I actually woke up feeling amazing this morning – which is impressive given my poor daughter was throwing up all night 😦 She feels a lot better thankfully after – as she put it – ‘just getting it out of me’ – uuurgh!
Anyhow they are hanging out with their Dad while I go off and get rid of 5 weeks of hair and get the grays covered. I even felt brave enough to wear jeans today!
Shoes – DSW (old) // Jeans – Zara (old) // Bag – YSL Roady (old) // T-shirt – AllSaints (recent sale purchase)
The laundry is done, we’ve caught up on sleep, I’ve worked out and had a good sweat, drank copious amounts of tea, and I can safely say I am starting to feel human again. 2 days of travel and gaining 6 hours completely knocked me sideways! The kids always cope admirably and they were up with the sun on Monday morning ready for their last day of camp before school starts next week!
I really need to get better at packing – I took way too many clothes again – but I find it so challenging when you are traveling for 5 weeks, in two different climates, with little idea about what you might end up doing from one day to the next!
Anyway it is fabulous to be back home after a great break – sleeping in my own bed and showering in my own shower. Everything works how it is supposed to, and I know where everything is once again!
As for what to wear with jetlag it has to be comfort that wins every time!
These new Nine West sandals are SO comfortable – they are just over 3″ high so super easy to wear. I have resolved to wear more heels and this is a start.
Piperlime is having a 20 hour flash sale that includes 25% off ALL shoes and bags using the code SHOPFAST – this is unusual as there are normally some brands excluded from their promotions – not this time though so be quick!!
Here are my picks!
The Vince Nina is still one of my favorite shoes and this year it is more easily available in several different colorways too – I love this oxblood pony hair version.
The Vince Claire is my ‘going out’ shoe for this Fall/Winter – I have ordered it in the above oxblood but I really would love the nude cappuccino pair too!
Finally, get these now while there is 25% off – they are rarely found on sale! The blue suede are already in the sale so with the extra 25% off they are a steal! I love mine from last year so much and went with my true size of US 8.5 – The Stuart Weitzman 5050:
Well sort of. Today is our last day at the beach – tomorrow we drive to Madrid for our flight back. I’ve been away from Atlanta for 5 weeks! I’m sad that it’s all over, but at the same time I’m ready to return home and see my dog, sleep in my own bed and rifle through my closet:)
We’re already planning next year’s adventure. Harems will be needed for sure:)
We’re planning on spending our remaining week on the beach – lounging, getting too much sun, eating too much food, reading more books and soaking up all aspects of the beautiful Mediterranean. I’ve read more than on any other vacation (probably a sign the kids are older and entertaining themselves!). I’m on book 5 now, and if you are searching for a great beach read, the best to date has been “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. Nothing high brow about this book, just a great, page turning thriller that is easy to pick up and put down when the children beckon!
My beach attire has mainly consisted of my J.Crew bikinis, and yes I have dared to go topless – the kids don’t seem too scarred…with one of my ASOS dresses to throw on for coffee and lunch. I have, however, also fallen in love with the ‘romper’ or ‘playsuit’. They just seem to be far less mutton on a beach, and they are so easy to throw on over a swimsuit. Here are some of my favorites – some are in the sale right now too – perfect timing for all of you starting holidays in the UK and Europe!
Possibly the best bargain of the bunch is this Liquorish Tiger print playsuit. The print is super fun and it is currently reduced from $123 to $53!
This River Island playsuit is cute with a layered/tiered top. I love the print with monochrome and florals. Given my love for their jumpsuits I know this will be just as easy to wear.
I love this palm print romper – it is a great color and really comfy – yes it is in my closet…
Another steal at $34 – I have this and love wearing it – fun, comfortable and leopard, it looks fab with a tan!
At just $38 this floral version is great – I just love the bandeau top and the shape it gives. Super flattering for an apple or a pear shape. It’s also 5% elastane so has plenty of stretch for those nature breaks!
