YO! Sushi Half Term Katsu Happiness

We love eating out as a family but sometimes it can get expensive. My son is no longer a little one and feeding his 5ft 10, 19-year-old never ending stomach, is well ...expensive. You can imagine how much he eats. Then the husband likes a nice glass of wine and before you know it, you've spent £60 plus on an evening meal

We always look for special offers and discounts when we eat out especially at a good quality chain as there are usually great offers around.


Have a free Katsu chicken on YO! Sushi when you eat with your child

One offer we will be taking up when we visit Cardiff next is the YO! Sushi 'Half Term Katsu Happiness' offer.

Every Tuesday to Friday until the 4th of November, YO! Sushi, the Japanese street food, and sushi chain are offering families a free delicious chicken or tofu Katsu dish with their family meal. Perfect to treat the kids or even your husband, hell why not keep the meal for yourself!

Eating out at YO! Sushi is even better value when you get a free meal


The YO! Sushi offer is not just for little ones either, they've scrapped the age limit on the child, so as long as one adult eats with at least one child (big kids welcome), at a participating restaurant, spending a minimum of £10 and eating Tuesday to Friday between 27th October - 4th November 2016, you're onto a winner. Check out the link above for complete terms and conditions. 


The chicken Katsu curry is one of those family friendly dishes that most kids love too. Crispy tender chicken in panko breadcrumbs with a tasty but mild curry sauce and served with steamed rice. There is also the tofu option for vegetarians too.

If you've never been to YO! Sushi before you may be surprised to find out that they serve plenty of other dishes other than sushi, dishes such as Hoisin duck, curry beef Ramen and beef and garlic Teriyaki. As you can see, there are plenty of dishes that aren't sushi and plenty of dishes that are served hot.

Let me know, would you try this offer out? Have you eaten at YO! Sushi?


*PR collaboration 

Will You Escape At Adventure Rooms Cardiff?

There is a craze sweeping the nation and that is the craze for escape rooms. The premise is simple, you and a group of your family and friends, are locked in a room for 60 minutes, and you have to escape, by completing a series of fun and logical puzzles before the time runs out.

Myself, Mr. W the hubby and my son who shall go by the name of Dave K. (don't ask) have visited different escape rooms over the last year, my son having the most success when he managed to escape one venue with a group of his student friends at university.

So when Adventure Rooms Cardiff invited us along for an hour of brain teasing, decoding, and deciphering we all jumped at the chance. 

The first puzzle was how to get in, as the door was locked, could this be part of the game? But no Kieran the enthusiastic franchise owner opened the door and welcomed us into the comfy waiting area. 




Kieran, explained that the theme of the Adventure Rooms was devised by a Swiss psychics master, and the puzzles involved are educational, fun but definitely made to get your brain working. He was very enthusiastic about this new Cardiff venture and as he talked to us about the game he invited us to do some puzzles in the waiting room. 





At the moment there is one game called The Mad Scientist, but there is another in the pipeline opening soon called The Black Queen. The idea behind The Mad Scientist it that you wake up in a room and you don't know how you got there, the only thing you know is that you have 60 minutes to escape.

So after a briefing, we were ready to do the game. Now this is the tricky part, how do I review an escape room without giving too much away? 

When we got in the room we were immediately surprised, let's just say the start was not what we were expecting, I may have let out a little shriek of excitement! Anyway, we worked together and managed to get out of the first sticky situation and then onto the next...



The key aspect of this game is teamwork. Yes, some puzzles can be completed on your own but it can often take you longer than when you work together. Some puzzles were simple and easy to complete, some much harder. If you have a logical brain you are half way there.

If you are totally stuck, keep an eye on the countdown screen in the room. The room is on CCTV surveillance and as you are monitored Kieran and his staff can see when you need help and give you hints via the TV screen.

So did we get out? We were so very close and as the time ran out, and the countdown went to zero, we were still stuck in the room. We thought that was it but then the timer started again. If you are very close to escaping, and there is no one in next, they can extend the time for you by a few minutes, just so you have the satisfaction of completing it. We managed to get out two minutes over the time.



