10 Classics to Read on Cold Winter Nights

I do love a good book list, both to use as inspiration for my ever-growing literary wish list and to share my own recommendations. Following up from my 10 Cosy New Books to Read for Autumn, this time around I thought I'd do things a little differently. Rather than focusing on new books that are already likely to be spotlighted by other bloggers, reviewers, and magazines, I'm sharing some of my favourite classic novels – and the collectible editions that grace my shelves. They would make a beautiful addition to your own collection as well as thoughtful gifts to brighten up someone's day this time of year.

Papergang: Ohh Deer's Subscription Box for Stationery Lovers

Subscription boxes have been all the rage in 2019. Beauty products, books, tea, fresh produce... you name it and there is probably a weekly or monthly box you can subscribe to cater to all your needs. However, one that I thought had been sorely missing from the options was one for stationery lovers. Until Instagram read my brain and I got an ad for Papergang, the subscription box from paper company Ohh Deer – and I was sold.

The Christmas Countdown is on... Getting Festive & Heartfelt with Moonpig

Happy December! 🎄 I have some very festive posts planned for this month, so sit back with a freshly baked mince pie and a hot chocolate and get ready for seasonal fun and recommendations. While for most people November is tinsel-free, I've been spending the last few weeks wrapping gifts and writing Christmas cards while listening to Josh Groban's "Noël" (the best seasonal album of all time), exhausting Netflix's Christmas catalogue, and I even joined the team of personalised card and gifting company Moonpig for a full-on festive event (#invited). There was a real-life Santa, fun workshops, and the opportunity to pet a polar bear. My festive season may have peaked before the official start of December...

Mary Poppins at The Prince Edward Theatre

Who doesn't know the story of Mary Poppins? The nanny who quite literally flies into the lives of the Banks' at Cherry Tree Lane, showing children and parents alike that all that truly matters is family (all while dancing on rooftops and with penguins)? The stage adaptation of the classic P.L. Travers stories has 'chim chim cher-eed' onto the London stage for the first time in 15 years, taking over from fellow Disney-alumni Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre.

10 Cosy New Books to Read This Autumn

As the days grow darker and colder, I bring out my staples for cosy nights in and weekends at home: festively-scented candles, my trusty checkered and wool-lined fleece blanket, warm-coloured fairy lights, and my towering to-read pile that has been building up over the summer months. Yes, it's the best time of the year for reading while snuggled up with a cup of tea! And today I'm delighted to share with you book releases from the past few months that are perfect to curl up with this autumn. Whether you love a good ol' Christmas tale, harrowing historical fiction, Sherlock Holmesque crime, magical middle grade, laugh-out-loud women's fiction, gripping YA thriller, or thought provoking non-fiction essays, this list of recent favs has something to delight readers of all tastes.

Seeing Banff From Above With the Banff Gondola

For as long as I can remember I've been wanting to go to Banff and Jasper National Park in Canada. The iconic snow-capped mountains, the crystal clear glacial lakes, and lush forests grace the covers of many travel magazines – yet despite living in Canada for a year I never made it over there as I explored both coasts instead and skipped the entire middle bit of the country. But this year my life-long travel dream came true and I got to hike those mountains, pose in front of those saturated blue lakes, and even see a moose (or two) in the wild. On our first day in Banff we even got an amazing bird's eye view of the stunning scenery around us as we went up, up, and away on the impressive Banff Gondola all the way to the top of Sulphur Mountain in the Canadian Rockies.

Exploring Vancouver's Best Parks: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Vancouver is one of the busiest cities in Canada. It's bustling with sport and music events, has museums and galleries galore, and whether you're a foodie or shopaholic, you're never far away from new places to discover. However, sometimes you want to get away from the business to enjoy a quieter time and surround yourself with snow-capped mountains and trees as far as the eye can see. British Colombia has an incredible array of green spaces right on Vancouver's doorstep that are quick and easy to get to. In this new series I'll take you along to a few of my favourite scenic outings. First up: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Falsettos at The Other Palace

It's 1979 and Marvin (Daniel Boys) is trying really hard to make his unconventional family work. With his boyfriend Whizzer (Oliver Savile), his ex-wife Trina (Laura Pitt-Pulford), their 10-year-old son Jason (Albert Atack on press night), and his psychiatrist Mendel (Joel Montague), who's now dating Trina, in the mix this is not an easy feat – as catchy opening tune Four Jews in a Room Bitching makes all too clear.

Following in Heidi's Footsteps in the Swiss Alps

I'm most in my element when I can combine two of my loves: travel and literature. I've written about it extensively in my 'a book lover's guide to' series, and earlier this month my travels once again transported me to one of my favourite childhood novels: Heidi by Johanna Spyri. If you're not familiar with the classic tale of the spirited girl who lives in the Swiss mountains with her grandfather and spends her days herding goats with her friend Peter then I highly recommend you check it out before exploring the scenic mountain trail at Pizol in the Swiss town of Bad Ragaz.

The Last by Hanna Jameson

When I first heard about The Last it sounded like it could be a pretty compelling read, but I didn't anticipate quite how gripped I'd be by this post-apocalyptic murder mystery. So much so, in fact, that when I started reading the novel I missed my stop on the commute into work – a journey I make every single day... I'd flown through the pages and the story, hooked by the disconcerting unknowns and the depth of the characters, and I clearly didn't want it to end. If that isn't a sign of a true page-turner, then I don't know what is.