*A Wine Cellar Is The Life Upgrade You Never Knew You Needed

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If you love wine, no doubt you've thought long and hard about getting a wine cellar. Practically anybody who is anybody has one lurking somewhere in their home, providing a cool, temperature-controlled environment for their finest vintages. They are a staple of celebrities and successful business people alike. And you can have one too if you put your mind to it. Don’t underestimate the importance of the humble wine cellar in the modern home. It offers a plethora of benefits - some obvious, and some unexpected.

It Prevents Spoilage

Nothing is worse than trundling down to your wine cabinet, opening a bottle of finest reserve from the 1990s, only to find that it’s gone bad. You have to throw the entire bottle in the trash. What a waste? Wine cellars, however, dramatically reduce the chance that wine will spoil. Most use temperature and humidity control to ensure that conditions remain optimal to store the wine for as long as possible. This environment prevents the organic compounds in the wine from spoiling, helping the drink to mature beautifully.

It Helps Sell Your Home

Wine cellars are becoming an increasingly important feature of modern home design too. As we discussed in the intro, everyone wants them. And buyers are willing to pay a premium for the privilege. Wine cellars come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the location, size, and style of the property, as well as the budget of the owners. Some cellar companies use a bore to drill straight down into the bedrock under your house, creating a circular room with a spiral staircase running down the middle and shelving along the walls. Others do it by converting existing basements or excavating a new one. Whatever type you decide to implement, it could help to sell your home and increase the value of your property.

It Could Save You Money Long-Term

Think about the cost of all the wine you’ve bought over the years. Those investment-grade bottles aren’t cheap, with some selling for thousands of pounds. While decking out your home with a wine cellar might sound expensive, it could save you money long-term if you’re an avid wine collector. Fellow investors and wine aficionados are more likely to pay full price for a bottle if they can see that you stored it in the right conditions.

It’s A Cool Place To Hang Out 

Okay, this one is a little silly, but there’s no denying that a wine cellar is a cool place to hang out. Here you and your fellow connoisseurs can sit on high stools and sample the delightful tastes of various bottles in your collection. Just be sure to provide plenty of water and snacks for cleansing the palate.

Would you add a wine cellar to your home, if you could? What other luxury additions would you love to have in your home?

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May Reading Wrap-Up 2020

March and April were fairly disappointing reading months but thankfully May was a fantastic reading month in terms of the number of books I read, the range of genres and my ratings. The genres ranged from LGBT romance, fantasy and non-fiction to classics, thriller/mystery and YA. I was able to read 15 books in the month of May which included one book over 500 pages. My favourite books from the month include: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, City of Light, The Guest List, The Life of Leonardo da Vinci and River of Teeth.

There were a few reasons I read so much this month: lockdown, bank holidays, less work than normal, shorter reads/audiobooks and readathons. I took part in two readathons in April including the Medieval-a-Thon and the Asian Readathon. I have tried to take part in a few readathons over the past couple of years but I've never really stuck to the challenges but I completed so many of the challenges for the Medieval-a-Thon which I'm very happy about!

*I Left The House Today by Cassandra Calin (144 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book high on your bookshelf ★★★

The first book I finished in May was a comic from Netgalley all about the author's thoughts, everyday life and the struggles that most of us can relate to as women (and humans in general). I absolutely adored the simple but hilarious illustrations throughout the comic and how relatable it was. The short and easy comic had me snort laughing a few times because it was just so relatable, funny and very entertaining. I would highly recommend it as a quick and funny comic that I think we all need at this time!

The Pale Dreamer by Samantha Shannon (111 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with orange on the cover ★★★

The next book I finished was another super short but equally as enjoyable read from one of my favourite book series - The Bone Season series. I've read the first three books of the series and I was missing the world (I've wanted to re-read the first book for a long time but I don't typically re-read books) so this novella was perfect. We follow Paige, the main character in the series, as she initially joins her gang and tries to prove herself. It was an incredibly quick read but I throughly enjoyed being back in this gritty, vivid world filled with clairvoyants, ghosts, an oppressive government, power play between gangs and more. It is book 0.5 in the series so you can read it before the other books but it's equally as entertaining if you've already read the series too.

