Pho Restaurant - A Vietnamese Dream

Eating out is one of those treats that I adore, even more so when it's with family. When it comes to food I think being adventurous is the best way to be with the exception of bugs and crickets which I have tried and will not be eating again. There is so much culture when it comes to food that it would be boring if we all ate the same bland food all the time rather than experimenting and it's something we both feel really passionate about when it comes to Joshua too. 

Our little guy is so good with eating because we try him with everything and if he doesn't go much on it the first time you can bet five minutes later he'll have another go and eat it all up. We headed to Pho which has just opened in Gunwharf Quays recently which is a Vietnamese restaurant with the most delicious food. The family run restaurant first opened its doors in 2005 after owners, Stephen and Juliette travelled through Vietnam and fell in love with the food. 

They serve healthy Vietnamese street food which is all cooked daily in their kitchens. There is a huge range of gluten free dishes accredited by Coeliac UK as well as many choices for those with dairy and egg allergies. The majority of the dishes can be made vegan too so it's pretty much the perfect place to go. 

I just need them to open a site in Southampton next! 

Farewell Summer

I feel like this year has whizzed by, I'm not one to wish time away especially since having Joshua but I know on occasions I've said I couldn't wait for Autumn but now it's here I almost feel like I'm mourning Summer. We had such a wonderful summer, we've spent lazy days out in the sun or at home in the paddling pool, we've had some brilliant days out and we've had amazing weather too. I'm sure the weather alters my mood and a part of me feels a little concerned about the darker, colder months. 

This year has changed so much for me, I suppose I've been on a self-discovery journey as wanky as that sounds but something had to give after a bloody awful 2018. This year has been the one where I've found myself again, focused on being happier and finally found my way with motherhood. Something just clicked and its meant a lot of things just slotted into place which meant making the most of our Summer and we really did! 

Pumpkin Spice but make it beauty

The season of all things pumpkin is upon us and that means making sure it's in your skincare too. Too Cool for School are the brand to try if you're new to K Beauty, their one of the hottest Korean beauty brands right now, selling a product every 12 seconds globally as well as having huge waiting list ahead of its launch in the United States. Too Cool For School brings the latest K Beauty trends to the Western world and they've recently launched in Boots, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique meaning we can get our hands on their products even easier than before. 

The brand is focused on creative experimentation and contemporary culture, bringing uniqueness and incredible quality to their products. It is one of the most sought after brands in South Korea and their following just keeps growing. The packaging is fun and expressive while the products speak for themselves, the Egg Mellow Cream is a sell out every time with the egg range being on of their most popular. But enough about the Egg Mellow range, it's time for some punkin' pumpkin...

The Lush Halloween 2019 Collection

Autumn has arrived and with it comes the Lush Halloween collection for 2019! I loveeeee a Lush seasonal release so I've been waiting in anticipation for this collection to enter stores and it doesn't disappoint especially as my ol' fave Lord of Misrule is right there. 

If they ever discontinue it, I genuinely think I would mourn its existence. 

There's a handful of products to choose from including bubble bars, bath bombs, shower slime and a pretty fabulous Pumpkin knot wrap which would make a fabulous gift for any ghouls or goblins thanks to the fabulous products inside. 

Buckle up because things are about to get spooky...

What I've been Reading through September

September has been a relatively slow month for me when it has come to reading as its seemed that there has been so many other things to do. I've only really been able to fit in a few chapters here and there but what I have read has been brilliant and kinda stuck with me which I suppose is what you want from a book sometimes. 

I'm still sharing everything I'm reading on my Twitter book thread so make sure you check out that but in today's post I have six books I've recently read, all of which I think you'll love! 

Latest in Beauty Autumn 2019 Beauty Heroes

We are just one day away from Autumn and you know what that means? It's time for a beauty refresh! Latest in Beauty have given us a little hand thanks to their all-new Autumn 2019 Beauty Heroes box that features twelve new season essentials to help us ease ourselves into the new season.

The box features products from Image Skincare, Tangle Teezer and OhhK! and with a collective value of over £135, the retail price of £26 is a bloody steal!

Strap in people because you're gonna want to add this to your online cart quicker than you can say Autumn.

