TRAVEL || HOLIDAY MUST-HAVES - WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU ABROAD

Who's off on holiday this year then? I love travelling, it makes me very happy and excited for the future with Kieran when we can travel the world and see all sorts of places together.

We have actually already been on our holiday this year and have learnt a few new tips from our recent trip to Rome! So I thought I'd share with you my holiday must-haves.

1) Sunscreen - duh! This is probably the most important item you will need to take with you on a holiday. I usually take factor 30 as I'm naturally very pale but because I have educated myself on how important it is to wear SPF that I decided to take factor 50 with me this year. I used to be very bothered about not being able to tan like the rest of my family, but now I understand that my skin produces freckles rather than tan to protect itself. I have also recently started to wear fake tan more which suits my lifestyle a lot more.

2) Sunglasses - My eyes have become very sensitive over the past few years as I use the computer more than ever and don't wear my glasses all day every day. I think I'll end up having to get some contact lenses soon as I hate wearing my glasses due to them rubbing makeup off my nose! I've taken with me my trusty Oscar De La Renta sunnies and a few more Primark ones which are very instagramable as well as affordable!

3) Travel sized cosmetics - this is very important, especially if you don't have a hold luggage allowance. I usually take full sized products and try to use them up or leave some behind, but this time I thought I'll be good and save up plenty of space and weight by putting the majority of my products into smaller containers or just simply buying travel-sized products e.g. shaving gel, shampoo etc.

4) Sunhat - you have to make sure that you have some sort of heat-protective headwear with you as the sun abroad, especially in places like Greece and Spain is really strong. I usually bring a big floppy hat with me and wear it every day.

5) A good book - I love reading, but I never seem to find the time for it. I have just finished reading 'Getting rid of Matthew' and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. This holiday, I took with me Grey by E.L. James as we only went away for one week.

So here are my top 5 must-haves to take with me on holidays. What are yours? Let me know in the comments section down below!

Lots of love,

Maya xo

TRAVEL || WHAT TO DO IN ROME + TIPS ON WHERE TO EAT, HOW TO SAVE ON TRANSPORT, AND WHERE TO GO

Those of you who follow me on social media will already know that I have been on holiday to Rome back in July (2017). I did plenty of research before my trip and have also learnt a lot of helpful tips while on holiday. Obviously, this post will include the Colosseum etc. but I will also mention how I saved a lot of money and made the most out of my trip. This post includes my own photographs only - I have many, many more in my archives but I thought I'll stick with these ones as you should really see the city in person for all its beautiful glory!

WHAT TO DO IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IF YOU'RE STAYING IN THE UK

I must say that the past few days this month and a few days last month have been absolutely amazing and the heat has made me very excited for my holiday this year!
For those who are staying local for the Summer but not sure on what to do to make the most out of it - here's a few tips:

1. Have a picnic with friends and/or family

I love having picnics, it's one of my most favourite things to do during hot summer days (other than BBQ's). I always message my friends or just turn around to Kieran and say 'let's have a picnic' and off we go to a lovely park for a few hours and enjoy our own company with no social media (minus taking lots and lots of photos haha).

2. Have a BBQ

I feel like this one is so obvious to those who live in houses and have their own gardens, but what should you do when you want a BBQ but live in a flat? Well, what I like to do is buy one of those BBQ Oven inserts and make my and Kieran's favourite on those! We usually have burgers, sausages, chicken skewers/fillets, and lots of veggies! Then, all that you need now are cold drinks and a big fan for an illusion of the wind!

3. Rent a Camper Van

I used to have an obsession with camper vans when I was younger, so when I heard that you can hire a camper van I was over the moon! Now I'm just waiting to get my driver's license so I can cruise around in my very own Fillmore (excuse the Cars reference, it's one of my first memories of falling in love with camper vans). The best camper vans and closest to my area are the Cozy Camper Hire in Manchester. I think they're great and are something I would definitely be interested in as I hate camping out in a tent! If you're a lover of festivals and can drive then maybe this would be a great option if you don't like sleeping on the floor!

4. Go down to the seaside

I love the sea. I find it so relaxing being at the beach and reading or listening to music. Unfortunately, the closest beach to me is around 2 hours away so I only go when it's planned out well and knowing that I haven't got a lot of work to come back to.