The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (512 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with green on the cover ★★★★ 

I finally finished a book over 500 pages! One of my monthly reading goals is to read a book over 500 pages but for the past couple of months, I haven't been able to complete that goal. However it was a very easy goal for April because this book was very entertaining, super quick and an easy, enjoyable YA read. We follow Monty, the bisexual son of an earl, as he gets into all kinds of trouble with his best friend, Percy, who he has a secret love for. However, their rakish lifestyle ends in an ultimatum as they are both sent to the continent, along Monty's sister, to learn about European culture before they have to settle down. However, it doesn't go quite to plan as highway men, disgruntled dukes, secrets, alchemists and pirates interrupt their journey which leads to revelations, love and a very entertaining romp across Europe.

One of my favourite things about this read, along with the mysteries, secrets and shenanigans, was the dry, sarcastic and sometimes self deprecating humour from Monty - I loved his character. I also loved the relationship between Monty and Percy as well as how feisty Felicity, Monty's sister, was. I was surprised at how quickly I was able to fly through this book along with how vivid, action packed and also heartfelt it was. It brings up more difficult topics such as abuse, physical violence, homosexuality being a criminal offence, racism and injustice which made it a more heartfelt read than I thought it would be but it is also filled with entertaining sarky humour and loving friendships too. Overall, it was such an action packed, fast paced read featuring LGBT characters and I highly recommend it, especially if you're looking for a quick and easy escapist book.

A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee (128 pages)
 Medieval-a-thon - romance ★★★

After reading and loving The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, I had to carry on with the series and read the next book which was a novella following on directly from the ending of the first book so naturally I can't go into the plot but I will say that we follow the relationship between Monty and Percy. Their relationship was one of my favourite aspects of the first book and I loved both characters  in this read. It was a super short, quick, easy and entertaining read; however it was frustrating at times and it was much more expensive than I thought it should be considering how short the book was.

Pines by Blake Crouch (audiobook) Medieval-a-thon - a book you have high expectations of ★★★

Within the month of May I discovered that there are quite a few books on Kindle Unlimited that have free narration included - I can't be the only one who didn't know that audiobooks were available on Kindle Unlimited. The first I listened to was Pines by Blake Crouch which is a well loved mystery thriller series with horror and sci-fi elements. I've heard amazing things so it was a book that I had high expectations for but sadly it didn't quite meet my expectations.

We follow Ethan, a secret service agent, as he tries to find out what has happened after he is involved in a car accident in the small town of Wayward Pines. He slowly remembers more about himself and why he is in Wayward Pines (to find two of his colleagues who have gone missing) but he uncovers more questions and mysteries within this secretive small town community.

The premise is very different to what I would typically read but it was definitely an interesting and intriguing read from the beginning which made me want to keep listening to uncover the mysteries. The narration was easy to follow, if a little robotic, and it made me want to listen to more audiobooks as I used to listen to so many with my BookBeat subscription. However, while it was an intriguing and easy listen, I found the actions of the characters, especially Ethan, very odd and unrealistic which kept taking me out of the story. I also really disliked the main character and found his behaviour very unusual and annoying. Overall, I did like the mystery and it was an incredibly easy audiobook to follow (great if you listen to audiobooks as you do other things, as I do) but it left me very disappointed/annoyed and I won't be carrying on with the rest of the series which is unfortunate as I had high expectations for this read/audiobook.

City of Light, City of Poison by Holly Tucker (241 pages)  Medieval-a-thon - a book beginning with the letter 'C' ★★★★

Moving onto one of my favourite non-fiction books of the month, all about a period of French history I hadn't been aware of before, named 'the affair of poisons' which is as scandalous, murderous and intriguing as it sounds! I've wanted this book for years, the paperback version is utterly gorgeous and I'd so glad that I purchased it as I loved this gruesome, darkly interesting and macabre but captivating  book that read more like a noir drama than a non-fiction read.

