My Holiday to Piran Meadows Cornwall

For the may half term me and the little fam booked a last minute holiday to Cornwall. We LOVE cornwall. I think if we could, we would move here in a heartbeat. But alas, we can not, so we must settle for holidaying there as often as possible.
We have been down to the Cornish neck of the woods a few times over the past couple of years, but this was our first time at Piran Meadows which is just outside Newquay. I have to say, hand on heart, this was by far the nicest most easy going, fun, lovely holiday we've ever had.
We went to Newquay Zoo which was fabulous, Fistral Beach for the day,which is doggy friendly all year round; perfect for Cassy, and Lappa Valley Steam Railway which was the loveliest day out.

You may or may not know but my day job is a Travel agent, so there i was 10 days before half term with dreams of Cornwall and the seaside and clotted cream and scones. I looked through our brochures and found Piran Meadows Resort & Spa. I'm always apprehensive with 'caravan' holidays, we normally stay in lodges or cottages, but I started reading the reviews and looking online at Darwin Escapes as a whole and looking at the gorgeous photos, plus seeing that it only opened last year made me think i'd give it a punt.
And what a punt it was. I was stunned!!!
It was absolutely beautiful. The grounds, the luxury caravans, the facilities all blew me away with their incredibly high standards.
Lets start with the Caravan itself shall we? I opened the door to the caravan with one eye closed, peaking around the corner, hoping it would be nice. I walked in and was wowed.
I went through to the living room and opened the verandah doors on to our enclosed verandah. The living room was perfectly set up with a lovely TV with CBeebies for Neo, a gorgeous fireplace and seating for all which led open plan into the kitchen , which was perfectly equipped for everything.
I walked through to each immaculate bedroom, 2 twin rooms which we set Neo up in one, then on to our double.
It was nicer than my home!
Big double bed with crisp white cotton sheets and puffy pillows, more than ample wardrobe space, TV in the bedroom, hairdryer (!) ensuite wc.. I was in caravan heaven.
I wanted to move in permanently.
I quickly got to settling us in and making it our home for the next 4 nights.
I had never felt so at home on holiday.

The other contributing factor for us was that they accommodated doggies. Cassy is a really good puppy, and she loved coming on holidays with us, i loved being able to take her too.
We planned our days out mostly around what was doggy friendly (all bar the zoo for obvious reasons) and i was so pleased to see how many places in the area welcome dogs.  Then when we would get back to the caravan she would be shattered and fall asleep on the rug (it was adorable) and i would put my feet up and have a lovely cuppa (First caravan ever that i've known to supply coffee, 4 types of tea's, milk and sugar and some biscuits! how nice!)

View of the Cornish countryside from our Caravan.

 In regards to the facilities in Piran Meadows, there were plenty. They have daily sports and activities for all such as archery, water zorbs and footie and basketball to name a few. We didn't partake but saw lots of the activities and the activity team were always so cheery and fun.
There's the spa also, which i never got around to using, but it looked beautiful and would be lovely as a little holiday treat.
There is also the pool which Neo loved (which fyi was the perfect temperature, i hate getting in to a cold pool..what can i say, i'm a wimp, but it was like a lovely warm bath, just thought that was well worth noting haha!) and then a two lane bowling alley, which was so fun, (have i ever mentioned i am awesome at bowling.. with my maiden name as Bowler i had to be though didn't i?!)
There is a great restaurant on site too, to me a holiday is as little cooking as possible;)
The restaurant had a great menu and i can safely say the english breakfast was delicious (the Cornish sausages were to die for) and meals in general were super yum (i had the seafood risotto and chunky chips and i'm salivating just thinking about it!) There is also a Costa Coffee.. i have literally found my slice of heaven here.

 At the bowling alley and then at Lappa Valley, on the canoes.. which i chose to delegate to hubby to do with him.. you know as a father son bonding thing*wink*

 Fistral Beach Fun

 Little train rides (that would be a Thor hammer in his hand if you're wondering.. every 4 year old boys favourite accessory, no?!)

 Fistral Beach with Cassy, gorgeous day, a little chilly but my Seafolly Seasalt Jacket was perfect (more on my packing and outfits in tomorrows post). Piran Meadows was less than 10 minutes outside the centre of Newquay, which was perfect for us; far enough out to really enjoy some peace, but close enough to nip in and out as and when we wanted.

I can't even express in words what a wonderful time we had and i can't recommend Piran Meadows enough.
I've had complete holiday blues for the past 10 days, so much so that hubs and i have been looking at booking again (summer holidays hopefully!), maybe one of their other luxury resorts in Cornwall, or maybe back to Piran Meadows as we loved it THAT much.

Have you ever been to Cornwall? 

I highly recommend it, i really do.

