THASSOS FASHION

This year we paid our second visit to the Greek Island of Thassos - situated just off mainland Greece, and accessed by ferry from the port of Keramoti. Since I wrote a couple of travel blogs last year here and here, I won't go into huge detail about the island, particularly since hubby and I pretty much visited the same places.

This time I am concentrating more on what I wore for a very warm first week - followed by a horrendous second week, weather-wise, with storms, floods, torrential rain and eight-hour thunderstorms - more of that later!

If you read our recent Instagram post about packing tops which double up as daytime kaftans to night time tops, you may recognise most of the items which I eventually packed. They are very lightweight and easy to pack, and it doesn't matter quite so much if they are a little creased.

The first photo is taken outside our beautiful mini apartment at the Antigone Hotel, and shows me wearing one of my favourite tops from Julien Macdonald at Debenhams in acid yellow/green (now sold out but similar one here), worn with white jeggings from Marks and Spencer.  The watch is also one of my favourites from Swarovski, while the bracelet is rose gold and bought at a jewellery fair at Castle Howard a couple of years ago.  The see-through beach bag is great for either during the day, but works just as well in the evening as it has a plain white bag which can be used as a clutch or for making sure your valuables are not on display.

The cat's eyes sunglasses are new ones - Tiffany City Hardwear sunglasses and were bought in Manchester Airport on the way out!

The  dipped hem top is from Matalan a couple of years ago and can be worn either as a cover up or for evening wear over jeggings - again from Julien Macdonald at Debenhams a while ago, while the sandals were bought in Thassos last year.

The heart shaped earrings and necklace are from Simply Devine, while the bracelet was bought at a wedding fair in Leeds and the chrome/diamante watch was a gift from a friend from Next (similar here).

I do love a floaty top and I particularly love this beautiful lilac shade which is a double layered top from Simply B in lilac, which I have had for several years, but never tire of.  I found some lilac feather earrings to match perfectly, though can't remember where I got them.  I have once again teamed with the white jeggings from M&S and the silver sandals from Thassos.  The lovely long necklace was gifted from one of our Instagram followers, Mandy's Boutique Heaven (here in a different colourway).

And below is a fabulous silk kaftan - much too nice for the beach - which was also a gift from Mandy's Boutique Heaven (here in grey). You can take advantage of a fabulous discount code for anything from Mandy's Boutique Heaven, by adding ANNE15 at the end of your order. She has some fabulous clothes and accessories, and I've just bought something for myself....

You will have seen this before but I absolutely love it - it's perfect for holidays but also just right for summer nights out in this country too.  I have teamed it with an aquamarine necklace, earrings and matching ring bought last year from Iris Gold in Thassos.

The pink top and cut offs are a much more casual outfit - and I have had both for quite a while.  The pink top (my favourite colour!) with diamante neckline is from Quiz, while the cut offs - which are about 10 years old - are from the now defunct British Home Stores. Jewellery as before with earrings which are also ancient.

What a stunning sunset - taken down by the harbour where the smaller yachts and tour boats are moored.

Here's a new outfit this year ... the handkerchief point dress/beach cover up is from Matalan, jeggings as before and gold diamante flip flops from Primark.  I have teamed it with the same pretty aquamarine and silver matching earrings, necklace and ring from Iris Gold, as before.

And another casual daytime outfit for a ferry trip to the mainland at Kavala. The BHS cutoffs as before are teamed with a blue and white linen top from TKMaxx - I also have a dress in the same fabric as I liked it so much, which I tend to do if I find something I like. The side panels are stretchy on both the top and the dress which is perfect for holiday time when you over-indulge (I put on six pounds in weight)!

The black sequinned bag is from Next several years ago and has been all over the world with me - despite the handles being repaired, it is still going strong and was such a great buy. The sunglasses are Chanel and are ones I have also had for years and no longer available in the UK though I found some on the US ebay here. (though the price was ridiculous!)

Another great buy from TKMaxx is this gorgeous kaftan which I absolutely love.  In white trimmed with gold, it gives the impression of being a more expensive item, but is another beach cover-up which I have worn with a cami underneath for decency.  I bought the outrageous drop earrings in Thassos (and also got them in a raspberry shade), while the rose gold bracelet was also from Iris Gold in Thassos.  The flip flops and bag are Ted Baker in rose gold from last summer, but here in cream and gold. 

For another day out as the weather turned cloudy - but was still warm, I'm wearing the trusty cut offs with a bardot top in blue and white stripes, from Florence & Fred @ Tesco - but this has been a popular look for a couple of years and there are plenty of similar styles still around. ( FYI The Tesco Direct website has now been discontinued so customers are now unable to order online.)

