Cosy Date Night Season

Winter has a way of gently nudging us indoors and this past month felt like a celebration of cosy date nights, good food, and leaning fully into that slower, more romantic pace.

With darker evenings and a definite chill in the air, we found ourselves gravitating towards warm, welcoming spaces and making a bit of a ritual out of going out for Saturday night dinner together.

One of our newest local favourites has been The Falcon, a traditional English pub that’s recently changed hands and undergone a renovation inside.

It still has that classic pub charm, but with a fresh, thoughtful update that makes it feel extra inviting.

The menu strikes the perfect balance between comforting pub grub and slightly more unexpected dishes.

My absolute favourite is their Durban jackfruit curry; rich, warming and packed full of flavour, it’s the perfect winter dish.

There’s something so reassuring about having another lovely pub right on our doorstep, somewhere that already feels like it’s becoming part of our routine.

Another highlight was heading into Farnham town for a slightly different kind of date night at Thai Lotusland

Thai food is one of our favourite cuisines and we have a few regular local spots we like to go, but this one is new to our rotation.

We dined in the sunken seating area for a change, instantly making the evening feel more intimate and a little bit special.

It was fun experiencing something alternative to the usual wining and dining setup and the food was every bit as comforting and flavourful as we’d hoped.

We also revisited one of our old-school favourites, Côte Brasserie a few weeks back.

It’s one of those places that never disappoints with delicious French food, faultless service, and romantic vibes that are always on point.

The Côte in Lion and Lamb Yard is particularly lovely, and by the end of November it was already feeling extra cute and festive with the Christmas lights twinkling outside.

The pinnacle of date nights this season though, was without a doubt our evening at the Four Seasons Hampshire

Visiting in early December meant we just missed the pre-Christmas rush, making our experience feel even more exclusive.

We booked drinks and dinner in the Wild Carrot Bar and having worked there over three years ago now, it certainly was nostalgic to be back.

The opulent Christmas decorations throughout the hotel were even better than I remembered, from the ginormous Christmas tree by the grand staircase next to reception…

…to the impressive gingerbread village displayed along the central walkway.

It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like a kid in a fairytale.

After a scenic stroll around the grounds, we were seated in the stunning bar area which gives serious old money vibes with its plush sofa seating, elegant chandeliers, and feature fireplace.

As you’d expect, the service was impeccable and the food didn’t disappoint.

After some complimentary nibbles with our aperitif, I opted for a classic prawn cocktail served with brioche soldiers, while my boyfriend went for the BBQ chicken burger and fries.

Comforting, indulgent, and perfectly done, nothing beats simple food done excellently.

If you’re looking for festive, cosy vibes with a sprinkle of class and elegance, Four Seasons Hampshire really is the place to go.

So that’s my round-up of a winter’s month filled with wonderful date nights; wholesome, cosy, and full of all the aesthetic, stylish touches a girl could wish for.

It’s been a reminder that sometimes the simplest plans done well, are the ones you end up cherishing the most ❤

Christmas Party Silly Season

As soon as we hit December, I find myself at another Christmas celebration week on week; this is the official season of partying and being merry!

The month began with a festive lunch and private show around on the 5th December at the newly opened Fairmont Windsor Park.

I was invited with work to view the stunning event spaces and rooms there and the hotel was beautifully decorated ready for Christmas, it got me feeling so festive!

We were treated to lunch in the gorgeous bar area where I had a few small plates of dill cured salmon served with buttermilk sauce and pickled cucumber, and the pumpkin kale salad topped with blackberries and pumpkin seeds. The food was exquisite and it was a lovely afternoon being hosted by the team at the Fairmont.

Later that week, it was our member’s Christmas Social Lunch with work which we held at Platform in Shoreditch.

Starting at 12 noon, we welcomed our guests to play retro games together whilst enjoying drinks and freshly made festive pizzas. This is a relaxed, fun event we host every December to thank our members for their engagement and support throughout the year.

Onto the second week of December, last Thursday we had our internal team celebration lunch at Zero Degrees in Reading. This was a great opportunity to spend time with colleagues outside of work and celebrate another successful year together as a team.