5. Have brunch/lunch outside

One of the things I love to do the most all year around is eating hahaha. I love going out for afternoon tea, and yummy lunch, but the best thing about this weather is that you can eat out on the terrace in restaurants or even go to a rooftop bar for midday drinks - yummy!

*This post is a collaboration with Cozy Camper and does not include affiliate links nor is it sponsored. All opinions are always my own.

What are your plans for this Summer? Are you going away or staying local?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

TRAVEL || WHAT TO DO IN RHODES, GREECE?

Hey Everyone!

I've been battling with post holiday blues for two weeks now and I couldn't be more upset about not being out and about in the sunshine with my second half. However, I do have a few things to look forward to now that I'm back home, such as more time for blogging, working overtime to save up for the next holiday, and also planning a garden party!

In this post, I will share with you the places I visited while in Rhodes and what to do when you get there.

This picture looks so spontaneous but I actually knew Kieran was snapping a pic as he told me not to move! Oops! This was taken at the beautiful Oasis beach in Calithea. There are three beaches there that you just HAVE to visit - do it, you won't regret it.

We also went to the Butterfly Valley (Peta Loudhes) which was a m a z i n g. Even though I was very timid the whole time I was there, it was a wonderful experience as I had never seen so many butterflies in one place. You probably won't believe this, but as I walked down the hill in my big floppy hat, I must have touched the wall where the little creatures were resting AND THEY ALL FLEW INTO ME! I am not joking - there must have been hundreds of Red Admiral butterflies around me and I screamed and ran off. Yup, I ran off because I'm a scaredy cat and don't like no bugs near me!! I'll add pictures of the little ones in an upcoming post, so stay tuned!

We visited the famous 'Seven Springs' which is a beautiful forest on a mountain with 7 streams with drinkable water. This is perfect for those without children as you have to climb up quite high in order to see all streams and the animals that live up the mountains. We saw goats, ducks, swans and peacocks. I think the peacocks made me the most excited about the whole trip! The bus there and back only cost us 5 euros each, which is an amazing bargain.

Another beautiful place to visit is Calithea Springs - an old spa with cute little fountains everywhere. It's around 3 euros each way to get there and another 3 to get in, so it is best if you go there for a whole day as the city of Calithea has 3 beautiful beaches that Kieran and I had also visited.

You cannot go to Rhodes and not go on a boat trip to Lindos - it'll be just like committing a crime! We paid 25 euros each for the trip there and back, unfortunately[ snacks and drinks weren't included in the price so I suggest you bring your own with you as the products sold on the boat were quite pricey! Thankfully we brought our cooler bag with us and packed it with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks! 

Another important point I have to make about Lindos is that it looks exactly like Santorini!! I couldn't believe my eyes when we finally got there, it was so beautiful and I cannot wait to go back there again.

The gorgeous boats by the Lindos bay looked so cute I had to take a picture. What is a holiday without going on one of these and just keep swimming! 

 

Make sure you go for a long walk down the strips and visit all the shops so you can find the best deal on souvenirs. I walked around every single shop at least twice before making my mind up on what to get for everyone! You can call me crazy, but I had to save money somehow!

Are you planning on going abroad this year? If so, where are you off to? Let me know in the comments down below!

Lots of love,

Maya xo

OOTD || Day At The Beach - Holiday Edition

Hey Everyone!

What have you all been up to? Finishing school? Doing your exams? Working? Well, you all must know by now that I'm in sunny Greece for a few more days so I've been making the most of it while still trying to blog and I've got some really exciting posts coming up once I'm back so make sure you stay tuned!!

I've been loving this high waisted bikini from Topshop so much that I've noticed I haven't tanned my stomach and lower back due to wearing it so much haha! This set actually cost me £1.80 including student discount as the pieces were reduced to £1 each around November time. WHAT?!!! I still can't believe I got myself such a great bargain! It's really comfy and flattering even for my figure where my waist isn't defined. The cute little playsuit is from the Coachella edition at H&M it's sooo pretty and looks great on. H&M have really been surprising me with some of their stuff lately, and I can't wait for their collab with Kenzo as their one of my favourite designers. The sandals are my trusty Primark ones which I've had probably for a couple of years now and they're still in perfect condition. I believe they cost me around £5 so they're really cheap and the quality of them is amazing, especially for this kind of price.

