72 Hours In Marbella; My Chic Holiday Wardrobe Edit

For our weekend in Marbella, I packed with one goal in mind: effortless elegance. I wanted every look to feel timeless, sophisticated and chic, mixing high street finds with investment designer accessories to create outfits that felt elevated without trying too hard.

Between sun-drenched mornings, leisurely lunches, golden hour strolls and elegant dinners, every outfit becomes part of the experience. So here’s everything I wore over three days in Marbella.

Day One Fit: Puerto Banús

For our first day strolling around Puerto Banús, I leaned into the white wash aesthetic with an all white fit.

Starting with my favourite white miniskirt from Zara, I paired it with this white silk tie front top and a contrasting brown bikini top beneath.

My Dior sliders and Marc Jacobs tote added some interest to an otherwise minimal look.

And to complete the fit I wore my new Monday Swim brown structured bucket hat, a cute but chic finishing touch.

This is the kind of outfit that looks just as good wandering around Puerto Banús as it does stopping for lunch overlooking the yachts.

Evening One: Dinner at Zellij

For our Friday evening at Forum, the aesthetic was effortlessly cool with a side of Friday night fun.

This called for my Las Lulas crochet tassel crop top with flared sleeves which I bought in Tulum and gives serious cool girl energy.

My butter yellow ruffle mini shorts from ASOS also fitted the brief perfectly.

To complement the ruffles and tassels I wore my Sol Concept ruffle mule heels and also matched the shorts with my butter yellow Topshop handbag.

Gold shell jewellery from Seaside Stories Bali added a final flourish of sparkle, essential for fun Marbella nights.

Day Two: Old Town Opulence

Exploring Marbella’s charming Old Town called for something feminine but practical.

Cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and flower-filled alleyways deserve an outfit that feels romantic while still keeping you cool in the Mediterranean sunshine.

Starting with the hat, my Lack Of Colours rancher was ideal for keeping the sun off my face whilst looking super stylish.

This gorgeous patterned swimsuit in a vivd blue and white colour-way felt very fitting for the occasion, whilst pretty floral themed gold jewellery added to the Old Town feminine aesthetic.

Paired with my Levi dark was denim shorts and Dune brown flip-flops, the outfit was practical yet polished and considered.

My basket bag from Southbeach seemed the obvious choice to complete this charming Old Town look.

Evening Two: Dinner at La Petite Maison

With dinner reservations at one of Marbella’s top restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean at sunset, I opted for my most glamorous fit of the trip for Saturday night.

Leaning into the white wash aesthetic again, I wore this exquisite white mini dress with bow details from Zara.

Having purchased my new Valentino sparkler heels at a designer vintage store called Deja Vu Vintage earlier that day, I had to debut them and this felt like the right moment.

Pearl jewellery from By Alona and Heaven Mayhem complimented the dress perfectly and added another touch of glam.

And nothing says quiet luxury like my gorgeous Polene handbag.

I decided to put my hair up into a French twist to take this look to another level of sophistication and elegance.

Simple yet considered and polished; nothing overly trend-led, just classic pieces that I’ll still love years from now.

Day Three: Cruising on the Med

Our final full day was spent out on the water with a private boat trip on the Mediterranean ocean.

My blue gingham print bikini was the starting point for this beach day look.

I paired it with my cargo mini skirt from Bali and a cotton Daisy Street white tie front cap sleeve top.

Classic khaki Birkenstocks were my sandal of choice and it was time for another outing in my Monday Swim brown bucket hat.

Cute starfish jewellery were the ultimate accessories for a day on the water.

Comfortable enough for exploring but elevated enough to feel put together in every photo.

Evening Three: Dinner at Nota Blu Brasserie

For our final evening, I wore one of my favourite looks of the trip.

Elegant, classy and perfect for our last sunset dinner, my new Monday Swim maxi dress was the moment for Sunday evening golden hour.

