Everything You Need For An Amazing Holiday*

Have you decided that you’re going to be booking a holiday any time soon? If you have, then you need to make sure you’re making it the best that it can possibly be. The last thing that anyone wants is to half plan a holiday, it turns out to be boring, and then to regret even spending the money to go. 

Instead, you need to get a plan together and work out how you can make it the best holiday ever. We’re here to help with this, so are you with us? Good, let’s get into it.

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Money

The very first thing that you need to be thinking about is money. How much can you reasonably afford to spend on this trip? Do you have enough money to make this trip memorable? Are you going to be able to afford to go to attractions and have fun while you’re there if you’re spending a fortune on hotels and travel? These are all questions that you’re going to need to ask yourself. 

The best way that we can think to ensure that you do not run out of money while you’re away, is book some of the attractions beforehand so that you don’t miss out, and you don’t have to spend this money while you’re there. But also, you should be splitting the money you’re not spending on accommodation and travel over the number of days that you are away. This way, you will never run out of money, and you may even find that some days you have a little extra from the previous day.

Packing 

One of the most essential parts of going on holiday is making sure that you have packed correctly. It’s imperative that you have everything that you need, especially items that you can’t simply replace when you get to your destination. 

As such, we encourage you to make a list of all of the things that you want to pack. Make sure that this includes underwear, adaptors, clothes, hand chains and other jewelry pieces if you want to take them, sunscreen and so much more. Tick this off as they’re packed to keep you on the right track.

Excursions 

Finally, are you planning on doing any excursions while you are away? If the answer is yes, then you may benefit from booking these before you go. That way you know you have a place in whatever it is you want to do, and you won’t be disappointed when you get there. It also gives you something else to look forward to. For instance, if you are wanting to go scuba diving then you will need to book a place on the boat. You might also save some extra pounds when you book in advance. If you are booking your holiday through a travel agent then speak to them about this, they might suggest waiting until you are over there to get the best deals. 

We do hope you found this helpful and are now in a better position to achieve the holiday of your dreams. Get out there, make memories, and have fun. 

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Need a New Company Car? How to Choose the Best Vehicle for Your Business*

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Running a business involves making lots of big decisions. Some can be tough, but others are a lot of fun. One decision that falls into the latter category is choosing a new company car. Selecting a new vehicle for your business is undoubtedly one of the most exciting company purchases you can make. But knowing which vehicle to choose can be a little trickier. The following tips should help to make that decision easier for you and guide you to making the best possible choice for your business.

Consider Your Brand

When it comes to driving around in a vehicle that represents your company, ensuring that it is on-brand is vital. Turning up in a rusty old banger to business meetings is a definite no-no.

Likewise, when you’re trying to secure a big money deal, you don’t want to arrive in a cheap vehicle that suggests your business is struggling financially. Instead, choosing a vehicle made by a manufacturer that is synonymous with quality, such as the new Defender, is essential. 

Thinking carefully about your brand and what it represents is the best place to start when selecting a new company vehicle. 

Think About Practicality

The next step is to think about what you need from the vehicle. Choosing a company vehicle based on appearance alone is always a big mistake. Instead, you need to consider the practicality of the vehicle. What will you use it for? Where do you need to travel in the vehicle? If you’re simply going to be travelling to and from business meetings, you will have far more flexibility over the type of vehicle that you choose. However, if you’re going to need to make constant deliveries and collect large amounts of stock using the vehicle, then there’s a lot more to think about.

If you will be using the vehicle for picking up stock and delivering goods, it’s wise to check the payload of any vehicle that you’re considering. The internal dimensions will also be a crucial factor when choosing your company vehicle. Carefully checking all the measurements and the payload will help you to determine whether the vehicle can accommodate your needs. These checks are essential to ensure that the vehicle is functional for your business. Don’t forget to check these before you sign a lease on your new company car and enter into a contract.

Determine Your Budget

One final step to take when choosing a new company vehicle is to ensure you have a budget in place before you start shopping. Knowing how much the car will cost to lease each month is one thing, but you also need to understand the running costs that it will incur each month. Figuring this out in advance will help you to avoid any nasty surprises when you actually start using the vehicle.

