Rachael Thoughts

Following on the tradition, this is an open letter to my daughter, Elsie, on your seventh birthday. I can’t believe we have had seven whole years of you – where has that time gone? This time last year I shared my open letter on your sixth birthday. What are you like right now? You make us laugh every single day – you love telling jokes and your comic timing is spot on. You are still fiercely…

I recently enjoyed my first Hydrofacial so thought I’d share an honest review. I’d never had a Hydrofacial before, but when I saw that Beu.Beauty were looking for models for a discounted treatment, I jumped at the opportunity. As someone with an oily T-zone, congestion, texture and the occasional hormonal breakout, I’m always interested in treatments that promise healthier, clearer-looking…

I recently enjoyed a solo lunch at The Dairy Barn so thought I’d share an honest review. After my wonderfully relaxing solo Mini Spa+ experience at High Hill Farm, I wasn’t quite ready for the day to end. So, on the way home, I decided to treat myself to a solo lunch too. The Dairy Barn has been popping up on my social media feeds for months, and since it was conveniently on my route home, it…

I was kindly given an advanced electronic copy of Too Glam to Give a Damn by Claire Carver in exchange for an honest review.* Screenshot Too Damn to Give a Damn book blurb Three old friends. Three Greek islands. Three big secrets.Sixty, sexy, and ready for a Greek odyssey… To celebrate five decades of friendship, Sofia, Maddie, and Charlotte are headed off for three weeks of Greek island…

Today my handsome husband and I celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary so I thought I’d share an open letter to mark this momentous occasion. My Stevie, Ten years. I genuinely cannot believe we said “I do” ten years ago today. Time really does fly. It feels impossible that an entire decade has passed since that beautiful June morning, yet at the same time, I struggle to remember what life…

There’s something lovely about receiving a beauty box at the start of summer, and Glossybox’s June edit, A Breath of Fresh Air, feels perfectly timed. Inspired by lighter routines, refreshing formulas and effortless beauty, this month’s box is all about simplifying your skincare and makeup while still feeling pampered. With longer days and warmer weather finally here, let’s take a look inside and…

We recently enjoyed a pottery painting session at Inspired Pots in Hexham so thought I’d share an honest review. During our recent staycation in Hexham, we decided to embrace the rainy weather rather than let it spoil our plans. After checking the rather gloomy forecast the night before, we booked a family pottery painting session at Inspired Pots — and it turned out to be one of the loveliest…

The May Awakening Glow Glossybox arrived right on time. There’s something about May that always feels like a reset button. The evenings stretch a little longer, skincare routines become lighter, and suddenly I’m reaching for products that make my skin look healthy rather than simply recovered from winter. This month’s Glossybox theme, Awakening Glow, fits perfectly into that seasonal shift. The…

I recently enjoyed a Mini Spa+ at High Hill Farm so thought I’d share an honest review. With a fortnight off stretching ahead, there was only one thing for it: a little bit of solo indulgence. A spa morning felt less like a luxury and more like a necessity. After doing something similar last year, this time it felt right to try somewhere new. High Hill Farm had been firmly placed on the radar…

I was kindly given an advanced electronic copy of Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson in exchange for an honest review.* Screenshot Hunter’s Treasure book blurb A brand new spicy forced proximity action adventure romcom set on a desert island!Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Jo Segura and Meghan Quinn. One treasure map. Two total opposites. A romance they never saw coming… When Sydney…

I recently enjoyed a bliss head spa treatment so thought I’d share a full honest review. Tucked away in the heart of Lanchester, the Japanese Head Spa Durham is exactly what its name promises — pure bliss. And I don’t say that lightly. This isn’t your standard hair appointment. It’s slower, softer, more intentional. The kind of experience that gently forces you to switch off — something that…

My April Spring Edit Glossybox arrived and, honestly, it felt like a little reset for the season. Spring beauty always leans softer—lighter textures, fresher skin, and products that just slot into your routine without too much effort. This month’s edit really captures that. Everything came packaged in a pink mesh bag (which I’ll 100% be using for holidays), and inside were five products worth…

We were kindly invited to watch Little Red Riding Hood Presented by Northern Ballet at Gala Durham in exchange for an honest review*. This was the first ballet we’ve been to and so I thought the relaxed performance might be best. We hopped on the park and ride bus into Durham, which Elsie absolutely loves (any bus journey is a win in her book). Little Red Riding Hood show information A little…

I was kindly given an advanced electronic copy of The Purpose of Getting Lost by Tracy Smith in exchange for an honest review*. The Purpose of Getting Lost book blurb The Purpose of Getting Lost is a reflective memoir about identity, belonging, and the courage to question the life you’ve carefully built. As Tracy Smith enters midlife—navigating the end of a long marriage, children growing up,…

I recently enjoyed a chocolate truffle making workshop at La Choclatrice so thought I’d share an honest review. There’s something undeniably joyful about chocolate. The smell, the taste, the nostalgia — it’s comfort and indulgence all wrapped into one. So when I booked a truffle-making workshop at La Chocolatrice, I knew it would be fun… but I didn’t quite realise just how lovely the whole…

We recently enjoyed Sunday lunch at Sale Pepe in Shotley Bridge so thought I’d share an honest review. When Steve spotted on Facebook that Sunday roasts were back at Sale Pepe, there was really only one option – book a table immediately. I am a big fan of a proper Sunday roast. Crisp roasties, rich gravy, Yorkshire pudding… it’s my love language. Unfortunately, Elsie doesn’t share my enthusiasm,…

I was kindly given an advanced electronic copy of Harriet Hates Lemonade by Kim McCollum in exchange for an honest review.* Harriet Hates Lemonade book blurb Meet Harriet. But don’t be surprised if she isn’t interested in meeting you.  Harriet has life all figured out, and she doesn’t hesitate to inform others of their shortcomings. Though her attempts to become president of the homeowner’s…