This is the jumpsuit version which I will admit to having ordered. I went for the full length mainly because my beach vacation is winding down and this will be more appropriate for wearing back in Atlanta. It’s currently reduced to $41!
This flamingo version is so much fun – I love it for by the pool with a cocktail! All sizes are available and it is just $15!!
I have seen lots of items labelled ‘Festival’ recently and it always turns me off somewhat given my age, however, I LOVE this playsuit. The longer sleeves make it so easy to wear, revealing less flesh, so you can easily wear it off the beach too.
This denim playsuit with straps is lovely and it has a great shape with no waistline, so it will be super comfortable and unrestrictive.
This cami playsuit is beautiful and I am torn between the black and the green – the green possibly edges ahead. It’s a beautiful lightweight jumpsuit that will take you from beach to bar to club (I know you all still do!).
Finally – another jumpsuit – not in the sale but I couldn’t resist – I just adore this print.
Do you have a romper ready to pack in your case? Here’s my M&S playsuit from today, worn with my Sam Edelman Reeves, accessorized with a bottle of San Miguel:)
Some snaps from the past two days!:
Being back on wifi has it’s pros and cons. Under both pros and cons lies sale shopping – it’s great to see what is out there, but at the same time I need to resist temptation. It’s far too easy to hit the order button sitting in the sunshine with a glass of sangria! I have, however, found some amazing bargains to share with you!
First up the iconic MiH jeans. Bloggers everywhere have been singing their praises and Sue and Annmarie both have them. They were favorites of Jane Birkin and Farrah Fawcett and apparently the denim and cut feels supportive – holding you in, not leaving you short for air! ASOS.com have several styles left in the sale at incredible reductions. Keep checking back if your size isn’t available they do keep coming back in stock and ASOS updates regularly. My favorites are:
The Casablanca – reduced from $314 to $70:
I love this wash – so retro and great for summer.
The Breathless (reduced from $453 to $82):
This raw Japanese selvedge is stiff to start with but with wear becomes beautifully soft, aged denim. Every review says size up in the Breathless so you’re not left breathless.
The Jane Jean (reduced from $362 to $68):
My personal favorite – I love the wash and the cropped, flared cut.
The totally trendy Phoebe jean is no longer available on Asos but I found them half price on Amazon here – included in their Prime shipping program too!
Next up shoes – and I know this may be problematic for UK readers but Zappos.com have some GREAT discounts in the US.
My Nine West Oslos are now just $63.99:
These Angellicas are perfectly on trend with their lace up and will look perfect with dresses or jeans (reduced from $119 to $77).
Another of my favorites is the Kurrious – available in black or taupe. A great heel height for every day wear (reduced from $119 to $77).
My favorite Sam Edelman Reeves are now on sale too. I ‘ve worn these tonnes on vacation (reduced from $100 to $69.99).
I don’t need these Katarinas at all but they are sitting in my basket on Zappos right now – I love the putty shade – again reduced from $100 to $69.99.
These following dresses are not in the sale but are still great prices so I wanted to share them with you! This sleeveless swing dress is the same I have in grey, white and black – it is perfect for day to night on vacation and I have also worn mine as a beach throw on. I’ve just ordered it in navy.
This version is gorgeous – the pussy bow could be left looser for daytime, and I love the lower neckline. The green and navy are stunning and are great vacation evening dresses.
Finally don’t forget the Nordstrom Anniversary sale has started. People in the US go crazy over it and they ship globally. It is a sale of NEW fall season items so you can stock up and be ready with your boots and coats! There are some amazing brands available at great discounts before they sell out in September!
I refuse to worry about weight gain whilst on vacation – especially when I know I’m starting training for another half marathon on my return. I might as well enjoy the last few weeks of indulgence hey? Spanish food is deceptive – small portions of fresh food make you think it’s all good, but there’s lots of fried patatas, fish and meats all washed down with sangria or cava – and well – it’s easy to see it ain’t all that healthy. But boy it is good. I can safely say we have eaten better food on this vacation than any other. Consistently great, fresh food and you don’t feel ripped off when you pay the bill.
