Tag: classy

NYC Diaries; A Dreamy Heli Ride Over Manhattan

December 7, 2025

On our final full day in NYC, we woke up to one of those crisp, blue-sky fall days where the light hits the buildings just right and the whole city seems to sparkle. It couldn’t have been a better setting for taking a helicopter ride over Manhattan.

We booked online with Heli NY just a few days prior, so we made our way to the Downtown Helicopter Port at 2:30pm ready for our 3:30pm flight.

Having done a helicopter ride over Dubai about 4 years ago we knew what to expect, but it still took my breath away as we took off for our flight above the city.

We swooped past the Statue of Liberty, her copper-green silhouette glowing in the afternoon sun, then glided along the Hudson with One World Trade Center standing tall and brilliant beneath us.

Another highlight was seeing Central Park from above with that perfect stretch of green carved into the grid of the city.

After we landed, but still floating a bit from excitement, we headed downtown and caught the ferry across the Hudson to DUMBO.

The water was calm, the breeze cool, and Manhattan shimmered behind us at golden hour as we made our way toward Brooklyn.

I did a quick outfit change just before dinner too, slipping into a cute brown mini dress paired with matching heels, my oversized Jaeger blazer, and my emerald-green velvet Sandro handbag.

A chic, classy look with a touch of cool girl in the oversized boxy blazer, perfect for a fall date night in the city.

Our dinner spot for the evening was the trendy Italian restaurant Cecconi’s.

With the Manhattan Bridge in the foreground and the sun setting over Downtown in the distance, the vibes were immaculate.

I started with a spicy Tommy’s Margarita because when in New York, how could I not on our final night!

For food I chose the burrata tomato pasta which was as heavenly as it sounds…

…and even better paired with a rich, warming glass of red.

My boyfriend went classic with a margarita pizza and we shared a fresh, peppery rocket salad that rounded everything out beautifully.

It was buzzing on a Thursday night and we couldn’t fault the delicious Italian feast we were treated to.

After dinner, we wandered along the riverfront taking in those picturesque nighttime views.

New York glowing, the river shimmering and the gentle hum of the bustling city in the background, simply iconic.

Eventually we hopped on the subway back to our hotel, tired but in that really satisfying way after a perfect day.

Our helicopter adventure, waterfront dinner in DUMBO, and atmospheric nighttime walk, wrapped up our trip to NYC in the most magical way imaginable ❤

NYC Diaries; An Afternoon Wandering The West Village

November 30, 2025

Our afternoon exploring the West Village started long before we ever set foot in its leafy streets.

On the way downtown, we made a quick stop at the iconic Grand Central Station to grab some shots.

That celestial ceiling and the constant ballet of travellers moving beneath it makes this place feel magical.

As another location where many films are shot, it almost felt like we were on set starring in our own movie.

From there, we hopped on the subway and made our way to the West Village in search of the Friends apartment building on Bedford Street.

As a longtime Friends show fan seeing it in person was surreal, like stepping straight into the TV screen I grew up watching on repeat.

It’s funny how a simple building can hold so much nostalgia.

Every corner of this neighbourhood looks like it has been pulled from a movie set; brownstones with perfectly worn stoops, tree-lined streets, tiny cafés with outdoor tables, and endless photo-worthy pockets of charm.

We didn’t manage to find Carrie Bradshaw’s actual apartment from Sex and the City, but we did stumble across a stoop that looked almost identical.

Naturally, I couldn’t resist getting a few fun outfit snaps.

I was even wearing a Carrie Bradshaw inspired fit: a chic shift dress, my favourite sand coloured long boot heels, my new Polène handbag, and classic YSL black sunnies to complete the look.

As the afternoon went on, we kept discovering more of the West Village’s character. Quiet pockets of calm, stylish locals walking their dogs, bookstores tucked into corners, and that unmistakable creative buzz that only New York seems to have.

There’s so much more to see and I can’t wait to wander those streets again on our next trip, latte in hand, camera at the ready, soaking in every inch of that West Village charm ❤

NYC Diaries; Times Square, The Highline & Chelsea Market

November 9, 2025

When visiting a new city we always like to book the hop-on hop-off Big Bus Tours as they’re a cheap and easy way to get around to see all of the major tourist attractions. On the third day of our trip we booked the tickets which last 24 hours so we could split the tour across two days, so here is what we saw on the second half of the bus tour.

Just around the corner from our hotel was Times Square so we had to start by hopping off here to get some shots.

As expected, Times Square is a very busy and hectic tourist trap, so we got our photos and quickly got back on the bus.