As you can see, there are a few factors to consider when choosing a company vehicle. But with careful research, you should find it much easier to make the right choice.

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When Your Home Is Also Your Workplace: 3 Work/Life Balance Factors That Can Get A Little Bit Complicated*

Working from home is quite honestly the best way to juggle both your personal and professional lives. After all, you’re using your home as the hub for both, so it makes sense that you can cut out a lot of the coordination and timing awkwardness. 

No need to commute, no need to spend an extra hour getting ready in the morning - you can just get up and get to work, and then still have a friend come round after 5pm without needing to rush home and tidy up. 

But when your home is your workplace, a few other things can get a bit complicated. Here’s 3 to pay attention to. 

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Separating Personal and Professional Income

When you work from home, you make your own money. However, depending on the type of business you run (such as being self employed vs. operating as a registered company), it’s easy to chuck all of the money you’ve made into the same pot. 

You can muddy the waters here, and make it hard to isolate assets and their value. Not only can this make bookkeeping more difficult, but it won’t make planning for the future any easier either. 

Indeed, when the time comes to think about the future, you may find it very challenging to work out what you’ve made, what you’ve got for retirement, and the overall value of your estate. 

Find yourself a solicitor to go through your records and returns. Check out a link like https://www.harpermacleod.co.uk/expertise/individuals-families/wills-trusts-estates/making-a-will-in-scotland/ to find out more about future planning, will drafting, and what could be at risk here. 

When You’re on the Clock and When You’re Not

When you work from home, it’s tempting to let yourself always be on the clock. You’ve got a free schedule to use as you like, around the mainstay responsibilities you have to get to, and that means work can happen whenever! 

But this is a very slippery slope. If work can happen whenever, then it’s going to happen whenever. Your weekends will be taken up. Your evenings will be swallowed by your workload. Even your early mornings will be interrupted, and you already got to bed late because you were working! 

Taking Care of Your Basic Needs

Finally, let’s not forget that when you’re at work, you’re less likely to reach out for a snack or a glass of water. When you’re in the office proper, snacking at your desk might be a bit of a taboo - and a lot of workplaces have policies around the potential for water spillage.

This is all to say that there’s a bit of a precedent for ignoring your needs in the working world. And when you’re working from home - and if you’re always working - meals, hygiene, and rest can all be sidelined too. 

When working from home, work/life balance tends to become a lot more positive. However, you need to be careful about key boundaries that need to be drawn. 

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Simple Ways to Keep Warm During the Colder Months (That Don't Cost a Fortune!)*

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When the summer months feed into the crisp autumn days and frosty winter mornings, staying warm without spending a fortune can certainly feel like a challenge, but keeping cosy doesn't always require buying expensive gadgets or indeed cranking up the heating. It's about making a few simple swaps and getting into smart habits.

Understand How Your Body Gets Warmer and Cooler

Our hands and our feet are the quickest ways to regulate our temperature. This is why making sure that your hands feel warm can make a massive difference, and for your feet, one of the best ways to stay warm is to invest in insulated socks such as HeatHolders socks, as they are designed with extra insulation and a brushed lining that will trap body heat so your feet will be toasty for hours, because when your feet feel warm, the rest of your body warms up.

Smart Layering

We have to remember that it's not just about piling on clothes but about trapping air between layers. Therefore, start with a lightweight thermal base layer such as long-sleeve tops made of cotton or Merino wool. Then you can add jumpers, cardigans, and cosy outerwear. This way, you can easily adjust your temperature depending on where you are. You should always look for pieces you already own before thinking about new purchases, and something like a chunky knit that you rediscover in your wardrobe can be as comforting as a heated blanket.

Make Friends With Hot Water Bottles

A timeless classic, but still one of the most cost-effective ways to stay warm. Whether it's slipped into bed before you climb in, placed behind your back on the sofa, or tucked under the duvet, it can create instant comfort. For something extra indulgent, try filling it with lavender-scented water or wrapping it in a fluffy cover, as the gentle warmth can help you unwind, ease muscle tension, and improve sleep quality during cold nights.

