In light of this week’s government announcement in the UK, it would seem there is a glimmer of hope for summer 2021. Bring on those Friday afternoons relaxing in pub gardens, weekend BBQs with friends and family and maybe even a few late summer festivals! Whilst it’s unclear right now how soon we will be able to travel internationally again, I can’t help but dream up a holiday hit list for when the world is free once more – I am and always will be consumed by wanderlust.
D U B A I
Number one destination has to be Dubai given our cancelled trip we had booked there for the beginning of this year. Known for its ultramodern architecture, luxury shopping and lively nightlife, the city truly is an adult’s playground. We will be sure to visit the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Mall, Dubai Eye, Dubai Marina and I would have to venture out to do a desert safari! There is a sense of magnificent futurism which fascinates me about Dubai and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.
S A N T O R I N I
This Greek island with its abundance of blazing white cliff-side buildings and those iconic deep blue roofs, makes for the picture-perfect European holiday destination. Steeped in history and places of outstanding natural beauty, there is plenty to explore on the island like visiting the volcanic hot springs and wine tasting the unique flavours this fertile volcanic landscape produces. Santorini seems to be the idyllic romantic getaway I’ve always dreamt of.
B A L I
So yes, I have already visited Bali, but it just wasn’t long enough and I left lusting for more of this awesomely diverse, mysterious paradise. I need to head to Ubud to discover my inner yogi with its many temples, holistic centres and of course the monkey forest! I never got to properly visit one of those lush green magical rice fields, as well as one of the many breathtaking waterfalls across Bali for that ultimate gram pic. Although I do feel like I could go back to Canggu for a long time to just surf all day and party all night, balanced out with morning yoga and plenty of wonderful healthy food. Bali life is nourishing for mind, body and soul.
Lets fly far away… I can already taste the delicious sweet cocktails and feel those salty skin beach bum days!
I don’t know if it’s because we’re in lockdown so we’ll take any excuse to celebrate, or if it’s just because I’m batting for the other team this year, but I certainly felt the love shared globally this Valentines Day. Having another half to spoil and cuddle is of course a bonus, however it’s also all about letting your family and friends know how much they’re loved and most importantly indulging in some self love too.
With date night booked in for the evening with my boyfriend, I spent the day pampering and pruning which was as much about making me feel good, as it was to be looking my best for my man. In honour of V Day I stayed comfy but cute in my Victoria’s Secret silk pink stripe pyjama set complete with those super soft fluffy slides. I felt like a VS angel backstage getting ready for the show!
Despite it being another Sunday night staying in at home, it was the perfect excuse to get dolled up and feel glam for an evening of romance. I had a few options when it came to my outfit, option one being the ultimate backless moment in that high-neck cut-away body simply worn with a figure hugging pencil skirt and matching electric blue mules. Not the warmest for freezing mid February weather, so option two was these leather look skinny pants, blush pink asymmetric tie-up blouse and killer red wrap stilettos.
Sophisticated with a hint of dominatrix vibes, this would’ve been a great outfit for hitting a bar in town, but not the comfiest for an evening watching movies on the sofa. So option number three and final look of choice, was this floral low-cut playsuit paired with those sexy thigh-high black suede boots. Effortless and comfortable yet dressy and cute vamped up with awesome booties, this was the ideal combo for a Valentines night at home.
Candles lit, romantic playlist on, nibbles laid out and Italian takeaway on order, it was time to shake up some cocktails. Inspired by a recipe for a French Kiss cocktail I found on SheereLuxe.com, I put my own spin on this sweet concoction. Shook over ice I mixed together orange and mango juice, a squeeze of lime, Vodka and Chombord, resulting in that very fitting pale pink colour like it was our love potion 😉
Our Italian from the restaurant down the road La Casa soon arrived and we weren’t disappointed. I had a deliciously tasty Arrabbiata Tortiglioni with added spinach and mushrooms, whilst my boyfriend had a Caprino pizza loaded with goats cheese, caramelised onions and sweet peppers.
To balance out the carb fest I made a side salad of lettuce, rocket, cucumber and tomatoes. We enjoyed every single bite whilst sipping away at our perfectly paired full bodied Australian Shiraz red wine – Bellissimo!
Full of cheese and wine we resided to the sofa and opted for a romantic, heart-warming movie classic P.S I Love You. We then shared a cheeky piece of strawberry cheesecake, followed by a few more cocktails and some naughty chocolates to end the night.