Kieran the franchise owner was really welcoming and enthusiastic 

Adventure Rooms Cardiff was so much fun. They had a few different style of puzzles that we hadn't seen before which made it even better. They even personalised it to me which was a great idea. Seeing my name next to Ebola and Zika on a little vial, did freak me out a little though, ha ha. 




We highly recommend it for groups of families or friends, and age doesn't seem a barrier although I do think it's best suited to children 8 and over.  It would also make an awesome team building game. In fact, they do have a 'dual adventure' game where you compete against another group of people.

Prices depend on how many of you are in the team. If there are two of you, it will cost £25 each, if there are six of you, it will cost £15 each. The fun is immeasurable though and I think it's money well spent. It's a totally immersive experience and makes a change to get everyone together away from their screens, not easy these days.  A booking is required before you turn up so be sure you book in advance. Those that get out get a certificate and mini trophy too! Highly recommended.

Details

Adventure Rooms Cardiff, 

5a Longcross Court, 
47 Newport Road, 
Cardiff, 
CF24 0AD
https://www.adventureroomscardiff.co.uk/

Family Fever

The Wonders Of The Northern Lights

Our world is such a magical place and the more I explore it the more I want to see. One country I can't wait to visit is Iceland. A mystical country of beautiful scenery, magical folklore, and amazing food and drink. 

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to visit Iceland as the stunning landscapes of the countryside are just breathtaking and to see the northern lights would be a dream come true.  The northern lights have been on my bucket list for a very long time. I mean why would anyone NOT want to see the northern lights?


Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

You may have heard the term 'northern lights' before, so what exactly are they? The northern lights are a wonderful light display brought on by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun, that enter the earth's atmosphere. It has been described as a beautiful shifting dance of lights, once seen never forgotten.

Also known as the Aurora Borealis, this ethereal sight is a prime reason why thousands of people fly north every year for their Winter break.

Northen Lights, Sweden

The northern lights can be seen at many different locations from Iceland and Norway, Greenland and Finland to Russia and even Canada. There are a number of package holidays you can go on to see the northern lights too if you want everything organised for you from Best Served.

Iceland would, of course, be my top choice. It's mild climate and relatively reliable light show make it a popular destination to see them.


Hotel Renga, Iceland

A romantic Iceland break sounds ideal for my husband and I. A short break like this one from Best Served Scandinavia covers the Blue Lagoon, the famous geothermal spa, and a stay in Hotel Renga, in southern Iceland with its luxury accommodation and outdoor hot tubs. To sit in a hot tub, looking up to the sky and seeing the amazing light show would be my perfect romantic experience.

The last full day I would love to spend it visiting the ‘Golden Circle’, which comprises the historic national park, Thingvellir, home to the first Icelandic parliament and the magnificent Gullfoss, a roaring cascade in the Hvitá river. Later that night it would be great fun to explore the bars of
Reykjavik before flying home the next day.



Gullfoss, Iceland

Another of my favourite ideas I found from Best Served is this three-night Ice Hotel break where you stay at the original Ice Hotel in Sweden. One of the most unique places to stay in the world, the Ice Hotel is a true original, built each year with snow and ice in the village of Jukkasjärvi, in northern Sweden. The hotel including the chairs, bar, and even the beds are made from snow and ice and artists are invited to create different rooms every year. 

The Ice Hotel Sweden

Combining a one night stay in a freshly-built 'Snow Room' and two nights’ in a 'Warm Room' with a choice of adventure activities would be an exciting break. The activities include reindeer encounters, dog sled rides and an epic Northern Lights hunt by snowmobile. How cool does that sound?

Inside the Ice Hotel Sweden

It would be a place to make amazing memories and hopefully, see the northern lights. Of course, as with all natural phenomena you are not guaranteed to see them, and you need the right conditions - a dark clear night, anytime from September to March.

To make it easier to find did you know there is even an Aurora Forecast app you can download to help you? 

