Finding your summer style is such an important part of your travels. From making sure you're comfortable and prepared for every situation, to feeling beautiful and confident with that holiday glow. How we look plays a big part in how we feel, and don't we all want to feel great when we're on holiday? Whether you're planning a summer trip to the south of Spain, or you're going long-haul to a Thai beach – here are my top tips on finding the summer style for you.
Shop for the holiday you have planned. If you're travelling somewhere hot, think cool, loose fabrics with lots of movement, or try linen if you fancy more structured outfits. For active holidays, choose stretchy workout gear for hikes and climbs. Or for those cooler locations, why not pick up some warmer, insulated coats or ski gear? Plan carefully and it can have a big impact on how much you enjoy your holiday.
I've always been a bright and colourful girl. Much like my love of the tropics, my wardrobe is all the colours of the rainbow. If you're going somewhere sunny and plan to get a tan, go for colours that will compliment your summer glow. White always shows off a tan well, and bright reds, pinks and turquoise look great against bronzed skin. If you're more of a monochrome fan – look for clean-cut shapes and even white/black patterned clothes to mix it up a bit. Whatever you choose – make sure that it complements your skin tone.
This is my most important point. Not everyone suits body-con dresses or long white linen trousers. Not everyone feels comfortable in tight mini-skirts and some bodies will be swamped by long floaty outfits. The important thing is to dress for your body and wear things that make you feel good. This could be the latest styles, or it could be bringing back vintage 70's. Remember, every body is a bikini body – but find the bikini that flatters and makes you feel confident on the beach. Don't wear anything that makes you feel any less than amazing!
Want to shop less and cut down on fast fashion in your wardrobe? Choose classic styles and you'll build a wardrobe that you'll wear for years to come. Not only will you love pairing items from 10 years ago with the latest quirky accessories, but you'll instantly know what items look good with each other. Creating a capsule wardrobe means wasting less time on stressing over outfit combinations, and more time drinking cocktails when you instantly have a mental rolodex of perfect outfits.
Buying a new wardrobe each summer can create a huge expense when really you want to be spending that money on ice cream and cocktails on the beach. Start shopping a little differently and you could save a pretty penny! Instead of waiting until peak season to buy summer items, shop the sales the summer before to pick up great items at half the cost. This also works well with expensive winter clothes/ski gear – buy it during the sales to save. Shop wholesale fashion stores such as J5 Fashion to cut costs on picking up the latest styles. Or go vintage and hit the second-hand stores to save money and pick up some quirky, unique styles.
What's your summer style? How do you shop for your holidays?
*This mini cruise post is sponsored content.
Have you ever looked at a mini cruise holiday and wondered whether it was for you? For many years I've been eyeing up various cruise options and always questioned whether I would enjoy a trip or now. Plagued with seasickness and ideas of what a cruise was like, it was easy for me to brush the notion aside. But if I'm being really honest with myself, I had this whole idea of what a cruise was like with no real experience to back it up. So I've teamed up with Cruise and Maritime Voyages to share what cruise life is really all about. And for those who still aren't sure whether cruises are really for them – don't worry! I've got a much better option to help you test the waters before committing to a 3 week cruise.
Whether you're running short on time, funds or simply don't want to dive straight into a full cruise, a mini cruise could be the perfect option for you. Save yourself the stresses of going to the airport and dealing with luggage restrictions, cut down on the holiday planning time and keep the kids happy. Choose the holiday you really want, to fit in with your budget and your timescale.
Always wanted to try a cruise but didn't want to commit to weeks on a ship? Booking a mini cruise break for a weekend is the perfect way to dip your toe in the water and see whether you like it! For first-time cruisers, you get the chance to test your sea legs without facing a long stint at sea. Set aside any fears or nerves you may have over a big cruise by taking a practice run on a mini cruise break.
One thing that can put travellers off a full cruise is the cost of travelling all-inclusive for several weeks. But booking a mini cruise break can see prices starting as low as £49pp for a one night cruise. With lots of cheap deals available for cruises across Europe and the UK, it could be a great way to save on accommodation and stick to your budget. Book cheap weekend or mid-week cruises – on average these start at around £100 for 2-4 night cruises. This includes your accommodation, delicious restaurant meals and top-class entertainment, plus a chance to visit some top destinations.
Something that has always worried me about signing up for a longer cruise is seasickness – once you're on the boat it's a little too late to do anything about it. But a mini cruise could be the perfect option for you. The combination of shorter travel time and closer proximity of the different ports means avoiding the biggest sea swells and the roughest of waters. While you may still fall victim to bad weather, generally you stand the best chance of avoiding seasickness. If in doubt, always come prepared with seasickness tablets.
