My new job at Time To Log Off!

Ladies and gents, girls and boys, I’d like to introduce you to a very exciting new company called Time To Log Off who run digital detox retreats and resources.

As of a couple of months ago, I’m their new Online Marketing and Social Media Manager which is super exciting. The job is only part-time but that's ideal for me right now and I'm absolutely LOVING everything I'm doing, learning lots about launching a business (our founder has so much experience!), digital detoxes and social media strategy as I go.

Time To Log Off’s mission is to teach people the huge benefits of being 'unplugged' from their tech - there is so much research coming out about the importance of time away from screens (especially for children) and we want to introduce people to that via workshops, talks, resources and retreats.

Our founder, Tanya Goodin, was one of the first women working in digital in the UK and is now one of the first leading the 'unplugging' movement, which I think is pretty damn cool.

Now I know what keen followers and friends amongst you may be thinking: “Um, seriously Rachel? YOU?! The most technologically-addicted person I know? Working for a company that advocates stepping away from your gadgets?” And I can see the irony.

However, through my work I’m also learning just how important it is to take time off from your gadgets and, well, to log off! It’s definitely something I’m working on, and I think it’s really important that we all do.

It is not rare for me to be simultaneously on my iPhone, iPad and laptop, thus not really focussing on anything properly. Did you know we now have attention spans worse than those of goldfish? True story.

Here is a picture of a goldfish who is clearly pretty shocked by that fact:

If you need some more convincing may I direct you to the Resources section of the website, where you’ll find a whole bunch of articles I’ve written about why a digital detox is such a great thing to do (amongst other fun stuff like food).

Oh, and we’re not just about digital detoxes though! Time To Log Off is also really big on yoga, healthy eating, connecting with nature and doing flow activities (like colouring, surfing and knitting.)

And what I’m most excited about is how all these aspects are going to come together on our retreats!

The first one is taking place in Puglia, Italy, in October and I think it’s going to be literally amazing!

I don’t want to reveal tooooo much, but you can have a lookie at the itinerary here if ya like. I think it’s going to be so much fun, albeit a challenge for moi.

So if you, like me, are somewhat concerned that your smartphone addiction is getting out of hand, have a peruse of the website, maybe try the 5:2 digital diet or perhaps even come on one of our retreats.

I’d love to hear what you think of the unplugging movement – do you, like me, think you have an unhealthy digital addiction?

(Oh, and if you wouldn’t mind awfully giving us a lil like over on Facey B and perhaps even a follow on Insta or Twitter that would make me a very happy Social Media Manager.)

Personalised Smythson Fuchsia Travel Accessories

I was recently given a very special present.

Yup, I’m a very lucky girly. And I wanted to share my present with you all not because I wish to brag (that’s the last thing I want to do!), but because, well, preeeeetty.

I don’t know about you but I love to admire pretty things, and I thought this might give y’all some present ideas (or perhaps just give you something to add to your wish-list!)

With plans to travel the world in the very near future and a long-standing love of fine leather goods and anything pink, these Smythson beauties could not be more perfect for yours truly.

As one would expect from Smythson, they arrived wrapped up in the most beautiful of packaging.

I carefully unwrapped the ribbons and delightedly opened the little blue boxes.

Present número uno: The most beautiful passport holder.

Naturally, it’s made from stunning cross-grain calf leather, and everything from the stitching to the embossing just oozes quality.

And get this: IT’S PERSONALISED, PEOPLE!

REH = Rachel Emma Hosie. Feeling pretty snazzy.

One side holds a passport (it’s a perfect fit) and the other side is for a boarding pass. Whenever I fly I always find myself rummaging around in my bag for that flimsy piece of paper all the time, so having my boarding pass snugly with my passport will be much more practical.

Also, the leather inside is literally as smooth as a baby's bottom. So soft!

And because everything’s better in a matching set, I was also given an equally wonderful and equally personalised luggage tag.

There’s one side for your destination and one for your home. So cute, no?

One of the things I most love about Smythson is that everything they make is not only super high-quality and beautiful but also incredibly practical. They do it all, really! (Remember my Smythson notebook?)

I've taken my Smythson beauties travelling for the first time to the South of France (did I mention I'm in France?) which I figured was a suitably chic first destination.

It's so special to have my own personalised travel accessories and I feel utterly spoilt. I'm going to treasure these my whole life.

What do you think?

A mother-daughter day in Southwold {in pictures}

A few weeks ago, Mama decided she wanted to go to Suffolk. We've been going to Norfolk as a family ever since I was really little, yet somehow we'd never made it to the lower half of the sticky-out bit on the side of England. (No, not Wales. The other side.)

So Mama Hosie booked herself a room, I invited myself along, and before we knew it we were in Suffolk.

