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Hello there!

I’m Sophie, a 20-something food and travel blogger writing about great eats and adventures in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and beyond. I’m passionate about good food, independent businesses and making the most of your local area so I hope my stories inspire you to delve a little deeper and discover those hidden gems.

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Eat & Explore

  • Ain't nothing like summer in the city✨ What. A. Weekend. I have had such a bloody wonderful few days 💛 Dan took me to see Hamilton for my birthday and it just as incredible the second time around! 🌟 Then to top it all off, yesterday, my mum and I went to see Harry Potter & The Cursed Child and I am SHOOK. You guys HAVE to go and see it! It was real life magic✨ I'm feeling very grateful (and a little bit tired!) this morning. My birthday week ended so good 🙌🏼 Also please appreciate that I have unintentionally dressed as as espresso martini 😂 Definitely needed this to perk me up after tapas and a bottle of wine before Hamilton! Hope you all had a marvellous weekend 😘 #EatandExploreEverywhere #SophieetcExplores
    sophie_etc
    Ain't nothing like summer in the city✨ What. A. Weekend. I have had such a bloody...
  • Throwback to this delish Agnolotti alla Lobster at Nonna's 😍 Sautéed lobster filled pasta with lots of fresh summer ingredients! I love a seasonal menu 😋 I am incredibly glad this week is over. If I thought my week couldn't get worse, a tyre on my care blew yesterday afternoon 😒 I really didn't want to be become the damsel in distress so got halfway to changing the tyre but one of the nuts on the wheel had smoothed over so the wrench wouldn't grip on it at all. Two people stopped to help and even they couldn't unscrew it. Cue having to call breakdown who came and tore the nut apart to get it off the wheel. Absolute bloody nightmare. Thankfully, I've got an amazing weekend in London planned and I can finally celebrate my birthday properly. Honestly, I think I'm just going to go on holiday next year so I can have a more relaxed birthday week 😅 Tell me your weekend plans! 💛 #SophieetcEats #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes
    sophie_etc
    Throwback to this delish Agnolotti alla Lobster at Nonna's 😍 Sautéed lobster filled...
  • Thank God it's Friday 🎉 It might have been my birthday this week but it's also been One Of Those Weeks. I haven't suffered from anxiety symptoms for a long time but something has triggered me this week and I've been experiencing horrible tingling sensations which usually mean a panic attack is on its way 😒 Thankfully nothing has come to head, but it's definitely a reminder to slow down, breathe and let things go 💭 Here's a photo of Odell's on Stony Stratford high street looking very lovely 🥰 I have loved researching and creating my new Explore Milton Keynes guides because it's given me a new appreciation for my home town. I'm working on the next one at the moment which will be all about Wolverton! 🚂 What other areas of MK would you love to see guides on? 💛 #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes #SophieetcExplores #LoveMK
    sophie_etc
    Thank God it's Friday 🎉 It might have been my birthday this week but it's also been...
  • THANK YOU for all your gorgeous birthday messages yesterday 💛 I had such a wonderful birthday despite being at work and was very spoilt! Mumma etc made me these gin and tonic cupcakes which went down a treat 🍋 And yes, I did also receive a lot of lemon themed goodies! 🍋 I'm already looking forward to the weekend for more celebrations! Dan is taking me to see Hamilton in London this weekend and I'm SO excited to see it again it's our favourite 🇺🇸 I'm also going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with my mum on Sunday so it is going to be an excellent weekend indeed ✨ Thank you again for all the lovely birthday wishes - I think I replied to everyone! 💛 Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week 😘 #SophieetcEats
    sophie_etc
    THANK YOU for all your gorgeous birthday messages yesterday 💛 I had such a wonderful...
  • IT'S MY BIRTHDAY 🎉 24 years old. Proper IN my twenties now aren't I? 😬 I love a little bit of reflection on my birthday and when I woke up this morning, I realised I am so proud of everything I have achieved over the past year. I can't wait for what the next 12 months has in store 🙊 I am most proud of the community that I have created of people who want to eat, explore and make the most of Milton Keynes. I never thought my little blog I started nearly 7 years ago could ever reach this point. This year I've been on a press trip with Jet2, worked with some amazing local businesses and started to make a profit from what I do 🍋 So thank yoooou! Because without your support, it wouldn't be possible 💛 Now, let's get today's meeting over with so I can have a glass of prosecco 😂 Tuesday birthdays are no fun! 🥂 #SophieetcExplores #SophieetcWears #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes
    sophie_etc
    IT'S MY BIRTHDAY 🎉 24 years old. Proper IN my twenties now aren't I? 😬 I love a...