Hopefully, before long my dream will come true. Have you ever seen the northern lights? Is Iceland a dream destination for you? Would you stay in an Ice Hotel?

*PR collaboration

Unusual Ways in Which Jewellery is Said to Help and Heal Us

Many believe that wearing jewellery with your everyday outfit or to add that extra bit of glamour to your party frock, can not only make you feel stylish and confident, but it can offer health and healing properties too. Chakra jewelry is said to balance body mind and spirit for example.

Without knowing it, your jewellery could actually be benefiting you in more ways than simply adding sparkle and style to your outfits! In this article, you can discover the unusual ways in which you could be helped and healed.


Gemstones


Opals are said to build confidence There is a multitude of different gemstones available, each with its own appeal based on their colours, the cut and how they are set in different jewellery designs.

Different gemstones are said to have certain properties and health benefits both physically and mentally, so it’s worthwhile looking into them to see which best meet your needs before you buy.

For example, if you’re looking for something to build confidence, opals are said to be your best bet, whereas if you’re looking for calm, serenity and relaxation, rose quartz can help. Amber is supposed to help your body physically and is particularly beneficial to the nervous system, citrine is well-known to help success and prosperity and is perfect for helping students with their revision.

Sterling Silver

It isn’t just gems that supposedly help us in many ways, but sterling silver too. 

Not only that, but sterling silver is said to have helpful characteristics of its own as well. The physical benefits of sterling silver are said to include the support of healing skin, preventing arthritis and reducing any muscle aches. In terms of emotional wellbeing, sterling silver is said to help improve perseverance and patience, as well as creating a soothing and cleansing effect.

Gold Jewellery 

Ancient beliefs about the benefits of wearing gold jewellery are still held by many people today. Gold jewellery is said to create vibrations against the skin when worn, which in turn can help to heal wounds quicker than they would on their own.

Gold is also believed to be particularly useful against infections or tender areas of the skin.

Other Metals Used in Jewellery


Titanium is said to help with pain relief. 
You often find a variety of different metals used to create jewellery, of which gold and silver are the most common. Other metals, such as copper and titanium, are sometimes used and favoured by jewellery lovers, not just for their appearance but for their health benefits too.

Copper, a vital mineral for the body, can be used in jewellery and worn to boost circulation in the body as well as improve the pains that come from having arthritis. Copper jewellery reacts with the skin and its oils, for its healing properties to be absorbed.

Titanium jewellery on the other hand - no pun intended - can help to reduce pain in areas of the body that the jewellery sits on. So if you suffer from neck pain, you could benefit from a titanium necklace.

These are just a few of the health benefits that many people believe come from wearing jewellery. Whether or not it’s something you believe to be true, we can all agree on the fact that wearing our favourite pieces of jewellery can make us feel fabulous!

*Guest post

Teriyaki Beef With A Midweek Mini Roast

I do love a nice roast, but now that my son has gone to university there is only myself and my husband in the house. This is where a mini roast comes in. Mini roasts are small but perfectly formed joints of lamb and beef, the perfect size for 2 to share.

Teriyaki Beef with stir-fry noodles

These joints are very versatile too. As well as a traditional roast dinner you can create all manner of inventive mid-week dishes, think beef mini roast with a sweet sticky glaze,  teriyaki beef with stir-fry noodles and lamb mini roast with a red pesto crust. Quick and easy to prepare – they are perfect for mid-week dining.



An important thing to consider when choosing your mini roast is to look for a quality mark such as the Red Tractor label.  The Red Tractor label is the mark of great meat and is the UK's largest farming and food standards scheme. It's a quality mark that shows that animals are well looked after and that food is produced responsibly. It particularly looks at the way the animals are reared and looked after and how the environment is protected. I am all for the Red Tractor label, as I think happy animals, in a less stressful environment, make tasty meat.

I also look out for local beef and lamb.  Local meat cuts down on the air miles and is fantastic for the environment as well as supporting farmers that are on your doorstep. Beef and lamb are both brilliant sources of iron and protein as well as being high in a range of vitamins and minerals such as B12. 

