Sun, Sea and Soaking up Rays

So thew other week i finally got to jet of on the first of my summer holidays which felt fantastic to escape the awful May whether we'd been having in the UK. It's great to finally properly relax, unwind and catch up on all the loss sleep during term time. The hotel we stayed at was beautiful. The Palomar Renaissance is set in it's own grounds with tropical plants, flowers and secret gardens. The Food was absolutely amazing with so much choice, different restaurants with their own themes. So if you didn't fancy what the main restaurant had to offer with it's traditional foods you could pop off to an la a carte for a Chinese, Irish or if you were daring you could do moon light dining on the end of the jetty! To be honest if you didn't want anything but ice cream it would be fine, it would constantly be on tap and you could eat it till your hearts content!

The rooms and hotel are incredible well looked after and the staff are more than happy to help and accommodate your every need. They certainly made you very welcome and were truly wonderful.

~ Dress: River Island ~ Bag: Cath Kidston ~ Sandals: New Look ~ sunglasses: New Look ~

Whilst there we went on a couple of trips outside the hotel, always got to do a bit of culture, right? The landscape is so beautiful and so green compared to places such as Greece and Tenerife, it's was strange being in such a hot climate and there being so much greenery.

If you to ever go to Turkey i would really recommend getting out and going to see some of the old Greek and Roman sites. We visited Perge's an ancient amphitheater which was amazing, it was a gladiator arena and was even complete with it's own plug in the middle of it! couldn't believe we were allowed to explore and climb up it, was a great experience! 

Another place we visited was where an old town had fallen into the sea as a result of an earth quake. A bit like the ancient city of Atlantis except they were able to still see and find this one! If you look closely at the pictured you can see remains of buildings, washing systems and staircase. Fascinating. 

A holiday would be complete unless their was a boat trip to swim in different coves and beaches whilst catching some rays. The sea is lovely and in some places had natural warm springs which made it really warm. The captain even took us into some caves around the coast and showed us where the prettiest fish lurked. I really wished i'd had a water proof camera for that as it was so pretty to see all the coloured fish in the caves. 

http://www.palomahotels.com/renaissance

So it was great getting away and even coming back to sun in here in England, meant i could top up on my tan even more!

So have you been enjoying the UK weather and the start of summer?

Jolly Holiday

Holidays. 

They're always exciting, it doesn't matter how old you are you still get those butterflies of excitement whenever you think of getting on a plane and escaping somewhere hot. I've always loved going to airports anyway as my parents both worked there when I was young. Back in the day before health and safety I used to be allowed to play on the aeroplanes as they sat in the hangers for repair. Flying has never fazed me or unsettled me; I’m more than willing to put my life in the hands of the pilot in order to get me away from the drizzle and grey of England! I think I’m probably the minority (maybe only...) of the human population who is excited to get plane food and be more than happy to eat it, crazy right?! 

But for me I completely embrace all the things other people dislike, to me it's all part of the holiday and its yearly ritual. 

For me the excitement starts months in advance where you rigorously plan you holiday wardrobe, for me having a new set of trendy new seasons clothing it vital! What's better than heading out for dinner knowing you’re wearing the thing to be seen wearing this summer! 

This year i'm so proud of my little holiday wardrobe i thought i'd show you a sneak peak! 

               

Jacket: Oasis ~ Vest Top: H&M ~ Ring: Topshop ~ Watch: Vintage ~ Necklace: Mulberry

~ Self Tan: He Shi ~

I thought I’d talk a little about my favourite self tan product. As you may have spotted I’m very fair a and If you're pale like me, it tends to be a bit of a nightmare to find self tans that don't end up making you look like an explosion in a wotsit factory! But recently I have discovered He Shi which was recommended to me by a friend. It's prefect! It's a gradual tanner so it's builds a natural colour over time. I'd say it gives a little colour without being to O.T.T and isn't streaky or patchy, which is fantastic. Looks totally natural! It's a worry-free product and definitely made me a convert to a little fake tan now and then when it's needed! This is my beginning of holiday essential!

So tomorrow I'm off to the airport to board a plane so I won't be blogging for a little while. So Bon voyage for me!

So what are your essential holiday lotions and potions?

And have you also been stockpiling clothes to whip out for your holiday?

Sugar Fix

This week it's safe to safe I've been a bit AWOL! This has been due to it being the end of the year at uni and lots of loose ends needed tying but before I could relax and finally breathe a sign of relief. So until September I am free of the heavy burden of uni work, though of course I still have work to go to but at least I’m not juggling the two!

