Alive in the Algarve | Summer Fashion Part 1

A week has passed since I came home to Ireland after a journey home from Portugal and I still haven't wrote about my holiday in the Algarve. For the last seven days I've been cleaning (like, deep cleaning) my bedroom, and since I'm a perfectionist when it comes to that room, it has been taking quite a bit of time. Finally, I'm sitting down on the couch at four o'clock in the afternoon with my sister's laptop (she's at the Gaeltacht) and I'm typing away to my heart's content. The brightness is bothering me though. How to turn it down is the question...

While in Portugal, my family and I stayed in Monte de Quinta in a lovely villa with a mini pool, as well as access to the hotel with a bigger pool (without doubt, we swam). Three words make up the holiday: sunbathing, swimming and eating (almost an alliteration there). Most days were spent relaxing in Monte de Quinta, although we had three big outings; to the beach, twice, and to the water park (Aquashow - loved it). Go-kart racing, mini golf, supermarket visits and dinner at restaurants were our fun evening activities. You can see some photos of the vacation on my Instagram if you click here. 

It was a very enjoyable holiday; it was great to spend time with my family, especially my older siblings since they were due to go away soon after we came back home (Emily to the Gaeltacht and my brother to Zambia). 

Everything about the trip to the Algarve was wonderful, but one thing in particular that I loved was what I wore...

here is our pretty little pool in our villa - very pleasant for jumping in after sunbathing

Top: Brandy Melville

Shorts: Bershka
Bandeau (underneath): Forever 21

Sandals: Local shoe shop

Sunglasses: M&S


THE HIGH WAISTED SHORTS AND STATEMENT TOP
These shorts have done me so much good for me this summer season, as I at last have a pair to rock crop tops with. This tee is super hipster and of course the quote is true; I am the princess of sass (I think... who knows?)



I'm posing just outside our villa in these photos

Top: Penney's/Primark

Shorts: Hollister

Sandals + Sunglasses: As Before

FLORAL AND NEON
In this sunlight you can't exactly see how bright these shorts are, but trust me, they're quite eye-widening. I love this pair since they're short for the heat and can be worn dressed up or down. This floral, floaty top is gorgeous, and the frilly detail on the back is what makes it stand out.

and this is the fantastic big hotel pool behind me here

Dress: Penney's/Primark
Cardigan: Forever 21
Necklace: Forever 21
Sunglasses + Sandals: As before

THE CREAM DRESS
You wouldn't quite picture this cardigan and dress together but it works surprisingly! This colour dress is perfect as I can wear it all year round - in the summer it can bring out that tan. A long necklace is great for dresses like these, as it makes the look more exciting and glamorous.


Make sure to look out for the next Summer Fashion look book which will be coming soon! I hope these outfits gave you some inspiration or ideas on how to style your outfits this summer.


Summer Beach Days

Top: Bershka
Bikini: Penney's/Primark
Sunglasses: M&S

It is not summer until you hit the beach.

Sand, sea, sun, sunscreen, splashes, shivers, ice cream, music, fun and bonfires are the details of a beach day that most people would have a connection to. Going to the beach seems to have always been a traditional summer activity. It's what the majority of the world would relate summer to, but not everyone. Some people don't live near a beach or have warm weather at all. Luckily, I live on the coast, but we don't experience a lot of sunny days here in Ireland. Even though the temperature doesn't usually go above 20 degrees here, us Irish people still go to the sandy shores during the summer season. I have many precious beach memories.

In other, more tropical, countries, the beach is an everyday normality, like in the Algarve in Portugal. I arrived home last night from a week long holiday in the Algarve with my family, and the sun shone with no clouds for company daily. Of course, we went to the beach.

Vale de Lobo beach was slightly different to what I'm used to at home. There were sun loungers for rent, jet skis flying by and the sand was capable of burning your feet to ashes. Apart from the sand scorching my toes, the day was sublime. I joked around in the ocean with my siblings, ate a Caesar wrap at Julias and sunbathed. I have a tan line - not common for the Irish species (unless it's fake or they went on holidays too).

Before I jetted off to Portugal, I did go to the beach with friends, which was just as fun. A lot more photo taking was involved (snapchatting, to be exact), burying people in the sand and chit-chatting. We even tried the cool water hair flick. Some succeeded. I failed.

The time of year for beach outings has began and many people are packing their bags and journeying to the seaside. Us girls like to be ready, me in particular, for anything. We have to be fresh, fed, hydrated and entertained. The sun maybe gone now, Ireland, but there's no time to lose! Bring a wet-suit if you really don't like the chill.

The following is a summary of what I like to bring when going to the beach.

Firstly, and quite obviously, I wear a bikini, shorts, top, sunglasses and sandals, and bring my phone (Sony Xperia), money, a towel and a cover-up with me.

Beauty Must Haves:

- Being protected from the harsh UV rays of the sun is very important.

No one likes deep, red burns! I like Garnier's and Nivea's selection at SPF 30 or 20. For lip balm, I love Maybelline's Baby Lips with SPF 15. Even if it's not very sunny, I bring some - but then forget to apply it and get burnt. Hah.

- Deodorant and body spray may be handy if I will be going out after the beach.  I love my Hollister body spray, and my Sure deodorant for sensitive skin. I didn't bring these to Vale de Lobo though; mosquitos and other bugs are attracted to scents. Insect repellent please!

- I don't wear much make up to the seaside apart from waterproof mascara (which doesn't work for me normally). I like to have concealer (Rimmel), the mascara I used (Maybelline) and another lip balm (Revlon) with me for some touch up in case, again, I'm going out after the swimming and sunbathing.

- A hairbrush. Need I explain? I am obsessed with my Tangle Teaser

Snacks and Drinks:

Unless I'm having a picnic, a Nature Valley bar and a banana help me fight hunger, and water is essential so I can hydrate and replace that horrible salty taste from my mouth with some nice River Rock.

Entertainment:

I only go to the beach when I have my friends and family with me, so, in a way, I don't need magazines, my book or music, but they're useful if I'm sunbathing and no ones chatting, just soaking up the sun. Company and KISS are my favourite magazines and I use Spotify or just my library on my iPod to listen to my beloved bands or singers. I sometimes bring a book, or my Kindle (not pictured), but magazines are an easier read for me, and

I can look at them with friends!

You better make your way to the beach after reading this! If it's raining and you don't feel like it, or you can't, no worries. Netflix time!