Monday Night Tipple; Sky Bar at The Aviator
Good evening babes! I’ve kicked off this week in style, as my boyfriend and I decided to go for cocktails at our new favourite local bar to bust those Monday blues.
Working in hospitality means I am on shift most weekends, so my time off tends to be early to midweek. Whilst I do love my weekends and socialising with friends, in the current climate it’s actually a blessing to be going out in the week, as places are quieter and tend to have good deals on too.
With our local pub The Oatsheaf offering 50% off mains this week, we decided to head there for dinner before indulging in a late night tipple at the Sky Bar.
Situated in the The Aviator hotel right next to Farnborough Airport, this local gem is always a treat to visit with its super luxurious decor and decedent cocktails to match.
The glamorous, relaxing lounge bar situated on the first floor overlooking the runway, sets the scene for stunning cocktails with a view.
From the timeless classics to bespoke signature creations, there’s always something new to try from the ever-changing vast drinks menu. On this occasion, I opted for a show stopping smoked whiskey and chilli infused short cocktail served in a glass dome containing actual smoke!
With tangy notes of mango and passionfruit, this was the perfect sweet tipple to end my night on. I’m also obsessed with these gorgeous embossed tumblers along with the gold platform coaster mine was presented upon.
So there we have it, a slightly more boujee Monday evening than I would usually allow myself, but I guess this is like my Saturday night and a well deserved treat following work over the weekend. And with the current state of affairs leaving us all in limbo at the moment, there’s all the more reason to soak up these little moments of joy to lift our spirits.
At the start of lockdown, my room also became my office as I worked from home for a month or so. I like my desk space to be well ordered and neat for me to work most efficiently, as well as decorated with inspiring quotes and art pieces to fuel my creativity.
This gold text printed piece from Maggs London is one of my favourite quotes. For me ‘Stay Wild’ evokes a number of motivating ideas; don’t be too serious about life, trust your instincts and remember to have fun.
On the subject of quotes and words, I always have a collection of books on my bedside table which I am currently reading. I tend to dip in and out of self-help books and poetry from time to time, as well as flick through coffee table books often related to style, fashion or food.
Candles, fairy lights and flowers are another finishing touch to making my bedroom feel warm, comforting and homely. The ideal nighttime routine for me is to set the mood with twinkling fairy lights and subtly fragranced candles, before winding down with a book before bed. (Ok, I admit that I scroll through Instagram before bed also, but I am consciously trying to reduce my screen time now!)
I often light a candle whilst working at my desk too as this helps me to stay calm and present when trying to get a lot done. My diary and personalised kiki.K organiser are never far either as I always write to do lists and jot down ideas as they come to me.
Onto my wardrobe and I would be lying if I didn’t confess that I have an obsession with clothes and shoes too! Nevertheless, I have been minimising my shopping during lockdown and have taken the time to consolidate my wardrobes. I dream one day of having a much needed walk in wardrobe for all my treasured garments, but for now I’m happy with my well ordered dressing corner.
And finally, number one job I do every morning is to always make my bed, something I have done since I can remember. There’s nothing better than coming home to a freshly made bed and if you feel like you haven’t achieved much else in a day, at least you can say you made your bed :)
Even as a nineties baby who shares a lot of photos online, I’ve continued to print my favourite pictures over the years to create albums, collages or to frame on my wall. When I moved to Australia two and a half years ago, it became less of a priority to be printing all the photos from the incredible memories I was making at the time, yet I always knew I would create an album or collage when I got chance.
There were a lot of fantastic photos from my time living in Australia, so it was hard to narrow down the final polaroids for this section of the collage. In total I decided to make my creation span the past two years of my life – from moving to Aus, my brother getting married and then travelling again with my best friend back in January. Choosing my images for print was challenging, so I would recommend allowing the time to thoroughly scan your social media posts and all of your albums to get the very best of your pictures.
Inspiration to make this Instagram feed style collage came from one of my favourite Swedish influencers Janni Olsson Deler – 
The first step to making your collage is to find a suitable frame, preferably as large as possible. Then once you know the size of your frame, you can order the suitable number of polaroids to fit. My frame was 50cm x 70cm and the polaroids which I managed to get in a mini size from Inkifi were 5.5cm x 8.5 cm, so doing the maths I figured out I could fit 8 across by 8 down, equalling 64 polaroids in total. I decided to order about 10 extra prints as I wanted to see them all laid out first to perfect the balance of colours and compositions.
At only £0.25 per mini Polaroid I ordered from Inkifi.com which proved not only reasonable on price, but also brilliant quality prints with perfect colour and a lovely matt finish. The only other element to consider is what you will be sticking your polaroids onto. I simply used the white paper insert which came in the frame along with a good old fashioned glue stick to secure each print in place. After measuring the boarder width and length each side, I began lining up and sticking each polaroid on side by side.
