Tag: delicious

Howdy Late September Sun

September 10, 2023

Although September officially marks the end of Summer and start of Autumn, we tend to forget what a lovely month September can be.

So with the weather forecast set to be a scorcher this weekend, I made the most of it and took my Mini Cooper for a topdown spin around the country lanes as soon as I finished work on Friday.

I just love getting my roof down on the Cooper and soaking up the summer sun, something I haven’t got to do a lot this summer given the rubbish August weather unfortunately.

I was channelling my inner cowgirl with this fun outfit inspired by my awesome Lack of Colours cream rancher hat and my Stradivarius brown cowboy boots.

I wore a pair of Levi 501 dark wash denim shorts, this Zara waistcoat style striped yellow-orange shirt, my Celine dupe H&M brown check handbag, classic round frame Ray Ban sunnies and a blue paisley neckerchief to complete the cowgirl aesthetic.

That evening we rode our bikes to the pub and had an al fresco dinner back home with that lovely warm summer evening air. As the sun set and the stars came out, our gorgeous solar powered lanterns and spotlights lit up the garden; I just love cosying up outside on warm summer nights like these.

The next evening we were off to the Aviator Hotel in Farnborough for cocktails and dinner on their outdoor terrace.

When we arrived, the sun was just setting over Farnborough Airport and the sky was the perfect hue of pink and orange.

It was stunning watching the final few minutes of golden hour as private jets took off and landed at the airport, making for the picture perfect moment.

I always have to get a photo on the famous feature staircase at the Aviator Hotel every time we visit as it’s such a unique piece of interior design, I love it.

For the occasion I wore my Zara white cropped flared jeans, this backless tie back baby blue crop top, my favourite Senso blush pink mule heels, my Dune London white crochet gold chain handbag, MiuMiu sunnies popped on my head and a chic flower neck corsage to finish my elegant date night look.

Out on the terrace we had magnificent views of the airfield as dusk set in and the moon rose. I started with this sweet Amaretto Mango Sour cocktail, a refreshing beverage to quench my thirst on such a humid evening.

For dinner we ordered from their bar menu as opposed to the Brasserie and we were very happy with our food choices. My boyfriend went for the BBQ glazed ribs with smokey beans, slaw and fries which was all delicious.

I had a summer salad of Ox tomato, buffalo mozzarella, grilled peach, balsamic glaze and grilled chicken. The combination of fresh flavours was heavenly and the addition of sweet peach paired perfectly with this traditional dish.

My post dinner cocktail of choice was of course an Espresso Martini and it didn’t disappoint, this was one of the best I’ve ever had!

It was another clear and starry night which we enjoyed sat outside back home in our garden with a glass of red as our night cap.

So it would seem sun has set on the Summer 2023 season here in the UK, however we’re lucky enough to be going on holiday next week to Cyprus, where their summer doesn’t show any signs of ending yet… so stay tuned for more summer holiday content to come! ❤

A Girl Dinner Moment

August 27, 2023

Happy bank holiday babes! I can’t believe it’s coming to the end of August already, where has summer gone? I kicked off the long weekend with Friday drinks at the pub followed by a girls night with my bestie on Saturday evening.

I wore my pink Stradivarius flared jeans to brighten up yet another grey August day, and paired these with this tie back Nakd grey vest and my chunky pearl sliders.

Despite the overcast weather, it was still warm enough to sit outside and enjoy a few drinks and snacks together at sunset. It’s not a girl dinner without nibbles and I won’t be missing any opportunity to put out a mezze of picky bits in my favourite bowls.

Following our holiday to Mallorca, me and the girls have been obsessed in a Greek Salad. Quick, easy, healthy and delicious, this is the ultimate girl dinner moment.

To accompany our big bowl of goodness, I heated up a sun-dried tomato flatbread for our carbs and served it with some Italian salad leaves too.

This was the perfect girl dinner to graze and enjoy as we chatted away and reminisced about our wonderful Mallorca memories from our holiday a few weeks back; cheers to cute girl dinners ❤

Hosting 101; Preparing for a BBQ

August 20, 2023

When it comes to hosting, preparation is key to pulling off a seamless evening which you too can enjoy alongside the company of your guests. This Friday evening we invited our parents to the house for a BBQ, so I wanted to be on my top hosting game to impress!

