Tag: italianfood

The Usual Date Night Drill

April 12, 2026

Happy Sunday! Another weekend has come and almost gone and with it, another glorious date night dinner of course.

Having just booked the Amalfi Coast for summer, I had a craving for Italian food and so we decided to go to Daniele Sicilian Restaurant in Farnham.

I discovered this place upon recommendation from a friend last year and we absolutely loved it, so I couldn’t wait to go again.

My look for the evening featured this statement plunge neck olive green top from Motel Rocks paired with my black Stradivarius flared jeans.

In keeping with the earthy tones, I accessorised with leopard print mules from Nine West, a leopard print fur from Forever 21 and a matching olive green ASOS clutch bag.

Everything about Daniele Sicilian Restaurant gives rustic Italian vibes being in a converted barn and decorated with romantic fairy lighting.

We were seated on the enclosed terrace area where we had prime view of the stone firewood pizza oven.

My drink of choice for the night was a classic, crisp Italian Pinot Grigio.

To start we shared the goats cheese bonbons served on a bed of rocket with caramelised onion and parmesan crisp. These creamy, lightly fried, delicate balls of cheese were divine, the perfect little appetiser to whet the appetite.

For mains I opted for the Paccheri Trapanese, a pasta dish of seabass ragu with olives and wild fennel. It was nice to have something different and the flavours of the fish with the olives and fennel were exquisite.

My boyfriend ordered the Penne Amatriciana served with pancetta, red onion, chilli and a tomato parmesan sauce.

We also shared the focaccia bread and a mixed leaf salad on the side.

Everything was delicious and we savoured every mouthful; it certainly satisfied my craving for Italian cuisine.

I would highly recommend a visit to Daniele Sicilian Restaurant if you’re in the area whether it’s for a romantic date night moment, or a girly dinner with friends, you simply can’t go wrong with Italian food done well ❤

Liverpool Hen Do Weekend Antics

April 6, 2026

With one of my closest girl friends getting married next month, this Easter weekend was the big Hen Do party in Liverpool.

We arrived up north on Good Friday, checking into the coolest little Airbnb tucked right in the centre of the city.

After dropping our bags we headed straight out for a wander around the docks, easing into the weekend with a little sightseeing and, of course, some shopping because it would be rude not to.

What started as a grey, cloudy afternoon slowly transformed into the dreamiest candy floss pink sky sunset.

Back at the flat later that afternoon it was time to crack open the vino, put out some nibbles, and settle into that familiar, comforting rhythm of girly chats and laughter.

Friday night took us to Duke Street Market where we met up with the bride-to-be and the rest of the hens.

The vibe was effortlessly cool, and so was the outfit with a pair of dark wash denim, a grey off the shoulder asymmetric top, leopard print mules, and my trusty Coach handbag.

Dinner was very much ‘girl dinner’ coded; a chicken Caesar salad paired with truffle chips, a simple but elite combo.

A good nights sleep was needed ahead of the official Hen Do on Saturday.

We kicked things off at 11am with a wholesome pottery session complete with Buck’s Fizz to warm up for the day ahead.

We had the most fun and silly hen outfit for the bride; #365partygirl energy.

Proud of our creations, some more artistic than others, we headed to one of the bridesmaid’s houses where Dominos pizzas and more bubbles were waiting.

The bride took centre stage for a hilarious round of Mr & Mrs which had us all crying with laughter.

After a quick recharge, it was time to get ready for the evening celebrations. With the brief of dark colours for the hens, I went for an all black look styled with a vintage Jaeger oversized blazer and my velvet green Sandro bag for a subtle pop of colour.

Dinner was booked at A Tavola Deli in the trendy East Village of Liverpool.

We were treated to an Italian feast with everything from creamy burrata and classic pizza, to succulent lamb shank and spicy pasta.

It was all served family style so we could have a taste of it everything and each dish was absolutely divine.

We stayed for hours not leaving until gone 8pm, completely full and slightly giddy from the wine and the wonderful company.

Thankfully we got a cute group photo altogether outside of the restaurant before the bride tribe descended into fabulous chaos for the rest of the night!

Bars, dancing, more bars, maybe a club or two… the kind of night where nothing really matters except being together, laughing until your cheeks hurt, and celebrating your best friend as she steps into her next chapter.

Sunday morning arrived a little too quickly, heads slightly sore yet spirits still very high. And honestly, it was worth it for the hilarious moments and wonderful memories made.

The most special weekend for our gorgeous bride-to-be; bring on the wedding day ❤

A Gorgeous Girls’ Day In Brighton

March 23, 2026

There’s something about a girls’ day by the sea that just feels like a warm hug for the soul, and celebrating one of your besties birthdays makes it all the more special.

We kicked the afternoon off on the pebbled shores of Brighton Beach, soaking up the glorious spring sunshine with pink fizz in hand and camping chairs in tow, because practicality is the new chic when you’re in your 30s!

The air was crisp, the sea sparkled, and I felt the kind of easy, carefree joy that only comes from being with your favourite people.

After a few sun-drenched hours, we headed back to Livy’s flat to get ready for the evening which turned into a wholesome little celebration of its own. Somewhere between doing our makeup and sharing outfit options, we surprised Cara with a birthday cake, candles glowing, and yet more bubbles.

For the evening look I went for effortless glam: my new deep olive green Motel top with a plunging neckline, paired with black flared jeans from Stradivarius, brown pointed Topshop boot heels, and statement gold earrings.

