Tag: Lifestyle

Interiors Journal; Lounge Decor Refresh

July 26, 2026

There’s something so satisfying about giving a room a little refresh without completely renovating it. Our lounge has always been one of my favourite spaces in the house, but recently I felt like it needed brightening up. The soft furnishings and decorative details were beginning to feel tired and with so many grey tones throughout the room, it had started to feel a little colder than I’d have liked. My goal was simple: create a space that felt warmer, cosier and a little more elevated, without replacing all of the larger furniture.

So here is the before photo:

…and here is the after:

The first thing to go was our old rug. We’d had a dark grey shaggy rug for years and whilst it looked ok, it blended into all the other grey tones in the room and made the whole space feel darker.After plenty of searching, we settled on this super plush cream faux fur rug from Dunelm, and I honestly don’t think I could love it more. At just under £300, it feels far more luxurious than its price tag suggests. It’s incredibly soft underfoot and instantly brightened the entire room. It’s amazing how something as simple as changing a rug can completely transform the atmosphere of a space.

For years we’d used a large pouffe as our coffee table, but I was ready for something that made the lounge feel a little more grown up and a little less like a man cave! This beautiful travertine-effect coffee table from Dunelm for only £179 turned out to be exactly what I had in mind. The creamy stone finish complements the new rug perfectly and adds such an elegant focal point to the room. My favourite coffee table books and a cute basket tray with candles are the chicest finishing touch to complete the look.

With the oversized pouffe gone, we still wanted somewhere comfortable to put our feet up in the evenings, so I found the perfect solution in a soft cord pouffe from Dunelm in this gorgeous olive green shade. At only £45, it’s practical, lightweight and easy to move around depending on where we’re sitting. It also introduces another subtle pop of colour that ties in beautifully with the rest of the room.

One thing I’d really wanted to update was our cushions as the ones we’d had for years were definitely beginning to show their age. Amongst the endless cushion displays at Home Sense, I found these beautifully plush cream faux fur cushions that complement the rug perfectly. I love the subtle textured pattern which adds interest without competing with the patterned cushions we already owned. To finish the look, I went on the hunt for a cosy throw and eventually found this ribbed cream blanket on Amazon. It matches the textured base of the coffee table so well and is ideal for curling up under during cosy evenings at home.

Inspired by the boho chic aesthetic of interiors in Bali, I’ve always wanted to get a large wicker lampshade for the lounge and found the perfect match from (you guessed it!) Dunelm for only £49. Again, this adds a warmth to the room which was lacking before with those grey lampshades and the pattern it makes on the ceiling when turned on at night is stunning.

I’m still on the lookout for a new floor lamp for the corner of the sofa, but in the meantime I found this gorgeous rechargeable lamp from Amazon that looks so chic and elegant on our side table. It gives off such a warm glow in the evenings and adds another cosy layer of lighting to the room. The final thing I’d like to change in here is the wall artwork as well. Having now deviated from the blue tones we had before, we need something featuring some touches of greens and golds to complement the new colour palette.

Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference. Simply updating the rug, coffee table, lampshade, cushions and accessories has completely transformed the feel of our lounge without the need for a full renovation. The overall palette now feels much softer, with neutral creams and warm greys layered alongside touches of jungle green and gold for a cosy yet timeless aesthetic.

It’s brighter, more inviting and finally feels like the relaxing, grown up living space we’d always envisioned for our living room ❤

72 Hours In Marbella; My Chic Holiday Wardrobe Edit

July 6, 2026

For our weekend in Marbella, I packed with one goal in mind: effortless elegance. I wanted every look to feel timeless, sophisticated and chic, mixing high street finds with investment designer accessories to create outfits that felt elevated without trying too hard.

Between sun-drenched mornings, leisurely lunches, golden hour strolls and elegant dinners, every outfit becomes part of the experience. So here’s everything I wore over three days in Marbella.

Day One Fit: Puerto Banús

For our first day strolling around Puerto Banús, I leaned into the white wash aesthetic with an all white fit.

