This post is sponsored by Monica Vinader.
I can feel the Summer heat on my skin as a type this and although it’s a far cry from the picture perfect beaches of The Maldives, British Summer has finally turned up. The window is open next to me, it makes little difference but for some reason I still open it every evening as I sit down to type via candle light.
I took one step off the boat and felt like I couldn’t take another. It was taking me some time to process that I, Lydia Millen, the girl whose afraid of everything (except failure) made it on two long haul flights, a coach and a sea plane all the way to paradise. The Maldives had always felt too far, too distant, girls like me didn’t holiday there.
But there I was pushing the flawless white sand through the gaps in my toes looking out at water that was both as clear and warm as a bath. It was in that moment, that I truly fell in love with travel. I think sometimes you have to find your own spark, these desires and urges don’t always just come to you, much like self motivation sometimes you have to find that one thing, that one experience that ignites that fire within you.
There I was on a beach with the boy I am going to marry, there was no one else around, it was just us and the sound of the waves. We talked about all of the journeys we had taken together, that time he nearly died in Lisbon, almost missing our flight in Monaco and falling in love in Paris. So many places visited, so many memories made and yet this trip felt oddly different.
I didn’t want our time to end there. Time seemed to move so fast and I wanted to bottle up each moment and experience it forever.
Inspired by the sea-tumbled pebbles and reef fragments found strewn across the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Nura collection from Monica Vinader was the most perfect momento of our trip to paradise. The warm rose gold hue glows in the way only a Maldivian sunsets glows, whilst the perfectly imperfect smooth edges take me back to snorkling the reef without fear, for the first time in my life.
From diamond encrusted creeper earrings to a tiny pebble tumbled into the shape of a heart, every time I touch the pendant around my neck it takes me back to that moment on the beach with the boy I’m going to marry, that I will never, ever forget.
Imagery by Ali Gordon.
Hosting a very special breakfast for my girls in honour of @princestrust and @thebrilliantbreakfast to raise money to help young women turn their lives around through work, education and training. A donation of £5 can enable a woman to simply travel to an interview which could go on to change her life forever so I would absolutely love it if you would join me in hosting your own Brilliant Breakfast between the 9th and 15th October, whether it’s simply coffee with a close friend, or encouraging your entire office to get involved, the funds raised will go towards helping young women, aged 11-30 create better futures for themselves.
And thank you to my angel @hello.petal.flowers for giving her time and creative flare to bring my vision for the breakfast to life, of course you don’t have to go with florals like me, but if that’s something you enjoy this is the perfect opportunity to throw a lovely breakfast with your girlfriends with a cause that will help so many other women, front and centre!
Ad Because being old fashioned is always fashionable
Such an honour to drive to @goodwoodrevival with the @astonmartin team in the iconic DB5 to celebrate 110 years of the brand and 60 years of the DB5.
Outfit
Dress @dior
Hat @aavelleofficial
Gloves @cornelia_james
Jewellery @garrard
Ad I felt like a princess and I know my caption should probably be more cool than that but then 10 year old in me wins every time.
Thank you so much @secretspauk @beautypie @officialntas @bellepr_ @milla
@nickandrewsphoto @lensaction
Ad Blush dreams at the National Television Awards with @secretspauk wearing @milla such a wonderful evening!
Ad a dream come true few days in Norfolk & Stamford with the @fairfaxandfavor team meeting so many of you and immersing myself in the beautiful brand. Full video is on my YouTube
Wearing
The Beatrice blazer, Buckingham bag and Molton belt all from @fairfaxandfavor
Paid partnership
The oldest English retailer of fragrance and still to this day is family owned. The @florislondon flagship on Jermyn Street was a real treat to experience recently. I purchased their Together Fragrance Customisation as a double gift for both Ali and I. I gave my overall thoughts on the experience in a recent YouTube video but overall we would highly reccomend! It was an incredible experience and I will continue to repurchase my custom fragrance for many years to come no doubt.