Wholesome Winter Evening in Winchester

Happy Sunday, I can’t believe it’s already one week to go until Christmas! As schools breakup and businesses quieten down for the holiday season, I am lucky enough to have two weeks off of work from Tuesday this week. I’m looking forward to winding down and embracing the Christmas festivities before we enter the new year.

This past week has been full of fun social celebrations with my office Christmas party last Thursday, a dinner with my boyfriend’s parents on Friday and a night out to the Winchester markets with my best friend and her partner on Saturday evening.

There’s nothing like the annual Christmas markets to get me well and truly in the festive spirit. Wrapped up in my oversized green trench coat, a mulled wine in hand and the smell of hot roasted chestnuts in the air, I had all the fuzzy festive feels as we wondered around Winchester Cathedral grounds lined with the eclectic market stalls.

Winchester was very busy and all the restaurants packed out, but luckily I grabbed us a spot in Overdraft for the best beers on tap alongside the most delicious Mexican food in town.

A casual bar and diner with a live DJ on the decks, Overdraft is the perfect vibe for a low-key date night, double date or grabbing drinks and food with friends.

With a Margarita special on the board, I couldn’t resist a cheeky cocktail to accompany our Mexican feast.

I ordered the smoked pulled aubergine tacos served with lime slaw, crispy courgettes and coriander, whilst my boyfriend opted for the classic chipotle roast chicken burrito with sour cream, red rice, lime slaw, pico de gallo, refried beans and cheese.

Given the tapas sharing style nature of these dishes, we also got some loaded nachos and lime salt fries to share between us all. Everything was super tasty and authentic, you just can’t go wrong with classic Mexican cuisine, it was all delish!

Having finished our food, we went for drinks at another bar in town before heading home. It certainly was a chilly winters night so I was very glad I wore my warmest long trench coat layered over a thick knit jumper, skinny jeans, chelsea boots and my baker boy hat to keep me cosy.

What a wonderful few days of festivities I’ve had complete with the perfect double date night with my best friend and our boyfriends. Bring on another week of Christmas fun in the lead up to the big day; the countdown is on ❤

Festive Movie Moment; Winchester Xmas Markets

It’s one week until Christmas and I’m feeling those warm fuzzy festive vibes! This weekend we wrapped up in our winter coats to visit the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Markets and I couldn’t help but get excited by the glistening lights twinkling by night all over the city.

The Cathedral looked magnificent all lit up as we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the markets whilst we sipped a warming cup of mulled wine.

The streets of Winchester were just beautiful showered in gold fairy lights and I got that leading lady movie moment feeling as me and my boyfriend explored the city in all its glory.

With 8:30pm reservations at The Ivy, we stumbled upon an awesome bar called Overdraft where we enjoyed some pre-dinner drinks.

Arriving at The Ivy, we were escorted to our table amongst the wonderfully eclectic and intricate interiors which make this place so iconic, I’m obsessed!

The atmosphere was buzzing on a Saturday night and the festive cheer was in full swing. We got started with a few Christmas cocktail specials, so I had a Candyfloss concoction served in a champagne flute with a side of pink floss.

As well as the fabulous decor and lovely service, our meals were just as spectacular. I opted for the roasted butternut squash served with buckwheat, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, sesame and pomegranate with crumbled feta cheese, harissa sauce and coriander dressing. My boyfriend had the classic beef burger which I had a taste of too and can confirm was equally exquisite as my own delicious dish.

A final stroll through the picturesque streets of Winchester before we cosied up in the warmth of the car for the journey home. What a perfect date night getting in the festive mood and feeling like we were on set starring in our very own romantic Christmas movie…*Cue The Holiday soundtrack* ❤