This year, Royal Ascot takes place from 20th June – 24th June. One of the most exciting events of the racing calendar, it's the fashion though that turns heads and gets us all talking. From black chic dresses to gorgeous maxi dresses, cool fascinators and hats that are works of art, it's important to get your look right, after all you never know if you are going to be papped.

Planning your outfit in advance is highly recommended as Royal Ascot is known for its strict dress code.  Here, Daniel Footwear explains what you should and shouldn’t be wearing this year, depending on which ticket you buy.

Royal Enclosure dress code

If you’re lucky enough to be a member of the Royal Enclosure, you’ll have the strictest dress code to follow. This is what you should and shouldn't be wearing. 

Using magnets in jewellery goes back to ancient times, the Chinese and the Egyptian Pharoahs wore magnetic bracelets as adornment as well as for their therapeutic properties. In fact, even Cleopatra is said to have slept with a lodestone, a naturally magnetised piece of the mineral magnetite to maintain her youth and beauty.


Research is not conclusive however anecdotal evidence suggests that some people feel wearing magnetic jewellery can help with pain relief, in particular those with arthritic conditions.  Magnetic jewellery is safe for the majority of people but there are some conditions where you should not wear magnetic jewellery for example, if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker or any type of electronic medical device. With that in mind if you are suffering from pain due to arthritis then what do you have to lose?

One company that produces magnetic jewellery is Magnetix Wellness. Magnetix Wellness was founded by Dr Petra Doring who after feeling magnets helped her personally started Magnetix Wellness introducing unique and elegant jewellery. Taking inspiration from fashion trends, classical colours and shapes – the jewellery is wearable and complemented with magnetic therapy. 
Win a £50 voucher for Magnetix Wellness

As listed on The Prizefinder, Loquax, Super Lucky, Competition Database

Today on my blog is a guest post by Diane. Diane is the co-writer of The Luggage List and currently lives in the Philippines. Equally, in love with both tropical and mountain life, her travel plans are fueled by the obsession of finding the best possible views at sea or on mountaintops.

Thailand is a country that has captured my heart, for many reasons, time and again. I’ve returned to the Southeast Asian gem several times in the past for the culture and the food, but when I finally visited Chiang Mai it was a game changer.

Chiang Mai is unlike other Thai cities. In Bangkok, Thai culture is overshadowed by massive skyscrapers, notorious traffic, shopping malls, and busy train stations. Head over to the north, and everything changes – for the better.

If you haven’t visited Chiang Mai, let me tell you why you should.

The Art



In Chiang Mai, Thai culture is everywhere but it’s predominant mostly in the art. One trip here will tell you just how talented the Thais are – it seems almost spiritual to them to want to make everything more aesthetically appealing. From stunning graffiti to beautifully decorated barbershop signs, Chiang Mai is chockfull when it comes to art. It’s a feast – both for your belly and the eyes!

The Food

Northern Thai cuisine is exceptional. You’d be hard-pressed to find even a mediocre meal in Chiang Mai. Even famous American chef Andy Ricker relocated to Chiang Mai, and I’m pretty sure part of his reason for moving was to make sure he had easy access to the amazing food the region is known for. We followed Andy Ricker’s top food recommendations when dining out but even the street food is exceptional. There are several northern Thai specialities to try in Chiang Mai that you can’t find in Bangkok or other places. My most memorable meals were khao soi gai (curry soup with egg noodles and chicken), rotisserie chicken done the Thai way, sai ua (Chiang Mai sausages), and delicious pork leg from the world-famous cowgirl fronting the Chang Phueak gate.

The Markets




Chiang Mai is a shopper’s paradise. Unlike Bangkok, there are no big malls but street markets are where it’s at. We spent many afternoons and evenings exploring the maze of markets found around the city, although the Sunday night market at Walking Street was definitely the best. From dried herbs to art and outrageous Thai knick-knacks, the market was perfect for finding lots of unique finds at great prices. Don’t forget to bargain, though – Chiang Mai’s markets are the perfect opportunity to exercise your negotiation skills.

The Temples



The city is literally built around ancient temples. There are dozens of temples to discover as you walk or bike around the city. While Chiang Mai has several popular must-see temples, even the less popular religious buildings are always worth visiting because of the beautiful, intricate details. Thai spirituality is truly evident when visiting Chiang Mai, but the temples are open to all and also make for wonderful photo ops, so don’t forget to bring your camera.

The Elephants



The mountains and forests outside Chiang Mai are home to numerous elephants, but even in the city proper it seems that the local Thais venerate these majestic giants. Elephants are revered, and they are everywhere: from statues to paintings, there are several images of the gentle creatures that seem to remind us just how small we are, and that animals must always be respected. In fact, historically, white elephants are actually status symbols and were viewed as representations of wealth and power.

