❤️

Going on holiday is one of the things I look forward to the most. I love that feeling of knowing I’m escaping everyday life for a little while, especially when I know Tenerife is waiting for me at the other end. ☀️🌴

But before I can enjoy all of that, I have to get through the airport.

And for me, the airport can be one of the hardest parts of travelling.

Liverpool Airport is definitely my favourite.

There’s something about Liverpool that makes me feel more comfortable. It’s smaller, it feels familiar and I don’t feel quite as lost in everything happening around me.

I can still get nervous. I’ll check my passport more times than I need to, worry about my suitcase and think about whether I’ve remembered everything. That’s just part of travelling for me!

But at Liverpool, those feelings don’t seem quite as big.

I feel like I can breathe.

Manchester Airport is completely different for me.

It’s so much bigger and busier. There are people everywhere, lots of noise, signs, queues, suitcases and things happening all at once.

Sometimes people probably just see me walking through an airport and think I’m fine. What they don’t see is everything that’s going on inside my head.

I’m trying to work out where I’m going.

I’m worrying about being late.

I’m making sure I’ve got everything.

I’m trying not to become overwhelmed.

And I’m also trying to remember that I’m supposed to be excited because I’m going on holiday.

That’s why Manchester can feel stressful for me. It’s not because it’s a bad airport. It’s simply that bigger and busier environments can take a lot more out of me.

By the time I’ve checked my suitcase in, made it through security and finally found somewhere to sit, there’s a huge feeling of relief.

That’s normally the moment when I can finally say to myself:

“I’ve done it. Now my holiday can begin.”

Then the nerves slowly turn into excitement.

I start thinking about getting on the plane, arriving somewhere warm, seeing Tenerife again, enjoying the food and cocktails, seeing familiar faces and making more memories. 🌴🍹❤️

That’s why Liverpool will always win for me.

It reminds me that sometimes smaller really is better.

Liverpool makes the start of my holiday feel manageable.

Manchester makes me feel like I’ve already completed an adventure before I’ve even got on the plane! 😂

But whichever airport I have to face, I know why I’m doing it.

Because on the other side of those nerves, queues and worries is something I absolutely love:

another holiday, another adventure and another collection of memories waiting to be made. ✈️☀️❤️

There’s something I really love about having something exciting in the diary, and this week it’s Waitress!

On Wednesday 9th September, I’m heading to the Liverpool Empire Theatre to see Waitress, and I’m genuinely really looking forward to it. The show starts at 7:30pm, and it feels like the perfect little treat before all the excitement of my Tenerife holiday.

Life has felt pretty full-on lately. I’ve had work, packing, holiday preparations and about a million little things going around in my head. So having an evening where I can sit down, forget about everything else and lose myself in a musical is exactly what I need.

I love going to the theatre because for those few hours, the outside world disappears. The lights go down, the music starts and suddenly you’re somewhere completely different. ❤️

And Waitress feels like such a lovely one to see. I’m looking forward to the music, the story, the atmosphere — and, of course, all those pies! 🥧😂

It also makes this week feel even more special because I’m getting closer and closer to Tenerife. It’s almost like my theatre night is another little milestone in the countdown: Waitress first, then the final holiday preparations, and then Tenerife! ☀️✈️🌴

I know I’ll probably be sitting there thinking about everything I still need to pack at some point 😂, but for one evening, I want to just enjoy myself and make another memory.

Wednesday night… Liverpool Empire… Waitress. 🎭🥧

Another little adventure for my diary — and I can’t wait. ❤️

😂

I honestly can’t believe I managed to double-book myself!

There I was, thinking I had everything organised, when I suddenly realised I’d booked the theatre and a trip to Blackpool for the same day. 🎭🎢

My first thought was basically, “How have I managed to do that?!” 😂

The problem was that I’d already bought cheap train tickets for Blackpool, and they couldn’t be changed. So Blackpool wasn’t going anywhere!

For a little while, I was stressing, trying to work out what I could change without losing money or missing out completely. Thankfully, I’ve managed to sort the theatre out, so the mini panic is officially over.

And now I can actually laugh about it.

I think I’ve just got so much going on at the moment. I’m counting down to Tenerife, thinking about work, packing, holiday plans and everything else — apparently my brain decided it didn’t need to check the calendar before I booked something else! 😂✈️🌴

But that’s life, isn’t it? Sometimes you can be as organised as possible and still end up doing something completely daft.

