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 ❤

Howdy Late September Sun

Although September officially marks the end of Summer and start of Autumn, we tend to forget what a lovely month September can be.

So with the weather forecast set to be a scorcher this weekend, I made the most of it and took my Mini Cooper for a topdown spin around the country lanes as soon as I finished work on Friday.

I just love getting my roof down on the Cooper and soaking up the summer sun, something I haven’t got to do a lot this summer given the rubbish August weather unfortunately.

I was channelling my inner cowgirl with this fun outfit inspired by my awesome Lack of Colours cream rancher hat and my Stradivarius brown cowboy boots.

I wore a pair of Levi 501 dark wash denim shorts, this Zara waistcoat style striped yellow-orange shirt, my Celine dupe H&M brown check handbag, classic round frame Ray Ban sunnies and a blue paisley neckerchief to complete the cowgirl aesthetic.

That evening we rode our bikes to the pub and had an al fresco dinner back home with that lovely warm summer evening air. As the sun set and the stars came out, our gorgeous solar powered lanterns and spotlights lit up the garden; I just love cosying up outside on warm summer nights like these.

The next evening we were off to the Aviator Hotel in Farnborough for cocktails and dinner on their outdoor terrace.

When we arrived, the sun was just setting over Farnborough Airport and the sky was the perfect hue of pink and orange.

It was stunning watching the final few minutes of golden hour as private jets took off and landed at the airport, making for the picture perfect moment.

I always have to get a photo on the famous feature staircase at the Aviator Hotel every time we visit as it’s such a unique piece of interior design, I love it.

For the occasion I wore my Zara white cropped flared jeans, this backless tie back baby blue crop top, my favourite Senso blush pink mule heels, my Dune London white crochet gold chain handbag, MiuMiu sunnies popped on my head and a chic flower neck corsage to finish my elegant date night look.

Out on the terrace we had magnificent views of the airfield as dusk set in and the moon rose. I started with this sweet Amaretto Mango Sour cocktail, a refreshing beverage to quench my thirst on such a humid evening.

For dinner we ordered from their bar menu as opposed to the Brasserie and we were very happy with our food choices. My boyfriend went for the BBQ glazed ribs with smokey beans, slaw and fries which was all delicious.

I had a summer salad of Ox tomato, buffalo mozzarella, grilled peach, balsamic glaze and grilled chicken. The combination of fresh flavours was heavenly and the addition of sweet peach paired perfectly with this traditional dish.

My post dinner cocktail of choice was of course an Espresso Martini and it didn’t disappoint, this was one of the best I’ve ever had!

It was another clear and starry night which we enjoyed sat outside back home in our garden with a glass of red as our night cap.

So it would seem sun has set on the Summer 2023 season here in the UK, however we’re lucky enough to be going on holiday next week to Cyprus, where their summer doesn’t show any signs of ending yet… so stay tuned for more summer holiday content to come! ❤

Turkish Tales; Balmy Nights

Whilst Balmy Beach Resort is a tropical paradise by day, it also comes alive at night with live music every evening and cocktails served until the early hours.

I love getting dressed up for evening dinners on holiday and having fun with cute outfits I wouldn’t get a chance to wear out at home.

With our first proper evening at the resort being a Friday night, weekend vibes were in the air from noon and by dusk the live DJ was getting the atmosphere buzzing at the beach bar.

I wore this Stradivarius skort paired with my favourite floral wrap frill blouse, these ASOS woven sliders and my new Dune white crochet handbag with gold chain which I brought in duty free at the airport.

When we were at the airport on our journey over to Turkey, I also decided to really splash out and treat myself to these magnificent MuiMui sunglasses.

I wanted to debut them for our special romantic dinner for two on Saturday evening at the Balmy a la carte restaurant.

First up though, it was sundowners at the beach bar where I enjoyed a glass of bubbly in this beautiful champagne flute looking so elegant next to by cute new bag.

Having got a golden glow from the first few days of sun, I decided to wear this white body con middy dress I got in Australia years ago paired with my pear detail sliders, a pair of oversized white shell earrings and my By Alona gold chain pearl necklace which I wore almost every night, the perfect holiday jewellery piece.

I was feeling very St Tropez in all white complete with those killer sunnies and sipping my champagne at that beautiful boho beach bar.

There’s nothing like dining al fresco on holiday with that salty sea air and mellow pink and blue sky as the sunsets and dusk draws in.

