April foodie photo dump 📸 Looking at my camer April foodie photo dump 📸 

Looking at my camera roll, turns out April was not only filled with lots of walking, work stuff and days out, but it involved ALOT of good food. Here’s a breakdown:

🍏 @bitestreet enjoying a @fashion.bake bao bun and @gyroguys1 doner meat and halloumi wrap washed down with @saxbys_cider 

🥯 Lots of Sunday coffees and smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels from @clairescottagekitchen 

🐟 Fish finger sandwich and best coffee chats at @clarke_and_dean 

☕️ Delicious iced coffee in the sunshine from @tenhandscafe 

🧁 Savoury and sweet afternoon tea at @olddairyfarmcrafts 

🍻 Stout and ale hauls from @haveigotbrewsforyou 

🍔 Insane blue cheese Mayo burger from @theflavourtrailer at @towcestermillbrewery 

I love looking back on my camera roll and smiling over the memories I’ve made this month. How has your April been? Let me know what food you enjoyed in Northamptonshire or beyond 👇🏻

#NavigatingNorthants #NorthantsFood #AprilPhotoDump #NorthantsFoodie #NicoleNavigates #NorthamptonshireFood #Bitestreet #Towcester #Northampton #NorthantsBlogger #NorthantsBloggers #NorthantsFoodBlogger #AprilFoodPhotos #ThisGirlEats #IndependentNorthants
If in doubt, always put the dress and heels on 💃🏻

Cocktails and dressing up last night with a friend was just what I needed to boost my confidence and luckily Northampton isn’t shy of places to visit on a Saturday night: @vandb_northampton @turtlebaynorthampton @maulecollective and @johnfranklinsbar to name a few 🍸 

Where are your favourite places to head to on a Saturday night in town? Let’s share recommendations below 👇🏻 

#NicoleNavigates #NavigatingNorthants #Northampton #ThingsToDoNorthampton #SaturdayNightNorthants #NorthamptonTown
BiteStreet NN, I’m back baby! ✌🏼 Incredibl BiteStreet NN, I’m back baby! ✌🏼

Incredible line up from vendors like @brokenbonebbq @fashion.bake and @canoodlestreetfood all washed down with some @saxbys_cider 👌🏼 it felt good to be back and my food cravings were satisfied!

Are you heading down this weekend? @bitestreet is on all day today and tomorrow at @northantsccc (let’s just pray the sunshine stays!)

📌 Save this post for things to do in Northampton 

#NavigatingNorthants #NorthantsFood #NorthantsFoodie #BitestreetNN #IndependentNorthants #NicoleNavigatesNorthants #ThisGirlEats #NorthamptonFood #NorthamptonFoodie #EatLocal #EatLocalNN #NNLovesLocal #StreetFoodNN #NorthantsHour #NorthantsFoodAndDrink
Pints of cider, spring sunshine and baby cuddles 👶🏼 (that’s a sitcom episode title, surely?)

Loved spending last night with @thewishfulluxury and @xangrim and of course, baby Emilia for cuddles with her auntie Nicole as we enjoyed the last of the sunshine ☀️ spring is definitely on its way! 

I hope the weather lasts this weekend. Tell me what your plans are and if you’re navigating Northamptonshire or beyond 😍

📍 Check out @towcestermillbrewery who have a fantastic pub garden for this time of year

#NicoleNavigates #NavigatingNorthants #Northamptonshire #Towcester #IndependentNorthants #NorthantsBlogger #TowcesterMillBrewery
We Will Rock You, Northampton 🤘🏻🎸 This w We Will Rock You, Northampton 🤘🏻🎸

This was the first ever musical I saw in London when I was 11 years old and I remember being absolutely blown away by this show that featured the music of my favourite band: Queen ❤️

17 years later and I saw the 20th tour production at @royalderngate last night and it still blew my socks off - also very emotional and touching seeing s full auditorium waving their hands and singing along to “We Are The Champions” 🥲

