Essex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="Emily Norris and family" class="wp-image-20487" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hey-emily-how-did-you-go-from-living-in-canada-to-essex">Hey, Emily! How did you go from living in Canada to Essex?</h2>



<p>&#8220;I was born and raised in Toronto, but moved to Essex with my family when I was 14 – hence my mixed up accent! I now live in Brentwood with my husband Matt, and our three boys.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-how-did-you-become-an-influencer">And how did you become an influencer?</h2>



<p>&#8220;It all began when I started sharing parenting videos and my experience of being a mum on YouTube in 2014. To be honest I was feeling a bit isolated at home on maternity leave with a baby and a pre-schooler. I’ve now grown an audience of over 1.5 million followers on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, which is never something I expected 10 years ago.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-written-a-book-how-did-that-come-about">You&#8217;ve written a book. How did that come about?</h2>



<p>&#8220;<em>Things I Wish I’d Known</em>&nbsp;is the book I wish I&#8217;d been given when I became a parent 13 years ago.&nbsp;It’s a go-to guide of easy mum hacks and habits – and every single one&#8217;s been tried and tested on my own family.&nbsp;Along with lots of hacks it’s full of honest, practical and relatable advice to create a more harmonious family life.&#8221;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-s-move-on-to-what-you-love-about-essex-where-do-you-go-to-eat-out">Let&#8217;s move on to what you love about Essex. Where do you go to eat out?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="Smith's Ongar" class="wp-image-20488" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;I love <a href="https://smithsrestaurants.com/smiths-ongar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smith&#8217;s in Ongar</a> – it&#8217;s our favourite date night destination because the service and food are always incredible. I also love <a href="https://www.instagram.com/malinapatisserie?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Malina</a> in Brentwood, a new little café that does lovely food and coffee.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-beauty-treatments">What about beauty treatments?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/5-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="Brentwood DeLuca Beauty" class="wp-image-20489" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/5-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/5-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/5-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/5-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;Definitely <a href="https://www.delucabeauty.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">De Luca Beauty</a> in Brentwood. I go to this salon religiously for lashes and nails. The girls are all so lovely and my treatments last for a long time.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-like-to-shop">Where do you like to shop?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/6-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Jasmine Bleu" class="wp-image-20490" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/6-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/6-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/6-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/6-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JasmineBleuLtd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jasmine Bleu</a> in Shenfield&nbsp;has lots of unique pieces for gifts, and the flowers are also gorgeous. I also love Frinton on Sea&#8217;s <a href="https://www.thegirlswardrobe.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Girls Wardrobe</a> – I’ve bought a few really cute cardigans here recently.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-keep-fit">How do you keep fit?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/7-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Zero Gravity Pilates" class="wp-image-20491" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/7-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/7-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/7-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/7-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;I love Pilates and go to <a href="https://zerogravitypilates.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zero Gravity Pilates</a> in either Brentwood or Chelmsford, depending on where I&#8217;m rushing around at the time. Whenever I do a class I wake up the next day with aches in muscles I didn’t even know I had!&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-want-fresh-air-where-do-you-head">You want fresh air – where do you head?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/8-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Thorndon Country Park" class="wp-image-20492" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/8-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/8-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/8-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/8-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;We all love to wander around <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/thorndon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thorndon Country Park</a> with our dog, Kiki. As well as lovely walks there&#8217;s also a nice café and trail for the kids to find characters from The Gruffalo. Though I&#8217;m not sure our 14 year old will admit to that!&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-when-you-want-to-relax">What about when you want to relax?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/9-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="Glasshouse Detox &amp; Wellness Retreat" class="wp-image-20493" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/9-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/9-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/9-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/9-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s got to be the <a href="https://www.glasshouseretreat.co.uk/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHH9xxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTaTq274pHaYtCb2DwITw6oo47ANfScjixXafPA5N5Y-J__UMGEM-36y0Q_aem_yQTa-Zkcs4-LPprNQlNwXQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glasshouse Detox &amp; Wellness Retreat</a> in Upminster, with its treatments and mindfulness classes. Be aware; as the name suggests it&#8217;s a detox centre so is caffeine and meat-free – so have a coffee before you go!&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-where-do-you-go-for-a-spot-of-culture">Finally, where do you go for a spot of culture?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/10-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Emily Norris Audley End House and Gardens" class="wp-image-20494" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/10-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/10-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/10-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/10-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;We love Saffron Walden&#8217;s <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/audley-end-house-and-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audley End House and Gardens</a>. A Victorian family estate with lots to explore, it&#8217;s got tons for the kids to do as well.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/3-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="Emily Norris Things I Wish I'd Known" class="wp-image-20495" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/3-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/3-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/3-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/3-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>For family tips from Emily follow her on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@mrsemilynorris" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrsemilynorris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mrsemilynorris?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a>. Emily&#8217;s book, Things I Wish I’d Known, is available to buy from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Things-Wish-Id-Known-calmer/dp/1785044729" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/things-i-wish-i-d-known/emily-norris//9781785044724?gclid=Cj0KCQiAsOq6BhDuARIsAGQ4-zjG0LFQPO94smrLfZv7ILTTYnGXlXX_Vy_QDtgy3dcKxF-WgV0PrsYaAksVEALw_wcB&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoVFlucuKcSmtDqtrZ_1h9-M0qYHv" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Waterstones</a>.</em></p>


My favourite Essex places: YouTube and Instagram star Emily Norris

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