That brings us to yesterday when we drove to the Cotswolds for a family lunch with my boyfriend’s relatives. I wore my Stradivarius mid-wash flared jeans, Pull & Bear khaki long sleeve backless top, platform Ugg boots, Zara cropped aviator jacket, a check print scarf also from Zara, my brown knitted beret and my new Coach signature print handbag, worn across body to complete the look.

We met at a pub called The Bell Inn at Welford on Avon and to start, me and my boyfriend shared the fresh bread and olives served with oil and balsamic.

For main I opted for the smoked salmon and prawn salad paired with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio wine, the perfect light lunch.

There’s plenty of roast dinners and heavy food to come over the Christmas period, so I always like to have something fresh and healthier when I can.

Another wonderful afternoon spent with family and friends enjoying good food and drinks whilst catching up and having lots of laughs together.

So now we approach the final week before Christmas bringing with it yet more parties and celebrations with loved ones; let the happy merry times roll ❤

Wholesome Winter Evening in Winchester

Happy Sunday, I can’t believe it’s already one week to go until Christmas! As schools breakup and businesses quieten down for the holiday season, I am lucky enough to have two weeks off of work from Tuesday this week. I’m looking forward to winding down and embracing the Christmas festivities before we enter the new year.

This past week has been full of fun social celebrations with my office Christmas party last Thursday, a dinner with my boyfriend’s parents on Friday and a night out to the Winchester markets with my best friend and her partner on Saturday evening.

There’s nothing like the annual Christmas markets to get me well and truly in the festive spirit. Wrapped up in my oversized green trench coat, a mulled wine in hand and the smell of hot roasted chestnuts in the air, I had all the fuzzy festive feels as we wondered around Winchester Cathedral grounds lined with the eclectic market stalls.

Winchester was very busy and all the restaurants packed out, but luckily I grabbed us a spot in Overdraft for the best beers on tap alongside the most delicious Mexican food in town.

A casual bar and diner with a live DJ on the decks, Overdraft is the perfect vibe for a low-key date night, double date or grabbing drinks and food with friends.

With a Margarita special on the board, I couldn’t resist a cheeky cocktail to accompany our Mexican feast.

I ordered the smoked pulled aubergine tacos served with lime slaw, crispy courgettes and coriander, whilst my boyfriend opted for the classic chipotle roast chicken burrito with sour cream, red rice, lime slaw, pico de gallo, refried beans and cheese.

Given the tapas sharing style nature of these dishes, we also got some loaded nachos and lime salt fries to share between us all. Everything was super tasty and authentic, you just can’t go wrong with classic Mexican cuisine, it was all delish!

Having finished our food, we went for drinks at another bar in town before heading home. It certainly was a chilly winters night so I was very glad I wore my warmest long trench coat layered over a thick knit jumper, skinny jeans, chelsea boots and my baker boy hat to keep me cosy.

What a wonderful few days of festivities I’ve had complete with the perfect double date night with my best friend and our boyfriends. Bring on another week of Christmas fun in the lead up to the big day; the countdown is on ❤

Festive Feels; Let’s Deck the Halls

December is here and the countdown to Christmas is on! The festive season always flies by in a flash so I’m all for getting the tree up and decorating our home as soon as we enter December.

With the Christmas tunes on and a Tia Maria tipple in hand, we were ready to assemble our tree and get decorating. We have an artificial tree with frosted branches which fits perfectly in front of the french doors in our living room.

Simple elegance is the aesthetic I like to go for with white and gold baubles complimented by cute crystal blue snowflake lights. And not forgetting the all important statement gold light star to top the tree.

Tree complete, the first present to put beneath it this year is an old school gigantic white Toblerone block, iconic.

Feeling festive and cosy at home, we finished the evening with a classic heart-warming Christmas movie, The Holiday. Festive vibes in full swing, love it ❤

Winter Staycay; Two Days in Beautiful Brighton

After four holidays abroad this year, my boyfriend and I opted for a fun little staycation in Brighton this November. We spent two days exploring the wonders of this glorious city down by the coast of England.

