While I will always enjoy an exciting city break or jetting off somewhere a bit more exotic on my holidays, sometimes all we really need is to reconnect with nature and take a break from the noise and stress of every day life. So when Wayne’s birthday rolled around, we knew we wanted to get away but the question was… where?

Cemlyn Bay in Anglesey - Sheltie on beach

We discussed what we wanted from our mini break – a little cottage somewhere along the coast, somewhere without a lot of bustle or a pressing itinerary and fairly remote, somewhere we could take long walks with the dog. Oh yes, we were taking Quito. Our first holiday with the dog was going to be interesting and we weren’t quite sure what to expect! He’s nearly a year old now (time flies, eh?) and getting better with being off the lead so we figured it was time to test the waters, both figuratively and literally.

We ended up booking a little cottage right on the seafront in Cemlyn, on the northern coast of Anglesey. For those unfamiliar with this part of the world, here’s a little map. Anglesey is an island off the coast of Wales (I know that’s difficult to tell from the map below but it’s not actually attached and you get there via a bridge) and so we were basically at the very northern tip of the island. The blue dot is where I live so it took less than 2 hours to get there. Can’t beat that.

Cemlyn Bay Google Maps

Cemlyn, where we stayed, is part of the Anglesey Heritage Coast and owned by the National Trust, having been deemed an ‘Area of Outstanding Beauty’ which means it’s protected from development. We arrived to the cottage around 2 in the afternoon after a leisurely drive, admiring the coastal views on the way and the miles of countryside from every angle. Wales is a beautifully rugged country, with wild landscapes and lots and lots of farmland as you’ll see!

Cows in field, Cemlyn Wales

As soon as we arrived, we let Quito off his lead for a drink and to explore the garden and enjoyed the beautiful views we had right on our doorstep. He was absolutely LOVING IT. It was so cute to watch him tear around in the sunshine in excitement.

Cemlyn Bay Wales - sheltie

The cottage was immaculately clean and we even had two welcome packs – one for us with lots of local goodies like Welsh tea cakes, local honey, fudge and freshly pressed local apple juice and another one for the dog with little doggy snacks, a towel and poop bags! Ha! Such a nice touch.

It was such a lovely day so we decided to not waste any time – we wanted to get out and explore. We took a really long walk around the area and took Quito to the beach. There was so much wildlife and so much gorgeous countryside that I ended up taking over 300 pictures in all (!!!) but have narrowed it down to just my favourites for this post – you’re welcome.

Check out the duck in mid-flight!

Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales - ducksCemlyn Bay Anglesey Wales swan

Needless to say, Quito absolutely loved it.

Cemlyn Bay in Anglesey - Sheltie on beach

After a couple of hours of walking through the countryside, we headed back to the cottage for a well earned glass of wine and a bit of relaxation, enjoying the amazing views from the big picture window.

Cemlyn Bay in Anglesey

The only thing Quito was interested in was the wild rabbits in the garden. It’s okay, no rabbits were harmed in the making of this holiday. We were always with him in the garden to make sure he wasn’t chasing them but he was utterly fascinated by them. Check out that fluffy butt. He looks like an Ewok ;)

Sheltie at window

That evening, we decided to head to the tip of Cemlyn Bay to watch the sun set along the rugged coastline. It was Earth Day so it seemed a fitting way to celebrate our planet. We weren’t disappointed by either the views or the sunset.

Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, WalesCemlyn Bay, Anglesey, WalesCemlyn Bay, Anglesey, WalesCemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales

Love these shots of Wayne silhouetted by the beautiful sky and Quito enjoying the views.

Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales - sunset man in sillouetteCemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie dog watching sunset

The following day, we decided to head for Lligwy Beach – this one sandy rather than the pebble beach in Cemlyn – and about a 30 minute drive away.

Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie on beachLligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie on beach

After playing for a while on the beach, we headed to one of the nature trails to check out the stunning views.

Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales

And then back to the beach for a little off-the-lead time with Quito.

Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie on beach

By this point, Quito was starting to flag as he was so excited, he’d not napped all day and he’d had more exercise in 24 hours than he’d normally have in a few days so we decided to drop him back at the cottage so he could rest for a few hours. We then took the car and headed to Camaes, Almwch Port, Bull Bay and a few little towns around the coast for a bit more exploring.

Amlwch Port, Anglesey, WalesAmlwch Port, Anglesey, WalesAmlwch Port, Anglesey, WalesAmlwch Port, Anglesey, WalesAmlwch Port, Anglesey, Wales

After a bit of playing ball with Quito in the garden when we got home, we settled into a relaxed evening of wine and board games! By this point, my legs were stiff with all the walking we’d done! We’d packed a lot into 2 days and the following morning, we were due to leave sadly!