We follow numerous individuals throughout the period between 1677 to 1682 from King Louis XIV, his ministers and his many mistresses to abortionists, poisoners, con-men, police officers, aristocrats and criminals. The documents were almost destroyed in a fire and Louis XIV at the time wanted the documents destroyed so we almost didn't know about this time period but thankfully the police chief kept his personal notes on the events, individuals involved, their crimes, torture and sentences so we have a fantastic record of that time period. It tells the story of the first police chief of Paris and his successes, reforms and struggles as well as a web of poisoners, criminals and mistresses that sought more influence, power and wealth, through whatever means necessary.

There were so many aspects of this book I loved from the gorgeous cover, short chapters and macabrely interesting topics to the vivid individuals, thoroughly researched information, easy writing style and the tone of the book which was much more of a drama focused, story-like read instead of a dry non-fiction book. If you can read about topics such as abortion, torture, murder and crime, to name a few, then I cannot recommend this read enough about a period of French history that Louis XIV would rather have been forgotten.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley (381 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a scary book ★★★ (3.5)

I have been in the mood for mystery reads and some Agatha Christie style books recently so I had to buy The Guest List which has been compared to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - I adored the TV show adaptation. Within The Guest List we are taken to a remote Irish island for a wedding as friends and family meet for the first time in years. We follow the perspectives of numerous people at the wedding from the bride, the wedding planner, family members and guests over the period of a couple of days. We get in insight into each individual including information about their past, their relationships and issues they are currently dealing with such as problematic relationships, self harm, abuse, bullying, body issues and revenge.

We flip between the various individuals as well as the day before and the day of the wedding so the timeline tells us what will happen after the wedding but we don't know which individual has been murdered. The mystery around trying to decipher which guest is the murderer and which is the victim was very intriguing as there were many suspects. The mystery element as well as the remote, isolated setting were my favourite aspects of the book and made me want to keep reading. I also adored the tone as it was very tension filled (due to the fraught relationships) and very eerie/creepy (thanks to the vivid and atmospheric setting). I think that if you are looking for a very quick, easy and page turning mystery thriller then look no further.

Britannia by Peter Milligan (158 pages)
Medieval-a-thon - a book under 300 pages ★★★

I only read one graphic novel in the month and it focuses on a period in history that I love to read about - the roman occupation and invasion of Britain. We follow a roman soldier, Antonius Axia, as he is posted to the far reaches of the Roman Empire to Britain where he faces grief, monsters and strange gods. I loved the cover and initial few pages but the art style then changed dramatically and I didn't love it - although it is very detailed. I liked the time period, the pagan/druid gods and the general storyline but sadly I didn't love it on the whole. I would recommend checking it out, only if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (288 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with your favourite colour on the spine ★★★

I adore fantasy and one of my all time favourite fantasy authors is Terry Pratchett and his discworld series! I've read around seven of the books in the series already but I thought I'd read the first in May. The discworld series is split into mini series so you don't need to read the first book and it is generally advised to not start with The Colour of Magic as it isn't the best book in the series. Unfortunately I definitely agree as it was my least favourite book from Terry Pratchett although it has dragons so there is one positive.

We follow the very beginning of the discworld as the world, gods and general principals are explained which made it feel like a very different book to the others in the series. Also, another difference is the breaks in the book which doesn't happen with any of the others I've read. While I liked the general story and being back in the topsy turvy discworld, it felt off and I couldn't get lost in it as I normally would with his books. I definitely wouldn't start with this book if you are interested in the series (start with Mort instead) and I don't think I'd recommend it sadly, unless you want to read every single book in the discworld series as I plan to.

