On Wednesday 26th January 2022 I officially entered my late twenties and welcomed in chapter 27 of my life. It’s been quite the week of celebrations and so amazing to be with my family and friends again following a lockdown birthday last year.
I had a wonderful family birthday dinner on the big day at Giggling Squid in Farnham. I was even surprised by my brother who I didn’t know was coming all the way from London to join us for the occasion.
I’m very lucky to be so close to my family and it was the best birthday present I could wish for to have us all there celebrating together.
After our cocktails to kick off the evening, we shared a selection of starters including delicious squid and duck spring rolls. For mains I opted for a traditional vegetable red Thai curry which was exquisite.
At the end of our meal I was presented with this gorgeous birthday desert and everyone sang Happy Birthday. It was a joy to be with my family just chatting, laughing and enjoying the moment over fantastic food and drinks, we didn’t leave the restaurant until they were closing!
With my birthday being midweek, I decided to invite my girlfriends over for an evening at my house on Saturday.
My birthday fit for the night was this stunning backless silver blouse along with my stretchy flared pants and cute fluffy slider slippers – dressy but comfy.
I absolutely love hosting so I was super excited to setup the dining room and prepare a spread of nibbles as well as my famous cheeseboard platter of course. Candles lit, music playing and prosecco popped, I was ready to welcome the girls for a fun cosy evening at home.
A number of bottles of bubbly and wine later, we’d had such a beautiful night full of catchups and plenty of laughs, those girls really are my soulmates.
Now its Sunday evening and I’m feeling so content and happy following such a fabulous birthday week. It’s certainly been an epic start to the year already and I can’t wait to see what chapter twenty seven of my lift has in store.
With our feet safely back on UK soil last Tuesday, I’ve been spending this week catching up with myself following our dreamy whirlwind of an adventure in Dubai. We certainly made the most of our 10 day holiday and experienced so many of the wonderful things this vibrant and exciting futuristic city has to offer.
Having researched extensively through blogs, vlogs and influencers prior to our visit, we knew all the things we wanted to pack into our time there and everyday was another thrilling experience.
Given the extensive amount of things there are to do in Dubai, I thought I’d share my favourite hotspots and activities which are in my opinion an absolute must do when visiting the city.
Starting with one of the most popular areas of Dubai for tourists and expats, Dubai Marina offers a fabulous array of beach bars, restaurants, shops and residences.
After a walk along the beach, we stopped for lunch at a great little English inspired bar The Scene by Dubai Mall overlooking the Marina. Here we had our new fave cocktails which we discovered on our trip, passionfruit Mojitos!
From the beach you are looking across the bay at Dubai Eye located over on Blue Island. Later that evening we then met an old friend of mine nearby at the popular beach club Bla Bla and enjoyed the nightly drone show and fireworks.
He recommended we go to his favourite restaurant for dinner over on Blue Island called Alici. So after drinks we walked over the footbridge to our dinner spot as we admired Dubai Marina skyline lit up at night.
Arriving at Alici for our 8:30pm reservation in the name of my friend, we were greeted with a glass of champagne each upon arrival.
Overlooking the Dubai cityscape, it was the most fantastic dinner spot along with the most attentive and friendly of service. With mediterranean inspired cuisine, we were also treated to complimentary starters of burrata and beef carpaccio which was just exquisite.
For mains we both went for pasta, I had a tuna dish whilst my boyfriend had the lamb ragu. Another delicious course finished with the second drone show and firework display of the evening over the marina!
I would have to say this was up there as one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Beautiful setting, 5* service and delectable food. To finish we were even spoilt with another complimentary course of homemade truffles and freshly made pistachio cream cannolis.
I was so very grateful for my friends goodwill and kind gesture to ensure we were well looked after for our meal at Alici – a must visit for a romantic dinner date setting in Dubai.
Next up on my hitlist is making sure you spend a day at a rooftop pool in Dubai. With many throughout the city to choose from, I thought the views from our hotel rooftop pool at The Gevora amongst those towering buildings was pretty insane.
The Gevora hotel where we stayed is in fact the tallest hotel in the world and located in the trendy and lively financial district. We went for dinner at the Highest View Lounge up on The Gevora rooftop for our final night, a perfect location to soak up that glorious Dubai cityscape by night for one last time.