This is my recipe for Teriyaki Beef made with a beef mini roast.


Teriyaki Beef

Serves 2

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 40-50 minutes (for medium)

Ingredients:

For the meat

1 x 400-450g beef mini roast (I used beef topside)
Salt and freshly milled black pepper
15ml/1tbsp rapeseed or sunflower oil
60ml/4tbsp prepared teriyaki sauce
60ml/4tbsp sweet chilli sauce

For the stir-fry

1 pack of stir-fry vegetables
1 pack of ready-cooked noodles
2 cloves of finely chopped garlic
a few shakes of dark soy sauce

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to Gas mark 5, 190°C, 375°F.



2. In a small bowl mix together the teriyaki sauce with the sweet chilli sauce.




3. Place the joint on a chopping board, season all over and brush with the oil and transfer to a roasting tin cooking for 30-35 minutes. Lightly cover with foil if browning too quickly.




4. During the last 10-15 minutes of the cooking time brush with the teriyaki mixture. Return to the oven and cook uncovered for the remainder of the cooking time.


5. Transfer the beef to a warm plate, cover with foil and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the beef rest and will make it tender and juicy.




6. Add a dash of sunflower oil to a non-stick, add some finely chopped garlic and cook until soft. Add half a red pepper sliced into strips and a pack of stir fry vegetables. I used a pack containing edamame beans, bean sprouts, and tender stem broccoli but any pack of stir-fry vegetables will do. Stir-fry until softened slightly. Remove from the pan when nearly done.

7. Warm-up a pack of ready-cooked noodles in a frying pan for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.




8. Add the vegetables to the pan with the noodles, and heat through, then add a few shakes of dark soy sauce to taste.


9. Remove any string on the meat, keeping it together, then slice the meat carefully.

10. Serve the Teriyaki Beef with stir-fry noodles and vegetables. Tuck in!



Tip: If you prefer your beef with less pink cook for a further 5-10 minutes before brushing with the glaze teriyaki mixture.

As you can see mini roasts made a great mid-week meal. My Teriyaki Beef with stir-fry vegetables is also on the table in about an hour and makes a healthy and satisfying meal. The beef was succulent and tender and the sweet and sticky glaze added that extra flavour, simply delicious.


For more recipe ideas and information about Red Tractor beef and lamb, please visit www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk. I've been checking out the mini roast recipes on the website, I think I will make the lamb mini roast with mango chutney next. Also, Katy has a simple recipe for slow cooker roast beef over on her blog, go check it out!

If you're a meat-lover, check the Carnivore Style website and learn about incorporating beef into a healthy lifestyle.

Tell me do you look out for the Red Tractor logo? What's your favourite beef or lamb recipe? Have you tried a mini roast?

*PR collaboration

Cool Things To See And Do In New York City

Often referred to as the world’s cultural capital, there’s no end of things to do and see on a trip to New York City. We all have our preconceived notions of the Big Apple due to its ubiquitous place in popular culture. And while we may have seen the city countless times on TV or at the movies, in reality, New York needs to be seen in person to be understood.

With such a wealth of cultural hotspots and landmarks, it can be hard to know where to start. But as a city on the cusp of the zeitgeist New York is constantly changing, so what are the best things to do and see know? Well, read on… 


High Line NYC Image Nan Palmero, Flickr Creative Commons license 

The High Line

New York’s newest public park is also it's most unique. Taking the shape of an old disused railway, the High Line was inspired by a similar project Promenade Plantée in Paris. The 1.5 miles of landscaped gardens offer an excellent way to cross the lower West Side and grant you a different perspective on the city below. There are multiple trendy stalls lining sections of the park that offer everything from gourmet macarons to artwork – you can easily lose an afternoon walking along it.



Image by Franck_Michel, Flickr Creative Commons license 

Chinatown

As the apotheosis of a melting pot, New York has rich influences from every corner of the globe, but there are few places where these international influences are so vividly apparent. Walking through Chinatown in southern Manhattan, you as easily be walking through a market in Shanghai. Discover ingredients you’ve never heard of and cuts of meat you didn’t know existed, all while you enjoy the unique smells and sounds of this atmospheric district.

