Bank Holiday State Of Mind

It’s the late May bank holiday here in the UK and I’m winding down following a wonderful weekend soaking up the heatwave sunshine.

Back on Friday evening, we met friends at The Mutton for sundown drinks in the pub garden.

I wore this cute asymmetric dress from ASOS with a pair of nude thong kitten heel mules, my Coach handbag and MiuMiu round sunnies to complete the smart-casual look.

Saturday was another scorching day, so when 5pm came I enjoyed a glass of wine and some olives in our garden, whilst watching Emz and Nick’s latest Greece vlog.

For date night that evening, I booked The Leather Bottle for dinner in their picturesque courtyard area.

Even at 8pm it was still a lovely temperature to be sat outside as the sun went down over the neighbouring fields.

To start we ordered the padron peppers because whenever they’re on a menu, my boyfriend and I simply cannot resist.

For mains my boyfriend opted for the Bavette steak frites, whilst I had the Gilt head bream fillet.

Served with potato terrine, courgette, heritage tomato, feta and a salsa verde, this dish was divine and presented so beautifully too.

As we enjoyed our meal, the stunning sunset skies turned shades of gorgeous deep oranges and pinks, before dusk eventually set in.

Back home we embraced the warm night air and had another drink in our garden, festoon lights glowing and the moon shining brightly up overhead.

Sunday we were off to my boyfriend’s parents’ house for our first BBQ of the summer season.

Temperatures were set to be over 30 degrees, so denim shorts and my new pink contrast vest from Stradivarius and classic Birkenstock sandals, were the perfect cute-casual outfit combo.

I also styled my hair in a French twist to keep it off my neck for the day, not to mention looking super chic and elegant too.

It was the first time using their barbecue and outdoor space in their new house and it was all absolutely perfect.

Every corner of their house is so aesthetic and I was particularly drawn to these stone faces in their garden which give boho-chic Tulum vibes.

On the grill we had chicken skewers, burgers, sausages, corns and asparagus.

Of course a barbecue for us is not complete without my signature Greek Salad, so I was very excited to be making my first one of the summer this weekend.

There was also a Caesar salad, beetroot salad, Jersey Royal potatoes and all the condiments necessary for such a feast.

And not forgetting the footy game which had to be on in the background for the boys!

After lunch, I sat with my boyfriend’s mum out on their cute bistro set with a glass of bubbles; it was like we were sat outside our very own Parisian wine bar, pure bliss.

Meanwhile, the boys were equally chuffed with their setup inside to finish watching the football game.

My boyfriend’s mum even treated us to our favourite dessert she introduced us to of frozen raspberries, melted white chocolate and cream.

Before we knew it the sun was beginning to set and it was time to leave, but on our way home we made a spontaneous detour.

As we passed through Farnham, my boyfriend said we should do the walk at Caesar’s Camp to catch sunset.

So we parked up the truck and made our way across the picturesque countryside.

After about a 25 minute walk, we found this incredible viewpoint from which we watched the sun go down over Caesar’s Camp.

Sunsets never fail to amaze me; I find it mesmerising to see the sun dip below the horizon so rapidly in realtime.

A majestic sunset stroll was the most idyllic ending to our long bank holiday weekend showered in sunshine ❤

Aesthetic Date Night Scenes; The Ivy Asia Guildford

For ultimate date night vibes complete with aesthetic interiors, delicious food and top service, we are never disappointed with an evening at The Ivy.

With 8:30pm reservations at The Ivy Asia located in Guildford, we popped next door first for an aperitif at The Ivy Castle View.

I had envisioned a picturesque sundown drink on their terrace overlooking the castle, but the rainy English weather had other plans, so instead we sat at their brilliant feature bar where the bartender made our cocktails in front of us.

My look for the evening was built around my new Stradivarius white flared jeans paired with this gorgeous denim corset from White Fox Boutique.

I’ve been loving the French twist up-do I’ve been seeing all over my Instagram explore page, so I had a go at recreating the style myself.

Thankfully my hair was cooperating and I was obsessed with the final result which felt so elegant and classy.

To complete the elevated date night fit, I wore my By Alona pearl necklace, statement round gold earrings, my Abbott Lyon gold bangle, Sandro green velvet handbag and my favourite vintage oversized green Jaegar blazer.

