A couple of weeks ago Loanne and I whisked my Mum away for her belated birthday present. 

The criteria were as follows; Sun, seclusion, a private pool with stunning views, not too far on a plane and somewhere blissfully relaxing. So not too specific… Ha! Our options were whittled down to one place that fit the bill perfectly! 

 Daios Cove

Nestled in a private and secluded bay on the northeastern island of Crete, (the largest of the greek islands) Daios Cove is nothing short of spectacular.

Below I have outlined why this is the ideal place for anyone looking for a serene, secluded and beautiful getaway. Oh and my mum LOVED it, as did we!

With a 50 minute drive from the airport, there’s no need to worry about transport as the hotel provides free transfers to and from the hotel… and in a Mercedes, which gives you a little taster into the 5* luxury you are about to experience ! Upon arrival we were greeted with delicious welcome drinks and a tour of the resort & villas, the view of the bay from the hotel is simply breath-taking and the crystal clear water could have you fooled that you’ve arrived in the Indian ocean. The interior exudes chic and modern vibes with it’s plush fabrics, refined colours and  Italian touches. 

My favourite part of Daios Cove had to be our deluxe rooms which opened onto our very own private veranda equipped with a sofa, table and chairs and our very own private pool with unparalleled views of Vathi bay. This is the ideal spot for those who prefer to have their own privacy when sunbathing, chilling or swimming. Although there are rooms either side of you, you still feel a sense of seclusion & stillness as you are nestled away in the hills. This is the perfect spot to have some quiet time, even do some meditating and some star spotting in the evening. (One night I lay by the pool and saw 3 shooting stars!)

We spent most mornings catching the sun on our veranda and when the sun slowly dispersed from our terrace around midday we headed down to the private beach,  a 10/ 15  minute walk by foot. For the more sedate of you there is a glass elevator at reception that takes you almost down to beach level.

For those who aren’t too fussed about privacy and don’t mind being around people, the beach is small and intimate and generally pretty full come midday. The sea however, is absolutely stunning, crystal clear and as smooth as sea can get, there is also a variety of water sports to get stuck into for the restless sunbathers!

I’d advise heading to the beach bar to try out some of the mouth-watering cocktail creations, my mum was so impressed she had to take a snap of the cocktails to add to her dinner party menu! Tip: Go for the green colada cocktail, it’s a lovely blend of Gin, avocado cream, coconut and sage spices!

If the beach isn’t for you, there is a gorgeous heated infinity pool situated overlooking the private cove. The pool is filled with skin-friendly seawater, and even has a section dedicated to children and younger guests.

Each evening and breakfast we dined at the Pangea restaurant. Newly redesigned for 2018, it serves American buffet breakfast and buffet dinner and the wide selection of food will cater for anyone, even the fussiest of eaters. The restaurant features an open-air kitchen and two spacious outdoor areas with fantastic views of the ocean.  For those who want to try out the other restaurants there is Taverna and Ocean restaurant which will need to be booked in advance. If you want to try some delicious local specialities like fresh fish and a selection of greek and international wines, these are the places for you!

The staff are extremely friendly and helpful which adds to the overall exquisite and luxurious ambience of the place. On calling up a member of staff, he immediately came over to our hotel room to help us open our two bottles of wine. (Yes, all 3 of us struggled to remove the cork screw!)

For those who like a bit of pampering and down time, there is the GOCO spa which offers a wide range of results-focused spa treatments combined with world-class heat and water facilities. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to make it here as we were only there for 3 days. 

As the holiday drew to an end, there was an overriding sense of tranquility and inner calm, a feeling that could only be achieved by the surroundings and magical calmness of Daios Cove. As we bid farewell to the lovely staff and got chauffeured back to the airport in the Mercedes, the 5* service from start to finish combined with the unparalleled experience and natural beauty of the place had me thinking of booking a return visit next Summer!  

OUTFIT 1

Jordan - White Dress

Loanne - Orange slip-on dress

OUTFIT 2

Jordan

White mini dress

White Loafers

Round sunglasses

Loanne

Black jumpsuit

Straw bag (similar)

OUTFIT 3

Jordan

Red and black bikini

Sunglasses

OUTFIT 4

Jordan

Stripe top

Loanne

White top

Denim shorts

Montenegro, a stunning little gem full of natural beauty with a tiny population and a vast landscape boasting gorgeous mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, clear lakes and quaint old towns. It is steeped in rich history and truly is a country everyone needs to visit. 