And in honour of pancake day coming up, I spoilt my man with crepes for brunch the next morning – girlfriend goals or what? So although we couldn’t spend our Valentines wining and dining out as usual, we still shared a wonderfully romantic date night at home complete with restaurant quality food and themed cocktails made by moi. I hope you all indulged this Valentines Day too, whether that meant treating a loved one, or just spending the day loving yourself because you deserve it ❤
Sometimes we have to inject a little fantasy to not die from reality…
Life is a journey, not a destination. Equilibrium will never be reached, it’s about embracing each chapter and enjoying the ride of the rollercoaster that is our existence. You are a continuous work in progress, be curious and dive passionately into your future.
The dreamers are the saviours of this world, so go to the window and look at the stars. Dreams don’t only come true, they can exceed your wildest imagination; stay wild moon child.
There’s no denying it, we simply couldn’t have survived each and every lockdown without the holy grail that is Netflix. From the first UK lockdown when we were enthralled by the kooky, mysterious life of the infamous Tiger King, to the much anticipated season four of The Crown and exciting early blockbuster release of Wonder Woman 1984, Netflix has certainly heightened the stakes when it comes to keeping us entertained. With cinemas currently closed, the film industry has had no choice but to turn to Netflix to debut new works and keep Hollywood moving despite the world coming to a halt. And whilst we are kept on our toes with the plethora of new releases every month, Netflix doesn’t let us forget the wondrous catalogue of fantastic film and TV from the archives. So here’s my quick round up of February favourites to snuggle up to on the sofa this month.
FILMS
Wonder Woman 1984
When the radiant goddess Diana Prince hit our screens in the first film back in 2017, it was a thrilling breath of fresh air offering a perfect balance of muscle and heart amongst a dazzling spectacle of compelling action. Whilst this sequel draws out a much longer plot line, the most riveting visual cohesion is the flashback to a young Diana back on the magical island of Themiscrya, when the fearless youngster competes in an arduous challenge of strength and skill against women twice her age and stature. The powerful yet glamorous and elegant Wonder Woman played by Gal Gadot, maintains heartfelt audience connection as she teaches us that the nature of the truth will always win.
The Dig
Set back in the summer of 1939 just before the outbreak of war, Edith Pretty hires amateur archaeologist Basil Brown to excavate the mounds of her Suffolk property. Upon discovering the skeleton of an 88-foot Anglo-Saxon ship, the next phase uncovers the burial chamber within the ship containing a treasure-trove of perfectly preserved artefacts. Soon enough news has spread and people descend upon the land to jostle for credit, whilst there is an ongoing passionate urgency to complete the dig before the onset of World War II.
SERIES
Bridgerton
Wealth, lust and betrayal set against the backdrop of Regency-era England, this period drama follows the most affluent families of the town during the competitive Ton season, when debutantes are presented at court before the Queen. Narrated by the legendary Julie Andrews playing the gossip-girl columnist Lady Whistledow, this fluffy, humorous and beautifully costumed drama makes for easy watching. Not to mention how it will leave you yearning to go back in time to wear one of those exquisite ballgowns and attend a glamorous party, where your prince charming may well sweep you off your feet!
Tiny Pretty Things
With a dark and contemporary edge set amongst the gruelling, ruthless world of a Manhattan dance academy, this Netflix original series is no ordinary twinkle toes story. When the star pupil Cassie Shore stumbles, or is pushed in a scuffle with a hooded figure, and falls four storeys from the school roof plunging to her death, in her stead comes Neveah Stroyer. Despite being from the wrong side of the tracks and not properly trained, Neveah turns out to be stunningly talented, throwing the pecking order of the establishment into disarray. This gritty teenage drama depicts the highly competitive and brutal reality behind the curtain of classical ballet in a modern world.
OLD SCHOOL
F.r.i.e.n.d.s
An absolute classic which never fails to cheer me up and give me a good chuckle. As an OG Friends fan from back in the days, I’ve seen every single episode many a times and will still never get bored of watching those six eccentric characters as they fumble their way through life in New York City. At the moment I’m throwing it way back to the mid-nineties with the early seasons, when the fashion was experimental to say the least and hair dos even more questionable! I know my obsession is real when I start singing along to Phoebe’s rather peculiar yet comically genius songs.
Mean Girls
Arguably one of the most quotable films ever, 16 years on and this is still one of the greatest teen movies around with its accurate depiction of the jungle that is high-school. Thrown amongst a world of cliques and hierarchy, new-comer Cady Heron is quickly drawn into life as one of the Plastics and soon remarks herself as spiteful as queen bee Regina George, loosing her individuality and sacrificing her real friendships along the way. Comical and smart without the shrill edge of many teen movies, Mean Girls cleverly portrays the true culture of popularity, hierarchy and gossip entrenched in every high-school.