The touches of green in my fit were the perfect little nod to the green accents at The Ivy.

Pre-dinner cocktails of choice were a Strawberry Mojito for my boyfriend.

And a Tommy’s Margarita for me with that perfectly sweet but spicy hit I’m looking for in my Marg.

Sitting at the central bar amongst fellow dinners as the busy Saturday night service unfolds, makes for a fun atmosphere to kick off date night right.

Soon it was time to hop back next door for our dinner booking at The Ivy Asia.

The vibe here is made for evenings out as the place comes into its own by night.

With a live DJ and the amazing green lighted floor, it always brings a fun and buzzing atmosphere for those Saturday night vibes.

We were seated at the bar whilst our table was being relaid, so we started by ordering some drinks.

A glass white in hand and ready for an Asian feast, we were taken to our booth table.

I requested the booth seating as it feels more plush and is often that bit more comfortable.

We even had the beautiful blossom tree overhead, perfect for those Instagram shots.

To start we had the edamame beans served with a spicy sauce for added flavour and a fiery kick.

For mains we ordered lots of the smaller plates to share between us and it turned out to be quite the spread.

Of course I had to have a plate of sushi so I opted for the salmon avocado roll and it was divine.

My boyfriend had his favourite glazed chicken karaage dish as well as the satay chicken skewers.

The cucumber peanut salad side dish is another must whenever we visit.

We also had the steamed rice, chilli noodles and wok fried greens for the table.

As ever the food was beautifully presented and tasted delightful, we were certainly very full and satisfied following our mini feast.

With its brilliant service, outstanding food and opulent interiors, complete with a buzzing atmosphere that makes you feel more like you’re in a trendy Manhattan hotspot, The Ivy is always a good idea for date night ❤

Work Travel Diaries; 48 Hours In Vienna

Our 48 hours in the Austrian capital felt like stepping onto the set of a beautifully shot old school film; elegant, charming and full of delicious food. We caught the 7am flight from London Heathrow Airport and by 10am we were already wandering the streets of Vienna, ready to make the most of every second.

There’s something so effortlessly romantic about Vienna. Grand boulevards lined with opulent architecture, hidden wine bars tucked between historic buildings and the kind of café culture that makes you want to slow down and savour every moment.

Lunch on day one was at Trattoria Martinelli and it was the perfect start to the trip.

We began with a mozzarella, pesto, basil, tomato and rocket salad which tasted so fresh and summery.

To follow was the veal ravioli and although I’m not a big meat eater, this was absolutely divine.

Later that afternoon we checked into Le Méridien hotel right in the centre of the city. The rooms were incredibly spacious and stylish with views overlooking Vienna’s vast streets below.

After an early start, a coffee from the Nespresso machine was very much needed before getting ready for dinner.

For the evening I wore the cutest pinstripe collared halter neck from Stradivarius paired with my black jeans from Zara, gold detail mule heels, and a check pattern blazer also from Stradivarius to complete the look.

Work appropriate but equally chic and stylish for an evening of wining and dining in the city.

We started with drinks at the hotel bar You, where I had my first taste of local Austrian white wine. Crisp, refreshing and dangerously easy to drink.

Dinner was at Collina am Berg, a contemporary fine dining restaurant with an effortlessly cool and classy atmosphere.

To start, we had salt baked beets with sheep’s curd and hazelnut pesto which was undeniably exquisite, everyone’s plates were clean.

For my main course, I chose the vegetarian option of confit kohlrabi with onion purée and puffed buckwheat, beautifully presented and full of flavour.

Dessert was one for the chocolate lovers, a salted caramel chocolate mousse topped with hazelnuts, absolute perfection.

From the delicious food and attentive service to the stylish interiors and vibrant ambience, everything was 10/10. Collina Am Berg is a hidden gem in the heart of Vienna.

Day two greeted us with glorious sunshine, so naturally it called for an effortlessly simple outfit formula. I wore my white linen trousers from Reserved with a simple black vest from Topshop, a black and white neck scarf from H&M, brown sandals and my Celine sunnies.

Sometimes the simplest of outfits really do make the chicest looks, the philosophy I use when curating my work wardrobe for events.

Walking the streets of Vienna in the Spring sunshine was genuinely magical. The city feels almost untouched by time with its incredible original architecture still standing proudly today.

