Coming at you this week with another vlog as I dive into the summer season with lots of entertaining, time outside soaking up the sunshine and making memories with the family.
I’m in my element when hostessing and entertaining, so I was thrilled to welcome lots of visitors into our home these past few weeks.
To wrap up a busy week, it was a treat to be wined and dined with my boyfriend at the stunning Ivy Asia complete with a gorgeous sunset over Guildford.
Watch the full vlog here for all the summer vibes! ❤
Happy Sunday! I’m still on a high from the most perfect date night yesterday evening in the picturesque town of Guildford, Surrey.
With the sun glowing over Guildford Castle at golden hour, we wanted to enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of The Ivy Castle View. However we settled on a seat at the beautiful feature bar inside given outside was fully booked.
I enjoyed a beefeater pink grapefruit gin and slimline tonic and we shared some olives and rosemary almonds for a pre-dinner nibble.
With 8pm reservations, we finished up our drinks and headed next door to The Ivy Asia for our dinner date. The Ivy is always a treat and never disappoints on the service, food and a buzzing atmosphere complete with exquisite interiors.
We were sat at the counter top overlooking the kitchen where they make the sushi fresh to order and we had a great view across the restaurant too, wonderfully bustling with Saturday night vibes.
To start we shared the duck spring rolls and wonton crackers with a delicious dip. To drink I was on the red wine whilst my boyfriend had a yummy sweet lychee mocktail.
The Ivy Asia offers small plates to share, so it’s a lovely way to get a taste of lots of different dishes. We chose the spicy tuna sushi roll, honey glazed chicken skewers, miso marinated aubergine, sticky rice and chilli noodles.
Everything was so tasty and beautifully presented, but for me the aubergine dish was my favourite and my boyfriend particularly enjoyed the glazed chicken skewers.
As always, The Ivy Asia didn’t disappoint on delivering an overall seamless experience making for the most delightful date night with my boyfriend.
I was a very happy girly indeed; cheers to Saturday date night goals ❤
When it comes to burgers, it’s all about the condiments. Whether it’s a beef burger, chicken burger or vegan mock meat burger, pickles and salad are a an absolute must.
Loaded in a brioche bun I stacked baby gem lettuce, sliced tomato, red onion rings, the vegan patty, gherkins, burger relish and bbq sauce. Served with homemade potato wedges and plenty of salad, this was the perfect date night fakeaway dinner.
Classic, simple, to the point; that’s how you do burger night at home ❤
This Saturday evening we kicked off date night in a local pub garden sipping cocktails and discussing plans for a trip we’re taking to Monaco in September.
It wasn’t the warmest of summer evenings, so I wore this asymmetric oatmeal sweater from Bershka paired with these Abercrombie & Fitch dark wash jeans tucked into my Stradivarius cowboy boots.
A silk neckerchief from Le Scarf and my Coach cross body signature print handbag completed the country girl chic aesthetic this ensemble was giving.
With a Paloma as a special on the aperitifs menu, I couldn’t resist one of my favourite cocktails ideal for an early summer’s evening.
Consisting of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda, a Paloma is the perfect twist of sweet and sour whilst being aesthetically pleasing with its gorgeous pastel pink hue.
Earlier that afternoon I had already cooked a beef bolognese from scratch which was waiting on the hob ready to dish up when we got home.
Leaving it to sit for a few hours allowed the flavours to develop and made for a deliciously rich bolognese sauce.
Whist the linguine boiled, I laid the table and prepared the rocket, parmesan and pickled onion salad dressed in balsamic vinegar.
The final dish went down a treat and we had plenty leftover for the fridge and freezer. I didn’t follow a recipe but I’ve cooked bolognese with my mum many times and the secret is lots of garlic, plenty of basil and a generous few splashes of red wine whilst it cooks down.
Bellies full of linguine bolognese, we reclined on the sofa to watch a movie as we enjoyed the rest of our red wine and some choccie for dessert.
