Drinks Setup Aesthetics; Virtual Hen Do
Whilst we’ve missed out on catching up with friends and celebrating special events together in person during these past few months, at least we’ve had the wonders of technology to keep us connected. Swapping our Saturday night dancing shoes for the comfort of our sofa, socialising with groups of friends or family via video call has become the new norm.
With it being my girlfriend’s postponed Hen Do date last weekend, we decided to throw her a surprise online Hen party. Having spoken a few days previous with the other Hens to plan some fun themed activities and games, one of the girls also put together a goody bag of our Bride’s favourite nibbles and even a fresh jug of Pimms, delivered to her door just before we all went online.
Just like with any typical Hen Do, we did have a laugh discovering some naughty secrets and embarrassing stories – I can’t wait for the real thing postponed now to next year! I suppose lockdown really has brought people together in unique circumstances as we’ve learnt to keep in touch and socialise in new and imaginative ways. I’ve had some really fantastic Zoom meetings with colleagues, family and friends and although being in the confides of home, it’s a great excuse to get a bit dressed up and even put some makeup on for a change.
I like to have an aesthetic background for my video calls too, so I’ve been utilising my desk space with my favourite ‘Stay Wild’ print complete with fairy lights and a bunch of fresh flowers each week. These exquisite little white Gypsophila flowers were the perfect finishing touch for the virtual Hen Do and they lasted over a week too.
Soon enough we’ll be reunited with our nearest and dearest face to face, but I have also enjoyed the convenience of online socials. Needless to say, it will seem a lot more effort to head to even just the pub for drinks, now that we’ve become so accustomed to the luxury of a snuggly sofa and that bottle of wine ready by our side for top ups!
The corner sofa in the lounge was the perfect starting point, then using two camera tripods we were able to lift the middle without too much obstruction inside. Another key element to consider when creating a den is what will secure the sheets together and onto things. For this I would recommend having pegs and elastic bands handy as well as using elements of your furniture to secure it, such as tucking it behind the sofa cushions or trapping it inside the fastening of a tripod.
Ready with a bottle of wine, popcorn and a movie, I was so chuffed with our awesome date night setup. We had envisioned sleeping in our creation for the night, however we realised that the tripod legs would be too much of an obstacle when trying to sleep! Instead we left it up for a couple days and enjoyed the change of scenery for a few evenings in front of the TV.
Whether you do this with your partner, family or even housemates, it really is a fun way to shake up movie night at home during lockdown. I definitely felt like a kid again as we cosied up and escaped the madness of the outside world in our fairytale fort.
The weather may be warming up, but I still love to make my favourite oatmeal topped with fresh fruits and creamy peanut butter. I often add apple slices to thicken the oatmeal and with it being berry season, juicy red strawberries and warmed blueberry compote are my current toppings of choice.
This breakfast is so satisfying and keeps me full until the afternoon. Balanced with carbs, fats and natural sugars, my oatmeal bowl replenishes my body after a workout whilst helping to build muscle too.
Served in an aesthetic coconut bowl complete with a wooden spoon, this reminds me of the beautiful acai bowls we had almost everyday in Bali. Simply warming the blueberries in a splash of water creates that dreamy pool of purple jam to sweeten the oatmeal without artificial sugars.
The simple pleasure of taking the time to sit down and enjoy my delicious brekkie is definitely something I will miss when I return to work. I take this moment to plan my objectives for the day and have a browse of my favourite blogs for inspiration and ideas. I’ve really tried to use this period of lockdown as an opportunity to be innovative and learn some new skills too, because sometimes I think it takes a little slower pace in life to reignite that passion for learning and creating.
I can’t deny, there were some hairy moments including when I almost plummeted head first through the wall! Needless to say the process of working out how to achieve the different positions made for a very entertaining video. I will admit though, I am at an advantage with my dancer background giving me flexibility and balance.
We simply setup the camera, cleared a space in the living room and using photos of couples yoga which I found on Pinterest, the fun began as we tried to recreate the poses. We attempted about seven positions in total, only one of which we failed to do!
It was certainly a lot of fun making this one and also tested my video editing skills as I had to cut down about an hour of footage to just five minutes. I think it’s always good to go outside of your comfort zone especially when learning a new skill, as this has made me excited to experiment with some different kinds of videos beyond just workouts.
If you’re bored during lockdown and stuck indoors, this really is a great way to pass some time with your partner whilst getting in a little workout too – not to mention the fits of giggles as you find yourselves in some compromising positions 😉
You can watch the full video over on my YouTube channel 
The ingredients are actually pretty simple and the sort of things you may have in your kitchen cupboard at home. The spicy dipping sauce is just maple syrup (or I used golden syrup) mixed with hot sauce, then for the cauliflower batter you need:
Make sure to pre-heat the oven to approximately 180 degrees (fan assisted) and line a tray with baking paper beforehand as things get messy from here! In a large mixing bowl whisk the flour, milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper until combined, before dipping each floret of cauliflower into the mixture. They must be fully covered but not dripping too much.
