Heads High in the Clouds at Sky Bar
Happy Friday! It may not be the usual weekend ahead here in the UK as we find ourselves back in lockdown for another month; but regardless I’m sat here sipping my Friday night G&T looking back on an awesome Sunday sesh with my work friends last weekend.
With my work wife and work husband by my side, we got started early with cocktails at The Aviator from 2pm. This place has become my local favourite for an indulgent drink date with a fancy twist, a little more special than another trip to the pub.
It was the ultimate opportunity to get all dolled up for those picture perfect Instagram snaps with my girl. We were definitely channelling those 70s Clueless vibes with our outfits too, myself in the flared jeans and checked blazer, alongside Ella with her polo neck layered under a velvet mini dress.
The extensive cocktail menu at Sky Bar always makes it fun to try and test different concoctions every time I visit. I started with the Mile High Club which I’ve been lusting after for ages, as it features a soft white chocolate foam on top, yum!
A few cocktails knocked back and we were ready to get some fun shots walking down the grand staircase with its spiral art deco ceiling design. It was a long awaited day off with my work colleagues following a busy summer at the hotel, so you certainly couldn’t wipe the grins off our faces.
Our afternoon continued into the early evening as Alex kindly treated us girls to a bottle of champagne and we stayed for dinner too. A delicious spread of grub was served including chicken caesar salad and a creamy rigatoni pasta… much needed to soak up those cocktails.
What a truly special Sunday spent with wonderful company sipping stunning cocktails and expensive bubbles to celebrate the occassion. I feel so lucky to have met such awesome friends through my workplace who share my passion to work hard and play hard 😉
In celebration of my good news, we stopped at the local pub for drinks to enjoy this beautiful summers evening from the pub garden. Of course the McLaren never fails to turn heads as we pull up and exit the car feeling like celebrities 😉
Soon enough it was Monday morning and time to get back on that work grind. It felt nice to be smartly dressed again in a crisp blue shirt paired with a suit skirt and classic court heels, a welcome change to trackie pants and leggings!
What a joy it was to be reunited with my friends and colleagues and such a relief to see that business is continuing to thrive at the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire. I was of course exhausted by the end of the day as my mind and body aren’t used to those 8 hour shifts following extended time in Furlough. Nevertheless, I am extremely thankful for my job and lucky to be working again after such an unpredictable period worldwide.
With a lot of hairdressers in England all booked up for the next month or so, I opted for the highstreet chain Supercuts who are now only taking bookings 24 hours in advance on a first come first serve basis. I was really happy with the last cut I had there and their prices are so reasonable too – starting at £15.99 for a wash and cut.
The salon took all the necessary precautions in regards to PPE and as always the service was lovely. I had the same hairdresser as last time who was a pleasure to chat with whilst doing a fabulous job of my hair. As I don’t need any colour treatment for my naturally very blonde locks, the total cost for my cut was just £22.99, a fraction of the price a lot of professional salons would charge.
At first I thought it was a little shorter than I had envisioned as she had taken off a good 5 inches! However looking at it from the back and the side, it has so much more shape and volume now and it’s so much easier to style. She added some choppy layers all through the back and also shaped the front around my face which I’m loving.
I’ve never had so many compliments after a haircut and I’m enjoying having a play around with the different up-dos I can create now too. With my hair being on the thinner side, shorter styles have always given it more volume and also suits my heart shaped face.
I couldn’t wait to show off my fresh chop this weekend as we hit the pub and even went for our first meal out since restaurants re-opened. If you’re in need of a haircut ASAP post lockdown, I would highly recommend Supercuts given their efficient, cheap service which doesn’t compromise on quality.
I like to combine higher end pieces alongside high street fashion to create a unique and eclectic style. Simply adding a designer pair of shoes, classic Daniel Wellington watch or statement sunglasses can turn an otherwise basic outfit into something far more stylish.
Jewellery is also another important element when accessorising an outfit. My everyday pieces are gold or gold plated as it’s long lasting and compliments anything. A lot of these are from my favourite Portuguese jewellery brand CINCO, but mostly I shop my vintage jewellery in antique stores where you can find timeless designs which are also one of a kind.
This was one of my favourite looks from the shoot as it combines that classic feminine silhouette of the fitted blazer, paired with those masculine Grenson chunky boots and oversized sunnies from KENZO. I would call this power dressing as I felt like a boss woman in this smart yet sexy outfit.