Brooklyn Flea 

We all know that New York is one of the finest shopping destinations in the world. Fifth Avenue is lined with high-quality shops including some of the world’s premier luxury brands. But away from the high-end boutiques New York also host numerous quality markets selling all sorts of produce. One of the best is Brooklyn Flea. Found in the DUMBO district of the Borough, Brooklyn Flea sells arts & crafts, clothes, antiques, vintage furniture and various other curiosities.

Image by Randy Lemoine, Flickr Creative Commons License

Top of The Rock Observation Deck

While the Empire State Building and the One World Trade Center may be the tallest and most famous buildings in the city, the best views are found elsewhere. The Top of the Rock Observation Deck, is as its name suggests, is found atop the Rockefeller Center and has the best panoramic views in the city by far. 

Elma Humpries is a content writer, photographer, and blogger. She loves exploring the world and discovering new cultures and food.

Win A Chocolate Hamper Ends 16/11

Today I am running a lovely competition with my readers in collaboration with nine lovely blogging friends. We have joined forces to offer a delicious Thorntons hamper, full of goodies to one lucky winner. Due to availability the image used for the prize may not be the exact item but we can promise that the prize will have an RRP of around £45. So just who are the bloggers offering up this prize? 





Futures | Petit Moi Big World | The Diary of a Jewellery Lover | My Life as Mummy | Being Tilly's Mummy | EmmaDrew.Info | Testing Time Blog | Life in a Break Down | UK Bloggers 

So how do you enter? Well all you need to do is answer the question: "What is your favourite chocolate?"  in the Rafflecopter form below. We would also love it if you could follow us on social media channels, but that is entirely optional, (although you will get extra entries). Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


SuperLucky Blog Giveaway Linky
As seen on www.loquax.co.uk

Get The Party Started With An Old Fashioned Cocktail And 31Dover.com

I have to admit I like a nice cocktail, though over the years my tastes have changed. When I was young a Pinacolada was my go-to cocktail, all sweet and coconutty and made with rum . Now I'm older I am more of a whiskey or tequila based cocktail girl. A Margarita is one of my favourites, made with tequila, the sharpness of the lime and the crusty glass rim dipped in salt makes it a satisfying drink, especially when that strong tequila base hits the spot.

I'm also a fan of bourbon and specifically Jack Daniel's whiskey. Last March on a tour of the American 'Deep South' we ventured to the Jack Daniel's distillery in Lynchburg, Tennesse. It was interesting to learn the history of the drink and to see how the whiskey was made. The Jack Daniel's distillery has made a range of whiskey from Tennessee spring water for the last 150 years. The classic Jack Daniel's No 7 has an earthy wood flavour, purified by going through a charcoal distillation process and has an edgy warmth as it goes down. It's a great base for whiskey cocktails or is delicious on it's on in a chilled glass with ice.




The Party Starter set £55 from 31 Dover

So when I was thinking of what spirits to buy for Christmas my thought went immediately to whiskey, tequila, and a spirit like a vodka that will take on the flavour of most mixers. A 'Party Starter' pack from 31Dover.com has exactly that in the package and is great for recreating delicious cocktails.

31Dover.com is an award-winning online drinks merchant selling a wide range of alcohol including champagne, wine, spirits, craft beers, cider, and liqueurs. Based at 31 Dover Street in London in 2015 it was named the Best Online Drinks Retailer by the industry's Drinks Business Awards.






The Party Starter pack features Russian standard vodka, Jose Cuervo tequila and Jack Daniel’s whiskey to kick start your house party celebrations. All you need is some orange juice, cola, any other mixers you may like and lashings of ice, and of course, you can always drink neat!

Now a drink I tried recently is a bourbon based cocktail called an Old Fashioned. The name was first coined at the Pendennis Club, a gentlemen's club founded in 1881 in Louisville, Kentucky. It's a simple straight forward cocktail, made with bourbon, sugar, bitters, lots of ice and a twist of orange rind. In my recipe below I am adding a little variation to this with Angostura orange bitters, not normal bitters. These orange bitters available from 31Dover.com adds a lovely flavour to the cocktail.

