Top Tips for Newbie Business Travelers

This year I embarked on my first experience of business travel – a six week secondment just outside London for some training. As this was my first experience of business travel – I really didn’t have a clue what to expect! But now, two weeks in I am ready to share what I have learnt so far…

Take some home comforts with you – a blanket, hot water bottle or your favorite mug. 

If you are away for any length of time it may bring you comfort to have your favorite throw or blanket with you for cuddling up and watching TV. It’s the little things that can often bring you comfort and minimize the risk of feeling homesick. I realized after my first week that I wish I had packed some extra crap home comforts.

Hotel restaurants are brilliant

Providing that there is enough to keep you satisfied on the menu, hotel restaurants can be the perfect alibi for a weary business traveler. You can often get heather meals than you would from a fast food joint and there are often other business travelers eating alone to minimize the feeling awkwardness. Many hotels also offer room service if this still fills you with dread (providing you can afford this as part of your meal policy).

Think about your essentials 

Are you a gym buddy who can’t cope with the idea of not working out? Or, does the idea of having to get a new WIFI code each evening scare you to death? Think about the things that really matter to you. For example, a Holiday Inn may have a good central location with lots to do but lack a gym or pool. Again, after week one I realized that I should have thought about staying in a hotel with a gym. Luckily I am staying in a different hotel next week!

Location, location, location

If you are away for a week or more think about your location. As an example, if you know you will get fed up of the hotel restaurant, make sure you have other options for food close by. Alternatively, if you think you will be bored in the evening choose a hotel in the city centre where you can access shops, cinema or even a gym (pure gym doesn’t require a membership so you can join up for a short period of time). 

Keep a note of key phone numbers and names

Being alone on business travel can be nerve wracking when you are in a brand new city or town. Keep a note of key numbers such as your travel insurance, home office, taxi / rental car etc. Having these scribbled close by can keep you at ease.

Claiming expenses can be time consuming so do it earlier rather than later 

Make sure you can clear an hour out of you diary to sort through expenses as this can take a while. I have actually got into the habit of doing this at the weekend so I have my week to concentrate on actual work rather than bloody expenses. Also, check to see if there is an app you can use for uploading your receipts as this will save time scanning P.S. Keep receipts for everything – and I mean everything! 

Hopefully these tips will be of use for anyone new to the business travel game!

❤

Body Shop

A couple of weeks ago I went to a Body Shop party and splurged out on a few goodies. If you have never heard of a Body Shop party you are missing out big time! It's the perfect excuse to invite all your friends around, enjoy some nibbles and shop until your little heart is content. 

What I Bought:

Pinita Colada Gift Essentials

Pinita Colada Shower Gel

Vitamin E Skin-In Moisture Sleeping Mask

Vitamin E Eyes Cube

Rainforest Radiance Shampoo For Coloured Hair

Rainforest Radiance Conditioner For Coloured Hair

Rainforest Radiance Detangling Spray For Coloured Hair

Skinny Thin Felt Eyeliner

Super Volume Mascara

Pinita Colada Gift Essentials:

As soon as I seen this gift set I just knew I needed it for my Summer holidays! The products smell amazing (major plus in my books) and have bright tropical packaging that just screams Summer. The gift set comes with a mini sized shower gel which will be prefect for traveling, as well as a body butter, body scrub and bath lily. As I am really pale I often get a spray tan before jetting off on holiday, so when I seen that this gift set contained a scrub and body butter I thought, perfect! Just what I need for maintaining my tan on holiday! 

Because I loved the gift set so much I also bought a full sized shower gel too to carry on the Summer vibes log after the holiday ends...

Pinita Shower Gel:

Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Sleeping Mask:

Next on the list was this moisture sleeping mask. I love using this product as a  treat for a pamper session once or twice a week. It has a light, gel like formula which is very hydrating and moisturizing when left on the skin over night. I definitely think this product will work well in all seasons - especially winter (even though I hope winter is a very long way off!)