Moving onto a more casual look, the backless white crop top, cute gingham hair scrunchy and old school Ray Bans completed this sports luxe combo. Comfortable and effortlessly cool, you can’t go wrong with this.
I’ve always been a lover of hats, so I jumped straight onto the baker boy trend when these came back around – I remember wearing those hats as a kid back in the millennium!
These little shoulder bags are another fashion which has come back around from the nineties. I think it’s fascinating how trends roll on round and we find ourselves digging back through our wardrobes or even wearing our parent’s vintage sunnies.
Just being unafraid to experiment outside of your comfort zone makes fashion fun and exciting. Whilst current trends come and go in a flash, having style is timeless and can turn the simplest of outfits into the most killer looks.
I had so much fun filming this spring look book and getting creative with alternative outfits for different occasions… now I can’t wait to walk out of lockdown in style!
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!
Having gone to uni in Bournemouth, my friend used to visit Coast.Surf+Moto frequently and knew I’d love the stylish, quirky vibe of the place. Bringing together a fresh, wholesome all-day brunch menu as well as serving quality coffee, this cafe promotes a healthy living outdoor lifestyle.
The simple, sleek interiors featuring black window panels and bamboo lampshades, reflects coastal living with touches of Scandinavian character.
Located in Poole near to the South’s most popular beaches and harbours, their shop sells an eclectic mix of surf, skate and motorcycle products. After our leisurely lunch under the afternoon sun out in the courtyard, I enjoyed browsing the branded clothes and accessories before having a read of some of the contemporary books on offer.
Following our chilled afternoon at Coast.Surf+Moto cafe and shop, we made our way down to the beach to soak up the rest of the day’s sun…an essence of Aussie living in the UK!
With family who travelled from every side of the world to be there, it was never going to be an easy goodbye. Whilst it’s difficult having family all over the world, this occasion was a testament to how close we all remain despite the distance and when we do see each other, its like no time has passed.
Taking a final look over that landscape, once again I couldn’t comprehend the overwhelming joy and fun we’d shared together that weekend. When there’s so much uncertainty and hatred going on in the world at the moment, I feel so incredibly lucky to have such a solid family who always have each others backs no matter what.
Having lived in Aus for the past few years, being back with family was even more special. It was also a great opportunity to get to know the bride’s lovely family too, as well as catch up with my brother’s oldest friends who I haven’t seen for many years.
The week before with my immediate family in Montepulciano staying at that beautiful villa was also a special time. We spent our days lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun and sampling the best of the local wine and food in the heart of Tuscan countryside. My sister, cousin and I have already agreed we want to return next year to explore more of the region and its historic towns nestled in the picturesque hills.
Before leaving we visited Pienza once again so my dad could see the spot where the Gladiator film was shot. We had a laugh as he performed the famous Maximus speech which he has learnt off-by-heart! We then hit the road and headed for Rome airport to catch our flight back to England.
Bellissimo! Ciao for now Tuscany, you will forever hold a special place in our hearts ❤
With the sun shining and speakers pumping tunes, it was another afternoon of fun and laughter as we all reminisced on the fairytale weekend we’d spent together.
It was the perfect opportunity to wear my Lack Of Colours rancher hat and tye-dye maxi beach dress with Birkenstocks and Ray Ban sunnies.
After a couple of hours down by the pool messing around on pizza floaties, we made our way back to the terrace where they served up real pizzas. Made in the authentic wood-fire pizza oven, these were without a doubt the best pizza slices I’d ever had. A light thin base with emphasis on the toppings was what made these so moorish and the perfect cure for those hangovers 😉
Meanwhile a storm was brewing in the distance making for a very moody sky across the valley, yet the rain never came; a terrific Tuscan stormy sunset.
Later that evening the guitar came out and we broke into a singalong. We were even treated to a live version of the song written for the newlyweds which had us all in tears yet again!
Being a very musical family, that night we were in our element singing our hearts out to each other. I sang ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac, although I was a fair few beers down at that point, so I’m not so sure this was my most tuneful rendition. Singing ‘Let it be’ by Lennon with my brother and dad was particularly special, before we had to bid farewell to the guests and close the book on a wedding weekend we will cherish forever.
I took a step back that night and breathed in the magic of that moment. We truly had shared the most joyful time together and the happiness of everyone present spoke for itself. The memories will always make me smile; ‘That’s Amore’.
Dani Aneka 