An Old Fashioned with a Twist




Ingredients

1 sugar cube or 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
2-3 dashes of Angostura orange bitters
2 measures of whiskey or bourbon
plenty of ice
1 orange
cocktail cherry (optional)

Method

1. Put the sugar in a tumbler with a teaspoon of hot water.
2. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add the bitters.
3. Add the whiskey.
4. Stir well.
5. Add ice, and give it another stir
6. Get an orange and take a strip of orange peel off carefully with a sharp knife
7. It's important not to have any of the white pith on the orange as this can be bitter.
8. Rub the edge of the glass with the peel then twist the peel and pop it into the glass.
9. Add a cocktail cherry on a stick if you have one.
10. Sit back and enjoy like Jon Hamm in Mad Men.



31 Dover is brilliant for getting hard to find items like Angostura orange bitters

I li
ve in a small seaside town and I can't get many of the most unusual items to make cocktails, such as Angostura orange bitters, so a site like 31Dover.com is really useful to me. I couldn't find this anywhere so I actually bought them from 31Dover.com, yes bloggers do buy things too! Flavoured from the fresh, sun-ripened peels of Trinidad's oranges, these orange bitters really add an orange zesty taste to any drink.

A site like 31Dover.com has great availability and can save you having to carry the heavy spirits or wine bottles home from a supermarket as well. It's a competitively priced site and perfect for all your alcoholic beverage needs.

With next day delivery as standard and a one-hour delivery option if you live in London, you can get the party started sooner than you think with 31 Dover.

What's your go-to cocktail? Would you use an online site to buy spirits, wine, beer and lager?


* PR sample

Fashion For Autumn/Winter 2016 From Simply Be

When it comes to buying clothes, I must admit there are certain times of the year when I get a bit naughty and splash the cash. Each new season, I browse the magazines for the 'What's Hot' section, devour the best fashion blogs, search online for the newest styles, and drive to Cardiff to go a bit mad with the debit card. I never spend what I can't afford but there is something intrinsically exciting about buying new clothes when the weather and seasons change. 

Recently I have been looking for new brands to follow and one of these is Simply Be. Simply Be clothes are made for ladies size 12 and above that love their curves and the woman they are  Clothes are always flattering, but also designed for the  latest trends. What I love about Simply Be is that the clothes appeal to ladies in the 20's as well as ladies into their 40's and 50's and even older. Delivery is free and next day if you order by 10pm so that is excellent to know. Brand lovers will also be happy as Simply B stock a variety from Ax Paris to Michael Kors, Skechers to Joe Browns.


These are some of my favourite fashion looks from Simply Be this Autumn/Winter 2016.



The Glam Party Dress £60



This little cocktail dress by Little Mistress has a fabulous floral print and is belted to nip in your waist. The skirt is netted for extra fullness and the dress is fully lined. Just add you favourite accessories and you are ready to party. Check out the party dresses here.

The Sparkly Party Shoe £35

When you want something that screams party but also want comfort these beautiful sparkling peep-toe heels come in a wide fit and have a slight platform for that little lift. The bow on the front adds another girly touch. Check out the party shoes here.

The On Trend Jacket £29





Bomber jackets are everywhere this season and this pretty floral print jacket are fab for layering. I'd pair this with skinny jeans and a simple t-shirt to go shopping in town or out for a drink with friends. Check out the coats and jackets here.

The Smart Tunic Dress £39




The pattern on this tunic from Joe Browns is certainly eye catching. Made of brushed jersey it will also keep you warm when it's cold outside and the decorative buttons add a lovely detail. Just add some cosy tights, wedge boots and a warm coat and you are good to go. Check out the cosy dresses and jumpers here.

The Cosy PJS £26




Winter isn't Winter without cosy pyjamas to snuggle up in. The cute Polar bear design will please everyone from your teenage daughter to your lovely mum and the tapered cuffs ensure your legs are warm. They also make a great Christmas gift, who doesn't love new Pyjamas at Christmas? Check out the pyjamas here.

