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!

Pack With Me For NYC

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 ❤

English Country Pub Fine Dining; The Mutton

Since opening a few years ago, The Mutton at Hazeley Heath has been a firm favourite local pub for Friday drinks as well as their award winning menu of traditional pub dishes done to a five star standard.

So this Saturday we decided to book a table in the restaurant for date night and as always enjoyed a delectable meal complete with top service.

Now we are well into September, it felt like the last weekend I could get away with white jeans and mules, so I wore my Topshop white slim fit jeans paired with a ruched detail backless top, my gorgeous Senso pink satin mules and a Cult Gia dupe mini box bag.

Blush pink hues for date night is a timeless classic and I would’ve worn my pearls to complete the look, but with a nigh neck top on I opted for statement gold drop earrings which I recently got from Na-kd.

With 8:15pm reservations, we arrived at The Mutton for 8pm to have an aperitif. I sipped a classic Dirty Martini which was delightful; I felt very Carrie Bradshaw from Sex & The City

The interiors at The Mutton are very classic countryside chic with a subtle modern twist, and the low lighting in the restaurant makes for the perfect sophisticated evening atmosphere.

To start we shared the sourdough bread with charcoal butter and homemade spicy pickles which were divine.

For main course I ordered the chargrilled sea bream, crushed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and white wine sauce with a side salad, whilst my boyfriend had the sirloin steak with nduja butter, fries, pickled shallot, parmesan and rocket salad.

I had a glass of the Gyotaku, Christophe Mittnacht Alsace, French white wine upon recommendation from the waitress as a pairing to my fish dish.

As always it was a 10/10 meal presented beautifully, cooked to perfection and full of incredible flavour.

We savoured every last bite and with clean plates all round, we left very satisfied indeed.

The bill came to just under £150 so its certainly on the pricier side for a meal out, but definitely worth it for a special occasion or a treat for date night.

The Mutton at Hazeley Heath remains our top spot for fine dining in Hampshire, so be sure to try it for yourself if you’re in the area – https://themuttonathazeleyheath.co.uk

Fall Fashion; Boots & Shorts Season

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!

Where To Next; New York City

Every year I like to book in a city break as part of our travel diary, so this year we decided on a trip to New York at the end of September. I’ve never been to NYC and my boyfriend went when he was much younger, so it’s a place we are super excited to explore together.

We’ll be staying at The Park Lane Hotel right by Central Park with a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline and the park.

I’ve grown up watching Friends and I’m now in my Sex & The City era, so I’ll definitely be channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw prancing around the city in cute outfits.

As one of the fashion capitals of the world, shopping in New York is a must and top of my list is the iconic Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue for some ultra luxury retail therapy, and Chelsea for markets and thrift shops.

Being a huge Audrey Hepburn fan, a Breakfast at Tiffany’s moment would be my dream; pretending I’m Holly Golightly with my takeaway coffee and croissant browsing the glistening windows of Tiffany’s.

The food scene in NYC is incredible too with so much to choose from whether its street food like bagels and pizza slices, or aesthetic brunch spots and glamorous rooftop bars.

Some places I’ve pinned to try so far are Leon’s Bagels, L’Industrie Pizza, Saddle’s for brunch and 230 Fifth Rooftop for drinks with a view.

My favourite way to explore a new city is on foot, so I can’t wait to discover the many different neighbourhoods for ourselves. And not forgetting the most famous spots we’ll have to visit during our time in the city including Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Grand Central Station and Central Park.

We only have a week there, so planning our days will be key to seeing as much as possible. I’m sure it’s going to be an intense but fabulous time in NYC which will leave us wanting to go back to see more ❤

Bank Holiday Weekend; Springtime Vibes

Come along with me for a weekend in my life over the early May day bank holiday as I lap up the early signs of summer and embrace all the springtime feels. I show you my favourite local pub for Friday drinks complete with the most stunning English countryside sunset, before hosting a Saturday dinner party for which I cook up the most delicious linguine Bolognese using my mum’s secret recipe.

