What Lyd Did

Horwich, a tiny town just outside of Bolton, is home to lots of charity shops, beauty salons, and cafes, with Chill at The Cowshed being the most beautiful of the latter in my opinion. Shabby chic Cath Kidston-esque decor meets sleek beachy vibes to make a really lovely spot for lunching and chatting.

My mum had kindly gifted me a voucher for their afternoon tea for my birthday, so I booked in to celebrate my new job in style. Straight away I was impressed with the customer service on the phone- the lady was so polite and advised me the best time to visit for a calm afternoon where we wouldn't feel rushed.

a 3 tiered stand with sandwiches and crisps, scones and meringues, and carrot cake buns and mini jars of trifle

Arriving at Chill At The Cowshed, my boyfriend and I were shown to a table for four, which I always prefer to being squashed on a table for two. Our drinks order was taken quickly, and our afternoon tea had been prepared for our booking, so that followed shortly after.

We chose a pot of Yorkshire Tea out of the options of that, PG Tips, or americano coffees, although I do wish that cold drinks were available instead, like the pink lemonade I enjoyed at Dearden Tearooms. The mini strawberry milkshakes that came alongside the afternoon tea did make up for it a little.

When the afternoon tea arrived, it had been laid out beautifully, and both the stand, teapot, and teacups fitted in with the decor really nicely.

an old fashioned floral teacup, cups, and saucers, and two small glass milk bottles filled with pink milkshake and sauce

The sandwich layer did not float my boat. We were given cucumber and cream cheese, plain ham, plain chicken,and egg mayonnaise, and I just found the meat slices to have lumps of fat, especially the chicken one which was a processed slice rather than pieces of roast chicken, so I should have chosen the vegetarian option I was offered on booking.

Surprisingly, the scone tier was my favourite. Ordinarily I'm not keen on scones, especially fruited ones, but The Cowshed got them spot on.

Already generously sandwiched with jam, cream, and strawberries, we had no choice but to eat them like burgers rather than in halves. The scones themselves were soft and tasted really fresh, with plenty of plump raisins throughout, and the juicy strawberries on them were a really nice addition.

scones filled with strawberries and cream on a red poppy print plate beside a pale pink meringue

Alongside the scones were almond meringues sandwiched with chocolate ganache. Personally I prefer a chewy macaron with buttercream or fruit in the centre, but my boyfriend favoured the crisp meringue. They were just the right size for after the scone and before the top tier.

The top tier held a tiny jar of trifle, which was nice to see. I always appreciate something novel, and the cold jelly studded with pineapple pieces was nicely refreshing after the scones, though after all the cream in the scones I didn't need custard and cream on the trifle, too.

Carrot cake buns were also on the top tier, complete with lots of buttercream and little sugar carrots. Really I should have taken mine home as I was already stuffed, but I soldiered on and found the cake to be nice and moist with a good spice.

Overall, not the most glowing review! Perhaps I've been spoilt by the likes of The Garden Kitchen's afternoon picnic with its variety of mini dishes served on a bench, but I wouldn't go back the the Cowshed for afternoon tea.

I would, however, call in for lunch, cream tea, cake, or ice cream at their onsite parlour- providing I'm not barred if they see my review! I looked over the menu while we waited and spotted quite a few dishes I'd like to try, and the decor and atmosphere are definitely worth a second chance.

Have you got a favourite spot for afternoon tea?

a 3 tiered afternoon tea stand with sandwiches, scones, and sweets, and a cup of tea in a vintage floral cup

My family will tell you that I'm something of a Haribo fiend, hoovering up every new release I can find, and harbouring a not-so-secret love for Tangfastics, so when I learned that the Haribo vegetarian line was growing and I could enjoy my fruity sweet treats with a clear conscience, I almost jumped for joy!

