holiday reads

So tomorrow is holiday-day! You may be pleased to know I've returned to (almost) full health and am super excited for a couple of weeks exploring Malaysia. For me, one of the most important tasks is choosing the books I'll be taking with me. I know what you're thinking, why am I lugging all those books around when I could take far more on a (much lighter) kindle? Well, good point. But, I don't actually own a kindle, and although my Mum offered hers I'm too frightened to take it as I know we'll be hopping on several small boats throughout the trip. She'd never forgive me if I broke or lost it! 

And.. these are my choices! After reading other novels by Rosamund Lupton (see here) and Gillian Flynn (see here) I was keen to get my hands on these, and was lucky enough to find them in my local Oxfam bookshop. The Casual Vacancy was a last minute supermarket purchase (I've heard good things) and I spotted this Julian Barnes Man Booker Prize winner in another charity shop! Hopefully here is a nice mix of genres, and should keep me going over the two weeks. 

Next on my hit list: The Return by Victoria Hislop, The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, and Case Histories by Kate Atkinson.

waiting to exhale

Sandals Aldo  Bikini Surfdome*  Sunglasses Vintage

Summer is finally upon us, hurrah! And this fills me with joy, as I am most definitely a summer person. Don't get me wrong, I love snuggling up in something cosy on a winters evening, sipping a hot choc while its freezing outside, feeling toasty and smug. But there is nothing like the sunshine; it cheers me up in an instant, leaving me feeling more positive and ready to face the day. I would go as far to say I'm a bit of a sun-worshipper... I love chilling in the garden with a good book, soaking up the rays and topping up my tan. When on holiday in Bali a couple of years ago with Kat I asked the beach attendant (actual job) to move the sun umbrella because it was "getting in the way of my tan". Yeh, not lived that one down.

With summer here, and our holiday just around the corner, I have been stocking up on summer essentials. Sun cream, after sun, insect repellent, a few good reads and beach wear, I'm on a roll! I'm loving this cute palm tree bikini from Surfdome, the style of this top and these bikini bottoms is super flattering and they fit like a dream. I've got about 5 bikinis lined up for holiday (all old apart from this one) and I tend to stick to this style; nothing too fancy, just comfortable and tan maximising! Paired with denim shorts or a loosing fitting cover up, sunnies and sandals and I'm beach-ready.

What are your holiday essentials? Help a sista out!