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!
If you’ve been here for a while, you know that I love getting dressed up in a cute outfit and going on a fancy little date night with my boyfriend. So this Saturday night we booked one of our favourite spots for a romantic dinner complete with all the vibes and also tried a new bar for pre-dinner cocktails.
For the occasion I wore my white Zara miniskirt, asymmetric gold ring detail taupe coloured top, Next square toe nude mule heels, my By Alona pearl necklace and an ASOS khaki oversized clutch bag to complete the look.
It was another warm summers evening so I wore my Miu Miu statement sunglasses for the short walk to the bar and didn’t need a jacket all evening.
First stop was The Guilford Townhouse which has recently been taken over and renovated by the Coppa Club chain. We headed up to their rooftop where you’ll find The Burton Bar, a cocktail bar with style, substance and lively evening energy.
My cocktail of choice was a classic Margarita and we enjoyed our drinks in front of the glamorous feature bar in the super comfy, plush sofa seating.
It wasn’t too busy at 7pm, but I imagine it’s the kind of place that’s more popular later in the evening when the DJ sets start at about 9pm. With its elegant interiors inspired by the 1920s art deco style, this was the perfect setting to enjoy a cocktail and set the vibes for night ahead.
Our reservation at The Ivy Asia was at 8:15pm, so we made the short walk up Guildford Highstreet to Castle Street where the Ivy is located. My heels might have been quite high, but I swear by the Next forever comfort range which are always the comfiest and easiest to walk in heels.
Every inch of The Ivy Asia decor is exquisite and so beautifully aesthetic, even the bathrooms are a must visit when you’re there.
The restaurant was buzzing on a Saturday night with a live DJ and even a live electric violinist walking around the restaurant floor to entertain guests, how brilliant!
Whilst the gorgeous emerald green luminous flooring might grab your attention first, never forget to look up at the wonderful ceiling murals and pretty cherry blossom flowers overhead.
Having been quite a few times to The Ivy Asia now, we had a good idea of what we wanted and one thing that was top of our list, was the golden aromatic half duck traditionally served with the pancakes and all the condiments including hoisin sauce.
I had to have a plate of their fresh house-made sushi so I opted for the spicy tuna sesame roll.
The cucumber peanut chilli coriander lime salad was also a must for me and it didn’t disappoint. The creamy nutty sauce combines so well with the fresh crunch of the cucumber, whilst the chilli adds a subtle hint of spice.
My boyfriend also ordered the chilli noodles, wok fried greens and Gochujang glazed chicken which he really rated and remembered as another highlight from our last visit.
We ordered well and savoured every bite of our delectable Asian spread.
Needless to say we didn’t hold back and definitely over ordered, so we took our leftovers home in the fanciest doggy bag I’ve ever seen, how adorable!
The Ivy Asia is always such a brilliant option for all occasions from date nights and girly dinners, to birthday parties and celebrations, vibes are on point and the food is divine.
To find your closest Ivy Asia and experience all the fun and glamour for yourself, checkout their website here.
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 ❤
Cosy season is here which means the winter wardrobe is back so I can say hello again to my favourite chunky knits, fun faux fur coats and beloved collection of boots for all occasions.
I’ve always been a lover of all shades of browns from lighter camel and tan tones, to deeper rich hues and even maroon. So you can imagine my delight when the Autumn/Winter 24 runways displayed a luscious palette of delicious brown hues throughout many collections, reflected in the fashion week street style too.
A recent order from ASOS reflects my current obsession for earthy tones with this stone coloured maxi cardigan, a deep dark brown backless long sleeve top by Stradivarius, and this stylish button through peplum waistcoat in a classic brown stripe fabric.
I styled my new long cardigan by ASOS Design with a pair of khaki Jamie jeans by Topshop, a striped bandeau top from H&M and this cute chocolate brown knitted beret from Urban Outfitters a few years ago; a chic accessory which will never go out of style.
Another new addition to my wardrobe recently was also this oversized rich brown knitted vest featuring statement gold buttons and large front pockets, super handy for popping my phone in too.
I channeled my inner country cowgirl with a pair of brown cowboy boots from Stradivarius tucked into a pair of high waisted dark wash ripped jeans by Abercrombie & Fitch. A simple outfit combo which nods to the current trends but tailored to my personal style.
We’re even seeing chocolate brown replacing black interiors as it pairs perfectly with so many neutral tones and creates a cosy vibe for spaces inside the home. Needless to say, chocolate brown is here to stay as the go-to neutral shade, elevating even the simplest of outfits to give your look that effortless, cool girl aesthetic ❤
Majestic; having or showing impressive beauty or scale…and Monaco sure was that in every way!