Starting with my favourite white miniskirt from Zara, I paired it with this white silk tie front top and a contrasting brown bikini top beneath.

My Dior sliders and Marc Jacobs tote added some interest to an otherwise minimal look.

And to complete the fit I wore my new Monday Swim brown structured bucket hat, a cute but chic finishing touch.

This is the kind of outfit that looks just as good wandering around Puerto Banús as it does stopping for lunch overlooking the yachts.

Evening One: Dinner at Zellij

For our Friday evening at Forum, the aesthetic was effortlessly cool with a side of Friday night fun.

This called for my Las Lulas crochet tassel crop top with flared sleeves which I bought in Tulum and gives serious cool girl energy.

My butter yellow ruffle mini shorts from ASOS also fitted the brief perfectly.

To complement the ruffles and tassels I wore my Sol Concept ruffle mule heels and also matched the shorts with my butter yellow Topshop handbag.

Gold shell jewellery from Seaside Stories Bali added a final flourish of sparkle, essential for fun Marbella nights.

Day Two: Old Town Opulence

Exploring Marbella’s charming Old Town called for something feminine but practical.

Cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and flower-filled alleyways deserve an outfit that feels romantic while still keeping you cool in the Mediterranean sunshine.

Starting with the hat, my Lack Of Colours rancher was ideal for keeping the sun off my face whilst looking super stylish.

This gorgeous patterned swimsuit in a vivd blue and white colour-way felt very fitting for the occasion, whilst pretty floral themed gold jewellery added to the Old Town feminine aesthetic.

Paired with my Levi dark was denim shorts and Dune brown flip-flops, the outfit was practical yet polished and considered.

My basket bag from Southbeach seemed the obvious choice to complete this charming Old Town look.

Evening Two: Dinner at La Petite Maison

With dinner reservations at one of Marbella’s top restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean at sunset, I opted for my most glamorous fit of the trip for Saturday night.

Leaning into the white wash aesthetic again, I wore this exquisite white mini dress with bow details from Zara.

Having purchased my new Valentino sparkler heels at a designer vintage store called Deja Vu Vintage earlier that day, I had to debut them and this felt like the right moment.

Pearl jewellery from By Alona and Heaven Mayhem complimented the dress perfectly and added another touch of glam.

And nothing says quiet luxury like my gorgeous Polene handbag.

I decided to put my hair up into a French twist to take this look to another level of sophistication and elegance.

Simple yet considered and polished; nothing overly trend-led, just classic pieces that I’ll still love years from now.

Day Three: Cruising on the Med

Our final full day was spent out on the water with a private boat trip on the Mediterranean ocean.

My blue gingham print bikini was the starting point for this beach day look.

I paired it with my cargo mini skirt from Bali and a cotton Daisy Street white tie front cap sleeve top.

Classic khaki Birkenstocks were my sandal of choice and it was time for another outing in my Monday Swim brown bucket hat.

Cute starfish jewellery were the ultimate accessories for a day on the water.

Comfortable enough for exploring but elevated enough to feel put together in every photo.

Evening Three: Dinner at Nota Blu Brasserie

For our final evening, I wore one of my favourite looks of the trip.

Elegant, classy and perfect for our last sunset dinner, my new Monday Swim maxi dress was the moment for Sunday evening golden hour.

I kept accessories minimal with my By Alona pearl chain necklace, Heaven Mayhem gold shell earrings, a pair of nude thong kitten heels from ASOS, and my Polene handbag.

It was the kind of outfit that doesn’t rely on bold prints or loud details, it simply lets beautiful tailoring, quality fabrics and thoughtful styling do all the talking.

A pair of statement cat-eye YSL sunglasses were the finishing touch to this effortlessly chic look.

My Marbella Style Formula

When packing for a destination like Marbella, I always come back to the same styling principles:

  • Stick to a neutral colour palette that mixes effortlessly.
  • Invest in timeless designer accessories that elevate even the simplest of outfits.
  • Balance affordable high street fashion with luxury investment pieces.
  • Accessorise with fun and aesthetic holiday jewellery to bring simple day looks to life.
  • Prioritise outfits you’ll genuinely feel confident wearing rather than chasing trends.