Next we made a stop on Broadway as I wanted to visit the Polene store.

I’d had my eye on the Numero Neuf mini handbag for a while and so I finally made the purchase.

I opted for the colour Sable as a neutral tone to go with lots of outfits.

I even got the strap monogrammed with my initials as a complimentary service with purchase.

From Broadway we went a few more stops on the bus down to the Financial District where the new One World Trade Center stands.

I did find it quite upsetting to see the 911 memorial site where the twin towers used to stand, but it has to be done when in New York for the first time.

We hopped back on the bus and went up the west side of town where we got off at Hudson Yards to walk along The Highline.

The Highline is a 1.45 mile long elevated park and greenway created on a former New York Central Railroad.

Along the way we saw The Vessel, an impressive honeycomb like sculpture of interconnected staircases designed by British designer Thomas Heatherwick.

It’s a brilliant way to see the city as the path weaves between buildings to provide unique views and perspectives.

Towards the end of The Highline, we came off to go to Chelsea Market for some lunch.

A bit like Borough Market in London but inside a former factory building, Chelsea Market features many restaurants and food vendors from a wide variety of cuisines.

As soon as my boyfriend saw the Currywurst, that was decision made for his lunch.

You can take the boy out of Germany, but you can’t take the German out of the boy!

After lunch we then went for a stroll around the Chelsea neighbourhood as I wanted to get some aesthetic street style pics.

The exposed fire escapes and stoops on the houses in Chelsea are what characterises this part of Manhattan, making it the perfect spot to photograph street style.

With the weather still so mild and warm for October, I wore my smart white shorts paired with a brown tank from C’est Normal, a silk Le Scarf around my neck, Dior sliders, Marc Jacobs tote bag and YSL sunnies to complete this chic, daytime city look.

It was the perfect day to walk along The Highline and it’s something I definitely recommend doing if the weather permits during your trip to NYC.

As mentioned, Times Square is not my idea of fun but a great one to tick off the bucket list.

The Chelsea neighbourhood was so trendy and cool, so I would like to explore it more on another trip to the city as we only got to see the area around the market.

As always, the Big Bus Tours didn’t disappoint in providing a relatively cheap and convenient way to get around and see the sights of New York City ❤

NYC Diaries; Date Night At TAO Uptown

November 2, 2025

During our week in New York we were keen to try different cuisines and on the Monday night, I had a craving for some Asian food. So after a quick look to see what was in the area, we found a popular Asian-fusion restaurant called TAO, just a five minute walk from our hotel.

I wore this Topshop playsuit which was giving classy Asian inspired vibes paired with nude heels, my velvet green Sandro handbag, and a small silk scarf thrown around my neck to complete the look.

We made an 8pm reservation and arrived a little early to enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails at the bar.

I ordered the TAO martini which was super sweet in taste and looked very aesthetic with the three raspberries for garnish.

We were then shown to our table in the main restaurant where we were seated at a booth with a view of the iconic sixteen foot tall Buddha statue.

I was excited to have some sushi and so I opted for the special crispy tuna roll which was delightful.

My boyfriend ordered the orange chicken which was more like sweet and sour, the sticky pork ribs, a side of rice and we shared a side of wok fried greens too.

Everything was delicious but safe to say we over ordered as the portions were very large; we should’ve known being in America!

It was only when I was watching an old Sex & The City episode the following week at home, that I realised Carrie Bradshaw and her friends attended the opening of TAO Uptown in season 4 episode 3.

We also happened to watch the movie Hitch when we got back from NYC and we spotted the TAO restaurant again as the location they filmed the speed dating scene. It would seem you’re never far from a famous location or celeb when in New York City!

It was a fabulous evening at TAO Uptown and a fun spot for date night with its lavish interiors, ultra trendy vibe and scrumptious Asian inspired menu. I’d recommend trying TAO if you’re in the city, just be sure to make a reservation in advance as this popular spot books up quick – https://taogroup.com/venues/tao-uptown-new-york/

NYC Diaries; Sunday On Fifth

October 12, 2025

When in New York shopping on Fifth Avenue is a must and with our hotel just around the corner, it was the first thing on our agenda on day one of our trip.

I had the perfect outfit planned for our first outing in New York featuring my killer new boots.

I paired my suede mini skirt from Bershka with a high-neck cream singlet from Pull & Bear, then completed the look with a classic baker boy hat, my sand suede long boots and my trusty Coach monogram handbag with the cross body strap.

With it being the end of September the weather was still quite warm particularly on our first day, so a jacket wasn’t even needed.