From the grand beauty of the famous Monte-Carlo Casino Square, to the magnificent Prince’s Palace overlooking the stunning harbour filled with millionaire’s super yachts, every corner of the city is a spotless, picture perfect moment.
So here is a completion of those cinematic scenes from our holiday to Monaco, complete with slow motion clips to fully channel my inner Bond Girl starring in her own music video.
Happy Sunday! This week I’m sharing some outfit inspo for what feels like a never ending, rainy winter we find ourselves in here in England.
For my daytime look when working from home on Friday, I kept it very comfy and casual with a pair of grey flare leggings which I picked up in Primark this week and I’m loving, so now I’m keen to get a good quality pair from Alo or Tala. I then wore this camel knit jumper with cute backless detail and my Ugg platform slippers to complete the cosy fit.
To meet friends for drinks at the pub that evening, I changed into my Neuw black denim jeans tucked into these killer snake skin long boots, which I toned down with a simple knitted nude boxy fit cardigan with gold buttons. An oversized long grey trench coat from Na-kd kept me warm and dry from the rain.
I have to admit these boots are not my usual style, but they were on sale in Primark and I can see them being a fun piece for transitioning into spring paired with dresses, skirts and shorts. The key is to keep the rest of the outfit fairly simple and let the boots do the talking. They’re giving Paris Texas vibes but at a fraction of the price, I’m obsessed ❤
Friday 26th January 2024, my 29th Birthday and entering the final year of my twenties!
Waking up on Friday morning, it was a gloriously sunny day with clear blue skies and a crisp winters chill in the air as I took my morning walk.
I was working from home for the day, so I decided to move to the sofa for the afternoon and put ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ on as I enjoyed my coffee and answered emails.
Once 5pm rolled around and work was wrapped up for the week, I got myself glammed up and ready for an evening of celebrations.
My Birthday fit was a pair of flared tailored black trousers from Zara, a dusty pink bandeau also from Zara, my silk Le Scarf neckerchief, a cropped nude cardigan with gold buttons, my ASOS lace up maroon heels, plenty of gold jewellery to accessorise, a vintage Jaegar green oversized blazer to keep me warm and my Sandro velvet green handbag to complete the look.
At 6pm I went to our local pub for a drink with my Dad, where they gave me a glass of bubbles on the house and even brought out a Happy Birthday brownie.
We then had 8:30pm reservations at The Ivy Asia in Guildford, so my boyfriend kindly drove me and my parents there after we finished catching up with friends at the pub.
I always love visiting The Ivy Asia with its opulent interiors and buzzing atmosphere, especially on a Friday night.
We started with duck pancakes for the table before ordering a number of their smaller sharer plates.
We had all sorts of dishes from spicy tuna sushi rolls and king prawn skewers, to Korean fried chicken bites and claypot chickpea pepper curry. Every mouthful was so delicously flavoursome and my parents even said it was the best Asian meal they’d ever had!
Saturday morning we got out early to go to Bicester Village designer outlet in Oxford.
The shopping day cute and cosy look was a pair of Stradivarius blue flared jeans, an off shoulder brown jumper, my platform Ugg boots, an earthy tone wool scarf which I got for my Birthday, my Coach signature print cross body bag, a faux fur black Ugg coat and my favourite khaki baker boy hat from Mango.
Being a weekend, the shops were quite busy and unlike my previous visit to Bicester, there wasn’t much that was particularly jumping out at me.
We couldn’t leave empty handed though and I needed a Birthday gift from my boyfriend, so I was thrilled to find a the perfect gold ring from Monica Vinader to add to my jewellery collection.
Later that evening we were invited over to my parents house with my brother, his wife and my adorable niece Layla who I had lots of cuddles with, I just love being an Auntie!
My mum cooked her famous Spaghetti Bolognese and I did what I do best making a big salad of rocket, cherry tomatoes, avocado, parmesan shavings and balsamic vinegar. Good company, home cooked food and divine red wine, this made me a very happy girly.
Before I knew it, Sunday was here and I spent the afternoon with more family including my other darling niece and my wonderful Grandma. This card from my sister was brilliant, it’ll be a right laugh trying those poses next time I’m having a cocktail.
So that concludes my 29th Birthday celebrations and I couldn’t be more grateful of where I am at this time in my life. I want to embrace this final year of my twenties and look forward to another 12 months of growth, learning and achievements; cheers to chapter 29 ❤
On the last weekend of November every year, UK retailers offer their biggest discounts in an effort to boost sales just before Christmas. It can be tempting to end up purchasing things you hadn’t planned on buying previously given the irresistible deals, so my rule is to do your research and know exactly what you want before hunting for the best discounts during the sales.