100 Nasty Women of History by Hannah Jewell (402 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a tall hardcover ★★★

Another non-fiction read is all about incredible women from various countries and time periods, some of which are very familiar and others I had never heard of before. Firstly, let's take a moment to appreciate the utterly gorgeous cover. The book dedicates between two - five pages to various women from ancient history to the modern era and for numerous accomplishments such as poetry, bravery, intelligence, artistic abilities and so on. I have such mixed feelings about this book as I did love the cover, the layout and how books like this highlight women who should be household names (especially those that helped during the first and second world wars) and sadly aren't.

However, I've read a few books like this already and this one is my least favourite. I think I would only really recommend it to an older teenage audience as the writing style is very...forcibly humorous, for want of a better explanation. It isn't for children due to the language used but it is too flippant, jovial and juvenile for adults, in my opinion. I really wish this book had a more adult tone and sense of humour as I think it could have been fantastic but sadly it wasn't what I wanted or expected, in terms of how the information was written and the tone. I think I'll donate this book to my local high school or library.

The Life of Leonardo da Vinci by Giorgio Vasari (119 pages)  Medieval-a-thon - a pristine book ★★★★

I've been in a book buying mood throughout lockdown so I have treated myself to quite a few cheap e-books and non-fiction reads, one of the latter is this utterly gorgeous clothbound non-fiction read all about Leonardo da Vinci. The book is split into sections, from an introduction to Vasari and his work to Leonardo's life and the original translated biography of Leonardo by Vasari in 1550 and 1568. All of the non-fiction reads I've purchased or been kindly sent from Thames and Hudson have always impressed me with the attention to detail and quality and this one is no different. It's a beautifully published read with a clothbound cover and gorgeous illustrations. I am aware of various aspects of Leonardo da Vinci life as I watch far too many documentaries (who am I kidding, there's no such thing) but I wasn't aware of the author Vasari or his work. I loved reading not only more about Leonardo and Vasari but reading a translated biography from the 16th century about the famous artist too. I would love to see Thames and Hudson publish more biographies in this style based on Vasari's Lives of the Artists.

The Ghosts Of The Citadel by Jen Williams (83 pages) Medieval-a-thon - a book with a dragon on the cover ★★★

One of the books I found to be the most difficult when it came to choosing the books I needed for the readathon was 'a book with a dragon on the cover'. I adore fantasy but I don't own any with a dragon on the cover, apart from The Goblet of Fire but I didn't want to re-read an over 500 page book this month so I opted for a novella. In The Ghosts of the Citadel we follow sellswords Wydrin and Sebastian as well as Lord Frith as they enter the ruined citadel in search of treasure but they find more than they bargained for...namely a dragon. I liked the setting, the typical fantasy creatures and the generic quest-style mini adventure but I just didn't click with it unfortunately so I won't be continuing on with the series.

River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey (114 pages) Medieval-a-thon - start or finish a duology ★★★ (3.5)

One of the final books I finished in May was a very unusual but much loved novella all about a plan constructed by the US government to introduce hippos into the country as a source of meat but things go very wrong from there...who'd have guessed. We follow Winslow Remington Houndstooth as he gathers a group of dangerous individuals for a perilous job, to release a hoard of feral hippos. I adored the Louisiana setting of the book, the gritty almost Wild West feel and the utterly bizarre inclusion of hippos and their owners. It is an unusual read as well as being very short but it is very entertaining, I loved all of the frankly rather strange characters, the adventure/betrayal and the vaguely LGBT relationships.

The Best Girls by Min Jin Lee (18 pages) Asian Readathon ★★★

Moving onto the second readathon I started in May, the Asian Readathon, which involves reading books written or set in Asian countries - I've been reading Japanese fiction and non-fiction recently so it wasn't difficult but I didn't read nearly as much as I'd hoped. The first book was a very short and sad story by the American Korean author Min Jin Lee. We follow a Korean family who are desperate for a son, even though they have three daughters and we see a glimpse into their struggles economically when one daughter makes a terrifyingly sad decision. The story was very quick and so upsetting, especially the last page! 