Eat and Drink for Warmth

Your kitchen can be your best ally when it comes to staying warm. It's very simple, but all those foods that raise your core temperature from the inside out are vital, such as soups, stews, porridge, and herbal teas. If you're working in an office, a flask of tea during the day can make those chilly afternoons much more bearable. Healthy, hearty meals don't just nourish your body but will bring a sense of comfort as well, and let's not forget natural heat boosters that enhance your circulation, such as ginger, cinnamon, and chilli.

Get Moving

As counterintuitive as it may sound, when you're cold, light movement is one of the most effective ways to generate heat. A brisk walk, a quick tidy-up session, or a gentle yoga flow will boost blood circulation so your body temperature rises naturally. Even dancing around your kitchen to your favourite playlist can do the trick, and of course, with any type of exercise, it's going to lift your mood on those grey, wintry days thanks to the endorphins.

Getting through the winter months doesn't just mean keeping bills at sky-high peaks or endless shivering. With these simple strategies, you will stay snug all season long.

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The End of an Era (Sort Of)

Well… this feels a little bit like breaking up with an old friend.

After over a decade (yes, really) of blogging here – through various phases, ideas, projects, and a lot of rambling – it’s time for a bit of a change.

I’ve officially moved over to a shiny new home at 👉 www.taniamichelebooks.co.uk👈 and that’s where I’ll be sharing all the bookish goodness going forward. New releases, behind-the-scenes chaos, writing updates, character chats, and the odd emotional spiral over edits... it's all happening over there now.

Why the move?

This little blog has been brilliant, and I've loved using it – especially since it’s basically free (minus the annual domain fee, of course). But it’s just a blog. And as someone juggling self-publishing, writing multiple books, and trying to build something that looks vaguely like a career… I needed a site that could do more. So, off to Wix I went – where I now pay a small fortune every year for the privilege of full creative freedom. 🙃

That said, I might still post here every now and then with non-author life stuff – budgeting, life updates, etc. – but realistically? It’ll be few and far between.

So if you’ve enjoyed hanging out here, come join me over at taniamichelebooks.co.uk – I’d love to see you there!

Thank you for reading, commenting, and sticking around since 2013.

Here’s to new chapters – literally.

Love,

Tania x

30 Things I've Learnt In 12 Years Of Blogging

October 3rd will be my blog's 12th Birthday! My little corner of the internet has been churning out content for a whole 4380 + days now! I still can't believe I done it for a year, let alone TWELVE.

And let's just ignore the fact that I had a few breaks sporadically

Usually I look back on my blog headers since day one, but I feel I've done that too much! So today, I'm going to share some things I've learnt about this blogging shit in my twelve years!

Buckle up, there's a few!

1. It is very hard work
2. You will want to quit at some point, but never do it
3. You will have times you don't feel good enough
4. It's perfectly fine to take a blogging break
5. And no, you don't have to justify having one! We have breaks from our 'real jobs' all the time - so why is it different with blogging?
6. You can write about whatever the heck you like
7. No, you don't have to be a master photoshopper, or professional photographer
8. You will, however, pick up amazing photography skills, and master the art of picture editing (hey there Canva!)
9. Typing becomes second nature
10. You'll even learn basic HTML if you customise your blog enough times!
11. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO BROKE TO BLOG
12. You will meet some truly amazing people
13. Other people mentioning your blog makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside
14. You'll know other bloggers by their blog name/instagram handle, more than their actual names
15. You do not have to go to blogger meet ups if you do not want to
16. Blogging shouldn't feel like a chore, but at times... it does
17. Comparing your blog to {insert epic blog name} will make you feel like crap
18. You will always feel proud of your blog no matter what
19. Comments on your blog make you smile so much
20. Commenting on other blogs makes you smile too!
21. Explaining your blog to your parents can be so stressful
22. If you want to do a fashion post and don't possess a tripod, a sibling/friend is always handy! (Thank you to my sibster for helping all those years back!)
23. When a company wants to collab with you, you will end up getting far too excited.
24. Especially when it's a cake company!
25. But not if it's some random company from China offering you $5 for 5 hours of blog work
26. Blog about what you're passionate about - it makes for the best posts
27. You will find so many amazing Disney bloggers sharing tips about Disney World! 
28. Not everyone is going to want to read your blog - but that's totally fine, and you'll love the people who do read it, even more. 
29. You'll always worry about copyright issues
30. A filler post such as a tag or playlist is perfectly fine if you're rushed for time

So, happy belated blog birthday to me! 