Now let's be honest, how many of you know anything about Montenegro? Or for that matter, where it sits geographically on the world map? Hmmm.. 

We will tell you, Montenegro is a tiny Balkan nation situated in the South of the Adriatic sea wedged between its Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian neighbours. To enter the country we flew in to Dubrovnik in Croatia and took a taxi an hour to the boarders where we then crossed in to Montenegro.

Although tiny, the country is bursting with a rich culture invoking picturesque landscapes that an Instagrammer would only dream of! The cuisine in itself is enough to make anyone want to return! 

So although we were merely there for a flying visit, we managed to squeeze in a good amount of activities which I would highly recommend if you decide to visit. So here are our top tips for a few days in Montenegro:

Where to stay:

 Regent Porto Montenegro -

 This has been voted the best 5* luxury hotel of the country and I’m not surprised why. We stayed here for two nights and were each spoilt with a deluxe room with a sea view, overlooking the hotels stunning waterfront location and its backdrop of beautiful mountain ranges. 

Porto Montenegro is the leading marina village and luxury yacht homeport in the Mediterranean, thriving with superyachts,  restaurants, bars and boutiques. It is well worth an afternoon roaming around the port, to do a spot of shopping or just to grab a bite to eat in one of their many delicious restaurants and soak up the beautiful surrounding views.

The hotel has two outdoor pools and an indoor spa and wellness area which looks stunning! Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time try it out but it would be the perfect place to unwind for a couple of hours. The interior and decor of the hotel is nautical themed and reminiscent of a private cabin on a luxury liner. Very easy on the eye indeed!

What to do:

Visit to the Savina winery :

Along the Southern coasts are some of Montenegro’s most beautiful vineyards. After hopping off our two and a half hour plane journey, we drove straight to the Savina winery located at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor. (Nothing like a glass of local wine to wake you up!) The views from the winery were breathtaking and we spent a few hours discovering the vineyards and learning about the distilling processes whilst sampling all the delicious local wines and Mediterranean-style tapas of olives and cured meats. A perfectly delicious spring time activity if you’re there! 

Guided tour of Kotor old town :

A UNESCO world heritage site, this old city is riveted with tradition and culture, it was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Kotor is filled with Medieval architecture and historic monuments, churches and museums. If you’re looking for a cultural day out- this is your best bet! The cute cobbled streets and brightly coloured buildings ooze such character and personality. We had a brilliant tour guide as well who led us through the city’s narrow streets and busy squares, explaining everything with such interest and enthusiasm….Not going to lie, he was pretty easy on the eye too...that could have helped the education process!

Boat trip to Perast & Our Lady Of The Rocks:

If you are in Kotor then you must take a short boat trip to the small and beautiful town of Perast across the bay. With sixteen palaces and nineteen churches and ZERO development, this is an absolutely beautiful undiscovered little gem. Have lunch on the edge of the Adriatic sea at the Conte restaurant and hop back on a boat to visit the stunning church and museum located on ‘Our Lady Of The Rocks’. 

Lunch, Leisure and Retail Therapy at Porto Montenegro:

If you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon why not head to Porto Montenegro and stroll along the stunning marina in the sun surrounded by a jetty of super yachts.

If you’re a slight shopaholic (like us) you can splash out in shops from Dior to Valentino, MaxMara and Heidi Klein. The retail complex offers tax free shopping for visitors from outside Montenegro...Score...And if you get tired of shopping you can choose to have a nice lunch in one of the marinas many restaurants, cafes or bars, serving a variety of food from light bites, fresh seafood, pastas and pizzas. I wouldn’t say no to a glass of local wine either.

Relax and Unwind at the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club:

Ok, so this really is a breathtaking location and the perfect chill spot! We spent the afternoon relaxing on the poolside daybeds sipping on cocktails along the iconic infinity edge swimming pool. Head there for an afternoon sunbathing session and a leisurely swim in the pool with its beautiful backdrop of mountains. Or if you're slightly peckish you can enjoy some food at the bar and restaurant or later in the evening at the mezzanine fine dining restaurant followed by a boogie at their nightclub.

