Wellness has been the buzz-word for the past five years, with a drastic rise in individuals seeking life balance, mindfulness techniques, nutrition advice, organic foods, plant-based diets, BPA-free tableware and natural supplements.And this shift of getting to know our bodies more is undeniably a good thing. We're doing our own research and taking our health into our own hands. Whereas 'wellness' used to be something people sought after a health-scare, these days we are taking the mantra 'prevention is the best medicine' as literally as we possibly can.

I can't quite believe I haven't even properly 'announced' this on my blog, but we've MOVED HOUSE!In mid-December, David and I bought our first home together and moved in to a very blank canvas.If I'm totally honest, the move all happened very quickly and we managed to secure a deal on a house that was much larger than we were expecting. We capitalised on the relatively slow market in our area and put in an offer that was much lower than the asking price.After many back and forth negotiations, we got the house - and in we moved.

Yep, I can't quite believe I've just typed that - but all my Christmasses have come at once, my dreams have come true - I've written a book. A real life book with a cover, a spine and 60,000 words. Anyone who knows me personally will know that it's been my ultimate goal to publish a book. In fact, it was my very love for writing that originally inspired me to start this blog. And look at it now!

The Instagram algorithm.Those three little words rattle around the blogosphere constantly and confuse even the most seasoned user of the photo sharing platform. Since Instagram launched in 2010, it has changed its newsfeed from a chronological format (where each post displays in time order) in favour of its infamous algorithm, which claims to organise users feeds based on what it thinks will be of interest.The premise of the algorithm is actually a pretty good idea. A personalised newsfeed of all the photos you'll probably like most, based on what type of content you tend you engage with, which profiles you spend the longest looking at and commenting on and what's popular with other users. 

Digestive health.It's one of those slightly taboo topics that we always brush off as 'feeling sick' or 'stomach-ache', when in actuality, we're often referring to having spent the whole morning sitting on the toilet.Or not having gone in a week and consequently walking round with an inflated beachball in our intestines.I do appreciate why digestive health doesn't get the discussion it should. Because it's not exactly pleasant dinner party conversation. But if there was greater awareness and more of a dialogue surrounding the many issues we may suffer from in our lives that concern our digestion, then I don't think I'd have suffered in silence with my IBS symptoms for so long.

Instagram started out with a relatively simple premise.A picture tells a thousand words, so why not have a social media site that communicates with photographs?In the humble beginnings of the platform, people would post grainy pictures of their breakfast (I partly blame the rubbish iPhone cameras at that point), nights out and maybe a new outfit they'd recently bought.Well, I am speaking from experience.But today, Instagram is a very different landscape.

Now I won't lie to you here and profess I'm the queen of productivity, because this is most definitely not the case.I procrastinate far too much and seem to have made a habit out of causing myself more stress by not using free hours to catch up on work and be productive. Instead I use them to watch YouTube videos and get lost in the minefield of Twitter.But hey, we all do it.

Sandals is the brand synonymous with luxury, honeymoons and romance.So when I was invited on a group trip a couple of weeks ago, alongside fellow bloggers, I couldn't quite believe it.Little old me, who hadn't ever stayed in a hotel back before I started this blog, was being sent to stay at a five star luxury resort with all inclusive activities, food and fun.Er. Pinch me, please. 

I'll be totally honest with you, until a trip to Madeira was suggested to me a couple of months ago, I hadn't heard too much about the Portuguese Island.When I mentioned the upcoming trip to my parents, they agreed it was a place synonymous with the older generation or those who want a quiet holiday.So it's safe to say I didn't really know what to expect, other than no wild parties.But after a 4 hour flight, we touched down in Funchal and were instantly pleasantly surprised.

We're in that weird period between summer and autumn, when we don't quite know if it's sensible to keep stocking up on dresses or a new season coat.It's still so sticky and humid I cannot possibly fathom stretching a woolly jumper over my head just yet. Not sure about you?So naturally, I'm all about the transitional pieces, that are going to look lovely both with bare legs and sandals - and also a jacket and tights once the weather takes a turn.

There seems to be a growing epidemic of needing to be positive 100% of the time.My Instagram (I like to think) is a place of positivity, happiness, kindness and love.I try to keep it as a relatively bright and engaging space where I can inspire others to feel positive.A highlights reel of happiness as it were.But that doesn't mean that I'm ok 100% of the time.