With a minimum spend of only £30 each, this restaurant is very reasonable for such breathtaking views. I had a delightful fillet of seabass with truffle mash potato and stir fried veggies – a much needed healthy meal after all the food we’d consumed on this trip!
Just across the highway from our hotel was another great rooftop cocktail bar Level 43 Lounge. Again for only £30 minimum spend you are treated to one of the best views of Dubai by night accompanied with live music and fabulous cocktails too of course.
It was an absolute must that we visited old Dubai and the souk markets during our stay. Once we found the less touristy part of the spice souk, it was so peaceful strolling around the stunning streets with their ancient architecture and magnificent mosques.
The spice souk sold traditional homewares including gorgeous lamps and pots as well as spices too. I couldn’t resist grabbing a pair of garishly decorated handmade leather pointy toe slipper shoes. I was having a Carrie from the Sex and the City movie moment when she’s in Abu Dhabi and buys the shoes for ten dollars at the souk.
If we’d had more time this day we would’ve liked to have taken a water taxi over Dubai Creek to the gold souk. Otherwise, I would say a leisurely stroll around the spice souk one morning or afternoon is the best way to take in the local culture.
We had to get back to our hotel as that evening we had sundown drinks booked at Jetty Lounge over on Jumeriah Beach.
Located within the One & Only hotel complex, we arrived via a little buggy to our sunset cocktail reservation at 5:30pm.
Every sundowner in Dubai is a breathtaking spectacle and the Jetty Lounge is definitely the best spot in town to take in this magical moment whilst sipping a cocktail or two.
Delicious cocktails and picture perfect views of the Dubai skyline twinkling at dusk, it felt like we were in our own private oasis as we admired the deep pastel hues of sundown.
Following cocktails on the jetty, we made our way over to Dukes Hotel on the Palm where we had 8pm dinner reservations for Ula.
With its casual chic ambience and live DJ playing chilled tunes, we had another beautiful dinner at Ula with yet more views of Dubai skyline by night.
Simple yet super tasty food, I had a greek salad with rosemary frites and my boyfriend had a classic margarita pizza – the best he’s ever had he said!
The moment we stepped foot in Ula I knew I had to visit this place by day. So, on our final day in Dubai we went to Ula beach club to soak up the sun in style one more time.
With it being our final day, we went all out and had a boat trip over to the Burj Al Arab at noon.
From here we hired a jet ski and went for an hour long ride around the Palm and over towards the city centre of Dubai.
I rode on the back of my boyfriend’s jet ski and it was such a great way to explore the Palm. Having seen it from the air too in the helicopter, this allowed us to get closer to the main attractions including the Burj Al Arab and famous Atlantis Hotel.
After our exhilarating time on the jet ski, we had a golden hour boat ride back to the beach club. It was the ultimate way to end our adventures in Dubai.
So those are my top recommendations for anyone visiting Dubai. Of course there was also the desert safari, helicopter ride and beach clubs which were all highlights too, there’s just so much to do! It was a long awaited trip we had planned and it didn’t disappoint; I’ll never forget the many magical moments and memories we made together…until next time Dubai ❤
When it comes to beach clubs in Dubai, you really are spoilt for choice. From the glamorous and Insta famous complex at Drift on The Palm, to the fun party til dawn vibes at BlaBla in Dubai Marina, there is a destination for every occasion.
One of my favourite spots was KoKo Bay beach club at the foot of The Palm on Jumeirah beach. We spent a whole afternoon here sunning ourselves until golden hour.
For just 150AED (£30) per sun bed which was redeemable on food and drink, we had the most perfect spot to enjoy all day long.
We went for a stroll down the beach as we took in those magnificent sweeping views of the Dubai Marina skyline. Just along from here was in fact the renowned beach club Five, however the laid back chilled vibes at KoKo were more our scene for a Wednesday arvo.
Cocktails at noon on holiday are a must, so I got started with a refreshing rum and pineapple concoction.
Later in the arvo we ordered some food and another round of cocktails. With such an extensive menu of seafood, sushi, poke bowls and curries, I opted for the bean chilli loaded nachos which made for the perfect beach nibble.
My boyfriend chose the Chinese Kung Po chicken which he admitted was the best he’d ever had of his favourite dish. Colourful cocktails, yummy food and a beautiful sunset, what more could you want!?