Tip - Ask for the coconut or pineapple cocktails. They are mouth-wateringly delicious!

Where to Eat:

Conte Restaurant - Perast

This was such a beautiful setting for lunch. Sitting right on the side of the Adriatic sea with the sun beaming over us and tucking in to the most fabulously fresh sea food platter. I tried my first Oyster here which was actually way less scary than I had always made out it to be….even though I’m not sure I’d rush at the chance of having another one but I was spoilt for choice with everything else on the platter.

Everything freshly caught from king prawns to grilled and fried squid, mussels, clams, seafood paella. You name it, it was on there and all of it accompanied with baskets of fresh bread and olive paste and of course the local wine which just completes the entire meal. Thank you please!

One Restaurant - Porto Montenegro:

Located in the village of Porto Montenegro, this delicious Mediterranean restaurant is situated right on the marina with a spacious terrace ideal for romantic dinners/ outdoor brunching or sunset drinks.

We spent our last night for dinner here and were recommended a dish of fresh sea bass wrapped in paper with freshly grilled vegetables and wow, was it tasty! One of the best fish dishes I had eaten in a while. We were also spoilt for choice with the wine list boasting of the widest rose selection in the country. It’s easy to have a few too many…I mean, it would be rude not to.

I’m an absolute sucker for all things sweet- deserts are my weak point so I was determined to try a few options on the menu. 

Tip: Go for the strawberry cheesecake, it is to die for! The chocolate mousse, mind you, swoops in at a very high second! 

Overall, a delicious dining experience. 

Murano Restaurant - Regent Hotel:

We dined here on our first night, located in the hotel with views overlooking the glittering super yacht marina and Boka bay outside. The food is centered around fresh seafood prepared with locally sourced and organic herbs, all offering a distinctive take on the regional Adriatic cuisine.

This meal set the standards high for the rest of the trip with its delicious risotto and barbecued fish kebab for starters and deliciously fresh grilled monkfish for mains. All beautifully presented and accompanied with some of the regions most delicious rose wine. This is a definite hot spot dining choice!

Gourmet Corner -

So I think you already got the gist, I’m a sucker for a great desert! I was in for an absolute treat when we discovered the ‘Gourmet corner’, a quintessential patisserie, gourmet delicatessen and bakery just on the corner of the hotel offering the most beautiful and delicious cakes, pastries, teas and coffees. If you’re having that midday sugar craving (that I tend to suffer from) come here and order a slice of carrot cake.….You’ll thank me later.

Outfits

Outfit 1

Striped Top -  Here

Denim Jeans - Here

White mules - Here

Beige Dress - Here

Straw Mules - Here

Outfit 2

White embroidered blouse - Here

Jeans - Here

Outfit 3

Ciao Top - Here

Beige shorts - Here

Outfit 4

Red Bikini - Here

Outfit 5

Red Jacket - Here

Blue shirt - Here

Leather trousers - Here

Cami coat - Here

Green astrology bag - Here

Straw pompom clutch - Here

It was our first time to the Conrad, Maldives, Ranhali Island and boy were we blown away! As most of you know we came to the Maldives, the Christmas before last with my Mum after a much needed getaway. 

This time it was a tad different, Loanne and I were joined by our two blogger pals Sabrina and Amy and our good photographer pal Charlie (Charlie’s angels we called ourselves ha!) We spent 4 days at the award-winning Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, an untouched slice of paradise that boasts awards winning dining featuring 12 world class restaurants and bars, two spas and an abundance of locally inspired experiences. 

I have to admit that it’s hands down the most beautiful place we have ever stayed, from the serenity of the island, the unparalleled service & attention to detail, the sumptuous cuisine & the jaw-dropping settings, boy did we feel blessed and extremely privileged to be here. It’s not everyday you get to experience such unrivalled beauty, no wonder the Conrad has twice been voted ‘Best hotel in the world.’

We maxed out in a dreamy water villa which had it’s very own outdoor decking/ veranda with a private jacuzzi and wooden steps leading into the crystal clear water.

