The Monday Piece - Graduation 2.0

This week's Monday piece is on graduation 2.0! On Friday I got to graduate for the second time after a long Covid delay. I met with my fellow historian educators and we had the most lovely afternoon celebrating together, I've shared a few snaps below. Nick and my mum came to support me so it felt extra special :).

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The Monday Piece - Travel For Your Zodiac

This week's Monday Piece is on travel for your zodiac! With so many places to travel around the globe, it can seem a bit overwhelming to decide where you may want to visit next.

Your zodiac sign could be the key to finding your ideal destination, as it’s believed an individual’s birth sign can predict which places, we may find the most meaningful, powerful and transformative.

Based on the main traits associated with the 12 signs of the zodiac, travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip has scoured the globe to recommend the ideal destinations to meet all your needs.

Aries: March 21st – April 19thI. International destination: Ubud, Bali

Whether it is ziplining across cliffs, working up a sweat in a dynamic yoga class or taking a sunrise mountain hike, Ubud offers plenty of exciting sports, giving Aries the chance to take charge if they want to lead a team to victory!

Taurus: April 20th – May 20th. International destination: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Known for its vintage boutiques and designer shops, Buenos Aires is not only perfect for those who love fashion — it's also famous for its botanical gardens and outdoor spaces, so Taurus has the best of both worlds.

Gemini: May 21st – June 20th.  International destination: Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is known for its friendliness. Whether you’re interested in prestigious art, white, sandy beaches, or trying some of the world's best coffee, free-spirited Geminis will be sure to get all the culture and chats they need to feel at home.

Cancer: June 21st – July 22nd. International destination: Melbourne, Australia

Whether you’re interested in prestigious art, white, sandy beaches, or trying some of the world's best coffee, free-spirited Geminis will be sure to get all the culture and chats they need to feel at home in Melbourne.

Leo: July 23rd – August 22nd. International destination: Rome, Italy

A flamboyant, decadent city, Rome appeals to' high-end tastes, just like a Leo. Rome is also famous for its operas and theatrical scene, so Leos can attend as many of their favorite performances and shows as their hearts desire.

Virgo: August 23rd – September 22nd. International destination: Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is described as a 'place so clean, even bubblegum is a controlled substance', appealing to a Virgo’s appreciation of order and cleanliness. Just outside the city, there are plenty of thriving mangroves, tranquil parks, and gardens, for nature-loving Virgos too.

Libra: September 23rd – October 22nd. International destination: Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland has been the winner of the most peaceful country since 2008; Reykjavik also has many beautiful mountain walks for those Libras who thrive on fresh air and being outside.

Scorpio: October 23rd – November 21st. International destination: Paris, France

The city of love and passion, also perfect for fact-loving Scorpios as it has some of the highest numbers of museums in the world.

Sagittarius: November 22nd – December 21st. International destination: Auckland, New Zealand

Known for miles of incredible landscapes and hikes, Auckland not only offers Sagittarius' plenty of freedom but the country itself, is also known for its progressive policy initiatives.

Capricorn: December 22nd – January 19th. International destination: Kyoto, Japan

Famed for its Japanese traditions, beautiful surroundings and quality crafts, Kyoto offers many activities to suit Capricorns' diverse hobbies.

Aquarius: January 20th – February 18th. International destination: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is ahead of the game when it comes to technology, sustainability, and research, with plenty of museums full of cultural artifacts and research to inspire the curious-minded Aquarius.

Pisces: February 19th – March 20th. International destination: Majorda, India

Goa is known for its wild music festivals, but this Southern coastal area in India has a serene side, with plenty of quiet beaches and spiritual destinations to appeal to every faith :).

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The Monday Piece - TikTok Famous Cocktails

This week's Monday Piece is on TikTok famous cocktails! I love a good cocktail, Nick often makes us a strawberry daiquiri in the summer and they're dreamy... TikTok has a plethora of posts featuring some very tasty looking cocktails that I'd love to try, especially whilst the sun is shining.

Rank	Cocktail	Number of Hashtags on TikTok
1.	Margarita	395.5 Million
2.	Mojito	252.5 Million
3.	Mimosa	232.8 Million
4.	Martini	147.5 Million
5.	Pina Colada	78.6 Million
6.	Sangria	71.9 Million
7.	Tequila Sunrise	31.3 Million
8.	Moscow Mule	22.7 Million
9.	Daiquiri	21.9 Million
10.	Mai Tai	12.2 Million

Brewsmartly.com can reveal that the most popular cocktail on TikTok is the Margarita, with 395.5 million hashtags.  The classic Margarita contains Tequila, lime juice, and Triple Sec, however there are a variety of modern takes on the original recipe on the social media platform, such as, the spicy margarita!

The Spicy Margarita contains one extra spicy ingredient – Jalapeño simple syrup. This recipe garnishes the rim of the cocktail glass with a mild chilli powder for an extra kick.

The second most popular cocktail is the Mojito with 252.5 million hashtags on TikTok. Another classic cocktail, the mojito is made with a white rum base, lime juice, soda water and mint leaves. The recipes found on TikTok don’t stray too far from the original, only adding fruits such as berries and orange.

In third place, the Mimosa with 232.8 million hashtags on TikTok. Another classic cocktail, the mimosa is made with champagne and orange juice. The recipes found on TikTok don’t stray too far from the original, only replacing the orange juice for apple or adding Chambord.

The Daiquiri is the ninth most popular cocktail on TikTok with 21.9 million hashtags. This cocktail is traditionally made with Rum, lime, and simple syrup. Popular variations of this drink include adding frozen berries and fruits.

Completing the top ten are Mai Tai’s with 12.2 million TikTok hashtags. This cocktails’ ingredients are White and Dark Rum, Cointreau Liqueur, and lime juice, with lime or mint to garnish. 

Honourable mention to these two cocktails that are not derived from the original cocktails mentioned in the top 10. Firstly, the Kinder Bueno Cocktail has 265.7 million hashtags on Tiktok and has become very popular upon the platform in recent months. It contains two Irish cream bases (Baileys and Kahlua), milk, caramel syrup and of course the humble Kinder Bueno chocolate bar.

Jungle Juice (243.5 million hashtags) is a concoction of many alcohol mixers, fruit juices, gummy sweets, fresh fruit, and the chosen alcoholic spirit base. A drink that won’t be found upon a cocktail bar menu but thrives on the social media platform :).

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The Monday Piece - Togo's First Beach Trip

This week's Monday Piece is on Togo's first beach trip! We spent half term in Cornwall so couldn't wait to take the little one to the beach for the first time. He loved the sand and found the ideal shades spot in the cliffs, he looks like a little wild dog. It was a much needed break full of relaxation, we visited lots of coastal towns and enjoyed the chilled way of life by the coast :).

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