At least it all worked out in the end.

Blackpool is still happening. 🎢
The theatre is sorted. 🎭
Tenerife is getting closer. ✈️🌴

And I’ve definitely learned one thing…

CHECK. THE. CALENDAR. BEFORE. BOOKING. 😂

Another little chaotic moment to add to my diary — because apparently September wasn’t already busy enough! ❤️

My suitcase is lying open on my bedroom floor, and every time I look at it, I realise how close my Tenerife holiday is getting.

Packing makes me excited, but it also makes me worry. I keep thinking, “Have I packed enough?” or “What if I forget something important?” My mind feels full of lists, outfits and last-minute things I still need to do.

But this suitcase means so much more than clothes and toiletries. It holds my excitement, my nerves and everything I have worked hard for. After stressful  hi days and busy shifts at work, I am ready for a proper break.

Soon, this suitcase will be coming with me to a place I truly love. Tenerife feels special because of the sunshine, the wonderful food, the cocktails, the friendly hotel staff and the friends we have met there.

When I finally zip my suitcase closed, I will know it is time to leave my worries behind and start making more beautiful memories. ✈️

spring hotel

Tonight I’ve been thinking about why I get so excited about going back to Tenerife.

I don’t think it’s just because I’m going on holiday.

It’s because I’m going back to Spring Hotel Bitácora, somewhere that has become really special to me over the years.

When I tell people I’m going back, they might think, why the same hotel again?

But I know why.

Because it makes me happy.

There are memories there that I can’t recreate anywhere else.

I’ve laughed there. I’ve relaxed there. I’ve met people there who started off as strangers and became friends. I’ve had conversations that I’ll always remember and probably far too many cocktails! 😂🍹

That’s what makes it personal to me.

Friends Who Became Part of the Holiday ❤️

This is probably one of my favourite things about the Bitácora.

The friends we’ve met there.

We didn’t travel to Tenerife expecting to make friendships. It just happened naturally.

One minute you’re saying hello to someone around the hotel, and before you know it you’re sitting together, having drinks, laughing and talking like you’ve known each other much longer than you actually have.

Those people became part of our holiday.

And when the holiday finished, saying goodbye wasn’t easy.

That’s when I realised that the Bitácora wasn’t only giving me a holiday.

It was giving me people and memories that I would bring home with me.

I sometimes look back at photographs and immediately remember how I felt at that exact moment.

The laughs.

The silly conversations.

The nights sitting with a drink.

The people around me.

Those memories mean a lot to me. ❤️

The Staff Make Me Feel Welcome

Then there’s the staff.

For me, a friendly face can make such a difference.

A smile. Someone saying hello. Someone remembering you from before.

They might seem like tiny things, but to me they’re not.

They make me feel comfortable.

And when I walk back through those doors again, I’m hoping there’ll be some familiar faces waiting.

That feeling of “welcome back” means more to me than people probably realise.

Food Is Definitely Part of My Holiday 😂🍽️

I absolutely love the food experience at the Bitácora.

There’s something about waking up in Tenerife, getting ready and going for breakfast that immediately puts me into holiday mode.

I don’t have to rush.

I don’t have to think about work.

I can sit there and enjoy breakfast knowing I’ve got an entire Tenerife day ahead of me.

Then there’s dinner.

Getting ready after a day in the sunshine, going down for food and talking about what we’ve done that day.

They’re simple moments.

But they’re my holiday moments.

And I Can’t Forget the Cocktails 🍹😂

Obviously, there have to be cocktails.

Sitting outside in the Tenerife warmth with a cocktail in my hand is one of those moments where I think:

This is what I’ve been counting down for.

No work tomorrow.

No alarm.

No uniform.

No rushing around.

Just me enjoying myself.

And probably thinking about which cocktail I’m having next! 😂🍹

Why I Need This Holiday ❤️

I think this is the part that’s hardest to explain.

Sometimes everyday life takes a lot out of me.

Work can be tiring. My head can get busy. I can worry about things and overthink things.

That’s why having Tenerife to look forward to means so much.

For two weeks, I get to step away from my normal routine.

I get to wake up somewhere I love.

I get to spend time with people I care about.

I get to laugh.

I get to eat lovely food.

I get to have cocktails.

And most importantly…

I get to make memories.

I’m Coming Back 🌴✈️

Soon I’m going to be packing that suitcase for real.

