Kate Davis-Holmes

Kate Davis-Holmes / July 10, 2018

What to pack in your hand luggage

It’s holiday season with so much to think about including what to pack in your hand luggage. I always find hand luggage so reassuring as your cases disappear into the unknown on a journey of their own, I like to almost cuddle my hand luggage knowing I really do have what I need for the trip. As for my hand luggage of choice, you can’t beat something like an Italian leather shoulder bag as your perfect travel companion.

Hand Luggage

The obvious hand luggage items

If you are travelling overseas you need that passport. Make sure it in date well in advance of your trip and it is a good idea to ensure the thing does not run out for at least six months after the date you plan to return home just in case.

Passport. You won’t get far without it, and make sure it’s valid for at least six months beyond the date when you plan to return home.

Purse with cash and credit cards.

Documents about your flight, accommodation and any transport..

Pens because as we know you always need one when you don’t have one to hand. Hand Luggage

Health stuff

Eyes matter especially when you think of all the sightseeing you will want to do whilst you are away. Did you know aircraft cabins have low humidity so eye drops can soothe red or irritated eyes. Finally ensure you have good glasses and everything you need for your contact lenses.

Think hygiene and remember that just because something looks clean does not mean that it really is so. I think it is a good idea to have hand wash to hand of the antibacterial variety.

Sleep – ear plugs are your friend as you cannot guarantee a noise-free flight. Similarly, do think about having an eye mask in your hand luggage to give you a bit of a personal zone and to aid your naps.

Medications you need.

Hand Luggage

Entertainment and tech

Headphones are good to have to hand so you can listen to your music without disturbing fellow passengers. You may need an adapter to fit the on-board entertainment system outlet port.

Tablets can be fun as they allow you to choose the entertainment that meets your individual tastes.

Phone – thank goodness we have mobiles so can check information online and keep in touch with loved ones

Where tech is concerned ensure you have all relevant power cords, adapters and chargers.

Hand Luggage

Make an entrance

Start the holiday on a great note by arriving rested and looking good. A scarf in warmer climates and a shawl in cooler ones add that sense of style.

Toiletries and I personally ensure I have lip balm and moisturizer with me.

If you have space having a fresh top and perhaps underwear and socks can make you feel absolutely ready to holiday as soon as you land.

I hope you found these tips on what to pack in your hand luggage helpful and I hope you make magical memories whilst you are away perhaps taking an Italian leather tote bag for those day trips whilst you holiday.

What To Pack In Your Hand Luggage

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Kate Davis-Holmes / July 10, 2018

Choosing your dream wedding venue

Choosing your dream wedding venue is just one of the important decisions you have to make when you are planning your big day. I think it is a really vital one as it needs to reflect your individuality as a couple and it has to be suitable for the needs and comfort of your guests. Of course the views of the bride and groom may differ on what makes the perfect wedding venue. I thought I would share some tips on getting it right so everyone is happy. Once you have your wedding venue sorted, you can start building in all those smaller and special touches. Some venues like Cain Manor offer a wedding planner tool to help.

Your wedding venue criteria

It is important not to get carried away when choosing a wedding venue. Locations can look stunning or meet your quirky tastes but they also need to work for yourselves and your loved ones. Will the venue you are looking at hold the number of guests you plan on having comfortably? Give some thought to any particular needs your guests will have particularly if they are elderly or disabled. How far will guests have to travel to get to your venue? Is that asking too much of them depending on the transport links of course? Have you set a budget for the venue? Wedding costs can mount up if you do not plan carefully and marriages starting with debt are stressful ones.

Research

In our digital age, you can do an awful lot of research online rather than trawling around every venue on the plant. Do not just read venue websites which are very effective marketing tools. Look at blogs, Instagram and review sites to get a real feel for the venue. Once all this research is done, you should be able to come up with a shortlist of venues that you want to invest your time and money in checking out in greater details.

