Author: beccamarriner
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A Paris Travel Diary: Going Alone for the First Time
In September 2025, I took a solo trip to Paris for the first time. By no means, is it my first time in the city – you’ll find other travel diaries already on my blog – but never had I ventured alone before. The ‘clinamen’ installation at the Bourse de…
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Cinderella for a Weekend: My Stay at Claridge’s
Instead of a palace, picture a hotel room with a walk in wardrobe and balcony. In place of a carriage, a seat in first class on the train to King’s Cross. But I did have a ballgown, a beautiful dress from Sister Jane that I’d finally tracked down on Vinted.…
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Coffee in Paris: Staying Caffeinated in the French Capital
There’s no question about it, I’m definitely cooler in Paris. Who would’ve thought that the self-titled old lady would be caught drinking coffee at 5pm? Being on holiday, all normal routines were out the window, including my early bedtime, so having caffeine later in the afternoon was a non issue.…
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Twenty-Twenty-Five/Survive/Thrive
A few years ago I noted that I was unironically a fan of Mondays. At the time, I was working in a coffee shop that was closed every Monday, so for me, it was a guaranteed day off and when I would complete any necessary life admin and do a…
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The Existential Crisis Persists: A Reflection of 2024
As blogging was supposed to be one of my ‘ins’ for 2024, I probably should’ve tried harder to post this before midnight struck on the 31st of December. However, Cinderella musings aside, I believe it’s a bit easier to reflect on the year gone by when you’re slightly more settled…
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Mornings at the Palmerston
The Palmerston has become more than my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh. It’s somewhat of a safe haven that comes with a delectable selection of bread and pastries. Placed in the top 100 at the National Restaurant Awards this year, it isn’t (and never has been) one of Edinburgh’s ‘hidden’ gems.…
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Coffee in Edinburgh: Lovecrumbs
Isn’t ‘Lovecumbs’ the cutest name for a coffee shop? Located in West Port, just up from the busy Grassmarket, it’s right next door to Edinburgh College of Art (part of the University of Edinburgh) which was convenient for me, back in my music student days. I first went to Lovecrumbs…
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2024; In or Out?
I’ve had this website since early 2018 so I’m pretty consistent when it comes to posting in early January, usually around the anniversary of my domain. This type of post may seem overly familiar to a lot of you, a new year with old promises to myself where all of…
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Edinburgh’s Newest Pastry Spot: Patina
Recently I took a trip to Patina, a newly opened eatery in Edinburgh. Out west in Edinburgh Park, you’ll find this modern bakery, restaurant and bar only a stone’s throw away from the tram stop which for me, was a perfect way to spend the morning of a day off…
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My 2022 Paris Travel Diary
Being back in an airport for the first time in three years was a bit of a surreal experience. Having seen so many videos of lengthy security queues, I was prepared to wait for hours unlike in 2019 but overall I was just so excited to be going on holiday…
Becca Marriner 