It was one of those perfect October fall days with blue skies stretched endlessly overhead, and a crisp chill in the air that made every step feel energizing rather than cold.
Being our final day in New York, we took full advantage of the gorgeous weather and strolled through Central Park whilst soaking in the autumn atmosphere, leaves just beginning to turn and the city humming around us.
We made our way toward Empire Rock where that we could see Billionaires Row rising sleek and gleaming, uptown Manhattan stretching beyond.
New York has a way of making you feel small and completely alive at the same time.
By lunchtime we headed to Tavern on the Green, a place that feels timeless no matter how many times you’ve seen it in movies.
I ordered a light and refreshing watermelon feta salad, the perfect pre-flight meal to get in some freshness and nutrients.
Ryan went for the meaty beef brisket sandwich served with fries, so naturally I had some of those with my salad too.
The whole place was buzzing with that unmistakable Friday afternoon energy.
Locals were sipping drinks, easing their way into the weekend, laughter echoed around the courtyard, and that wholesome feel of fall was in the air.
There was even a wedding reception happening within the venue nearby and it was like we had stumbled into a little slice of someone else’s love story.
Sitting there surrounded by good food, happy energy, and my man by my side, it felt like the most perfect way to close out our dreamy week in New York. It’s no wonder why this city captures hearts so easily.
I don’t think we could have asked for a better goodbye to our new favourite city; we’ll see you soon NYC ❤
Our afternoon exploring the West Village started long before we ever set foot in its leafy streets.
On the way downtown, we made a quick stop at the iconic Grand Central Station to grab some shots.
That celestial ceiling and the constant ballet of travellers moving beneath it makes this place feel magical.
As another location where many films are shot, it almost felt like we were on set starring in our own movie.
From there, we hopped on the subway and made our way to the West Village in search of the Friends apartment building on Bedford Street.
As a longtime Friends show fan seeing it in person was surreal, like stepping straight into the TV screen I grew up watching on repeat.
It’s funny how a simple building can hold so much nostalgia.
Every corner of this neighbourhood looks like it has been pulled from a movie set; brownstones with perfectly worn stoops, tree-lined streets, tiny cafés with outdoor tables, and endless photo-worthy pockets of charm.
We didn’t manage to find Carrie Bradshaw’s actual apartment from Sex and the City, but we did stumble across a stoop that looked almost identical.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist getting a few fun outfit snaps.
I was even wearing a Carrie Bradshaw inspired fit: a chic shift dress, my favourite sand coloured long boot heels, my new Polène handbag, and classic YSL black sunnies to complete the look.
As the afternoon went on, we kept discovering more of the West Village’s character. Quiet pockets of calm, stylish locals walking their dogs, bookstores tucked into corners, and that unmistakable creative buzz that only New York seems to have.
There’s so much more to see and I can’t wait to wander those streets again on our next trip, latte in hand, camera at the ready, soaking in every inch of that West Village charm ❤
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!
After a weekend back in the English countryside, we are still on a high from our fabulous holiday exploring the very best of the one and only, City of New York.
It really is a city packed with so much to do and although we ticked a lot off our list of things to see, we’re already wanting to go back to experience more of this awesome concrete jungle.
Our hotel for the duration of our vacation was The Park Lane Hotel located on the very South end of Central Park.
The location was ideal as we were in the centre of the city with the beautiful green expanse of Central Park on our doorstep.
Darling Rooftop bar sits on the very top of the hotel where we enjoyed a specular breakfast on the Monday morning of our stay.
Like everything in New York the breakfast buffet came at a pricey cost of $75 per person, but with this experience only open to hotel guests, we couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity.
We also dined in their A La Carte restaurant Calvert’s on Sunday evening as everywhere else nearby was closing early that night.
I had the asparagus radish chickpea salad and my boyfriend had a tomato ragu pasta. Both dishes were delicious complimented with friendly service, something we discovered was unfortunately not always guaranteed even at the most premium restaurants in the city.
Our room was a good size with a super comfy bed, stylish interiors and a cool city view.
I especially liked the stylish bathroom with striped tiling.
Overall we were very pleased with our stay at Park Lane Hotel and would recommend to anyone visiting New York for the first time wanting to be amongst the hustle and bustle of the city.
We packed a lot into our seven days in NYC and made some incredible memories together whilst taking in the spectacle of The Big Apple.
With such a brilliant list of things to share including famous landmarks, iconic photo spots, scenic rooftop bars and our favourite restaurants, I thought I’d focus separately on each area we visited and what we did there in a series of posts called ‘The NYC Diaries’.