Always fancied exploring the UK, France, the Channel Islands, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands but wanted to do something a bit different to the average city break? See the cities and countries you've always dreamed of visiting but experience them from the waterways. Choose between a mini cruise that stops off for expert-led shore excursions or simply enjoy the view from the boat. Get a taste of European life and there's no doubt you'll want to go back for more.
Don't spend your pre-holiday time worrying about baggage restrictions and making sure your liquids are under 100mls. Forget lugging around a heavy suitcase or getting stuck in the lines at customs. By choosing a mini cruise, you also give yourself the option of bringing back bottles of wine or foodie items you pick up on your travels. No chance of watching security throw away your precious purchases on the way home.
Booking a European city break can take a lot of organising, especially when you're planning for the whole family. So why not skip the stress of booking flights, hotels and transfers separately? Instead, save your precious time and energy for enjoying a mini cruise where everything is provided. Right down to the evening's dinner and entertainment – leave the big decisions to the staff while you sit back and relax in your home from home.
Whether you're bored of the same old city breaks, or haven't yet had a chance to explore – a mini cruise is a great way to shake things up! Whether it means getting seeing the same places from a new perspective or getting to visit several destinations in one short trip. If you're short on time but want to make the most of a short holiday, this could be a great way to incorporate visits to all of your favourite cities. Why not combine Amsterdam, Antwerp and Rotterdam for a Netherlands' adventure?
Who said cruises are just a summer holiday idea? They can also be a great way to get away when the weather starts getting colder. Many of the locations on offer also host some of the best Christmas markets. You could visit Germany and Amsterdam for the annual festivities. Why not plan a romantic getaway with that special someone? Enjoy all the Glühwein and bratwurst you can eat.
Organising a trip with kids can be a challenge for keeping everyone happy and entertained 24/7. Booking a mini cruise could be the answer to all your problems. From being able to bring along as much luggage as you need. To having onboard restaurants that cater for even the fussiest eaters. While there may be the added cost of bringing kids along. Remember these costs will cover all your meals and accommodation. They could even include creche services and kid's club to keep the little ones entertained while you relax.
If you want to relax in the spa, or plan days off the ship as you explore a new location. It's your choice. You can keep yourself busy with shows and live entertainment. Enjoy fine dining or take a dip in the pool depending on which cruise you choose. Decide how you want to spend your holiday and your cruise will cater for your every need.
Whether I've persuaded you or not – it's yet another unique way to travel and a great way to have a relaxing trip on a budget. It's definitely something I'll be considering for future trips, particularly for a European adventure.
Click to book mini cruises for a short break.
Have you been on a mini cruise? Would you like to experience one in future?
*Thanks for Jade of Raising the Rings for snapping the pics of moi
I talk a lot about the best ways to save money, but it's so important to build up your own money saving plan – and the younger you start, the better! Through travel I've learned a lot about managing and maximising my finances. Now I want to share what I've learned with you guys! I'm definitely not a financial advisor, I'm just sharing what has worked well for me. Before trying any of these tips, do your own research and make choices that work best for you. I'm writing this as a 29-year-old. So I have the benefit of hindsight and a lot more knowledge than I ever had when I was 25. I hope this post will help you be one step ahead during your twenties.
Since travelling, I've been the richest and poorest I've ever been. I've also become really good at saving money and cutting corners where possible. I'd much rather spend on experiences and save for something special than blow my money on nights out. We all have different priorities but whatever you put first in life is where you will see your money disappear. The question is – what will you have to show for it afterwards?
Straight out of university and hopefully into your first job – I started work as a journalist but was on a really basic and crappy pay. Despite this, I was living at home with my parents for a while and while paying rent, I was also able to have some financial independence and was able to save money for the things I really wanted. After living in debt for years at university, it was nice to finally have some breathing room and freedom. It was the time to start managing my own money and naturally that means blowing some money at first and treating yourself.
But once the charm of the nights out and new clothes wore off, I started to realise how empty it felt to waste money like this. It occurred to me that I didn't want to stay in this job forever, and I also didn't want to live at home forever. Now was the perfect time to really save – for what? I wasn't sure yet... But it wasn't long until I realised how much I had always wanted to travel and bingo, I already had a good chunk of savings set aside for that rainy day! If like me, you know that you don't want to stay in the same job, the same house or live the same life forever. Today is the day to start saving money and get on top of your finances for when you're ready to make a change.