I got to planning what we were going to cook a week prior so we could do the food shop during the week and have plenty of time to prep in advance. I made sure all areas were covered including drinks, nibbles and decor, as well as the BBQ food itself.

For nibbles I put together a grazing board of crisps, nuts, crackers, olives, antipasti and dips. I love any excuse to buy a mezze of snacks and use my assortment of cute bowls to put them out in for guests to enjoy. And don’t forget to put out some side plates, coasters, napkins and candles to set the mood later in the evening; it’s all in the detail.

Once we did the shop a few days prior to the date, I decided what dish each element of the BBQ was going to go into because there are so many different components which make up a barbecue spread. I laid everything out the night before and labelled exactly what dish was going into what, so I knew we had every base covered.

On the menu for the main event we had: marinated chicken thighs, chicken skewers, veggie skewers, corn cobs, beef burgers, vegan burgers, roasted new potatoes, green avocado salad and of course, my favourite Greek salad.

On the morning of the BBQ, I prepped the veggie skewers, new potatoes, green salad and Greek salad so these were all ready to go straight from the fridge. That just left the barbecuing itself and the potatoes to be cooked in the oven on the night.

I was then ready to lay the table complete with wine glasses, water glasses, napkins and not forgetting the condiment tray with all the dips and dressings you could wish for with a BBQ.

Despite the cloudy day, the rain held off and we were able to get out the garden furniture and sit outside whilst my boyfriend did his thing on the BBQ.

It was a very warm, humid evening, so I wore this daisy print skirt with a simple black vest, a green short sleeve overshirt, chunky pearl sliders and a pair of sunnies to complete the BBQ fit. I wanted to get a bit dressed up but also be comfy for running around doing my hostessing duties on the night.

At 7pm our guests arrived so we got the BBQ fired up and the potatoes in the oven. I could finally take a breath at this point and enjoy catching up with our parents as everything else was all ready to go; the joy of being super prepared!

The evening went seamlessly and everyone had a wonderful time together. My Greek salad was a highlight as well as my special roasted crispy new potatoes which are always a crowd pleaser. So if you’re hosting a BBQ or dinner party anytime soon, follow these preparation tips and you’ll be sure to have a fun and stress free evening with your guests too; cheers to that! ❤

Friday Feels; A Summer’s Arvo in East London

July 30, 2023

Nothing beats that Friday feeling when you get to wrap up work tasks, close work emails and welcome in another weekend. This Friday my boyfriend and I went into East London to spend the afternoon at Spitalfields Market, before a dinner hosted by Epidemic Sounds at Ottolenghi Restaurant in Liverpool Street.

I love that summertime buzz in the city and it was fun to be back in the area of town which I used to live many years ago, back when I was doing my dance training.

Spitalfields Market has changed quite a lot since I last visited, so it was interesting to walk around and explore all the different markets and shops.

Cocktail hour was upon us, so we found this lovely looking restaurant and bar with outdoor seating just on the edge of the market, perfect for soaking up the atmosphere whilst people watching.

I couldn’t resist a Tommy’s Margarita which was perfectly sweet and salty with that spicy kick too, it was heavenly.

And what aperitif is complete without olives, right?

That right there is my ideal Friday arvo setup complete with live music playing in the market and that warm summer air, exquisite vibes.

My boyfriend got the fillet steak sandwich with caramelised onions and caesar dressed leaves.I had a taste and we both agreed this was absolutely outstanding, the best steak sandwich we’ve ever had!

Another round of drinks and before we knew it a few hours had passed, we were having such a wonderful time we didn’t want to leave.

For the occasion I wore this vibrant pink corset top from Zara, my straight cut Stradivarius jeans, a pair of khaki green mules from Next, a cropped grey blazer and my MiuMiu sunnies to complete the look.

We went for another stroll around the market as well as a few shops including All Saints, Nobody’s Child and Mulberry. Then before dinner we went for one more sunset drink at The Players Social.

We were kindly invited along to this influencer dinner by Epidemic Sounds who have collaborated with my boyfriend’s YouTube channel a lot over the years. It was a great opportunity to meet fellow creators and make some more connections in the YouTube community.

As I expected, the dinner was a mezze of small sharing plates including hummus, roasted vegetables, sea bream fillet and lamb koftas. The courgettes served with labneh, harissa tomato salsa and pine nuts was my favourite dish, accompanied with plenty of the hummus of course.