I’ll probably worry that I’ve forgotten something.

I’ll probably check everything about ten times. 😂

Then I’ll finally get to the airport and think:

This is it.

All those months of waiting.

All those countdown posts.

All those days at work when I’ve thought, I just want my holiday.

They’ll finally be over.

And when I eventually walk through the doors of the Bitácora again, I know I’m going to feel emotional.

Because I’m not walking into somewhere new.

I’m returning to somewhere filled with my memories.

And this time I’m going back ready to make even more.

More laughs.

More friendships.

More food.

More cocktails.

More photographs.

More memories.

Another two weeks of my life that I’ll hopefully look back on and smile about for years.

Bitácora, I’m nearly coming home. ❤️🌴

I actually can’t believe I’m writing this… only 6 days to go until Tenerife! ☀️🌴

After counting down for what feels like forever, I’m finally at the point where I can say less than a week to go. It suddenly feels real.

This week is going to be a mixture of excitement, nerves, work and probably me checking my suitcase about a hundred times! 😂 I’m already thinking, Have I packed enough? What have I forgotten? Where did I put that? But that’s all part of getting ready for a holiday.

I’ve still got my final few days at work to get through, and I think that’s making me even more excited. Every shift I finish is another little step closer to switching off from everyday life and finally getting on that plane. ✈️

I really feel like I need this holiday. Sometimes life, work and everything going around in your head can become overwhelming. Tenerife is my chance to have a break, enjoy the sunshine, make memories and just be me for a while.

I’m already imagining that moment when I arrive at the airport with my suitcase. 🧳 There’s something about being at the airport that makes the holiday properly begin — checking in, getting through security, looking around the shops and then seeing the plane waiting outside.

And then… Tenerife. 🌴☀️🌊

Two whole weeks of sunshine, relaxing, exploring, taking far too many photos and making memories that I’ll be able to look back on.

For now, though, I’ve got six days of preparation ahead of me. Packing, checking my holiday documents, getting through my final shifts and trying to contain my excitement!

6 days.
Less than one week.
The suitcase is coming out.
The final countdown has officially started.

Tenerife, I’m nearly ready for you. 🌴✈️☀️

6 DAYS TO GO! 💛

And just like that… August is over and September is here.

August has been a month full of memories, emotions, busy days and plenty of moments where I’ve had a lot going through my head. Some days have been easier than others, but I’ve made it through another month and I’m proud of myself for that.

Now it’s time to say goodbye August and hello September. ❤️

September feels a little different this year because there is something very exciting waiting for me…

TENERIFE! ☀️🌴✈️

After counting down for what feels like forever, my holiday is finally getting close. I can almost picture myself getting on that plane, leaving work and everyday stresses behind for two whole weeks and finally having time to relax.

Of course, before that comes the final week of work, packing, checking my suitcase about 100 times and wondering whether I’ve forgotten something! 😂

I know I’ll probably worry about packing right up until I’m at the airport, but underneath all those nerves is so much excitement.

September feels like a fresh chapter.

A chance to breathe.

A chance to make new memories.

A chance to take lots of photos, enjoy the sunshine, explore Tenerife and just have some time for me.

So thank you, August, for the memories and everything you taught me.

But now…

Hello September. 🍂

Please be kind, bring me happiness, sunshine, laughter and plenty of unforgettable memories.

And most importantly…

Tenerife, I’m nearly coming for you! ☀️🌴✈️❤️

Here’s to a new month, a new chapter and another adventure waiting to begin.

Goodbye August. Hello September. 💕

Halloween has always been one of those times of year that gets my creative side going. The autumn colours, pumpkins, spooky decorations and darker evenings make me want to sit down and start making things.

This year, I wanted to do something a little different with Rose Crafts — and that’s where my idea for Halloween Surprise Bags came from. 🎁🧡

Rose Crafts isn’t just about making and selling things for me. It’s something that’s become really personal. Being creative gives me somewhere to switch off from everything else going on around me. When life or work feels overwhelming, sitting down and creating something can give me that little bit of calm I need.

That’s why every little thing I make has a bit of me behind it.

With my Halloween Surprise Bags, I don’t just want to throw a few things into a bag. I want to enjoy choosing everything, putting the different goodies together and imagining someone’s face when they open it and discover what’s hiding inside. 👻

There might be Halloween stickers, handmade goodies, spooky little treats and a few surprises along the way. No two bags need to be exactly the same — that’s part of the fun.