Once complete, it’s time to open up your frame and give the glass a good clean inside and out, before placing in your final piece. I was so pleased with the overall outcome of my collage and couldn’t believe how easy it was to assemble. I purchased my frame from Ready Made Picture Frames in Basingstoke as this company has worked alongside my mum’s business for years, but equally you could easily find frames of all sizes online. Originally I tried hanging it above my bed, however this is a picture people need to get up close to in order to see the individual photos in detail, so I moved it to be next to my desk instead.
This retro way of displaying your photos is not only aesthetically pleasing, but is also a perfect way to enjoy numerous snapshots all in one place. I will cherish my collage which encapsulates the past two years of my life, full of so many wonderful memories and exciting events. Who knows what the next few years will bring for me, but I can’t wait to make another polaroid collage following the next exciting chapter of my life.
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.
Waking on Christmas morning at home, we were treated to clear blue skies as the sun glistened through the crisp winter air. After opening our presents sipping some bubbly, we drove over to my Auntie’s house in Surrey. I was thrilled to be wearing my fabulous new prescription sunglasses by Kenzo.
As always my Auntie and Uncle’s home was exquisitely decorated with tasteful touches of Christmas and aromas of the roast dinner cooking away welcoming us as we arrived.
It was a very much scaled down family affair for us this year as our international family continues to expand. Nevertheless it was lovely to be with close family again and soak up the festivities as we drank and ate wonderful food. Starter was Jamie Oliver’s seafood cocktail with smoked salmon, prawns and a thousand island dressing – a classic Christmas entree.
The main event was of course a traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings including my favourite bread sauce with leeks. After enjoying a perfectly matched white wine to have with my starter, I moved onto red to compliment the rich flavours of dinner. Every single mouthful was scrumptious!
After such a culinary delight, we all slumped on the sofa and kicked back to watch the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special. Later we served the cheese along with an assortment of deserts including mince pies, Christmas pudding and a decedent cream and chocolate choux pastry. A midnight Baileys finished me off before I curled up in bed feeling very merry indeed, the way it should be 😉
As a resort destination offering more than just accommodation and dining, the Four Seasons Hampshire pulls out all the stops at Christmas to create a true winter wonderland experience. From a pop-up glice rink and kids movie room, to the festive afternoon tea and speciality themed cocktails, there is something to suit all tastes.
Stepping foot into the warming reception with its grand fireplace welcoming guests in from the crisp winter air, the hotel glistens and sparkles with touches of Christmas sprinkled throughout. Scents of holly and fragrant spices of the giant gingerbread house linger in the air as the perfectly proportioned Christmas tree sits majestically enveloped by the grand staircase.
If you’re looking for a little countryside escape to soak up those nostalgic feels, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is certainly the destination to get lost and recapture that childlike magic of Christmas.
I haven’t always been an early bird as I’m naturally more productive in the evenings. However with a new routine and 9-5 job, I have learnt to embrace the crack of dawn and soak up my morning me time.
After drawing back the curtains, the first thing I do every single morning is make the bed to set me up for a positive, productive day; clear space, clear mind.
Most mornings I will then do a half an hour workout and stretching routine which energises my body and releases any tension from sleeping. Having danced all of my life, I feel sluggish and tired when I don’t exert myself physically, so I make this a priority.
After a quick shower and simple makeup routine, I relish the process of choosing my outfit for the day as fashion and style has always been a passion of mine. Finally, I make my morning coffee in a keep cup and take 5 minutes to catch the morning news as I savour that moment before dashing to work.
With her passion and knowledge for art, just over a year ago the opportunity to open her own gallery arose and it seemed too good of a prospect to miss. Now indulging in her love for images and framing, Caroline brings together a collection of pieces from a varied source of local artists as well as posters, photos and prints purchased at auction, exhibitions and online.
The eclectic mix of traditional paintings to abstract canvases and modern prints makes for an interesting viewing experience, enticing customers to perhaps invest in art they wouldn’t usually choose. My preference tends to be the more abstract, modernistic pieces such as this ‘Art Of Kissing’ poster.
I also really like this collection of original press photographs which capture the spirit of celebrities in their raw form often unseen to the public eye.
However I too occasionally find myself drawn to work which wouldn’t normally be to my taste. This oil painting by Sergio Kendall caught my attention with its vibrant colours and abstract style. As a feature on the main wall hung amongst a variety of different posters, paintings and photographs, this stunning piece catches the viewers eye.
The space is very much an expression of my mum’s niche, yet stylish taste and brings together a broad range of art in all kinds of forms. Her ethos when approached by artists or searching for new pieces is to ‘never sell anything in the gallery that I wouldn’t have in my own home’. This is what makes the vision unique at Picture This.
Dani Aneka 