Latest in Beauty & The Sainsburys Beauty Awards 2019 Box

Latest in Beauty are smashing beauty boxes out of the park at the moment and hot on the tail of the Grazia Best of Beauty Edit comes a special collaboration with Sainsbury's. For the first time ever, LIB have partnered with Sainsbury's for their 2019 Beauty Awards. The box worth £90 features 14 award nominated products including nine full size products. 

The best bit? The Sainsbury's Beauty Awards Box can be yours for £25! 

I've managed to get my beauty loving hands on one of the boxes so I'm going to show you through the products and tell you which ones I'm most looking forward to trying.

You can also vote in the awards now for your favourite product here - Voting.

Foodie Fortnight is back in Southampton

I've spoken about how incredible Southampton is for food a number of times. We have some of the best independents around, some brilliant well-known brands and a fab coffee scene and Foodie Fortnight is a great way to experience more of what the city has on offer. 

Foodie Fortnight is taking place from 23rd September through to the 6th of October and it's really easy to take part! Just head to the website, pick the deal that interests you the most, book at the restaurant then sit back and enjoy your meal. 

See... easy! 

Tips for letting a property out

Conducting Viewings Correctly

A viewing is your chance to really sell your your property as a short term home. It is also a chance for you to get a feel for the tenant. Given this, it is important that the viewing goes well. To ensure that, it is important to be organised. 

Arrive at the property in plenty of time and make sure it is clean and tidy; this includes the outside, remember first impressions count. Make sure you have the details of the tenants with you. This will help you to remember names and mean that you can make notes of specific questions they had or concerns you have. Remember to greet them at the door to the property and welcome them in. 

Guide them through each room and point out any specific features and pay particular attention to any areas that you covered in the property description. Don't forget to show them any outside areas or balconies. Answer any questions that the viewers have and be clear about what you expect from them. 

Remember that you cannot discriminate against potential tenants based on race, religion sexual orientation or disability. But if you have a legitimate reason, you can refuse to rent to a specific person. For example, the property is unsuitable for their needs, and physical changes to the property cannot be accommodated. Also if the viewer does not want to agree to the terms of the tenancy you can ask your letting agents not to take the enquiry any further.

Post Perfect Pictures

How do you ensure that your accommodation is high on the list of potential homes for tenants? The answer is to include photographs in your listings. However, this only works if you take the right photographs in the right way.

When compiling property descriptions photographs can present elements of your accommodation that cannot easily be put into a limited space. They're also great for providing evidence of the descriptions you give, for example, a newly decorated living room, or well-furnished bedroom. 

Photographs should encourage potential tenants to want to view the property. While they do not necessarily need to be taken by a professional they do need to be of a high quality. They should be clear and taken in good light. It is also important that the rooms in your property are taken from the right angles. They should present the rooms in the best possible way and give a fair indication of the size and shape of the rooms. Take at least one picture of the outside of the property. While photo shopping pictures isn’t acceptable, it is ok to crop them to avoid neighbouring properties, particularly if it doesn’t present yours in the best possible light. As well as following these tips, ensure that the property is tidy before the pictures are taken and try to avoid taking them on an overcast or wet day as this will make them look dull. 

Checking Out Procedures

Properties require you to take the same care at the end of the tenancy as they do at the start. When your tenant leaves you will need to complete a checking out procedure before their deposit can be returned and the property can be let to new tenants.

The main purpose of a checking out procedure for your property is to determine how much of the tenant's deposit is to be returned. It also enables you to ensure that all of the tenants personal items have been removed and that all keys have been returned. The property inspection should be undertaken with the tenant present wherever possible. This means that minor disagreements can be settled at the time. 

The original inventory, including photographs, should be used as the basis for comparison. Remember that you need to allow for acceptable wear and tear on the property given the amount of time that the tenancy has been in place for. Check through each room of the house with the tenant and highlight any areas for concern. These might be areas that have not been left clean, missing items, or damage. It is good practice to give the tenant the opportunity to put things right themselves. 

When an agreement is reached, or there is no cause for concern, the amount of deposit to be returned can be agreed and the process of returning the deposit started. Don't forget to collect meter readings as part of this process and to collect all keys from the tenant.

These are sure fire ways to make sure letting goes without a hitch and who wouldn't want that? 

God's House Tower Southampton

Southampton is awash with history and one thing I always say when walking around our beautiful city is to always look up because there is always something to discover. I've lived in the city most of my life and even I find new and interesting things when out and about which was how we stumbled across the secret opening of God's House Tower, the new arts and heritage venue in Southampton. 