I truly believe style isn’t about wearing head-to-toe designer labels. Some of my favourite outfits combine an affordable dress with a luxury handbag, classic sandals and high quality jewellery. It’s that mix that creates a chic aesthetic whilst keeping your wardrobe versatile and wearable.

The endless luxury, beautiful architecture and picturesque golden hour moments, make it impossible not to embrace timeless style and sophisticated glamour when dressing in Marbella ❤

Fall Fashion; Boots & Shorts Season

September 7, 2025

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!

The Emirates Business Class Experience

March 23, 2025

On our journey back from Singapore earlier this month, I had the pleasure of travelling Business Class with Emirates and it was an impressive experience travelling in such superior style. Disclaimer, we don’t usually travel Business Class but given my injured legs, our insurance company paid to fly me home Business to ensure I could move my legs regularly to avoid any potential blood clot.

For the first part of the journey from Singapore to Dubai, my boyfriend joined me in Business Class to get a taste of the high life too. Upon boarding the plane and settling into our seats, welcome drinks were served and I couldn’t say no to a crisp glass of champagne.

We had our own private pods with extra large screens and a fully reclinable seat to make a bed, the dream for long haul flights.

With our flight departing at midnight, we’d already had dinner before going to the airport, so I opted for the cheeseboard alongside more champagne of course.

I chose to watch one of my favourite films A Star Is Born whilst enjoying my delightful little cheeseboard. Dining in Business is certainly more refined as they lay a tablecloth with a proper napkin and cutlery like at a sophisticated restaurant.

Once the lights were out in the cabin and the ceiling lights twinkling, we were given thick blankets and even a small mattress topper to make our beds even comfier. We were also given complimentary wash bags with lots of useful toiletries for freshening up including Bvlgari products.

After a good few hours of undisturbed sleep in our cosy pods, we arrived in Dubai for our stopover. For the second part of our journey flying from Dubai to London, the Business Class interiors were even more elevated with luscious white leather seats and stylish brown table tops.

The welcome drinks soon came around so with it being morning local time now, I had a health juice with a glass of bubbles… because when you’re flying across time zones, who really knows what time of the day it is!

Following take off, breakfast was served and I kept it light with two fresh fruit bowls and juice whilst watching another old classic movie The Devil Wears Prada.

Having slept for the majority of the first flight, I wanted to make the most of this one and visit the on board bar and lounge.

They had an extensive cocktail list but I had to go for a traditional Bloody Mary, the ultimate travel beverage. It’s very impressive that they have a full size bar on board serving so many different cocktails to such a high standard.

Whilst visiting the bar I made friends with two lovely ladies from Australia who were travelling on business to London. Conversation started with them asking what I had done to my legs, so we got chatting and before I knew it, we were sat in the lounge for a few hours having drinks and laughing like we’d known each other for years. I love spontaneous interactions like this ❤

Back at my seat I had another Bloody Mary accompanied with some green olives to nibble on.

Soon lunch was served and I chose a delicious pea soup with a mezze plate of stuffed vine leaves, a lamb kofta, salsa, hummus, more olives and a side salad. The food in Business Class is certainly more fresh than the ready meals in Economy and there is also a lot more to choose from on the menu.

I was in my element watching iconic scenes of The Devil Wears Prada as I savoured every mouthful of this perfect lunch spread.

On the whole my Emirates Business Class experience was a 10/10. I don’t have anything else to compare to in terms of Business Class on other airlines, but from my research Emirates is renowned for being one of the best in the world.

There’s no denying the hefty price tag on this experience, but I would say for a long haul journey when you can get it for £1k or less, it is worth it. We were lucky to get the first part of our journey at the reduced rate of about £900 each at the desk on the day, hence my boyfriend joined me in Business for that flight. However there were no special rates from Dubai to London, so that upgrade cost over £2.5k for me alone which the insurance are of course covering. My advice would be it’s worth going to the airline desk before checking in on the day to see if there are any special rates for upgrading.