We really enjoyed our time in this part of the United Kingdom and if you’re looking for a nice getaway and a chilled walking holiday with your dog, this area of Anglesey is perfect. We were so lucky with the weather – it only rained once when we were headed back to the cottage with Quito and by the time he was settled, the sun had come out again. If it’d been pouring rain the entire time, I’m not sure what we’d have done but thankfully, it was a great trip and it felt really good to unplug for a while.

Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales

Is this an area you’d visit? Have you been here before? Where’s your favourite spot to reconnect with nature? I’d love to hear from you!

 

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Cemlyn Bay in Anglesey - Sheltie on beach
Cemlyn Bay Google Maps
Cows in field, Cemlyn Wales
Cemlyn Bay Wales - sheltie
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales - ducks
Cemlyn Bay Anglesey Wales swan
Cemlyn Bay in Anglesey - Sheltie on beach
Cemlyn Bay in Anglesey
Sheltie at window
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales - sunset man in sillouette
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie dog watching sunset
Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie on beach
Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales
Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie on beach
Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales
Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales
Lligwy Beach, Anglesey, Wales - sheltie on beach
Amlwch Port, Anglesey, Wales
Amlwch Port, Anglesey, Wales
Amlwch Port, Anglesey, Wales
Amlwch Port, Anglesey, Wales
Amlwch Port, Anglesey, Wales
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales
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Meet Kimberly
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Amara IBA19 Winner Home Styling
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Ad (Press Sample) There are few kitchen products that are considered absolute classics but there is one that I have lusted after for YEARS and that is the utterly iconic @lecreusetuk large casserole pot. 🤩

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My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up 🥰

#swoonworthy #beforeandafter #dressingroom #makeupvanity #closetgoals
My new rug can't compete with that belly.

Rug is from @laredoute_uk (not an ad) not that anyone cares 😅

#kitchendesign
I've really loved making these pretty reusable Christmas crackers! I'm still in the process of finding cute bits for filling them but they'll definitely be a centrepiece for my table this year!🎄💕

Suggestions for what to fill them with coming soon!

(By the way, I'm not a skilled seamstress so I'm sure my techniques can be improved but just sharing what worked for me 🤗😅)

Let me know if this is something you'd try? ❤️

#swoonworthy #christmasdecor #christmascraft #diychristmas #diycrafts #easysewingproject
On 22 October 2022, I married my best friend! I can't believe it's been a whole year (and one day) I've been calling @2nilup my husband 🥰 We've been together for 15 years now and I simply can't and wouldn't want to imagine my life without him ❤️ 

#youandmeagainsttheworld #2222 

Photography: @violajayphotography 
Flowers: @primroseavenuefloral 
Dress: @camillawithlove
DIY REFILLABLE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS 🎄🎉

I've been thinking about making refillable crackers for so many years now - I just hate the waste the disposal ones create! So I'm so excited I've finally gotten around to starting this project!

I will be sharing more details on how to make them as well as ideas for what to fill them with too so stay tuned for more but in the meantime, what do you think? 

#swoonworthy #diychristmas #christmasdecor #christmascraft #easysewingproject #sustainableliving #ecofriendlyliving
Just wanted to introduce my latest plant baby in my dining room 🪴

It's from @botanique_shrewsbury and it's a Peparomia (I am probably pronouncing it wrong, I keep wanting to say
GUEST BEDROOM REVEAL 🌟

I decided on a whim, 2 weeks before we were expecting visiting family, that our guest bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh.

Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to light a 🔥 under my 🍑 and I managed to clear out the clutter, repaint the woodwork, ceilings and walls and hang wallpaper as well as restyle the room in one week 😅 (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma 😆

This wasn't sponsored in any way but the wallpaper and bedding is from @lauraashleyuk and the paint is @earthbornpaints Peach Baby - everything else I already had!

What do you think of the new look? ❤️

#bedroombeforeandafter #guestroom
#bedroommakeover
#beforeandafter
#bedroomdecor #cottagecore #vintagestyle #victorianhouse #ihavethisthingwithpink #bengalsofinstagram
🔥JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! 🔥

ad | One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit around the fire pit in the evenings with a cold beer 🍻 There's just something incredibly relaxing watching those flames and embers crackle, warming yourself up and taking the edge off falling temperatures as the sun sets!

Thanks to @homefireuk they've made the whole process incredibly easy and enjoyable with their Handy Firepit Bundle which include 2 bags of kindling, 2 bags of natural firestarters and 3 large bags of kiln-dried logs 🪵 for a really great price! 

No more standing around waiting for things to light properly or billowing smoke from wet wood, everything burns beautifully! ☺️ We literally sat around this for hours as the logs last so long, long after the sun set, just chatting and enjoying ourselves! 🥰🍻🔥

Do you love a good firepit in the summer?