  • Spent 50% of my weekend walking round interiors shop getting ALL of the inspiration 😍 It's amazing how little I considered interiors but with a house on the horizon it's all I can think about right now 🙈 I've got a super busy week ahead. It might be my birthday tomorrow, but no rest for the wicked as I've got two meetings at work this week to celebrate 😂 I'm already looking forward to celebrating in London this weekend! Hope you guys had a fab weekend and have a great week ahead! 💛 #SophieetcExplores
    sophie_etc
    Spent 50% of my weekend walking round interiors shop getting ALL of the inspiration 😍...
  • sophie_etc
    "When the sun is setting, leave whatever you are doing and watch it." 🌅 When we went...
  • Oh crêpe, it's only Tuesday 😒 Wishing my breakfast looked like this eggs royale crêpe from @french_affaire! 😍 You can find French Affaire and more fab places to eat in my guide to Stony Stratford - link in bio 🍋 I am super tired this week - I think it's because I had such a cider and food filled weekend, my body is just craving vegetables and water 😅 My Tuesday is consisting of a day at work, a mortgage appointment and a dinner at @nonnas.woburnsands with my friends this evening so it's not all bad 💛 Hope you are all having a good week so far - let me know what breakfast you'd rather be having today 🙈 #SophieetcEats #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes
    sophie_etc
    Oh crêpe, it's only Tuesday 😒 Wishing my breakfast looked like this eggs royale...
  • Had a banger of an afternoon at MK Sausage & Cider festival yesterday 🍎🌭 It's one of my favourite events of the year because it combines my two favourite things 😏 Highlights of the day: lamb bangra from @safskitchen.mk and the pineapple cider from @lilleyscider - that stuff is dangerously good🍍 It was a shame the weather didn't quite play ball but it didn't stop us 🙌🏼 Hands up who loves a sausage and cider festival 🙋🏼‍♀️ #SophieetcEats #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes
    sophie_etc
    Had a banger of an afternoon at MK Sausage & Cider festival yesterday 🍎🌭 It's one...
  • GRILLED CHEESE PLEASE 😍 You cannot beat a classic cheese and marmite combo. Especially when it's a four cheese and marmite combo from @goodtimesuk - the absolute kings of grilled cheese in MK 👑 Good Times Cafe are at @bletchleyparkuk for the 1940s vintage weekend today and tomorrow so make sure you check that out in you're in MK today - and get your grilled cheese fix! 😏 #SophieetcEats #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes
    sophie_etc
    GRILLED CHEESE PLEASE 😍 You cannot beat a classic cheese and marmite combo....
  • sophie_etc
    It's going to be a BEAUTIFUL day 😎 And I'm very excited because the first of my...
  • Happy as a FREAKING clam right now and grinning like a Cheshire cat 😁 Been slightly AWOL recently (hence the old-ish photo!) because we've been sorting huge house shaped things 👀 I know it's a super long way to go yet but it feels so good to be on the right track 🏡 I'm also super excited to announce that I'm now part of the team at Circus Magazine! 🎪 Yep, it's another string to my already heaving bow😅 and it's something I'll be doing in addition to my job and blog, but I'm so excited to be part of a publication which has such an influential and positive voice in the MK area. I'll obviously be writing about food! Look out for my column in the next issue (I'll pop the link to the current one in my bio!) 🍋 So yes, super exciting things afoot! Incredibly grateful for everything being thrown at me right now and all the opportunities I'm getting. I've got some pinch-me collaborations coming up in the next few months too! 🙊 HAPPY WEDNESDAY 💛💛💛 #EatandExploreEverywhere #SophieetcWears
    sophie_etc
    Happy as a FREAKING clam right now and grinning like a Cheshire cat 😁 Been slightly...
  • Happy Monday - and happy July! ☀️ Hands up who spent their whole weekend eating and drinking!? 🙌🏽 I spent most of Saturday with an Aperol Spritz in my hand and it reminded me so much of being in Rome last June soaking up the Italian sun and eating bruschetta. What food or drinks take you back to somewhere you loved travelling to? 💭 We looked at a LOT of houses this weekend. But we think we found somewhere which is super exciting 👀 I hope you all had a lovely weekend and managed to enjoy the sun! 💛 P.S My Squeeze subscribers should all have the July edition in their inboxes - it's PACKED with summer stuff and there's an interview with Laurence Conisbee, founder of @wharfdistillery so make sure you give it a read. Link to subscribe is in my bio and you'll get a FREE guide to the most Instagrammable locations in MK plus the latest edition first thing in the morning 🍋 #EatandExploreEverywhere #SophieetcEats
    sophie_etc
    Happy Monday - and happy July! ☀️ Hands up who spent their whole weekend eating and...