Needless to say the list is ever-changing, as you can see from my most updated homepage including those unashamedly guilty pleasures: Friends, Real Housewives, Clueless, Magic Mike… to name a few 😉
Netflix undoubtedly continues to reign when it comes to exciting new releases, catching up on popular TV series, or simply harping back to those classic movies that will just never get old. Whilst I do miss the thrill of taking a trip to the cinema and getting lost in the special effects of the big screen, Netflix is keeping the magic alive by bringing the joys of TV and film to the comfort of our homes as we wait-out yet another lockdown in the UK!
December dawn has broken and we’re officially on the countdown to Christmas. I love the festivities during this time of year and I enjoy nothing more than cosying up with a yummy hot drink in hand, ready to watch Christmas movie classics – The Holiday, Love Actually, Elf, The Grinch – just to name a few!
I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting loungewear has definitely been my daily uniform during lockdown. These super soft Zara camel track pants are my current obsession along with a hair clamp for a fuss-free, stylish home hairdo.
Despite that brisk cold chill in the air outside, I find bright fresh flowers in my bedroom always cheer me up and bring a bit of colour to the greyest of days. So embrace those beautiful blooms, snuggle up in your comfy casuals and grab a warming cuppa to soothe your soul during these dull winter months.
Happy Humpday Babes! It’s halfway through the week and finally looks like there’s an end in sight for this second lockdown here in England. I’ve embraced the time off after a hectic couple of months working this summer at the hotel as it’s a perfect opportunity to rest. It’s been fun taking life back to basics and enjoying the simple pleasures of things like baking and visiting the sweet shop, just like when we were kids.
Each week I’ve been making sure to get a couple of longer walks in and exploring new places in my local area has kept it interesting. Me and the boyfriend decided to investigate a local walking trial on Basingstoke Common last week and we were excited to discover a playground with a zip wire too!
Walking through the woodlands, it was stunning as the sun low in the sky cast long shadows off the trees. This takes me back to childhood memories of Christmas time walks with my family on our local heath; life was a lot less complicated in those days.
Another local gem we visited on this week’s walk was Odiham Castle which is just a short walk down the canal. We’ve been lucky with the winter sun recently too which has been taking the brisk chill out of the air, a blessing as I really do hate the cold.
I’m so lucky to live in a village surrounded by countryside and plenty of places to explore. My mum, sister and I particularly enjoyed indulging our childhood dreams and treating ourselves at the local sweet shop after our walk the other day. Just like the traditional old school candy stores, sweeties are sold ‘pick n mix’ style in jars for you to create your own personal bag. I also couldn’t resist getting one bag purely of white chocolate Jazzles, a true bag of happiness this is to me 😀
Unlike the first lockdown in the UK when I got stuck into lots of projects and longer term jobs at home, this time I’ve been focusing more on self-care and maintaining my mental well-being. I’ve found that being a bit like a kid again by indulging in what makes me happy in mind, body and soul, keeps me sane during such uncertain times. So go on, recapture the magic of childhood and enjoy the little things which make you smile in each day.
Back in furlough once again with all this time on my hands, has my brain ticking into overdrive and I can’t help but dream up my next project to keep me busy. I’ve been inspired by so many people using lockdown as an opportunity to start their own businesses from home utilising the numerous online platforms we now have at our fingertips to help build a brand. My Auntie over in Australia has even branched out alongside a work colleague to launch their very own PR consultancy. With years of industry knowledge and expertise, I don’t doubt these two powerful business women will be unstoppable as their tagline perfectly sums up –
This simple yet punchy quote resonates on a number of levels and got me thinking about my own career path. Whilst my training in professional Dance and Acting only saw me in the industry for a short while, my move to Australia for two years led me to discover an ability to adapt my skills into many different roles. From promoting the latest skincare product in the middle of Sydney’s Central Business District, to becoming Receptionist at one of Australia’s largest brand companies WPP AUNZ, my work ethic and guts to give anything a go got me to those awesome places. Not to mention it took quite some guts to get me over to Australia on my own in the first place, undoubtedly the best decision I ever made as it helped me to grow and changed my perspective on life.
Now I find myself back in the quaint little village I grew up in about to move in with my boyfriend and working at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire in my dream role as Events Assistant. Whilst this isn’t the path I expected my life to take, I believe it’s a gutsy attitude and need to succeed which has driven me throughout. I continue to find inspiration from those around me and feel motivated to expand my prospects and fulfil my creative passions. Then who knows, maybe one day I’ll own my very own supercar and even run my own business…it just takes some guts to reach that glory!
With the shorter days and cold winter nights drawing in, there’s nothing like a comforting bowl of soup to warm the soul. As pumpkins only seem to be readily available around halloween in the UK, I’ve made the most of it this year and made a large batch of delicious pumpkin soup to share with family and freeze to enjoy well into the winter months.
