A Piece of the World.



One of my favourite ways to accessorise is to use interesting pieces of jewellery to spice up an outfit. Now you may be reading this initial sentence in confusement and anguish...this is not a fashion blog after all! But have no fear, because this is a post on accessorising in true explorer style. I like to collect my jewellery from markets and local shops from all across the globe which means I get the chance to pick up all sorts of odds and bobs you would not typically find in a high street store...and most certainly not see on anyone else! I like to think if it as "taking a piece of the world with me" and a way to remind myself throughout the day of some epic adventure that has been and gone but will  never be forgotten. It's my way of making a fashion statement be...well much more than just that!



Above is one of my absolute favourites. It is a particularly special piece given to me by my Mum when she returned from an expedition across the Sahara Desert that she completed in aid of Macmillan cancer support and in memory of my wonderful Nanny, whom we sadly lost to cancer.

She actually bought this during her trek when some Nomads came across their group and a little girl sold her this. I find the green colour really refreshing and the way it hangs perfection however I have not managed to find a single thing similar since! Thus this one is being treasured reverently.

This heart of mine...

This photo was found and sent to be by my lovely friend and it really made my day (it's always nice to know someone thought of you) so this is why I decided to share it with you all! Not only was the globe beautiful (just a slight obsession...) but the message really made me smile because I know exactly how whoever created this feels. It was just a nice reminder in this dreary work-filled October that as a travel-bugged-blogger, exploring the world will forever be in my heart, even when it is not at the forefront of my mind.

Boo Enterprise Review

And so it has come - the day my boo enterprise throw has arrived! Now you're probably thinking what on earth am I talking about so naturally, I will explain this wonder to you. Boo Enterprise are a a fairly new company on the fair trade scene founded by Becky Barber in 2010. The company sells products ethically made in Madagascar to help local communities. Its a great place to order unique, colourful and charming bags, trinkets and home ware that are perfect for gifts or just to brighten up your home. What more could you want, beautiful products benefiting a great cause! 

Each rug comes with a label telling
you who has made yours! Cute or what!?

Thus I could not resist ordering one of the delightful hand-woven throws to see what it was all about. I am pleased to report back to you all that it is definitely worth every penny! It is a good quality throw that is perfect to add a splash of vibrance to any room. I've used mine as a bed throw but you could use it as anything from a rug to even hanging it on the wall as a piece of feature art work.

See for yourself at  http://www.booenterprise.com/...

Something for a Rainy Day

September has come and brought with it rain, college work and...well just more work and to further worsen matters the only travelling I’m getting to do is the train journey into college each day...not exactly thrilling eh? I am suffering from serious nostalgia and really craving some of that summer sun from this year’s trip to Sorrento, Italy with my mum. (Pictures of one of our favourite spots we discovered, Marine Grande).

However it’s not all doom and gloom, it was my birthday a week or so ago (woo!) and have acquired a rather gorgeous collection of maps to mark on places I’ve visited and dream up future travel plans. I also received a great book on planning a gap year from the lonely planet which I will write a review on when I am less busy...

I shall leave this post on a positive note with one to add to my bucket list; trekking in Nepal, inspired by the whopping, weather appropriate, mass-load of woolly jumpers that have just turned up on my door step.

The Very Beginning.

So I thought a good place for me to start this blog would be at the beginning of my life as a travel-maniac and it seems from a bit of digging and photo searching, I have been a victim of the travel bug from an extremely young age. In fact, my first time abroad was before I was even born as you can see from this picture of my beautiful mum pregnant with me in Portugal.

Ok, I know that doesn’t really count so the next travel experience that family Smith with baby me in tow embarked on, was again to Portugal, with I a mere 9 months old! And no prizes for guessing here; I absolutely loved it (or so my parents report) even if my cousin did nearly drown me in the swimming pool, but that’s a story for another day... 

Left; me and mum. Middle; Grandparents, mum and me. Right; Me wearing Pop-pop's explorer hat.

The gang enjoyed a lot more holidays in Portugal and it has become one of my favourite destinations to visit with its stunning beaches, buzzing markets, and lush gardens. Various forms of family Smith made up from grandparents, Aunt and Uncle, Cousins and brother, could often be found whiling away the days sampling Peri-Peri chicken in our favourite beach-side cafe (or to us “the shack”), taking long walks admiring the gorgeous pink flowers (which we so often had to stop for photos in front of) and spending sandy days splashing in the sea and strolling along the beach.