It might be a new year but it was the same Saturday drill for us last night as we went out for our first proper date night of 2026. Last weekend was spent recovering from all the Christmas celebrations, but this Saturday we were ready for a cute and cosy date night out again in the local town.
My look for the evening was this gorgeous backless top from Stradivarius in that luscious chocolate brown colour, a pair of flared dark wash jeans also from Stradivarius, pointed brown boot heels by Topshop and my favourite green velvet evening handbag by Sandro.
With the temperatures dropping below zero degrees here in the UK, I wrapped up in this oversized grey trench coat from NA-KD and completed the look with my trusty brown knitted beret from Urban Outfitters.
And not forgetting my stunning new clip-on earrings by Heaven Mayhem featuring the statement maroon stone and gold hardware; the perfect finishing touch for my winter date night look.
We decided to try a new Thai restaurant which has recently opened on Fleet highstreet called Tay Tar Thai.
Thai cuisine is one of our favourites so we were excited to experience somewhere new and see how it compared to our usual Thai locals.
I had a glass of red, my boyfriend ordered a beer and of course we ordered the prawn crackers with sweet chilli dip to nibble on as we browsed the menu.
My boyfriend had his usual chicken Penang curry with coconut rice, whilst I went for something a bit different and braved the fiery hot jungle curry with vegetables.
It was nice to have a lighter curry without the creaminess of the traditional coconut based dishes and despite the challenging heat, I really enjoyed my dish packed full of authentic veggies.
Whilst the food was good and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere, the service was very slow on a busy Saturday night and the prices more expensive than usual in comparison to our other local Thai restaurants.
With the weather absolutely freezing, we headed straight home for a cosy night on the sofa with the warming fire and a brilliant new romcom on Netflix ‘People We Meet On Vacation’.
A simple, wholesome date night was just what we needed on this dark, bitterly cold Saturday evening in early January ❤
As we find ourselves in this no mans land between Christmas and New Years, I’m grateful for a few days of rest and reset before it all kicks off again for NYE celebrations. Whilst I love celebrating with friends and spending quality time with family, I’m in need of some down time after four days of back to back festive fun.
Going back to Christmas Eve, I went to the local church to watch the children’s Nativity with my niece and they even had live donkeys!
I wore my new ASOS brown faux suede trench coat with the statement collar buttoned across and it looked super chic.
My Oliver Bonas leopard print beret was the finishing touch to this stylish fit.
That evening we went to the local pub where my Dad was dressing up as Santa Claus!
He made a very convincing Santa in his extra fancy costume and everyone thought he was great.
Soon lots of our friends arrived and I even treated myself to a cheeky Espresso Martini to finish the night.
On Christmas morning, my boyfriend and I exchanged gifts by the Christmas tree and I felt like a very lucky lady indeed when I opened my new MacBook.
My outfit of the day was this stunning New Look maroon puff sleeve top which just screams Christmas Day vibes paired with my Zara black straight leg jeans, ASOS square toe boot heels, my Sandro green velvet handbag, and a beautiful new By Alona pearl necklace, another generous gift from my boyfriend.
We spent Christmas Day at my boyfriend’s parents gorgeous new home along with my parents who they invited too.
I was in charge of canapés for which I made three different ones. First of all, smoked salmon cream cheese blinis are an absolute must on Christmas Day for me.
I also did honey glazed cocktail sausages and a goats cheese, walnut, prosciutto, honey bruschetta inspired by an appetiser we had in Mallorca earlier this year.
My boyfriend’s Dad did a top job cooking a delicious turkey roast complete with all the trimmings.
We had such a laugh playing games and getting competitive with the pub quiz which my Dad and I drew!
My Dad always likes to have a Christmas Pudding to dowse in brandy and light before serving for dessert.
It was a brilliant afternoon and evening with our parents who get along so well, it’s such a joy to see.
Boxing Day was our turn to host so I got the house prepped and ready for the family arriving at 1pm.
