Home and Garden Archives - Bright Lights Big City

Film, Fitness, Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Music, Travel, UK, Uncategorized

5 Ways to Navigate Lockdown Two

November 16, 2020November 15, 2020by Rebecca Henderson4 Comments

This 5 ways to navigate lockdown two post isn’t here to tell you what to do. There’s no right way to deal with the lockdown situation, you can do what ever you like. Take no notice of anyone who is saying you should or could be doing X, Y or Z. Lockdown, and this whole pandemic is hard enough without adding any extra pressure to do anything with this time.

Read, don’t read, run, don’t run…whatever you choose to do or not do is EXACTLY what you should be doing.

But, if you’re looking for things to do and fancy a couple of suggestions, here’s 5 ways to navigate lockdown two…

Continue reading →

England, Hampshire, Home and Garden, Lifestyle, seasonal, summer, Titchfield, UK, Uncategorized

Pick Your Own Sunflowers at Hollam Nurseries

August 3, 2020July 31, 2020by Rebecca Henderson8 Comments

Pick Your Own Sunflowers at Hollam Nurseries in Titchfield is in bloom for summer 2020 the first time ever!

Move over lavender, there’s a new flower field in town and they’re taller, yellower and embody summer. Everyone from your next door neighbour to the influencers on your Instagram want in on this new and rather lovely experience.

The rise of the sunflower is in full swing and you’ll find Pick Your Own Sunflower experience popping up at a farm near you. Hampshire already has some amazing offerings!

Continue reading →

Hampshire, Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Portsmouth, Uncategorized

Coastal Remedy, Southsea

July 14, 2020July 19, 2020by Rebecca Henderson2 Comments

Coastal Remedy has a carefully curated a selection of lifestyle, travel, food and literature products that promote wellness. It stocks some really great wellbeing items, that travel, cooking, yoga and interior fans will love.

A shop is a little switch up from my normal travel and food content. But, rules are made to be broken, right?

The shop channels all those travel and wellbeing vibes that connect with what I do here on the blog making it a good fit. Plus, it’s really important to shop locally and support independents. All the different independent business ventures is what make our towns and cities fun and vibrant places to shop, eat, drink and travel to.

Head to Marmion Road in Southsea, to find Coastal Remedy and products that help promote a balance lifestyle.

Continue reading →

Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Uncategorized, Winter

Festive wreath making with Teacups and Tutus

December 23, 2018November 15, 2019by Rebecca HendersonLeave a Comment

I’ve gone wreath mad this year, I’ve already got three up and I am planning a fourth if I have time!

I made my first proper foliage wreath this year thanks to Teacups and Tutus in Southampton who hosted a Christmas wreath workshop with cuttings supplied by Sweet Pea Florists.

Take a look at this festive class and the wreath I created that’s now hung on the door.

Continue reading “Festive wreath making with Teacups and Tutus” →

Autumn, England, Hampshire, Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Portsmouth, Portsmouth Food & Drink, Titchfield, UK, Uncategorized

Pumpkin picking at Hollam Nurseries

October 30, 2018October 4, 2020by Rebecca Henderson3 Comments

This year I went pumpkin picking on a farm for the first time ever. There’s nothing better than spending time with friends and family and I couldn’t think of anything more seasonal to do!

Here’s a look at my afternoon spent in the field picking pumpkins – it will certainly give you an autumn boost as the pictures are rich in colour and sum up this time of year perfectly.

Continue reading “Pumpkin picking at Hollam Nurseries” →

Food and Drink, Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Uncategorized, Winter

How to make Mince Pie Twists

December 21, 2017November 15, 2019by Rebecca HendersonLeave a Comment

We’re all in the thick of it, aren’t we? We’re in the final countdown to Christmas. Wrapping presents, the final shopping trips and of course, some festive baking.

This year I’m off to Australia so I haven’t really had the chance to do much baking this year. Unfortunately everything has been channelled into getting packed and ready for our trip!

So consequently I’ve been looking for a fast and furious festive bake that I can put together in the space of 20 minutes. Thankfully Twitter came to my rescue with a recipe from Jus Rol for some mince pie twists. Here’s the recipe and my first bash at making them.

Continue reading “How to make Mince Pie Twists” →

Autumn, Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

How to make foliage pumpkins for Halloween

October 29, 2017November 15, 2019by Rebecca Henderson6 Comments

This year I wanted to do something different with my pumpkins for Halloween. I’ve seen the trend for foliage pumpkins is on the rise, so I thought I’d try to make some myself. Here’s a little how to guide so you can do the same! Continue reading “How to make foliage pumpkins for Halloween” →

Welcome to Bright Lights Big City!

If day trips and big eats are your thing, you’ve landed in the right place.

I’m Bex, I live in a beautiful county called Hampshire on the South Coast of the UK and I love living by the sea. The county is famous for growing watercress, its maritime history and for being Jane Austen’s home among many other famous literary giants.

I share my travels, great places to eat and as many different and unique experiences as I can with you through this blog.

Take a look around to see what I’ve been up to and for top travel and food recommendations.

Hampshire and Cornwall are by far my biggest sections but new posts are being added all the time, so please sign up to receive notifications of what’s been published lately.

Click on ‘Home’ to see the latest posts. But, if you’re new you might want to head to ‘Start Here’.

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for a specific place, you can also search by location under ‘Destination’.