Fairytale Wedding Scenes; Tatton Park Cheshire

There are some days that feel suspended in time, and my best friend’s wedding was one of them. A perfectly cinematic weekend split between the grandeur of Liverpool and the dreamy countryside charm of Cheshire, the kind of wedding that feels impossibly elegant yet deeply personal all at once.

Celebrations began with their legal ceremony in the city centre at the breathtaking Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

Towering gothic architecture, soaring ceilings and the soft echo of footsteps against ancient stone created the most magical atmosphere imaginable.

The late morning light poured through the stained glass in that hazy, romantic way as the bride made her grand entrance.

Following the ceremony, the bride and groom greeted everyone on their way back out to the cathedral steps, where guests captured photos together in the midday sunshine.

Soon it was time to board the coaches which took the wedding party out into the Cheshire countryside for the reception at Tatton Park.

Set amongst acres of rolling parkland, wild deer and manicured gardens, it felt like stepping into an English period drama.

Upon arrival at Tatton Park, we were greeted with a refreshing Hugo Sprizt cocktail and delicious canapes as we soaked up the sunshine on the back lawn.

My boyfriend and I took a moment to have a stroll down to the feature fountain and lower terrace gardens with sweeping views across the grounds.

Taking a quiet minute together with those mesmerising views, the hum of the wedding party in the background and the entire day of celebrations yet to come, I couldn’t have been more content in that moment.

My wedding guest dress from Club L London was the perfect shade of pastel blue with a flattering asymmetric cut and off-shoulder neckline.

To accessorise I wore classic pearls from By Alona, matching pearl earrings from Heaven Mayhem, blush satin mules by Senso, and my sable Polene handbag to complete the elegant-chic look.

A statement pair of YSL cat-eye sunglasses were the finishing touch for a glorious afternoon basking in the sunshine.

I’m always so inspired by wedding guest dresses and I just loved my bestie’s polka dot strapless number with the full skirt and pockets.

Her butter yellow handbag from Marks and Spencer’s and matching yellow sunnies added a pop of colour to complete the vintage inspired wedding guest fit.

At 3pm we were called inside for the Wedding Breakfast in the Tenants’ Hall, where the opulent décor and colourful lighting set the tone for a brilliant afternoon and evening of celebrations ahead.

The table centre pieces were magnificent featuring flowers in rich reds and deep oranges.

We were treated to a 3-course feast of Indian cuisine served family style and every dish was exquisite.

Dessert was a refreshing trio of fruity delights to balance out those indulgent and rich flavours of the curry.

In between courses the speeches were made, and I was proud to see even our bride say a few words.

In need of some fresh air and a walk after all the food, we went for a lovely stroll around the grounds and discovered this beautiful orangery.

Filled with glorious green plants and the afternoon light cascading through the windows from above, it was like our own little oasis.

We also discovered a maze and rose gardens which truly felt like we’d stepped onto the set of Bridgerton.

Before we knew it, the evening party was upon us, and the traditional Indian drum performance welcomed the newlyweds back and invited guests to the dance floor.

As the evening went on, heels came off, the dance floor quickly filled up, and the atmosphere shifted into the most joyful chaos; the kind of night where nobody wanted it to end.

Somewhere between white wine, blurry dance floor photos and singing every word to early 2000s classics, it became one of those core memory nights we won’t be forgetting for a long time.

A reminder of how quickly life changes and how lucky we are to witness the biggest moments for the people we love most.

Liverpool and Cheshire delivered the dreamiest backdrop for a wonderful wedding weekend; dramatic city romance paired with soft countryside elegance.

What a truly memorable send off from family and friends to celebrate the happy couple ❤

Bank Holiday State Of Mind

It’s the late May bank holiday here in the UK and I’m winding down following a wonderful weekend soaking up the heatwave sunshine.

Back on Friday evening, we met friends at The Mutton for sundown drinks in the pub garden.

I wore this cute asymmetric dress from ASOS with a pair of nude thong kitten heel mules, my Coach handbag and MiuMiu round sunnies to complete the smart-casual look.

Saturday was another scorching day, so when 5pm came I enjoyed a glass of wine and some olives in our garden, whilst watching Emz and Nick’s latest Greece vlog.

For date night that evening, I booked The Leather Bottle for dinner in their picturesque courtyard area.

Even at 8pm it was still a lovely temperature to be sat outside as the sun went down over the neighbouring fields.