New Look Tropical Top
Ark Cardigan
Mulberry Key Necklace

 To celebrate my new found freedom I and my friends went out for a spot of lunch on Thursday. For ages I've been harping onto them about a little tea room in the Northern Quarter of Manchester that I just loved, loved, loved! I've mentioned it on my blog before, it's called Sugar Junction and it is a little retro 1950s tea room. Going there is like stepping back in time in the most amazing and exciting way.

As we were walking up my friends were saying they had butterflies for going to a new place as I had bigged up this place so much! Their expectations were high and it's safe to say it delivered. It's safe to say they were impressed by this little gem and when presented with the menu they were unable to decide what to order as everything sounds so beautiful.

Jane and I shared a pot of afternoon tea with proper loose tea leaves and Jenny had a classic chocolate Milkshake to drink. 

To eat the girls both had classic Mac 'n' Cheese and I had poached egg and smoked salmon on a muffin with hollandaise sauce. 

 It was wonderful and so delicious! when we finished they brought the cake board for dessert but we were so stuff this time we had to pass but we vow to go back and make it to cake next time!

Taken off Sugar Junctions Facebook

Next place for lunch on my agenda is Home Sweet Home; apparently they are just as good with a Mexican twist! I think I may go with my boyfriend there as pretty flower plates and tea cups aren't really his thing at Sugar Junction!

Has Anyone Been to either of these places or similar and What was your experience like?

I'm always looking to for places to eat so any recommendations?!

Summer Foundations

We're all waiting for the summer sun to come to England now, it's safe to say this spring has been incredibly dreary and miserable. I longingly look out the window each morning in desperate hope that today will be the day i can pop on a pair of shorts, a floral top and sandals to go to uni in or to work. The weather may be able to stop me from wearing my desired clothing but it can never stop me from lusting over what the high street stores are offering for when the sun does peek out! 

The high street stores are abundant in is so many colours, patterns and sumptuous designs I can't help myself but go into stores and mentally write a list of the clothes I want for my summer wardrobe. Spring/ summer 2012 designers have managed to present a style that’s so me it’s untrue! There's something about it that feels so nostalgic of my childhood, the lace and broderie makes my heart melt and reminds we of the party dresses my mum would put me in! And then there are the fantastic pastel colours, I can't resist them in denim, and as if that isn't enough there's the burst of vintage patterns. 

So today I present my summer shopping/ wish list: the foundations to my summer wardrobe. All I can say is, summer better hurry up!

What are you all hoping will make an appearance in your summer 2012 wardrobe?

The Blue Bicycle

This week for a little treat we went for dinner at a gorgeous little restaurant in York called The Blue Bicycle. Hidden among the cities meandering cobbled streets and tucked next to the canal, this wonderful restaurant produces some of the tastiest fish dishes and fantastic homemade desserts! The atmosphere is relaxing and homely, we were lucky enough to get a seat by the window so we could look out on to the street and watch the passers by as they hurried off to their evenings reservations and appointments. It's understandable how this place is so highly renowned and has won award for it's dishes. It has to be one of York's eateries that offers an enchanting dining experience!

The staff at this restaurant are the politest and most accommodating to all of our needs, they were kind enough to let us know which dishes they recommended and what their specialties were. Off the menu i chose to start with the Onion and Garlic soup, i love onion soup as it is has to be my all time winter warmer food! when the soup arrived it was lovely and rich with a smooth texture. i was expecting more like a broth with what you get with French Onion soup but this was different and closer to a Gratinee Normande, truly beautiful. Accompanied with the soup were the cutest terracotta plant pots with a sour dough bread in, it accompanied it so well and if you couldn't wait for your soup to arrive filled a spot for the time being!

For the next course i had chosen a crab risotto topped with pan seared sea bass. The sea bass was gorgeous! It was flaky and just melted in you mouth, the risotto complimented it well and wasn't too rich, it was perfect! i love crab as it is but i would eat this all the time if i was able to! If this is on the menu when you go i would highly recommend giving ago along with the mixed fish platter which my sister had. 

When we thought we couldn't possibly eat anything else the staff presented us with the desert menu, the homemade deserts are so ridiculously temping but on this occasion instead of opting for a heavy chocolate or creamy desert i had the brandy snap basket with fresh fruit. It was the perfect way to finish off our meal!

This restaurant is incredibly popular and i recommend booking! When we were there several off the street people came in but were turned away so avoid disappointment it's best to book.

Dress: Topshop

Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Belt: Oasis

Necklace: River Island 

I'm so glad that's it now the weekend after a busy week, though my weekend is a little hectic with a christening celebrations! Hoping the weather will hold out as i believe we are having a hog roast outside!

What are other people doing this weekend?