Our first stop was a cafe called Scoop which we found on a quieter street just of Fifth Avenue to grab a bite to eat for breakfast.

We shared a yoghurt with granola, some watermelon, a coffee and a freshly made smoothie we could have blended with our choice of ingredients.

There was a lovely little courtyard with seating called Paley Park right next to the cafe where we sat and enjoyed our brekky.

It was like an oasis nestled amongst the city with a gorgeous water feature wall and lots of trees looking glorious in the sunshine.

We then walked further up Fifth Avenue and got some fabulous photos of me crossing the street with the hustle and bustle of the city around me.

There were lots of stores to browse and there was some great pieces in Zara, but I wanted to buy from places we don’t have in the UK, so I found myself picking up lots of bits at Aritzia.

I tried on this awesome vegan leather oversized bomber in a deep chocolate brown, but I didn’t get it as I was looking for a similar style but in a suede material.

An impulse purchase was this gorgeous shift dress which was giving Carrie Bradshaw vibes and I simply couldn’t resist.

The athleisure wear in Aritzia is also really nice, so I got this dark green sports top with the flattering white border detail.

The dress was $149 and the sports top $40 which I thought was a good price for the quality of these pieces.

I couldn’t not have a look in Victoria’s Secret and they were doing five panties for $25 dollars, so naturally I had to stock up on some cute undies.

Coach was another must visit store for me and the flagship one on Fifth Avenue is quite impressive, they even had a dinosaur statue made of handbag cuttings.

I’ve always loved the Tabby style and so this one in the dark animal print caught my eye.

I was very tempted as this would make a brilliant statement winter handbag, however I was saving myself for a Polene bag I’ve had on my wishlist for ages and they have a store in SoHo New York.

After well over ten thousand steps in my high heel boots, we were ready to head back to the hotel for a rest and some lunch.

The evening before we also made a stop outside Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue because I was wearing my Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly inspired dress and had to get a photo outside the store where Breakfast at Tiffany’s was filmed.

I’m a big Hepburn fan and love her in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, so this was a special moment for me ❤

We only touched the surface of the shops on Fifth, but we’d done enough shopping for one day and I was super happy with my purchases. Being just on the doorstep of our hotel, we were going to be visiting Fifth Avenue a number of times during our trip and I wasn’t mad about it!

Pack With Me For NYC

September 21, 2025

A trip to New York has long been on my bucket list and I’m super excited to be going there for the first time with my boyfriend next week. As soon as we booked the trip I couldn’t wait to get outfit planning and using Pinterest to create my mood board of NYC iconic aesthetic, delicious foodie inspo and of course cool street style.

I was in my element filming this vlog as I got to layout all of the clothes and accessories I want to take to New York, as well as try on some cute fall fits I had envisioned in my mind, before sorting them into my trusty packing cubes and slotting them into my suitcase. Needless to say, organising and planning makes me very happy indeed and when it comes to styling and having fun with fashion, NYC really is the perfect place for it. I hope this vlog inspires you for your own autumn wardrobe and gives you some useful tips for when it comes to packing for a city break. Next time I see you guys we’ll be in New York, so be sure to subscribe to see the NYC Diaries on my channel here soon ❤

New Opening; The Third Monkey Farnham

August 25, 2025

Having opened earlier this year, The Third Monkey is a new independently owned gastropub and cocktail bar located in the heart of Farnham. So on Saturday we went for a pre-dinner aperitif on their picturesque terrace to welcome in the long back holiday weekend.

Despite the clouds coming over for sunset, the setting was still lovely with views of Farnham church and a buzzing atmosphere as the bar and restaurant filled up on a weekend evening.

I wore my low back leopard print body from Zara with a pair of flared white Mango jeans, my Sol Concept ruffle mules from Bali and the cutest square hard shell evening bag from Amazon.

This bag is giving Cult Gia vibes and one of the waitresses even complimented me on it; what a winner bargain purchase!

With an extensive wine list I couldn’t resist a glass of vino, so I chose a Vermentino white from Puglia Italy which was deliciously crisp, mineral and refreshing.

My boyfriend went for an unusual tropical style cocktail made of coconut tequila, lychee, pisco and pandan. It was nice but not quite up to standard for its £16 price tag.

I was making dinner at home but my boyfriend was peckish, so he ordered the buttermilk chicken, house hot sauce and chive crème fraiche. A tasty dish and beautifully presented, but at £9 it was a very small portion and could’ve been served with some sort of garnish or small salad.

There were lots of couples on date night and girlfriends out for drinks which made for a perfectly chill yet buzzing atmosphere.

