Welcome to Pack and Paint! I’m Lauren, a twenty-something artist and textile designer based in Leicester, UK. This blog was born through my passion for art and solo female travel with the aim of inspiring women to get out, see the world and do whatever it is that they love.
ABOUT LAUREN
My passion for travel started aged 9 when I travelled overseas for the first time. Since then, it has grown rapidly. In 2016, I challenged myself to travel overseas solo for the first time. I haven’t looked back since. After travelling solo to Morocco, the USA and all over Europe, I have become hooked.
I’m often asked how I have the courage to travel to so many places alone, but the truth is, I wasn’t always like this. As someone who struggles with anxiety, it took years for my confidence to build to the level it’s at now.
Solo female travel is extremely liberating, but if you’re new to it, you should start small. Personally, I started travelling across the UK alone in my late teens to attend gigs. After a few years, I treated myself to a solo adventure in Barcelona for five days of sun, sightseeing and sangria.
It was on this trip that I gained an appreciation for travelling alone. Despite everything going wrong on day one, it taught me a lot about myself. Furthermore, having the opportunity to explore a new city with complete freedom was exciting!
My most popular solo female travel blog posts are:
- Solo travel pros and cons you NEED to consider
- How to convince your parents to let you travel solo
- How to stay safe as a solo female traveller
WHY PACK AND PAINT?
I have been creative from a very young age. As a child, I would spend all of my pocket money on art supplies in Hobby Craft. If you’d asked me back then what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d have said an artist. Many years later, not much has changed.
With a first-class honours degree in Textiles and Surface Design and seven years of industry experience under my belt, I now design prints for fashion and interiors on a freelance basis. My designs have been sold in many UK high street stores and more recently have sold to clients in the United Arab Emirates, the USA and Turkey.
Travel inspires my creativity massively and I like to carry my art supplies with me while I’m on the road. Although I don’t always have time to sit and paint (too much to see, not enough time), it’s great to have the option.
I wanted the name of my blog to reflect my two biggest passions in life – art and travel. Pack and Paint seemed like the perfect fit.
My love for Morocco (AKA my favourite country)
After two years of solo travel within Europe and the USA, I ventured outside of my comfort zone and booked a trip to Morocco. Everyone thought I was crazy. Apparently, Morocco was “unsafe” for solo female travellers. Determined to carve an opinion for myself, I boarded my flight to Marrakech with mixed feelings of nerves and excitement.
After spending two weeks ticking off spots on my Morocco bucket list, I couldn’t help but fall in love with this incredible country. While it was way more challenging than visiting popular European cities, it was also more rewarding.
Morocco fast became my favourite country in the world and since then, I have returned for a whole month of exploring. With many future trips to Morocco on my radar and a lot of tips to share, Morocco will be a big focus on Pack and Paint going forward!
Travelling in The Netherlands
Over the past year or so, I’ve also fallen in love with The Netherlands. Having visited three times during this time, the Dutch capital and its surrounding areas have left me in awe. I love discovering hidden gems and exploring all the best places to visit near Amsterdam.
I will soon be visiting the country for the fifth time (the fourth in nine months) and I can’t wait to share even more tips for travelling in The Netherlands. It’s a country that offers world-class museums, impressive architecture, lots of culture and incredible food. What more could you want?
UK travel tips
In addition to Morocco and The Netherlands, I will continue to share travel tips, inspiration and guides for the United Kingdom. After years of travel restrictions, I gained a whole new appreciation for my own country. It made me realise that I didn’t need to hop on a plane to explore new and exciting destinations. There are so many on my own doorstep!
After travelling extensively within the UK over the past few years, you’ll also find comprehensive guides on many of the top destinations in the country.
Some of my favourite destinations in the UK are Edinburgh, Yorkshire, Manchester (my hometown) and Cornwall. I also have a huge soft spot for The Cotswolds – the charming villages and picturesque views just blow me away!
MY MISSION
My mission is to inspire other women to crush their fears and travel the world without the need to rely on others! On Pack and Paint, I regularly share tips and tricks for women who want to travel alone for the first time. I also share safety tips, practical guides and inspiration to encourage you to take the leap!
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. I’d be happy to help 🙂
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