Once all of the cauliflower is coated and ready on the baking tray, oven cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Meanwhile, whisk together the syrup and hot sauce to taste, ready to drizzle over the finished wings as well as saving some extra for dipping.
I plated mine up with some spring onions and coriander to garnish. These turned out to be super tasty and perfect wing texture with that crispy batter crunch coating the tender cauliflower florets. Being so spicy, I would definitely serve these with a cooling yoghurt or tatziki style dip next time along with some more fresh salad too.
These would be perfect finger food for a party and are even relatively cheap and easy to make, not to mention a whole lot healthier than your usual buffalo wings. I love finding these awesome recipe hacks which mean we can enjoy some healthier alternatives to those more indulgent treats.
Even working from home I still get that Friday feeling and treat myself to a glass of wine at the end of the day before winding down for the weekend. I also want to give my favourite clothes a little love as they aren’t getting their usual time out of the wardrobe at the moment!
With the sun shining and the BBQ out once again, I popped on this old but very cute Superdry dress along with my gorgeous Lack of Colours Australian rancher hat.
So even though we can’t currently go out and see our friends for a drink down the pub, it’s always such a mood booster to put on a nice outfit and arrange a virtual drinks meet up with friends and family. Then before we know it, we’ll be socialising and making memories with loved ones again very soon – something we won’t take for granted again!
Living in the beautiful Hampshire countryside, we really are spoilt with some of the most picturesque surroundings which we usually take for granted.
Hopping on the bikes and taking a new route each time we venture out, we’ve been lucky enough to discover some awesome new locations. So when we found this bluebell woods in full bloom we couldn’t wait to do a shoot!
The ideal time to capture such dense woodland is at sunset when the light is peaking through the trees and showering those golden hour hues. It’s always fun to just experiment in order to capture those more natural action shots.
So whilst we may have to wait to go out in the world and travel foreign lands again, I’m thankful to be chasing such picturesque sunsets back in my home country; it’s time to rediscover the natural beauty of our homelands ❤
The recipe is super simple, you just need medjool dates, walnuts (although I used plain mixed nuts as that’s what we had in stock) and cacao powder. Start by blending the nuts then adding the medjool dates and finally cacao powder until a thick sticky batter is formed. Spoon out the mixture into a lined baking tin and use your hands to smooth out the batter to the desired thickness for your brownies. This bit can be quite messy so roll up those sleeves and don’t wear white!
For the topping simply melt coconut oil, honey and more cacao powder on the hob until a liquid consistency, before pouring over the brownies making sure to cover all of the top. I chose to sprinkle coconut chips on mine at this point (optional addition) and then left the brownies to set in the fridge for at least an hour.
Once set, cut into bitesize chunks as big or small as you like. These are super rich and gooey, so store in the fridge and take out 15 minutes or so before serving. You can experiment using different nuts in the mixture and whatever toppings you prefer, but the essential basis to these are just 3 wholesome ingredients and require very little effort to make. Simple, indulgent and believe it or not, healthy brownie treats! Let me know if you try these and what you think – enjoy :)
With pilates being the most conditioning and strengthening discipline particularly for dancers, I prefer to focus on the core, glutei and legs. I then also plank for around 7 minutes before stretching to conclude my normal workouts.
As a newbie to the world of YouTube, I decided to keep my first few videos more simple and fun for viewers to follow along to. Each workout is to a different chart hit which I have choreographed a series of exercises to, sure to get your blood pumping whilst having a boogy too! I think music is such a great motivator when working out and being a dancer, of course a good routine to match is a must.
Some of my videos are a little more challenging and really get you feeling the burn, whilst the slightly easier ones would be a great way to get your heart rate up before a workout. Either way, it’s so important for our physical and mental health to keep active during this time of isolation. With so many options online for at home workouts and even live classes, this is the time to smash those fitness goals!
YouTube is something I’ve always wanted to have a go at, so with all this time on my hands it was the perfect opportunity. It’s great that I can finally work on this little project properly and sharing something which I am passionate about, I too have fun making my videos. I do also plan on branching out with other style content in the future, travel vlogs being my ultimate goal. But for now I hope to inspire some people to get fit and stay active to stay sane!
I was intrigued to try this sweet treat for myself and pleasantly surprised at the simple list of ingredients required. Taking the above recipe which I found on Instagram, I swapped the sugar for stevia sweetener and opted for soya milk.
It certainly takes a good 10 minutes of whisking if done by hand, but be patient and soon your coffee will form a creamy butterscotch foam. As I prefer a less milky coffee, a short tumbler glass with large ice cubes is my favourite way to enjoy this beverage.
This is of course a treat and takes a little more time to make than your usual coffee. However with so much time on our hands at the moment everyone has jumped on the whipped coffee band wagon!
I’d be keen to try experimenting with flavours for the creamy whipped topping, perhaps cinnamon or even coco powder like a Frappuccino . Enjoyed in the sunshine whilst reading my book makes for the perfect morning routine or afternoon pick me up.
Dani Aneka 