Monaco Diaries; A Millionaires Playground

As a haven for the super rich and a playground for tourists, Monaco is a truly unique country located on the picturesque Cote d’Azur.

Visiting in late September, the weather was mild but still warm making it the perfect temperature for walking around and exploring the city on foot.

We stayed in an Air BnB on the boarder in Beausoleil, just a 10 minute walk to the central square of Monte Carlo and equally close to Monaco Beach.

On our first evening we strolled to the famous Monte Carlo Casino Square where there was a line-up of supercars including a Rolls Royce and a classic red Ferrari.

We then made our way down to the harbour to spot those mega yachts as the sunset over the mountains.

My all white fit with a touch of blue stripes was giving nautical vibes, very fitting for our first evening in Monaco harbour.

On our second day we took an open top bus tour to explore the entire country and see the most iconic tourist attractions.

Whenever we visit a new city we always try to take a hop-on hop-off tour, as they are the best way to discover the best spots and helps get our bearings.

It was amazing to see Monte Carlo from above when walking around the palace grounds.

We wandered around the Prince’s palace and surrounding area where we also stumbled upon the Cathedral and Monaco Museum.

Continuing on the bus tour, we saw the second harbour with yet more incredible super yachts and epic boats.

We completed the tour back towards the centre of Monte Carlo where we found the famed hair pin corner on the route of the F1 track.

People gather on this corner to spot the many supercars casually driving around Monaco; I’ve never seen so many Lamborghinis and Ferraris in one place!

Despite it being a built up city, Monaco has many stunning gardens providing a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.

There is even a beautiful Japanese Garden complete with serene seating areas overlooking the ponds and waterfalls.

I felt very European, French Riviera in my striped shorts, white babydoll crop top, silk neck scarf and basket bag.

The streets of Monaco are so clean and pristine, there’s not an inch out of place.

On the Saturday night we went down to the beach front for golden hour drinks and date night dinner.

I wore this figure hugging floor length floral dress paired with my Senso heeled mules, By Alona pearl necklace, oversized floral earrings and crochet clutch bag.

Feeling very sophisticated, very demure ❤

We were told that the French village of Eze was a must to visit during our time in Monaco too.

Just a 15 minute bus ride out of Monaco, Eze was easy to get to and a lovely day trip out of the city.

We walked around the historic streets of the small village built upon a hill above Monaco and visited Le Jardin Exotique with sweeping views of the South coast.

We concluded our day trip to Eze with lunch at a traditional brasserie complete with gorgeous wine and sunshine of course.

There’s no denying it, Monaco is literally an adult’s playground for the rich and wealthy.

Everywhere you turn there’s another supercar and the price to eat and drink out certainly matched the calibre of guests!

On our final night we browsed the car dealership windows lusting after the awesome new models gleaming back at us.

I wore my C’est Normal forever pants paired with a backless halter neck top, my Abbott Lyon gold chain necklace, square toe nude mule heels and Sandro green velvet handbag.

We had to take a final stroll to Monte Carlo Casino Square on our last night and see what supercars were in the lineup.

And with that I strutted out of Monte Carlo Square in style marking the end to an amazing long weekend in Monaco.

We loved our short but sweet time in the unique principality of Monaco. Perhaps next time we’ll drive from the UK to the South of France in our very own supercar… that would be the dream ❤

Santorini Diaries; You, Me & Santorini

Upon returning from our holiday to Santorini last week, I can definitely put it up there as one of the most beautiful, picture perfect places I’ve ever had the fortune to visit.

From the aesthetic white wash towns built into the cliffs of the volcanic rock overlooking the caldera, to the stunning sunsets every evening showering the island in golden orange hues, I can see why Santorini is a world famous destination for couples in search of a romantic vacation.

During our week we explored most of the island including the capital Fira and the Instagram famous Oia. We even did a sunset boat cruise and had plenty of time for relaxing at our hotel by the pool too, so a week away turned out to be just right.

We stayed at Cresanto Luxury Suites in the town of Imerovigli situated between Fira and Oia. Whilst this is a newly opened hotel which is still finding its feet in terms of delivering a 5* service, it was a great location and our spacious room with the private balcony and plunge pool with sea view was fantastic.