Yesterday we ate by the beach in La Heradurra. A beautiful, old school resort town with no high rises in sight. The shingle beach is clean and the Med is crystal clear – I could live here forever. I should mention too that the Spaniards we have encountered are incredibly friendly and also especially accommodating of children – nothing has been too much trouble for them.
I forgot a full length photo but I was wearing my fabulous ASOS swing dress (I have this in grey, black and white – the best, most versatile holiday dress ever!), J. Crew bikini and white birkenstocks – the most appropriate footwear I brought with me!
Yesterday evening we grilled steaks and drank red wine whilst reminiscing with Simon and Karin.
Today was market day in Orgiva. First a few points about Orgiva – I adore it here, BUT if you are looking for a sanitized, white washed setting this is not the place for you. It is a relaxed, bohemian, new age, accepting-of-all type of place – in fact my piercings feel pretty lacking here:) There are young, old, Brits, Spanish, travelers and tourists here – you name it, Orgiva has it. The market was fabulous and we came home with wine, bread, jewelry, harems and roast chickens!
Simon and Karin leave us tomorrow so we will no doubt be up rather late tonight. We have another week of bliss before heading home. I am so lucky to have all this time abroad with the people I love. My Cava beckons but first I must remind everyone to check out the MiH jeans on Asos – they are MASSIVELY reduced and worth trying with free returns available!
After a day lazing on the beach near Motril yesterday, we headed out for some proper sight seeing today. Just 45 minutes North lies the beautiful city of Granada.
Spain became my top pick for our vacation destination this year after seeing Anthony Bourdain visit Granada on his series ‘Parts Unknown‘. Granada relies almost entirely on tourism for it’s revenue, and is the location of the stunning Alhambra Palace – one of the best examples of Moorish architecture. Thankfully we booked tickets before we departed for Spain as the queues were huge even at 9am this morning – though not that surprising really given it was almost 38 degrees celsius at midday when we were leaving. If you ever head to Andalucia the Alhambra is a must see – it is spectacular and incredibly romantic offering some amazing views of Granada and the Sierra Nevadas.
My dress is River Island, bought from ASOS. Incredibly comfortable for the heat though I did nearly come a cropper when I stood on it walking up the stairs in the castle!
After the Alhambra we met up with Simon and Karin who are staying with us this week. Lots of fun, laughter, chat and wine of course! We headed to one of the most highly rated Tapas Bars in Granada – the Bodegas Espadafor. When you order a drink you get free tapas – at least in this part of Spain. We ate sausage, squid, croquettes, paella, broad beans and ham – just the most amazing food – all washed down with beer and sherry – well for us non-drivers at least;)
Finally I forgot about this outfit photo from our last night in Sevilla. The M&S playsuit got an outing with the Oslo sandals from Nine West – the most comfortable sandals that I own – and they are now in the sale.
Phew! After a week offline we’re back in the land of the living. We have just driven 3 hours from outside Sevilla to Orgiva, South of Granada and North of Motril. It’s a little town in the valley – very bohemian and laid back with amazing vistas of mountains around us. I can hear the kids screaming in the pool now, after a lunch of Spanish omelet, pork meatballs, and maybe a couple of cervezas. Life is good.
In Sevilla, with Noddy – our Fiat 500L:
Tapas in Cadiz:
Performing our ablutions before heading into the Cathedral in Cordoba:
My outfit for the blazing heat of Cordoba:
Top – Mango Sale bought in Cadiz! // Shorts – Mango // Shoes – Sam Edelman // Flamenco Dancer – Unknown
Gotta get myself connected! We were horrified to discover that our wifi in Seville is out! I am now deliriously happy it is out! No screens for a week! I’m currently sitting in a yogurt bar in Cadiz using their free wifi on the phone!
We had an amazing night in Seville last night where I wore this River island jumpsuit with Ancient Greek sandals.
About to drink more sherry in Cadiz and we’ve just shopped in Mango. Life is good:)
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