Now most people would assume that the Maldives is for honeymooners or couples looking to have a romantic getaway and although you are right, let me tell you that doing it with friends or a sibling gives it that extra dynamic, the late night chats, the jokes and laughter and of course sharing wardrobes & a common interest in photo-taking! I may go as far to say it’s even better. Below I've listed the best activities to do with friends on the Island..

Massage at the Spa Retreat

You can’t really get better settings than the spa retreat, set over a lagoon at the tip of Ranhali finolhu Island and built on stilts over the turquoise water even just stepping foot on the premises leaves you in a tranquil and zen mood. We were taken through to our very own private spa room with beautiful ocean sea views an an open plan outdoor toilet… extremeley bizarre. We had a 1 hour full-body massage that allowed us to sink further into the realms of relaxation. The spa also offers a range of holistic spa and beauty treatments that will cater to your needs. 

Dinner at Koko Grill

It was near impossible to decline any sort of culinary dish at the Conrad as the food was so incredible, each chef a master of his own craft whose attention to detail on food pairing, flavours and presentation exceeds it all. Not great for the bikini shots but 'hey ho' we couldn’t resist the sumptuous food that was presented before us. Koko grill had to be my favourite restaurant though,  it’s an open air restaurant on the beach where the chef prepares 10 exquisite Japanese courses featuring locally sourced produce and the finest ingredients imported from around the globe in front of you. The fish is so fresh and the Sake was the best I’ve tried! We spent the evening indulging in a variety of different flavours, sipping on Sake and and taking in the stunning views.

Private Sunrise Yoga

If you’re going to wake up and watch the sunrise, this is how you do it! Loanne, Sabrina and I woke up at 5am and had a private yoga session with long time Keralan yogi Manesh Johny who adapted his class to our particular capabilities. This took place at the quiet pool where we spent 40 minutes perfecting our flow, hatha and vinyasa whilst watching the sun slowly creep over the horizon diluting the sky a pink and orange blush. 

Swim with Sharks & Manta Rays

Usually on snorkelling trips you don’t expect to swim with anything bigger than a few tropical fish and a stingray if you’re lucky… but the Conrad is one of the best locations to spot giant whale sharks and Manta rays so when we got to swim with them, it was rather surreal, we were snorkelling with a 10m whale shark directly beneath us! If you’re not a huge snorkeller you can always sit on the deck and soak in the sun rays, we were lucky enough to have our very own private snorkelling trip so it felt more relaxed and intimate.

Luxury Sunset Cruise

What a way to watch a sunset! A small group of around 10 of us took a luxury Yacht out for a couple of hours to watch the sunset with champagne and canapés. Whilst the sun was slowly setting over the horizon we spotted a school of spinner dolphins gliding and jumping in unison with the yacht, it was so magical, only something like this happens in paradise. 

Morning Champagne at The Underwater Restaurant

I’m sure you have all seen the photos of the undersea restaurant on instagram… well yes, that’s here. We literally couldn’t contain our excitement when we arrived here in the morning for champagne, 16 feet below sea level It’s the world’s first undersea restaurant offering 180 degrees panoramic views of the vibrant coral garden’s surrounding it, the morning was spent laughing away, sipping on champagne whilst watching sharks, manta rays and beautiful tropical fish swim above our heads! 

Champagne & star gazing in the hot tub! 

One of the best things about having our own water villa was the outdoor decking with our own private jacuzzi, so at my favourite time of day sun set, we opened up a bottle of bubbly whilst playing music from our speakers, sat in the jacuzzi and ended up dancing whilst watching the sun turn shades of blood orange over the water, we then proceeded to do some star gazing whilst enjoying each others company and taking in the breathtaking views!

Kuramathi. Island number two. A week into paradise and although far from ready to leave the Conrad hotel, we were excited at the prospect of something new and different. And Kuramathi provided just that….

Kuramathi is one of the largest of the Maldivian islands in the Northern Atoll. It is a short one hour boat ride from the capital , Male, and is renound for its beautiful coral reefs, making it ideal for diving, snorkelling and all the water sports the island has to offer.