*Fyi this isn't a sponsored post in anyway shape or form.. if you hadn't guessed already i just REALLY loved it there, and the travel agent in me just loves to share these nuggets of travel information with you ;)

The Best Midi Dress on the Market

 I have always found the midi dress a tricky length to carry off. I'm neither tall nor short (5ft 6") and that in-betweenie length always hits me mid-calf at my chunkiest lower leg part. As you can appreciate thats not entirely flattering (especially if you have rugby-esque chunky calves like moi.. lucky aren't it?! pah!) But my opinion on the midi dress has flipped and done a quick 180 degree stylish turn with this beautiful Warehouse Midi Floral dress. Its complete an utter dress love. I adore it. Literally can not wait to wear again, lust worthy, full on crushin' on this dress.
I think what makes this midi much more wearable for me is the fact that it has a split at the front, and it's not tooo much of a split either. A demure split if you will. Making it both flattering and easy to walk in.
I bought this on a(nother) mad dash last week for a meal for my besties 30th birthday (she's exactly 6 months younger than me, so whilst she's just thinking of turning 30 i'm already contemplating my next one!Booo) And so it seems my spur of the moment purchases have done me well of latel. First my River Island dress a couple of weeks ago and now this beauty.

Warehouse has always been my one stop shop for great dresses,more proof here(which is a rather scary walk down memory lane) and last summer in another Warehouse midi here and this past few months it's not just their dresses, it's pretty much everything.. they are on point this season, which makes my bank balance a little scared, but makes me and my wardrobe very verrry happy.

I can't wait to style this dress with some tan lace up flat sandals and a denim jacket for a more summer, casual outfit.
If you like it it act quick as it appears there's only a few left online.
Don't you just love when a new item excites you?!

 Dress: Warehouse

Shoes: French Connection 

Bag: Fossil

Both c/o Mcarthur Glen 

Hamsa Hand Necklace (£6) from Yosa

 Have you mastered the midi trend? How do you find it?

Palazzos &Passion4Fashion Linkup

Have you ever tried something on and thought no, just no. Thats me with this outfit. Its wierd, i like each piece but not together..and not on me. Just no. 

But God loves a trier and trying i certainly am ;) 

The palazzo trend is everywhere right now, so much so i obviously got suckered in to try. But it just isn't for me. I have seen them on others and they look uhmazing (possibly why i bought them) but i think they just do nothing for me. We took these photos and in true diva style, i viewed them and just shouted to my poor husband across the room 

"NO! No no no. It's just all wrong. WRONG i tell you" then threw myself face down on the sofa and claimed that life was so unfair.. 

Ok maybe i didn't do that (i'm not that bad i promise). But we both did look at each and there was an agreeance that perhaps these weren't for me. It could be my pear shape body, and my blatantly putting a big old flag like pair of trousers on, just emphasises my larger points. I dunno.

But everyday's a school day ladies, and today is the day i learned that patterned palazzo's are just not for me.

I also didn't feel very me in them. I've been in to simple, plain almost, outfits of late. Especially navy or black and white. So the overtly patterned trousers just felt like they were screaming at me, which i don't like when my clothes yell at me. It causes all kind of uncomfy-ness, for me and the trousers ;)

Have you tried patterned palazzos or any trend that you couldn't get on with?

Palazzos & Bag: River Island

Mules: F&F

Blazer & Cami: New Look

An InLinkz Link-up

The Woes of Smart-Casual

 Me and my buddy were talking the other day about dress code. And do you know the thing we both hated the most? No? Then i shall tell you. It's that phrase we all hear so often; Smart-Casual. This simple phrase sends my clothes styling mind into overload.. How casual is it? How Smart is it? Heels or flats? Is it dress or jeans? TELL ME MORE THAN SMART -CASUAL PLEASE!! You see, i am an obsessive over-thinker and this kind of dress code is enough to send this poor little mind in to overload. You don't want to be the person who turns up and is way smarter or god forbid more casual than anyone else. So with this little outfit i think i've finally managed the dreaded smart-casual dress code.
A Blazer always adds an air of smart business, even if it is a pretty pastel blue. The structured jacket just looks pulled together.
Jeans,  a complete fail safe for me. When in doubt wear jeans, you can't go far wrong with a great fitting pair of jeans. These girlfriend jeans are beyond amazing..(more on that in a mo)
Heels in the form of wedges; not too dressy, its like the perfect heel that was made for smart-casual events.
Then, a pretty blouse in the form of this gorgeous Apricot Clothing crochet number, their tops are so perfect for adding some pretty detailed interest to an outfit.
Finishing off with a big clutch, because clutches are always a good idea and a pretty necklace that brings it all together just nicely.
So this is my Smart-Casual look. Woes be gone! I think i've finally cracked it. Have you mastered Smart-Casual? Or do you over think it like me?

Oh and the jeans? Well move over boyfriend, i am all about the girlfriend! They are just the perfect fit. I found out last year that House of Fraser have the best range of jeans and this pair is just more proof of that. They are the Warehouse Girlfriend jeans. They have all the comfort or a boyfriend jean with the stretch and same style with the turn up, but with less material, less baggy so to speak. So if you've ever been conscious of adding extra inches when wearing baggy boyfriend jeans, girlfriends may be for you. I'm a total convert!

Warehouse Girlfriend jeans:c/o House Of Fraser

White crochet blouse:c/o Apricot Clothing

Shoes: New Look (last year)

Blazer: Miss Selfridge

Bag: F&F (last summer, but try this in orange.it would work so well)

Orange you glad Necklace(my new total fave!)

 Have you tried a girlfriend jean before?

And how would you dress Smart-Casual?