This trip was supported by Stansted Airport, the Moxy and the Pod hotels. Whilst I was required to write a blog post of my experience, all views are my own. Affiliate links have been used when linking to clothing and some travel info.
Affordable Manhattan
I flew to New York City with a group of internet peeps including Fashion and travel blogger Kavita, Vlogger Emily Canham and money blogger Charlotte of Lotty Earns. Our mission? To holiday as affordably as possible without compromising having a good time. Our trip started at London Stansted airport where you can treat yourself to loads of complimentary treatments like hand massages at Jo Malone and beauty treatments at Charlotte Tilbury plus a welcome cocktail and shopping at Oasis, Ted Baker and Next.
Once on the other side, our itinerary took us to central Manhattan for a day and then to Brooklyn for another before heading back. Here’s what we got up to!
![Yes, that’s an Yves Saint Laurent poster in my bag 😏 You can’t go to the museum without picking up one of Yves’ prints, it’s the rules. I remember going 6 years ago and fell completely in love with his colourful collages (which he made annually to wish his friends a happy New Year). I never managed to get my hands on my own one though. This time, 1984 is coming home with me! 🖼 [#visitmarrakech#colorlikecovey#marrakech#exploremore#stsbrights]](http://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/b14b98acf3bf36c294d0e9f9a405b4de/5E5A59BD/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/71530416_175099910336530_4704810264684763804_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=110 "Yes, that’s an Yves Saint Laurent poster in my bag 😏 You can’t go to the museum without picking up one of Yves’ prints, it’s the rules. I remember going 6 years ago and fell completely in love with his colourful collages (which he made annually to wish his friends a happy New Year). I never managed to get my hands on my own one though. This time, 1984 is coming home with me! 🖼 [#visitmarrakech#colorlikecovey#marrakech#exploremore#stsbrights]")
![[gifted items] I suck at holidays. 📒 I spent more time snapping content than reading the content in this damn book. I didn’t do too badly on this trip though. Miraculously I managed to spend a whole half day by the pool! 💦 (Granted there was some Pilates and a massage happened) but otherwise, nada! Anyone find it real tricky to actually do that relaxing thing? 🙅🏻♀️
In other news, this cossie is part of @boden_clothing (the brand I work for) new sustainable swimwear capsule. 👙 I’m really chuffed to see this range grow next year as their swimwear is really high quality and even better when made with recycled plastic. [#liveconsciously#sustainablefashion#consciousfashion#stscolourblocking]](http://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/fac79bcba89803036721acd0f5d76265/5E55E87F/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/73387355_404286310244100_3152829131669429200_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=100 "[gifted items] I suck at holidays. 📒 I spent more time snapping content than reading the content in this damn book. I didn’t do too badly on this trip though. Miraculously I managed to spend a whole half day by the pool! 💦 (Granted there was some Pilates and a massage happened) but otherwise, nada! Anyone find it real tricky to actually do that relaxing thing? 🙅🏻♀️
In other news, this cossie is part of @boden_clothing (the brand I work for) new sustainable swimwear capsule. 👙 I’m really chuffed to see this range grow next year as their swimwear is really high quality and even better when made with recycled plastic. [#liveconsciously#sustainablefashion#consciousfashion#stscolourblocking]")
![🧥 Yesss it’s autumn (sigh) and yesss it’s time to cosy up, but something I’ve never quite understood is the annual ‘need’ for a new autumn coat. 💰 A coat to me is one that lasts with you for years. It’s hardy, it’s thick and made of quality materials, it’s the one piece you might fork out a bit more for. So this girl wants to get her cost per wear down on that shit! That’s why I’m a little saddened to see hundreds of articles come September telling me I must have another. Is last years’ suddenly redundant? 🤷🏻♀️ If I bought a new coat every year, I would own 30. And that’s too many, even for me. Ok so then buying a new one each year means also losing one too, right? But where are all the articles telling me where and how to do that ethically? 🗑 Of course we need new coats once in a while, ones with newer technology, better ones we can afford with higher salaries, ones to replace the worn out ones... but to get one (or more) each year to add to the (literal) pile (on top of my coat stand)? I’m not sure. 