The most important thing is to get a handle on your spending and really understand your essential expenses vs. unnecessary expenses. You need to make sure you prioritise your bills before you're treating yourself and this includes rent, food, utility bills, council tax and phone/broadband. We'd all love to have a plush apartment to ourselves filled with the latest gadgets and gorgeous furniture, but living within your means is an important skill to learn. Create a spreadsheet of your monthly incomings and outgoings and log everything – including those sneaky coffees on your way to work.
Another great way to do this is to sign up for a bank like N26, Monzo or Starling Bank – they have apps which track your spending and where your money is going. Once you've been tracking your outgoings for a month or two and you will start to get a good idea of your disposable income. If you're finding it's much less than you would like – considering looking at your living arrangements to see if you could save there. Sharing a flat is a great way to make friends, especially if you’ve moved to a new city for work or study and it helps to keep expenses down by sharing costs. Disposable income is a key factor, so it’s important to get a good handle on your expenses to create a money saving plan.
This is one that I wish I had started working on earlier, it can have a huge impact on your life. Ironically you need to acquire "debt" to pay it off in order to get a good credit rating. A good credit rating is important for mortgages/buying a house and for taking out large loans. This doesn’t mean you should go and max out a credit card on extravagant purchases. Instead, why not get a credit card to make some affordable payments, before paying it off in the agreed period.
For example, you could use a credit card to pay your regular food bills and then pay it off when you get paid. Over a few months, you will build up a sound credit history by spending money you were already going to spend. Certain credit cards have extra perks, such as cash back or reward schemes. Using comparison sites could help you find the best credit card for you needs. If you have a mobile phone on contract, this can also count towards your credit rating, if you don't, it's a great way to boost your rating.
Look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves. Well I prefer to look after the pennies, the pounds and any stray Euros that sneak in. Looking at your pensions and savings is really important, it's building a future for yourself. One of the most important decisions when creating a money plan is how much of your income to save. The more you can save and the sooner you can start, the better for your future.
The BBC have reported you should start a pension by the age of 25 to have the best chance of saving enough for retirement. Often if you are employed by a company, they will offer some kind of pension plan. Whether you understand it or not, it's worth ticking a box to pay into one. Its a tiny portion of your pay-check but sometimes your company will match it. You won't even notice it has gone, but you'll definitely notice when you retire so add it to your money saving plan today.
Other saving options could include ISAs, where you can save up to £20k per year tax free. I've had an ISA since I was around 18 and have always set aside the majority of my savings in it. However, you should also look carefully at your bank accounts. I was definitely guilty of having stayed with the same bank for years and never looked at my interest rate. Then I discovered it was pitiful and realised that by switching to a new bank, I could get a welcome bonus of £150 and a much higher interest rate. It's worth shopping around for better accounts and changing every few years to get the most out of your bank. The market is designed for new customers.
It's not the most exciting topic in the world but insurance and being properly prepared is so important. Just like you wouldn't go away without good travel insurance for emergency medical treatment or car crash cover. Make sure you have a comprehensive home insurance against theft and damage. Ensure that it will also protect you in case of a flood or fire – which could otherwise be devastating. You need third party insurance on your car, but make sure you have an insurance that meets all your needs. Also - regularly check up and price compare to see if you could be getting a better deal. If you find a better price elsewhere, you can ask your current insurer to match it.
Life insurance is also worth thinking about in your money saving plan, especially if you live a high-risk lifestyle. It’s designed to pay out a lump sum of money to your next of kin if you were to die. It can give you piece of mind that your loved ones are provided for when you’re not around. You can find great deals on comparison sites like Moneyexpert. I haven't yet looked into this, but it's definitely going on my to-do list after some close calls in car accidents while travelling. While it wouldn't ease the pain of losing someone, it would make sure they were provided for in a time of need.
When you've put these tips into play, it's important to remember to enjoy yourself as well. These budgeting tips will help you to put money aside for big purchases such as holidays or a new car. Plan and instead of risking a bad credit rating, you'll be able to use your savings to pay! It will give you such a sense of achievement to pay outright. Before travelling the first time, I worked five jobs, and you know what, it was worth every second. When I was finally travelling, I felt so proud of myself for making it a reality!
You can also look into reward schemes from credit cards. This could help you build up your credit rating if you use your card to purchase and pay off the balance. Plus you could score free flights or purchases! Design a money saving plan that works around your lifestyle and gives you the benefits you want.