So be sure to subscribe to my blog to get notified for a very exciting series of posts to come about our trip of dreams to New York City ❤
A trip to New York has long been on my bucket list and I’m super excited to be going there for the first time with my boyfriend next week. As soon as we booked the trip I couldn’t wait to get outfit planning and using Pinterest to create my mood board of NYC iconic aesthetic, delicious foodie inspo and of course cool street style.
I was in my element filming this vlog as I got to layout all of the clothes and accessories I want to take to New York, as well as try on some cute fall fits I had envisioned in my mind, before sorting them into my trusty packing cubes and slotting them into my suitcase. Needless to say, organising and planning makes me very happy indeed and when it comes to styling and having fun with fashion, NYC really is the perfect place for it. I hope this vlog inspires you for your own autumn wardrobe and gives you some useful tips for when it comes to packing for a city break. Next time I see you guys we’ll be in New York, so be sure to subscribe to see the NYC Diaries on my channel here soon ❤
Whilst I’m never ready to say goodbye to Summer, I do love the transitional period for fashion as we can re-introduce layers and start tapping into the autumnal trends like suede jackets and rich chocolate brown tones.
But as we find ourselves in this sort of limbo between summer and fall, it’s a great opportunity to style cute shorts, skirts and dresses with boots.
I’ve been waiting for the right moment to style my Stradivarius Cowboy boots with my Tommy Hilfiger boyfriend jean shorts, so this Saturday’s date night was the perfect opportunity with the weather still mild enough to have my legs out in the evening.
I paired the shorts with a new babydoll style top I got from Zara recently. The feminine shape of the top with backless bow detail balanced out the boyish silhouette of the bottom half to create that countryside chic aesthetic.
To complete the outfit I took out my new US Polo Assn saddle style handbag in rich chocolate brown; another nod to autumn and the cute countryside look.
We went for post dinner cocktails at the Bel & The Dragon in Odiham where the interiors were also giving classic countryside chic.
I had a refreshing Hugo Spritz which was delightful. I can’t believe I hadn’t tried one before, it’s definitely a new fave cocktail for me.
I’m now on the lookout for a pair of long suede block heel boots in either a light sand colour or rich chocolate brown.
A killer pair of boots styled with shorts or a skirt and an oversized knit or jacket is such a vibe and looks so effortless yet chic.
I’m thinking for New York this kind of look for daytime will tick all the boxes , I just need to find the perfect pair of boots now!
Cosy season is here which means the winter wardrobe is back so I can say hello again to my favourite chunky knits, fun faux fur coats and beloved collection of boots for all occasions.
I’ve always been a lover of all shades of browns from lighter camel and tan tones, to deeper rich hues and even maroon. So you can imagine my delight when the Autumn/Winter 24 runways displayed a luscious palette of delicious brown hues throughout many collections, reflected in the fashion week street style too.
A recent order from ASOS reflects my current obsession for earthy tones with this stone coloured maxi cardigan, a deep dark brown backless long sleeve top by Stradivarius, and this stylish button through peplum waistcoat in a classic brown stripe fabric.
I styled my new long cardigan by ASOS Design with a pair of khaki Jamie jeans by Topshop, a striped bandeau top from H&M and this cute chocolate brown knitted beret from Urban Outfitters a few years ago; a chic accessory which will never go out of style.
Another new addition to my wardrobe recently was also this oversized rich brown knitted vest featuring statement gold buttons and large front pockets, super handy for popping my phone in too.
I channeled my inner country cowgirl with a pair of brown cowboy boots from Stradivarius tucked into a pair of high waisted dark wash ripped jeans by Abercrombie & Fitch. A simple outfit combo which nods to the current trends but tailored to my personal style.
We’re even seeing chocolate brown replacing black interiors as it pairs perfectly with so many neutral tones and creates a cosy vibe for spaces inside the home. Needless to say, chocolate brown is here to stay as the go-to neutral shade, elevating even the simplest of outfits to give your look that effortless, cool girl aesthetic ❤
On the last weekend of November every year, UK retailers offer their biggest discounts in an effort to boost sales just before Christmas. It can be tempting to end up purchasing things you hadn’t planned on buying previously given the irresistible deals, so my rule is to do your research and know exactly what you want before hunting for the best discounts during the sales.
I’ve been lusting after a Coach handbag for a while now, and whilst the Tabby style which I had originally wanted wasn’t included in any of the discounts during Black Friday, I did stumble across another style in their new season collection which I’m even more obsessed with.