We had a wonderful evening together enjoying delicious food and being looked after so well by our lovely waiter; can you tell he was making me laugh here 😉

Sunday night I wore this tropical print maxi dress which is completely backless and features a flattering thigh split. Very little accessories needed with this number, the dress does all the talking.

That evening the live music was over at the garden bar, where we sat in the charming surroundings of the courtyard and could gaze up at the stars in the night sky.

Monday night I went a little more casual with these black crochet Zara shorts, my boho print bardot style croptop, those timeless ASOS plaited sliders and my usual gold jewellery to complete the look.

And once again we found ourselves down at the buzzing beach bar for post dinner drinks and another live band session.

For the final night we got dressed up and ready for dinner in time for golden hour down by the pool and beach bar.

I had to get out my favourite summer minidress from Abercrombie & Fitch, paired with this pastel pink shell detail ASOS clutch for a pop of colour, and of course my new MuiMui babies.

That golden hour glow was giving me all the fuzzy feels and I just wanted to bottle that magical moment forever.

Once the sun hid behind the mountains and the pastel pink sky set in, we went for pre-dinner cocktails at the beach bar.

We couldn’t have wished for a more exquisite setting for our final dinner at Balmy Beach.

Later in the evening the crescent moon came out to sit just above the mountains at dusk; how peaceful and spiritual this moment felt.

And so that marked the end of our stay at Balmy Beach Resort and we couldn’t be more grateful to the staff who were so kind and friendly in making our time there an absolute joy and pleasure.

Sunset views and moonlit hues; goodnight Balmy Beach ❤

Turkish Tales; Balmy Days Like These

Ahhh what I would give to be back in the paradise of Balmy Beach Resort Kemar. Following a week of sunshine, relaxing poolside, eating exquisite food and drinking all kinds of delicious cocktails, we returned from our wonderful week away in Turkey last Wednesday evening.

Set between the mountains and the beach on the coast of Kemar in Turkey, the views at Balmy Beach Resort make for the most picture perfect backdrop.

When you exit the reception, you are greeted with this spectacular walkway with the hotel rooms and palm trees framing that breathtaking view of the mountains.

We had a lovely spacious room overlooking the main walkway complete with a large balcony, a super comfy bed, double wardrobes, a large bathroom with walk in waterfall shower and complimentary mini bar stocked with all the flavoured sodas you could wish for.

The interiors and decor of Balmy Beach are very Grecian meets Bali vibes and I’m obsessed!

On Sunday I was having a pink moment in my Bond Eye Swim candy pink bikini and those cherry pink cocktails to match.

One of my favourite spots to sip my cocktail and read my book was at the beach bar where they had these cute egg chairs, which I now need to get at home for our garden too.

Alongside all the amazing cocktails, we ate like king and queen being on the all inclusive deal.

The buffet selection was always so fresh and superbly presented.

From whole grilled fish and chicken kebabs, to colourful salads with exotic dips and deliciously prepared vegetable dishes, there was something for everyone.

There was even a whole deli counter where you could plate yourself a cheese platter or charcuterie board, right up my street.

Our all inclusive deal even included dining at the a la carte restaurant.

We had dinner here on the Saturday night and were so impressed, we went again for dinner and a few lunches too.

Whilst the dinner was fine dining, the lunch menu included pastas, pizzas, burgers, salads and more traditional lunch options.

My boyfriend was obsessed with the chicken schnitzel and had it on two occasions, which being part German is saying something for sure!

There is even a Balmy Cafe with a wide selection of coffee options served hot or cold. Our daily afternoon poolside treat was an iced coffee with one of their sugar free syrups.

Of course we like to stay fit and active on holiday too, so we made an effort to use their excellent gym facilities as well as the tennis court for a few games.

Handstand practice with this backdrop was a dream, wish I could workout in front of the mountains everyday.

These massive beanbag chairs out on the pontoon were super comfy and another picturesque spot to relax and soak up the hot Turkish sun.

Being out by the sea is my favourite place to be and so peaceful just listening to the waves lapping by the shore.

I’m such a water baby and had to take a dip in the ocean whilst we were out on the pontoon.

Sunset was a little earlier given the sun dipped behind the mountains by about 7pm every evening.

So sundown poolside when most people had left to get ready for dinner was the best way to make the most of my favourite time of day; tranquil bliss for golden hour.