Burning Roses by S.L Huang (160 pages) Asian Readathon ★★★

The second book I finished for the Asian readathon was another tor.com novella - I've read a few of them over the past couple of months and enjoyed them overall. We follow two middle aged women, Rosa and Hou Yi, as they join forces to stop the sunbirds from destroying the countryside. It is a quick and interesting read with two unusual characters and an age (middle aged women) that I haven't read from the perspective of before. I liked the overall story and the fairytale/folktale elements from red riding hood and goldilocks but I found myself losing interest vey quickly unfortunately.

Have you read any of these books? What have you been reading recently? 

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*Solo in Singapore: Prepare For The Trip of a Lifetime

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For some of us, travel is simply a means of putting some distance between ourselves and the things at home which are causing us anxiety and stress. It’s a reprieve from the pressures of work, family and the household. And while this is a perfectly acceptable rationale for travel, there are many for whom the need to get away goes much deeper. For many of us, travel is an appeal to a restless sense of adventure- a flame of passion that never gutters no matter how much of the world we see and how many times our minds are blown by the new, the exotic and the awe inspiring.

There are those of us who thrive when meeting new people, immersing ourselves in new cultures and imbibing the scents, tastes, sights and sounds of new countries. For this kind of traveller, Asia’s diverse cultural, natural and architectural wonders are a cornucopia of delights- tempting us, daring us to go and explore. While places like Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore are great places to visit as a family, they offer an extra appeal to solo travellers who want to be able to fully immerse themselves in an overseas adventure. In this post we’ll take a close look at the latter as we explore the treasures that await travellers when they’re solo in Singapore...

Is Singapore safe for solo travellers? 

Of course when we’re travelling solo we need to be a little more mindful of staying safe and protected as we explore our new surroundings. The good news is that Singapore is not only safe, it’s one of the safest places in Asia when travelling solo. Indeed, there is a high standard of urban surveillance and a robust police presence that may strike some as almost Orwellian. However, it most assuredly keeps them safe as the city state has one of the lowest crime rates in the developed world. The people are generally extremely friendly and welcoming. The locals are highly educated, and the standard of spoken English is very high- although if you take the time to learn any Malay, Tamil or Mandarin Chinese they will genuinely appreciate it. There is also a thriving community of English-speaking expats with over 50,000 Brits living in Singapore. If you’re looking to make friends with someone who shares your native language and can give you the inside track on where to eat and where to hang out, you can usually find these people in areas like Holland Village, Tanglin, Orchard and River Valley.

Enjoy the city that’s also a country 

Fun fact: Singapore is one of only 3 sovereign city states in the world. The others are Vatican City nestled in the heart of Rome and the Principality of Monaco along the French riviera. Singapore is an autonomous country but it’s also a bustling cityscape roughly half the size of Metropolitan London. This means that you can touch all the bases in a weekend or take a few weeks to explore all that its 721 square kilometers have to offer.

Live like a local 

One of the many great things about Singapore is that when it comes to choosing a lovely place to stay, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are many wonderful hotels to choose from including the stunning Marina Bay Sands and the more budget-friendly Naumi. However, there are many who prefer to live like a local by checking out the property rental market. There are many awesome condos available to overseas visitors with flexible terms. Perfect for both a long or a short stay. From here, you can explore the city state on your own terms and get to know it like its inhabitants do.

You will never see so much green in one city 

Nature lovers will be stunned by how much green is packed into (and around) this huge conurbation. Indeed, it is known around the world as the “city in a garden” and its landscape is an incredible dichotomy of futuristic architecture and nature. Indeed, as soon as you step off the plane you’ll be treated to the sight of SIngapore’s wonderful sunflower garden. You’ll also get to enjoy visiting the world’s largest vertical garden at the Tree House, as well as the sci-fi looking Gardens by the Bay. An absolute must visit is the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This 60 acre UNESCO World Heritage site is home to over 60,000 plant species including the famously beautiful orchids.

