After almost four years with my trusty iPhone 12 Mini, I’ve finally upgraded to the newest iPhone model and this time I’ve gone pro. With the amount I use my iPhone for photos and filming I opted for the 16 Pro instead of investing in a new camera.
So come along as I setup my new fancy iPhone, get to grips with the upgraded features and most importantly test the highly rated camera including cinematic mode, slow motion, portrait mode and incredible HD & 4K quality. This is really going to up my photography and filming content game!
Classic, fun, sexy; animal print is a wardrobe staple and I find myself particularly drawn to it when picking my date night fit.
This Saturday we were heading into Farnham town for pre-dinner drinks at The Wine Yard before 8pm reservations at Cote.
I based my look around a new pair of leopard print kitten heel slingbacks which I wore with Stradivarius vintage style jeans, this leopard print aysemmetric top, statement gold chunky hoops and my Coach signature motif tan handbag to complete the look.
At The Wine Yard we shared a beautiful bottle of Primitivo red wine along with a small cheese board as a tasty appetiser.
I ordered the Breton fish stew with a side of fries and broccolini to share, whilst my boyfriend had the classic minute steak with peppercorn sauce and fries too.
The atmosphere was buzzing on a Saturday night and the service was friendly and attentive as always at Cote. I’d highly recommend the fish stew for any seafood lovers as a wonderfully warming and tasty dish which is fresh and healthy too.
Date night scenes like these make me so happy, nothing beats an old school evening of wining and dining with your loved one ❤
Majestic; having or showing impressive beauty or scale…and Monaco sure was that in every way!
From the grand beauty of the famous Monte-Carlo Casino Square, to the magnificent Prince’s Palace overlooking the stunning harbour filled with millionaire’s super yachts, every corner of the city is a spotless, picture perfect moment.
So here is a completion of those cinematic scenes from our holiday to Monaco, complete with slow motion clips to fully channel my inner Bond Girl starring in her own music video.
During our time in Monaco we dived into the Monegasque way of life and indulged in a spot of luxury shopping around the Avenue Des Beaux-Arts area.
It was in Dior that my boyfriend made his special purchase of the trip and treated himself to an awesome pair of Dior trainers.
I found myself also tempted by the glamorous boutique of Christian Dior and before I knew it, I was trying on the classic Dior printed slides I’ve always lusted after.
With our two months in Bali coming up in the new year, it seemed the perfect excuse to invest in a beautiful pair of statement shoes for the evenings.
The benefit of designer shopping abroad is you get the tax back on your purchases at the airport, which in France is 12%. I paid 690 euros for my Dior Slides which came to about £580, then I received £63 tax back when I returned to the UK.
It’s very easy to process the refund as the shop fills out all of the forms which you then validate by simply scanning at the machine in the airport, you just have to have your passport on you when you make the purchase in store.
I couldn’t wait to wear my new Diors and they matched my outfit perfectly, so changed into them straight away for a photo in Monte-Carlo Casino Square.
On our first day in Monaco, we needed some supplies and snacks to have at our Airbnb so we went to the local supermarket.
To our delight, the local Le Marche U was a brilliant store much like a Wholefoods market with numerous fresh food counters and wonderful organic fruits and vegetables.
We got plenty of goodies including a generous portion of homemade lasagne for my boyfriend and a pot of Greek salad which we had for lunch on our balcony at the Airbnb.
I also couldn’t resist some French cheese from the gloriously large cheese counter. A jar of fig chutney, rustic sourdough crackers and a pot of olives was the perfect pairing for our cheese.
I had to have a photo back at the Dior shop in my evening dress as they had a cute seating area just outside, complete with palms and statement Dior printed cushions.
I did browse a few vintage shops around Monte-Carlo too and there were some great, unique designer pieces, but I still couldn’t justify a Chanel handbag for 8,000 euros…!
We were chuffed with our designer shoes from Christian Dior and I can’t wait to match with my boyfriend on evenings out in Bali.
Cheers to experiencing the ultra luxurious and lavish Monegasque way of life ❤
As a haven for the super rich and a playground for tourists, Monaco is a truly unique country located on the picturesque Cote d’Azur.
Visiting in late September, the weather was mild but still warm making it the perfect temperature for walking around and exploring the city on foot.
We stayed in an Air BnB on the boarder in Beausoleil, just a 10 minute walk to the central square of Monte Carlo and equally close to Monaco Beach.
On our first evening we strolled to the famous Monte Carlo Casino Square where there was a line-up of supercars including a Rolls Royce and a classic red Ferrari.
We then made our way down to the harbour to spot those mega yachts as the sunset over the mountains.