I would highly recommend KoKo Bay for its casual chic atmosphere combined with delicious food, amongst the most awesome beach setting overlooking one of the best views in Dubai.
My other personal favourite beach club was Ula at DukesHotel on The Palm. We visited here twice, once in the evening for dinner and again on our final day to lap up the sunshine.
With it’s Bali inspired interiors featuring gorgeous hanging lampshades, Ula strikes the perfect balance of tasteful decor to create a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere for a wonderful evening supper setting.
I had to come back to experience this gorgeous oasis in the daytime too. Those Bali vibes continue down to the beach bar with fantastic tall teepee loungers and cute cabanas.
Seeing the main feature bar area with that spectacular tree in the middle was even more glorious by day with the shadows casting patterns through the bamboo awning.
From their mediterranean inspired menu, we ordered a light lunch which we ate down at the beach bar amongst the palm trees overlooking Dubai Eye and the Marina. I had a simple but tasty house salad whilst my boyfriend had a classic Greek chicken gyros. Ahhhh, if only we could enjoy every lunch like this!
Soon the sun was setting on our final day in Dubai and the city skyline twinkled in the night.
There’s nothing like a barmy beach club day and a real must for anyone visiting Dubai. My top recommendations are of course KoKo Bay and Ula, as well as Drift, Five, Address Beach Resort and Twiggy. I just love those beach bum blues and that salty skin feeling ❤
Happy Sunday Babes! I can’t believe how quickly the week has passed here in Dubai and I’ll be very sad to be flying home to the UK on Tuesday morning. We’ve done so much during our time here, I really can’t choose a favourite day from our holiday. Taking a helicopter ride over the city was however a very special highlight and an incredible experience I’ll never forget.
On Wednesday morning we were out bright and early for our 10am helicopter tour. Before flying we had a safety briefing to prepare us for the flight and soon enough we were boarding the heli!
Having never been in a helicopter I was super excited for our flight. It’s amazing how it banks up and out to take to the air, I couldn’t help but squeal as we left the ground and took to the sky!
It was amazing to see all of Dubai from above so clearly. We went out over the Burj Al Arab and back past the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Financial District.
Taking a loop in our tour, on the way back to base I had a brilliant view out over The Palm. It’s just so perfectly shaped and seems surreal to see from the sky like that.
What an adrenaline rush the helicopter tour was, I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Dubai. We booked with https://helitoursdubai.com.
After our exciting morning, we headed over to the Madinat Jumeirah for brunch in the sunshine amongst the most stunning surroundings.
I couldn’t resist a cheeky Bloody Mary to kickstart my day. When on holiday 11am cocktails are a must, am I right?
We had fun exploring the Madinat Jumeirah hotel complex with it’s picturesque bridges and gorgeous details at every corner.
We did go up the Burj Khalifa on another evening to see Dubai from the sky by night also.
Whilst this was a different experience to the helicopter tour, I would recommend the helicopter over going up the Burj as you see so much more from the sky and with uninterrupted views too.
Now it’s Sunday evening and we’re planning on a beach day tomorrow for our final 24 hours here in Dubai. What a time we’ve had and I can’t quite believe how much we’ve packed in during our 10 day stay.
Get ready for more blog posts on our experience here including my top recommendations for anyone visiting the incredible city of Dubai – It certainly is worth the hype and exceeded my expectations ❤
We’ve finally made it here to Dubai and I can’t quite believe it! After last year’s trip being cancelled due to Covid and much anticipation whether or not we would make it out this January, I’m thrilled to be here on my first holiday in two years. Being a keen traveler and explorer, I’m super excited to be in a city I’ve never been before full of so many glorious and exciting things to do and places to see.
Arriving at 2am, I was surprised to learn how Dubai is in fact a very nocturnal city with many shops and eateries open 24 hours. Following a much needed lie-in, we spent our first day at the Dubai Mall just a quick metro ride away from our hotel.
The mall is vast including all kinds of shops from high street to designer. Outside you find yourself at the foot of the Burj Khalifa towering high above the city skyline upon a backdrop of the stunning water fountain show.
That evening we decided to go for cocktails and dinner at Level 43 Sky Lounge at the very top of the Sheraton Hotel, conveniently located just opposite our hotel The Gevora, the tallest hotel in the world.