It’s in Northampton until Saturday and if you’re lucky like me, you might be able to bag yourself a last minute ticket for £20 - yup, you heard me! 👀 

Have you seen We Will Rock You? Wanna know how you can bag affordable theatre tickets in Northampton? Let me know 👇🏻

#NavigatingNorthants #WeWillRockYouTour #RoyalAndDerngate #NorthantsTheatre #Northampton
So Shy reporting for pantomime duty! 💁🏻‍♀️✨

One of my other passions is fooling around on stage making a tit out of myself - if you’re new here, you might not know that most February half terms, I find myself performing for a village pantomime in Syresham (near Silverstone) and this is the first year we’ve returned since the ol’ C word cancelled last years! 

I’ve loved playing this comedic role and it’s been fabulous doing what I love: singing, acting, making people laugh and again… making a right fool of myself!

If you’re local and providing the storms calm down tonight, we have 3 more shows left of Aladdin so come along if you fancy some half term entertainment (including a Saturday matinee!)

Do you have any weird and wonderful hobbies you do outside your regular 9-5 or Instagram life? 🎭✨🧞‍♂️

📍 Come see us at Syresham Village Hall, NN13 5HE - tickets on sale at the door for 7:30pm start (and 2:30pm tomorrow)
AD - PR Gift 🌮 who fancies a takeaway? This ho AD - PR Gift 🌮 who fancies a takeaway?

This home taco kit from @smokeandbraai hit the spot last weekend as everything was *chefs kiss* 👌🏼 life has felt extremely hectic and full on lately, so having this kit delivered with everything you need for a taco night was just what I needed!

The kit contained the following:

🐷 House Dry Rubbed 18 Hour Oak Wood Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Shoulder (sourced from @westlodgefarmfood)
🌮 Handmade Masa Corn Tortilla
🧅 Homemade Sweet Pink Pickled Red Onions
🌶 Homemade Pickled Red Chillies
🧂 Smoked Sea Salt and Lime Crema

The kit comes with full instructions on how to prepare everything (literally took us 20 mins to get everything together) and it had plenty to keep us satisfied and full - maybe too many tacos consumed for me but hey, my eyes are bigger than my belly 👀

Drop them a DM if you’re feeling a taco night and let them know who sent ya ✌🏼 would you fancy trying this?

📌 Save this post for tasty independent takeaways in Northamptonshire! 

#NavigatingNorthants #IndependentNorthants #NorthantsFoodGuide #NorthantsFood #TacoTakeaway
Have you ever visited the Silverstone Interactive Have you ever visited the Silverstone Interactive Museum? 👀 

Well it’s well worth a trip if you haven’t! I went a couple of Sundays ago with my dad who is a massive F1 fan. Considering I don’t know too much about the in’s and out’s of motorsport, I found the whole day and experience throughly interesting.

The experience dives into the history of Silverstone and there is so much to look at, read, lots of demonstrations and things to tinker with and plenty of photo opportunities (my camera roll is FULL) 📸 

I paid £40 for two adult tickets plus another £5 to get a souvenir book for my dad and I’d say it’s well worth the money. Be prepared for lots of walking! 

Would this be something you’d like to do? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below! 👇🏻

📍 @silverstoneinteractivemuseum is at @silverstonecircuit NN12 8TN

📌 Save this post for unique days out in Northamptonshire 

#NavigatingNorthants #Northamptonshire #NorthantsDaysOut #ThingsToDoNorthants #Silverstone #SilverstoneCircuit
You can’t stop the beat 🎶 Ad - Press invite You can’t stop the beat 🎶 Ad - Press invite 

Oooh I love a good-feel theatre show! @hairsprayuktour is finally here at @royalderngate and this show has been one I’ve wanted to tick off my theatre-watch list for ages! 😍

It’s a fab show with plenty of singing, dancing, comedy and so many sparkles. It’s only here until Saturday so get yourself down if you can - full review landing on my website today but *spoiler* it’s 5 ⭐️ from me!