Vitamin E Eyes Cube:

I also bought the Eyes Cube from the Vitamin E range. This product has a very nice cooling sensation which is great for tired eyes. Much like most anti-fatigue products, it won't actually make you look 100% more awake but at least you will feel a bit more refreshed and rejuvenated after applying it.

Rainforest Radiance For Coloured Hair:

It was the detangle spray in this collection that really caught my eye as I have naturally tuggy hair that demands a lot of care and attention. The products have no silicones, parabens or colourants and my hair has really thanked me since buying these products.  

Skinny Thin Felt Eyeliner/Super Volume Mascara:

Along with the Pinita Colada Gift set, these two little products are my favorite! I wasn't 100% keen on the mascara to begin with as I found it a little bit messy as it has quite a wet consistency. However, the mascara has grown on me and now that I used to applying it - I love it! The Skinny Thin Felt Liner is also a really great product as it has a super thin tip which makes application really easy (even for a novice like me!).  

❤

New York Photos

I have been back from New York for a week now, and it has taken almost all this time to get over my jet lag! I wanted to create a little blog post to share my photos and happy memories....enjoy x

These are some of my favorite photos from the trip! I loved every second of five day stay and can't wait to go back. Until next time NYC...

Melt In The Mouth Chocolate Brownies

 You Will Need:

• 4 Large Eggs
• 250g of Unsalted Butter
• 65g of Plain Flour
• 80g of coca powder
• 360g of Caster Sugar
• 200g of dark (good quality) chocolate
• 1 tsp of Baking Powder

I love baking, I find something about it rather therapeutic and brownies are just so easy to make! The recipe is a piece of cake (pardon the pun!), completely fail-safe and great when you have some guests coming round.

So, first things first, preheat your oven to 180°C then line a large baking tray with grease proof paper. Next, you will want to melt your butter and chocolate together in a large bowl above some simmering water.

In a second bowl, mix together your coca powder, flour, baking powder and sugar, then add this to your melted chocolate mixture.

Once everything is mixed together, pour the brownie mix onto the baking try and place into the oven for 25 minutes and voila, your done!

Weekend Downtime

Life can be pretty hectic sometimes, so scheduling in a little downtime is extremely important! For me, the weekend is the only opportunity I have to do this as I work 8 am-5 pm Monday to Friday and also try to fit gym classes in on my weekday nights too (I know I'm crazy, right?). Regardless of when you do it, just finding an hour or two to Netflix and chill at home is important.

Here are my top ways to relax...

 Long Lies

I love lying in on my weekends as I usually start work 8am through the week. I just love the feeling of not setting any alarms and waking up when I’m ready.

Long Baths

I’m currently obsessed with Lush bath bombs. My absolute favorite is The Experimenter bath bomb! I just love the way it smells and how soft my skin feels after a bath. 

A Good Book

Nothing beats cuddling up with a good book! I have been reading a lot lately and I just finished reading ‘The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair’ by Joel Dicker. I read this book over two weekends and just couldn’t put it down! 

Netflix

There are so many brilliant films on Netflix and the weekend is the perfect time for a good old browse. Some of my recent favorites include Making a Murderer and Jessica Jones.

You Tube

My lazy Sunday afternoons are nearly always spent catching up with my favorite you tubes including the Michelaks, Beauty Crush and Zoella. For me, it’s the perfect way to relax before another hectic week at work. 

❤

My Icelandic Adventure

Iceland has always been on my list of countries I wanted to visit. It is a country that superseded all my expectations and somewhere I can't wait re-visit time and time again.  We stayed in a beautifully designed hotel with a really modern yet homely feel, called hotel Skuggi. It was the prefect budget-friendly hotel for our 4 night stay. 

The hotel was located in downtown Reykjavik, very close to the main shopping district, tourist attractions, restaurants and bars. 

On one of days out we visited Blue Lagoon, a thermal pool powered by a near by geothermal plant. Although the lagoon is outside, the water stays a toasty 37 - 40°C all year round (it was actually snowing whilst we were swimming!) I think the Blue Lagoon was actually my favorite part of the holiday! 