Visit

The ultimate way to get to know a venue is to visit. Have a pen and paper to hand as you explore to ensure you don’t forget anything when you get home to discuss matters. If it is OK with the venue, take photos that you can refer back to in the comfort of your own home. After your visit, send an email to the venue including a list of bullet points about your discussions to date. Keep returning to your important criteria as it is so easy to get overwhelmed or carried away. Once back home, compare the venues you have seen. They will all have pros and cons and you have to juggle what your heart and head are telling you.

Your dream wedding venue

It’s a lovely feeling when you are absolutely convinced of your dream wedding venue. Book early so your wedding date does not get booked by another couple. Booking early means a year to 18 months in advance at least. It will often be a longer period for summer weddings and the most popular venues.

As I always advise, make sure your wedding meets the wishes of the bride and groom first and foremost. In an ideal world, you will only have one big day and you don’t want to spend a lifetime thinking you compromised too much and often for guests who may not necessarily remain in your life in the longer term.

Good Luck and all the best for a lovely wedding day.

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Kate Davis-Holmes / July 10, 2018

My dreams of dining in London

I have big connections with London. I was born there although my childhood was spent in Yorkshire after my first 11 months on the planet. My uncle lived there and we would visit him regularly. Later both my brothers lived in London and I remember a lovely Christmas there walking in Hyde Park on a snowy Christmas morning. Dining in London back then was ordering haddock and chips from the local takeaway.

Dining in London is on my mind as I think about my forthcoming milestone birthday. I want to do afternoon tea at the Ritz. It would be a new experience and if I don’t do it now I am not sure it will happen. I love the whole concept of afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches and pastries not to mention scones (however you choose to pronounce that word!) with indulgent clotted cream. I also like the idea of experimenting with different teas as I hardly ever drink tea so that would be a novel experience. Since I will be there for a birthday, champagne will be waiting for me too. When I dine out I like the whole ambience of a place and I like stylish surroundings and the idea of chandeliers and mirrors whilst I luxuriate in a day off sounds just perfect.

I have eaten out in London over the years and my favourite place to eat is the Savoy again because the dining room is stunningly beautiful. The service is so very good. As for the food, it is so difficult to highlight any course that I have enjoyed most as I have never had a bad one. I do recall a particularly inventive cheesecake but then I am a huge fan of any cheesecake.

As I started to write this post I remembered a long held dream to visit Kettners in Soho. Soho always has such a fun vibe to it anyway. However, a family memory is what makes me want to go to Kettners for the first time. My Dad once went out with my uncle and his boyfriend to Kettners after a day at a sporting event. Dad never forgot the fun of that night. As I understand things much alcohol was consumed. My uncle’s boyfriend was quite strait-laced but apparently jumped up and span around a lamp post At the time Dad was married with small children and a busy police career. I think it was a night when he felt carefree and he still spoke about that night in his final year with us.

Taking a look at the Kettners website, it does not surprise me that it has a saucy past. It looks so stylish with mirrors and warm wood furnishings. I love the fact that so many celebrated creative have dined in this place. I had to stop looking at the French-inspired menu as I was salivating at the mere thought of dining in London at Kettners. What started as a bit of a whim to eat there has now become a definite intention. Even better you can stay overnight so it’s time for me to start planning my trip and perhaps incorporating a theatre show too.

Click here if you want to investigate your own dream dining in London experience.

Where would you recommend for dining in London?

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Kate Davis-Holmes / July 9, 2018

What kind of foods do small dogs eat?

Small dogs are not only cute, usually, they have huge personalities. Small dogs are not dolls or toys. Their calorie intake is large as compared to the amount of food they eat.

This is because their metabolism is active and burns food at a high energy rate. Their body surface area is greater as compared to their weight and size, and thus, they need more energy. A small ting dog will need twice as many calories as any Mastiff.

Small dogs (like the Pitsky) have little mouths and little tummies, and therefore, the process of maintaining the high-calorie rate for your dogs become more difficult.