These are my fashion picks from Simply Be this Autumn/Winter. What do you think of the items I have chosen?

*PR collaboration

Ways To Make Money Whilst Travelling The World

Make money whilst travelling the world. Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it but people do this every day, combining their love of travel, whilst funding it through working abroad.

Make sure that your money goes on travelling and enjoyment and not medical bills. It is now easy to secure a good level of travel insurance before hitting the road, with a choice between a signal trip and a multi-trip.

Before you go off to wander the world, there are three important things you should do - Plan, Prepare and Save.



If you have a lust for travel you can make money doing what you love

Plan - where you are going to go, how long for, any injections and visas required and how much money you will need. 
Maybe you want to sell some of your possessions to raise money for the trip, if you don't you may need to put them in storage.

Prepare - think of your skillset and how that will help you find a job. Are you good with computers (programming, website tester) communication (guide, TEFL, PR), people skills (hospitality work), languages (interpreter, guide), and childcare (au pair, nanny)? 
You may want to have a job lined up for your first destination so do some searching online and apply.

Save - it's important to have that financial safety net behind you, so start saving now. Depending on how long you are travelling, it's essential to have a few months savings in the bank until you become established in an area and this will help if you have difficulty finding work.  To make some extra money, sell your old car, any broken jewellery, and items you no longer need to make that financial safety net.

Not sure where to start? Here are my top ways of making money whilst travelling the world below.

Blogging

You can make money from blogging. I know as I do. 
Typically bloggers make money from sponsored posts, affiliate advertising, and social media promotion. 

It helps if you are an established blogger but why not set up a blog about your travels around the world? You do need to put the time and effort in though, writing on a regular basis, promoting your blog and building your following. It's not as easy as some people think but it can be done. You also have the added bonus of documenting your travels along the way.

If you travel blog, you may be invited on press trips. This has the bonus of free travel and accommodation and you may even get paid for it. You will be expected to write about it, and sharing your trip on social media too so it's not an easy job.

Vlogging

If you have skills behind a video camera then set up a YouTube channel and post your Vlogs online. It's important to think about your style, your unique voice and who your audience will be, then build up your following.

You can monetize your Vlogs through YouTube advertising and sponsored content. The more views you get with YouTube advertising the more you will make and generally, brands will look at the numbers following you, the quality of your Vlogs and if you are a suitable ambassador for the brand.

Teaching English As A Foreign Language




You can make new friends teaching English abroad

Teaching English abroad is a viable career choice if you have a good command of the English language. It also helps to integrate yourself into an exciting new country and interesting new culture.


It is, however, advisable to get a qualification to teach English abroad such as the T.E.F.L. (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification. This will help you get a well-paid job in a country of choice and many of the best schools do not consider teachers that aren't T.E.F.L. qualified.

Studying for the T.E.F.L. qualification does not require any formal qualifications and age is not a barrier either as students are from the age of 18 to retirement age.

Virtual Assistant

A Virtual Assistant or V.A. provides professional administrative, technical, or creative skills to clients remotely at the end of a computer. In this day and age, it's possible, with good Wi-Fi, to do this almost anywhere in the world.

You could be updating websites, answering emails, posting on social media or any number of tasks required by your clients.

If you want to find work like this, check out sites such as Elance, Upwork, and People Per Hour.

Work In The Travel Industry


Working on a cruise ship will give you the opportunity to travel as well as earn money

Whether this is with an airline, cruise ship or tour company, working within the travel industry can have the added benefit of free transportation and accommodation too. 

It will depend on what role you are applying for, to what skills you need. Jobs on cruise ships include chefs, shop staff, fitness instructors, entertainment coordinators, security officers, plumbers and engineers. Cabin crew aboard an airline will need a good standard of education and have excellent customer service and organisation skills and have undergone training on safety and security.