The Views



Chiang Mai is set against a backdrop of mountain ranges, which can be seen in certain streets especially in the Nimmanhaemin area. The views are magnificent, and visiting rooftop bars and restaurants is highly recommended. On our last day, we had sunset cocktails at Hotel Yayee, a spectacularly designed hotel with a breathtaking rooftop bar. (Tip: Order the Chiang Mai martini!)

The Nightlife

If you enjoy a good party, you can’t go wrong with Thailand’s legendary nightlife. Chiang Mai has several great bars, but what I love about it is the neighbourhood feel. You can walk or bike everywhere and there aren’t any many big buildings except in the city centre. The bars are laid back and friendly, and it’s so easy to meet new people. We visited several different establishments – from the touristy watering holes to those frequented only by the locals.

The Plumeria



I’ve never seen as many plumeria trees as I did in Chiang Mai. In my opinion, I think it’s the most beautiful tree that can adorn any city. Not only do they look gorgeous but they also smell great! There are white flowers as well as a dark fuschia, and they are equally truly a sight to see!




*guest post

Here in the UK, we enjoy a variety of things for breakfast. Whether it is a hot or cold meal, eaten from the comfort of your own home, picked up to eat on the way to work or sitting in a local cafe, there is a lot choice and some great food to be eaten. But which do we enjoy the most? Let’s take a look, shall we?

Cereal

Breakfast cereal is so popular that entire supermarket aisles are dedicated to it. From big name brands to smaller supermarket own produced products, nobody can deny the popularity and obsession the UK has with breakfast cereal. There are constantly TV adverts showing us the same cereal we’ve been eating for the past 10 years and yet the companies are constantly trying to reinvent themselves. We are a proud nation who will carry out bowls, spoons and pints of milk to our graves.

Muesli

As a counterbalance to the more common and general breakfast cereal, muesli has seen a steady growth of popularity. Promoted as having less sugar and generally being better for you, it appeals more to adults than children, so no free toys here. It is a grown-up continuation of our country's love for pouring milk on things in the morning. It has established itself on cereal aisles across the country and thus deserves its own part of this list.

Bacon

When I was a teenager I remember making my beauty products from household items. There was something really satisfying in saving money by making these instead of buying high street products. As I'm already thinking of ways to save money for a big holiday next year, I'm ditching the shop-bought items and going back to basics with these natural beauty products that won't break the bank.

Face Mask



Avocados are one of nature's most amazing foods. Besides being full of monosaturated fatty acids that are heart healthy, they are also nutrient rich. To make a great face mask, mash a quarter of an avocado with 1/2 teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of yoghurt. Apply to your face, avoiding your eyes and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with cool water and your face should be super soft. 

Body Scrub

Never buy expensive body scrubs. Mix two parts of olive oil with one part sea salt and gently rub into wet skin, then wash off. This simple but effective body scrub is great to use on your bumpy areas, feet, knees and elbows and will get rid of dead skin cells, making your skin glow. 
Shaving Oil



Now coconut oil is great on your legs for a natural and simple shaving oil, and smells wonderful too but is expensive although a little goes a long way. For a more cost effective natural shaving oil just use a blended olive oil instead (not the extra virgin one). As well as being relatively cheap it's effective and probably already in your kitchen. 

Hair conditioner

Apple cider vinegar is great to remove the build-up of hair products and leave your hair soft and shiny by flattening the cuticles. Use one part apple cider vinegar to one part water. Rinse your hair with this and leave on for a few minutes. Then rinse off with cool water to get lovely shiny hair. Use once a week for the best effect.

Spot Treatment



If you have a breakout and need a treatment in an emergency, try dabbing a small amount of toothpaste directly on the spot. For a natural treatment use a toothpaste with tea tree oil, or calcium carbonate in but if you are not worried any toothpaste other than a gel toothpaste will generally work. The anti-bacterial properties of the toothpaste will help shrink the spot and also absorb oil. If you have sensitive skin wash off after 20 minutes, if not leave for a couple of hours then wash off. Be careful though as using on a regular basis can dry out the skin.

My travels this year involves a city break in Lisbon very soon, then a trip to Milan, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como to soak up the Italian culture. In August we are off to revisit Iceland on a movie location tour, taking my son who is studying special effects at university.  October brings a trip to New York and Boston to celebrate a big birthday for my husband. I am also very excited to be invited on a press trip to Hamburg where I will be writing about this interesting and vibrant city.

So with all this travelling in mind, my wardrobe could do with a serious revamp. My go to item of clothing for most of my travels is a dress. I love wearing pretty feminine dresses especially in the Summer and team them with Fit Flops, wedges or boots for a funky look. When it gets cooler, I layer my dresses with little cami tops underneath, cardigans, tights or leggings.  So with this in mind, here is my Summer dress wish list for 2017. 
The go anywhere dress