We finished with an assortment of cakes which were divine. Some great conversations were had and it was a fantastic networking opportunity meeting likeminded creators and influencers. Thanks again to Epidemic Sounds for inviting us along and hosting a wonderful dinner at Ottolenghi ❤

Brighton; Coronation Celebrations & Tattoo No.2

May 8, 2023

With another bank holiday long weekend ahead of us, we decided to make the most of it and go for a mini staycay to the wonderful city of Brighton. Being one of the most iconic seaside cities in the UK, I couldn’t think of a better place to spend the King’s coronation weekend.

Arriving on Saturday afternoon at the Ibis City Centre Hotel, we were greeted with union jack balloons and a welcome gift of prosecco ready on ice with traditional popcorn too.

With our King now crowned and the night of celebrations ahead of us, we popped our prosecco and sipped our bubbles whilst taking in that fantastic view we had over the maze of a bustling Brighton town centre.

Keeping things very English themed, we headed to The Ivy for dinner. I wore my H&M slit hem leggings paired with these ASOS lace front heels, this Next oversized camel blazer and an emerald green silk wrap top as a subtle nod to the royal events of the weekend.

We always have a fabulous time at The Ivy Collection restaurants and our experience here at The Ivy in the Lanes certainly didn’t disappoint.

The opulent artwork and eclectic interiors of The Ivy create that elevated ambience, which is of course is matched with the impeccable service and top tier food.

We can’t visit The Ivy and not get their salt crusted sourdough to start, it’s simply divine. A bowl of olives and a bottle of wine flowing too, I was in my happy place ready for a fun night ahead.

For mains I ordered the blackened cod baked in a banana leaf with soy marinade, citrus-pickled fennel, yuzu and herb sauce served with broccoli, whilst my boyfriend had the chef’s special sirloin steak served with peppercorn sauce and fries.

Upon recommendation from our lovely waiter, we went for post dinner drinks at a bar called The Font in the Lanes, before heading back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

Sunday morning we took a stroll around the Lanes exploring all the awesome vintage shops before grabbing burritos at Chipotle.

That afternoon we enjoyed some coffees at this cool cafe Bread & Milk whilst discussing options for my tattoo.

I’ve been wanting a wave tattoo on my ankle for some time now, so being in Brighton where there are so many tattoo shops and of course being by the sea, it was the perfect opportunity to finally get my 2nd ink.

We’d come across this tattoo shop Skinned Alive on our way to lunch earlier and enquired about my fine line tattoo. Being one of the top rated tattoo places in Brighton I couldn’t go wrong and I got a good vibe from the guys working there.

I showed them my inspiration and explained where I wanted it on my ankle, before the tattooist drew up my design which I then worked with him to get just right.

So with my stencil finalised and my placement agreed, I got seated in the chair ready for my 2nd tattoo!

It couldn’t have taken any longer than 10 minutes and not too painful on the whole, although I felt it more than my wrist tattoo as this was right on the ankle bone.

Ankle wrapped to protect the fresh tattoo, I couldn’t be happier with my 2nd ink. Thanks to the guys at Skinned Alive who made the experience so positive and ensured I had the perfect placement and design I had envisioned for the wave.

Early Sunday evening the skies were finally blue and the sun was shining, so we headed for the seafront via my favourite corner of Brighton, Dukes Lane.

The vibes were high at the beach bars as everyone embraced the bank holiday weekend and soaked up the early evening sunshine as music played and drinks were in full flow.

Having been on our feet all day, we grabbed an early dinner at a Greek restaurant called Adelfia. I was craving lots of veggies and hummus, so I had a big bowl of traditional Greek salad with pitta and hummus to share, paired with a crisp white wine from Greece; exquisite.

We finished our evening with a sunset stroll along the seafront and a walk down the pier lit up in all its glory at night. That concluded another brilliant weekend away exploring the best of Brighton life which we continue to love every time we come back to visit ❤

Heckfield Place; Dinner at Marle

April 30, 2023

Heckfield Place really is a local gem for us being a world famous five star hotel nestled in the Hampshire countryside right on our doorstep! Having visited a number of times for drinks and to go to their super plush cinema, we were yet to dine in their highly acclaimed green Michelin star restaurant.