Oh, you're invited too! Come along and explore one of Suffolk's best-known and cutest seaside towns, Southwold.

We couldn't resist buying a punnet of these gorgeous British strawberries!

Southwold was full of interesting independent shops and the Madre and I particularly liked Collen & Clare. 

Pink sparkly belts? Mulberry bags? I was obviously sold.

It may have been August, but unfortunately the sun did not have his hat on.

We found the most wonderful bakery café in which to seek refuge for lunch though: Two Magpies Bakery.

 

The sourdough was just perf.

I couldn't resist a peruse of a vintage shop...

And the sun even kinda came out! For a bit.

Southwold is great as it is literally right on the coast.

We walked along the beach-huts, choosing our favourites, being blasted by the wind and marveling at the nutters who were in the sea.

We made our way to the pier, which is home to lots of cafés and gift shops.

And a spot of tea and carrot cake with a view of the sea (but sheltered from the wind) was a perfect way to end the day.

Have you ever been to Suffolk? Or maybe you're a Norfolk regular like the Hosies? Let me know!

My Guide to Bristol: Restaurants

So, you've had your lunch and afternoon tea in Briz (from one of my fave places, perhaps), but where are ya gonna go for dindins?

Behold, my fave restaurants in Bristol. Guten Appetit!

The Burger Joint

If you came to visit me at any point during my three years living in Bristol, it’s likely that I took you to the Burger Joint. Quite simply, my fave place to eat in Briz. What I love is that you can create your personal dream burger: choose your bun, burger (including everything from wild boar to veggie patties), toppings, side and dips/sauces.

My usual is a beef burger in a classic bun, topped with roasted red peppers, halloumi and sautéed onions, with sweet potato chips (oh, these chips!), peanut butter and garlic mayo on the side. Promise me you’ll go and you’ll get sweet potato chips with peanut butter? You may be raising an eyebrow at me right now, but everyone who has followed my advice has thanked me for it. Trust.

Also, it’s super affordable, they do student discounts, AND offer free refills on soft drinks. I tend to have at least four Diet Cokes per visit. I also love that if, say, you’re not so hungry, or maybe you’re going out out afterwards and you’re in a bodycon skirt, you can have a smaller burger.

Oh, they also do other stuff like nice-looking salads, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t know how they taste as I couldn’t possibly ever go and not have a burger.


Aquila

A relatively new but creating-quite-a-name-for-itself restaurant, we went to Aquila for my graduation dinner. And it was fabulous. It’s gorgeous inside – really stylish and modern – and the staff are delightfully friendly. The menu consists of yummy Italian dishes and we all loved what we had. I think it’s a great choice for when you want something slightly nicer than a casual student dinner (a graduate dinner, maybe?).


Beerd

If you’re into beer and pizza, Beerd is the place for you. Between you and me I’m less interested in the beer, but I do like me some pizza. It’s top-notch. They also do fab offers such as 2-for-1 Mondays and a fab lunchtime deal: a slightly-smaller-than-normal-but-perf-for-lunch-sized margherita plus two toppings for a fiver.


Maitreya Social

Veggies, this one’s for you. I liked Maitreya Social so much that I wrote a whole blog post about it, which you can check out here. It’s a little further afield and out of the student bubble, but I reckon it’s worth the trip.


The Cowshed

The classic restaurant of choice for a parental visit, the Cowshed, unsurprisingly, is one for the carnivores (although they do have veggie options too.) I actually went there with my galpals to take advantage of their fab three-courses-for-£12 lunch offer after finishing our degrees (check it out) and it was great. It has a lovely interior and the food is top-quality.


The Townhouse

Just across the road from the Cowshed, The Townhouse has an equally appealing offer for early dinner: before 7pm you can get three courses for a tenner, and you can’t argue with that, can you? (Although I have to say I find the portions a tad stingy. I mean, it’s plenty, but I like to eat, what can I say?) The food is lovely and they’re very accommodating – the Townhouse has been the restaurant of choice for many a student society dinner. I recommend the chocolate nemesis.


Tiffins

The owner of Tiffins is an absolute babe. Nick is so friendly, lovely and generous, as are the rest of the staff at this little family-run Indian takeaway. It’s just round the corner from Uni and serves up fab curries – I love the fact that you can mix and match the various meat and veggie options and choose just as much rice as you like. And if you’re feeble with spice like me, they’ll gladly give you some yoghurt to calm down your flaming mouth. Equally, Tiffins pride themselves on using natural, good-for-you ingredients which I obviously love.

So there are a few of my faves! As a student it's safe to say I didn't go out for dinner often and there were so many more restaurants I'd have liked to have tried. Let me know if you have any recommendations or what you think of my choices! I miss Bristol so much I'm definitely going to be making my way back soon.

PS. I realise there are a lot of pictures of burgers in this post. #sorrynotsorry.