#homefire #readytoburn #smokelessbyhomefire #heartofyourhome #logsbyhomefire #summerideas #firepit #gardenideas
San Sebastian photo dump - just a tiny selection 😄

We have had such a fabulous holiday to Basque Country - our first 4 days spent in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, land of pintxos, stunning architecture and some damn good wine.

#sansebastian #travelgram #photodump
A little kitchen reshuffle today so I thought I'd share 🥰

It's been 4 years since we created this space and it's still one of my favourites ♥️

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitcheninspiration #kitchenideas #openshelvingkitchen #kitchenstyling
Ad 🩷 Before and after Deck makeover! 🩷

This little decked patio was looking worse for wear after a wet winter but @frenchicpaint came to the rescue with their beautiful Dusty Blush Alfresco Paint, perfect for all your outdoor projects!

The deck has been a few colours over the past few years but this is definitely the most fun and gives the whole space such a tropical vibe - even in Shrewsbury! 🏝️ 🦩🍹😄

The paint has incredible coverage and was so nice to use - I loved the tools they provided too, especially the oval brush which got into all the nooks and crannies easily!

Let me know what you think of the new colour! 

#frenchicpaint #beforeandafter #deckmakeover #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #outdoorproject
So on a whim I decided to paint the bedroom pink yesterday 😅🩷

This room has been neglected for so long as I've wanted to fully redecorate for about 3 years now but there are always other bigger priorities or a lack of time/energy/money so I keep putting it off 🙃🙃🙃 (tell me I'm not the only one) but happily this didn't cost a penny as I used what I already had although it did take me the best part of a day!

I went through my paint stash and found that I had extra @coatpaints Percy from when I did the living room early last year -- well I'm not one to let something this good go to waste (honestly this paint is absolutely wonderful to work with and has amazing coverage) and my goodness it's just so pretty in here 🥰 I also moved my pink curtains from my office into here and the whole room just glows!

I might actually be able to live with the mural a little longer until the room gets the attention it deserves! Let me know if you like the change ♥️

*For those who are wondering, it used to be white walls and I had grey curtains! 😅

#swoonworthy #bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #bedroomdesign #pinkpinkpink #pinkinteriors
A little photo dump from my recent living room shoot because I still love to dig into the details of a still photo 😄💕

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #photodump
ad How to De-stress at Home in 6 Simple Steps 😊

April has been #stressawarenessmonth and so I've teamed up with the wonderful @frenchbedroom to share a few simple tips in creating a cosy sanctuary at home!

One of my favourite ways to add a feeling of comfort and relaxation is with glorious touchable textures and the stunning Mulberry Silk ruffled cushion from French Bedroom not only looks spectacular but feels incredible too! Pairing this with other feel-good fabrics will add depth to your design and will beg you to sink in and unwind 😍

French Bedroom are also now stocking my own home fragrance brand @swoonworthyscents candles, adding another element of calm with scent to your home. I chose No 02 Sunday Morning for my living room with rejuvenating Jasmine and refreshing pine and lemon notes 🥰

Check out my latest blog post for more tips on creating a relaxing sanctuary in your home via the link in my bio!

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #frenchbedroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #calming #aesthetic #cottagecoreaesthetic
Who needs pancakes when you can have Lemon Drizzle Cake with Lemoncello glaze?! 😉🍋

I've had such a craving for this cake for a while so figured I'd make it today! This is a recipe from @bbcgoodfood and it's rather gorgeous 🥰

#baking #lemondrizzle #lemoncake #bakewithlove #shrovetuesday
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#bengallove #bengalsofinstagram #bengalcat #bengal #catsofinstagram #catlife
Finally managed to get the gallery wall completed in our hallway!

I couldn't have been happier with @violajayphotography capturing our little intimate wedding in October and knew as soon as I saw the photos I had to print them for our home! I admit, I've never been one to hang photos but it's probably because all we ever had after 14 years together was selfies 😂🤷🏽‍♀️ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together 🥰

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? 🤔

#gallerywall #autumnwedding #hallwaydesign #hallwayinspo
✨These little vintage copper pans needed some TLC! ✨

After searching for a while for vintage copper pans, I found these on eBay - they looked quite grim on the ad but I knew they could be shined up nicely! A little @barkeepersfriend later (not an ad!) and I'm loving how they look in my kitchen 🥰

Let me know if you like the new addition ❤️

#kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #vintagestyle #kitchenstyling
Oh hey living room, nice to have you back ☺️

I always feel very ready to remove the excess of Christmas decor pretty much as soon as the 26th arrives but I've been later than usual this Twixmas as we've both been unwell the last couple weeks 🤦🏽‍♀️ Nevertheless, I've managed to get things packed away and I styled this little faux arrangement today for my coffee table so ya know, small victories 😄🙌🏽

#livingroom #livingroominspo #fauxflowers #coffeetabledecor