What outfits have you been loving recently? Let me know in the comments section down below!

Lots of love,

Maya xo

My Workout Routine

Hi Everyone!

Who's ready for the summer? Certainly not me! Im actually in Rhodes as you are reading this and I have still not managed to reach my goal figure :( I am giving myself up until September this year to get a lean and toned body. Come on guys, we can do it!

My workout routine is quite simple. I usually stretch for 5 minutes and then do some burpees to warm up. Then I drink some water. Make sure you have plenty by your side to keep yourself hydrated.

Then I grab my weights, I'm currently using 2.5lbs in each hand. I do all sorts of arm exercises which I don't exactly know how to explain?? Just your average lift up above my head and then put them back down.

Then I do squats. Around 3-4 sets of 50. I know it seems like a lot but I'm trying to tone up my legs and butt ASAP.  

I then add 2 sets of 10 lunges. I hate doing lunges the most, they really hurt my calves and make my legs tremble, but that's how I can tell that what I'm doing is actually working.

I add a few more arm exercises with the weights until they feel numb. Usually 2 sets of 15 as my arms are quite weak and I am gradually trying to improve my strength.

I then hop onto the cross trainer for 10 minutes on level 8. this KILLS ME. It makes me want to cry but I know that once I have a hot shower or bath and my muscles will relax that I'd feel 10000 times better.

Last but not least, I do crunches and sit ups. Worst part of the whole workout. I get tired from this really easily as my body holds the majority of fat on my stomach! I don't like my figure because of my stomach as I don't have a defined waist and just go straight down from the waist to my legs. There is NOTHING wrong with this figure, but I dislike it on myself as it makes it really hard to find jeans and shorts that fit me well as my waist and stomach are bigger than my hips and legs.

After my workout is done I do a few stretches and drink loads of water before hopping in the shower.

How do you stay fit? Are there any tips you could give me?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

Missguided Try On Haul

Hiya Everybody!

So, recently I've splurged a little bit on clothes and one of the brands I had shopped at was Missguided. I have made a wishlist featuring my favourite pieces not long ago which you can find here. I will link all items down below under each outfit.

As I'm going away to Rhodes next month, I got lots of outfits which are suitable for both daytime and nighttime wear which won't make me too hot in the sunny country.

Firstly, there's this gorgeous co-ord floral piece which only cost me £7 for the set in the sale! I absolutely love it and I think it'll look gorgeous on any skin tone. 

Here's another co-ord which is a bright orange colour. I didn't think it'll look that nice on me because of the colour, but I think it looks really nice and will be perfect for the summer holidays! Top - £5, Skirt - £5.

Right, I think there's a theme going on here as I had picked another co-ord haha! This piece comes in different colours but this one really caught my eye as I haven't got that many sparkly gold clothes. I especially love the top, I think it's very flattering and would look great with a pair of black skinny jeans in the evening for a night out on the strip. Top - £5, Skirt - £5.

Next up I bought two of the same skirt but in different colours. I chose the burgundy and the black as I think these colours are really versatile and can be easily paired up with different tops. They were quite hard to squeeze into but once they were on they felt comfy. I would recommend going for one size up though, just because the material isn't stretchy at all. Black Skirt - £5 and Burgundy - £5.

And the star of the post - this gorgeous crochet dress. I have been after one of these for a while and was willing to buy the one from my wishlist (here) but why spend £40 when I can spend £10 and get something even more beautiful for less? It fits perfectly and I really love it.

I hope you enjoyed this post as it's something different from what I usually do! 

What are your statement pieces this summer? Are you going away anywhere nice this year?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

#TBT to Barcelona

Hey Lovelies!

So I know I haven't shared many photos from my holiday to Spain with you guys but I have been reminiscing about it for the past few days so thought I'd share my experience with you!

So, me and Kieran went on our first holiday together to Costa Brava this time last year which is just half an hour's drive to Barcelona. Of course we visited the place - it was mesmerising. 

