Easter Spent in Las Vegas!

I wanted to do a quick holiday summery, I cannot believe that a week has already gone by and before I know it I will be back at school! So this was the first time I have ever been in Vegas and wow, what an experience it was! It certainly is a crazy place and it seems that the longer I spent there the more insane it became! 

I began by stepping off the Virgin Atlantic plane, which I had been on for the best of 12 hours into the hot sun of the desert. It was around 3pm which was a perfect time to arrive in order to find my feet and get some dinner. We all were extremely tired from getting off the flight, so it was a quiet and early night. Saying that though it is certainly a city that never sleeps so it was packed even at midnight. 

Our room was amazing, we were lucky enough to get an upgrade on arrival so we got to check out our terrace one bedroom room. It had sliding glass doors which opened to an oversized private terrace, this gave wonderful views from our balcony to Las Vegas. A decadent bathroom which featured a Japanese soaking tub. Not to mention the living room and kitchen, to be honest you could live in this room, there would be no need to leave!

View from our pool

The hotel has three pools, we only visited two of them, mainly because one of them was a day club which would have been awesome to visit but it cost mega bucks to get in, so we thought we would save our money for something else.

So Las Vegas strip is mental, it is huge! We decided that we would walk to the famous sign just along the strip. This although doesn't seem too far away it was, especially in the hot dry heat of the desert! When we finally got there it was great, from always seeing the sign in places and finally being able to stand underneath it.

We made it to the sign!

On Tuesday - wow that was a week ago! Where did the time fly?! We visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We got on a helicopter to go as it cut the travelling time and allowed us to experience it at sun set and flying back over the strip on the way back was amazing!

The Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam

Me at The Grand Canyon

Flying over the Strip at night. 

Me on the helicopter

I then spent the rest of the week relaxing, sunbathing and doing a little bit of gambling. I'm not a gambler, but you cannot got to Vegas and not have a little flutter. The week really whizzed by and I had a fabulous time. I'm just a little disappointed that it is all over, it seems to be that you pay so much for your holiday and wait so long for it to arrive, then when it does it's all over with a blink of an eye. 

I also managed to do some make up shopping while I was away, look out for some reviews for these on here once I have used them. 

I am now sitting at thinking about my next holiday, not that I have paid for it yet! But I will be off in December and that seems a life time away now! Unfortunately on the book front I read very little. I think that this was down to being somewhere new and exciting, there was so much to explore! I do have another week off work though so will be catching up with the reading now I am at home. 

Anyway I am sorry it's not a bookish post today but I wanted to share my adventure with you. If you are still reading this post, thanks and I hope you enjoyed it. 

Holiday TBR

So I have waited years for this holiday, I think 2 years ago it was being planned, for my Father in laws special birthday. I cannot believe it has finally come round. Tomorrow morning I will be arriving at the airport to check in. Before I headed off I thought after sending a tweet a few weeks ago, asking if anyone would be interested in reading my TBR for my holiday and it being so popular, that I would do one. So here goes... I am going to be taking a mixture of ebooks, audio books and paperbacks. 

Audio Books:

The audio books I have on my kindle and on my iphone that I want to listen to on the plane are:

The Year I Met You - Cecelia Ahern. I am currently in the middle of this audio book, it is one that I really want to get stuck into but never had a long enough period to listen to it. I am hoping this will be a good one for the plane. I think I have about 7 hours left to listen to, so hopefully I would be able to finish this one. 

The Last Anniversary - Liane Moriarty. This is an audio book that I am really looking forward to, however it is over 14 hours long - this is another for a really long plane journey! I am hoping that on the flight home I may get to listen to this one. I do have this in paper back, but I do feel I would enjoy listening to one of Moriarty's books as they are so good! I have high hopes for this audio and I am hoping that the narrator doesn't let me down! 

Ebooks: 

Well I will be taking my kindle away with me so technically anything I have on it that I have not read I may end up reading, however the one ebook I would like to read while I am away is: 

The Secrets Sisters Keep - Sinead Moriarty. I was lucky enough to be able to discover Moriarty last year when I read, Mad about you. This was a brilliant novel, which I raced through. That was the onle book I had read before and I was keen to try others. I that this sitting on my kindle to be read and this is certainly going to be one that I hope to pick up.