I love the idea that something I’ve created at home could end up making somebody smile.

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that can brighten someone’s day. A little surprise. Something handmade. Something they weren’t expecting.

And that’s really what I want these bags to be about. 🧡

As Rose Crafts continues to grow, I’m learning all the time. Not every idea works perfectly first time, and sometimes I doubt myself, but I’m proud that I keep creating and trying new things.

So here’s to another little idea becoming real.

My table will probably soon be covered in pumpkins, stickers, bags, ribbons and Halloween bits everywhere — but I wouldn’t have it any other way! 😂🎃

I can’t wait to start putting my Halloween Surprise Bags together and sharing a little bit of Rose Crafts Halloween magic with you.

Made with creativity, care and a little spooky magic. 🎃👻🧡

Love,
Rose Crafts 🌹

It’s finally here… my final week before Tenerife! ☀️💛

I honestly can’t believe I’ve reached this point. I’ve been talking about this holiday, thinking about it and counting down for what feels like forever, and now I’m actually saying “next week I’m going to Tenerife!”

This week is going to be a mixture of everything — work, packing, excitement, nerves and probably me constantly thinking I’ve forgotten something. 😂🧳

One Final Week at Work 💼

First, I’ve got to get through my final week at work.

I already know my mind isn’t going to be completely at work this week. Every shift I finish means I’m another day closer to Tenerife.

I’m going to keep reminding myself:

Just get through this week. Your holiday is waiting for you.

Work can sometimes leave me feeling tired and overwhelmed, so knowing I’ve got two weeks away coming up makes this final week feel really important.

When I finish that last shift, I think that’s when it’ll properly hit me.

No more work.

No more counting down shifts.

Holiday mode officially ON! 🌴

The Packing Panic Begins 🧳😂

Then there’s the suitcase…

I’ve already got that little voice in my head asking:

Have I got enough clothes?

Where’s my passport?

Have I packed my chargers?

Do I need another pair of shoes?

What if I’ve forgotten something really important?!

I’ll probably pack everything, unpack half of it, change my mind and pack it again. 😂

But I actually love this part too because every little thing I put into my suitcase makes Tenerife feel that bit closer.

I Think I Really Need This Holiday 💛

This isn’t just about getting away somewhere sunny.

For me, it’s about having some time away from everyday life. It’s about switching off, relaxing and giving myself something positive to enjoy.

I want to wake up without thinking about work.

I want sunshine on my face. ☀️

I want to explore, take loads of photos, eat nice food, laugh and make memories.

Most importantly, I want to enjoy being in the moment.

One Week to Go… ✈️

The countdown has gone from months, to weeks, and now we’re talking about days.

Soon I’ll be closing my suitcase.

Soon I’ll be doing that final passport check.

Soon I’ll be heading to the airport with that excited feeling in my stomach.

And soon I’ll be looking out of that plane window thinking:

“I’m actually going to Tenerife!” ✈️🥹🌴

So here’s to my final week.

One more week of work.

One week of packing chaos.

One week of excitement.

And then…

TENERIFE, HERE I COME! 🌴☀️✈️💛

The final countdown has officially begun.

If I could relive one year of my life, without a doubt I would choose 2016 — my graduation year.

Graduation wasn’t just about finishing my studies or getting a certificate. It was the end of one chapter of my life and the beginning of another.

At the time, I don’t think I completely understood how important those moments would become to me. Being surrounded by friends, celebrating everything we’d achieved and knowing we’d made it to the end together was something really special.

There were nerves about what would happen next. Where would life take us? Would we stay in touch? What would the next chapter look like?

Looking back now, I’d love to experience that excitement again.

If I could go back to 2016, I’d tell my younger self to slow down and enjoy every second. Take more photographs. Laugh a little louder. Hug my friends a little tighter. And most importantly, be proud of everything I’d achieved.

So much has happened since then. I’ve worked, travelled, created memories, met different people and experienced plenty of ups and downs along the way. Life has changed in ways I probably couldn’t have imagined on graduation day.

But 2016 will always have a special place in my heart.

It was the year I graduated. 🎓

It was the year one chapter ended and another began.

And if I could put that graduation outfit on one more time, stand beside everyone and experience that feeling of “We did it!” again, I would in a heartbeat.

2016 — you gave me memories I’ll carry with me forever. ❤️