Now, I’m sure you’ve heard this familiar phrase from at least one person before “ Oh you’ll definitely get bored and restless in the Maldives if you stay longer than a week” or “ It's great for someone who loves to relax and sunbathe but there’s not much else to do” …..well ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to Kuramathi, the island that proves the exact opposite. With over 360 beach and water villas, a fully equipped sports centre, a fully equipped dive school, watersports galore, an aqua centre providing excursions, 9 à la carte restaurants, 3 buffet restaurants and 7 bars (*breathe*) I can guarantee you boredom will not even be an option!

The island provides five different types of accommodation from deluxe water villas to beach villas. As a  group of five we booked ourselves in to the two-storey beach villas, which was such a great choice. We each had our own floor with a huge double bed and a massive ensuite bathroom each one leading to our own outdoor showers which really do provide that ‘wow’ factor!

Oh and to top it off….it is, as it says, on the beach. So step a few feet from your bed and soak up the sun and sand. Dreamy!

Now, obviously the Maldives also has a reputation for the being the perfect honeymoon destination, and don’t get me wrong, I still believe it is one of the best place to go, however, Kuramathi also provides a holiday perfect for families and groups of friends alike. Even more so in fact, with its vast range of activities, restaurants and bars. We only had two days in the resort so unfortunately didn’t have time to do as much as we wanted ( we were secretly very busy trying to soak up our last rays before heading back to London!) However we did manage to go on a snorkelling trip on the second morning in order to discover the islands abundant marine life. And boy oh boy was it abundant! As we jumped in, the colours were breathtaking. The ocean was alive with turtles, reef sharks, octopus and an array of multi-coloured fish millimetres from reach.  This is a definite must- do if you visit the island!

Obviously we had to check out the spa… How can you be in such a relaxing place and NOT want a massage? And it certainly didn’t disappoint. With its communal area dotted with lounge beds overlooking the lush blue waters and fresh fruit water on tap, this provided the perfect place to have a few minutes of relaxation whilst waiting for our treatment. Both Jordan and I had full-body 60 minute massages in an air-conditioned room, which was amazing. Re-setting our whole moods and sending me off in a deep and peaceful sleep a fair few times! They have a range of different treatments in the spa, so if you’re looking to escape the midday heat or just an afternoon to unwind, head to the spa and you’ll be in for a treat.

One of the most beautiful and unique parts of the island for me, was the private sand dune at the end of the island. It is so stunning and proves for one of the best places to watch the sunset. (Aside from the islands ‘Laguna bar’ with its infinity pool and delicious espresso martinis!) But this is truly picturesque and for me sets it aside from the other islands. One of the evenings, we all decided to grab a few drinks and sit amongst the sand dunes, watching the horizon turn a glowing pink which slowly filled the whole sky with a tinge of fiery-orange.

Food, food, food. Food for me is always and has always been a very important part of a holiday. I wouldn’t say Jordan I are fussy eaters, at all. In fact, put something on our plate and we’d probably have devoured it by the time you could blink (aside from any meat, thank you very much.) So Kuramathi was like a dream for us in terms of its vast variety of food options. They boast all different types of cuisine from Indian to Mediterranean, Thai, Barbecue, Seafood you name it they have it. Most of the restaurants are buffet style so you are bound to find something you like. Our favourite was definitely the Reef restaurant, which is their signature seafood restaurant. Situated over the turquoise lagoon, you’re in for a very picturesque dining experience full of fresh seafood, prepared any way you like it and a yummy selection of wines.(*Mouth drools*)

 In all honesty I’m gutted we only had such a short amount of time on the island as there were so many other things we wanted to do whilst there, an island hopping excursion, wake-boarding and diving being just a few of them, but this certainly gives us all the more reason to return! Well thats what I keep saying anyway….

So there you have it, a short glimpse into our brief 48 hours on Kuramathi. An island well set up for the restless traveller and one that certainly breaks the stereotype that the Maldives can get boring!

Shop the look: 

Our Maldives Wardrobe

I remember the days when Loanne and I would have 9-5 office jobs, stuck at a desk all day aimlessly looking at our computer screens whilst wondering whether this was it, was this really all life was cracked up to be?

Well luckily that wasn't the case, and a year later we became our own bosses! Since then we have been making the most of every opportunity and really embracing what it means to do what we want and living life to the full! Even the little things!