From the refined wine list and large selection of cocktails made to order on board, to the delectable menu of fresh meals and snacks delivered with a five star standard of service, Emirates Business Class offers a premium level of luxury travel with wonderful comfort and privacy. Cheers to the next adventure ❤

Bali Trip Planning; One Month To Go

February 4, 2024

Happy Sunday! We’ve made it into February and I’m so excited to be jetting off to Bali with my boyfriend at the end of this month. Having been before and fallen in love with this palm-fringed island, there are many places I want to go back to as well as lots of new areas I’d like to explore. We’ll be staying in the bustling beachside town of Canguu, Bali’s rapidly developing hedonistic paradise with it’s world-class waves, eclectic boutiques and markets, beautifully aesthetic beach bars and flourishing foodie scene.

Our hotel Zin in Canguu, is a stunning boutique hotel resort situated right by the beach and in the heart of Berawa with the best shops, restaurants and bars right on our doorstep.

We’ll have to visit my favourite beach club La Brisa on Echo Beach for sundowners, and not forgetting The Lawn and Finns which are both nearby too.

My inner foodie can’t wait to go back to Shady Shack for the incredible salad nourish bowls and also Crate Cafe for their stunning smoothie bowls.

Penny Lane is also a must for the wonderfully aesthetic interiors and extensive menu of vegan delights to enjoy whilst taking in those gorgeous surroundings.

Having read more recent blogs and watching YouTube vlogs from influencers in Canguu, I’ve got a whole bunch of new spots to try out in the area too. I particularly like the look of Mason restaurant for a date night and SKOOL Kitchen for some fine dining with a view.

Beyond Canguu, there are two other areas of the island I would like to visit during our time in Bali. A day trip to the central jungle terrine of Ubud is an absolute must. Here you will find the lush green rice paddies and ethereal waterfalls which will undoubtedly be picture perfect moments for the ‘gram.

Another day trip I have mapped out is to Uluwatu on the south coast, where the white sand beaches and cliff faced coastlines are breathtaking.

This is where the infamous beach club Savaya is located with its seemingly floating balcony dance floor and DJ deck. Sundowners with that magnificent view and live music will be the dream pinch me moment.

As always, I’m doing my research using Instagram, YouTube and blogs to save the very best places for us to visit and make the most of our time in Bali. A Pinterest board is another great way to get inspired and discover hidden gems – https://www.pinterest.co.uk/danielleaneka/bali/

Using Google maps I have also put together my own map for Bali, pinning the places to go in each region of the island we plan on visiting. I do this anytime I am travelling abroad as its a quick and easy way to save everything in one place and visually see where they are on the map. Checkout my Bali map here – https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1IAltwIQuNtqsH3oXXDRz0DVF2pi3w1s&usp=sharing

So the countdown to Bali ’24 is on and I’m absolutely thrilled to be going back to magical beach bum days in island paradise ❤

Kickstarting New Year; Motivation Tips & Tricks

January 7, 2024

If like the majority of people you find the start of January a struggling time to get motivated, then I’ve got some tips on how to set realistic goals and take the steps to successfully achieve them.

Whilst being ambitious and moving the goal posts for yourself in the new year is brilliant, it’s key to remember that doing your best looks different every day. So if you have particular fitness aspirations or you are learning a new skill which takes time, there will be positive days when you find yourself feeling really strong or creatively inspired, but inevitably there will also be those periods of time you lack energy or enthusiasm. Just trust the process and be kind to yourself when you’re having one of those dips in motivation because it will return.

Don’t let any obstacles become an excuse for not showing up everyday. For example if your goal is to workout 6 times a week, plan ahead and schedule your workouts, know what exercises or routine you are doing each day in the upcoming week, and have your gym gear out and ready the night before. It’s all about setting yourself up for success.

