Sunshine in Ses Salines.

Ses Salines, Mallorca

Last minute sun? Oh, go on then. As I was owed some hours in lieu from work, Laura, Clare, Kate and I's plans to take a little trip somewhere (v) hot came to quick fruition and we were boarding a plane to Mallorca in Spain quicker than you could pour a glass of prosecco.

We'd been weighing up the pros and cons of going either all inclusive or opting for something a little more DIY. In the end, we went for our own villa (on airbnb, obvs) in a small town on the south of the island. Ses Salines in Mallorca is known for its salt marshes, so instead of hoards of crowds everywhere we stepped, things were a little more chilled: i.e. exactly what this chick was after. If you're after party ville then I'd suggest you avoid it, but it's a lovely town with a few decent restaurants (more on that below!) and about 10-15 minutes drive to Es Trenc.

Where to eat

Cassai gran café - Let's just say Shoreditch might have hit Ses Salines a little bit. All pastel green, succulents, exposed brick and copper accents, Cassai is a pretty place to while away the evening, serving up instagram fodder that'll fit your feed, no problem. The paellas are massive and very well received, however I opted for the cod loin with potato turbet (apparently a kind of ratatouille, but I thought it was just potato cooked in a tomato sauce with aubergines) which was perfect, without being too heavy.

Mon de Vins - Did someone say tapas? Everyone loves trying as much food as possible, so we treated ourselves to tapas on our final night at Mon de Vins. From the front it looks like a (very nice) wine shop, however step through and out the back and you'll find yourself in a private garden with tables made from old wine barrels, obvs. The beautiful location was matched with just as beautiful food, and I would very much like the pan amb oli shipped over as soon as this can be arranged. Also, wine was €4.50 a glass, which was great.

Where to shop

Cassai - Not content with just being a restaurant, oh no, Cassai have their own homewear and fashion shop across the road. Not great when you're just working with hand luggage (cactus print wallpaper, miss u xoxo), however the perfect place to browse a little, and nab some interiors inspo.

There was also a little gift shop next to the pharmacy who's name I can't remember, helpful I know, but if you're looking for gifts it's a great place to look as I picked up some tiles that I know my mum's gonna love.

What I Wore

H+M cami top, £9.99 (similar here and here). H+M denim shorts: £12 (sale, similar here). Topshop lace up sandals: £10 (sale). Charity shop basket bag: £4. Accessorize tortoiseshell sunglasses: £12.

Photos by Laura.

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City and country.

Townie

City vs country: tale as old as time, etc. etc. When I was teeny tiny, we lived on a road where one end had a park and the other had a golf course, but was a 20 minute walk from the nearest tube stop. Then we moved to the arse end of nowhere a hamlet which had three pubs and no shops. Following that, I moved to Liverpool for university, then my family moved to the edge of a small town, I upped sticks to Munich for a bit (lol) and now I've settled in Manchester for a year and a half. All the above shows when I started to get a bit bored of writing out my life story but also illustrates how I tend to navigate towards cities rather than the countryside.

I find that there's a distinct difference between northern cities and their southern counterparts. Trust me, I love Cambridge, Oxford and Brighton just as much as your average girl, but when you start to edge past Birmingham the pretensions edge off, just that slightly. Where you wear your city as a badge of honour, much like a family crest of arms, when you pay your half a mil for a house in the home counties, there's still pride in Manchester, Leeds, et al., but the badge is more a tarnished pin badge, worn on your lapel among your other loves (probs the Stone Roses). It's just a bit more understated, and people seem to shout about it less. It's taken for granted that you live in the greatest place in the world, so there's no need to text in to the Metro and go on about it.

Anyway, as I'm coming to the v real conclusion that I'm going to stay in Manchester for the next few years for real, this is making me think about the other northern cities I need to get to know better. The above photos illustrate Liverpool (which I definitely don't need to walk any more, but know I'll be back anyway), but I plan on adding Newcastle, Halifax, Harrogate and Hull to my 'places I've been' list before long.

With that waffle over and done with, I'm going to get out of my pyjamas and do something with my Sunday. And yes, that does mean eating a lot.

What I Wore

The Kooples leather jacket. The Last Shadow Puppets tee: £20. Carven shorts: £69 (on sale, similar but cheaper). Claudie Pierlot boots: £172 (on sale). Marks and Spencer bag: £42 (on sale, I see a theme...).

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