Eat like royalty every day 

If you’re a lover of rice, spice and all things nice, Singapore is most definitely the place for you. Here you can dine like royalty every day without maxing out your budget in a weekend. Seafood lovers in particular will find themselves in heaven when they visit. Be sure to try the national dish- the celebrated chilli crab, invented in Singapore in 1950 by legendary chef Cher Yaw Tian. However, if you’re not into seafood you’ll still find plenty to enjoy. Vegetarian or vegan? Don’t worry! According to the animal welfare charity PETA, Singapore is Asia’s second most vegan friendly city. In terms of quality to cost ratio, Singapore offers some of the most satisfying dining experiences on the continent.

Love animals? Singapore has you covered 

One of the great tragedies of Asia is that while there a great many animal encounters to enjoy, many of them are sadly exploitative to the animals. For instance, you never want to ride an elephant in Thailand because there’s an excellent chance that it has been treated horrendously. Singapore, on the other hand has a range of highly ethical animal encounters. From the farm animals of The Animal Resort to the nocturnal creature showcase of the Night Safari to the vast and extraordinary Singapore Zoo.

Have you visited Singapore? Where do you want to travel when the world returns to normal? 

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*A Guide To Transform Your University Accommodation Into A Home

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University accommodation can be incredibly unwelcoming. It doesn’t matter where you are staying, be it a modern town or somewhere scenic and pretty like Oxford or Cambridge, there is no denying that the rooms themselves can be pretty grim. Whether you are in halls or renting privately, you need to know about what you can do to create a home at university. Here are some of our best tips and tricks to help you do so!

Choose Wisely

There are so many locations out there for you to explore, and you need to make sure that you are staying in the best possible place. If you know that you will be going into halls, make sure you thoroughly investigate each of the different buildings you could stay in. There may be one that has recently been renovated that you want to stay in over an older building. However, you also need to spend some time on student boards so you have some insight on what it is actually like to live in these buildings. There may be one that has a reputation for being Party Central while another might be more studious. If you aren’t moving into halls, you have the option to live privately. If this is of interest, you can explore what's available here to gain an insight into what this type of student accommodation can offer you. There are some fantastic options out there for those who want to rent privately with a bunch of friends.

Ask the Landlord

The first thing you should do when you get into a new flat is to find out precisely what you can do in terms of renovation. If you live in halls, this is likely to be quite strict. They may not even like you putting up posters on the walls as this can cause marks. However, if you are renting privately, you may get the opportunity to do some decorating. If the flat has not been made over for some time, a landlord may be happy for you to paint the walls so long as you pick neutral colours and don’t damage the floors. This instantly gives you a fresh coat of paint that you can use to kickstart your life in this flat! Fresh walls create the perfect blank canvas you can then use to create your dream home away from home.

Pick Lighting and Greenery

Everyone tends to flock to paintings and art when they are creating their first uni home. They print out photographs and get ready to cover the walls with aspects of their home. However, there is often a simpler way for you to do this that does not require this. By investing in some high-quality lighting and the right plants, you will be able to create a nice, welcoming atmosphere that will be inviting for everyone who comes to your home. Low-level lighting is best here, and it can really make all the difference to your home. The overhead light can be very harsh and not at all welcoming. By placing warmer, low-level lights around your home, you should be able to create a brilliant atmosphere at night, perfect for parties or visiting friends alike. The other investment you should make is in some plants and greenery. If you are known for killing plants more than caring for them, maybe look into some fake ones. It is easy to find some high-quality fake plants to decorate your home with, and will give you the same satisfaction as live ones.

Create a Place You Love

When given the option to create your own place for the first time, many of us might gravitate towards an Instagram or Pinterest aesthetic. While there is nothing wrong with doing this if you genuinely love this style, it can leave some of us feeling a little let down as we struggle to achieve it. Instead, you should always aim to create a space that you are happy to retreat to, and that genuinely makes you feel warm. University can be an overwhelming experience at times. You are dealing with some very real and adult problems for the first time, while potentially juggling a part-time job and all the coursework and projects required by your degree. You need to make sure that you have a place where you feel safe, and where you can relax.

