Hi there I’m Nicole Brooks. I’ve spent much of my life following curiosity and change. I studied Communications at university, earning a Bachelor’s degree that opened doors in global media. Right after school I found myself working for a boutique travel startup, handling editorial content and destination research for clients keen on exploring lesser-known locales across Southeast Asia.
Over time, my work evolved into a more independent path I lived in Chiang Mai for a year, then back in the UK, and now I’m based in Lisbon, Portugal, balancing sunlit afternoons with front-row views of the hills and the ocean.
How This Site Came to Be
For a few years this domain (tailandfin.com) was broadly connected to travel, local experiences and destination guides my background in that world continues to inform how I think about products now.
Around early 2025 I began to shift gears: I started to explore how the things we buy gadgets, lifestyle gear, home tools really perform in real life, especially when you’ve spent time overseas, moved between homes and climates, and are always looking for gear you can trust. So this blog became my space for honest product reviews, real-world usage insights and practical buying advice drawing on my travel-born mindset of “gear that works, no fuss”.
What I Believe
I believe that good products simplify your life, adapt to the real world, and survive more than just one season. Having moved between continents, weathered tropical humidity, urban bustle and slower hillside villages, I’ve learned that what works in a catalog often doesn’t work when you’re packing, unpacking, commuting, or simply trying to unwind at home. So on Tail & Fin I test items not just on specs but on everyday performance, longevity and usability. I keep the tone warm and direct, because I’ve been in your shoes: scrolling for the right product, wondering if the hype holds up.
What You’ll Find Here
You’ll see in-depth reviews where I dig into how things actually perform: electronics, home lifestyle gear, travel-friendly tools, and occasionally the odd under-the-radar find that really surprised me. I always share what I liked, what I didn’t, and how you might decide if it fits your own world. As an Amazon affiliate I may link to products, but my promise is this: each article is grounded in my real-use experience, and I don’t shy away from pointing out where things fall short.
A Little Bit About My Life
Beyond the blog, I’m someone who loves a quiet morning with strong coffee, dreams of one day owning a small cottage by the sea, and wanders local markets when I travel, looking for craftsmanship or gear that’s stood the test of time. I believe that good design, thoughtful materials and everyday reliability matter whether you’re heading out for a weekend trip or settling into your home office. Living in Lisbon gives me a blend of sunshine, ocean breeze and a reminder that life is better when the things we use make sense.
Author Profile
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Nicole Brooks is a lifestyle reviewer and former travel editor who turned her love for practical living into a full-time writing pursuit. After earning a degree in Communications, she spent years working across Asia and Europe, curating stories about culture, food, and design. Those experiences shaped her grounded approach to product reviewing focusing on how things truly perform in everyday life.
In 2025, Nicole launched Tail & Fin to share honest insights and well-tested recommendations on gadgets, home essentials, and lifestyle gear. Now based in Lisbon, she balances work, travel, and slow mornings by the sea, still chasing the same curiosity that started her journey.
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