🤔 I want to wear mine again and again and make sure they get the use they deserve and when I need to, I’ll treat myself to a new one. What do you think? #liveconsciously#livesustainably#upandautumn#hoorayforplay#happyselves#stsstripes]](http://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/9323473326ea4b3c1996a97b156d959d/5E49986A/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/72530822_2472555833027356_3396323050288297382_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=104 "🧥 Yesss it’s autumn (sigh) and yesss it’s time to cosy up, but something I’ve never quite understood is the annual ‘need’ for a new autumn coat. 💰 A coat to me is one that lasts with you for years. It’s hardy, it’s thick and made of quality materials, it’s the one piece you might fork out a bit more for. So this girl wants to get her cost per wear down on that shit! That’s why I’m a little saddened to see hundreds of articles come September telling me I must have another. Is last years’ suddenly redundant? 🤷🏻♀️ If I bought a new coat every year, I would own 30. And that’s too many, even for me. Ok so then buying a new one each year means also losing one too, right? But where are all the articles telling me where and how to do that ethically? 🗑 Of course we need new coats once in a while, ones with newer technology, better ones we can afford with higher salaries, ones to replace the worn out ones... but to get one (or more) each year to add to the (literal) pile (on top of my coat stand)? I’m not sure. 🤔 I want to wear mine again and again and make sure they get the use they deserve and when I need to, I’ll treat myself to a new one. What do you think? #liveconsciously#livesustainably#upandautumn#hoorayforplay#happyselves#stsstripes]")
![I mean, it’s so wet outside, you may as well join me 🏊🏼♀️💦 (actually don’t, I got a cold the minute I landed... 🤷🏻♀️) [#domainemalika#stscolourblocking#shpbrights#visitmarrakech]](http://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/4d4cc4a7713b1b0bcf26646edad94633/5E584885/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/70555832_2474577216110557_1650940117374274899_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=101 "I mean, it’s so wet outside, you may as well join me 🏊🏼♀️💦 (actually don’t, I got a cold the minute I landed... 🤷🏻♀️) [#domainemalika#stscolourblocking#shpbrights#visitmarrakech]")
![🇲🇦 Marrakech: a photo diary. It turned out that I didn’t do and see as many things as I’d hoped on our trip, but that’s ok because we made a choice - to walk through the Médina (within the city walls) rather than bother bartering with taxi drivers. 🚖🤯 Plus, we managed to rack up over 20k steps a day, mainly from going round and round in circles looking for an ATM or hammam! Surprisingly, we never actually stopped in the souks to properly browse. We did, however, get the chance to really see how people live and get to know the back streets better. 🗺 We must have walked down every path going, and got to appreciate the scale of it all. Next time, I’ll pay that 50 diram for a cab but for now, here’s what I saw on my own two feet 🦶 Don’t forget to save this post for your next trip to Marrakech! 🔖 [#visitmarrakech#marrakechtourisme#marrakech#travellingthroughtheworld#exploremore#idiscoverto#meettheworld#iamatraveller]](http://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/43419087ce8cd28a466c745ab74c679b/5E5EB219/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/71801960_104472860892596_8809435365556905861_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108 "🇲🇦 Marrakech: a photo diary. It turned out that I didn’t do and see as many things as I’d hoped on our trip, but that’s ok because we made a choice - to walk through the Médina (within the city walls) rather than bother bartering with taxi drivers. 🚖🤯 Plus, we managed to rack up over 20k steps a day, mainly from going round and round in circles looking for an ATM or hammam! Surprisingly, we never actually stopped in the souks to properly browse. We did, however, get the chance to really see how people live and get to know the back streets better. 🗺 We must have walked down every path going, and got to appreciate the scale of it all. Next time, I’ll pay that 50 diram for a cab but for now, here’s what I saw on my own two feet 🦶 Don’t forget to save this post for your next trip to Marrakech! 🔖 [#visitmarrakech#marrakechtourisme#marrakech#travellingthroughtheworld#exploremore#idiscoverto#meettheworld#iamatraveller]")
![So @luuccyybee Moroccan wedding was absolutely incredible. Especially that pool... though I was bummed the bride and groom didn’t jump in 😅 Dare me? 🏊🏼♀️💦 [#howihue#autumnwedding#darlingescapes#thehappynow]](http://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/302655ca2c55ed762cb78f996ea8d42d/5E40C3C8/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/71849541_425077788022654_5473886934746297194_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=110 "So @luuccyybee Moroccan wedding was absolutely incredible. Especially that pool... though I was bummed the bride and groom didn’t jump in 😅 Dare me? 🏊🏼♀️💦 [#howihue#autumnwedding#darlingescapes#thehappynow]")