I kept accessories minimal with my By Alona pearl chain necklace, Heaven Mayhem gold shell earrings, a pair of nude thong kitten heels from ASOS, and my Polene handbag.

It was the kind of outfit that doesn’t rely on bold prints or loud details, it simply lets beautiful tailoring, quality fabrics and thoughtful styling do all the talking.

A pair of statement cat-eye YSL sunglasses were the finishing touch to this effortlessly chic look.

My Marbella Style Formula

When packing for a destination like Marbella, I always come back to the same styling principles:

  • Stick to a neutral colour palette that mixes effortlessly.
  • Invest in timeless designer accessories that elevate even the simplest of outfits.
  • Balance affordable high street fashion with luxury investment pieces.
  • Accessorise with fun and aesthetic holiday jewellery to bring simple day looks to life.
  • Prioritise outfits you’ll genuinely feel confident wearing rather than chasing trends.

I truly believe style isn’t about wearing head-to-toe designer labels. Some of my favourite outfits combine an affordable dress with a luxury handbag, classic sandals and high quality jewellery. It’s that mix that creates a chic aesthetic whilst keeping your wardrobe versatile and wearable.

The endless luxury, beautiful architecture and picturesque golden hour moments, make it impossible not to embrace timeless style and sophisticated glamour when dressing in Marbella ❤

Bank Holiday State Of Mind

It’s the late May bank holiday here in the UK and I’m winding down following a wonderful weekend soaking up the heatwave sunshine.

Back on Friday evening, we met friends at The Mutton for sundown drinks in the pub garden.

I wore this cute asymmetric dress from ASOS with a pair of nude thong kitten heel mules, my Coach handbag and MiuMiu round sunnies to complete the smart-casual look.

Saturday was another scorching day, so when 5pm came I enjoyed a glass of wine and some olives in our garden, whilst watching Emz and Nick’s latest Greece vlog.

For date night that evening, I booked The Leather Bottle for dinner in their picturesque courtyard area.

Even at 8pm it was still a lovely temperature to be sat outside as the sun went down over the neighbouring fields.

To start we ordered the padron peppers because whenever they’re on a menu, my boyfriend and I simply cannot resist.

For mains my boyfriend opted for the Bavette steak frites, whilst I had the Gilt head bream fillet.

Served with potato terrine, courgette, heritage tomato, feta and a salsa verde, this dish was divine and presented so beautifully too.

As we enjoyed our meal, the stunning sunset skies turned shades of gorgeous deep oranges and pinks, before dusk eventually set in.

Back home we embraced the warm night air and had another drink in our garden, festoon lights glowing and the moon shining brightly up overhead.

Sunday we were off to my boyfriend’s parents’ house for our first BBQ of the summer season.

Temperatures were set to be over 30 degrees, so denim shorts and my new pink contrast vest from Stradivarius and classic Birkenstock sandals, were the perfect cute-casual outfit combo.

I also styled my hair in a French twist to keep it off my neck for the day, not to mention looking super chic and elegant too.

It was the first time using their barbecue and outdoor space in their new house and it was all absolutely perfect.

Every corner of their house is so aesthetic and I was particularly drawn to these stone faces in their garden which give boho-chic Tulum vibes.

On the grill we had chicken skewers, burgers, sausages, corns and asparagus.

Of course a barbecue for us is not complete without my signature Greek Salad, so I was very excited to be making my first one of the summer this weekend.

There was also a Caesar salad, beetroot salad, Jersey Royal potatoes and all the condiments necessary for such a feast.

And not forgetting the footy game which had to be on in the background for the boys!

After lunch, I sat with my boyfriend’s mum out on their cute bistro set with a glass of bubbles; it was like we were sat outside our very own Parisian wine bar, pure bliss.

Meanwhile, the boys were equally chuffed with their setup inside to finish watching the football game.

My boyfriend’s mum even treated us to our favourite dessert she introduced us to of frozen raspberries, melted white chocolate and cream.