Take the time to make the space truly yours and it will be more than worth it in the long run!

Do you have any tips to make a space your own? 

*Image from Pinterest

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Personalised Birthday Gifts with Historic Newspapers

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Lockdown hasn't been easy for any of us but potentially more so for those with special birthdays during lockdown when celebrating with family and friends hasn't been possible. My auntie turned 80 in April and my dad will be 60 next week and neither of them were able to celebrate sadly. However, a thoughtful and extra special present can be a lovely gesture.

I'm always an advocate for personalised gifts and I've reviewed many on my blog over the years so visit my other gift guides for my ideas! As well as special birthdays, Father's Day is just around the corner in the UK (on the 21st June) so I think now is a great time to look for gift ideas and hopefully today's post will give you an idea of the amazing personalised gifts on offer with Historic Newspapers.

*Historic Newspaper - Birthday Newspaper Book (from £49.99)

Today's post features a very special gift that I think would be ideal for those celebrating an extra special or memorable birthday. I was very happy about reviewing this beautiful birthday newspaper book from Historic Newspapers because my dad turns 60 next week so it will make a fantastic and extra special gift for him on such a milestone birthday. I think personalised gifts are great to give at any occasion and I think the range of personalised gifts including this luxury birthday newspaper book, on Historic Newspapers is fantastic as there's something for everyone including football books, children's books, vintage cookbook newspapers, year books, gift sets and more.

The birthday book I'm reviewing features a luxury A4 sized black leather cover (this option comes with a free embossing which I think makes the book look even more luxurious), inside message and a beautiful gift box (£7.50) that can be used to store the book. The option for personalising and adding extras is available such as the box and various cover options so there's something for multiple budgets.

Within the birthday book, there are newspaper headlines from the birthday year you choose and every birthday after so for my dad the headlines are from there 2nd June 1960 onwards which shows a wide range of news stories with each page. From the title page with describes the book and features your gift message to all of the newspaper headlines pages, the print quality is fantastic and it's interesting to remember the headlines of the past with images, articles and advertisements to look through.

I have reviewed a newspaper gift before of my blog, although it wasn't as luxurious or impressive as this gift idea, but I loved looking through the advertisements of the time as they show the trends and products which are usually quite different to the advertising and products of 2020. The years range from the birthday year to 2019 for the book I was lucky enough to receive and highlight the shocking, important and influential news from that day in time, such as the falklands war, scandals, sporting headlines, celebrity stories and much more.

I couldn't be happier or more impressed with not only the luxurious design and quality of the gift but also the special personalised touches, the presentation and all of the interesting headlines to read through. I know my dad loves personalised gifts and history so this is the ideal gift for him, especially for such a special birthday!

Do you you think of this luxurious personalised birthday gift from Historic Newspapers? 

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DegustaBox - May 2020

It's the time of the month again for my review of the DegustaBox food subscription box! I am lucky enough to receive a box to review each month but I cannot recommend them enough especially for families or to share with others as there's something for everyone in each box. If you use the code DTPL4 you can get £3 off your first box (the discount has changed from £5 to £3 off your first box). If you use the code above, your first box will be £9.99.

*DegustaBox - May 2020 

The theme for the May box is 'BBQ and snacking' which is perfect for the absolutely gorgeous weather we've been having in the UK for what seems like the past couple of months - I've been reading so much in the garden because of the lovely sunshine! The box contains a great selection of ingredients you can use for a BBQ or picnic as well as snacks, sharing treats and drinks. There aren't nearly as many vegan items in the box as there usually are (cries) but I do love the vegan options from the box.