I'd love to know how long you've been blogging for and if you have anything else to add to this list! If you do, let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)

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My Favourite Disney World Attractions

The Disney World theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot - are such amazing parks that just seem to feel magical. Though I'm not a huge Disney fangirl, I still love the franchise and the movies, so I was beyond excited for these parks.

The rides here are incredible, and I was able to get my camera onto about 90% of them - unlike at the Universal parks. I didn't get pictures of all the rides I loved, but I'm already wanting to go back so I can ride them again! Sadly, we couldn't go on all the rides, or see all the shows. This was mainly due to fast passes, not enough time at the parks, or times we just got so darn hot, that we had to call it a day! But here are the ones I loved!

Magic Kingdom

1. Jungle Cruise
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
4. Haunted Mansion
5. Under the Sea - The Journey of the Little Mermaid
6. It's a Small World
7. Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
8. Space Mountain
9. Transit Authority PeopleMover
10. Carousel of Progress
11. TRON

The Carousel of Progress holds a special place in my heart, as it's one I loved when I first went to MK. This was the first time I've gone on the Haunted Mansion, or seen Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, and I loved both of them! 

Epcot

1. Mission: Space
2. Test Track
3. Living with the Land
4. Journey into Imagination with Figment
5. The Seas with Nemo and Friends
6. Turtle Talk with Crush
7. The Three Caballeros

I have to say that Space Ship Earth was a little too boring for me, although a good ride, I could have fallen asleep! Test Track was AMAZING, and we spent over an hour in the Chevrolet center after the ride, which was a fun bonus to the day. Figment was a fun ride, although it seemed as if no-one was heading towards it! 

Animal Kingdom

1. Festival of the Lion King Show
2. Kilimanjaro Safaris
3. Kali River Rapids
4. Expedition Everest
5. Finding Nemo - The Musical
6. Na'vi River Journey

I tried for ages to get the Flight of Passage fast passes in 2017, but couldn't - and everytime we go to AK, the queue is between 3-5 hours each time, so we gave that a hard pass! Na'vi River Journey was nice and relaxing, and thankful we had a fast pass, as it was usually a 2-3 hour wait at all times! The Safari and Everest were my two fave attractions at the parks. 

Hollywood Studios

1. Indiana Jones: Epic Stunt Spectacular
2. Rise Of The Resistance
3. Smuggler's Run
4. Toy Story Mania
5. Star Wars Launch Bay - Meet BB8, Chewbacca & Kylo Ren
6. Rock n Rollercoaster
7. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
8. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
9. Fantasmic!

This is my fave Disney Park, so I wanted to put down EVERYTHING, but I restrained myself! Toy Story Mania has to be one of the best rides in Disney World - which explains the long wait times! I really loved Rock n Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror, plus Fantasmic was so much to watch in the evening.

What are your fave attractions in Disney World? Let me know! I would have put literally everything in these lists, but as I said above, we couldn't go on everything! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)


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Why Sex and the City Hits Different in Your 30s

There’s something magical about rewatching Sex and the City in your 30s. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of oversized flip phones and questionable early 2000s fashion, or maybe it’s the way the characters' chaotic lives suddenly feel a little too familiar. Either way, sitting down with a glass of wine (or let's be honest, a soda, because the hangovers hit differently now), I’ve come to appreciate this show in a whole new way.

Spoiler alert: it hits differently when you're no longer watching it as a starry-eyed 20-something who thought Carrie’s walk-in wardrobe was the pinnacle of success.