To start we ordered the padron peppers because whenever they’re on a menu, my boyfriend and I simply cannot resist.

For mains my boyfriend opted for the Bavette steak frites, whilst I had the Gilt head bream fillet.

Served with potato terrine, courgette, heritage tomato, feta and a salsa verde, this dish was divine and presented so beautifully too.

As we enjoyed our meal, the stunning sunset skies turned shades of gorgeous deep oranges and pinks, before dusk eventually set in.

Back home we embraced the warm night air and had another drink in our garden, festoon lights glowing and the moon shining brightly up overhead.

Sunday we were off to my boyfriend’s parents’ house for our first BBQ of the summer season.

Temperatures were set to be over 30 degrees, so denim shorts and my new pink contrast vest from Stradivarius and classic Birkenstock sandals, were the perfect cute-casual outfit combo.

I also styled my hair in a French twist to keep it off my neck for the day, not to mention looking super chic and elegant too.

It was the first time using their barbecue and outdoor space in their new house and it was all absolutely perfect.

Every corner of their house is so aesthetic and I was particularly drawn to these stone faces in their garden which give boho-chic Tulum vibes.

On the grill we had chicken skewers, burgers, sausages, corns and asparagus.

Of course a barbecue for us is not complete without my signature Greek Salad, so I was very excited to be making my first one of the summer this weekend.

There was also a Caesar salad, beetroot salad, Jersey Royal potatoes and all the condiments necessary for such a feast.

And not forgetting the footy game which had to be on in the background for the boys!

After lunch, I sat with my boyfriend’s mum out on their cute bistro set with a glass of bubbles; it was like we were sat outside our very own Parisian wine bar, pure bliss.

Meanwhile, the boys were equally chuffed with their setup inside to finish watching the football game.

My boyfriend’s mum even treated us to our favourite dessert she introduced us to of frozen raspberries, melted white chocolate and cream.

Before we knew it the sun was beginning to set and it was time to leave, but on our way home we made a spontaneous detour.

As we passed through Farnham, my boyfriend said we should do the walk at Caesar’s Camp to catch sunset.

So we parked up the truck and made our way across the picturesque countryside.

After about a 25 minute walk, we found this incredible viewpoint from which we watched the sun go down over Caesar’s Camp.

Sunsets never fail to amaze me; I find it mesmerising to see the sun dip below the horizon so rapidly in realtime.

A majestic sunset stroll was the most idyllic ending to our long bank holiday weekend showered in sunshine ❤

20 Years On;The Devil Wears Prada 2

The sequel we’ve all been waiting for, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and it certainly lives up to expectations with a fresh, elevated twist to the storyline that keeps things feeling exciting rather than predictable.

From the very first scene, it pulls you straight back into that fast-paced, glossy world we all secretly wish we were part of, even if only for the covetable outfits alone.

The storyline mirrors the arc of the original in a way that feels intentional and nostalgic, yet it’s layered with enough newness to keep you guessing the whole way through. Just when you think you know where it’s heading… it pivots.

The cast is, quite simply, brilliant. There’s a real sense of ease in the performances, like the characters slipping back into perfectly tailored pieces that never went out of style. The chemistry is still there, the timing is spot on, and the humour lands effortlessly.

It’s comical without trying too hard, very entertaining throughout, and filled with those sharp little moments that made the first film so iconic.

And the fashion was needless to say, fabulous. Every scene feels like a love letter to style with bold fashion statements, polished tailoring, and just the right amount of drama.

But more than anything, it’s the nostalgia that hits. Seeing those familiar characters again feels like catching up with old friends now a little older, a little wiser, but still so wonderfully themselves.

A sequel that actually delivers? Rare. But this one absolutely does ❤

A Gorgeous Girls’ Day In Brighton

There’s something about a girls’ day by the sea that just feels like a warm hug for the soul, and celebrating one of your besties birthdays makes it all the more special.

We kicked the afternoon off on the pebbled shores of Brighton Beach, soaking up the glorious spring sunshine with pink fizz in hand and camping chairs in tow, because practicality is the new chic when you’re in your 30s!

The air was crisp, the sea sparkled, and I felt the kind of easy, carefree joy that only comes from being with your favourite people.

After a few sun-drenched hours, we headed back to Livy’s flat to get ready for the evening which turned into a wholesome little celebration of its own. Somewhere between doing our makeup and sharing outfit options, we surprised Cara with a birthday cake, candles glowing, and yet more bubbles.