The biggest advice here – don't be intimidated or feel like you don't know enough about finance to make your own choices. I know how it feels. We haven't been educated when it comes to growing up in a world ruled by finances. Particularly as women, the financial world can feel alien. None of the schemes, companies or advertising are aimed at us. It's hard to understand a world when you can't see yourself in it. But it's important to talk about finance, to talk about money, wages and the future. Only by talking about it will we learn and we will grow, expanding both our knowledge and our finances.
Check out SavvyWoman for great tips on money and finances.
How will you start creating your money saving plan?
*This travel minis post is a collaboration with Cosmetify
Whether you travel once a year, or once a week, it seems the bane of all our lives is trying to fit our luggage into the smallest space possible. Particularly if you're travelling hand luggage only, or trying to comply with the under 100mls rule. It's no easy task to maintain your beauty routine when you travel. But as someone who regularly flits between check-in luggage and hand luggage on trips. I've become very creative with ways of streamlining my skincare and haircare routine to make the most of my packing space. After all – don't we all just want to keep things as simple and easy as possible when we travel?
As someone who travels a lot, it's important to me to maintain a beauty and skincare routine. The changing climates, air conditioning, late nights and flights can take their toll on your skin and hair and quickly make them look dull and lifeless. We all want to arrive at our destination feeling glam and ready for our holiday, being prepared with our body's favourite products is a great way to do that. Even if you're travelling within the country or heading to a festival this summer, shopping for mini-versions of your favourite products can be a great way to save space. If you ask me, it's a great way to make space for more outfits, books and perhaps a few extra ciders for at the festival.
I've teamed up with Cosmetify, a beauty discovery website with over 160,000 products from thousands of brands. Perfect for beauty lovers – the website stocks everything from makeup and hair products, to grooming, skincare, electricals and toiletries. If you're planning a long-haul summer getaway or even a weekend city break in Europe, Cosmetify is the perfect place to pick up all your travel beauty minis. Whether you're jetting off to Paris, Bali or Mexico, make sure you're fully stocked with your favourite brands before jetting off. As important as a good sun screen is for your holiday so are your beauty essentials, especially travel minis.
Skincare is so important and maintaining a good routine can mean the difference between perfect glowing skin, and holiday breakouts. The changing temperatures can leave your skin prone to dry patches which is never ideal when you're looking to top up your tan. I always make sure that I have the most hydrating products I can find – between the sun and travel, my skin and hair crave moisture. I also make sure I aways travel with a great cleanser and exfoliating scrub that will help stop my pores from getting clogged up with sunscreen and sweat if I'm travelling somewhere hot. There's no better feeling than giving your face a good cleanse and your body a good scrub after a day of sunbathing, and then moisturising your skin.
When you've managed to save on space thanks to packing your travel minis, why not use that space to throw a few treats in your bag? Some of my favourite holiday products to pack include cooling eye masks and foot sprays. These are ideal after a day out in the sun and walking around a new city. Pop them in the fridge to make them extra soothing on your skin. My favourites for a long flight or travel day include a moisturising facial mist and tissue mask. These are a fantastic way to arrive feeling fresh, plus it's lovely to have a mini-pamper on the plane. And finally, a good foot scrub or pumice stone to get your tootsies ready for those summer sandals.
One topic that is always on my mind is the environment and how to live a more sustainable life. There are more vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable products available in the beauty industry than ever before. But it is down to us to make the right choices when it comes to choosing our favourite brands. There are lots of simple ways you can make environmentally-friendly choices for your holiday beauty routine.
A huge thank you to my lovely friend, Kirsty of Kirsty Leanne blog, for shooting these pics for me!
What are your favourite holiday beauty products? Which travel minis can't you live without?
As many of you guys will know from my stories, I was lucky enough to go on a fab press trip with Ryanair and Bergerac Airport a few weeks ago to Garorock Festival in France. After the UK summer arriving a little late, I was in bliss when we touched down to a heatwave in France. I had such an amazing time and I'm so excited to share it with you.
Get ready for the full festival experience, along with a little inspo for those who have always wanted to festival abroad. I've been to many festivals abroad over the years, but Garorock Festival was my first French festival and it's one I'll always remember. Now, if we're heading to a festival together, you better make sure you've got your glitter, your bum bag at the ready... Oh and if you're a shorty like me, you'll need some strapping young lad to pop you on his shoulders so you get the best view of the stages!