Before we knew it the sun was beginning to set and it was time to leave, but on our way home we made a spontaneous detour.

As we passed through Farnham, my boyfriend said we should do the walk at Caesar’s Camp to catch sunset.

So we parked up the truck and made our way across the picturesque countryside.

After about a 25 minute walk, we found this incredible viewpoint from which we watched the sun go down over Caesar’s Camp.

Sunsets never fail to amaze me; I find it mesmerising to see the sun dip below the horizon so rapidly in realtime.

A majestic sunset stroll was the most idyllic ending to our long bank holiday weekend showered in sunshine ❤

Aesthetic Date Night Scenes; The Ivy Asia Guildford

For ultimate date night vibes complete with aesthetic interiors, delicious food and top service, we are never disappointed with an evening at The Ivy.

With 8:30pm reservations at The Ivy Asia located in Guildford, we popped next door first for an aperitif at The Ivy Castle View.

I had envisioned a picturesque sundown drink on their terrace overlooking the castle, but the rainy English weather had other plans, so instead we sat at their brilliant feature bar where the bartender made our cocktails in front of us.

My look for the evening was built around my new Stradivarius white flared jeans paired with this gorgeous denim corset from White Fox Boutique.

I’ve been loving the French twist up-do I’ve been seeing all over my Instagram explore page, so I had a go at recreating the style myself.

Thankfully my hair was cooperating and I was obsessed with the final result which felt so elegant and classy.

To complete the elevated date night fit, I wore my By Alona pearl necklace, statement round gold earrings, my Abbott Lyon gold bangle, Sandro green velvet handbag and my favourite vintage oversized green Jaegar blazer.

The touches of green in my fit were the perfect little nod to the green accents at The Ivy.

Pre-dinner cocktails of choice were a Strawberry Mojito for my boyfriend.

And a Tommy’s Margarita for me with that perfectly sweet but spicy hit I’m looking for in my Marg.

Sitting at the central bar amongst fellow dinners as the busy Saturday night service unfolds, makes for a fun atmosphere to kick off date night right.

Soon it was time to hop back next door for our dinner booking at The Ivy Asia.

The vibe here is made for evenings out as the place comes into its own by night.

With a live DJ and the amazing green lighted floor, it always brings a fun and buzzing atmosphere for those Saturday night vibes.

We were seated at the bar whilst our table was being relaid, so we started by ordering some drinks.

A glass white in hand and ready for an Asian feast, we were taken to our booth table.

I requested the booth seating as it feels more plush and is often that bit more comfortable.

We even had the beautiful blossom tree overhead, perfect for those Instagram shots.

To start we had the edamame beans served with a spicy sauce for added flavour and a fiery kick.

For mains we ordered lots of the smaller plates to share between us and it turned out to be quite the spread.

Of course I had to have a plate of sushi so I opted for the salmon avocado roll and it was divine.

My boyfriend had his favourite glazed chicken karaage dish as well as the satay chicken skewers.

The cucumber peanut salad side dish is another must whenever we visit.

We also had the steamed rice, chilli noodles and wok fried greens for the table.

As ever the food was beautifully presented and tasted delightful, we were certainly very full and satisfied following our mini feast.

With its brilliant service, outstanding food and opulent interiors, complete with a buzzing atmosphere that makes you feel more like you’re in a trendy Manhattan hotspot, The Ivy is always a good idea for date night ❤

Work Travel Diaries; 48 Hours In Vienna

Our 48 hours in the Austrian capital felt like stepping onto the set of a beautifully shot old school film; elegant, charming and full of delicious food. We caught the 7am flight from London Heathrow Airport and by 10am we were already wandering the streets of Vienna, ready to make the most of every second.

There’s something so effortlessly romantic about Vienna. Grand boulevards lined with opulent architecture, hidden wine bars tucked between historic buildings and the kind of café culture that makes you want to slow down and savour every moment.

Lunch on day one was at Trattoria Martinelli and it was the perfect start to the trip.

