This year, go a little wild: adult-only resorts, sun-soaked escapes, cruises, and playful experiences that turn 'we should do this sometime' into 'pack light and surprise.' Add artful books and flights for extra fun. Gifts that are bold, mischievous and unforgettable.

For those who travel on their tastebuds, these Caribbean hotels dish up more than just sea views. Think private chefs, just-caught seafood and unforgettable flavours on every plate.

‘Suck-in.’ 'I. Am. Sucking. In'. Lemara seethes back at Julia. 'Em, have you put on weight because these clasps ain't budging?' The commotion brings Joshua, in all but his tux and cufflinks, to the ensuite door. The said cufflinks he’s fixing, he stops, to look at his sister and his girlfriend. ‘Everything ok in here?’ Lemara grits teeth. Doing anything else, breathing, blinking, would cause clasps to detonate. Like shrapnel. So she nods. Joshua satisfied, nods back. Retreats

'I don’t understand what this child of mine eats. How is there no corn meal, no sweetened condensed milk, nutmeg and things like that.' I woke to the most clawing hunger pain, not helped by the scent of nostalgia coming from the kitchen. The smell of Christmas morning's saltfish. Somewhere downstairs, the original 'Mary's Boy Child is in competition with my Aunty Shelly's singing and the pattering of pots and pans. I eased myself upright. David wasn’t in the bed. Instead a g

You know, I have always wanted to do a Christmas market. Nuremberg, Salzburg, Bruges, all of those swing to mind. Never have I thought Bath. Yet here we are. Google 'best Christmas markets UK' and there Bath is, proudly celebrating its 25th year. And as one stallholder said, if Bath is my first Christmas market, I’ve peaked . He should know. They have a stall there too. Now, it helps that we’ve got boots on the ground. Our starting point already decided: the top of Milsom Str

In this review, I uncover another London dining experience in Mayfair. Mayfair and 34 Mayfair, still knows how to surprise, delight and keep you coming back.

When the Hotel Becomes the Destination You know, it’s funny seeing this becoming a trend because I’ve been doing it for years. Long before the stats proved it, the double page spreads of Conde Nast Traveller and Mr and Mrs Smith had me booking holidays based on hotels that caught my ima gination. And no, I don’t mean all-inclusive resorts where you simply check in and stay put. I’m talking about hotels so inspiring that they become  the experience, setting the tone for eve

'Liv, I know this is possibly the last thing on your mind right now but my mother...' Ordinarily, I would move from fully reading a paper to half reading it when my husband started that sentence. But when things to do with his mother got dropped into the mix, he got my undivided attention. Aunt Shelly sat perpendicular to me, siding with Judge Judy on the TV. But the full side-on look I gave David, paused both David, Aunty Shelly and Judge Judy. He started again. 'Possibly th

Jess thought she was just James’ plus-one for the evening. But between Charlotte’s barbs, Fredric’s teasing and a walk back to the hotel that turns into a champagne and wine fuelled frolic, it is beginning to look like something out of a movie scene. Sweet Mustard Night is messy, witty and thoroughly irresistible.

The changes coming for UK passport holders travelling to Europe. What ETIAS, EES and the UK ETA mean for your 2025–2026 trips. Costs, start dates and how to prepare for smooth border crossings.

Coffee dates are the source of stories belonging only to you. HR Higgins, a Duke Street treasure, offers decades of craft in a quiet, below-street retreat.

Jessica only expected fine wine and polite conversation. Instead, she found herself in four-inch heels, being dragged into a tray dance.

They didn’t care about the sex of the child. Only that they’d be healthy, strong, have two hands to hold and maybe agree with their mother that their father doesn’t know good music. When The Rhythm Changes

Seven years? Yes, I stayed the course in this my blogging and creative outlet. Somewhere in there trying to keep in touch with algorithms, SEO's and outdated links but here we are celebrating a seven year blogiversary.

Discovered on its very second day, Hide & Seek Café Bar with its own exclusive blend of coffees, pastries and weekend cocktails in a not-so-hidden city spot.

The coffee machine clicks off behind me. Outside, a gull cuts across the horizon and the air smells faintly of seaweed and another guest’s toast. My notebook remains open from last night... a half-finished sentence waiting for me to catch up to. For the travel-hungry scribe, the coffee-clutching diarist or the emotionally-frazzled novelist just one metaphor away from a meltdown; these writing retreats might just save your draft (and too, your sanity). I like recommending pro

This salad was born out of a simple truth: I was feeling peckish. The ingredients? I dashed them in as I went along, letting my taste buds call the shots. Is it world-breaking? Possibly not. But like all my previous recommendations (and that includes the 5 minute sorbet - see recipe below), you can trust it’s tried, tested and tastes good. 'Life is a salad, dress it well.' Love Quick Recipes? If you’re all about dishes that are fresh, fuss-free, and full of flavour, you’ll lo

Anyone that is but Fredric. He was back to watching me. His head tilted. Always that little tilt as if he's lining me up for a portrait....

A good hot coffee is a great start to any morning. Something fruity fresh with an alcoholic kick and icy cold, a nice finish to the day. But on holiday, there isn't anything that says the day shouldn't start as it is meant to finish. When the bartender has sized you up and created you a drink that's just you. That tickles and tingles with all your emotions and senses, you have it to start the day too. Because, while sometimes we travel for the history, the culture, a little a