A cute country pub garden, pretty pink cocktails, a hearty pasta dinner and our favourite red wine whilst cosying up on the sofa, what more could you want from date night? Cheers to the weekend ❤
Happy Sunday! As quickly as the weekend rolls around, it’s coming to an end before you know it. Saturday evening is date night for us, so we enjoyed a weekend wine down at the local wine bar followed by an Indian for dinner.
At 7pm we headed for sundown drinks at Auriol Wines, a local wine shop in our village which recently expanded into a wine bar; I’m thrilled to finally have a sophisticated wine bar just on our doorstep.
It might be April, but there is still very much a chill in the air so I wrapped up warm for al fresco pre-dinner drinks.
I wore my oversized grey trench coat from Nakd with a pair of dark wash Hollister jeans, a black off the shoulder blouse from Pretty Little Thing, Maroon square toe ASOS boot heels, a Stradivarius check print baker boy hat and my signature print Coach Mira handbag.
With the light spring evening and pretty sunset, we decided to sit out in the cosy huts and stayed warm with the heated fur blankets.
I enjoyed a delicious glass of Sicilian white wine, whilst my boyfriend sampled three different reds with the flight taster.
We walked over the road for our 8pm reservations at the Monsoon Indian restaurant in Hartley Wintney where it was buzzing on a Saturday night. After some popadoms to start as we browsed the menu, I had a vegetable bhuna curry with green salad, whilst my boyfriend had his usual chicken korma with peshwari naan and coconut rice to share.
Sometimes the simplest of date nights are the most wholesome and fun and every once in a while nothing beats indulging in a classic curry at the local Indian. Cheers to the weekend wine down ❤
Summer holidays are the perfect time to have fun with fashion and get creative with pieces you might not get much chance to wear back home. I’m a sucker for boho beachwear and cute bikinis so naturally these become my everyday essentials on holiday, as well as summer hats and always a pair of statement sunnies to complete the look. From a casual coffee date look to the more glam beach club fit, I want to feel my very best everyday on holiday and it’s a chance to switch things up with different accessories like shell earrings and stacked beaded bracelets. Every night is date night when you’re on vacation too, so there’s always an excuse to get dolled up and show off that glowing holiday tan.
As we can finally get excited for the summer season ahead, I hope this lookbook I filmed in Bali gives you some inspiration for your next holiday. Continue reading to get the details of each look, and don’t forget to watch the full edit on my YouTube channel here – https://youtu.be/QMJs0h4XnYY?si=2YI06phcVMj6CIIV
If you’re looking for endless options of cool cafes, boojie bars and delicious delicacies from cuisines all over the world, then Canggu is the place to satisfy your ultimate foodie cravings. From the stunning smoothie bowls full of the freshest fruits and all day brunching options galore, to classic Mexican, Italian, Greek, Asian or Australian… you really are spoilt for choice!
Whether you’re vegan or in search of somewhere healthier to eat, or you’re wanting to treat yourself to something more indulgent and would like to experience some fine dining, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes in Canggu. We were blown away by the standard of the food everywhere we ate at and the prices were incredibly reasonable, hard to believe compared to the price of restaurants in the UK!
Whilst there wasn’t enough time to try every place recommended during our short stay in Canggu, we did sample some of the most famous cafes and restaurants in the area and I’ve narrowed it down to seven of my favourite.
The ultimate destination for vegans, vegetarians and health food lovers, The Shady Shack offers a big menu which includes an all-day breakfast, nutritious smoothies and juices, burgers and salads, share plates, delicious mains and decadent vegan desserts. I opted for one of their Insta famous salad bowls of grilled haloumi, pickled beetroot, quinoa, rocket, cucumber, avocado, tomato, roasted peppers, olives, baba ganoush, served with a creamy tahini dressing, crispy chickpeas & za’atar. Brimming with plenty of greens and colourful veggies, this Mediterranean inspired bowl of goodness was the perfect post-flight refuel my body needed. At 85K IDR, this salad cost only £4.25.