I went a little more casual with my fit on this day with a cute frill trim tie front cream cardigan, Stradivarius dark wash flared jeans, Topshop brown pointed toe boot heels, Heaven Mayhem statement gold earrings and my Polene Handbag for a touch of quiet luxury.
We were heading to the pub for a late lunch following our gift exchange, so I put out some nibbles as well as another batch of the leftover smoked salmon blinis.
There was a lot of presents to open and the girls were in their element being treated to so many new toys.
I love welcoming family and friends into our home and hosting at Christmas time is always particularly special.
We had a laugh seeing my nieces run riot in the back of my boyfriend’s truck; girls just wanna have fun!
We had 3pm reservations at a new local favourite pub, The Falcon in Rotherwick.
After a few sharing boards for a starter, I opted for my favourite vegan Durban jackfruit curry, a nice change from all the traditional festive food.
It was a superb afternoon with the family catching up, enjoying more good food and seeing my nieces having such fun together.
And don’t think the festivities ended there, the next day I was hosting again for my friends with their partners and kids.
Being an evening do starting at 5pm, it was nice to have the day to myself and plenty of time to get the house ready with drinks chilled, glasses out and nibbles served.
I decided to try making this crisps nacho plate I’d seen on TikTok and it turned out well with the combination of different textures and flavours, it was divine.
I used truffle flavoured crisps as the base topped with slices of prosciutto, torn up mozzarella, crunchy pickles and a drizzle of olive oil and black pepper to finish.
Soon everyone arrived and it was such a joy to have all my closest friends together again for more Christmas celebrations.
Everyone contributed and we ended up with lots of yummy party food to serve including hot canapés of battered prawn tails, breaded cheese bites, vegan nuggets and of course some oven pizzas.
Later in the evening once those with kids had left, the adults got a little excited and stayed up way past their bedtime….
But its moments like these when you’re back with your besties feeling like you’re kids again, which are so special and we always look back on fondly.
I’m extremely grateful to be surrounded by so many brilliant family and friends and I will never take for granted what a blessing that is.
So that sums up a very social Christmas period and now we hurtle towards the New Year. 2025 has been another brilliant year and now 2026 is on the horizon and I can’t wait to see what the universe has in store for me next ❤
It’s only three days to go until Christmas now and I can’t believe how quickly December has gone! This weekend we were invited to a friend’s wedding over in the Cotswolds and I was so excited to be going to my first ever winter wedding.
With the ceremony starting at 4:30pm, they fully leaned into the romantic winter vibes as we arrived at the church with the sun setting on a crisp, chilly Friday afternoon in December.
The church was glowing at sundown from the candles warmly inviting guests in, setting a dreamy, intimate backdrop for the bride and groom to take their vows.
Following the ceremony, wedding guests were transported in an old fashioned English red bus back to the reception taking place at The Feathered Nest County Inn, Oxfordshire.
With the grand Christmas tree, roaring fireplace and traditional English pub interiors, it was a wholesome and cosy venue ideal for a winter wedding reception.
For the occasion I wore a long sleeve, off the shoulder, long brown dress from ASOS, a pair of silver platform heels, my new vintage style pearl earrings from Heaven Mayhem, my timeless By Alona pearl detail necklace, Abbott Lyon gold bangle, and an iridescent Cult Gia inspired boxy handbag from Amazon.
After a champagne reception and delicious canapés, they proceeded with the speeches which were very well delivered and kept the guests entertained.
My favourite canapé was the whipped goats cheese and beetroot tartlet; a delightful bite of tasty, tangy flavours to whet the appetite.
Instead of the traditional sit-down wedding reception meal, they served a buffet of hearty dishes including beef bourguignon, vegetable dhal and a fish pie which was divine.
Later on the cake was cut and served alongside an impressive tower of cheese, so naturally I had a lovely plate of cheese, crackers and grapes to finish the night.
We stayed over nearby at The Lamb Inn, Great Rissington. We didn’t get time to experience much there other than sleeping in the very comfy bed, but the room was nicely done and the staff super friendly.
