Tulum Travel Diaries;  My 31st Birthday Celebrations

Being a January baby, escaping the UK winter in search of warmer climates is always the best way to spend my birthday. So for our winter dose of sun at the start of this year, we jetted off to Mexico and enjoyed two glorious weeks in the coastal town of Tulum.

My birthday on the 26th January was about halfway through our holiday, and it was the most perfect sunny day in Mexico which started with some chilled time on the beach.

I had a fresh coconut to enjoy as I read my book, before dipping our feet in the ocean.

My birthday bikini of choice was this cute butter yellow number with ruffle details.

These butter yellow ruffle hot-pants were the ideal finishing touch to my beachside look.

After a few hours relaxing in our cabana, we walked down the beach to have a couples massage.

With the sound of the ocean waves and palms rustling in the light breeze, it was the most dreamy location to indulge in a massage together.

We then walked along the beach road to find the famous Escultura Ven a la Luz.

This iconic work of art by Daniel Popper is a 10 meter tall sculpture made with steel, wood, rope and greenery.

Ven a la Luz  meaning ‘Come to the Light‘, represents the harmony between people and nature and is one of the most instagrammable spots in Mexico.

An afternoon pickup was in need, so we popped into Starbucks for iced coffees and some fruit to snack on.

It was then time for a spot of shopping in the many boho-chic boutiques which line the beach road in Tulum.

I treated myself to a stunning handmade top with flared sleeves and tassels from this shop called Las Lulas.

At £80 it wasn’t cheap, but I just loved the hippy-chic vibe of this piece and the level of detail is exquisite.

Casa Pink Revolver was another lovely boutique selling gorgeous gold jewellery, so I purchased this chunky statement gold ring to add to my collection.

I was yet to choose a gift for my boyfriend to get for me, so with a Sunglasses Hut just down the street, I couldn’t resist the Miu Miu classic round shape sunnies which have been on my wish list for so long.

Not a huge amount of gifts, but each very high quality pieces which I will get a lot of wear out of both on holidays and back home.

Soon the early evening crept up on us and I was hoping for another sunset moment on the rooftop of our hotel, but a huge storm came in bringing buckets of rainfall with it, so we headed back to our room to get ready for the evening.

My birthday dinner fit was this incredible Flook The Label chocolate brown maxi beach dress that my boyfriend bought me for my 30th birthday last year in Bali.

This dress is such a flattering cut and the perfect vibe for a special evening out on holiday.

To complete the look I wore my By Alona pearl necklace, Heaven Mayhem statement gold earrings, my gold swirl bangle, ruffle mule heels from Sol Concept, and my little Bottega dupe handbag from Topshop.

Beachy, sexy and a touch of glam with the pearls, I truly felt like the birthday girl in this outfit.

My restaurant of choice for birthday dinner celebrations was Ilios Greek in the centre of the Tulum beach road.

We’d visited this place earlier in our trip and it was such a fun party vibe with delicious Greek food, we had to come back for my birthday.

In traditional Greek style we did the plate smashing which was super fun.

Then they gave everyone sparklers and we all danced on our chairs!

I ordered my all time favourite, a Greek feta salad which was simply divine.

We also shared the flatbread with hummus, a hearty moussaka, and a fresh green avocado salad.

I had such a fun evening celebrating my birthday and was even surprised with a cupcake and candle from my boyfriend back at our hotel to finish the night.

Another wonderful birthday spent in paradise with the sand between my toes, sunshine on my skin and a big smile on my face; hello chapter 31 ❤

It’s Date Night Darling

Following a month full of busy weekends hosting guests and attending other social events, this Saturday we could finally enjoy a romantic date night just us two. Me and my boyfriend love a nice dinner out so I booked Megan’s On West Street in Farnham, a cute spot for a romantic evening together.

It was the perfect opportunity to debut my new Zara black halter neck top with gold detail, paired with Stradivarius straight leg jeans and my Next khaki mule heels.

To complete the look I wore my oversized vintage Jaegar blazer and this gorgeous East-West style baguette handbag, another new piece in my wardrobe from H&M.

Farnham is such a picturesque town with pretty corners perfect for street style photos; cue my boyfriend being the best Instagram hubby getting all my good angles!

I love the aesthetic interiors at Megan’s giving Mediterranean chic vibes and there’s always a wonderfully buzzing atmosphere in the restaurant on a weekend.

For food I opted for the chicken avocado salad whilst my boyfriend had the chicken thigh kebab plate. We shared some charred broccoli, blistered padron peppers of course and ordered a side of their date bbq dip which is a delicious twist on the traditional recipe.

We finished the night with cocktails at The Luxe, a newer cocktail bar and restaurant in Farnham tucked away in the Lion and Lamb Yard. With ornate interiors and plush seating, they offer a very different dining experience with fun themed events such as MaMa Mia nights and bottomless brunches with live music.

I had a classic Tommy’s Margarita and my boyfriend chose the Lychee Martini. Well made cocktails, lovely service and lavish interiors for that elevated experience, a fabulous spot for a night cap or two.

Nothing makes me happier than a charming old school date night with my love ❤

Wedding Guest Dress; A Butter Yellow Moment

A springtime wedding in the UK can be risky on the weather front, but thankfully this weekend we were treated to gorgeous sunshine in time for our friend’s wedding on Saturday.

Being hosted on the bride’s family’s land and therefore outside and in a marquee all day, finding the right outfit was a little challenging. I almost wore a short dress which I already had in my wardrobe, however after I saw this Oh Polly dress on ASOS I thought this was the perfect solution.

With it’s simple yet flattering cut and eye-catching butter yellow colour, this dress ticked all the boxes for me.

Shoe choice had to be carefully considered too given we were in a field, so I also ordered from ASOS this pair of gold strappy mules with a low block heel so I didn’t sink in the grass!

To compliment the dress I wore my ASOS oversized flower earrings with pearl detail, my Abbott Lyon gold bangle, Abbott Lyon anklet and my usual mix of vintage gold rings.

I opted for this cute yellow handbag which I bought in Bali and of course my MiuMiu sunnies to complete the look in the sunshine.

I was really happy with my fit for the day as I felt elegant and classy but still comfortable which is key for a long wedding day. Butter yellow is the colour of the season and I think it was the perfect statement for a sunny springtime wedding ❤

Friday Feels; All Black Everything

As I get back into the swing of full-time work again and we can finally socialise once more, I was truly feeling those Friday high vibes as my second week back to work came to a close.

No messing about, I was at the pub by 6pm with a drink in hand and ready for an overdue catchup with my girls. The place was buzzing and it was amazing to get a taste of normal life again!

I opted to go back to black for my Friday night look. Simple, classic and sexy, you just can’t go wrong in all black everything.

A few hours later and a couple glasses of wine down, it was time to go for dinner with my boyfriend. We went to another one of our favourite pubs ‘The Crown and Cushion’, funnily enough the last place we ate out at during Christmas before this lockdown!

This pub does my boyfriend’s favourite ribs in the area, so it was a must to visit as soon as restaurant dining opened back up. I got a chicken caesar salad and sweet potato fries accompanied with more vino of course…

Then to finish I simply couldn’t resist my guilty pleasure, an Espresso Martini. Coffee, sugar and alcohol all in one, I really have missed the dark temptation of my favourite night-cap. Bring on the Friyay feels ❤