Dinners and drinks out were fairly expensive which we expected, however my boyfriend’s favourite gyros spot Jimmy’s Souvlaki was less than 10 euros for a meal and drink. When in Greece it’s local gyros for lunch most days!

We enjoyed lots of delicious meals together including wonderful fresh seafood, my favourite Greek feta salad on repeat of course, and even some great Italian cuisine too.

Over the next few posts I will look back on each area of the island we explored and share my top tips along with my food and drink recommendations.

Having been to Santorini before, my boyfriend already knew of some hidden gems for sunset which avoid the crowds and provide uninterrupted, panoramic views at golden hour.

So stay posted for all the picturesque Santorini content to come as I relive our incredible week on this breathtaking Greek island of love ❤

Bali Guide; Zin Canggu Resort & Villas

When booking our trip to Bali, we were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing where to stay in Canggu. Whilst we considered renting our own villa given how cheap it is out there, upon researching online there was a lot of advice recommending hotels are preferable as they have 24 hour security. Zin was somewhere which kept coming up in our searches and with its jungle vibe aesthetic, it looked like the perfect tropical oasis in the centre of Canggu.

We booked via Expedia, so together with return flights it came to just under £1,400 each for the flights and hotel with breakfast included, an absolute bargain for 10 nights at such a stunning resort.

Opting for an upgrade to one of their Deluxe Bamboo rooms, we had this beautiful terrace overlooking the central pool which we had to ourselves a lot of the time, our own private paradise.

The room itself was ultimate Bali vibes too with stone flooring and aesthetic decor like this rattan woven wall hanging.

The dreamy Queen size bed was like sleeping on a cloud and waking up in heaven with the white bed net to keep those mosquitoes away.

Another awesome detail was the double shower head in our massive en suite complete with rustic stone walls and flooring.

My favourite place to relax in the afternoons or before dinner with a cocktail in hand, was our private terrace nestled amongst the luscious greenery.

Zin Cafe offered an extensive variety of options for brekky every morning.

They had a number of smoothie bowls to choose from, my favourite being the dragon fruit bowl with it’s vibrant pink colour and tangy sweet taste.

My boyfriend made his way through the menu of savoury dishes before trying the sweet treats, his favourite being the classic French toast.

The fruit in Bali is always super fresh and even the fruit bowls from Zin Cafe were a piece of art.

We had a local Balinese curry at the hotel one evening which was incredible, and another afternoon enjoyed a late lunch on our terrace.

I could tell how fresh and healthy all the food was from Zin Cafe and every dish was so perfectly presented.

The staff were very welcoming, wonderfully friendly and made sure we had everything we needed during our stay at Zin.

We even had a complimentary hour long couples massage in the spa, a delightful treat and heavenly experience.

Poolside handstand practice was the ideal setting to find balance and channel my inner yogi.

Even at twilight the jungle of tropical trees and tree house style canopy looked magnificent.

Zin was ideal for our stay in Canggu being only a 10 minute walk from the main strip of restaurants and bars and just a 2 minute walk from Echo Beach. They also have a co-working space in the cafe which offers a peaceful area for working, something we would’ve used if we were staying longer and needed to work.

I would highly recommend Zin Canggu Resort & Villas to anyone travelling to Bali, particularly young couples who are looking for a bit of luxury. Prime location and safe with 24 hour security, clean and beautifully aesthetic, brilliant food and wonderful people, it was everything we hoped for and more.

The Deluxe Bamboo room and resort grounds felt like a home away from home by the end of the holiday.

To book your stay at Zin, you can find them on Expedia and Booking.com or visit their website – https://zin.world/zin-canggu/

Welcome to the World of Zin ❤

Cyprus Scenes; Dancing with the Flamingos

Last week I squeezed in my third holiday of the summer to Cyprus with my boyfriend. September is always a great time to get away as the kids have gone back to school so everywhere is much quieter.

We stayed at Mercure Beach Resort Larnaca as part of a collaboration project with All Accor Hotels.

We were treated to a deluxe double room with a lovely big bathroom and large balcony overlooking that dreamy deep blue ocean.

For this trip I decided to plan my outfits for each day and evening which made packing super easy and seamless. It was so satisfying to see my capsule wardrobe hung up in the spacious closet.