For the evening look I went for effortless glam: my new deep olive green Motel top with a plunging neckline, paired with black flared jeans from Stradivarius, brown pointed Topshop boot heels, and statement gold earrings.

I added a cow skin handbag for a playful pop of print and finished with my ASOS brown textured trench to complete the fit. Sophisticated with just the right touch of drama, the kind of outfit that makes you walk a little taller.

We were ready just in time to see the final few moments of sunset, so we ran back down to the seafront to experience it in all its glory.

Sunset skies never fail to amaze me and it was even more beautiful having my besties by my side to soak up this moment with.

Our first stop of night was Plateau, a cosy little wine bar perfect for easing into the evening.

We shared a bottle of red paired with buttery Nocellara olives and tangy pickled veggies; simple, delicious, and exactly what you want as golden hour fades into night.

Dinner followed shortly after at Tutto, a spot we’d been eyeing for a while and it certainly did not disappoint.

Built on the ethos “bring everyone, eat everything”, it felt like the perfect place for an intimate birthday celebration.

We started with warm focaccia bread and creamy buffalo mozzarella served with Jerusalem artichoke and a hazelnut pesto.

For our main course we shared the roasted cod with clams and borlotti beans, chestnut mushroom agnolotti, and a rich, comforting ragu pappardelle.

Delicious dishes full of flavour that we savoured every mouthful of, absolutely exquisite dining scenes.

The waiter then surprised Cara with her second birthday treat of the day, a classic Tiramisu which we all tucked into and thoroughly enjoyed.

From there, the night unfolded in the best way drifting between a few bars, dancing, laughing, and fully embracing that carefree, slightly chaotic energy that only comes out when you’re with your girls.

The giggles, the shared memories, the feeling of slipping right back into your teenage selves like no time has passed at all; nothing fills my cup more than quality time with my best girlies ❤

NYC Diaries; Bikes & Bagels In Central Park

With Central Park being right on our doorstep at the Park Lane Hotel, we decided to spend our Sunday afternoon exploring the park on bikes before enjoying some classic American bagels overlooking the lake.

We hired push bikes from a kiosk just outside of the park and cycled up the east side on the dedicated bike lanes they have all around the park.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon in late September and the weather was still warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt, so I wore my Tommy Hilfigure boyfriend style shorts, a stripy low back top, my Stradivarius cage toe mules, my Coach handbag worn across body and MiuMiu sunnies to complete the look.

We took a short detour out of the park to the Upper East Side where I wanted to go for the famous Tompkins Square Bagels.

The choice of bagel flavours and different fillings was incredible, so the server kindly let us try some different cream cheeses to help make our decision.

With the bagels secured, we packed them in the bike basket and cycled back to Central Park.

We made our way around to the west side of the park where we found the big lake looking glorious in the afternoon sun.

After finding a bench with a nice view, we unwrapped our bagels and savoured every last bite as we soaked up the wonderful views of Central Park.

For our bagels we ordered one savoury and one sweet.

Our savoury choice was the everything seasoning bagel lightly toasted with a scallion and red onion cream cheese filling.

The sweet bagel was blueberry flavoured with a nutella and peanut butter cream cheese filling which was divine!

I couldn’t wait to try my first Poppi drink which I’ve seen lots of American influencers rave about and we were not disappointed, the orange flavour was delish.

Bagels devoured and tummies full, we hopped back on the bikes and made our way to the South end of the park to return the bikes.

This was the perfect way to spend a glorious Sunday afternoon in New York and I’d highly recommend renting bikes to explore Central Park as it is so big! I would say it was one of my favourite parts of New York ❤

English Country Pub Fine Dining; The Mutton

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

Megan’s On West Street; Farnham Surrey

Since its humble beginnings on the charming Kings Road in Chelsea, Megan’s has branched out to open its doors throughout London and to neighbourhoods beyond. So with their newest restaurant opening in our local town of Farnham in Surrey, I couldn’t wait to try their stunning Mediteranian inspired menu amongst the beautifully aesthetic interiors I’d seen on Instagram.

Stepping into the bustling restaurant on a Saturday night we were welcomed with the warming glow of twinkling fairy lights, beautiful mosaic tiling and big bamboo hanging lampshades, giving the restaurant that Mediterranean chic vibe.

We were seated on the sofa booths just in front of the bar and with it being date night, I got a little dressed up for the occasion in my backless brown Stradivarius top, paired with my NEUW black jeans tucked into my faux snake skin pointed long boots.