My all white fit with a touch of blue stripes was giving nautical vibes, very fitting for our first evening in Monaco harbour.
On our second day we took an open top bus tour to explore the entire country and see the most iconic tourist attractions.
Whenever we visit a new city we always try to take a hop-on hop-off tour, as they are the best way to discover the best spots and helps get our bearings.
It was amazing to see Monte Carlo from above when walking around the palace grounds.
We wandered around the Prince’s palace and surrounding area where we also stumbled upon the Cathedral and Monaco Museum.
Continuing on the bus tour, we saw the second harbour with yet more incredible super yachts and epic boats.
We completed the tour back towards the centre of Monte Carlo where we found the famed hair pin corner on the route of the F1 track.
People gather on this corner to spot the many supercars casually driving around Monaco; I’ve never seen so many Lamborghinis and Ferraris in one place!
Despite it being a built up city, Monaco has many stunning gardens providing a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
There is even a beautiful Japanese Garden complete with serene seating areas overlooking the ponds and waterfalls.
I felt very European, French Riviera in my striped shorts, white babydoll crop top, silk neck scarf and basket bag.
The streets of Monaco are so clean and pristine, there’s not an inch out of place.
On the Saturday night we went down to the beach front for golden hour drinks and date night dinner.
I wore this figure hugging floor length floral dress paired with my Senso heeled mules, By Alona pearl necklace, oversized floral earrings and crochet clutch bag.
Feeling very sophisticated, very demure ❤
We were told that the French village of Eze was a must to visit during our time in Monaco too.
Just a 15 minute bus ride out of Monaco, Eze was easy to get to and a lovely day trip out of the city.
We walked around the historic streets of the small village built upon a hill above Monaco and visited Le Jardin Exotique with sweeping views of the South coast.
We concluded our day trip to Eze with lunch at a traditional brasserie complete with gorgeous wine and sunshine of course.
There’s no denying it, Monaco is literally an adult’s playground for the rich and wealthy.
Everywhere you turn there’s another supercar and the price to eat and drink out certainly matched the calibre of guests!
On our final night we browsed the car dealership windows lusting after the awesome new models gleaming back at us.
I wore my C’est Normal forever pants paired with a backless halter neck top, my Abbott Lyon gold chain necklace, square toe nude mule heels and Sandro green velvet handbag.
We had to take a final stroll to Monte Carlo Casino Square on our last night and see what supercars were in the lineup.
And with that I strutted out of Monte Carlo Square in style marking the end to an amazing long weekend in Monaco.
We loved our short but sweet time in the unique principality of Monaco. Perhaps next time we’ll drive from the UK to the South of France in our very own supercar… that would be the dream ❤
Next week we are flying to Nice to spend a short week in the Principality of Monaco. Nestled between the sea and the mountains this unique country has so much to offer in its two square kilometres, from historic establishments and stunning coastline, to exceptional food and luxury shopping.
As one of the wealthiest countries in the world and home to many millionaires, I’m expecting to see glamorous residents cruising around in their super cars and hanging out on their mega yachts in the harbour.
I’m excited to explore the city on foot whilst browsing the shops and sipping cocktails at a chic harbour bar overlooking the French Riviera.
We don’t have a specific plan for our time in Monaco, however I’ve done some initial research to get recommendations on the top places to visit on https://www.visitmonaco.com/en
So stay tuned to hear all about our late summer holiday in my Monaco Diaries ❤
This weekend me and my girl friends took a road trip down to Devon to celebrate with our friends who eloped in lockdown. Given the small, intimate ceremony they had a few years ago due to the social distancing laws at the time, they invited their friends and family for a big party at Farway Countryside Park in Devon.
Leaving early on Saturday morning, me and my two best friends packed the car ready to ‘glamp’ in a teepee for the night. We hit the road and didn’t come across too much traffic, so we stopped at a picturesque farm cafe called Otter Valley for a spot of lunch and coffee.
Arriving early afternoon, we got ourselves setup in the teepee we had booked for the night. Unfortunately the rain was relentless all weekend so it wasn’t the most ideal conditions for camping, but certainly made for a funny experience!
Safe to say the teepee was very basic with just the three beds together in the middle, so we had to improvise in making a nice space for getting ready with pre-drinks and snacks. Thankfully we had our camping chairs to use inside then we used the plastic bin upside down as a small table…
I came prepared with plastic wine glasses and inflatable flamingo drinks holders which I actually used as bowls for the snacks! With the mini speaker playing some tunes and the prosecco popped, we had fun getting glammed up and ready together for the party.