With it being the long bank holiday weekend and springtime finally in the air, it was the ideal Saturday evening date night destination. Arriving at 6pm, golden hour was upon us showering the majestic manner house at Heckfield with that gorgeous golden glow, highlighting its vivid orange hues.

I got a little glammed up for the occasion wearing these brand new Stradivarius straight leg jeans which are the perfect fit, paired with my Abercrombie & Fitch one sleeve khaki asymmetric top, matching khaki knotted mules and my favourite oversized vintage Jaegar blazer.

The grounds at Heckfield Place are truly magnificent and even more beautiful now in bloom with all the colourful tulips.

We sat out on the terrace where we enjoyed a few cocktails to start whilst taking in the picturesque view.

My cocktail of choice was a superbly sweet and salty lemon Margareta, whilst my boyfriend had this apple and blackberry concoction served in a highball glass garnished with a rosemary twist. These wonderfully vibrant cocktails were the perfect aperitif whilst we soaked up sunset on the terrace.

We were then shown inside to our table for dinner in the Marle restaurant. With their Culinary Director Skye Gyngell, also food editor at Vogue and known for her Michelin Star at Petersham Nurseries, I had high expectations for the food.

The Marle restaurant creates an immaculate ambience with tasteful interiors and beautiful foliage as you overlook the gorgeous green expanse of the grounds. This truly reflects their ethos of serving local produce straight from the earth.

As we browsed the menu we grazed on the complimentary homemade bread basket with homemade butter too. When the basics are done so well, there’s no doubt the meal is going to be one to remember.

Having devoured the moorish bread basket, we went straight in for mains. My boyfriend had the lamb kalettes served with lentils, asparagus and creme fraiche, whilst I had the roasted seabass served with peppers, cherry tomatoes, black olives and flowering rocket.

To accompany our mains we had the farm greens and these incredible crispy potatoes with black garlic vinaigrette, sour cream and herbs.

Every dish is seasonally sourced from the local land complete with lashings of olive oil, a key ingredient which Skye passionately uses in all of her cooking. Simple, pared back cooking using the freshest ingredients allows the true beauty of an ingredient to be revealed.

I chose a crisp white wine to compliment by fish dish, savouring every last mouthful as we soaked up those divine Saturday night vibes of the Marle restaurant overlooking the land as sunset.

Bill paid and bellies full of delicious food and wine, we decided to go for a moonlit stroll by the fountain at dusk.

The quintessential end to the most magical evening at Heckfield Place. We’ll be back again soon for more of those splendid cocktails and the most gloriously crispy potatoes. Thanks to the team at Marle for making our experience so wonderful. ❤

Date Night; Thai Curry & Cocktails

April 2, 2023

Happy Sunday! The sun is finally shining here in Hampshire following a week of gloomy rain. For date night this Saturday me and my boyfriend went for dinner at our favourite local Thai restaurant, followed by some fabulous cocktails at a new bar in town we’d never tried before.

I kept it a little more casual this weekend wearing an oversized fit in my boyfriend’s Gucci t-shirt paired with black skinny jeans, lots of gold jewellery and a cute pair of heels to add a touch of glam to the final look.

Thai cuisine is one of our favourites and the local spot Menu Thai never disappoints. Our go-to order is a green thai vegetable curry for me, a red or penang chicken curry for my boyfriend, coconut rice and a side of pad broccoli. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; wholesome, hearty and delicious, 10/10 every time!

Bellies full of of yummy curry, we went around the corner to a new cocktail spot in town, Esco Lounge and Bar. They offer an extensive menu of wonderful cocktails, so we decided to order three to share.

The amaretto sour was divine and my boyfriend’s classic mojito was on point. We also tried a strawberry and mint flavoured rum concoction, served in this interesting shaped glass resembling a magical potion.

I love simple date nights like this spending quality time with my boyfriend, sharing good food and enjoying fun cocktails, before heading home and cosying up on the coach in front of a good movie ❤

Girls Day East London; Bottomless Brunch & Drag Bingo

March 26, 2023

I love an excuse to get dolled up and spending a Saturday arvo with my best girlfriends enjoying a boozy brunch. Having been a few birthdays in the group recently, we decided to book a bottomless brunch this weekend followed by a night out in East London. Let the antics commence!