Friday morning we woke fresh and ready for a day of shooting around the hotel, and by midday it was time for a cocktail in my cabana.

I bought this big floppy hat in Mallorca last month and I’m obsessed, it’s so chic!

That afternoon we were given access by the General Manager of the hotel to film in one of the impressive villas they have on site.

Don’t mind me just living my private villa dream as I lounged in the hanging egg chair on the villa terrace.

Sundown drinks on the balcony were a picture perfect moment every evening on repeat.

Friday evening we went to a lovely seafood restaurant just a short walk from our hotel and right on the water called Mer Bleue.

We had classic Greek tatziki and pitta to start, followed by grilled octopus and fries for me and the fillet steak for my boyfriend.

On Saturday morning we explored the old town of Larnaca where we visited the Greek Orthodox Church of St Lazarus.

Later that day we captured some underwater shots poolside and enjoyed an iced coffee afternoon pick me up.

We’d certainly worked up an appetite for lunch, so we ordered a much needed pizza at the Mercure hotel where they have an authentic stone bake pizza oven.

Another evening rolled around and it was yet another stunning sunset complete with orange and pink hues on the horizon.

Before dinner we went to the smart hotel Lobby Bar for an aperativo and I was channeling my inner Flamingo in this cute colourful mini dress from Stradivarius.

Larnanca is known for the Flamingos which flock to the salt lake during Autumn, hence the Flamingo theme throughout the hotel.

A local taxi driver recommended a great Greek restaurant near our hotel called Vlachos Tavern, so we headed there for some dinner and of course I had my favourite Greek feta salad.

Sunday morning we were up bright and early for the breakfast buffet which I setup to shoot for aesthetic hotel content.

Following shooting we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast spread of sweet and savoury plates; the pancakes were the winning dish!

Fuelled and ready for the day, we headed to Ayia Napa for a beach day and day on the water.

I’ve wanted to do paddle boarding for so long and this was the ideal place to give it a go it for the first time.

Calm crystal clear waters and a gloriously sunny day, our first experience paddle boarding was perfect and a lot of fun.

Nissa Beach was buzzing on a Sunday arvo and it was time to hit the beach clubs.

I had a pretty pink Paloma followed by the Tropical State of Mind house special cocktail.

It was giving cool Bali vibes at Isola Beach Bar; I was in my element with these beach style interiors complete with delicious cocktails and salty sea air.

Back in Larnaca, we took a sundown stroll at golden hour along the seafront.

Soon enough it was dusk and the crescent moon was glowing against the deep blue sky.

Those short few moments between night and day are so beautiful and unique, the way the colours of the sky change so swiftly yet fluidly is nature’s art.

For our final night we ate back at the Kyma Restaurant within our hotel where the food was always top quality and delicious.

After dinner, we couldn’t resist a final night cap at the hotel Lobby Bar with their enticing spirit wall glowing as it lit up at night.

And just like that, it was our final day in Cyprus and I soaked up very last minute of sunshine on our balcony with that magnificent view.

Our time in Cyprus was short but superbly sweet, I can’t wait to visit again and explore more of everything it has to offer.

Ciao for now Cyprus ❤

Girly Getaway; Alcudia Mallorca

Last week, me and my two best girlfriends jetted off to the stunning Spanish island of Mallorca for five days in the town of Alcudia. We’ve been besties since we were in infant school, so we get on like sisters and couldn’t wait to be going on a proper girls vacay together this summer.

Arriving at a busy Gatwick Airport on Friday 4th August, we treated ourselves to the lounge for bottomless pre-flight bubbles and a bite to eat at leisure, before our plane departed that afternoon. Holiday mode was on!

We didn’t stop nattering the entire journey and before we knew it, we had arrived at our hotel later that evening following a smooth flight and transfer with easyJet. The next morning we awoke fresh and ready for a day of sunbathing at our hotel.

We stayed at Sol de Alcudia Apartments where we shared a room complete with a kitchenette and balcony. Whilst this is a family resort, it wasn’t too busy and the staff were friendly and helpful too.

I was very happy with the gym which was just down the corridor from our room and almost always empty, so I had the space to myself for my morning workouts.

We spent most mornings getting in our sunbathing time whilst reading our books, cooling off in the pool and chatting away of course.