Arriving at midday on Thursday last week, we got settled in our room at the Square Townhouse hotel located on New Steine Street in the heart of Brighton. We loved our little room the ‘Bubble Snug’ and we couldn’t have been looked after better by the staff at this gorgeous boutique hotel complete with chic, art deco inspired interiors.

That afternoon we ventured out to explore the centre of town and the famous Lanes which were all right on our doorstep. We stopped by a cute coffee shop which happened to be next door to the Ivy Asia, so being somewhere we’ve been wanting to try, we made a reservation for that evening’s dinner.

After coffee it was nearing sunset time already, so we headed to the beach for a sundown stroll along the shore. Stunning scenes but it sure was very blustery, I almost lost my hat numerous times!

A walk along the pier is a must when coming to Brighton too. Back in the day I would visit my sister who went to university in Sussex and we would always take a trip to the pier, it’s a kids dream!

Now as adults the novelty has worn off and the precarious, rickety looking rides don’t seem as appealing. So soon enough we headed back to our hotel for some downtime in our super cosy room and an aperitif from the bar, before getting ready for dinner.

I wore my new White Fox Boutique chocolate colour playsuit, over the knee boots, gingham blazer, long trench coat and a beret to complete the look. Feeling tres chic for our dinner at the Ivy Asia!

With reservations at 8:30pm, we arrived a bit earlier to enjoy a drink at the bar first. The place was buzzing and the opulent interiors were just exquisite. Everything about The Ivy restaurants is always such a magnificent experience, from the amazing decor and detailed place settings, to the attentive service and killer cocktails.

The dinner spread we chose was on point and everything so tasty, it was all divine. We had chicken satay style skewers, tender stem broccolini in a tahini sauce, hot and sour plum flavoured chicken, sticky jasmine rice and a platter of sushi of course.

The look of love for my tuna maki roll, I was in heaven! A truly wonderful and memorable experience at the Ivy Asia, highly recommend for a special date night or evening with the girls.

The next day we woke feeling fresh and ready for another day strolling around Brighton. I wore my new Zara aviator jacket with flared jeans, Grenson Boots and my beret ready for the chilly, windy weather.

I love exploring cities on foot and Brighton really is perfect for strolling around and getting lost in the Lanes. Every corner you turn there’s another street to explore lined with historic buildings and wall murals. Brighton is the place to be for artists and creatives alike.

Following lots of shopping and walking around town, we headed back to the coastline for sunset and enjoyed a coffee at Brighton Beach Club during golden hour; simply sublime.

As dusk drew in and the lights of Brighton Pier lit up, we made our way back along the seafront to our hotel before dinner.

We had 8pm reservations at Burnt Orange, a grown-up, late-night hangout with a menu centred around seasonal ingredients cooked predominantly over fire and designed for sharing.

From the brilliant reviews and tapas style dining which I love, I had high hopes for our evening here.

Seated at the counter-top overlooking the kitchen and bar, we had the best seats in the house. What a fantastic atmosphere seeing the kitchen at work and the head chef plating the dishes in front of us, we could even do some window shopping to decide on our dinner choices.

To start we had the wood fired flatbread and my absolute obsession when it comes to tapas, padron peppers. Smokey, salty and sweet, absolutely delicious!

For our mains it was a superb fillet of flamed sea bream with basil yoghurt and a mango dressing for me, and the BBQ chicken thigh with watermelon hot sauce and kohl rabi slaw for my boyfriend.

To accompany our dishes, we shared the indulgent skillet-baked potatoes drizzled with herb cream and sheep’s cheese. Wow, I need to recreate these at home.

And not forgetting our favourite vegetable side, broccolini, and this pimped up version charred and finished with a lemon tahini dressing was a winner.

We both agreed this was some of the most flavourful food we’ve ever had and a fabulous dining experience we won’t forget. Burnt Orange gets a 10/10 on all counts from me given the outstanding service, bustling ambience, great drinks and exceptional food!