After scanning the internet for discount codes on different luxury buying platforms, I discovered that the website 24 Stories based in Paris, was offering the best deal with a generous 30% discount on the Coach Mira Shoulder Bag In Signature Canvas. This was better than the Coach website itself which was only doing 20% off, so I ended up saving £118 and getting the bag for just £285 from 24 Stories.
As a new season bag and best seller in the Coach line, the Mira Bag is now back to full price retailing at £395, so I was super chuffed with my fabulous find. I couldn’t wait to style her with a head to toe tonal outfit to match the rich brown and red hues of the autumnal leaves; she even matches my hot chocolate brown Mini Cooper!
I love how versatile this design is with the longer strap to wear it across body for a more casual look, or the short chain shoulder strap to style it with an evening outfit. The quality is stunning, it’s got a lot of room inside for a shoulder bag, and the classic design means this bag will never go out of fashion, it’s timeless ❤
The only other order I placed during Black Friday was on ASOS. As you can see, there’s a clear theme in the colours here as I am leaning towards those earthy, neutral tones which I am enjoying styling particularly during this fall season.
I bagged myself a dark brown Cotton On tie front cardi top, a khaki long sleeved backless top by Bershka, this stunning teracotta knot front asymmetric swimsuit by a London brand called Catch, and finally a smokey blue Miss Selfridge sporty style playsuit unitard. ASOS was offering 30% off site wide, so these were all a great saving too.
On reflection, Black Friday can be a trap to spending money which we should be saving for Christmas. However if you do your research and find a deal on items you were going to purchase anyway, or you know there’s some Christmas presents for loved ones you could make a saving on, then that’s smart shopping I believe 🙂
Working in events, part of my job involves venue finding and hotel visits to scope out the best suited venues for our guests. This weekend I was kindly invited for a two night complimentary stay along with a guest to Cheshire’s Country Estate, Carden Park Hotel & Spa. With an itinerary of outdoor activities including zip lining, a gameshow gala dinner with drinks reception, and a full spa morning at their award winning spa, we were in for a fun few days experiencing the very best of Carden Park.
Arriving on Friday evening after a long four hour drive all the way from Hampshire, me and my boyfriend checked in and were greeted with a bag of treats, a bottle of their own estate sparkling wine, and this delightful dessert platter.
We unpacked and headed straight for the pool to relax and unwind following our long road trip.
A pre-dinner jacuzzi dip was the perfect way to welcome in the weekend ahead.
Soon it was time to get ready for our dinner date in Redmond’s Brasserie at 8pm.
I wore my Topshop flared split hem black trousers with this blue corset bardot top, my Boohoo electric blue mules and my new green velvet Sandro handbag.
We were generously gifted our meal along with a bottle of wine too, so we had the house red and started with the spiced butternut squash soup whilst we browsed the menu.
I opted for a favourite of mine, Caesar salad served with king prawns, whilst my boyfriend had the steak burger topped with onion rings and served with thin fries.
The restaurant was buzzing on a Friday night and despite being fully booked, the staff were attentive and the food was very nice indeed.
After dinner we went for a nightcap at the bar where we got cocktails, before heading to our room to watch Graham Norton on TV; can’t miss out on our Friday night winter tradition!
Saturday morning we awoke to the most gorgeous sunny day in Cheshire and this picture perfect view over the estate grounds from our hotel room.
We met our hosts from the hotel at 9am in the library and made our way over to the activity centre for a morning of team building games.
The activities were a mixture of logical puzzles and physical games, so there was something for everyone and it was a brilliant ice breaker to get to know everyone else on the FAM trip.
After a hot chocolate back inside to warm up, we got geared up and ready to take on the giant zip line.
Whilst it was a little nerve racking jumping off the platform, this was an awesome experience and amazing way to see right across the estate from up there. We couldn’t have been more lucky with the sunshine too, what a day for it!
At midday we had a buffet lunch and then we went back to our room to freshen up, before heading out for the afternoon to explore the local area.
For our trip into Chester I wore my Stradivarius vintage flared jeans paired with a white long sleeve pearl button through top, my Le Scarf neckerchief, a Zara cropped aviator shearling jacket, classic DKNY handbag, and my platform chelsea boot Uggs which I’m living in this winter.
Carden Park even has its own sculpture garden which we had to take a look around before heading into town.
Just a short 20 minute drive away from the hotel is the historical city of Chester with its picturesque streets lined with boutique shops, cute cafes, eclectic bars and different restaurants.