To start we shared a portion of the padron peppers which were the perfect appetiser, you can’t go wrong with classic padrons.

For main course I opted for the warm butternut grain bowl served with mixed grains, kale, harissa hummus, shakshouka beans, slaw and cherrybell chillies. Beautifully presented with those vibrant colours and so delicious with every bite, this warming bowl of goodness was 10/10.

My boyfriend ordered the open chicken chargrilled thigh kebab served on flatbread with slaw, pickles, harissa hummus, garlic yoghurt and a side of skinny fries. He thoroughly enjoyed his dish too and put it up there as one of the best kebabs he’s had at a restaurant in our area.

Service was very friendly and effortlessly smooth despite the extremely busy peak time of a Saturday evening.

Everything was divine from the scrumptious food and lovely service, to the wonderful interiors and buzzing atmosphere; Megan’s On West Street is the idyllic date night spot in Surrey ❤

Saturday Scenes In Surrey; The Ivy Asia Guildford

Happy Sunday! I’m still on a high from the most perfect date night yesterday evening in the picturesque town of Guildford, Surrey.

With the sun glowing over Guildford Castle at golden hour, we wanted to enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of The Ivy Castle View. However we settled on a seat at the beautiful feature bar inside given outside was fully booked.

I enjoyed a beefeater pink grapefruit gin and slimline tonic and we shared some olives and rosemary almonds for a pre-dinner nibble.

With 8pm reservations, we finished up our drinks and headed next door to The Ivy Asia for our dinner date. The Ivy is always a treat and never disappoints on the service, food and a buzzing atmosphere complete with exquisite interiors.

We were sat at the counter top overlooking the kitchen where they make the sushi fresh to order and we had a great view across the restaurant too, wonderfully bustling with Saturday night vibes.

To start we shared the duck spring rolls and wonton crackers with a delicious dip. To drink I was on the red wine whilst my boyfriend had a yummy sweet lychee mocktail.

The Ivy Asia offers small plates to share, so it’s a lovely way to get a taste of lots of different dishes. We chose the spicy tuna sushi roll, honey glazed chicken skewers, miso marinated aubergine, sticky rice and chilli noodles.

Everything was so tasty and beautifully presented, but for me the aubergine dish was my favourite and my boyfriend particularly enjoyed the glazed chicken skewers.

As always, The Ivy Asia didn’t disappoint on delivering an overall seamless experience making for the most delightful date night with my boyfriend.

I was a very happy girly indeed; cheers to Saturday date night goals ❤

Date Night Perfection; Pub Garden, Paloma Cocktail & Pasta Bolognese

This Saturday evening we kicked off date night in a local pub garden sipping cocktails and discussing plans for a trip we’re taking to Monaco in September.

It wasn’t the warmest of summer evenings, so I wore this asymmetric oatmeal sweater from Bershka paired with these Abercrombie & Fitch dark wash jeans tucked into my Stradivarius cowboy boots.

A silk neckerchief from Le Scarf and my Coach cross body signature print handbag completed the country girl chic aesthetic this ensemble was giving.

With a Paloma as a special on the aperitifs menu, I couldn’t resist one of my favourite cocktails ideal for an early summer’s evening.

Consisting of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda, a Paloma is the perfect twist of sweet and sour whilst being aesthetically pleasing with its gorgeous pastel pink hue.

Earlier that afternoon I had already cooked a beef bolognese from scratch which was waiting on the hob ready to dish up when we got home.

Leaving it to sit for a few hours allowed the flavours to develop and made for a deliciously rich bolognese sauce.

Whist the linguine boiled, I laid the table and prepared the rocket, parmesan and pickled onion salad dressed in balsamic vinegar.

The final dish went down a treat and we had plenty leftover for the fridge and freezer. I didn’t follow a recipe but I’ve cooked bolognese with my mum many times and the secret is lots of garlic, plenty of basil and a generous few splashes of red wine whilst it cooks down.

Bellies full of linguine bolognese, we reclined on the sofa to watch a movie as we enjoyed the rest of our red wine and some choccie for dessert.

A cute country pub garden, pretty pink cocktails, a hearty pasta dinner and our favourite red wine whilst cosying up on the sofa, what more could you want from date night? Cheers to the weekend ❤

Carden Park Hotel & Spa; A Charming Cheshire Staycay

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 ❤

To book, visit their website here – https://www.cardenpark.co.uk