*Skinny Tonic Water (75p)

I'll start with the drinks within the box and as with the last box (and all of the box from now on), there isn't an alcohol box and a non-alcohol box so they are combined. The drinks within the May box range from vegan energy drinks and wine to these mini cans of tonic water. You should receive both flavours in your box - Indian and Mediterranean tonic waters. The Indian flavour is a blend of botanicals including Sicilian lemon, orange and thyme. Whereas the Mediterranean flavour contains fresh citrus, thyme and sweet basil notes. They are both delicious!

*Beronia Rioja Crianza (£2.99, 18.75cl)

As well as the mini cans of tonic water, there's also a mini bottle of win in the May box too which would be great for a picnic for two! The Beronia Rioja Crianza is a wine from Spain that is fruity, with hints of blackberry and strawberry as well as vanilla and spice from being aged in French and American oak barrel for 12 months before bottling.

*Xite Energy Drinks (1.49)

I've never been a fan of energy drinks in any form so I didn't have high hopes for either of these but they are vegan and very low calorie so I decided to give them a go and I'm so glad that I did as they were both delicious. You should receive two flavours in your box and I cannot recommend them enough. These are the first energy drinks that I've tried that I actually loved and would 100% buy in the future!

*Hartley's Juicy Jelly Shots (£2.79)

Moving into the snacks in the box and the first is a box of jellies from Hartley's which I know my friends toddlers will love so I've passed them on and I'm sure they're very happy with them. Growing up, I used to love jelly packets and pots like this! The box contains four of the strawberry flavour which is was always my favourite flavour of jelly, closely followed by blackcurrant. I think they'd be great as a snack or as part of a picnic.

*Hellmanns Dressings (£1.65 each)

Another item I think would be ideal for making picnic or BBQ snacks is these two dressings from Hellmann's. You should receive both in your box, the far free vinaigrette and the classic house salad dressing. The vinaigrette is vegan but sadly it isn't something I'd eat although both of my parents have been loving both of the dressings and the bottles are almost empty so I think they have the seal of approval!

*Bull's Eye BBQ Sauce (£2.49)

Another essential BBQ item is BBQ sauce which is something I'm starting to love. This one is based on the original US BBQ sauces and contains sweet and smokey flavour that can be added to any meat or even veggies. After a quick search online, I think this original sauce is vegan but it isn't stated on the label - it sounds delicious and I can't wait to confirm whether it is vegan so I can finally open it!

*Mission Street Tacos (£1.20)

As well as the energy drinks, my favourite items from the May box have to be the two packet soft street tacos! There are two flavours you should receive, original and chilli and lime, both of which I have used and loved. The chilli and lime flavour is definitely my favourite of the two and it's delicious when combined with vegan cheese and smoked tofu for a super quick and easy taco snack. The small size is perfect for a snack or as a small side dish too - I will definitely be buying these in the future!

*Yes! Snacks Bars (£2.99)

Moving onto the sweet treats in the box as there are always a good range of sweeter snacks each month. The YES! brand has been included in previous boxes and I'm sure the bars were vegan but sadly these aren't. I received the dark chocolate, pecan and banana flavoured bars but you could have received another flavour option. We all know by now how much I love snack bars, I always have one in my car and one in my bag at all time as they are just handy to have if you need a quick energy boost throughout the day.

*Barebells Hazelnuts and Nougat Protein Bar (£2.50)

The penultimate item is another snack bar but it's from a brand I haven't tried before. I love the packaging and the protein content but sadly it isn't vegan as far as I am aware. It sounds delicious though as hazelnut and nougat seem like a perfect combination!

*Lindt Lindor Milk Bar (85p)

Last but definitely not least is an item I think so many people would be very happy to see in their box - a heavenly Lindt chocolate bar! When I was vegetarian, rather than vegan, I always received one of these smaller bars as either part of an easter present or birthday present. They are so silky smooth and delicious - I wish they made a vegan version.

Have you tried any of these products? Don't forget to use the code DTPL4 to get £3 off your box!

*gifted

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