Having never experienced a winter wedding before I wasn’t sure what to expect, but with the backdrop of the picturesque Cotswolds and all the Christmas vibes in the air, it was a truly romantic celebration right out of a fairytale ❤
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.
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 ❤
On our final full day in NYC, we woke up to one of those crisp, blue-sky fall days where the light hits the buildings just right and the whole city seems to sparkle. It couldn’t have been a better setting for taking a helicopter ride over Manhattan.
We booked online with Heli NY just a few days prior, so we made our way to the Downtown Helicopter Port at 2:30pm ready for our 3:30pm flight.
Having done a helicopter ride over Dubai about 4 years ago we knew what to expect, but it still took my breath away as we took off for our flight above the city.
We swooped past the Statue of Liberty, her copper-green silhouette glowing in the afternoon sun, then glided along the Hudson with One World Trade Center standing tall and brilliant beneath us.
Another highlight was seeing Central Park from above with that perfect stretch of green carved into the grid of the city.
After we landed, but still floating a bit from excitement, we headed downtown and caught the ferry across the Hudson to DUMBO.
The water was calm, the breeze cool, and Manhattan shimmered behind us at golden hour as we made our way toward Brooklyn.
I did a quick outfit change just before dinner too, slipping into a cute brown mini dress paired with matching heels, my oversized Jaeger blazer, and my emerald-green velvet Sandro handbag.
A chic, classy look with a touch of cool girl in the oversized boxy blazer, perfect for a fall date night in the city.
Our dinner spot for the evening was the trendy Italian restaurant Cecconi’s.
With the Manhattan Bridge in the foreground and the sun setting over Downtown in the distance, the vibes were immaculate.
I started with a spicy Tommy’s Margarita because when in New York, how could I not on our final night!
For food I chose the burrata tomato pasta which was as heavenly as it sounds…
…and even better paired with a rich, warming glass of red.
My boyfriend went classic with a margarita pizza and we shared a fresh, peppery rocket salad that rounded everything out beautifully.
It was buzzing on a Thursday night and we couldn’t fault the delicious Italian feast we were treated to.
After dinner, we wandered along the riverfront taking in those picturesque nighttime views.
New York glowing, the river shimmering and the gentle hum of the bustling city in the background, simply iconic.
Eventually we hopped on the subway back to our hotel, tired but in that really satisfying way after a perfect day.
Our helicopter adventure, waterfront dinner in DUMBO, and atmospheric nighttime walk, wrapped up our trip to NYC in the most magical way imaginable ❤
During our week in New York we were keen to try different cuisines and on the Monday night, I had a craving for some Asian food. So after a quick look to see what was in the area, we found a popular Asian-fusion restaurant called TAO, just a five minute walk from our hotel.
I wore this Topshop playsuit which was giving classy Asian inspired vibes paired with nude heels, my velvet green Sandro handbag, and a small silk scarf thrown around my neck to complete the look.
We made an 8pm reservation and arrived a little early to enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails at the bar.
I ordered the TAO martini which was super sweet in taste and looked very aesthetic with the three raspberries for garnish.
We were then shown to our table in the main restaurant where we were seated at a booth with a view of the iconic sixteen foot tall Buddha statue.
I was excited to have some sushi and so I opted for the special crispy tuna roll which was delightful.
My boyfriend ordered the orange chicken which was more like sweet and sour, the sticky pork ribs, a side of rice and we shared a side of wok fried greens too.
Everything was delicious but safe to say we over ordered as the portions were very large; we should’ve known being in America!
It was only when I was watching an old Sex & The City episode the following week at home, that I realised Carrie Bradshaw and her friends attended the opening of TAO Uptown in season 4 episode 3.
We also happened to watch the movie Hitch when we got back from NYC and we spotted the TAO restaurant again as the location they filmed the speed dating scene. It would seem you’re never far from a famous location or celeb when in New York City!
