First off I just want to say everyone’s circumstances are totally different and it’s important for people to do what’s right for them as long as it’s safe for you and others to do so. As mentioned in previous blog posts I’ve had several trips cancelled this year so feel very grateful I was able to go abroad this year and have a lovely safe time.
I spent a week on the Greek Island Rhodes and honestly it’s safe to say they’re doing a much better job than the UK. I genuinely felt safer on my week away than I do walking round my local shopping centre! The island as a whole has had a really low rate of cases.
So this post is more a ‘full circle’ type. I’ve had my blog for four years and really enjoy doing it, I love writing all kinds of post from reviews, anything about Disney, different activist topics and just general bits!
While I love doing my blog over the last 4 years I’ve found it hard to keep it active and relevant all the time because sometimes that’s just life.
At the beginning of lockdown I decided to start writing again as let’s face it we had all the time in the world. Without setting myself a particular goal I’ve managed to write 2 blog posts every week (bar the odd 1 or 2) meaning that this is my 42nd blog post in 5 months!
Ive decided to give myself a bit of a break as holiday time approaches but I’m determined to keep uploading regularly. It’ll more likely be 1 post a week but it could be more/less depending on circumstances.
I’m just really glad I’ve managed to achieve writing half of my total blog posts in a short space of time and really enjoyed getting back into it. So I’ll definitely be keeping it active from now on.
First off I want to say that this post is in no way intended to trivialise current events and ‘the new normal’ we are living in. I really just wanted to do a post on this to document as these are times which will, fingers crossed, never happen again and I feel especially at the moment a great way to find out about these things is through by reading up on them. Also this is the way forward so best to just be educated, safe and go with it!
So far I’ve had 3 trips abroad cancelled due to the pandemic and I’m very grateful, one I had the holidays planned in the first place and 2 that they’re only cancelled trips and I will be able to go at some point in the future.
This will be the first year since I was 4 years old that I haven’t been to Cyprus. (Due to having to pay £150 each to provide a negative test and the area we go to not really being open) I’m really sad to not be going and seeing all our friends but I’m already looking forward to next year when hopefully everything is a bit more normal again and it’s possible to go!
So it’s been news for the last year that Newcastle is finally getting a Hard Rock Cafe! Honestly I’m so excited about this as I love a Hard Rock, anywhere I go that is near one I’m there haha. I love the whole aspect from the food, the theming and obviously the merchandise.
I have loads of different pieces of merchandise from Hard Rocks all over the world but the thing I collect from them are T-shirt’s.
So if you’ve followed me it’s no secret that I love eating out so I’m all for this. The UK government has launched this scheme throughout August every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday where you can eat in at participating restaurants and save 50%, up to maximum £10 per person on your entire bill.
The idea is to help businesses recover after being shut for so long during lockdown. It’s such a great deal and through my experience you can tell it’s definitely working as shopping centres in particular as much busier on these days having a positive impact not only the restaurants but other businesses too.
I mean I think after spending months in lockdown it’s the perfect excuse to treat ourselves to nice meals out safely and while supporting businesses helping boost the economy!
If you’ve been following my recent posts you’ll know it’s no secret I’m a big fan of The Kissing Booth series. This week the cast announced they were releasing custom face masks designed by themselves for good causes. The masks are created by Variant Malibu, a company who uses 3D knitting technology which in itself has high ethical standards when looking at production.
Joey King, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Joel Courtney, Meganne Young and Maisie Richardson-Sellers all designed a unique mask with meaning from themselves and from each mask sold $15 goes to their chosen charity. This makes it a great project as by buying a mask you’re helping to protect yourself and others in the global pandemic, and you’re donating to worthy causes!
Variant Malibu aim to reduce the impacts of ‘fast fashion’ by having an on demand service and by using sustainably sourced materials it helps to cut emissions and be more environmentally, ethically and industry friendly.
I really was so impressed by this as it’s great to see a company go out of their way to achieve these standards. This was actually a great reason that confirmed making a purchase myself. The masks are $35 each which I think is really reasonable considering how they are made and that there is a charity donation!