I’ve been lusting after a Coach handbag for a while now, and whilst the Tabby style which I had originally wanted wasn’t included in any of the discounts during Black Friday, I did stumble across another style in their new season collection which I’m even more obsessed with.
After scanning the internet for discount codes on different luxury buying platforms, I discovered that the website 24 Stories based in Paris, was offering the best deal with a generous 30% discount on the Coach Mira Shoulder Bag In Signature Canvas. This was better than the Coach website itself which was only doing 20% off, so I ended up saving £118 and getting the bag for just £285 from 24 Stories.
As a new season bag and best seller in the Coach line, the Mira Bag is now back to full price retailing at £395, so I was super chuffed with my fabulous find. I couldn’t wait to style her with a head to toe tonal outfit to match the rich brown and red hues of the autumnal leaves; she even matches my hot chocolate brown Mini Cooper!
I love how versatile this design is with the longer strap to wear it across body for a more casual look, or the short chain shoulder strap to style it with an evening outfit. The quality is stunning, it’s got a lot of room inside for a shoulder bag, and the classic design means this bag will never go out of fashion, it’s timeless ❤
The only other order I placed during Black Friday was on ASOS. As you can see, there’s a clear theme in the colours here as I am leaning towards those earthy, neutral tones which I am enjoying styling particularly during this fall season.
I bagged myself a dark brown Cotton On tie front cardi top, a khaki long sleeved backless top by Bershka, this stunning teracotta knot front asymmetric swimsuit by a London brand called Catch, and finally a smokey blue Miss Selfridge sporty style playsuit unitard. ASOS was offering 30% off site wide, so these were all a great saving too.
On reflection, Black Friday can be a trap to spending money which we should be saving for Christmas. However if you do your research and find a deal on items you were going to purchase anyway, or you know there’s some Christmas presents for loved ones you could make a saving on, then that’s smart shopping I believe 🙂
Working in events, part of my job involves venue finding and hotel visits to scope out the best suited venues for our guests. This weekend I was kindly invited for a two night complimentary stay along with a guest to Cheshire’s Country Estate, Carden Park Hotel & Spa. With an itinerary of outdoor activities including zip lining, a gameshow gala dinner with drinks reception, and a full spa morning at their award winning spa, we were in for a fun few days experiencing the very best of Carden Park.
Arriving on Friday evening after a long four hour drive all the way from Hampshire, me and my boyfriend checked in and were greeted with a bag of treats, a bottle of their own estate sparkling wine, and this delightful dessert platter.
We unpacked and headed straight for the pool to relax and unwind following our long road trip.
A pre-dinner jacuzzi dip was the perfect way to welcome in the weekend ahead.
Soon it was time to get ready for our dinner date in Redmond’s Brasserie at 8pm.
I wore my Topshop flared split hem black trousers with this blue corset bardot top, my Boohoo electric blue mules and my new green velvet Sandro handbag.
We were generously gifted our meal along with a bottle of wine too, so we had the house red and started with the spiced butternut squash soup whilst we browsed the menu.
I opted for a favourite of mine, Caesar salad served with king prawns, whilst my boyfriend had the steak burger topped with onion rings and served with thin fries.
The restaurant was buzzing on a Friday night and despite being fully booked, the staff were attentive and the food was very nice indeed.
After dinner we went for a nightcap at the bar where we got cocktails, before heading to our room to watch Graham Norton on TV; can’t miss out on our Friday night winter tradition!
Saturday morning we awoke to the most gorgeous sunny day in Cheshire and this picture perfect view over the estate grounds from our hotel room.
We met our hosts from the hotel at 9am in the library and made our way over to the activity centre for a morning of team building games.
The activities were a mixture of logical puzzles and physical games, so there was something for everyone and it was a brilliant ice breaker to get to know everyone else on the FAM trip.
After a hot chocolate back inside to warm up, we got geared up and ready to take on the giant zip line.
Whilst it was a little nerve racking jumping off the platform, this was an awesome experience and amazing way to see right across the estate from up there. We couldn’t have been more lucky with the sunshine too, what a day for it!
At midday we had a buffet lunch and then we went back to our room to freshen up, before heading out for the afternoon to explore the local area.
For our trip into Chester I wore my Stradivarius vintage flared jeans paired with a white long sleeve pearl button through top, my Le Scarf neckerchief, a Zara cropped aviator shearling jacket, classic DKNY handbag, and my platform chelsea boot Uggs which I’m living in this winter.
Carden Park even has its own sculpture garden which we had to take a look around before heading into town.