The items in this post were sent to me for honest review.

a mixture of Haribo vegetarian sweets in a small glass jar with a green ribbon around it, and pink shredded paper around it. To the left of the jar is a pack of strawberry sweets, rainbow strips on the right, and jelly beans in front.

a close up shot of a glass jar filled with strawberry spaghetti, jelly beans, and strawberry shaped sweets

In the range we have Spaghetti Zing, Rainbow Strips, Jelly Beans, Funny Mix, Giant Strawbs, and Giant Strawbs Gone Mini that are in treat size bags, perfect for your little ones. All of the line is gelatine-free so suitable for vegetarian and Halal diets alike, but be aware that most contain beeswax so are not vegan friendly.

All the packets are labelled as vegetarian to make them easy to grab when you're shopping, and in the case of the non-vegan ones, the beeswax is clear in the ingredients rather than being listed as an E number. The Haribo Rainbow Strips and Spaghetti are vegan friendly.

bags of strawberry sweets and jelly beans sat in a small pink metal bucket, with a yellow bag of rainbow strip sweets beside it

While we're discussing ingredients, let me tell you that the Funny Mix has been revamped to include real fruit juice, and it shows. The mix is made of ice cream cones, strawberries, and my favourite, the cola bottles. They have such a vibrant, tangy flavour that's just like drinking a Coke with plenty of lemon.

My second favourite was the Haribo Spaghetti Zing. I'm a sucker for sour sweets, and both the coating and spaghetti itself were tart. I could happily eat a whole bowl of this!

I also really enjoyed the jellybeans, which had peach, marshmallow, raspberry, blackcurrant, popcorn, and candyfloss flavours under a sweet sugar shell. I couldn't tell a huge difference between flavours, with them all tasting like raspberry ripple ice cream to me, but the texture was spot on.

Unfortunately the texture for the Strawbs and Funny Mix wasn't great. While Candy Kittens have managed to recreate the classic chewy texture of gelatine sweets, the Haribo vegetarian range is much softer and tends to get stuck in the teeth, which is the only downside to these treats for me.

Haribo gelatine-free sweets can be found in supermarkets now. Which pack will you pick?

Home of William Wordsworth, the chocolate box village of Grasmere is still hugely popular with tourists today, and it's easy to see why. It's quaint, picturesque, and has a host of local hotspots to explore and enjoy. I've listed my top five, but the village also has independent art and craft shops, a bookshop, and tonnes of tearooms and eateries to enjoy.

Whether you make a dedicated trip, or visit on your way to Keswick or Ambleside, Grasmere truly is a gem of the English Lakes that mustn't be missed.

Allan Bank

One of my absolute favourite National Trust places, Allan Bank is the best place to make the most of the beautiful views. On a sunny day there's nothing better than enjoying tea and biscuits in the garden, but whatever the weather you are invited to curl up with a book, get creative in their dedicated craft room, or join in scheduled art activities.

The Storyteller's Garden

Taffy Thomas MBE may just have the best job in the world. From the garden across the road from Sarah Nelson's, he tells tales to any children lucky enough to listen. The garden is closed in January, February, and March, but from Easter onwards you can find seasonal family events being held.

Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread

Completely different to the Christmas treat, Sarah started cooking up this spicy treat way back in 1854 and the tiny cottage-turned-shop still has plenty of people queuing up to enjoy their rum butter, mint cake, and classic gingerbread. A chewy base with a crumbly top, it's definitely a local delicacy you have to try for yourself.

Wordsworth's Daffodil Garden

You can find the Wordsworth family graves in a plot in the graveyard, but personally I find the Daffodil Garden a much cheerier way to celebrate the poet and, in early Spring, see the flowers he loved so much while reading lines of his work that are carved into the paving of the garden. It's a really beautiful, peaceful little place.

Dove Cottage and The Wordsworth Museum

Take a trip back in time as you visit Wordsworth's own cottage, and see the rooms where he wrote his famous poetry and his sister Dorothy penned her Grasmere journal.