Have you seen the show yet or will you be heading down to Royal & Derngate to see it this week? I’m gonna have the songs stuck in my head all day!

#NicoleNavigates #NavigatingNorthants #RoyalAndDerngate #HairsprayUKTour #Northampton #TheatreReview
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Nicole Navigates

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Lifestyle · 23rd May 2019

Some BIG Life Updates!

[AD – Gifted] This blog post contains gifted items from Boden UK.

Oh hello! Are you ready for a chatty, lifestyle post? Well, grab yourself a cuppa and let’s catch up.

Whilst I am so busy focusing on my foodie and Northamptonshire blog posts for Nicole Navigates, it doesn’t leave me with much time to think and talk about things that are happening in my life.

And 2019 has not been short of things happening – there’s been some huge lifestyle changes I’ve gone through already this year.

At the start of the year, I said that I wanted to make 2019 my year of change. I had set myself some goals for the year; some of which I have managed to stick to, others I set out to do but they turned out to be completely different and not what I expected – but all for the better!

I never want my posts to seem ‘boasty’ or as if I am showing off – as I’ve been writing this blog for almost 4 years, I feel there has been a lot of followers who have followed me from the very start of my journey – that’s why I feel I want to share these important milestones and updates with you.

Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates

We purchased our first home

This one has been the biggest surprise of them all, as well as one that has been incredibly challenging, but rewarding.

At the start of the year, Josh and I set out to move out together, but we never expected to buy our first home. It seemed impossible at the time and we were looking for rented apartments and houses for months, as we believed it was the only option for us.

The more we looked, the more we REALLY didn’t want to rent for the next few years and waste our money on something that wasn’t ours. However, we hadn’t realised just how fortunate we were until we made a *very spontaneous* appointment with a mortgage advisor, who spoke to us about our options. Turns out, we were in a better position than we realised.

About 20 minutes after the meeting, our mortgage advisor rang us back and confirmed that we had a mortgage in principal – the first step in buying a house. Then, a few days later, we reserved our plot on a new build!

Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates
Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates

It has honestly been the fastest process ever, from getting the mortgage in principal, to reserving our plot and finally getting our mortgage and contracts exchanged. It now means we are literally 6 weeks away from getting the keys to our own place.

I always said I wanted to move out of home by the time I was 25, but I didn’t think I would be a homeowner before then! It really is a dream come true and I can’t express how excited I am to be moving into our own place, about a week away from my 25th birthday!

Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates

I’ve lost one stone in weight

It might not be obvious to the eye, but for those who may follow me on social media, I have lost a WHOLE STONE in weight – and I am not finished with my weight loss journey.

I wrote a post last year suggesting that I really wanted to sort out my eating habits and weight, as I kept looking in the mirror and didn’t like the look of the person facing me. It’s taken me a bit longer to get in the mind set, but I am finally making progress! 

Someone at work suggested going to Slimming World. I had heard of them and had done a little bit through my mum’s books when she used to go, but honestly, didn’t think it would work for me. 

From the first session, something just clicked and somehow, around being a food blogger, I managed to lose a whole stone within 5 weeks! I never thought I could lose that amount of weight within that time, in a healthy, controlled way.

I have now lost a stone and 3lbs and I’m still carrying on with this ‘lifestyle change’ as cheesy as it sounds – I’ve come so far, but I’ve got a long way to go.

Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates
Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates

However, me losing weight isn’t a vanity thing (though comparing photos now, I look GOOD!) but I’ve actually had quite a few health complications which impacted my decision to lose weight and I felt it was about time I started feeling good about myself – inside and out.

The photos you see featured in this blog post are just a snippet of how my confidence has boosted since I lost a load of poundage. I would had never striked poses like this, this time last year!