With the weather still on the cooler side at the moment, I decided to wear my long over the knee boots with my black NEUW denim jeans, a white one sleeve asymmetric crop top, check print Stradivarius blazer, my usual gold jewellery, cute sunnies and my green fur coat to keep warm.

Brunch was booked for late afternoon at Raspa@100 Hoxton, a Filipino fusion restaurant offering a great bottomless brunch deal lasting 100 minutes for £38 each. We made the most of the drinks swapping between cocktails, slushies, prosecco of course and they even treated us to shots on the house.

The food spread was delicious and nice to have something different to the usual brunch menu options. Livy had the pork belly silog breakfast served with garlic fried rice, fried eggs & pickle, whilst Lucy had the halloumi finger sandwich and Cara opted for the sweet option of banana & buttermilk French toast.

My dish was the karoke which are Korean potato croquettes served with poached eggs, chilli dressing and a cheese sauce. The flavours in this were sensational and that pool of chilli dressing sauce was just to die for.

Bellies full of brunch and booze, we walked over to nearby Shoreditch to have more drinks at The Bike Shed which was buzzing on a Saturday evening in town.

Another bottle of wine later, and it was time to head over to the Drag Bingo we had tickets for. I was unsure of what to expect but needless to say we had a fabulous time!

Sure enough we ended our night tearing up the dance floor in another bar. Being friends since infant school, anytime we get together we have such a laugh and never take ourselves too seriously.

I think this picture beuatifully sums up my true happiness and joy following a day of love and laughter with my very best girlfriends; let’s stay forever young at heart. ❤

Spring is on the Horizon

March 19, 2023

We’re well into March and British Summer Time begins next week! I’m a summer girl at heart so I couldn’t be more excited for spring and the summer season ahead. Bring on those long days and warm summer evenings chilling in the garden having al fresco dinners on repeat.

Spring is also a fun opportunity to change up your wardrobe and experiment with layering separates including tees, shirts and blazers. As the weather warms up I can finally wear more interesting pieces like this cold shoulder backless sweater which I simply paired with black jeans, Chelsea boots and a fedora hat for Friday night drinks at the pub.

I recently purchased this cute khaki tank top from Zara as a perfect little transitional piece great for layering too. I styled it with a silk neckerchief, flared jeans, platform maroon boots, plenty of gold jewellery and my long trench coat thrown on top for a Saturday night dinner date with the family.

We went for a lovely meal at El Castello where we enjoyed a delicious spread of Italian food and wine in celebration of Mother’s Day and my brother’s Birthday. I had my favourite seafood linguine dish and I shared a yummy cheesecake for dessert with my boyfriend.

Now I’m winding down after the weekend and having a chilled Sunday evening at home before another busy week of work ahead. We’ve made it through a long English winter so springtime couldn’t come sooner ❤

Saturday Scenes in Surrey

February 12, 2023

This Saturday afternoon we decided to head to the picturesque town of Farnham to stroll around and do some filming for my boyfriend’s YouTube channel. The town centre was bustling and those weekend vibes were in the air as we soaked up another crisp, cold winter day in Surrey.

After shooting at different locations around the town, we headed to Lost Boy for an early evening cocktail; an Espresso Martini to perk me up and a classic Mojito for my boyfriend.

With some time to kill before our 8pm dinner reservations, we decided to visit The Wine Yard for a pre-dinner cheeseboard and vino.

They got the cheeseboard spot on complete with dried fruit, walnuts, honey, celery sticks and a divine sweet onion chutney, the perfect accompaniment to our red wine.

I’ve been looking for a good local wine bar just like this to visit with my girlfriends, so I’ll definitely be back here again soon to sample more wines from their extensive range on offer and try their full charcuterie board too.

After another drink over at the Bush Hotel, it was finally time for our dinner reservation at YiaYias at The Fox. We love Greek food and so when my friend recommended this Greek restaurant, I couldn’t wait to try it. Despite it being a busy Saturday night, the food was fantastically authentic and the service very friendly.

We shared humous and flatbread to start, followed by a Greek Salad and Falafel for me, and a traditional Cypriot Greek Chicken Pitta with chips for my boyfriend. Everything was absolutely delicious and accompanied with some lovely Greek white wine I ordered on recommendation too.

What a beautiful way to spend a Saturday with my boyfriend exploring the best of Farnham bars and restaurants. We’ll call it an early Valentines treat to ourselves 😉 ❤