Paper backs: 

Paper backs are always a hard choice for me when I go on holiday. I love to actually turn pages in a book and I want to make sure that I have the opportunity to do that while I am away. The thing is that I need to be in the mood normally to read a type of genre and because I am limited to the books I take I always want to know I have one that I will fancy reading. This is why I am normally over my luggage allowance!! So this has been a difficult call for me and I will be taking more than it is possible for me to read, just so I know I am covering all basis. As I am only going for a week too, this means I do have more space in my luggage :D. 

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers - Louise Candlish. This is a book that I have had for quite a few months now, sitting on my TBR pile. I have desperately wanted to read it but it has been way too early to release a review. It is due out near the end of May so I figured I could read it now. This sounds so intriguing that I really can not wait any longer. 

Walk on By - Stacey Solomon. I have decided to take this book with me as I think it will be a quick and easy read. It sounds like they type of read you want on holiday. I have also had this a little while sitting waiting to be reviewed, so this is the prefect opportunity for me to read it. 

Wish You Were Here - Catherine Alliott. This is another book I have had sat on my TBR... I know I am a terrible book blogger but unfortunately life has just got in the way lately. This is another book that is a summery holiday read and I am looking forward to getting stuck in. 

So these are my intended reads for while I am away, these may change slightly, (paper backs) and I maybe adding to them. 

If you have read any of the books I am taking with me, please leave me a comment to let me know what you thought of them, or even to just let me know which book you would start with first. 

Thanks for reading. 

100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas - National Geographic

100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do by National Geographic Society
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'Following up on the enormous success of the "Journeys of a Lifetime" series of travel gift books, National Geographic bring you "100 Countries, 5000 Ideas", a large-format, lavishly illustrated, softcover travel planner. This essential travel companion to one hundred of the world's most fascinating countries is packed with more than 250 big, colorful images, 110 original, detailed maps, and evocative text to inspire your next great trip. Divided into two sections, this book helps you choose destination that suits your interests, how to get there, and what to do. The first part presents a series of charts that helps you pick the best places to visit according to your needs and desires, including the best seasons to go to each country - whether you're interested in a three-week vacation or a long weekend or something in between - as well as a chapter including which destinations are best for children, adventure seekers, history lovers, and the like. In addition to vacation ideas, you'll be given specific airfare costs, approximate cost of a trip, health precautions, and other important tips. The book's second section surveys the one hundred countries - from Argentina to Zimbabwe, and everything in between - describing each one's unique highlights and ideas on what to do while visiting, as well as offering a wealth of practical information to help plan a memorable trip. A special sidebar outlines the pros and cons of each destination. "100 Countries, 5000 Ideas" is an irresistible blend of practical travel information and inspiring ideas - adorned with stunning imagery - to help fuel your wanderlust, and make your dream trip possible.'







This book was bought for me while I was spending some time away in hospital. I am so glad this was given to me, as it kept me entertained for hours.

The book is broken down into different countries in alphabetical order. On each page there is a map of the county, some facts and pros and cons. There is also info on the weather for the best time to visit for different activities.

I cannot actually do this book justice when writing a review as it is so fantastic you have to see for yourself. It has unusual destinations in here, which prompt inspiration and makes you think about these as new places to visit.

I particularly enjoyed reading about the travel guide, such as any medical you need, how long it takes to get there, time difference etc. This is also available on every page for each county. Some countries with greater interest have more than one page dedicated to them, such as China.

The photography in the book is excellent and captures unusual parts of the countries at times, this something from National Geographic you would come to expect.

This is a brilliant 'starting point' book, if you are looking for in depth amounts on each country then this may not be for you. However if you want a snapshot and an idea to give you inspiration, this book certainly will give you that. It makes an excellent addition to any travel library.