Hope you enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe for more – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZcifzVsILs

December Diaries; Vlogmas Part Two

And so we find ourselves on the final day of the year and ready to ring in 2025 at midnight. This year has been beyond brilliant and I hope you guys have enjoyed coming along with me for the best bits of 2024 through my vlogs here on YouTube.

In this second instalment of Vlogmas, festivities are in full swing as I host friends for a wine & cheese night, enjoy more cosy date nights with my boyfriend, and help my parents prepare to host the family for Christmas Day.

Expect all the indulgent food and drinks, lots of cute winter outfits and not forgetting when we see my dad playing Santa in the local town for charity!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too and I can’t wait to share another adventure filled year ahead on YouTube, starting with an epic trip to Bali and my big 30th birthday in January.

To watch the full Vlogmas on my YouTube channel, follow the link here – https://youtu.be/463tWKWzFcM?si=t3yRxW7gfKBO4CsG

Colour of the Season; Chocolate Brown

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 ❤

Santorini Diaries; Imerovigli

When looking into where was best to stay in Santorini, we settled on the smaller town of Imerovigli situated between the capital Fira and popular larger town of Oia. This turned out to be the best decision not only because it avoids the busy tourist hotspots, but this area has some of the most stunning, uninterrupted views off the beaten track at sunset.

On night one I booked a table at The Wine Bar in the centre of Imerovigli, to have drinks and dinner as we watched our first sundown over the Caldera.

Whilst this was on the pricier side of places we ate, the wine was divine and we enjoyed our selection of dishes including pitta bread, olives, pulled pork sliders and a Greek feta salad of course.

Just next door to the bar was a white rooftop, simply perfect for those gorgeous golden hour shots.

We spent our afternoons soaking up the scorching Greek sun on our private balcony with plunge pool at Cresanto Luxury Suites, just a 5 minute walk from the town of Imerovigli.

The hotel also had a main infinity pool with loungers where we could order cocktails poolside too.

Now these are the kind of Monday blues I’m talking about!

Our private balcony provided the ultimate spot for handstand practice and I would often do my workout routine in the mornings here, before jumping straight in the pool to cool off.

One of the most incredible locations for sunset away from the crowds was Skaros Rock on the cliffside of Imerovigli.

We hiked over to the other side of the rock where there is a deserted church with the most breathtaking sweeping views of the Caldera at sundown.

Unlike the tourist hotspots in Oia and Fira, we had the place all to ourselves making this a hidden gem for golden hour.

Strolling around the town, we finally found the famous spot overlooking those iconic blue top churches.

Once the sun went down each night, the moon came out to glow over the white wash buildings of Santorini.

One evening we decided to take a sunset stroll to this church on the hill which we could see from our hotel.

Walking along this coastal path on the outskirts of Imerovigli was so peaceful and once again, away from any crowds of tourists.

Along the way we stumbled across the super luxurious CavoTagoo hotel where there is currently a Roka Restaurant popup.

Here we stopped to enjoy sundown cocktails with yet more spectacular views of the Caldera and sun dipping below the horizon.

This was a more popular spot in Imerovigli, but we got a table and soaked up the sunset whilst sipping our delicious cocktails.

That evening we strolled into the centre of Imerovigli and ended up at a local restaurant called Mama Lena.

We had courgette fritters with tzatziki to start, followed by rice stuffed peppers for me and a vegetable tomato linguine for my boyfriend. A much more reasonably priced restaurant serving traditional Greek food.

The local kebab shop called Jimmy’s Souvlaki on the main street of Imerovigli, became my boyfriend’s favourite place to grab a classic Greek lunch of chicken gyros.

On reflection we would choose to stay in the town of Imerovigli again given there’s far less tourists, there’s plenty of 5* luxury hotels and suites to choose from, and there’s no denying the outstanding sweeping views of the iconic Caldera ❤

Date Night Perfection; Pub Garden, Paloma Cocktail & Pasta Bolognese

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 ❤