Now these are my kinda Monday blues sitting poolside after a long lunch, sipping an iced coffee and reading my book.

We even treated ourselves to a much needed couples massage at their stunning spa with the most tranquil setting overlooking this pebbled pool and luscious palm trees.

I loved every minute of our time at the beautiful Balmy Beach Beach Resort and left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, not to mention wanting to redecorate our own house balmy beach style.

Balmy Beach June23, what a dream ❤

Cocktails and Besties Q&A

Happy Sunday! The sun is finally shining here in Hampshire, so yesterday afternoon I invited my best friend over for drinks in the garden and we decided to film a besties Q&A for my YouTube channel.

We had such a laugh and it was a lot of fun reminiscing on memories together. We also did some quick fire ‘This or That’ and ‘Would you rather’ which we found inspo for on Pinterest.

Later that evening we ordered Dominos pizzas with our boyfriends and enjoyed a cute double date night in our dining room. A picture perfect afternoon and evening together.

What a wholesome evening with my bestie and our boyfriends and I’m looking forward to editing the Q&A which will be out on my YouTube channel (@Dani Aneka) next week, so stay tuned!

Festive Feels; Let’s Deck the Halls

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

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

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

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

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

London Town; Summer in the City

Happy Sunday babes! I can’t believe it’s already the final day of July… where is summer going? This Saturday me and my boyfriend took a little day trip into London town to make use of our Buy A Gift vouchers we had for a Thames river cruise and the London Eye.

We started the day with a quick browse on Bond Street before heading to Carnaby Street for lunch at Kingly Court. We had our favourite vegan burritos in town from Club Mexicana, a fully vegan Mexican restaurant chain which even meat eaters will love.

From Westminster Pier we then caught a City Cruise boat for a tour down the river. It was great to see the city from a different perspective on the river and the live tour guide commentary was very interesting and actually quite amusing too.

Despite it being overcast, it was in fact a very warm and pleasant summers day in London. Following our cruise down the Thames, unfortunately we didn’t make it in time for the London Eye which to our surprise, closes at 6pm! So instead we went to Between the Bridges on Southbank for pre-dinner drinks, naughty chippies and some live music.

For dinner I booked us a table at Cote located at Hays Galleria with a terrace over looking London Bridge. It was lovely warm summers evening perfect for an al fresco dinner riverside.

I had my favourite Paillard Salad served with chargrilled chicken breast, French beans, endive, lettuce, hazelnuts, croûtons, tarragon and caper dressing. My boyfriend had the classic minute steak served pink with garlic butter, peppercorn sauce and frites. As usual the food at Cote was divine and service was fantastic, French cuisine at its finest!

I couldn’t resist a cheeky Espresso Martini to finish my meal. We had a long train journey back so this was more than necessary and the perfect way to end our summers day in the city, as those stunning golden hues showered the sky at sundown ❤

A Fairytale Wedding Come True

Whilst Friday 13th is seen as unlucky for some, my two best friends went against the odds and chose Friday 13th August 2021 to tie the knot. With ongoing Covid restrictions forcing them to reschedule three times, this date was a long time coming in the diary and it sure didn’t disappoint as we were treated to the most fabulous of Wedding celebrations.

The stunning bride was absolutely breathtaking alongside her beautiful bridesmaids and gorgeous bouquet arrangements featuring one of my favourite flowers, Gypsophilas. The excitement and anticipation in the air made for a buzzing atmosphere and happy smiles all around and all day long.

After capturing that token confetti throwing shot, we waved off the newlyweds in their Rolls-Royce followed by the bridesmaids loving life in their super cool VW camper van!

At Tylney Hall we were greeted with bubbles and canapés on the terrace over looking the picturesque grounds, perfect for photo opportunities with my favourite girls.

It was a truly idyllic setting as the live acoustic musicians played and we sipped our bubbly savouring the moment.

What a joy it was to be back in the company of so many old friends from school and sharing such a special day together amongst the most beautiful backdrop of Tylney Hall.

Soon we were ushered to the Wedding Breakfast where we could finally give our feet a rest and indulge in a delicious three course meal.

Everything was just exquisite and every detail thought out and perfectly executed. The day went far too quickly and once we got on the dance floor, the night ran away with us as we had the time of our lives celebrating together like we were teenagers again!

Thank you Jess and Ryan for pulling off a truly magnificent day and wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together ❤