I would recommend this book to others, especially those keen on travelling and are perhaps thinking about making a journey that is less touristy. I will definitely be looking into others in the series of the National Geographic as I enjoyed this book so much. I personally shouldn't be allowed near these travel books, as it encourages me to think about my next trip... lets pay for the trip currently booked for first eh?

Top 10 Summer/Travel themed books

I have decided that as I am going away in 8 days on holiday, I would create a list of summer themed/travel books. So I have decided that these are books that I have read or are on my TBR and that include some type of travel, or in a holiday destination. 

I feel that my  holiday cannot come soon enough - I have been waiting ALL summer and our summer vanished long ago. (I am currently sitting typing this in jeans!)

These books are not in any order, just ones that come to mind - If i have left any out or you that thought of better (perhaps I haven't read them, please comment - I need a holiday read :D)


1. Shopaholic Abroad - Sophie Kinsella

2. I heart New York - Lindsey Kelk

3. About a Girl - Lindsey Kelk

4. Save the Date - Allie Spencer 

5. Sleeping Arrangements - Madeleine Wickham

6. L'Amour Actually - Melanie Jones 

7. SOS! I love you - Katina Jones 

8. One Perfect Summer - Paige Toon

9. Postcard Killers - James Patterson 

10. Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop - Abby Clements

Save the Date - Allie Spencer

Save the Date by Allie Spencer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'Family weddings can be hell.

...and, marooned in Italy for her cousin's nuptials, Ailsa can be forgiven for thinking that this one is worse than most. With the bride and groom at loggerheads and the guests in uproar, it is a million miles away from the rest and relaxation she'd been hoping for.

And then suddenly, in the middle of the mayhem, she comes face-to-face with Nick, the man she walked out on just a few months earlier.


How can Ailsa help get the wedding back on track when she and Nick can't stop arguing? But if they do, she might remember why she fell in love with him in the first place - and then there really would be trouble.'




This is the first book I have read by Allie Spencer, and I have to say I found it a comical, light hearted, holiday read.


Ailsa has had an invite for a family wedding in Italy, the problem is she is reluctant to go and hasn’t RSVPed yet. It has been sitting in her kitchen for months and the date is nearing. One night after she has been out with her friend and has returned home, she receives an email. She is not sure who it is from, however she gets more and more insisting on her being somewhere. It all becomes clear that it is her cousin Jess, and she wants Allie to attend her wedding in Italy, to put family issues behind them.

Ailsa has problems of her own and feels that actually it may do her good to get away and accepts the invite and whisks herself off to Italy. Allie is nursing a broken heart with her husband Nick, they weren’t married too long but it was a whirlwind romance that got them to the place they are at today.

The book is written through the eyes of Ailsa, she is a likable and humorous character, it is very easy to get sucked into this book and you feel you are one of Ailsa’s friends with her in Italy, willing things to go her way.

While in Italy all is not plain sailing, there are many family wedding dramas between Jess, her parents and the wedding planner. Ailsa also has her fair share of problems with her ex, Nick and a new canine friend… Arthur.

There was so much going on in this story that kept it well paced and was not confusing. I enjoyed this a lot, I read it exceptionally quickly and was sad when it ended. Allie Spencer has the right balance between romance and humour. I loved that Arthur had his own personality and ended up getting into mischief and even though Ailsa is ‘not a dog person’ ends up forming a relationship with the pup and ends up taking responsibility for him.

The cover is stunning and I must say this was what had me hooked before I even read the blurb. It just screams SUMMER READ to you across the book shop! It makes you want to be away on holiday and you begin to dream about the setting.

One thing I would say is the blurb didn’t encourage me to read this book, I felt that the humour in the novel doesn’t come across through it and I think that’s something that’s important. To be able to write humour with romance I think is a skill in itself and I feel that this shouldn’t have gone unnoticed on the blurb.

The story has a good plot with strong characters, it is rammed with action, drama, romance and heartbreak. This is a perfect summer read for the beach. And if you are not away while reading it, by the end you will wish you were, with it set in a stunning location you will wish you were sipping cocktails and drinking champagne along with the other wedding guests.