Now, I’m in the position where I can still enjoy food, but I don’t feel out of control and don’t feel I’m going to slip up so badly I’m going to gain all the weight back on again. I’m excited to carry on and see how much better I’m going to feel.

Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates

I’ve landed my dream role

I don’t think it’s everyday you can say you’ve landed your dream job, but I am definitely very lucky and still can’t believe I can say this. I have secured THE dream role!

If you follow me on social media, you will have seen me mention about leaving my existing role as Marketing Assistant, but I’ve been keeping quiet on exactly what I’m going to be doing afterwards.

Right now, it doesn’t feel like the right time to announce to the world what I’ll be doing, as the nature of the job I’m going into is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity, hence why I am staying quiet for now as I want to get into the role first before I say anything (obviously family and friends know!)

I won’t be writing a big ol’ blog post about it and to be honest, I’m not really sure how I’m going to *casually* announce it. Whatever I decide, I just won’t be announcing it in such a big way like I have done with previous job announcements before – I did that once and it bit me in the bum when what I thought was a ‘dream role’ ended up being disaterious.

Boden UK green dress | Nicole Navigates

I hope this doesn’t sound too negative – because my new role is really a dream come true and I am BURSTING to say something and am SO FREAKING EXCITED TO START. This means, I will be leaving my Marketing Assistant role on Friday 31st March and will shortly be starting my new role afterwards.

One hint I can give you is that my role will mainly be working from home and remotely… so I will definitely be looking for recommendations on good co-working spaces in Northamptonshire as well as decent coffee shops with good Wi-Fi!

Plus, I’ve already been spam reading Lisa at The Beauty Type & Jess at Jess Who Blog’s blog posts about working from home which have been super useful and inspiring.

Big things are about to happen and my new role is going to give me the opportunity to be more flexible and dedicate more time to Nicole Navigates, which will be a really exciting new chapter.

IMG_4314

 Tell me three things that have happened to you this year which you are excited/proud about!

The photos featured here were taken by Jenn at The Wishful Luxury at Sywell Country Park, where I’m wearing some gorgeous pieces from Boden UK. I was kindly gifted these pieces from a previous collaboration.

Sign up to Navigating Northants for all the latest news, events and foodie inspiration happening in Northamptonshire!

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In: Lifestyle · Tagged: catch up, Chatty Post, First Time Buyers, Lifestyle, New Home, New Job, New Role, Slimming World

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Comments

  1. Clare says

    23rd May 2019 at 11:13 am

    Well done Nicole. Not boasty at all, you’ve got a lot to be excited about and deservedly so! Hope all goes well with the new job!

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      28th May 2019 at 11:13 am

      Thank you Clare xxx

      Reply

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April foodie photo dump 📸 Looking at my camer April foodie photo dump 📸 

Looking at my camera roll, turns out April was not only filled with lots of walking, work stuff and days out, but it involved ALOT of good food. Here’s a breakdown:

🍏 @bitestreet enjoying a @fashion.bake bao bun and @gyroguys1 doner meat and halloumi wrap washed down with @saxbys_cider 

🥯 Lots of Sunday coffees and smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels from @clairescottagekitchen 

🐟 Fish finger sandwich and best coffee chats at @clarke_and_dean 

☕️ Delicious iced coffee in the sunshine from @tenhandscafe 

🧁 Savoury and sweet afternoon tea at @olddairyfarmcrafts 

🍻 Stout and ale hauls from @haveigotbrewsforyou 

🍔 Insane blue cheese Mayo burger from @theflavourtrailer at @towcestermillbrewery 

I love looking back on my camera roll and smiling over the memories I’ve made this month. How has your April been? Let me know what food you enjoyed in Northamptonshire or beyond 👇🏻