Just a short 20 minute drive away from the hotel is the historical city of Chester with its picturesque streets lined with boutique shops, cute cafes, eclectic bars and different restaurants.
After a stroll around the magnificent Cathedral and a spot of shopping too, we stumbled across this hidden bar located down one of the many quaint alleyways which are tucked away off the main high-street.
Weekend vibes were in full swing and I was in my element sipping my bubbly as we soaked up our surroundings and the buzzing atmosphere of Chester on a Saturday arvo.
My purchase of the day was this Ganni beanie from Flannels which I’ve had my eye on for a while, so it was meant to be when I saw it.
Back at the hotel, we got ready for the drinks reception in the Shooting Suite at 7pm.
I loved the smart, tonal colours of my outfit on this evening featuring my C’est Normal brown tailored trousers, Missguided blush pink tie front blouse, a pair of Next square toe nude mules, these fabulous gold statement earrings, and not forgetting my velvet green Sandro handbag to complete the glam look.
Upon arrival to the drinks reception we were served a pink gin fizz cocktail and canapés to whet our appetite.
The dinner was hosted gameshow style, so the four tables of ten went up against each other throughout the evening to be crowned winners. Unfortunately our table didn’t win, but we gave it a good shot with second place and had a laugh together in the process.
We were treated to a four course menu curated by Executive Chef Graham Tinsley MBE, who talked us through the journey and details of each course too.
To start was a fish dish of pan fried mullet with bouillabaisse sauce, saffron potatoes, rouille emulsion, garlic croutes and tempura mussels.
Main course was this exquisite roast rack of Welsh lamb with a dijon mustard and herb crust, caramelised Chou rave puree, confit Chou rave, turned carrot and Navarin sauce.
Chef even carved this in the room and it smelt divine, what a showstopper!
Dessert was a delectable reverse chocolate fondant with a liquid Cointreau centre and a yoghurt sorbet.
And not forgetting the cheese course of brie a la truffe with a savoury pain perdu, quince jelly and puree. A serious tasting experience which I won’t be forgetting anytime soon, hats off to the chef!
The next day we had a morning session at the award winning Spa at Carden Park.
Whilst it was a cold and rainy day outside, the thermal outdoor pools and jacuzzis kept us warm.
Back inside I relaxed on a lounger with my favourite high fashion magazines.
Warmed in a panoramic sauna or basking in the outdoor vitality pool, this was the perfect Sunday morning reset.
The sleek, scandi style design is very aesthetically pleasing and creates the ideal atmosphere of calm and zen you want from a spa.
A final champagne brunch was then served at 12pm in the Elements restaurant, where we dined in our robes and regrouped with the other guests.
I had a refreshing mix of red berries, melon and pineapple with greek yoghurt and a long black coffee. I also tried the Carden estate sparkling wine which was delicious, a lot smoother than a typical champagne or prosecco.
It was then time to checkout and say our farewells to the wonderful team at Carden and our lovely fellow attendees on the FAM stay.
We had a truly tremendous weekend being treated to the very best that Carden Park Hotel & Spa has to offer. From the friendly staff and exceptional culinary experiences, to the plethora of fun activities and charming Cheshire countryside surroundings, I would highly recommend a stay at Carden Park Hotel & Spa.
Thanks again to the team for their kind hospitality this weekend ❤
Happy Sunday! The clocks went back last night here in the UK bringing in those long, dark evenings and shorter days. Whilst I’m definitely a summer girl at heart, I do love fall fashion as it provides more opportunity for layering jumpers, knits, shirts, jackets and coats.
So with the colder weather upon us, it was time to dig out the cosy coats and my extensive collection of boots. Chunky, over the knee, flat, heeled, chelsea, western, biker; you name a style of boots, I’ve got them!
For date night this weekend, I channeled my inner cowgirl and wore my Stradivarius brown cowboy boots. I styled these with a pair of Abercrombie high waist blue jeans, a Na-kd one shoulder cami, a staple classic Zara cropped aviator coat and my gorgeous new Sandro green velvet handbag.
New to my boot collection this season are these platform Uggs in the colour chestnut and I’m obsessed. I’ve been looking for a pair of boots like my favourite Grenson platform boots and these fit the brief perfectly.
I styled these up for Friday night drinks at the pub with this cute Zara shift minidress layered with a white tee underneath, gold jewellery including my new chain bracelet from Astrid & Miyu and thick white socks to complete the bare leg, chunky boot look.
The coat of choice for the night was my new Ugg black teddy coat, making this a head to toe Ugg ensemble to keep me warm during a cold and rainy fall evening. Now I can’t wait to get my winter wardrobe back out and rework existing pieces along with some new items too; fall fashion is fun ❤
Dani Aneka 