The hotel was a five minute walk from the main beach of Alcudia, so we took a stroll there on the first day to see that golden white sand and dip our feet in the ocean.

After a refreshing glass of Sangria for me and Spanish beers for the girls, we found a nearby Lidl to stock up on essential holiday snacks and food for lunches.

This is what holiday lunches are all about; a mezze of picky bits including crisps, crackers, hummus, olives, cold meats, cheese, grapes, bread and of course, the iconic tub of Aioli. Sat out on our balcony soaking up the Spanish sun and chatting with my girlies with a wine in hand, now that’s an ideal holiday scene right there!

If you’re a regular here you’ll know I’m a salad lover and when I’m holiday, it’s all about a Greek Salad, so I suggested we do this for our balcony lunch one day. We just went to the local grocery store where we managed to get some tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives and feta. Usually I would put oregano and lashings of olive oil on my Greek Salad, but seasoning wise we could only find salt in the shop, so instead my friend came up with the idea of mashing the feta with the juice of a lemon and some of the salty olive brine. This was a delicious twist on a classic and definitely something I’ll try again at home too.

It was so fun getting glammed up for warm summer evenings out with the girls. My friend did my hair a few times with her Dyson Air Wrap and I’m obsessed, I might have to get one for myself now.

On the Sunday night we decided to book a nice dinner out at Ca’an Matevet just over in Port d’Alcudia. As usual I did my research on Instagram to find the trendiest looking place and this restaurant was our kinda vibe.

I love being a bit more experimental and playful with my holiday outfits, so for this occasion I wore my leopard print swimsuit as a body paired with my Stradivarius wrap skort, chunky pearl sliders, a pair of oversized gold shell drop earrings and my Dune woven white handbag. My girlfriends are so effortlessly cool and always look very trendy in all black and neutral tones. How cute that my friend’s pearl hair clips matched my pearl sliders. ❤

We were seated at our table outside overlooking the port as the sunset and a live band played, setting the perfect evening dinner mood at golden hour.

Being in Spain we couldn’t resist ordering a number of incredible tapas to share. We all agreed potatoes bravos were a must as well as the fresh scallops. The toasted bread with cured Mahón cheese, sobrasada from the island and honey, was simply divine.

This goat’s cheese salad with walnuts, hazelnuts, capers and homemade fig jam was a highlight for me. We also got the garlic prawns, olives and some bread with Aioli to accompany our meal. Service was great, I couldn’t fault anything and don’t be fooled, we ate every last bit – us girls like our food!

We finished up with a round of cocktails instead of dessert as we were full from our feast. I had a Paloma whilst the girls had a Mojito and a Tommy’s Margarita which we enjoyed as the sun went down and the live band continued their second set. The staff were so friendly and attentive, the food was amazing and the ambience on point; I’d highly recommend visiting C’an Matevet if you’re in the area –https://canmatevet.com. 

The weather was perfect during our stay reaching highs of 30 degrees, so a classic orange ice pop was the ideal poolside refreshment.

Another night, another bar, and on this evening we actually stumbled across this fun hotel bar just around the corner with another live band playing. They were called Von Bros and played reggae style covers, we were loving it!

Once again my besties were looking super stylish in chic black outfits, whilst I was in a baby blue mini dress bringing a splash of colour to the group. 

On our final day we got up early to visit the markets in the Old Town of Alcudia.

There was so much to explore, from beautiful fresh produce to lots of gorgeous clothes and jewellery from local sellers. 

My friend bagged herself a lovely cream crochet top and I got a white crochet cutout Grecian style dress.

I just wish I had a local market back home selling fresh fruit and veg as marvellous as this!

And not to mention the variety of olives to choose from, I was in my element.

The streets of Old Town Alcudia are so picturesque lined with ancient buildings, blooming bright flowers climbing the walls and exotic plants in terracotta pots.

We stopped for a morning coffee at a cute cafe where two coffees and a water was less than 4 Euros!

It was scorching hot so we took it in turns with my friend’s ‘World’s biggest diva’ hand fan. 😀

I’m also loving this headscarf on my friend giving market girl vibes paired with her gingham playsuit, so cute. ❤

We then explored more of the town and took a walk up on the ancient walls which boarder the Old Town of Alcudia.