After a stroll around the magnificent Cathedral and a spot of shopping too, we stumbled across this hidden bar located down one of the many quaint alleyways which are tucked away off the main high-street.
Weekend vibes were in full swing and I was in my element sipping my bubbly as we soaked up our surroundings and the buzzing atmosphere of Chester on a Saturday arvo.
My purchase of the day was this Ganni beanie from Flannels which I’ve had my eye on for a while, so it was meant to be when I saw it.
Back at the hotel, we got ready for the drinks reception in the Shooting Suite at 7pm.
I loved the smart, tonal colours of my outfit on this evening featuring my C’est Normal brown tailored trousers, Missguided blush pink tie front blouse, a pair of Next square toe nude mules, these fabulous gold statement earrings, and not forgetting my velvet green Sandro handbag to complete the glam look.
Upon arrival to the drinks reception we were served a pink gin fizz cocktail and canapés to whet our appetite.
The dinner was hosted gameshow style, so the four tables of ten went up against each other throughout the evening to be crowned winners. Unfortunately our table didn’t win, but we gave it a good shot with second place and had a laugh together in the process.
We were treated to a four course menu curated by Executive Chef Graham Tinsley MBE, who talked us through the journey and details of each course too.
To start was a fish dish of pan fried mullet with bouillabaisse sauce, saffron potatoes, rouille emulsion, garlic croutes and tempura mussels.
Main course was this exquisite roast rack of Welsh lamb with a dijon mustard and herb crust, caramelised Chou rave puree, confit Chou rave, turned carrot and Navarin sauce.
Chef even carved this in the room and it smelt divine, what a showstopper!
Dessert was a delectable reverse chocolate fondant with a liquid Cointreau centre and a yoghurt sorbet.
And not forgetting the cheese course of brie a la truffe with a savoury pain perdu, quince jelly and puree. A serious tasting experience which I won’t be forgetting anytime soon, hats off to the chef!
The next day we had a morning session at the award winning Spa at Carden Park.
Whilst it was a cold and rainy day outside, the thermal outdoor pools and jacuzzis kept us warm.
Back inside I relaxed on a lounger with my favourite high fashion magazines.
Warmed in a panoramic sauna or basking in the outdoor vitality pool, this was the perfect Sunday morning reset.
The sleek, scandi style design is very aesthetically pleasing and creates the ideal atmosphere of calm and zen you want from a spa.
A final champagne brunch was then served at 12pm in the Elements restaurant, where we dined in our robes and regrouped with the other guests.
I had a refreshing mix of red berries, melon and pineapple with greek yoghurt and a long black coffee. I also tried the Carden estate sparkling wine which was delicious, a lot smoother than a typical champagne or prosecco.
It was then time to checkout and say our farewells to the wonderful team at Carden and our lovely fellow attendees on the FAM stay.
We had a truly tremendous weekend being treated to the very best that Carden Park Hotel & Spa has to offer. From the friendly staff and exceptional culinary experiences, to the plethora of fun activities and charming Cheshire countryside surroundings, I would highly recommend a stay at Carden Park Hotel & Spa.
Thanks again to the team for their kind hospitality this weekend ❤
Happy Sunday! The clocks went back last night here in the UK bringing in those long, dark evenings and shorter days. Whilst I’m definitely a summer girl at heart, I do love fall fashion as it provides more opportunity for layering jumpers, knits, shirts, jackets and coats.
So with the colder weather upon us, it was time to dig out the cosy coats and my extensive collection of boots. Chunky, over the knee, flat, heeled, chelsea, western, biker; you name a style of boots, I’ve got them!
For date night this weekend, I channeled my inner cowgirl and wore my Stradivarius brown cowboy boots. I styled these with a pair of Abercrombie high waist blue jeans, a Na-kd one shoulder cami, a staple classic Zara cropped aviator coat and my gorgeous new Sandro green velvet handbag.
New to my boot collection this season are these platform Uggs in the colour chestnut and I’m obsessed. I’ve been looking for a pair of boots like my favourite Grenson platform boots and these fit the brief perfectly.
I styled these up for Friday night drinks at the pub with this cute Zara shift minidress layered with a white tee underneath, gold jewellery including my new chain bracelet from Astrid & Miyu and thick white socks to complete the bare leg, chunky boot look.
The coat of choice for the night was my new Ugg black teddy coat, making this a head to toe Ugg ensemble to keep me warm during a cold and rainy fall evening. Now I can’t wait to get my winter wardrobe back out and rework existing pieces along with some new items too; fall fashion is fun ❤
Dani Aneka 