 We also drove round the Golden Circle, a route that loops from Reykjavik  to the center of Iceland. It was here that we saw the iconic geysir Strokkur, the Gulfoss, or Golden Waterfall and the beautiful scenery of  Thingvellir National Park where you can clearly see (and walk between!) the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.  

On the third day we went to the South side of the island (pictures below), and saw another two beautiful waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and skogafoss and the black beach (the beach has black basalt sand  - a beautiful side affect of the volcanic landscape) . 

Iceland is one of the most magical places I have ever visited. The hotel was beautiful, the city had a nice 'small town' feel and the food was incredible! There is not a single thing I would change about the trip and I now have major post holiday blues!

♥

Top 5 Places To Eat in Reykjavik (If You’re Not An Adventurous Eater)

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Last week I spent 4 days in Iceland! I had the most incredible trip and did not want to come home. Iceland is a magical place and the scenery is so beautiful! The food is also incredible, but traveling when you, or someone you know is a fussy eater can be a bit of a worry, so I really wanted to do this blog to help any fussy eaters or families with children going to Iceland soon. I stayed in downtown Reykjavik (close to the harbor and city center) and since we were bed and breakfast, we ended up eating out in the city a lot. Therefore, all the places I’m recommending are in the heart of the city and very walkable if staying in the downtown area. If you are going to Iceland, Reykjavik is a great base for your travels. It has quite a relaxed vibe and the some of the best shops to bring back little Icelandic nick knacks. Anyway, before I get carried away, let’s get to the food!  All the restaurants and cafes mentioned in the post are places that I truly loved I would 100% return to. Be prepared to get hungry…

Cafe Babalú

(Skólavörðustígur 22, Reykjavik)

This is a little quirky cafe just opposite the Hallgrímskirkja church. It has very welcoming staff and an Oreo cheesecake that is literally to die for! It also offers hot food such as paninis, soup, savory crepes and lovely vegetarian options too (all fussy eater approved!). The hot chocolate is also very good…

P.S The decor is also extremely cool and comes complete with a star wars themed bathroom and a water hog head balancing a pretty teacup (the water hog is a soft toy!)

The Laundromat Café

(Austurstræti 9, Reykjavik)

Another quirky spot in downtown Reykjavik close to the parliament building. This café doubles as a laundromat (hence the name) and has an impressive downstairs area compete with both washing machines and Lego for kids to play with! The upstairs café had plenty of options for fussy eaters and foodies alike with burgers, toasted sandwiches, soups and more (P.S there is also a kids menu for little ones). There were also two jugs of flavored water set out for people to help themselves, the tap water is safe to drink in Iceland, a great money saver! This spot is perfect for any snack or meal of the day and is perfect for both kids and adults.

Harry’s

(Rauðarárstigur 33, Reykjavic)

This restaurant has something for everyone with pasta, meat and seafood dishes. They offer a creamy bacon and chicken pasta is you want some comfort food on a cold evening. The cheesy garlic bread and the great range of deserts also make this restaurant a must!

The Hamburger Factory (Hamborgarafabrikkan)

(Höfðatún 2, Reykjavic)

Although this is a hamburger restaurant it still offers a slice of Icelandic culture as it is a restaurant loved by Icelanders and tourists alike. Much like TGI Friday’s this restaurant likes to celebrate birthday’s so be prepared to hear some Icelandic voices over the tannoy announcing an unsuspecting individuals birthday followed by clapping and music (If it’s your birthday you get to pick a song played out across the restaurant). A word of warning if you like you like your meat well done - beef burgers are prepared medium rare – so ask in advance if this isn’t to your taste. Much like the Laundromat Café there is a kids menu and there is plenty of choice with a variety of buns and fillings.

Gamla Vinhusid Steakhouse (or the Old Vine house in English)

(Laugavegi 73, Reykjavic)

This steakhouse is just off the high street and is the Perfect place for steaks, burgers and pizza’s! There is even whale and horse steaks if you are traveling with someone who is prepared to try some different Icelandic cuisine. However, the beef steaks, pizzas and burger are fussy eater friendly and are very good indeed!