As Vienna was not heavily bombed during the war, so much of its historic beauty remains intact, making every corner feel steeped in history and grandeur.

The buildings are so opulent and cinematic that at times it honestly felt like we were wandering through a movie set.

Our final lunch was at Zum Weissen Rauchfangkehrer, a traditional Austrian restaurant filled with fascinating interiors that made us feel as though we’d stepped back in time.

We enjoyed a traditional lunch of pork schnitzel with potatoes, followed by an apple strudel that genuinely changed my life.

I in fact opted for the vegetarian main course of a stuffed pepper served in a vegetable bean stew and it was absolutely delightful. Comforting, hearty and full of flavour.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the airport for our 5pm flight home to London.

What a brilliant whistle-stop tour of the Austrian capital, a city and country I already know I’ll have to return to one day.

Elegant, historic, stylish and full of incredible culture and delicious food; I’ll see you again soon Vienna ❤

20 Years On;The Devil Wears Prada 2

The sequel we’ve all been waiting for, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and it certainly lives up to expectations with a fresh, elevated twist to the storyline that keeps things feeling exciting rather than predictable.

From the very first scene, it pulls you straight back into that fast-paced, glossy world we all secretly wish we were part of, even if only for the covetable outfits alone.

The storyline mirrors the arc of the original in a way that feels intentional and nostalgic, yet it’s layered with enough newness to keep you guessing the whole way through. Just when you think you know where it’s heading… it pivots.

The cast is, quite simply, brilliant. There’s a real sense of ease in the performances, like the characters slipping back into perfectly tailored pieces that never went out of style. The chemistry is still there, the timing is spot on, and the humour lands effortlessly.

It’s comical without trying too hard, very entertaining throughout, and filled with those sharp little moments that made the first film so iconic.

And the fashion was needless to say, fabulous. Every scene feels like a love letter to style with bold fashion statements, polished tailoring, and just the right amount of drama.

But more than anything, it’s the nostalgia that hits. Seeing those familiar characters again feels like catching up with old friends now a little older, a little wiser, but still so wonderfully themselves.

A sequel that actually delivers? Rare. But this one absolutely does ❤

April Diaries; Perfect Spring Date Night Aesthetics

Date night at The Lost Boy was everything a beautiful spring evening should be. As the sun began to dip, we headed straight for their huge garden where strings of glowing festoon lights twinkled overhead, creating the dreamiest golden hour setting on a buzzing Saturday evening in late April.

There’s something so special about those first warm evenings of the season sipping sundown drinks outdoors, chatting away, and soaking up that soft spring air together in good company.

Once we’d fully embraced the alfresco vibes, it was time for dinner so we moved inside as the evening chill set in.

We started with the Puccia Bread served with garlic and basil marinated tomatoes, a delightfully light and fluffy pizza style dough balanced with a fresh and fragrant topping.

For mains I went for the chicken Caesar salad with perfectly crisp gem lettuce, a deliciously creamy dressing, and that wonderful salty tang from the anchovies and parmesan.

Meanwhile my boyfriend opted for the classic steak frites cooked medium.

Of course, no date night is complete without a cute outfit moment.

I wore my new spring/summer suedette oversized bomber jacket from Stradivarius with white jeans from Mango, paired with my brown strappy top from C’est Normal and khaki mule heels from Next.

To accessorise I added my silk neck scarf from Le Scarf, my Celine sunnies and Moncrief sage green handbag to complete the look.

Effortless, polished and so ready for spring.

The whole evening felt relaxed, romantic and simply lovely; good food, pretty surroundings and quality time together.

Honestly, the perfect springtime date night aesthetics in Surrey ❤

March Diaries; A Wholesome Weekend In My Life

Come along for a weekend with me as I spend a wholesome few days at home in the countryside. I cook a delicious Singaporean takeaway style dinner for date night in, I show you some recent interiors updates and I indulge in a lovely pamper evening. Whilst I love travelling and creating all the fun content that comes with it, I also enjoy a slower paced weekend at home doing wholesome things like cooking and treating myself to a bubble bath. Sometimes embracing the simplest of things in life can help you reset and fully recharge🤍

Checkout my vlog and other YouTube content here

The Usual Date Night Drill

Happy Sunday! Another weekend has come and almost gone and with it, another glorious date night dinner of course.