I wore this chocolate brown low back mini dress with long flared sleeves from ASOS, paired with these super platform flower detail H&M sliders, and my oversized gold pearl flower earrings also from ASOS.
The girls looked gorgeous too and I think we nailed the dress code which was ‘dress to impress’, however we were in a field with gravel and grass so we had to keep this in mind particularly for footwear.
It was a fabulous afternoon and evening celebrating the marriage of our friends and a great opportunity to catchup with so many old acquaintances from school too. My friend even made her handbag into a prosecco bottle holder for handsfree pouring, genius 😉
There was a hearty Thai Green Curry for dinner which was served at 6pm, then later in the evening they brought out some delicious desserts and cakes.
After lots of dancing and celebrating with friends, the party wrapped up at 11pm and we made our way back to our teepee to get cosy for the night as the rain continued to pour. Despite the rain ,we were snuggled up in our layers and got a good nights sleep. It might have not been ‘glamping’ as I’d envisioned it, but having a proper bed to sleep in made all the difference.
Cheers to a fun weekend away in Devon full of many hilarious moments with my besties as we celebrated the marriage of our wonderful friends ❤
Living in the quaint countryside of Hampshire, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a pub which serves great food too. From more traditional pubs serving up hearty homemade, traditional dishes, to the fantastic array of gastro pubs offering high quality, premium restaurant standard dishes, there’s a variety of options for all occasions.
One of our local pubs The Mutton, has become a favourite of ours for date night when we’re looking for something more premium than your average pub restaurant. Having reopened following a full renovation a few years ago, it’s made its mark on the food scene in Hampshire and has become known as one of the best gastro pubs in the area.
With a 7pm reservation on the final day in August, we were hoping to dine outside on their stunning terrace with sunset views over the neighbouring fields. Unfortunately the overcast evening scuppered our hopes of an al fresco date night dinner.
Regardless, we had a wonderful dining experience in the cosy restaurant area of the pub along with my parents who joined us for the meal as well. We started with drinks in the bar area so I kicked the evening off with my go-to cocktail of choice, a Margarita.
I couldn’t resist a picture with my margs which matched the green details of my outfit just perfectly; we love a green moment ❤
At 7:30pm we were seated at our table which was a super cute and cosy corner with sofa bench seating and plenty of cushions for extra comfort.
We started with a few small plates to share including the bang bang cauliflower, the beef spring roll with pack choi and a basket of sourdough bread with smoked butter.
This bang bang cauliflower was exquisite, the perfect blend of Chinese spices without the heavy coating of batter you might expect from a dish like that.
My main course was the chargrilled sea bass served with crushed potatoes, locally grown market vegetables and a white wine sauce.
They do fish really well at The Mutton and this sea bass was made particularly special by the white wine sauce which we poured over the dish ourselves upon it being served.
My boyfriend had his usual order of the sirloin steak served with fries and this delicious salad of rocket, parmesan and pink pickled shallot.
For my parents it was the pesto gnocchi with burrata for my mum, then my dad had the sea bass too as well as a side order of the irresistible parmesan truffle fries.
We skipped dessert and just had some coffees to finish as we’d had starters. All of the food was as usual a 10/10 and service very friendly and attentive. We were enjoying ourselves so much we were the last ones out of the restaurant at 10:30pm!
Whilst I think the food is very well priced for the incredible standard, it’s the wine which tends to make the final bill on the pricier side compared to the average pub.
However we are never disappointed with our experience at The Mutton and it is amazing to have such a brilliant pub right on our doorstep for when we do fancy spoiling ourselves.
The Mutton combines creative seasonal dishes with more traditional pub favourites, all made using the very best of British ingredients. If you’re in the area you must visit The Mutton for lunch or dinner for an elevated, quintessential British pub experience – https://themuttonathazeleyheath.co.uk
Happy bank holiday weekend! The weather might not be showing up for us here in the UK, but that didn’t stop me and my girl friends having a fun day together in London yesterday. Our dinner at the popular Islington neighbourhood spot Nem Nem was particularly special and too good not to share with my fellow foodies.
Located on Upper Street since it opened in 2015, Nem Nem has earned a name for itself for serving the most authentically delicious, yet affordable Vietnamese food in town. With our reservation at 8pm on a Saturday night, the place was bustling and packed out with diners, so I’d definitely recommend booking to avoid disappointment.
To start we ordered a selection of dishes including the prawn summer rice paper rolls, the vegan crispy spring rolls and the vegan Hanoi battered ‘fish’. The prawn rolls were the perfect fresh, light appetiser and the vegan fish made with marinated aubergine in a light batter was incredible.