Screenshot of order confirmation
I ordered the mask which Joey King designed which has a ‘kissing lips’ pattern. $15 from Joey’s mask goes to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
I also paid $14.22 in shipping which again I don’t think is bad for international shipping. The masks are shipped 14/16 business days after ordering and then there are the international delivery wait times, so it’ll be a while before my mask arrives. However I really don’t mind as it feels reassuring to know your purchase is made to order therefore reduces waste.
Really looking forward to my mask arriving because let’s face it they’re the 2020 fashion accessory!
Ending July by finally spotting the Neowise comet earlier this week!??☄️
In case you didn’t know here’s some facts about the comet:
It was discovered in March and has been visible all July
During its closest passing of Earth it’s approximately 64 million miles away than the moon
It’s visible to the naked eye
It’s official name is Comet C/2020 F3
The best way to view it is looking towards ‘The Big Dipper’ constellation
It won’t be seen for nearly another 7,000 years!
We tried several nights to see it and were finally lucky enough! Our picture isn’t the best with living in the city and taken on my phone but hey not everyday you see a comet passing Earth!
So at the beginning of lockdown I read all the books in The Kissing Booth series, wrote by Beth Reekles. I absolutely loved them and it made me even more excited for the second film. You can read my review of all the books in the series here: https://lauramerritt96.com/the-kissing-booth-book-series-review-2/
This review is going to focus on the second film and The Kissing Booth Fan Fest which has took place all last week to celebrate the films release! I’m not going to write specifics that give away the plot but there will be references so just a warning in case you want to avoid all spoilers!
Let’s start with #TKBFanFest – this was a schedule released to show a list of events happening everyday of release week since due to the global pandemic a premiere wasn’t possible at this time. (Still hoping we might get to see all the cast of the film get together to celebrate at some point when it is physically possible and safe to do so!) The idea was a really great unique way to celebrate the release and including the cast being interactive with fans. I even ended up on the Virtual Premiere via Zoom with Joey King, Maisie Richardson-Sellers and Taylor Zakhar Perez!
I’m going to try and just some up key points as I could right an essay (my media studies brain coming back again) on how great I thought the movie was and all the reasons for that! Plus like I said I don’t want to give away any outright spoilers!
If you know me or have been following recent posts you’ll know my love of food and eating out haha. So I’m beyond happy to be able to start eating at restaurants again, and most importantly safely!
Originally planned on waiting a few weeks before going to a restaurant but Francesca’s opening made us change our mind haha. Had such a great experience as expected! Staff wearing masks, social distance markers, hand sanitiser available, tables socially distanced, Perspex screens, single use condiments brought when requested and music not too loud. All the steps to make it a safe and still really enjoyable meal!
We also visited Pizza Express on its re-opening day which again was an excellent experience. Staff wore face masks, each table was socially distanced with a spare table attached where the waiter would place your order and you could place your empty plates so that serving could also take place as socially distanced as possible. Other measures taken included: music not too loud, hand sanitizer and single use condiments.
We also visited Neptunes fish and chip restaurant in Seahouses and it was great again to see how well measures were put in place. As all of the above mentioned and a one way in and out system, making it an enjoyable experience and still really safe.
The use of track and trace by taking contact details from each party was also used in all restaurants which is great for giving extra piece of mind and taking the right steps.
It was great to get back to a bit of new normality and important to support local businesses and restaurants again after such hard times!
Bamburgh & Seahouses are one of my favourite places to visit! It’s one of the places I visit at least once a year ever since I was young.
I’ve never really holidayed in the UK and normally just go for a day trip. So far I’ve had too 2 trips abroad cancelled due to the pandemic (still keeping fingers crossed for the others upcoming.)
This was the first time of going somewhere for me since lockdown, other than work and local restaurants. It was really nice to feel like you’ve been away from the norm even for a short amount of time especially after being in the house for 3 months. Side note: also got my 1st haircut after lockdown so a good day all round haha!
The social distancing, cleaning and organisation measures in place in the restaurants and bars (sat in the beer garden) were great and made it a very safe environment.
It was reassuring and easy to still have a really nice day out and great to see a small seaside town being able to reopen safely and enjoyable!
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