We began with a mozzarella, pesto, basil, tomato and rocket salad which tasted so fresh and summery.

To follow was the veal ravioli and although I’m not a big meat eater, this was absolutely divine.

Later that afternoon we checked into Le Méridien hotel right in the centre of the city. The rooms were incredibly spacious and stylish with views overlooking Vienna’s vast streets below.

After an early start, a coffee from the Nespresso machine was very much needed before getting ready for dinner.

For the evening I wore the cutest pinstripe collared halter neck from Stradivarius paired with my black jeans from Zara, gold detail mule heels, and a check pattern blazer also from Stradivarius to complete the look.

Work appropriate but equally chic and stylish for an evening of wining and dining in the city.

We started with drinks at the hotel bar You, where I had my first taste of local Austrian white wine. Crisp, refreshing and dangerously easy to drink.

Dinner was at Collina am Berg, a contemporary fine dining restaurant with an effortlessly cool and classy atmosphere.

To start, we had salt baked beets with sheep’s curd and hazelnut pesto which was undeniably exquisite, everyone’s plates were clean.

For my main course, I chose the vegetarian option of confit kohlrabi with onion purée and puffed buckwheat, beautifully presented and full of flavour.

Dessert was one for the chocolate lovers, a salted caramel chocolate mousse topped with hazelnuts, absolute perfection.

From the delicious food and attentive service to the stylish interiors and vibrant ambience, everything was 10/10. Collina Am Berg is a hidden gem in the heart of Vienna.

Day two greeted us with glorious sunshine, so naturally it called for an effortlessly simple outfit formula. I wore my white linen trousers from Reserved with a simple black vest from Topshop, a black and white neck scarf from H&M, brown sandals and my Celine sunnies.

Sometimes the simplest of outfits really do make the chicest looks, the philosophy I use when curating my work wardrobe for events.

Walking the streets of Vienna in the Spring sunshine was genuinely magical. The city feels almost untouched by time with its incredible original architecture still standing proudly today.

As Vienna was not heavily bombed during the war, so much of its historic beauty remains intact, making every corner feel steeped in history and grandeur.

The buildings are so opulent and cinematic that at times it honestly felt like we were wandering through a movie set.

Our final lunch was at Zum Weissen Rauchfangkehrer, a traditional Austrian restaurant filled with fascinating interiors that made us feel as though we’d stepped back in time.

We enjoyed a traditional lunch of pork schnitzel with potatoes, followed by an apple strudel that genuinely changed my life.

I in fact opted for the vegetarian main course of a stuffed pepper served in a vegetable bean stew and it was absolutely delightful. Comforting, hearty and full of flavour.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the airport for our 5pm flight home to London.

What a brilliant whistle-stop tour of the Austrian capital, a city and country I already know I’ll have to return to one day.

Elegant, historic, stylish and full of incredible culture and delicious food; I’ll see you again soon Vienna ❤

20 Years On;The Devil Wears Prada 2

The sequel we’ve all been waiting for, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and it certainly lives up to expectations with a fresh, elevated twist to the storyline that keeps things feeling exciting rather than predictable.

From the very first scene, it pulls you straight back into that fast-paced, glossy world we all secretly wish we were part of, even if only for the covetable outfits alone.

The storyline mirrors the arc of the original in a way that feels intentional and nostalgic, yet it’s layered with enough newness to keep you guessing the whole way through. Just when you think you know where it’s heading… it pivots.

The cast is, quite simply, brilliant. There’s a real sense of ease in the performances, like the characters slipping back into perfectly tailored pieces that never went out of style. The chemistry is still there, the timing is spot on, and the humour lands effortlessly.

It’s comical without trying too hard, very entertaining throughout, and filled with those sharp little moments that made the first film so iconic.

And the fashion was needless to say, fabulous. Every scene feels like a love letter to style with bold fashion statements, polished tailoring, and just the right amount of drama.