So that was our whistle stop two days down in Brighton exploring the best of what this eclectic, fun and friendly city has to offer; thanks for having us Brighton ❤

Cosy Winter Weekends

Happy Sunday! We’re well and truly into the winter months here in England as I sit writing this at 4:30pm and it’s already dark… whilst I am definitely a summer girl at heart, there is something so comforting and heart-warming about cosying up inside on these long winter evenings.

For me winter is all about the good TV and film which comes out this time of year, enjoying indulgent food (in particular a cheeseboard of course) and going to the pub to sit in front of the fire with friends whilst lapping up the red wine and maybe even a cocktail or two.

November also brings with it firework night alongside my Mum’s birthday too, so for our family it’s always a time to celebrate. A yearly tradition has evolved recently where my boyfriend and Dad have the time of their lives letting off the crazy firework boxes from Costco which is both exciting and terrifying!

For my Mum’s birthday celebrations on the 6th November, we went over to my brother and his wife’s gorgeous newly renovated house in Bromley. They have a wonderful entertaining space there now with an open plan dining kitchen area finished with touches of Scandi style furniture and details; I particularly love the deep fern green kitchen cupboards and marble work top.

They always put on an incredible spread of food and on this occasion we were treated to a classic, hearty chilli con carne with all the accompaniments which was delicious. They also made this Mexican inspired salad including a mix of greens, asparagus, avocado, a creamy homemade dressing and heaps of parmesan. I need to get the full recipe, I’m obsessed!

We had a fabulous day celebrating Mum’s birthday. These special moments with family are so precious and I can’t wait for more fun times together as we dive into the festive season ahead ❤

Festive Movie Moment; Winchester Xmas Markets

It’s one week until Christmas and I’m feeling those warm fuzzy festive vibes! This weekend we wrapped up in our winter coats to visit the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Markets and I couldn’t help but get excited by the glistening lights twinkling by night all over the city.

The Cathedral looked magnificent all lit up as we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the markets whilst we sipped a warming cup of mulled wine.

The streets of Winchester were just beautiful showered in gold fairy lights and I got that leading lady movie moment feeling as me and my boyfriend explored the city in all its glory.

With 8:30pm reservations at The Ivy, we stumbled upon an awesome bar called Overdraft where we enjoyed some pre-dinner drinks.

Arriving at The Ivy, we were escorted to our table amongst the wonderfully eclectic and intricate interiors which make this place so iconic, I’m obsessed!

The atmosphere was buzzing on a Saturday night and the festive cheer was in full swing. We got started with a few Christmas cocktail specials, so I had a Candyfloss concoction served in a champagne flute with a side of pink floss.

As well as the fabulous decor and lovely service, our meals were just as spectacular. I opted for the roasted butternut squash served with buckwheat, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, sesame and pomegranate with crumbled feta cheese, harissa sauce and coriander dressing. My boyfriend had the classic beef burger which I had a taste of too and can confirm was equally exquisite as my own delicious dish.

A final stroll through the picturesque streets of Winchester before we cosied up in the warmth of the car for the journey home. What a perfect date night getting in the festive mood and feeling like we were on set starring in our very own romantic Christmas movie…*Cue The Holiday soundtrack* ❤

Festive Feels; Deck the Halls

So I’m not usually one to get excited for Christmas so early, however with such limited celebrations in 2020 due to Covid, I can’t wait for the festive season this year! It will be the first Christmas in our new home which is why I was so eager to get a head start on decorating this weekend.

With our gorgeous frosted artificial tree, I decided to keep it simple with all white and gold baubles complete with cute lights. I love the white and gold aesthetic, the only key element missing at this point is the star to go on the top of the tree. Not to mention there will of course be more sprinkles of Christmas decs added around the house as we head into December, but I’m already feeling super excited with our tree up and glistening every night!

We continued our festive weekend with cosy drinks and dinner at a local pub, where we kicked back in armchairs by the fire and enjoyed some delicious burgers. Back home we then watched our first Christmas movie of the year Serendipity – a charming old classic Christmas romance story. I do love the holiday season as an excuse to get together with friends and family as we all wind down for the year together in good spirits ❤