  • Happy Friday! ✨ Who's looking forward to the weekend? ☀️ I can't wait for some sun so we've got two BBQs booked in 😎 As well as about seven house viewings - Exciting!!! 🏡 If you're looking for a brunch spot this weekend, check out @french_affaire in Stony if you haven't already! Just look at those crêpes 😍 Let me know your sunny weekend plans! 💛 #SophieetcEats #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes
    sophie_etc
    Happy Friday! ✨ Who's looking forward to the weekend? ☀️ I can't wait for some...
  • sophie_etc
    Get. Me. A. Coffee. ☕ I have woken up feeling so groggy this morning and I've no idea...
  • Just me wondering the streets of Stony Stratford wearing a lemon dress, eating a lemon ice cream and bringing some sunshine into your Monday morning 🍋💛☀️ Hope you all had a gorgeous weekend - Let me know what you got up to! 💛 #SophieetcWears #EatandExploreMiltonKeynes
    sophie_etc
    Just me wondering the streets of Stony Stratford wearing a lemon dress, eating a lemon...
  • sophie_etc
    "With every drop of water you drink, every breathe you take, you're connected to the...
  • Happy Thursday! 💛 Throwback to a few weeks ago when I found the #Rocketman wings at the Custard Factory in Birmingham 🦋 It's been a bit of a busy week over here. I've been working on a few sponsored pieces of work for my Instagram and blog and like buses, it feels like they've all come along at once 😂 I'm not complaining but I'm glad it's nearly the weekend! 🙌🏼 This photo also reminds me I actually need to go and see Rocket Man still. Who else has seen it? 🚀 #SophieetcExplores #EatandExploreEverywhere
    sophie_etc
    Happy Thursday! 💛 Throwback to a few weeks ago when I found the #Rocketman wings at...
  • AD | Who's up for cooking something delicious this weekend? 😍 I love getting creative in the kitchen - and it doesn't need to be complicated! These 5 ingredient cheese and spinach stuffed pasta shells in a Nduja sauce are SO easy to make and make the perfect comfort food 🍝 The pesto pioneers, @sacla_uk, has just launched a range of new pasta sauces which contain a handful of cherry tomatoes in every jar 🍅 The flavour range is mouthwatering - I've used the Nduja flavour in this recipe to give my dish an extra kick! 🔥 5 INGREDIENT STUFFED PASTA SHELLS INGREDIENTS - Serves 2 - 1 jar of @sacla_uk Whole Cherry Tomato Sauce in Nduja - 160g giant conchiglie shells - 250g cottage cheese or ricotta - 3 handfuls of spinach, roughly chopped - Grated parmesan METHOD 1. Cook the pasta until it is slightly soft - not quite al dente! 2. Mix up the spinach and cottage cheese in a bowl. 3. Spread a layer of the Sacla pasta sauce on the bottom of an ovenproof dish - this is an essential step so the pasta doesn't stick! 4. Stuff the pasta shells with about a teaspoon of the cheese and spinach mix and place in the dish. Spoon the rest of the sauce on top and top with grated parmesan. 5. Bake at 180C (fan) for 20-25 minutes until the sauce is bubbling. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan. I'd love to see your recreations of this dish - the beauty of it is that you can switch up the fillings for the pasta as well 😋 Bon appetit! 🙌🏼 #Sacla #SophieetcEats *This is a paid partnership with @sacla_uk
    sophie_etc
    AD | Who's up for cooking something delicious this weekend? 😍 I love getting...
  • Hey, hello happy Monday! ✨ Hope you all had gorgeous weekends? I've been meaning to get myself over to @thedrinkshed for ages and yesterday I finally made it! It's only a stone's throw away from Milton Keynes at Roman Way Garden Centre run by Laurence and Alice, the people behind @wharfdistillery. The Drink Shed is a total Aladdin's cave of independent and locally made gins, beers and spirits 😍 We also had a behind the scenes peek at Wharf Distillery itself to see where the magic happens which is just down the road in Pottersbury. It was so great learning more about the gin making process and how everything comes together! 🙌🏼 And on that note I am super excited to announce that Laurence Conisbee, founder of @wharfdistillery, is my next 'Five Minutes With' feature in the July edition of The Squeeze! 🍋 The link to sign up is in my bio - don't miss the next edition going out on 30th June! 💛 Have you paid The Drink Shed a visit? Let me know what your favourite locally made drink is! 🍋 #EatandExploreEverywhere
    sophie_etc
    Hey, hello happy Monday! ✨ Hope you all had gorgeous weekends? I've been meaning to...

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