Summer Holidays

Ah Italia, you are still as bella as can be. I love heading to my second home in southern Italy. The people, the weather and the gorgeous food stay perfectly the same and it’s a joy to  visit my family and holiday there every year. If you want to read more about my favourite destination, check out my review over at White Stuff.

The place is ridiculously like a Dolce and Gabbana campaign location, so I decided to dress in keeping. Hope you like my snaps! 

Headscarf and shades by asos.com and bikini by Freya

Spaghetti Vongole, my fave!

The girls at pizza night!

Pizza night gets going

Art attack!

A trip to Palinuro

Capri outfit (dress is old Primark, sandals are new asos.com)

Beach outfit!

Harvey and Argo play

Just another lemon tree

Casa Bianca

Aperol Spritzes all round!

The chilli plant which inspired my work (!)

Swimsuit by White Stuff

Mmm fishy

Me and Mama

Beck!

San Marco harbour

Yes, another Aperol Spritz and nails to match 

I did Mum's hair

Going home ;(

My fave Zara heels didn't see much action (they will in Ibiza!)

My 5 Travel Essentials

It has taken me nearly 28 years to realise that I am NOT someone who can ‘travel light’. If I was held at gunpoint, here are the five things (apart from my passport and toothbrush) that I simply couldn't do without on holiday.

1. Amazing Holiday Fragrance

I love using a special scent on holiday, so I can be reminded of fun, sunny times all year round. Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess smells like summer in a bottle; exactly what you need when the weather is usually more Blackpool than Bali.

2. New Sunglasses 

I’m planning to rock a ‘Dolce and Gabbana on the cheap’ vibe this summer, so I bought these flowery shades from asos.com. I’ll be wearing them with a headscarf (also from asos.com) and big dangly earrings.

3. Bikinis Galore 

I get at least one new Freya bikini every year. I absolutely love them for their on-trend styles and unrivalled support. I just got the South Pacific style; the only time I have ever been able to wear a bandeau bikini without looking indecent! I’m taking my favourites from last year too.

4. Great Haircare 

My first sunny holiday is going to be at Mum and Dad’s house in Italy. It’s especially important for me to take a nice shampoo because the stuff they use leaves a lot to be desired (usually some kind of supermarket own brand *shudder*). This summer, I’ll be using the Oh! Summer Hair Rescue Kit by Galvin & Galvin. The Organic Head Everyday shampoo and conditioners are only £4; the perfect way to protect your hair from sun and chlorine. They make your hair feel light, clean and glossy; exactly what I want from my haircare.

5. Fab New Beach Towel 

I've got my eye on this leopard beach towel by Star Julian Macdonald. Everyone will laugh at me because most of what I pack will be leopard print. I also quite like the pink Ben de Lisi one.

Swimwear Ready?

Don’t let this weather fool you; summer is coming. This year, I refuse to be caught unaware; my hairy pallid flesh will not be shocked into display prematurely. From this moment onward, I am perma-buffing, tanning and yes, dieting a bit, to ensure that when the time comes, I will be my version of beach-ready. The Shellac pedicure is booked and the initial highlights have been painted in. Normally, I would leave purchasing a bikini until the last possible moment, in the vain hope that I will drop inches and potentially even cup sizes. The truth is I have been exactly the same size (12) and cup size (34DD) since about the age of 15. The level of toning may vary (none-average-fair), but the dress size and general shape rarely does. This time, I’m accepting things early, and intend to pour these curves into something new and delicious from Freya. The brand served me well last year, and I’m looking forward to some new two-pieces from the glamorous new range, superbly displayed in this, their new Santorini-based shoot.

www.freyalingerie.com/