I added a cow skin handbag for a playful pop of print and finished with my ASOS brown textured trench to complete the fit. Sophisticated with just the right touch of drama, the kind of outfit that makes you walk a little taller.

We were ready just in time to see the final few moments of sunset, so we ran back down to the seafront to experience it in all its glory.

Sunset skies never fail to amaze me and it was even more beautiful having my besties by my side to soak up this moment with.

Our first stop of night was Plateau, a cosy little wine bar perfect for easing into the evening.

We shared a bottle of red paired with buttery Nocellara olives and tangy pickled veggies; simple, delicious, and exactly what you want as golden hour fades into night.

Dinner followed shortly after at Tutto, a spot we’d been eyeing for a while and it certainly did not disappoint.

Built on the ethos “bring everyone, eat everything”, it felt like the perfect place for an intimate birthday celebration.

We started with warm focaccia bread and creamy buffalo mozzarella served with Jerusalem artichoke and a hazelnut pesto.

For our main course we shared the roasted cod with clams and borlotti beans, chestnut mushroom agnolotti, and a rich, comforting ragu pappardelle.

Delicious dishes full of flavour that we savoured every mouthful of, absolutely exquisite dining scenes.

The waiter then surprised Cara with her second birthday treat of the day, a classic Tiramisu which we all tucked into and thoroughly enjoyed.

From there, the night unfolded in the best way drifting between a few bars, dancing, laughing, and fully embracing that carefree, slightly chaotic energy that only comes out when you’re with your girls.

The giggles, the shared memories, the feeling of slipping right back into your teenage selves like no time has passed at all; nothing fills my cup more than quality time with my best girlies ❤

Italian Dinner Party; Mama’s Bolognese Recipe

May 5, 2025

Happy bank holiday weekend! Its coming to the end of a gorgeous long weekend here in the UK which started back on Friday, with stunning sundowners at our favourite local pub The Mutton.

On Saturday evening we were then hosting a dinner party for mine and my boyfriend’s parents. I just love hostessing and welcoming guests into our home, so I was in my element prepping for an intimate dinner party for six.

Following welcome drinks and nibbles, it was Italian on the menu for dinner with my bolognese being the star of the show. Taking tips from my mum’s signature bolognese recipe, I cooked the sauce earlier that day so all I had to do later was boil the pasta and heat the garlic bread.

The key to a flavourful bolognese is to add half a bottle or so of red wine after frying off the mince and veg, then letting that reduce down before adding the tomatoes, stock and other seasonings including plenty of basil and oregano. I also added my own twist towards the end with a generous splash of Worcester sauce and a whole bulb of garlic roasted in the oven.

The outcome was a deliciously hearty bolognese served with linguine pasta and an aesthetic garnish of basil leaves. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the main course and I was super proud to have pulled it off for a tough audience… our parents!

To accompany the dish I made two salads; one simple green rocket salad and the other a tomato, mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze salad beautifully presented on a platter. Classic garlic bread and a tasty caramelised onion flatbread on the side also went down a treat.

Dessert was a red velvet cake which our parents brought along with some vanilla ice cream, a simple sweet finish to round off a perfect dinner party meal.

Cheers to the bank holiday weekend ❤

Paris Foodie; Pasta, Wine & All Things Fine

June 5, 2022

With only 48 hours in the French capital of gastronomy, we did our best to sample the most famous of Parisian cuisine during our short weekend stay in the city. First up, we got our day started with a morning coffee and exquisite croissant at the best bakery in town, Boulangerie Fabrication Traditionnelle, just a short walk from our hotel.

A picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower was a must, so we popped into a Franprix convenience store and put together a spread of typical French snack food; baguette, cheese, ham, olives and strawberries. What a picture perfect setup sat in the sunshine overlooking the Eiffel Tower as we grazed our picnic.

That evening we found ourselves in a local French restaurant A La Cloche D’Or, sitting outside on a warm summers evening taking in that buzzing Parisian atmosphere on a Saturday night.

As a famous delicacy of France, we had to share the French onion soup to start and it certainly didn’t disappoint, the cheese-pull was a spectacle in itself!

For Sunday brunch we headed to Le Recrutement Cafe with that iconic view of the Eiffel Tower framed by the beautiful streets of Paris.

We enjoyed sundown drinks before dinner back where we were staying in the quiet, quaint courtyard of Hotel Mademoiselle.

To compliment our vino we shared a delicious platter of classic charcuterie; a selection of fine meats, salad, cherry tomatoes, warm French stick and President butter – il est parfait!

For our final night dinner in the centre of the city, we stumbled across this very popular local Italian restaurant, Firmine.

I had a simple yet superb linguine bolognese with a generous sprinkling of parmesan, whilst my boyfriend had a fantastic Margherita pizza. Back to basics never tasted so good, delicieux!

With the Eiffel Tower light show every hour on the hour, we made ourselves comfortable at a nearby cocktail bar called Frame Brasserie. Here we indulged in many wonderful cocktails, including a personalised concoction made exclusively for us by the lovely bartender, before we headed to the final light show at midnight.

Paris is most definitely a foodie’s paradise with such a variety of fantastic restaurants and street food options to choose from. Produce is fresh and exquisitely prepared, we barley had time to scratch the surface of this city’s fabulous food scene. I can’t wait to visit Paris again and try more of their famous pastries, Nutella crepes, macaroons from Laduree and of course my favourite, moules frites!