Studland Bay Sundowners
With some glorious weather heading our way a few weeks ago, it felt like summer already here in the UK and we were only in the month of May! Thankfully lockdown measures had slightly loosened their grip and we were finally allowed to drive to outdoor areas and even sit at distance from others in public spaces.
As our favourite beach at West Wittering was closed, we still wanted to make the most of this mini heatwave and decided to head down south to a different beach instead. Studland Bay located in Dorset is a vast area of sandy beaches and heathland, overlooking the natural coastland rock formation of Old Harry Rocks.
It was no surprise that everyone had the same idea to soak up the sun at the beach that week, especially with lots of people still not working. So it wasn’t until later in the day when the crowds slowly cleared that we were able to find ourselves a quiet, undisturbed view for sunset.
It was perfectly serene over the bay as the sun showered golden hues over the water before slowly dipping below the horizon. Whilst we did have a few tinnies of G&T and crisps to nibble on, annoyingly cafes were still not open and there were no nearby shops to grab more food. A takeaway pizza or portable BBQ would’ve been the finishing touch to this idyllic setup.
It was a truly picture perfect sundown at Studland Bay as we played some chilled background tunes and watched on at the mesmerising colour show across the sky, all created by the natural wonder that is the sun going to sleep.
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!
Being local to the area, it’s somewhere I’d heard a lot of great things about and been meaning to visit for a long time. There is of course the Silent Pool gin distillery based here too with its exquisitely designed floral blue bottle inspired by this luscious landscape.
I’ve never seen such truly turquoise water in a naturally occurring pool like this before and the plush green trees overhanging the water create the most incredible reflections.
Legend has it that King John rode on his horse to the pool and abducted a woodcutter’s daughter, who he forced into the deep water and drowned. This folklore dates back to a book by Martin Tupper written in 1858 and it’s even rumoured that the maiden’s ghost can be seen by the pool at midnight.
Given its otherworldly beauty and serene stillness, Silent Pool has been linked back to numerous historical stories like this and is even considered by some as a sacred site.
I too felt very peaceful and calm by the harmonious elegance of the lagoon as we walked along the narrow paths enveloped in luscious greenery. A top tip would be to take a blanket and a little picnic to sit by the waterside and soak up the tranquility of such splendid surroundings.
Next time I would be intrigued to take a tour of the gin distillery next door and have a proper insight into the history and background of Silent Pool. And if you’re looking for somewhere a little different to take a stroll or have a picnic with your partner or family, this is a truly unique spot which feels like heaven on earth ❤
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 
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 ❤
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!
Dani Aneka 