Having just booked the Amalfi Coast for summer, I had a craving for Italian food and so we decided to go to Daniele Sicilian Restaurant in Farnham.

I discovered this place upon recommendation from a friend last year and we absolutely loved it, so I couldn’t wait to go again.

My look for the evening featured this statement plunge neck olive green top from Motel Rocks paired with my black Stradivarius flared jeans.

In keeping with the earthy tones, I accessorised with leopard print mules from Nine West, a leopard print fur from Forever 21 and a matching olive green ASOS clutch bag.

Everything about Daniele Sicilian Restaurant gives rustic Italian vibes being in a converted barn and decorated with romantic fairy lighting.

We were seated on the enclosed terrace area where we had prime view of the stone firewood pizza oven.

My drink of choice for the night was a classic, crisp Italian Pinot Grigio.

To start we shared the goats cheese bonbons served on a bed of rocket with caramelised onion and parmesan crisp. These creamy, lightly fried, delicate balls of cheese were divine, the perfect little appetiser to whet the appetite.

For mains I opted for the Paccheri Trapanese, a pasta dish of seabass ragu with olives and wild fennel. It was nice to have something different and the flavours of the fish with the olives and fennel were exquisite.

My boyfriend ordered the Penne Amatriciana served with pancetta, red onion, chilli and a tomato parmesan sauce.

We also shared the focaccia bread and a mixed leaf salad on the side.

Everything was delicious and we savoured every mouthful; it certainly satisfied my craving for Italian cuisine.

I would highly recommend a visit to Daniele Sicilian Restaurant if you’re in the area whether it’s for a romantic date night moment, or a girly dinner with friends, you simply can’t go wrong with Italian food done well ❤

Liverpool Hen Do Weekend Antics

With one of my closest girl friends getting married next month, this Easter weekend was the big Hen Do party in Liverpool.

We arrived up north on Good Friday, checking into the coolest little Airbnb tucked right in the centre of the city.

After dropping our bags we headed straight out for a wander around the docks, easing into the weekend with a little sightseeing and, of course, some shopping because it would be rude not to.

What started as a grey, cloudy afternoon slowly transformed into the dreamiest candy floss pink sky sunset.

Back at the flat later that afternoon it was time to crack open the vino, put out some nibbles, and settle into that familiar, comforting rhythm of girly chats and laughter.

Friday night took us to Duke Street Market where we met up with the bride-to-be and the rest of the hens.

The vibe was effortlessly cool, and so was the outfit with a pair of dark wash denim, a grey off the shoulder asymmetric top, leopard print mules, and my trusty Coach handbag.

Dinner was very much ‘girl dinner’ coded; a chicken Caesar salad paired with truffle chips, a simple but elite combo.

A good nights sleep was needed ahead of the official Hen Do on Saturday.

We kicked things off at 11am with a wholesome pottery session complete with Buck’s Fizz to warm up for the day ahead.

We had the most fun and silly hen outfit for the bride; #365partygirl energy.

Proud of our creations, some more artistic than others, we headed to one of the bridesmaid’s houses where Dominos pizzas and more bubbles were waiting.

The bride took centre stage for a hilarious round of Mr & Mrs which had us all crying with laughter.

After a quick recharge, it was time to get ready for the evening celebrations. With the brief of dark colours for the hens, I went for an all black look styled with a vintage Jaeger oversized blazer and my velvet green Sandro bag for a subtle pop of colour.

Dinner was booked at A Tavola Deli in the trendy East Village of Liverpool.

We were treated to an Italian feast with everything from creamy burrata and classic pizza, to succulent lamb shank and spicy pasta.

It was all served family style so we could have a taste of it everything and each dish was absolutely divine.

We stayed for hours not leaving until gone 8pm, completely full and slightly giddy from the wine and the wonderful company.

Thankfully we got a cute group photo altogether outside of the restaurant before the bride tribe descended into fabulous chaos for the rest of the night!

Bars, dancing, more bars, maybe a club or two… the kind of night where nothing really matters except being together, laughing until your cheeks hurt, and celebrating your best friend as she steps into her next chapter.

Sunday morning arrived a little too quickly, heads slightly sore yet spirits still very high. And honestly, it was worth it for the hilarious moments and wonderful memories made.