So this Friday Loanne and I spent our afternoon in Notting Hill with our good friend Arielle, where we rented out bikes, skipped, danced and laughed our way around Portobello whilst getting snap happy (and sipping on Diet Coke).... Why? Because we can. It's all about those simple wins, doing things that make us happy be it big, be it small and really appreciating them for what they are, and Diet Coke are encouraging us all to do just that…live our lives unapologetically and celebrate these little things through their latest Because I Can campaign.’ Research commissioned by Diet Coke has discovered that more than a third of brits apologise more than 7 times a day even when they aren't in the wrong. How crazy is that?

I feel Loanne and I have made a habit of living life unapologetically. A few examples for us;

Sleeping in a van in the desert at a festival, because there was no room for us in the house!

Spending a whole weekend in bed eating junk because we had no plans that weekend 

Speaking Portuguese in a London cabby to talk about something hilariously private, only to find out the cabby was Portuguese! 

It's those little things, those magical moments. Life is too short to second guess yourself or care about what people think. Go and live life how you want! You won't regret it, we certainly haven't!

What is your 'Because I Can' moment? We want to know! Share it on social and hashtag #BecauseICan and tag @DietCokeGB

This post was sponsored by Diet Coke

So, I'm pretty sure you're all sick of seeing our holiday photos and hearing about our Maldives trip, especially when the weather here has been resemblant to that of a winters day. Speaking of which, we're both currently tucked up on the sofa in blankets, sipping on hot honey and lemon teas. The breath-taking water villas of the Conrad and blues and greens of the Indian ocean becoming mere distant memories. *Sobs*

Anyway, this blog post is dedicated to some of our Maldives wardrobe essentials. The items of clothing we were adamant to wear, perfect for the weather, the resort and etiquette. I won't ramble on and talk about all the items of clothing  (they're pretty self explanatory from the photos) but I'll add links to where you can purchase the pieces from, or if not in stock, where you can buy similar items from!

Yes, these summer items are perfect for the Maldives but summer too is fast approaching and these pieces could be worn for any little summer getaway you have planned. Many more for us, I hope!

The Co- ord combo:

Light, breezy, nice and easy. This colour looks insane with a tan!
Pair it with espadrilles / Ray bans / and a basket beach bag.

Click to Shop :

Bec and Bridge Top

Bec and Bridge Shorts

Manebi Espadrilles

Beach Bag

Sunnies

Jane Koenig Earrings

Missoma Pendant

The Silky wrap-up:

These shirts are the actual dream! We love using them as a wrap-up over our bikinis but these can also be worn on smarter occasions too.

Click to shop:

White Silk Shirt

Silk shirt (Similar)

Silk Shirt (Similar)

High waisted Bikini

Round sunnies

Basket Bag

The detailed dress:

I'm just a sucker for details and patterns. Anything with polka dots/ stripes and ESPECIALLY fruit patterns, I'm sold. So this number was a no-brainer!

Click to shop:

Bec and Bridge Dress

Basket Bag

Large pendant

Small Pendant

The White Flowy Beach Dress:

You just can't beat a white, flowy dress in the summer. Shove it on over your swimsuit, or dress it up for an evening meal. I do both.

Click to shop:

Revolve Dress

Revolve Dress (Similar)

Basket Bag

Red Turban

The sophisticated/sexy swimsuits:

I'm also a sucker for swimsuits nowadays, I just think they ooze that bit more class and elegance than bikinis. Below are some of my new faves I wore this holiday.

Click to shop:

Black swimsuit

Red swimsuit

Leopard Swimsuit

Cat eye Sunnies

The High-Waisted Bikini:

I just can't get enough of high-waisted bikinis. Flattering, elegant and forget about post-lunch bloating, these will suck and tuck you in in all the right places! 

Click to Shop:

Blue Bikini

Purple Bikini

Striped Bikini

Soda Tee

The 'All White, Everythaaaan' Look

I mean what other colour brings out your glowing tan more than white? Enough said. That was the colour of 70% of my suitcase essentials!

Click To Shop:
 

Linen Trousers

Crop top (Similar)

Crop Top (similar)

White Silk Shirt (similar)

Melissa Odabash Swimsuit

Hunza G crinkle bikini

White bikini pants

Denim shorts

Basket Clutch Bag