Another fully plant-based cafe, Kynd Canggu was right next to our hotel and became my boyfriend’s favourite place for lunch. Despite not being vegan, we loved it here and over the course of our stay my boyfriend sampled the loaded fries with chipotle aioli, crunchy onions & jalapeños, their take on a Mexican Burrito, and not forgetting the Kynd Bigger Mac. I was excited to try their aesthetic Acai Bowl complete with fruit lettering to spell out BALI, a cliche I know but it had to be done.
They know their Mexican food in Bali, so I was keen to try out Canguu’s top rated for Mexican eats, Lola’s. With an edgy, buzzing vibe, this cool spot on the shortcut seemed the place to be for a night out with friends. I started with a cheeky Marg of course before we had some naughty loaded nachos with all the toppings to share.
For a main course I hade their Mexi Bowl which comprised of a bed of lettuce with beans, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, red cabbage, pico de gallo, guacamole, cashew sour cream, tortilla chips, and I added BBQ jackfruit. A taste sensation of authentic Mexican flavours, I couldn’t believe it was only £3.75 for this meal, I would go here on repeat if I could.
My number one destination for date night or even just a glass of lovely vino, this Mediterranean inspired restaurant serves up sharing plates using cooking techniques like smoking and wood fire grilling to coax maximum flavour from minimal ingredients.
With its Scandi style interiors and romantic cosy courtyard adorned with fairy-lights, we went here for the perfect Friday date night and shared a scrumptious feast of small plates. Highlights included the cured meat selection, homemade hummus with burnt chilli butter & crispy bits, and those wonderfully sweet wood fired carrots with yoghurt & dukkah.
There is even a secret speakeasy bar at the very back of the restaurant where we enjoyed our after dinner drinks, it oozes sophistication and style.
For a taste of Italy and another atmospheric restaurant ideal for date night, Azoria is a newly opened Italian in the heart of Canggu already making a name for itself. Serving traditional Italian dishes amongst the setting of its rustic Mediterranean inspired decor, it felt like we were transported to Europe as we sipped our red vino and the Italian guitar music set the ambience.
To start we shared an exquisite Caesar salad, and for main my boyfriend had the Beef Ragu, whilst I made my own pasta of pappardelle, tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, spinach and basil. The pasta was so fresh and I loved the idea of making your own pasta so I could personalise the meal to my taste. We never regretti our spaghetti ❤
Whilst this restaurant promotes itself as low calorie and super healthy, that doesn’t mean it sacrifices on quality or options to suit all tastes. My boyfriend had the pork ribs with sweet potato fries and he said it was one of the best dinners he’d had on the trip – although we said that after every meal to be honest!
I opted for the grilled fish topped with a mango chilli salsa, served with baked pumpkin and lots of fresh salad. A nicely balanced plate high in protein, complex carbs from the pumpkin, fats from the fish and heaps of nutrients from all the salad; I love this kind of food good for the body and soul. They also have live musicians on guitars every night from 7-9pm, making for the perfect al fresco dining experience.
The final foodie destination I had to have on my list of favourites was Zin Cafe, the restaurant within the hotel we were staying. We had breakfast here every morning and whilst my boyfriend made his way through the extensive menu of savoury and sweet brunch options, I couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit platter and yummy smoothie bowls. The cafe spans multiple levels spilling into the co-working space, which is like an awesome tree-house perfect for chilled working vibes. We ordered lunch to our terrace one afternoon and I had a delightful plate of roasted vegetables with green tahini. We also had their local Indonesian Curry for dinner in the restaurant one evening which didn’t disappoint, it was everything I hoped for and more.
So that’s a roundup of my top food spots in Canggu. There are many more incredible cafes and brilliant restaurants we didn’t have time to visit of course, but safe to say you won’t be disappointed wherever you go to eat in Bali; it’s true foodie heaven ❤
Celebrating Valentines isn’t something we’ve always got involved with, however with it falling on hump-day this year, it felt like the perfect excuse for a midweek date night at home.
My boyfriend surprised me with this gorgeous bunch of red roses and the cutest card with a pop-out teddy bear.