So ask yourself, what is stopping me from reaching my goals? Break it down and set achievable steps towards making your dreams a reality. The journey won’t be linear and you have to be ready for all the ups and downs along the road, but know exactly what you want, envision getting it, and never give up on yourself; a positive mindset will never fail you.

Go get it girls and lets make 2024 another year of growth, success and fulfilment ❤

Late Summer Pastel Hues

September 22, 2020

So as we find ourselves almost at the end of September and already nearing the end of what has been a pretty rubbish year for us all (cheers Covid, you really shat all over 2020!), I’m thankful for these late summer days.

This time of year tends to bring some surprisingly warm weather in the UK just before the autumn months roll in and daylight hours swiftly shorten.

We had to make the most of such glorious days of sunshine last week, so we headed down the coast to my favourite beach in the south, West Witterings in Chichester.

Arriving in the late afternoon, we setup a spot with our picnic and enjoyed sundown whilst grazing on a mezze of nibbles and sipping on some beers.

Not much beats the simplicity of a stunning sunset complete with an ice cold beer and good company. This is what I did everyday when I was in Bali, it was a dream!

I have many fond memories of visiting the Witterings as a kid when I would come down with the girls and our mums. We would spend the whole day down here swimming in the sea, playing games and even having a barbecue using those little deposable ones that always burnt the grass!

Feeling the sand between my toes and listening to the calm of the sea never fails to make me smile and helps me find a little peace at times when I’m stressed and anxious. Living by the coast and being able to go to the beach everyday is definitely the thing I miss most about living in Sydney.

I find it fascinating how every sunset is so unique and different and we were treated to one of the most beautiful sundowns I’ve ever seen at the Witterings on this visit. The pastel pink and blue hues of the sky soon turned a deeper coral colour, just before the sun dipped below the horizon and went to sleep.

The magical wonder created by nature gives me goosebumps and uplifts my soul from within. It gets me thinking about where I am in life and what I want my purpose to be; a loaded thought which inspires my creativity and motivates my passion to stay a wild.

Another summer may be almost over, but the seasons progress and so must we. As life continues and my mid-twenty year old self still feels eighteen at heart, I believe now more than ever that life is for living in these moments, here and now. Too many times have I longed for the past or hoped for the future, when I all I needed to do to be happy was to live and be present in the universe.

These are just some thoughts I had when I was able to take a step back and breath in the beauty of the world around me. Life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we often make it; sometimes we just need to ground ourselves back down to earth and live in the moment.

‘Stay wild moon child.’

Australian Eats: Poke Bowls

May 27, 2018

When it comes to health food trends and the latest fitness movements, Australia is constantly leading the way. Sydney isn’t short of its health food cafes offering all day breakfast menus with delicious superfood dishes, including eggs done anyway you could imagine, beautifully presented acai bowls and tempting sweet treats made from raw, natural ingredients. One of the newest cuisines which has pleased the palette of Australians this year is Poke bowls, a traditional Hawaiian dish originally made by fisherman using the trimmings from their catch of ‘ahi’ tuna. Despite the authentic fresh fish sashimi topping, shops offer Poke bowls anyway you like with different meat alternatives such as chicken and numerous fresh toppings of salads, seeds, pickles and dressings.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASo with my $10 promo code for Uber Eats and having never tried the local Poke shop here in Paddington, I decided to order in from the comfort of my own home! Taking inspiration from the imaginative street favourites on the menu, I decided to build my own bowl which consisted of the following: Cabbage (You can have noodles, rice or quinoa as alternative bases), Yellow Fin Tuna, Radish, Cucumber, Edamame, Yellow Beetroot, Toasted Sesame Seeds and a Coconut and Chilli Lime Dressing.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe delivery was super quick and came accompanied with all the essentials including chop sticks and extra dressing on the side. All of the salad was fresh and beautifully presented in the bowl, making it almost too good to eat! I enjoyed my Poke bowl sat out in the evening sun of Paddington, revitalising me with all the essential vitamins and goodness my body needed after a long week of work and perhaps a few too many glasses of red wine on Friday night!

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