For mains I had the squid mango salad with a side of rice which I shared with my friend who was having the squid salad too. Everything was so tasty and seasoned to perfection with the herbs and spices which feature so heavily in Vietnamese cuisine.
The portions were certainly generous and with a bottle of bubbles and a few other drinks as well, the final bill came to £28 per head. An absolute bargain for a two course dinner with wine in the centre of Islington London.
Service was very attentive and friendly and we didn’t have to wait long for food despite it being peak dining time. With another restaurant now open in Hoxton called Nom Nom, I’d say this is one of North London’s best kept secrets for exquisite Vietnamese cuisine complete with plenty of vegan options too. Highly recommend this restaurant next time you’re visiting the area and looking for a good value lunch or dinner, just make sure to book beforehand! – https://www.nemnoms.co.uk
As the capital of Santorini, the historic town of Fira is the largest and most cosmopolitan settlement of the island. Located on the western coast it boasts stunning views of the Caldera and is another top spot for watching sunset.
We found the the walk from Imerovigli to Fira took about 30-35 minutes down the coastal path, the perfect pre dinner stroll during golden hour complete with sweeping views of the Caldera.
Whilst Oia is known to be the prettiest town on the island, I personally preferred Fira given it was far less busy, it’s equally as beautiful as Oia and as the most historic town it feels more authentic.
When it comes to dining, you’re spoilt for choice with restaurants and bars to choose from in Fira. Upon researching the best spots in Santorini for food, I booked the highly rated and popular restaurant called The Vine, located just above the main square of Fira overlooking the Caldera.
With our front row table during sunset, there was a minimum spend for our reservation making this our most expensive dinner of the trip.
However we made the most of it and stayed for about 2 hours to see through the entirety of sunset; date nights don’t get much better than that picturesque setting!
Cocktails are a must for date night too and they certainly didn’t disappoint. As always it was a Tommy’s Margarita for her and a Classic Mojito for him, but with a sweet strawberry twist.
We ordered sourdough bread and a classic Greek feta salad to start, then I had the most exquisite king prawns with veg to follow and my boyfriend had the sirloin steak cooked medium rare. To accompany our main courses we had truffle mash potato and honey glazed baby carrots.
Service was very good and whilst my boyfriend’s steak wasn’t the best cut, the food on the whole was delicious and wonderfully presented. I would recommend The Vine for couples seeking a special evening during their stay in Santorini.
A boat day during our time on the island was a must, so we booked a sunset cruise at one of the tourist offices in the centre of Fira for just 40 euros each.
To get to the port of Fira there is a cable car to take you down the steep cliff edge, a fun experience in itself. With our boat trip commencing at 3pm on the Sunday, we were greeted by our tour guide down at the port where we boarded this fantastic old pirate style ship.
First we sailed over to the famous Caldera which we climbed in the scorching heat. A sweaty yet awesome experience to be on the top of the active volcano!
Next we stopped to swim in the hot springs before heading over to the tiny island of Thirassia. This used to be part of Santorini before a volcanic erruption many hundreds of years ago separated the land.
The boat trip concluded with a sunset cruise around the port of Oia complete with a glass of wine. A truly magical way to end the day and see the sun go down at sea.
Being dropped back in the port of Fira at about 9pm, we decided to have dinner in town and stumbled across this lovely restaurant Pelican Kipos. With a large outdoor seating area full of greenery and fairy lights, it was the perfect chilled ambience for a Sunday night dinner.
I had the quinoa avocado blue cheese salad and my boyfriend had the spaghetti carbonara. The food was delicious, service very friendly and attentive, and the final bill of about 40 euros was surprisingly reasonable considering this was the centre of Fira.
Another restaurant we didn’t pre-book but came across on our final night stroll into town was Vanilia. Luckily we got seated at the very front of the terrace with uninterrupted views at golden hour, the perfect final dinner setting.
My order was the grilled squid served with a wonderful fresh salsa, whilst my boyfriend had a decadent four cheese pizza topped with parma ham and rocket leaves. We also shared a Greek feta salad as I couldn’t resist another one on our very last night in Greece.
The food came fairly quickly and was delicious, my whole squid was particularly divine. An unexpected 10/10 meal for our last night in Santorini complete with sunset views, but without the super expensive bill you might anticipate somewhere like this in Fira.
By day the capital is great for shopping and exploring the historic streets, whilst by night there is more of a vibrant scene with lots of restaurants and bars staying open late.
So that brings us to the end of my Santorini Diaries series and I hope you found my recommendations interesting and useful. There’s no questioning the idyllic beauty of this iconic island; it’s certainly won my heart and I can’t wait to go back again soon ❤
Dani Aneka 