Creating A Passive Income




Pin for later

Many long-term travellers are entrepreneurs and have more than one income stream.  Creating a passive income, e.g. income that comes in with little effort on your part can be a very useful addition to your bank balance. 

If you have a blog, advertising can be a great passive income, and many companies are happy to pay for sidebar ads on a quality blog. If you own a property that you are leaving to travel, renting it out can cover your bills. You may not be a millionaire overnight but writing an ebook or online course can create an income stream that will trickle in nicely.

There are many other ways to make money whilst travelling the world, and this post doesn't even cover traditional methods such as bar work or waitressing. As you can see making money whilst travelling can be done, and if you are off on your travels I wish you all the best on your adventure.

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Win A Gift Voucher With Nucasa Ends 25/10

NuCasa is one of those fabulous online home websites that is a secret gem. 

From industrial style lighting to retro Kilner storage jars, hand painted dinner sets to quirky felt wall clocks, NuCasa has it all and brings it all to you in the comfort of your home via a computer screen. It really is that place to get your funky homeware fix. 

I've been browsing the site recently to get some inspiration for the new kitchen I am having and have bookmarked my favourite pieces, especially from the baking section. I can't wait to make some delicious cakes in my new oven, it's so exciting. 


Typhoon Vintage Kitchen Scales  £19.99 


Do you watch the Great British Bake Off, or as fans call it GBBO, like me? 


The appeal of the GBBO, I think is the combination of great baking, talented home bakers, Mary Berry the Goddess of baking, Paul Hollywood's sex appeal (well to some!) and of course Mel and Sue's banter. They always make me laugh. If you watch the show, you will be aware of the news that it is moving from BBC to Channel 4. A total shock for many fans, especially now that Mel, Sue and Mary Berry will not be moving. Bake Off won't be the same but it will survive though and I will still be tuning in. If you love GBBO, check out the bakeware section on NuCasa featuring Mason Cash mixing bowls and jugs and Typhoon vintage kitchen scales, as shown above.

NuCasa also has some great Kilner accessories. Now if you are wondering what a Kilner jar is, it is a rubber sealed screw top jar, originally used for bottling jams and chutneys, and named after the Kilner family who invented it. They are a fabulous brand well know for the usefulness of their products and the retro design. Kilner have been manufacturing their range of glassware since the 1840s so when you see the embossed Kilner logo you know this is an item of premium quality.

NuCasa has kindly sent me a Kilner glass drinks dispenser and a set of drinking jars to keep for hosting the competition below (yes my lucky readers you will have a chance to win something nice soon... just read on).


Kilner Vintage glass drinks dispenser 8L £24.99 

This Kilner glass dispenser is that perfect must have for parties. In the Summer fill it with delicious homemade lemonade or ginger beer and in the Winter fill it with your favourite cocktails which people can dispense themselves from the easy to use tap. The air tight seal keeps drinks fresh and the stylish retro design looks good on your kitchen table. When you want to dispense a drink, unseal the top to let the air in and turn the tap to pour out your scrumptious concoction. A useful addition to your kitchen for entertaining.  



Kilner handles drinking jar glasses - set of 6 £21.99

The Kilner handled drinking jars go perfectly with the drinks dispenser, and can be bought individually or in a set of six. Perfect for summer entertaining, barbeques, Christmas parties and the like, your soft drinks, beer and cocktails can look even more stylish in these funky drinking jars. You can also buy the lids with straws too from NuCasa so that is useful to know.

Today NuCasa are giving my readers a chance to win a £25 voucher to spend on their website. £25 will buy you any of the items featured above and there is lots more choice on their website as well. If you like this competition, enter now on the Rafflecopter widget below and whilst you are here check out my other competitions too. 

Let me know what you would spend the voucher on below. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Terms and Conditions
You must be 18 + to enter .
Open to entrants in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle Of Man and Republic of Ireland.
The winner will be contacted within 7 days of the competition ending.
All prizes are non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives.
If I do not hear from the winner within 28 days I reserve the right to redraw.
Please allow 28 days for delivery. 



SuperLucky Blog Giveaway Linky

As seen on www.loquax.co.uk