Using my own twist on an old Jamie Oliver recipe, I kept it simple on ingredients to let the pumpkin flavour do the work. You will need:
1/2 large pumpkin
1 large onion
1 large carrot
4 cloves of garlic
750ml of vegetable stock
200ml of soya milk
1 teaspoon of chilli flakes
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
The first step is to cut the pumpkin into large segments, keeping the seeds for roasting later, before placing the chunks on a baking tray and drizzling with a generous glug of olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 170celsius for about an hour until soft and the skin caramelises.
Meanwhile chop the garlic, onion and carrot and cook in a large saucepan until softened. Once the pumpkin is ready, add to the pan along with the stock, chilli flakes, salt, pepper and soya milk before blending with a handheld stick blender.
Continue to blend and combine the ingredients until a smooth, creamy consistency is reached. Add a little more stock if required and taste to adjust seasoning accordingly. I made this batch with a little kick as I decided to add more chilli at the final stage also.
I served my soup up in a coconut bowl for that wholesome aesthetic and finished it off with a swirl of light yoghurt and more chilli flakes. Other extras you may want to try are crispy kale, toasted pumpkin seeds or even just fresh sourdough bread on the side for dunking.
Using the ingredients as listed above made a very large batch of soup enough to feed the family and freeze leftovers for later. There is so much more you can do with the rest of the pumpkin too; roast the seeds for snacking and topping salads, add the chunks of flesh to a curry, or roast up in large steak size pieces and enjoy in a wholesome salad perfect with quinoa, feta and hummus. Colourful, sweet and nutritious, I only wish pumpkins were in season all year long!
As we adjust to the autumnal weather and cloudier days during fall, I always get so excited to dig back into my wardrobe for those timeless knits and my favourite cosy coats. This season has seen a throwback to the 90s as the oversized sweater-vest becomes the style staple for layering this fall.
It would seem the sweater-vest is truly having its day again as trending fashionistas across social media show us how its done.
I remember the days my older sister would wear these with a hipster denim skirt and gold hoop earrings – super 90s kid vibes! Or even for those F.r.i.e.n.d.s fans out there, how could we forget Chandler’s knitted vest obsession!?
Now the way to wear the trusty sweater-vest is layered with an oversized shirt paired with a short skirt and chunky military or chelsea boots. Accessorising with a statement necklace and show-stopping knee high boots could take this look to new levels of sophistication.
After a root around my own wardrobe I was thrilled to find I still had a few of these old-school vests, so it was time to give them some love once again. I pulled together a cute outfit using this oversized knit from Zara, along with a man’s check shirt from Zara, layered over a little shift dress – again from Zara!
This combo is the easiest throw together outfit for fall 2020 and is sure to score you style inspo points instantly with minimal effort. Who knew channelling those Grandad vibes would be such a fashion statement!?
Strolling around the markets before indulging in a late brunch is my idea of the perfect Saturday scenario in London. As one of the oldest wholesale markets located in the historic buildings of Southwark, Borough Market is a foodie’s heaven with over 100 vendors offering fresh produce, imported foods and freshly made dishes from all corners of the world.
With its vibrant, buzzing atmosphere attracting an eclectic crowd of locals and tourists, it’s a wonderful experience perusing the maze of stalls as the aromas of delicious meals, baked goods and freshly ground coffee infuse the air.
Arriving at 12pm on a weekend, it was heaving and neighbouring pubs were already pulling pints for those early birds! We however hadn’t even had our morning coffee yet, so were keen to find a good little spot still serving brunch.
We stumbled upon a cafe Stoney Street by 26 Grains with the perfect corner for us to sit back and watch the market madness from afar. In fact the cafe’s original site in Neal’s Yard, is a favourite of mine serving up seasonal, wholesome dishes, including some epic twists on the average porridge bowl.
I was a lot happier once I finally had my coffee in hand and food on its way! The simple, striped back aesthetic of the cafe interiors alongside their rustic crockery, echoes the 26 Grains goal to serve up quality, everyday food and drinks.
My autumnal bowl of apple and ginger compote, cardamom granola, Northiam dairy yoghurt and maple was perfect for a chilly fall afternoon and just like having a desert for brekky 🙂 The scrambled eggs on house rye bread topped with Ogleshield cheese which my boyfriend had was excellent too. You can tell how fresh the eggs are when they are so orange like that.
We sat and sipped our coffees as the hustle and bustle of the market continued to thrive. Fuelled up and ready for the day, soon it was time to hit the shops of Oxford Street. However I underestimated the drop in temperature that weekend as I tried to clasp onto the end of summer and decided to wear a skirt, brrrr!
Wondering the market was the perfect way to kick off our weekend in the city – we even spotted a couple from our favourite reality TV series Made in Chelsea. Needless to say, Borough Market is a trendy place to be seen and a must-visit as one of London’s most historical events in such an iconic location.
Dani Aneka 