But more than anything, it’s the nostalgia that hits. Seeing those familiar characters again feels like catching up with old friends now a little older, a little wiser, but still so wonderfully themselves.

A sequel that actually delivers? Rare. But this one absolutely does ❤

NYC Diaries; Sunday On Fifth

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!

A Day In London; Afternoon Tea, Selfridges & Seven Dials

Nothing is more typically English than going for Afternoon Tea in London followed by a shopping trip to Selfridges, then finishing the evening in Covent Garden at Seven Dials Market. We only live an hour train ride from London Waterloo, so a day trip into the city is always a fun way to spend a Saturday.

Our Afternoon Tea was booked for 3pm at The Bloomsbury Hotel on their gorgeously aesthetic Dalloway Terrace.

We met my colleague and his partner as this occasion was kindly gifted from the hotel following a number of events we have hosted there previously .

All of us opted for the Champagne Afternoon Tea menu and so we started with a lovely glass of Champagne to kick things off.

We also chose our tea and I went for the classic English Breakfast blend, because nothing beats a proper brew from a silverware teapot and cute teacup with saucer.

They then brought out the finger sandwich selection which was a classic mix of smoked salmon with mascarpone, coronation chicken, cucumber with cream cheese, devilled egg mayonnaise and toasted emmental cheese with tomato chutney.

Next up were the sweet treats including a strawberry & lemon tart, blueberry & vanilla choux, dark chocolate ganache, rum punch baba and blackcurrant madeleines.

Served on the classic cake tower they were wonderfully presented and tasted amazing, but it was a lot of sugar to manage in one go, so I had a taste of everything but couldn’t finish them.

And not forgetting the iconic scones which were served warm at the bottom of the cake tower complete with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and it was nice to do something different as I’m not a big Afternoon Tea person, but it is a nice treat every once in a while.

After finishing up at The Bloomsbury, we hopped on the bus down Oxford Street to Selfridges for some early evening retail therapy.

I love going to Selfridges with my boyfriend as there’s so much to explore for both of us from the designer clothes and shoes, to the fancy food hall and lower ground tech section.

My boyfriend bought his Dad an awesome Hugo Boss X Aston Martin t-shirt for his birthday, whilst I resisted buying more Celine jewellery. Of course a Celine handbag is always high on my wish-list but that needs some real thought on which style to go for, as it would be a timeless piece I’d have in my wardrobe forever.

We then found ourselves having a glass of Champagne at The Fount Bar nestled amongst the designer bags on the ground floor of Selfridges.

What a chic location for a glass of Champagne, I was in heaven!

To finish our day we headed on the Tube over to Covent Garden where we went to the Seven Dials food market.

It was buzzing on a Saturday evening so we got a drink from the bar and wandered around to choose from the wide variety of street food vendors.

We were still quite full from the Afternoon Tea, so my boyfriend ordered a Thai Penang Curry with rice and prawn crackers which we shared.

Before we knew it it had already gone 9pm and it was time to get the train back, so I grabbed a mini bottle of vino and a fruit pot from M&S at Waterloo Station and we caught the 9:42 back home.

We had a wonderful afternoon and evening in London and whilst it is exhausting spending a day in the city, there is so much to do there and it’s always an exciting day out ❤

New Opening; The Third Monkey Farnham

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



A Pearl Necklace Moment

Nothing says class and elegance quite like a classic string of pearls, so when I found this gorgeous three string pearl necklace in my mum’s jewellery collection, I had to find an excuse to wear them.

With my Auntie’s birthday party last night, it was the perfect opportunity to plan an outfit around these stunning statement pearls.

I wore my new Zara white flared trousers, my C’est Normal brown strap vest top, Nasty Girl white slingback heels and gold shell earrings, keeping it simple to let the pearls do the talking.

To complete the look I had my Sandro green velvet handbag for a subtle pop of colour and my Next oversized camel blazer.

Pearls will always be a staple in my jewellery collection and instantly elevate any outfit for a special occasion; the pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens. ❤