I saw an old open air theatre and decided to put my gymnastics practice to good use with a handstand balance centre stage.

For lunch we found a quieter restaurant with a courtyard off the beaten track.

I had this simple but super tasty green salad and a refreshing Coke Zero.

Our final afternoon we spent back by our hotel pool soaking up the final few hours of Spanish sun.

I also brought this floppy hat on our way out of the markets which is exactly what I was looking for, I can’t wait to wear it on my next holiday.

We had a chilled dinner at our hotel before packing that night, as our transfer back to Palma Airport the next morning was at 7am.

We had a fantastic time in Mallorca together with plenty of chats, giggles, sunbathing, good food and drinks, pool time, reading, relaxing and just having lots of fun. Thank you girlies for such a wonderful trip, lets get planning girls vacay 2024! ❤ ❤ ❤

48 Hours in P A R I S

Paris; A beautiful city full of charm, elegance, history, art, architecture, fashion, food, nightlife and of course, LOVE. This weekend me and my boyfriend spent two days exploring this magnificent European city for ourselves. With only 48 hours in town, we didn’t waste a minute and managed to cover most of the most famous hotspots whilst sampling the best of French cuisine and soaking up the glorious early summer sunshine.

Taking the Eurostar from St Pancras on Friday evening, we found ourselves in the centre of Paris within a matter of a few hours. Having booked through the Eurostar with hotel combo deal, we checked into our lovely 4* boutique Hotel Mademoiselle, only a 5 minute walk from Gare du Norde train station.

Waking up fresh from a good nights sleep following our journey, Saturday morning we strolled the streets of the local area and grabbed a quick breakfast at a cute corner cafe.

We then headed straight for the Eiffel Tower where we found this famous side street Rue de l’Universite for that picture perfect photo.

A quick whip around the supermarche and we had ourselves a throw together French style picnic by the river overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

From there, we walked to the Champs-Elysees for an afternoon browsing the shops before we reached the Arc de Triomphe.

Following the madness of the tourist spots on a Saturday afternoon, we stopped by Cafe De Paris for an early evening drink in the sunshine and much needed rest from our feet.

A quick stop back at the hotel to freshen up and we were ready for a night out in Paris. Destination Moulin Rouge, an iconic landmark I had to visit during our stay and only a 10 minute Uber from our hotel.

This area was buzzing on a Saturday night, so we found a local brasserie where we could sit out on the street with our dinner and soak up the those Parisian nightlife vibes. Our night continued into the early hours with cocktails and a traditional Nutella crepe for desert at 2am!

Sunday late morning, we made our way over to Le Recrutement Cafe for brunch with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

We then decided to spend the afternoon on a hop-on and hop-off bus tour around the city, a super easy way to navigate all of the tourist spots in one day.

The Louvre was a highlight with its stunning modern architecture juxtapose to the grandeur of the surrounding historic buildings.

Back at our hotel that evening, we enjoyed sundown drinks with an exquisite charcuterie board amongst the gorgeous French aesthetic of their courtyard at Hotel Mademoiselle.

We had to see the Eiffel Tower by night, so for dinner we went back to the river for a delicious Italian at Firmine.

The light show is on the hour every hour until midnight, so we had cocktails at the nearby Frame Brasserie from where we had views of the Eiffel Tower.

For the final light display at midnight, we had front row seats in the park for undisrupted views of this incredible spectacle. It felt like a dream seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle by night, showering the city in golden hues; simply divine and tres romantique.

Before we new it, Monday morning rolled around and it was time to hop back on the Eurostar to London. This was a whistle stop tour but we certainly made the most of our time here and emersed ourselves within the Parisian culture. I have fallen in love with the vibe of this exciting city with its chic style and vibrant charm; we will be seeing you again soon Paris, merci beaucoup ❤

Dubai Diaries; Barmy Beach Club Blues

When it comes to beach clubs in Dubai, you really are spoilt for choice. From the glamorous and Insta famous complex at Drift on The Palm, to the fun party til dawn vibes at BlaBla in Dubai Marina, there is a destination for every occasion.

One of my favourite spots was KoKo Bay beach club at the foot of The Palm on Jumeirah beach. We spent a whole afternoon here sunning ourselves until golden hour.