#NavigatingNorthants #NorthantsFood #AprilPhotoDump #NorthantsFoodie #NicoleNavigates #NorthamptonshireFood #Bitestreet #Towcester #Northampton #NorthantsBlogger #NorthantsBloggers #NorthantsFoodBlogger #AprilFoodPhotos #ThisGirlEats #IndependentNorthants
If in doubt, always put the dress and heels on 💃🏻

Cocktails and dressing up last night with a friend was just what I needed to boost my confidence and luckily Northampton isn’t shy of places to visit on a Saturday night: @vandb_northampton @turtlebaynorthampton @maulecollective and @johnfranklinsbar to name a few 🍸 

Where are your favourite places to head to on a Saturday night in town? Let’s share recommendations below 👇🏻 

#NicoleNavigates #NavigatingNorthants #Northampton #ThingsToDoNorthampton #SaturdayNightNorthants #NorthamptonTown
BiteStreet NN, I’m back baby! ✌🏼 Incredibl BiteStreet NN, I’m back baby! ✌🏼

Incredible line up from vendors like @brokenbonebbq @fashion.bake and @canoodlestreetfood all washed down with some @saxbys_cider 👌🏼 it felt good to be back and my food cravings were satisfied!

Are you heading down this weekend? @bitestreet is on all day today and tomorrow at @northantsccc (let’s just pray the sunshine stays!)

📌 Save this post for things to do in Northampton 

#NavigatingNorthants #NorthantsFood #NorthantsFoodie #BitestreetNN #IndependentNorthants #NicoleNavigatesNorthants #ThisGirlEats #NorthamptonFood #NorthamptonFoodie #EatLocal #EatLocalNN #NNLovesLocal #StreetFoodNN #NorthantsHour #NorthantsFoodAndDrink
Pints of cider, spring sunshine and baby cuddles 👶🏼 (that’s a sitcom episode title, surely?)

Loved spending last night with @thewishfulluxury and @xangrim and of course, baby Emilia for cuddles with her auntie Nicole as we enjoyed the last of the sunshine ☀️ spring is definitely on its way! 

I hope the weather lasts this weekend. Tell me what your plans are and if you’re navigating Northamptonshire or beyond 😍

📍 Check out @towcestermillbrewery who have a fantastic pub garden for this time of year

#NicoleNavigates #NavigatingNorthants #Northamptonshire #Towcester #IndependentNorthants #NorthantsBlogger #TowcesterMillBrewery
We Will Rock You, Northampton 🤘🏻🎸 This w We Will Rock You, Northampton 🤘🏻🎸

This was the first ever musical I saw in London when I was 11 years old and I remember being absolutely blown away by this show that featured the music of my favourite band: Queen ❤️

17 years later and I saw the 20th tour production at @royalderngate last night and it still blew my socks off - also very emotional and touching seeing s full auditorium waving their hands and singing along to “We Are The Champions” 🥲

It’s in Northampton until Saturday and if you’re lucky like me, you might be able to bag yourself a last minute ticket for £20 - yup, you heard me! 👀 

Have you seen We Will Rock You? Wanna know how you can bag affordable theatre tickets in Northampton? Let me know 👇🏻

#NavigatingNorthants #WeWillRockYouTour #RoyalAndDerngate #NorthantsTheatre #Northampton
So Shy reporting for pantomime duty! 💁🏻‍♀️✨

One of my other passions is fooling around on stage making a tit out of myself - if you’re new here, you might not know that most February half terms, I find myself performing for a village pantomime in Syresham (near Silverstone) and this is the first year we’ve returned since the ol’ C word cancelled last years! 

I’ve loved playing this comedic role and it’s been fabulous doing what I love: singing, acting, making people laugh and again… making a right fool of myself!

If you’re local and providing the storms calm down tonight, we have 3 more shows left of Aladdin so come along if you fancy some half term entertainment (including a Saturday matinee!)

