Some designer collaborations just make me want to buy the whole collection, and JW Anderson for Uniqlo is one of them. Can you believe this spring/summer 2023 collection is his sixth year with the retailer? Time flies when you are having fun, I guess. For SS23, JW Anderson is giving a lesson in preppy styling with a modernisation of classic British university sportswear, think cricket, rugby, and tennis, with knitwear, dresses, reworked sports jackets and summer tailoring. With 16 items for women and 12 for men, this collection is what I call a wardrobe-building capsule, as so many p ..read more

I can never decide whether I prefer brunch or afternoon tea as my favourite meal. Either way, I’ve found a great little spot in Ashford, Leo & Sage that you have to check out if you love eating breakfast any time of the day. Leo & Sage is an independent cafe located in Elwick Place, Ashford, opposite the Picturehouse cinema, and it serves up all-day breakfast, lunch, homemade cakes, pastries and gelato in the most adorable and relaxed atmosphere. We decided to have brunch here before catching a movie and it was a great idea as the food is delicious. For breakfast, you can go for the tr ..read more

If you are after a charming, cosy, and Instagrammable place to dine in Ashford, you’re in luck as the fabulous Boys Hall, a gorgeous Jacobean house has been beautifully restored into a restaurant, a boutique hotel and a wood-panelled pub. For my husband’s birthday, we went for lunch, and it seems that the Boys Hall isn’t the secret foodie destination I thought it was, as the oak-beamed dining room, complete with roaring fire, was packed on a weekday lunch. While it might have been busy, this didn’t make it less of an experience, the dining room is filled with such gorgeous natural light, even ..read more

Having a hearty breakfast when staying in the Lake District is a must, especially if you want to enjoy the beauty around you fully. One of my favourite places is The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden located on the western shore of Derwentwater. Not only is the setting so beautiful – you literally eat your breakfast looking down onto an octagonal walled garden with Skiddaw in the background. The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden cafe is also dog friendly – this isn’t a restaurant scared of a little mug, and all the staff were so lovely with Falcon and he even got his own sausage with bre ..read more

What I love about afternoon tea is that it is special – I want the fancy cakes, the tiny sandwiches, the endless pots of tea, and most of all. It is one of those occasions that whisks you away from the every day, if only for a couple of hours. I had high hopes for The George in Rye as I’d been looking forward to seeing inside following its renovations after being badly damaged by fire in 2019. While the 16th-century inn is stylish and very instagrammable, while being sympathetic to the original character of the building, this hotel needs to address its very rude staff. I don’t normally feature ..read more

For an afternoon tea at Christmastime to really make an impact, it needs a statement selection of cakes. I’m not just talking about adding a mince pie or Christmas cake, but something unique, and that’s what’s on offer with the afternoon tea at The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden in the Lake District. Located on the western shore of Derwentwater in the heart of the beautiful Lake District, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden offers delicious homemade food, from hearty breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea. The beautiful cafe and old greenhouse dating back ..read more

I have a real fondness for afternoon tea, so I may have been a little excited to see this M&S Afternoon Tea Hamper for two sent to my husband this week. The wicker grey hamper, which is super cute, contains everything you need for afternoon tea at home, from M&S luxury gold tea to mini Victoria sandwich sponge cakes and, of course, scones. It is filled up with all the sweet treats you want to see from an afternoon tea. From fondant fancies to chocolate florentines, scones served with strawberry jam and even shortbread biscuits in an adorable white tin. The only thing missing for me was ..read more

After a summer of gorgeous British sunshine, we forgot about having an actual holiday, so we decided, last minute to do a week in Ibiza, to just relax. I’ve been to other Balearic Islands before, but not Ibiza, I’ve always been put off by the clubbing culture. But there is much more to this beautiful island than DJs and booze! There is a quieter, relaxing side of life thanks to its beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs, and lush landscape. If you are looking for secluded beaches, incredible sunsets, and a quiet spot to recharge, Portinax, located on the Northern tip of Ibiza, around 40 minutes from ..read more

When looking for a hotel in the Cotswolds, Minster Mill in the picture-perfect village of Minster Lovell ticks a lot of the boxes. From its charming honey-hued Cotswold stone buildings to the fact it is located within 65 acres of gardens, wildflower meadows and woodlands on the banks of the River Windrush. However, when you step away from the picturesque and peaceful setting, the interior of the hotel, especially the rooms, doesn’t quite live up to the price tag. I hate to be negative on my blog, but I had such high hopes for Minster Mill, so much so, I really thought we wo ..read more

We headed to the Cotswolds for a wedding and I finally got to try out the fabulous Double Red Duke, a cosy and very instagrammable 16th-century hotel and restaurant in the village of Clanfield that stands proud with its signature red striped umbrellas in the garden. I did want to stay here, as the wedding was only 10 minutes away, but it didn’t work out, so heading for a spot of lunch was the next best thing. As soon as you step inside the Double Red Duke, you are completely wowed by the stylish interior, with its statement wallpaper, cosy corners, and retro touches, which was revamped during ..read more