Over the summer, I spent a lot of time exploring Richmond. I have always loved this part of London for it's beauty, water views and proximity to the Thames, the wildlife in the park (you can spot deers) and so much green space. You don't have to venture very far to find a little green oasis to your very own. Petersham Nurseries has become another great reason why I love this neighbourhood. I came here quite frequently to wander around the nursery before having lunch. You have the choice of a fancy lunch in the restaurant or a basic menu is available in the Teahouse. I would often sit here for hours basking in the warmth and enjoyed being surrounded by plants.

About a month ago I had my summer holiday in Portugal. It was one of those places that was on my bucket list for a long time and I finally made it there. We spent our first few nights in lovely Lisbon before travelling down the coast towards the Algarve.

What I will remember Lisbon mostly for is the light and shadows that fell on the crumbling facades of the buildings. Our days were spent meandering through the city in awe of it's imperfect beauty. Alfama, the old town, being our favourite part of the city with its rustic charm, tiled walls and pastel coloured buildings. We explored deserted alleyways, capturing locals going about their day. Lisbon is a hilly city and if you find the right location, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views across the city and Rio Tajo. If you find the hills too much for walking, you can always catch a tuk tuk or one of the many trams that criss cross the city.

During the summer this year, I was back again for a road trip through The Republic of Ireland. It was a journey I had planned on doing for some time with the aim of seeing parts of Ireland that were new to me. We picked up a van in London and drove to Pembroke in Wales, boarded a ferry and continued our journey from Rosslare along the southern Irish coast for a week. We continued our journey through Wexford, Waterford, Cork, the Ring of Kerry, Ring of Beara and finally Galway. One of the highlights was visiting World Heritage Listed Skellig Michael, an island that was once occupied as a Christian Monastery.

Although it was summer, we had lots of rain and wind. I relished braving the elements that mother nature put us through but there were moments when the unrelenting rain drove us to despair. But it was part of the adventure and it wouldn't have been an Irish holiday without some rain. But that's what attributes to the beautiful, green landscapes of Ireland.

These photos remind of my trip to Ireland last year for this food styling and photography workshop hosted by . I met a lot of inspiring people, one of them being the talented Jette Virdi. She recently launched her new blog and I was honoured to be the first to guest post with this recipe.

As much as I like a city break, I like to visit smaller towns if time allows me. After reading about Koster Island and the Bohuslän Coast, I was hooked and had to include it in our itinerary, The drive from Stockholm to the west cost of Sweden, took approximately 6 hours with a couple of breaks in between. Being an optimist, the drive took much longer than I expected. The day we left Stockholm, the sunny days we had experienced were replaced with dark clouds and a lot of rain. It was a somber end to our Stockholm visit, but we knew we were heading towards an area of Sweden that reputedly gets the most sun.

I’m so happy that I finally made it to Sweden. Although I can tick that country off my bucket list, I only scratched the surface and I would love to go back. I have an obsession with Scandinavia. I'm a huge fan of their minimal, contemporary designs, and some of my favourite music acts like Lykke Li, Röyksopp and The Knife are from there. I admit, I even like Ikea. Shopping was one activity Mark and I indulged in. And even better, we happened to be there when the sales were on. I got to re-visit my favourite Swedish labels like Hope, ACNE, Samsøe & Samsøe, Filippa K, Marimekko, & Other Stories and COS.

Mark and I spent 4 days in Stockholm before driving to the west coast of Sweden to spend 6 days exploring the Bohuslän coast with 2 nights spent on the car free Koster Island.

It has never been more apt for me to say this, but it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. I had been wanting to participate in a food styling/photography workshop for the last couple of years but I was waiting for the right one to come along.

My patience was rewarded and the stars had aligned in my favour. It just so happened that my friend alerted me to a post on Instagram about an upcoming retreat called to be held in Connemara, Ireland. The location was enticing and something about it felt right. I ummed and ahhed for days about the cost. Should I, shouldn’t I? In the end, I went with my gut instinct and just went for it. I nabbed myself a spot on the retreat, paid the deposit and was locked in.

What is life without celebrations? We should celebrate more often, not only the big moments but the little moments.

I have wanted to visit Claude Monet's Gardens for as long as I can remember. I first heard about this place when I studied Monet's Water Lillies in art class and since then I have wanted to visit the home and town that inspired him. It seemed like a faraway place that was out of reach at the time and it would be nearly 15 years until I finally get the chance to visit.

During my Guatemalan adventure, I spent a few nights on Lake Atitlan. It had such an impact on me that I felt it deserved it's own post. I watched the sunrise in the mornings and in the evenings I watched the fireflies flash their tail lights. I had a memorable stay at the eco-lodge La Fortuna. The lake was enchanting and the tranquility was just what I needed to relax and clear my mind for a few days.