Do you have any weird and wonderful hobbies you do outside your regular 9-5 or Instagram life? 🎭✨🧞‍♂️

📍 Come see us at Syresham Village Hall, NN13 5HE - tickets on sale at the door for 7:30pm start (and 2:30pm tomorrow)
AD - PR Gift 🌮 who fancies a takeaway? This ho AD - PR Gift 🌮 who fancies a takeaway?

This home taco kit from @smokeandbraai hit the spot last weekend as everything was *chefs kiss* 👌🏼 life has felt extremely hectic and full on lately, so having this kit delivered with everything you need for a taco night was just what I needed!

The kit contained the following:

🐷 House Dry Rubbed 18 Hour Oak Wood Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Shoulder (sourced from @westlodgefarmfood)
🌮 Handmade Masa Corn Tortilla
🧅 Homemade Sweet Pink Pickled Red Onions
🌶 Homemade Pickled Red Chillies
🧂 Smoked Sea Salt and Lime Crema

The kit comes with full instructions on how to prepare everything (literally took us 20 mins to get everything together) and it had plenty to keep us satisfied and full - maybe too many tacos consumed for me but hey, my eyes are bigger than my belly 👀

Drop them a DM if you’re feeling a taco night and let them know who sent ya ✌🏼 would you fancy trying this?

📌 Save this post for tasty independent takeaways in Northamptonshire! 

#NavigatingNorthants #IndependentNorthants #NorthantsFoodGuide #NorthantsFood #TacoTakeaway
Have you ever visited the Silverstone Interactive Have you ever visited the Silverstone Interactive Museum? 👀 

Well it’s well worth a trip if you haven’t! I went a couple of Sundays ago with my dad who is a massive F1 fan. Considering I don’t know too much about the in’s and out’s of motorsport, I found the whole day and experience throughly interesting.

The experience dives into the history of Silverstone and there is so much to look at, read, lots of demonstrations and things to tinker with and plenty of photo opportunities (my camera roll is FULL) 📸 

I paid £40 for two adult tickets plus another £5 to get a souvenir book for my dad and I’d say it’s well worth the money. Be prepared for lots of walking! 

Would this be something you’d like to do? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below! 👇🏻

📍 @silverstoneinteractivemuseum is at @silverstonecircuit NN12 8TN

📌 Save this post for unique days out in Northamptonshire 

#NavigatingNorthants #Northamptonshire #NorthantsDaysOut #ThingsToDoNorthants #Silverstone #SilverstoneCircuit
You can’t stop the beat 🎶 Ad - Press invite You can’t stop the beat 🎶 Ad - Press invite 

Oooh I love a good-feel theatre show! @hairsprayuktour is finally here at @royalderngate and this show has been one I’ve wanted to tick off my theatre-watch list for ages! 😍

It’s a fab show with plenty of singing, dancing, comedy and so many sparkles. It’s only here until Saturday so get yourself down if you can - full review landing on my website today but *spoiler* it’s 5 ⭐️ from me!

Have you seen the show yet or will you be heading down to Royal & Derngate to see it this week? I’m gonna have the songs stuck in my head all day!

#NicoleNavigates #NavigatingNorthants #RoyalAndDerngate #HairsprayUKTour #Northampton #TheatreReview
Who’s happy it’s the weekend after what’s fe Who’s happy it’s the weekend after what’s felt like the longest week in January? 🤪

I’ve had such a busy week that I’m looking forward to some down time. I’ve got some bottomless brunch plans today (all will be revealed 👀) and then Sunday is scheduled for some pamper time! 

Throwback to last weekend when I finally checked out the new taproom at @haveigotbrewsforyou in Towcester who have opened their taproom where you can shop AND enjoy a nice sit down drink - defo check it out 👌🏼

Tell me what your weekend plans are in the comments below. Don’t forget if you’re in Northants, you can use #NavigatingNorthants to share your pics (or #NavigatingLocal if you’re based afar) 👇🏻 

#NicoleNavigates #LoveTowcester #IndependentNorthants #Northamptonshire #ThingsToDoNorthants

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