The 13th century gatehouse once housed the Museum of Archaeology somewhere I visited on a school trip twenty years ago. It's the one and only time I had ever been inside so when news circulated that A Space Arts would be refurbishing the site over seven years I couldn't wait to see the end result.

Southampton Boat Show 2019

The Southampton International Boat Show, sponsored by Borrow a Boat is back for its 51st year at Mayflower Park, Southampton and it's the perfect place to discover the latest, accessible and flexible ways to enjoy boating! The event is taking place from 13th - 22nd September during the hours of 9.30am - 6.30pm. There's a range of packages available and you can purchase tickets direct from the Southampton Boat Show website including any hospitality packages too. 

We were invited by Marine Superstore, the leading yacht and boat chandlers based in Portsmouth. 

New In Beauty - Hair Edition

I'm a bit obsessed with hair products, I've always quite liked my hair so if there is anything new that will help me make it look more fabulous then I am there with open arms. Sprays, masks, dry shampoos, oils, you name it and I would've most likely tried it. Which is why I've collected a handful of new hair products that I've been trying out recently and popped them in this post so you can see what's new and what's worth picking up next time you need a little hair refresh.

Bills Southampton & their fresh new look

Bill's Restaurants is the kinda place you just know you can rely on for good food, brilliant service and a great atmosphere and so with their oh so beautiful refurbishment complete that's exactly where we headed recently. Bill's Southampton is situated within West Quay's newest development filled with fabulous eateries and views of the old walls that once protected Southampton. They have a beautiful outside eating area as well as plenty of room inside so you can enjoy breakfast, brunch or a leisurely dinner with friends. Arran and I were invited in recently with Joshua on a Saturday evening while we were having a staycation in the city and had the best time. 

Ways To Improve Our Home Relaxation

Everyone's idea of relaxation is different and what one person finds relaxing, another person may find irritating. But in general, there are some ideas that you can find here that will enable you to explore your ideal relaxation at home. It doesn't all have to be about candles and bubble bath (although that is a great idea), but there are reasons why people find these ideas relaxing. And as humans just having a nice place to spend our spare time is invaluable.

Ottoman Kitchen - Turkish Cuisine in Southampton

Southampton is awash with restaurants and eateries but we haven't had anything quite like Ottoman Kitchen for some time. I've really tried to rack my brains and I can't seem to think of a Turkish restaurant in Southampton where you can book a table, enjoy drinks and spend an evening marveling at the decor and of course enjoying the delicious food. My Mum and I were invited to review Ottoman Kitchen last weekend for lunch to experience it for ourselves and we had such an enjoyable time. 

Ottoman Kitchen sits within the old Woolwich Building Society on the highstreet, a Grade II listed building which dates back to 1866, it's a really beautiful building and one I've always wanted to go inside but it has stood empty for the last ten years. As you step inside you're met with flushes of blue, beautiful pictures of Turkey, high ceilings and the most beautiful chandeliers.

How To Feel Beautiful Without Make-up

Going make-up free can have its benefits. Not only can it save a lot of time in the morning, but you could also save yourself money in the long run. On top of that, taking a break from make-up now and again can be good for our skin.

But what if you don’t feel pretty without make-up? Some of us rely on cosmetics to hide the blemishes on our face and bring colour to our skin. There's no denying that make-up is an easy fix, but there are many other ways to improve your beauty naturally. By taking these measures, you could build the confidence to go make-up free more often. Here are just several ways to look beautiful without make-up.

Glossier Lash Slick - The mascara I've been waiting for

One of my all-time favourite mascaras was the Seventeen Falsifeye HD Mascara which retailed around the £7 mark and was unfortunately discontinued a year or so ago. The reason I loved the mascara so much was because the wand separated every single lash perfectly, the formula didn't flake or smudge and it would last all day.

Alder Hey Children's Hospital & Daniel's Story

*This is a paid partnership with Alder Hey*

I'd like to think many of us are aware of the important work Alder Hey carries out. Every year Alder Hey cares for over 275,000 patients and their families. To increase funding and give back, the charity have recently set up a running club, designed to support individuals who wish to undertake sporting events on behalf of the charity.

To give you a little insight into the work they do, I'm sharing Daniel's story with you.