Inspired by some stunning hairstyles I’d found on Pinterest, I decided to try putting my hair into a French Roll and it turned out so well. It was giving chic and sophisticated vibes for our date night, I’m obsessed.
I set the romantic mood in our dining room with candles and music whilst I set the table ready for dinner. It’s the little touches that make dinner for two at home special, like using our nicest gold cutlery with lovely napkins and putting condiments into aesthetic serving dishes.
It was midweek Mexican night, so we made our favourite burrito bowls with a side of chilli cheese nachos and all the dips of course. A bottle of red wine, candles lit and dinner served, we felt like we were in our own restaurant.
Mexican feast devoured, we moved to the lounge to watch ‘How to loose a guy in 10 days’, a romantic comedy classic perfect for V-day night.
I love a cosy date night at home and this was the perfect way to spend our Valentines evening together; simple and fuss-free, yet super cute and romantic ❤
When it comes to a cocktail, you can never go wrong with a classic Margarita. It’s definitely an acquired taste which I’ve grown to love as my palette has matured with age. Needless to say, but Margs are not for the faint hearted!
As I finished up work on Friday I had a Margarita on my mind, so me and my boyfriend decided to hit the local cocktail bar and welcome in the weekend with a few cheeky cocktails.
I prefer my Marg on the sweeter side with a strong kick of spice and this one didn’t disappoint, it was so delicious and satisfied my craving.
For our spontaneous date night I wore my Stradivarius dark wash flared jeans, a Cotton On tie front brown top, my cropped grey blazer and a pair of ASOS lace up maroon heels to complete the glam look.
Friday nights are my favourite so I was one happy girly with a Marg in hand and the whole weekend ahead of us.
Salty, sweet and always spicy; cheers to the weekend ❤
Happy Sunday! It’s been another cosy winter weekend spent snuggled on the sofa watching movies, enjoying warming cups of tea and taking time in the kitchen to cook hearty, nutritious meals. As we find ourselves in this coldest part of the year, I embrace the slower pace of life and really appreciate the small things like getting wrapped up and heading for a drink at the local pub on a Friday night.
Winter fashion is all about layering and brings with it opportunity for accessorising with cute hats and scarves too. I was channelling my inner French girl on Friday with my brown knitted beret to complete this casual chic look I put together. I’m living in neutral tones and rich browns this season.
Stopping by our local pub The Mutton to catchup with my parents on Friday evening, I decided to treat myself to an indulgent Baileys Espresso Martini by the fire.
This was the perfect concoction of smooth roasted coffee mixed with sweet creamy Baileys, a delicious drink to sip as I warmed up by the fire.
Saturday soon rolled around and after finishing my weekly house clean, I curled up on the sofa with a book and hot cup of tea. For me January is about self-care and doing things which bring me happiness, not restriction and punishment which is what society has taught us to engage in during this month of the year.
Instead I choose to indulge in the little things like buying fresh flowers for the house and saying yes to a cocktail at the pub. Life’s too short to be denying ourselves anything which might bring us joy.
Date night this weekend we chose to stay in at home and I cooked us a healthy nutritious meal for two. Cod with a white Pinos Gris wine for her, sirloin steak with a red Malbec wine for him, both served with my special crispy roasted new potatoes, stir fried asparagus tips, broccoli and a rocket salad.
I personally love spending time in the kitchen and feeding myself whole foods which I’ve made from scratch. This meal was hearty, nutritious and super yummy, we both finished every last morsel on our plates before cuddling on the sofa and watching a movie.
So lets change the perspective on January being the month of dieting and removing things we actually enjoy from our weekly routines, and instead think about adding things which nourish your mind, body and soul to bring you pleasure and help you thrive throughout the winter season. Whether it’s adding more colourful vegetables to your meals or simply enjoying a glass of wine on a Sunday evening, be kind to yourself this month and don’t let the pressures of society make you think otherwise. Join the self love club babes ❤
Dani Aneka 