Wine Tram, Franschhoek

Another reason why so many visitors fall in love with South Africa is their grapes.

Well maybe not just with their grapes, but what they do with their grapes...

Camps Bay: SA Diaries

I never really knew what I wanted to do when I was older.

Casamono, Marbella

In life we have friends. And we have friends.

The Chamberlain, West Hollywood

A couple of months ago I started researching the best places to stay in LA.

With a place made up of over 80 neighbourhoods how do you know which one is the best to stay in?

So I asked you guys for recommendations and everyone had their very own favourite parts of LA along with a few handy hints & tips.

Because after all what's better than word of mouth?

Malibu, For a Day

Our last full day in LA was spent at the beach.

About an hour's drive away is the popular seaside resort of Malibu.


Malibu is 34km of blissful white sandy beaches, stunning beach front homes and a surfer's paradise.

You can see why Lauren Conrad decided to spend that fateful Summer here with Jason and will forever be known as the girl that didn't go to Paris.

Secret Exercising: Runyon Canyon

Back at the hotel, later that afternoon, we changed into something a little more sporty and headed for the hills.

Ever since we landed in LA, the Hollywood Hills have been calling my name.

Tipped to be the best views of LA, I was super keen to visit Runyon Canyon as soon as we landed.

Best part of all, you don't need to make friends with Orlando Bloom or Katy Perry to appreciate the stunning scenes from the Hills.

Best best of all there's a healthy brisk walk up to the top. Time to get Tom to do some secret exercising!

Oak Tree Gun Club Shootin'

On our 2nd day, we drove out of the city leaving glamorous Hollywood behind.

Tom has been wanting to take me shooting ever since our American trip was booked.

We found a gun club  not far from LA and headed to hang out with some locals.

But first, coffee.

LA Exploring

The Blonde B is in LA!

It's my first time on the West Coast of America.

It's day 1 in and I am already in love. I have had such an exciting day I couldn't wait to share it with you all!

Sailor Stripes and Mulberry

The weather in Marbella is scorching.

Not a cloud in the sky!

It's just the right warmth for an Easter Sunday stroll to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin and rosie my cheeks.

Just the right weather that convinced me I needed a new pair of wedges (any excuse!) to match my new sailor stripes

Last Day in Punta Cana

Our last day was mostly spent at the beach.

It was so hot we kept running in to the sea to cool our sweaty bodies off, but even then you didn't feel cool!

The sea was so warm it was like a hot tub!

njkf

JoBro's 21st

This post is a little overdue but the amount of photos I took in Dominican was ridiculous! It's taken me until now to get through them all but here goes...

On the 11th January 1994 this little guy was born.

My baby little brother has been a pain in the ass ever since he was born.

But he's my pain in the ass and nobody is allowed to have a go at him except me!

Jonathan's been lucky enough to spend his birthday in the most exotic holiday destinations and this year was no exception!

Having been out the night before, we woke up the sleepy bear singing Happy Birthday with home-made musical instruments and banging on his door. 

This helps soothe sore head - obvs!

The Pirate Ship Bucket

There was one new thing at the Iberostar which I was most exited about trying. 

The only problem is, I was about 15 years too old!

I don't know what it's proper name was but I called it the bucket. 

Next to the adult pool was this awesome pirate ship water jungle. I would go as far as saying the coolest pirate ship ever!

But you gotta keep an eye on the bucket at the top!

Yup!

AWESOME RIGHT?!

We were apprehensive at first

Scared almost

This was so embarrassing! Little kids spent all day playing under the bucket and three twenty-something year olds couldn't hack it!

C'mon guys! Let's get to it

Later that afternoon, on the other side of the pool side. In the adults pool JoBro joined in a swimming competition.

The Iberostar has a habit of turning every normal competitive sport into a crazy game. 

So it means that when they advertise a swimming competition what they actually mean is you have to swim, do jumping jacks, swim some more, hop around with a ball between your legs, down a glass of beer and pretend your iron man. 

Nothing the brother can't handle!

It was tiring just watching the guys do it!

Unfortunately JoBro didn't win - he was up against Mr Cross Fit on the right who bombed the entire competition. 

 

The parents said he was a winner in their eyes

Aww

Dinner at the Hard Rock was entertaining. 

The music was old school. Songs my parents and Pat actually knew and could sing along to - which they did at the TOP of their voices. 

Unfortunately Nanna couldn't make it tonight. She was feeling a little tired so we ordered her room service instead and left her with a film on tucked in to bed. 

 

 

 

 You don't have to book the Star Rock Cafe - it's first come, first served and a la carte. Basically a spin-off from the Hard Rock Cafe, if you hadn't already guessed!

Embarrassing the kids is optional, but very encouraged!

JoBro walked off twice but he came round when the waiters brought house shots over.

After a couple rounds of pool in the Star Rock Cafe we got a little bored of the old tunes. Mostly because they kept playing the same songs. 

But Pat's little feet were still tapping to the beat. So we waltzed through the lobby to find the live house band playing. 

Being the gentleman he was, JoBro asked the lovely Pat to dance and boy did they have a blast!