The decor inside was very aesthetic too with the glamorous upstairs cocktail bar complete with an opulent chandelier feature over the stairs.

We enjoyed our experience at The Third Monkey but it would seem they are still finding their feet with their standard of service and the quality of the food and cocktails.

We would be keen to go again in the winter season to experience their downstairs restaurant which was giving cool London or New York cosmopolitan vibes.

If you live in the area The Third Monkey is one to add to the list for a special date night or glam cocktails with the girls – https://thirdmonkeyfarnham.com/#menus



It’s Date Night Darling

May 25, 2025

Following a month full of busy weekends hosting guests and attending other social events, this Saturday we could finally enjoy a romantic date night just us two. Me and my boyfriend love a nice dinner out so I booked Megan’s On West Street in Farnham, a cute spot for a romantic evening together.

It was the perfect opportunity to debut my new Zara black halter neck top with gold detail, paired with Stradivarius straight leg jeans and my Next khaki mule heels.

To complete the look I wore my oversized vintage Jaegar blazer and this gorgeous East-West style baguette handbag, another new piece in my wardrobe from H&M.

Farnham is such a picturesque town with pretty corners perfect for street style photos; cue my boyfriend being the best Instagram hubby getting all my good angles!

I love the aesthetic interiors at Megan’s giving Mediterranean chic vibes and there’s always a wonderfully buzzing atmosphere in the restaurant on a weekend.

For food I opted for the chicken avocado salad whilst my boyfriend had the chicken thigh kebab plate. We shared some charred broccoli, blistered padron peppers of course and ordered a side of their date bbq dip which is a delicious twist on the traditional recipe.

We finished the night with cocktails at The Luxe, a newer cocktail bar and restaurant in Farnham tucked away in the Lion and Lamb Yard. With ornate interiors and plush seating, they offer a very different dining experience with fun themed events such as MaMa Mia nights and bottomless brunches with live music.

I had a classic Tommy’s Margarita and my boyfriend chose the Lychee Martini. Well made cocktails, lovely service and lavish interiors for that elevated experience, a fabulous spot for a night cap or two.

Nothing makes me happier than a charming old school date night with my love ❤

My New Mini Sport; John Cooper Works Model

March 30, 2025

Before we left for our two months in Bali, my beloved little brown convertible Mini Cooper sadly packed in and so it was time for a new car. I was keen to get another Mini Cooper but upgrade to a sport without a soft top, given the roof leaking issues that caused electrical faults on my old car.

Searching on Auto Trader there were lots of Mini Coopers out there, however I am very particular when it comes to the colour and aesthetics of my car. My preference is muted tones but with a little something different, so the moon grey shade with black bonnet stripes and the stylish Union Jack rear lights was just my vibe.

From the John Cooper Works range inspired by the Minis racetrack heritage, she has a lot of power and looks extra sporty with the spoiler and two exhausts in the middle. I purchased her from a private seller through Auto Trader which meant I got a really good deal on the price. The previous owners had looked after the car well and being made in 2018 with only 26,000 miles on the clock, it was a brilliant find.

The more I drive her around the more I love my new little whip which is certainly a big upgrade on my old 2011 Cooper. Now that I’m thirty it’s out with my baby Bambino, and in with my classy Lady Luna Cooper S ❤

New Opening; Auriol Wine Bar

July 16, 2023

A few months back I was thrilled to hear news of a wine bar opening in our village. Auriol Wines in Hartley Wintney has been an established wine shop for over 25 years and following a refurbishment, last month they reopened their doors as a wine bar too.

We couldn’t wait to try our new local, so we visited a few weeks back and tried their taster flight – three different wines of your choice to taste for £10.

Some pretzels and fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic was the perfect pairing to sample our wines.

They’ve done a great job of turning the shop into a classy little wine bar complete with quirky yet tasteful interiors, creating a cosy and friendly atmosphere.

This weekend we were back again to try yet more wine and sample one of their delicious looking cheese and charcuterie boards. We opted for the medium platter of four cheeses and meats served with crackers, pretzels, grapes, rocket and chutney.

All of their cheeses are locally sourced and were divine, my favourite was the Heckfield. Portion size was very generous and our bottle of Australian Grenache red wine was a wonderful pairing to the assortment of different cheeses.

We’ve been waiting years for our village to open a wine bar as it’s the ideal location and plenty of customers on the doorstep, business will thrive there no doubt.

The team at Auriol Wines have done a fantastic job of transforming the shop into a lovely wine bar locals will love. I know I’ll be visiting on the regular for date nights and my weekend wine fix with the girl gang ❤