I've been a member of the National Trust for 5 years now (I've got the car stickers to prove it) and the memberships pay themselves off pretty quickly. They cover parking and entry fees to Trust locations, so in just a few visits I find myself actually saving money, but if you really want your membership card to work hard, follow my tips for making the most of it.

a valley between two hills in the lake district, with 'how to make the most of your National Trust membership' written over the photo in black text

Visit paths and woodlands as well as properties

The National Trust is synonymous with manicured gardens and historic stately homes, but they also own, manage, and protect natural landscapes like Brimham Rocks, Cuckmere Valley, and Tarn Hows, where you can explore the best of our beautiful British countryside.

By having a National Trust membership, you're helping to fund the conservation of these sites, so make the most of them by taking along a picnic and spending time spotting the British plants and wildlife.

Plan trips with National Trust places in mind

As the name suggests, National Trust properties are widespread, so to tick lots off your list it's a good idea to stay a night or two in a location close to a few of them.

When I stayed in The Lakes I knew Fell Foot and Wray Castle were close, and since I had my membership card they were a great, inexpensive way to spend a few hours, and I'd like to plan a break to Llandudno to enjoy another trip to Erdigg and Bodnnant Garden.

Go along to organised events and activities

Bat watching, craft workshops, even yoga and mindfulness, there's always something happening at National Trust properties that will leave you with new memories, souvenirs, or more knowledge about your favourite places.

Allan Bank in Grasmere is an especially good property to enjoy these activities, with a dedicated craft room for you to create at your own pace alongside planned workshops where you can try your hand at felting, embroidery, and more.

Visit in every season

Nature paints the landscape with new colours and textures every season, so where better to enjoy them than National Trust properties, woods, and gardens? One of my favourite places for this is Dunham Massey, Cheshire.

In Spring and Summer I love seeing both the wildflowers and the beautiful gardens, in early Autumn the deer are out in droves, and the whole place is perfectly picturesque under a blanket of Winter snow- plus it's a great excuse to warm up with treats in the restaurant.

Which National Trust property is your favourite?

Like many people, the sight of sunshine has me reaching for the fake tan. I'm a huge advocate for getting my colour from a bottle, as your skin is actually damaged as soon as your skin changes colour from the sun, whether it's brown or red, so it's always best to protect your skin from those harmful UV rays and fake your tan instead. You won't get awkward strap marks that way either!

Preparing to tan

The first step in my tanning routine is to thoroughly exfoliate, especially areas like my ankles, elbows, and knees, which are usually drier. By far my favourite method of exfoliation is a pair of scrubby loofah gloves, I find them to be really thorough. If you find that the tops of your arms get that lovely pimply feeling, these will be your best friends!

Next I moisturise, adding either an extra layer or a thicker one to the aforementioned scaly bits. Once that has fully soaked in (and I mean fully- don't go jumping the gun and getting patchy now) I proceed with my tan. The formula I use depends on the look I'm after and how much time I have. I do prefer to use tans that sink into the skin and develop rather than instant tans that can transfer onto your clothes or sofa, or sweat off during their wear.

a pair of pink sunglasses, a purple fake tanning mitt, and a bronze tube of gradual tan on a white background

Choosing a fake tan
This section contains gifted items*

If I want a darker colour I grab my trusty St Moriz medium mousse. I've used this stuff for years now because I like that the mousse is dark to give you a guide colour, it has a green pigment in it to give you a nice olive undertone, it soaks in pretty fast, and it's super cheap, too. I just shake it up, pump a big old handful onto a tanning mitt, and apply it in strokes rather than rubbing it in. Then I stand with my arms held out while it dries, and hop into bed to let it develop.

In the morning I wake up looking like a ~~bronze goddess~~ mahogany wardrobe, and on more than one occasion my mum has greeted me with "what on Earth have you done to yourself?!". Charming. However, this is just the top layer of tan, and after hopping in the shower it will wash away, leaving a lighter, even colour on your skin, which you can build up by applying another coat in the evening.

