Monthly Favourites: July
Travel + Hotels
July saw a number of trips to the English countryside: firstly the Cotswolds, and later in the month, Dorset for a friend’s wedding.
In the Cotswolds, we were kindly hosted by The Wheatsheaf Inn, a rustic and cosy restaurant with rooms owned by The Lucky Onion.
From the plush interiors in our bedroom to the fluffy pancakes served at breakfast, the hotel provided us with a relaxing stay in an idyllic location: the ultimate countryside escape.
This stay was gifted, but all opinions are my own. I do not accept and write about gifted stays unless I truly enjoy them.
In July, I also visited Croatia for the first time, specifically Dubrovnik, on a press trip. Other than featuring as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is a stunning and historic city, featuring sandstone buildings right next to the Adriatic sea.
We were housed at the recently renovated Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, and our days consisted of exploring the city’s Old Town, leisurely lunches by the beach, and afternoons spent in the hotel’s spa (where I had the most relaxing massage!)
It’s definitely a city I’d like to revisit, and next time, I’d like to tie this in with some more explorations around Croatia.
This visit was part of a press trip, but all opinions are my own.
Food + Restaurants
In July, I visited a number of restaurants across London for the first time. Orasay, the latest brainchild from Jackson Boxer, is a chic neighbourhood restaurant in Notting Hill, with a menu focussing primarily on seafood.
If first impressions are anything to go by, I knew as soon as I stepped in and saw the subtle, elegant interiors (awash with tones of coral and pink), that I was going to like this place. The menu definitely brought the wow factor too: the smoked cod roe flatbread was melt-in-the-mouth delicious, and mains such as fried skate and whole John Dory were incredibly tasty too.
I also had the pleasure of eating in The Dining Room at The Ned, which is housed inside the hotel’s private members club. Offering a fine dining menu in a romantic and intimate atmosphere, and the most attentive staff ever who continually plied us with cocktails throughout our meal, I can safely say that the entire evening made for a five-star experience.
My favourite dishes included the homemade Parmesan gnocchi (the chef’s grandma’s recipe), and the incredible raw honey dessert.
Other restaurants that I visited in July:
The Shed in Notting Hill, a rustic hole-in-the-wall restaurant that offers a daily changing menu with a farm-to-table concept, make sure to order the incredible honeycomb bites dipped in chocolate and mascarpone when you visit).
Dudleys, a neighbourhood brunch spot in Walthamstow, which serves up tasty breakfast dishes such as chilli scrambled eggs and avocado toast (portions are generous too!), as well as great coffee.
Darby’s, a slick and spacious oyster bar in Vauxhall, which also has an on-site bakery, serving up fresh pastries every day.
Skincare
In July I visited Pfeffer Sal for their Essential Facial. In the lead-up to my wedding, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to how I look after my skin, and Pfeffer Sal offers a bespoke facial to each of their clients, providing expert advice on which products you should be investing in for healthier skin. The price tag for a facial here will cost you a pretty penny, but they’ll tailor it to your needs, and you’ll come out feeling like someone has hit the ‘Refresh’ button on your skin. The salon also ensures a VIP experience for each of its clients: you can expect your privacy, and an extremely luxurious service here.
Music/Film/Culture
TV: July saw the return of Stranger Things, one of my favourite Netflix shows. Combining sci-fi, comedy, drama and a talented cast all against a backdrop of small-town America in the 80’s, it makes for an universally appealing series.
I’d also be lying if I didn’t admit that I also watched Love Island religiously throughout June and July - with the winners being finally announced on the last Monday of the month (I was ecstatic about the results), I now miraculously have a social life again…