It is better to feed your small dogs two to three times a day. The food for small breed dogs is usually nutrient rich. Their food is rich in fats and proteins and contains a small number of carbohydrates that are easy to digest.

The diet of small dogs should contain a high amount of calcium and phosphorous, as it helps in the growth and development of bones.

Diet for dogs

There are different types of diets that you can give to your small dogs. These diets include:

Wet Food – This comes in pouches and cans. There is a huge variety of wet food available from which you have to choose for your dog. It is a good and palatable option for dogs, but don’t provide anything too much on. However, a combination of dry and wet food is also popular for small dogs.
Raw Food – The concept of raw food has been getting popular in the past few years. The basic concept behind this type of food is that the food dogs consume in the wild is neither cooked nor contain additives. Many people like to make their own raw food diet for their small dogs.
Dry Kibble – This diet is usually a balanced diet that is carefully worked out for small dogs by the manufacturer. You don’t need to add anything additional in this food, however, you should have water available. Some manufacturers of dry kibble make food for special breeds, others make flavors from which you can choose any for your dog.
Organic Food – This food is produced in the same way as human organic food is produced. Organic food of dogs doesn’t come in contact with any chemical at any stage. This food has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years. However, you may find it difficult to find out which brands are actually organic.
Grain Food – In this type of food, you would not find any grain and gluten, as these ingredients may cause allergies in dogs.
Natural Food – You will find many companies and brands that now produce food for dogs using human grade natural ingredients.
Fresh Food – This particular type food items that comes in sealed packaging that looks like a sausage.

Every dog is different and in no way a single nutrition plan or a commercial dog food brand can be perfect for all small dogs. It is better to discuss the diet of your dog with your vet before setting up a proper meal plan.

Kate Davis-Holmes / July 9, 2018

Maximum Effort: Be The Best Parent You Can Be

We all want to do the best for our children. However, it can be difficult because it can feel like you’re being pulled in so many different directions. You have countless responsibilities and commitments that must be upheld. To succeed as a parent and be the best you can be for your kids, you need to focus on more than just them. You need to focus on yourself as well as them. So, let’s start there.

Finding Your Me Time

You have to think of parenting like a full-time job. When you’re at work, you don’t spend your whole time typing at a computer or going over the numbers. You take breaks, and the same should be true when you are a parent. If every waking moment of your spare time is focused on your children, you’ll find that you burn out very quickly.

Instead, you should be taking moments the day to make sure that you have time to breathe and relax. This could mean settling down with a good book or having a long hot soak in the bath. Both could renew your spirit and ensure that the pressures of being a parent don’t take you down.

You should have longer moments for yourself too. Don’t automatically discard the concept of an adult holiday when you are a parent. It could be just what you need.

Don’t Escape

There’s a different behind finding me time and trying to escape from the commitments and responsibilities. Remember, escaping doesn’t even have to mean leaving the house. You can escape simply by being a little too dependent on the glass of wine at the end of the day. Whether your kid is in the terrible twos or the tumultuous teens, a glass of wine at the end of the day can seem like the perfect cure. Be careful though, because it’s a depressant and it can numb you to both feelings and experience their childhood. If you think you’re a too dependant on this, you might want to check out ArcProject.org.uk. It’s easy for a coping mechanism to become an addiction if you’re not careful. At that point, you won’t be giving your kids the parent they deserve.

Interact On Their Level

Lastly, one of the mistakes you can make as a parent is trying to get your child to interact on your level or the level that you think you should be. For instance, you might love sports, but that doesn’t mean your kid’s will. It also doesn’t mean that you should push them in this direction. Instead, you should embrace, encourage and adore what they adore. Get interested and excited about what they love whether that’s movies, art, writing or anything else. One day they will be adults, and your relationship will become a two-way street. For now, though, you need to support their passions and help them grow.

We hope you take this advice and make sure that you are giving your children the parent that they deserve. You can learn more about being the best parent on Telegraph.co.uk.

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