The most special weekend for our gorgeous bride-to-be; bring on the wedding day ❤

Date Night In; Bubble Bath Moment & My Homemade Fakeaway

It’s become a weekly ritual for us to have a date night every Saturday, so this week I decided to put my chef hat on and cook a delicious spread of Asian food for an at home ‘fakeaway’ style feast for two. But first, I started my evening wind-down with a bubble bath complete with candles, a cup of tea, a book and my iPad for some Pinterest scrolling.

Relaxed and rested following my luscious bath time moment, it was time to get dressed for date night and ready to cook.

Inspired by some sauce packets which my brother bought back from Singapore, I thought it would be nice to try something different and create my own healthy version of a takeaway at home.

I fried off chicken thigh pieces with some onion before stirring through the laksa sauce paste and letting it all cook through. The other sauce was a chicken stock which I stir fried into the cooked rice along with some chopped onion and yellow pepper.

For the other dishes I kept it simple with tamari soy sauce for the stir fried vegetables, a touch of hoisin and soy for the cucumber carrot sesame salad, and fresh plain egg noodles.

And of course we had all the condiments on the side, as well as some prawn crackers with sweet chilli sauce as an appetiser.

Everything was delicious and my boyfriend was very impressed with our feast. We both agreed the standout dish was the stir fried rice in the stock sauce from Singapore, it just elevated the rice to make it so tasty.

Candles lit, music playing and wine poured, the romantic at home date night aesthetics were on point.

After dinner we watched the final heartbreaking episode of ‘Love Story’.

Wholesome, cosy and romantic, what more could you want from a date night at home ❤

A Gorgeous Girls’ Day In Brighton

There’s something about a girls’ day by the sea that just feels like a warm hug for the soul, and celebrating one of your besties birthdays makes it all the more special.

We kicked the afternoon off on the pebbled shores of Brighton Beach, soaking up the glorious spring sunshine with pink fizz in hand and camping chairs in tow, because practicality is the new chic when you’re in your 30s!

The air was crisp, the sea sparkled, and I felt the kind of easy, carefree joy that only comes from being with your favourite people.

After a few sun-drenched hours, we headed back to Livy’s flat to get ready for the evening which turned into a wholesome little celebration of its own. Somewhere between doing our makeup and sharing outfit options, we surprised Cara with a birthday cake, candles glowing, and yet more bubbles.

For the evening look I went for effortless glam: my new deep olive green Motel top with a plunging neckline, paired with black flared jeans from Stradivarius, brown pointed Topshop boot heels, and statement gold earrings.

I added a cow skin handbag for a playful pop of print and finished with my ASOS brown textured trench to complete the fit. Sophisticated with just the right touch of drama, the kind of outfit that makes you walk a little taller.

We were ready just in time to see the final few moments of sunset, so we ran back down to the seafront to experience it in all its glory.

Sunset skies never fail to amaze me and it was even more beautiful having my besties by my side to soak up this moment with.

Our first stop of night was Plateau, a cosy little wine bar perfect for easing into the evening.

We shared a bottle of red paired with buttery Nocellara olives and tangy pickled veggies; simple, delicious, and exactly what you want as golden hour fades into night.

Dinner followed shortly after at Tutto, a spot we’d been eyeing for a while and it certainly did not disappoint.

Built on the ethos “bring everyone, eat everything”, it felt like the perfect place for an intimate birthday celebration.

We started with warm focaccia bread and creamy buffalo mozzarella served with Jerusalem artichoke and a hazelnut pesto.

For our main course we shared the roasted cod with clams and borlotti beans, chestnut mushroom agnolotti, and a rich, comforting ragu pappardelle.

Delicious dishes full of flavour that we savoured every mouthful of, absolutely exquisite dining scenes.

The waiter then surprised Cara with her second birthday treat of the day, a classic Tiramisu which we all tucked into and thoroughly enjoyed.

From there, the night unfolded in the best way drifting between a few bars, dancing, laughing, and fully embracing that carefree, slightly chaotic energy that only comes out when you’re with your girls.

The giggles, the shared memories, the feeling of slipping right back into your teenage selves like no time has passed at all; nothing fills my cup more than quality time with my best girlies ❤