For just 150AED (£30) per sun bed which was redeemable on food and drink, we had the most perfect spot to enjoy all day long.

We went for a stroll down the beach as we took in those magnificent sweeping views of the Dubai Marina skyline. Just along from here was in fact the renowned beach club Five, however the laid back chilled vibes at KoKo were more our scene for a Wednesday arvo.

Cocktails at noon on holiday are a must, so I got started with a refreshing rum and pineapple concoction.

Later in the arvo we ordered some food and another round of cocktails. With such an extensive menu of seafood, sushi, poke bowls and curries, I opted for the bean chilli loaded nachos which made for the perfect beach nibble.

My boyfriend chose the Chinese Kung Po chicken which he admitted was the best he’d ever had of his favourite dish. Colourful cocktails, yummy food and a beautiful sunset, what more could you want!?

I would highly recommend KoKo Bay for its casual chic atmosphere combined with delicious food, amongst the most awesome beach setting overlooking one of the best views in Dubai.

My other personal favourite beach club was Ula at Dukes Hotel on The Palm. We visited here twice, once in the evening for dinner and again on our final day to lap up the sunshine.

With it’s Bali inspired interiors featuring gorgeous hanging lampshades, Ula strikes the perfect balance of tasteful decor to create a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere for a wonderful evening supper setting.

I had to come back to experience this gorgeous oasis in the daytime too. Those Bali vibes continue down to the beach bar with fantastic tall teepee loungers and cute cabanas.

Seeing the main feature bar area with that spectacular tree in the middle was even more glorious by day with the shadows casting patterns through the bamboo awning.

From their mediterranean inspired menu, we ordered a light lunch which we ate down at the beach bar amongst the palm trees overlooking Dubai Eye and the Marina. I had a simple but tasty house salad whilst my boyfriend had a classic Greek chicken gyros. Ahhhh, if only we could enjoy every lunch like this!

Soon the sun was setting on our final day in Dubai and the city skyline twinkled in the night.

There’s nothing like a barmy beach club day and a real must for anyone visiting Dubai. My top recommendations are of course KoKo Bay and Ula, as well as Drift, Five, Address Beach Resort and Twiggy. I just love those beach bum blues and that salty skin feeling ❤

Dubai Diaries; Helicopter Highs

Happy Sunday Babes! I can’t believe how quickly the week has passed here in Dubai and I’ll be very sad to be flying home to the UK on Tuesday morning. We’ve done so much during our time here, I really can’t choose a favourite day from our holiday. Taking a helicopter ride over the city was however a very special highlight and an incredible experience I’ll never forget.

On Wednesday morning we were out bright and early for our 10am helicopter tour. Before flying we had a safety briefing to prepare us for the flight and soon enough we were boarding the heli!

Having never been in a helicopter I was super excited for our flight. It’s amazing how it banks up and out to take to the air, I couldn’t help but squeal as we left the ground and took to the sky!

It was amazing to see all of Dubai from above so clearly. We went out over the Burj Al Arab and back past the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Financial District.

Taking a loop in our tour, on the way back to base I had a brilliant view out over The Palm. It’s just so perfectly shaped and seems surreal to see from the sky like that.

What an adrenaline rush the helicopter tour was, I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Dubai. We booked with https://helitoursdubai.com.

After our exciting morning, we headed over to the Madinat Jumeirah for brunch in the sunshine amongst the most stunning surroundings.

I couldn’t resist a cheeky Bloody Mary to kickstart my day. When on holiday 11am cocktails are a must, am I right?

We had fun exploring the Madinat Jumeirah hotel complex with it’s picturesque bridges and gorgeous details at every corner.

We did go up the Burj Khalifa on another evening to see Dubai from the sky by night also.

Whilst this was a different experience to the helicopter tour, I would recommend the helicopter over going up the Burj as you see so much more from the sky and with uninterrupted views too.

Now it’s Sunday evening and we’re planning on a beach day tomorrow for our final 24 hours here in Dubai. What a time we’ve had and I can’t quite believe how much we’ve packed in during our 10 day stay.

Get ready for more blog posts on our experience here including my top recommendations for anyone visiting the incredible city of Dubai – It certainly is worth the hype and exceeded my expectations ❤