Let’s just get one thing out of the way first: Samantha Jones is the absolute queen. She was bold, unapologetic, fiercely independent, and full of wisdom that went straight over my head when I first watched the series as a teenager. Rewatching now, I realise she was the most emotionally intelligent of them all. While Carrie was chasing toxic love and Miranda was drowning in work stress, Samantha was out here living life on her terms, embracing pleasure, honesty, and total self-acceptance. Iconic.

But the real magic of Sex and the City in your 30s? It’s the way it gently – or sometimes, dramatically – reminds you that this decade is not the end of the story. It’s the start of something even better.

Friendships > Everything

The show’s backbone was never Big. It wasn’t Aidan either. It was the friendship between four women who, despite their wildly different views on life, always came back to each other. Watching that now, it hits me how rare and valuable that kind of connection is. In your 30s, your social circle might shrink, but the people who stay? They’re golden. And Sex and the City reminds you to nurture those friendships like your life depends on it – because sometimes, it does.

We’ve all had “I’m just like Carrie” moments – spiralling over a text message, questioning our life choices, or spending more than we should on something frivolous that somehow sparks joy. But it’s the way these women hold each other through breakups, bad decisions, career changes, and even cancer that reminds you your friends might just be the true soulmates of your life.

Life Doesn’t End at 30 (Shocking, I Know)

When I was younger, 30 felt like a deadline. Like you had to have the career, the house, the person, the plan. But Sex and the City laughs in the face of that. These women are living, learning, and messing things up well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. Watching them chase new dreams, fall in love (and out of it), and discover new things about themselves reminds me that life doesn't just keep going – it gets richer.

There’s something oddly comforting about watching Carrie fall on her face (sometimes literally) and still pick herself up in heels. It’s a reminder that success isn’t linear, and growth isn’t always pretty.

Redefining What Success Looks Like

Marriage, babies, dream job – we’re taught to chase these milestones like they’re the only path to happiness. But Sex and the City challenges that idea. Watching it in your 30s, it becomes clear that happiness looks different for everyone – and that’s okay. Whether it’s Charlotte finally getting her family, Miranda balancing work and motherhood, Carrie choosing herself (after too many wrong turns), or Samantha just vibing with her best life, the show champions authentic joy over a checklist of achievements.

Embracing the Messy Middle

One of the biggest takeaways? It’s okay not to have it all figured out. In fact, nobody really does. And honestly, isn’t there something a bit freeing about that? Your 30s are messy, magical, exhausting, and empowering – often all in one week. Watching these women embrace their sexuality, chase their dreams, and fumble through life with humour and heart makes you feel a little less alone in your own chaos.

So if you're in your 30s and feeling a bit lost, pour yourself a drink, rewatch Sex and the City, and remind yourself: you're doing just fine. And if you're wondering what Samantha would do? The answer is probably "something fabulous, darling."

When did you last re-watch this show? Let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)

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My Favourite Universal Resort Attractions

The Universal Resort theme parks - Universal Studios and, Islands of Adventure - are probably my fave two theme parks in Orlando. I love Disney, but the Universal rides are just tailored to what I prefer, so they are perfect - even if Disney has stepped up their ride game recently (hello Tron!)

The rides here are incredible, and though I couldn't get my camera on any of the rides, due to the metal detectors and no-bags policy on a lot of the rides, I just got to be in the moment and enjoy the rides. Here's a list of the ones I really enjoyed, and in no particular order.

Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Harry Potter & the Escape From Gringotts

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Dudley Do-Right's Rip Saw Falls

 

The Bourne Stuntacular

All of these the rides that we went on, were AMAZING - but these are my top rides from both parks.

On Rip Saw Falls, we got so wet on it, that I was literally dripping water the entire way back to the car! Escape from Gringotts was so awesome, but the que time had jumped up to over an hour during the time we has queued for 10 minutes, went on the ride, and then came off of it. 

I also cannot stop raving about the Bourne Stunt show - I've never seen anything like it, and it was so good, we saw it twice!

What are your fave attarctions at Universal and Islands of Adventure? Let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)


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