My preferred method is a gradual tan. I do find that there is more risk of streaking since they take longer to soak in and don't have a guide colour, but the moisturising base nourishes my skin to add to the healthy glow, and the tan wears off in a nicer way.

I still follow the exfoliate and moisturise steps, but then rub the tan in with my hands rather than using a mitt, and make sure to wash them well straight after. At the moment I'm using the Sunkissed natural gradual tan* which is 95% natural, cruelty free, and smells like a salted caramel coconut dream. Even with the fragrance and rich moisturiser, it hasn't broken me out on my face, which is always a worry when I try new formulas!

I was sent the light-medium shade which is very subtle, so I'd recommend it to my super pale pals or tanning newbies, but they also offer a medium-dark option if you'd prefer a deeper colour.

After tanning

If I have made a mistake and ended up with patches, or worse, the dreaded Tan Hands, I reach for a good old tube of Colgate. It sounds strange, but toothpaste works a treat to scrub away excess tan!

Whichever formula I choose, I usually shave the day after applying it. Many people recommend people shaving between exfoliating and moisturising so you take off any tan as you shave, but my leg hair grows like bamboo so I'd rather take that risk and have smooth legs on the day I'm showing them off.

When I do go out with my new golden skin on show, I make sure to add a layer of SPF, firstly because skin needs sun protection whatever its colour, and secondly because I don't want to get a natural tan and be all different shades at once. My absolute favourite one is Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration, which soaks in fast and feels like any other moisturiser, so there's no excuse to skip this step.

Are there any fake tan tricks I have missed?

Long time readers of the blog will know my battle with blemishes, and how I'm always looking for the answer to my acne scarring. While I know that laser treatment is ultimately the answer, there are things I can do at home to make my skin healthier and happier. My latest love is the Magnitone XOXO cleansing brush, which I was sent in exchange for honest review.

A mint green, rounded triangular device. One point has small raised lines, one has larger lines, and the other has lots of small silicone bristles.

The brush has been made to be totally user friendly. The silicone casing is fully waterproof, easy to clean, and doesn't hold moisture or bacteria like traditional nylon bristles. Both the shape and the silicone make it very easy to hold, even when wet, and the compact size makes it easy to travel with. Unlike similar devices, it's also rechargeable, with a 2 hour charge lasting one month.

There are 3 areas on the brush: bristles for oily skin, small lines for dry or sensitive, and wide lines for massage, so you can choose which works best for you or mix it up depending on your skin's behaviour. All the functions are powered by 8000 micro-sonic vibrations per minute, which can be sped up or slowed down at the click of a button on the device.

To use my Magnitone XOXO, I remove my makeup, apply my favourite Superdrug cleanser, then step in the shower and let the device slowly glide over my face, no need for scrubbing. In my problem areas I chose the bristles, the small lines everywhere else, then finish with a massage all over, focusing on the jawline for lymphatic drainage.

A photograph of me in my grey tiled bathroom wearing a mint dressing gown and white hair turban, holding the magnitone on my face

In all honestly I was a little doubtful before my first use that just a few lines of silicone could really make my face as smooth as an exfoliating scrub, but the sonic pulsations worked their magic and I stepped out of the shower with skin that felt soft, refreshed, yet not at all tight like some scrubs can leave it.

After a few weeks of using the Magnitone XOXO once every other day, I can safely say I'm converted. Using it has almost become a step in my self care routine because it's such a relaxing sensation, and even my family members have noticed the effect it has had on my skin. It's not as puffy, my scarring seems smoother and less angry, and I've found myself using less foundation and concealer.

The only flaw I can find with the design is that the chunky, rounded shape just can't reach the corners of my nose and the pores right beside it, which are trouble areas for me. It would be handy if the device tapered or the bristles continued over the side to make it that bit more precise. Aside from that, my complexion and I are happy bunnies!

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