It was a fabulous evening at TAO Uptown and a fun spot for date night with its lavish interiors, ultra trendy vibe and scrumptious Asian inspired menu. I’d recommend trying TAO if you’re in the city, just be sure to make a reservation in advance as this popular spot books up quick – https://taogroup.com/venues/tao-uptown-new-york/
After a weekend back in the English countryside, we are still on a high from our fabulous holiday exploring the very best of the one and only, City of New York.
It really is a city packed with so much to do and although we ticked a lot off our list of things to see, we’re already wanting to go back to experience more of this awesome concrete jungle.
Our hotel for the duration of our vacation was The Park Lane Hotel located on the very South end of Central Park.
The location was ideal as we were in the centre of the city with the beautiful green expanse of Central Park on our doorstep.
Darling Rooftop bar sits on the very top of the hotel where we enjoyed a specular breakfast on the Monday morning of our stay.
Like everything in New York the breakfast buffet came at a pricey cost of $75 per person, but with this experience only open to hotel guests, we couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity.
We also dined in their A La Carte restaurant Calvert’s on Sunday evening as everywhere else nearby was closing early that night.
I had the asparagus radish chickpea salad and my boyfriend had a tomato ragu pasta. Both dishes were delicious complimented with friendly service, something we discovered was unfortunately not always guaranteed even at the most premium restaurants in the city.
Our room was a good size with a super comfy bed, stylish interiors and a cool city view.
I especially liked the stylish bathroom with striped tiling.
Overall we were very pleased with our stay at Park Lane Hotel and would recommend to anyone visiting New York for the first time wanting to be amongst the hustle and bustle of the city.
We packed a lot into our seven days in NYC and made some incredible memories together whilst taking in the spectacle of The Big Apple.
With such a brilliant list of things to share including famous landmarks, iconic photo spots, scenic rooftop bars and our favourite restaurants, I thought I’d focus separately on each area we visited and what we did there in a series of posts called ‘The NYC Diaries’.
So be sure to subscribe to my blog to get notified for a very exciting series of posts to come about our trip of dreams to New York City ❤
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
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!
Having opened earlier this year, The Third Monkey is a new independently owned gastropub and cocktail bar located in the heart of Farnham. So on Saturday we went for a pre-dinner aperitif on their picturesque terrace to welcome in the long back holiday weekend.
Despite the clouds coming over for sunset, the setting was still lovely with views of Farnham church and a buzzing atmosphere as the bar and restaurant filled up on a weekend evening.
I wore my low back leopard print body from Zara with a pair of flared white Mango jeans, my Sol Concept ruffle mules from Bali and the cutest square hard shell evening bag from Amazon.
This bag is giving Cult Gia vibes and one of the waitresses even complimented me on it; what a winner bargain purchase!
With an extensive wine list I couldn’t resist a glass of vino, so I chose a Vermentino white from Puglia Italy which was deliciously crisp, mineral and refreshing.
My boyfriend went for an unusual tropical style cocktail made of coconut tequila, lychee, pisco and pandan. It was nice but not quite up to standard for its £16 price tag.
I was making dinner at home but my boyfriend was peckish, so he ordered the buttermilk chicken, house hot sauce and chive crème fraiche. A tasty dish and beautifully presented, but at £9 it was a very small portion and could’ve been served with some sort of garnish or small salad.
There were lots of couples on date night and girlfriends out for drinks which made for a perfectly chill yet buzzing atmosphere.
The decor inside was very aesthetic too with the glamorous upstairs cocktail bar complete with an opulent chandelier feature over the stairs.
We enjoyed our experience at The Third Monkey but it would seem they are still finding their feet with their standard of service and the quality of the food and cocktails.
We would be keen to go again in the winter season to experience their downstairs restaurant which was giving cool London or New York cosmopolitan vibes.
If you live in the area The Third Monkey is one to add to the list for a special date night or glam cocktails with the girls – https://thirdmonkeyfarnham.com/#menus
Dani Aneka 