At Level 43 we enjoyed wonderful cocktails and dinner overlooking the bustling city just as alive by night as it is by day. I felt like we were in uptown New York sat on that rooftop sipping my Lycheene gazing out over the futuristic cityscape.
I couldn’t resist having the prawn tiger sushi roll for dinner whilst my boyfriend had a classic chicken burger and chips. The vibe was electric with a live DJ and saxophonist, certainly a fabulous way to kick off our first night here in Dubai.
It’s now Sunday evening and we are still a little jet lagged so we’re just taking it easy. Today we went for a stroll along the beach front stopping off at The Four Seasons Hotel Jumeirah Beach for a quick photo opportunity of course.
Walking around the city you realise the incredible amount of wealth here as super car after super car races by. My boyfriends in his element and I can’t get enough of the awesome Jeep Wagons everywhere – current dream car right there!
We’ve only been here less than 48 hours and I’m already loving Dubai and all it has to offer; from cosmopolitan city life to scorching hot sunny beach days, it’s the best of both worlds. We have a jam-packed itinerary over the next week including a desert safari tomorrow and helicopter flight over The Palm on Wednesday… the Dubai diaries have only just begun!
Seasons Kitchen, Farm Shop & Street Food at Lavershot Barns, brings together fabulous food and drink all wrapped up in one unique experience. From organic, locally sourced produce used to create the Restaurant and Street Food menus, to the bespoke designers from Lush Landscapes and on site florist at Lilys Flowers, Seasons Surrey is your one-stop weekend destination to unwind, shop and dine in style.
With an invite to a private event hosted this Friday by Lush Landscapes, I was lucky enough to experience Surrey’s latest hotspot for an after work cocktail accompanied with some delicious street food too. Kicking off with a glass of bubbly, we explored the gorgeous grounds designed by the team at Lush Landscapes; how idealic to sit in front of this chic fire pit with a glass of prosecco as the sun went down over the farm.
As the saxophone played into the evening, we took our seats at our table and ordered some street food from the extensive menu inspired by worldwide cuisine. From a healthy Chinese dragon rice bowl, to a German hotdog and Greek lamb flatbread, there was something for everyone. I opted for the plant based American style burger with fries – a classic which certainly didn’t disappoint.
Once the sun went down, the Ministry of Sound DJ took to the decks and I was feeling those Ibiza vibes as we sipped our cocktails amongst such gorgeous surroundings. I’m already planning our next trip to Seasons Surrey to browse some special treats in the Farm Shop and of course sample their Michelin star Restaurant.
Thank you Lush Landscapes for hosting such a wonderful event! Visit Seasons Surrey and explore all that they have to offer for yourself here – https://www.seasonssurrey.co.uk
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 ❤
Happy Friday! It may not be the usual weekend ahead here in the UK as we find ourselves back in lockdown for another month; but regardless I’m sat here sipping my Friday night G&T looking back on an awesome Sunday sesh with my work friends last weekend.
With my work wife and work husband by my side, we got started early with cocktails at The Aviator from 2pm. This place has become my local favourite for an indulgent drink date with a fancy twist, a little more special than another trip to the pub.
It was the ultimate opportunity to get all dolled up for those picture perfect Instagram snaps with my girl. We were definitely channelling those 70s Clueless vibes with our outfits too, myself in the flared jeans and checked blazer, alongside Ella with her polo neck layered under a velvet mini dress.
The extensive cocktail menu at Sky Bar always makes it fun to try and test different concoctions every time I visit. I started with the Mile High Club which I’ve been lusting after for ages, as it features a soft white chocolate foam on top, yum!
A few cocktails knocked back and we were ready to get some fun shots walking down the grand staircase with its spiral art deco ceiling design. It was a long awaited day off with my work colleagues following a busy summer at the hotel, so you certainly couldn’t wipe the grins off our faces.
Our afternoon continued into the early evening as Alex kindly treated us girls to a bottle of champagne and we stayed for dinner too. A delicious spread of grub was served including chicken caesar salad and a creamy rigatoni pasta… much needed to soak up those cocktails.
What a truly special Sunday spent with wonderful company sipping stunning cocktails and expensive bubbles to celebrate the occassion. I feel so lucky to have met such awesome friends through my workplace who share my passion to work hard and play hard 😉
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.
Dani Aneka 