Garorock Festival is so much more than just the music. It's an experience, one that welcomes you with open arms back to a family you never knew you had. With the winged horse as it's symbol this year, there was magic in the air from the beginning. And now that's it's over and the tents are packed away, it's certainly a festival we won't forget. The organisers had thought of every detail from DJs in the camping area, street theatre and games. There were plenty of bars, toilets and showers to keep even the fussiest festival-goers happy. Even a food court with a huge range of foods to suit all palates, and a huge seating area for family-style feeds.
Throughout the four-day weekend, over 145,000 people attended the event. But despite the numbers Garorock Festival maintained a really intimate vibe. It never felt too crowded or too intense by the stages, everyone was really friendly and you kept seeing the same familiar faces. Even better, the festival had one of the most chilled out crowds I have ever experienced at a festival so it's perfect for first-time festival-goers, those who don't like crowds and families. It may have been running for over 20 years, but the festival has maintained that cosy back-yard feel while absolutely smashing it with incredible line-ups. Garorock is a fantastic festival but seems to have stayed under the radar when it comes to UK festival-goers. So if you want a chance to beat the crowds and experience a true French festival – now is the time to go! It costs just €50 for a day ticket and €170 for a full weekend pass – you can buy tickets here.
One thing I really loved about the festival was that it was entirely cashless. Each festival-goer was provided with a wristband that they could pre-load using the app. These could be topped-up at the festival with money for drinks and food. It was so efficient and had a huge impact on how smoothly the festival ran. Particularly when it came to the bars. I never waited more than a couple of minutes at any bar throughout the whole festival. We all know how annoying it can be to feel like all you do is queue, whether it's for drinks, food or the toilet. It's a huge waste of time when you really want to be at the stages enjoying the acts. I loved that Garorock had sound a way to streamline the festival experience and make it as enjoyable as possible.
Originally Garorock Festival started out over 20 years ago as a rock festival in a field in Marmande. Over the years it has grown into a hugely diverse line-up featuring a mix of local and international acts. While rock is clearly still an integral part of the festival with acts like Blood Red Shoes, Interpol and Sum 41 on this year's line-up. It has become a really inclusive festival with a range of acts to suit all tastes. Throughout the weekend we also caught performances by James Blake and Ben Harper. Plus the incredible Christine and the Queens the night before she smashed Glastonbury. De La Soul had the crowd dancing, while DJ Snake had the crowd in the palm of his hand.
One of my favourite performances of the festival had to be Sum 41. After growing up with them as a teenager it was epic to see them perform live on stage. The whole crowd was singing along to every single word and it was that night when I said goodbye to my voice for the next week. This was closely followed by Christine and the Queens and her incredible dancing troupe who absolutely blew us away with their performance. DJ Snake was fantastic as a headliner, but it was Macklemore who really took the festival to the next level. It's been a long time since I saw a performance as spectacular as theirs. From the excellent showmanship, to all our favourite songs. It was a perfect way to end a fantastic weekend.
Getting to Garorock Festival couldn't be easier thanks to Ryanair who fly directly to Bergerac, the closest airport to the festival. It's one of 28 French airports connected by the airline, and is easily reached from London Stansted, Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool and Brussels Charleroi in Belgium throughout the summer. During the winter, the service cuts down to 3x weekly flights direct to London Stansted which makes it easily accessible all year round whether you're visiting for a festival, for the vineyards, the amazing food or landscape. Flights start from as low as €19.99 – so what are you waiting for?
We flew over from London Stansted and it couldn't have been an easier or quicker journey, just 1 hour in the air and we touched down in 35 degree heat. On arrival, we were met by our transfer – we travelled by mini-bus but you could easily hire a car for collection at Bergerac Airport. The journey took around 45 minutes to our accommodation and saw us driving through endless rolling countryside and vineyards.
We stayed at a huge self-catering cottage called Les Gîtes de Sarah, with two swimming pools on site and an in a beautiful location. If you plan on attending the festival or exploring the area, I recommend hiring a car. If you're planning your summer travels and want to stick to your budget. There are 142 Ryanair routes from London Stansted including six new routes to Kiev, Lviv, Nantes, Kalamata, Rodez and Vigo.
My first every festival abroad was Hideout Festival in Croatia, and honestly, I've never looked back. While UK festivals will always be my first love, there's something epic about experiencing a festival in another country. Garorock Festival was a fantastic example of that. We met people who had been going to the festival for years, some were local, others had travelled from across France and beyond.
Around the festival, we had the chance to stay in the beautiful countryside around Marmande in a stunning Gîte. A festival abroad is so much more than just a festival. It's a chance to travel and explore. An amazing way to meet like-minded people and to share a moment of magic with them.
Have you been to a festival abroad – which ones would you recommend?