This picture doesn't look as good on here as it does on my iPad, I think it could be because it shrunk to fit in the post as it is a panoramic photograph that Kieran is very proud of taking haha.

I will just go ahead and post some pictures and occasionally mention what I'm wearing, but if you have any questions about a specific outfit/makeup/place then just ask me in the comments below and I will answer as soon as I can!

I'm wearing a white and black swimming costume from eBay, canary yellow spaghetti strap mini dress and black hat from Primark, and Ray Ban sunglasses. I took this selfie on the beach in Costa Brava while exploring the place and climbing onto some rocks!

Look at that highlight though... I felt like the sun! I think I used my trusty MUA in Iridescent Gold. If you haven't already got it you need to go and buy it NOW!

I love Kieran's hair in this. It looks so long! He always gets it cut really short :(

Have you been to Barcelona or Costa Brava before? Did you enjoy it?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

Holiday Wishlist Ft Missguided

Good Morning Lovelies!

So, the holiday season is approaching quite fast and what's a better way to prepare ourselves for it other than looking at pretty clothes?

I, like many others I believe, love Missguided. Their clothes are unbelievably beautiful and I just want them all! I decided to put a little wishlist of my favourite pieces from their new Holiday Collection. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Mesh Bikini Set(£22), Open Back Crop Top(£15), Funky Sunglasses(£8), Gladiator Sandals(£25), White Swimsuit(£25), Orange Playsuit(£28), Leopard Print Bum Bag(£6), White Lace Dress(£40), Mint Green Asymmetric Skirt(£8), Lilac Bodycon Mini Dress(£45), Black Runner Shorts(£8), Anklet(£6).

*Update 30/01/21 - These items were no longer available to buy from the website so I had to remove the links*

What are your statement pieces this summer? 

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2015 || July Favourites

Hey guys!

I'm currently roasting in sunny Crete and realised that I haven't done a July favourites post yet! I know, that's so naughty of me, sorry! As I'm sipping some ice cold lemonade (soon to turn into a magical cocktail), I decided to write this post on my iPhone blogger app so of the pictures aren't very clear and the font and style isn't the usual one then don't worry! I will sort it out as soon as I get onto a computer. 

I bought this hair dye from Poundwolrd and can't stress enough to you how much I love it! It is very pigmented and has made my hair feel very nourished rather than straggly or chewing gum-like. I have previously dyed my hair a beach blonde colour in order to lighten it up before my holiday and after disappointing results of it turning out bright yellow I had to take action and go to back to my successful grey hair colour.

This is what my hair looked like before I applied Mellor&Russell Simply Bright hair dye in Cool Silver. As you can see it's not a nice colour at all, especially for a beauty blogger! 

And this is the after picture of what my hair looked like once I washed off the hair dye. Not exactly silver, but a much nicer colour with no brassiness. I definitely recommend this hair dye if you're already blonde and want to go a few shades lighter without having to go through the 'yellow' stage. 

Another favourite of mine is not a product, but a job. I have landed myself a job at the Disney Store in July as a Cast Member (another word for customer service representative). I'm loving working over there, I wouldn't change it for any other job! I have grown to enjoy talking to kids even more than before and being around such lovely people as my colleagues makes the atmosphere even more magical than the job itself! 

Here's a little selfie of me on my first day working for the Disney Company! 

What have you been loving last month?

Lots of love,

Maya xo 

Recent Purchases

Hello everyone!

It was finally pay day! I went out shopping to town with my little sister and got a few items for my holiday :)

This gorgeous statement necklace was a must-have.

A girl can never have enough jewellery!

I have way too many cheap pairs of Primark's sunglasses, but I just can't help myself! So many designs for so little money!

Cute little trainer socks. 3 pairs for £1.50

As I'm not allowed any piercings at work, I decided to buy fake nose rings. They look exactly like the real thing :)

Every glamorous girl needs a Samantha Jones hat in their life!

This A-line leather look skirt was reduced from £10 to £3!!

Flip flops for £1? Yes please! Also Primark's version of Toms for only £3? Well, why not?! :D

This bikini is from the same range as the blue and purple tie die one I bought last month. It's only £4 and look how glamorous it is!!

Lots of love,

Maya xo