Welcome to Suitcase & Scrapbook – I’m Emily, a teacher, planner and mum of two who loves turning family holidays into unforgettable adventures. Here I share itineraries, budgeting tips, and reflections, so real families can create wow moments, without overspending.
My Story
I wasn’t always this organised. At uni, I was the opposite – messy, unprepared, always doing things last-minute- but somewhere along the way, everything shifted. By my mid-20s, when I got my first home, I found myself lining up candles in the order I’d use them. Then it was skincare shelves, books, and eventually, full holiday itineraries.
When we planned our wedding abroad, the joy I got from building every detail really lit a spark in me. And once we had Lily and Noah, it grew even stronger. I wanted to make weekends, holidays, and school breaks full of things to look forward to – not just for me, but for them. Planning became my way of creating memories. I get such a thrill from creating and imagining our next escape.
As a teacher, planning is second nature. I organise lessons weeks in advance, but what excites me even more is using that same creativity to map out adventures, activities, and trips – from local days out to dream holidays.
I also get a real buzz out of budgeting. For me, value for money is part of the fun. I love working out how we can do big experiences without overspending – finding the balance between saving for the future and making the most of the present. Stretching a budget to fit in an extra activity or upgrading without breaking the bank feels like a little win every time.
I want this blog to appeal to real families and couples who don’t have unlimited money to throw at travel, but still want those “wow” experiences. The truth is, you don’t need luxury budgets to create luxury memories – you just need to plan cleverly. That’s what I’m here to share.
What This Blog Is About
Suitcase & Scrapbook is a family travel blog about more than just where to go – it’s about how to live your holidays.
For families: activity packs, itineraries, and school holiday activities to keep kids engaged (and parents sane).
For couples: romantic escapes, couple getaways, little breaks, and big anniversary trips.
For later life: because planning adventures doesn’t stop when the kids grow up.
Please check out my blog that is all about how we use My Scrapbook.
Five Little Things About Me
Favourite UK holiday so far: Norfolk – I have many childhood memories there🌊
Favourite big trip: Malta – We got married there! 🏺
Dream trip: The Maldives 🌏
Secret obsession: musical theatre and skincare shelves perfectly organised (yes, I rotate products 🙈)
Life motto: Memories don’t just happen, they’re made.
Thank You for Being Here
This blog is the start of something I’ve wanted to do for a long time – sharing the way I plan, play, and treasure our family’s adventures. I’ll be posting itineraries, school holiday survival tips, budgeting hacks, and reflections from the places we’ve been.
I’d love for you to come along. First stop: Dorset, where our family adventures really began 🌿 Dorset 2024
Suitcase & Scrapbook 