The flip flops are another budget supermarket buy from TU at Sainsbury's, and the sunglasses are from TKMaxx.

Finally - here's a photo I never expected to take on a summer trip in Greece - we had torrential rain, thunderstorms and floods!!! Last year we arrived in a downpour so this year on a whim I packed a lightweight mac, never intending to use it.  I wore it every day for the latter part of the holiday - and left it in Greece with a friend who was staying couple of weeks - and just as well I did as she needed it! Having said that, we still had a great holiday.

As I write this I have just been reading the news about the dreadful fires outside Athens, and the tragic loss of so many lives.  We absolutely love Greece and the Greek people are just wonderful.  Our hearts go out to them for their terrible loss.

TROPICAL ISLAND PARADISE

Reception at Club Med  La Plantation d'Albion

I was very lucky to be able to escort my daughter last month on a trip she did courtesy of Club Med to their La Plantation d'Albion resort in Mauritius. What a treat to visit this stunning island in the Indian Ocean and chill on its beautiful beaches at this 5 star resort.  More coverage can be found on Lizzy's blog Shot from the Street here and here.

Club Med beachfront suites 

This all inclusive resort offered everything we could wish for - fabulous accommodation, great food and entertainment. If we weren't being so lazy we could have taken advantage of the sports facilities on offer but once we found the sun beds on the beach and by the two pools all thoughts of activity went out of our heads. We took full advantage of the time to chill, read loads of books and booked ourselves into the spa for an afternoon of pampering.  It was the best facial I have ever had and I can't praise the spa team enough for a wonderful afternoon.

Fabulous sunbeds on the beach.  Heaven. 

We were only in Mauritius for a week and had flown in with Emirates, who I think are one of the best airlines in the world.  Such amazing service and one of the most comfortable economy cabins of any airline I have flown with.  Coming in via Dubai split the journey into two legs of 7 hours, giving time to stretch our legs, shop and have some the food which I prefer to doing a long haul flight in one session.

One of the two infinity pools at Club Med 

I must be honest and say that apart from a visit to the capital Port Louis we stayed on the resort and enjoyed it's facilities. Had we been there longer we would have ventured further afield to take in the amazing diversity of this island from the mountains and waterfalls including Black River Gorge to the white sandy beaches and the colonial plantation houses. There is so much to see and do it is a perfect holiday destination for everyone.

Instead I am going to share some of the outfits I wore during the day and evening which proved ideal for this tropical paradise.  The linen cover up shirt above was purchased on holiday in Bali a few years ago and is perfect for days on the beach or by the pool being super lighweight linen and cool to wear.

And just look at this marvellous infinity pool at sunset, how beautiful is the reflection on the water? It is the perfect light for shooting as you can see in the picture below, with a glow cast over everything. This pool is next to the resort's a-la-carte restaurant where we enjoyed a marvellous lunch most days.

This lovely floaty top is from Mandys Heaven and  featured on the blog a few weeks back so I was delighted to take on holiday with me and make good use of it, wearing it for cocktails by the pool.  The necklace is from them too and really dresses up the outfit.

The blue linen top below was purchased from Zara and has been teamed with some white Levis 712 jeans and gold Krista  espadrilles from John Lewis.  A really comfortable outfit for summer evenings and the top will double as a beach cover up as well.

For a dressier look I went for this simple V neck top from Marks & Spencer, which I have had loads of compliments on and it was really very cheap but is sadly no longer available.  This silk version is though at £45. Teamed with some Zara flowing crinkled trousers, an Anya Hindmarch clutch which I have had for a while and navy block heel sandals from John Lewis.

For another daytime look I went for this sleeveless top is from COS and was purchased a few years ago.  The jeans are another Levis 712 pair and those gold espadrilles have made another appearance.

And finally more trousers from Zara, these are their flared ones that are now in the sale for £15.99, teamed with a blouse from Massimo Dutti who have some fabulous things in the sale ......which means having found the link I will have to go back and see what I need for my wardrobe.  Oh dear.

CITY BREAK OUTFIT CHOICES

A trip is on the horizon to Paris and I have had a little bit of a retail buying frenzy in preparation.  Why? you make well ask, you are going to Paris, surely the best place for shopping.  But this trip is about seeing the city and enjoying the sites not trawling through shops.

I am little obsessed with Massimo Dutti at the moment and this post is almost a homage to them and the Inditex Group as if I'm not wearing Dutti I am wearing Zara.  And while I am mentioning Zara am I alone in finding the in-store experience not pleasant.  I always relied on Zara for wardrobe staples but can't remember the last time I purchased something in the shop, finding the whole experience stressful and rather with an aesthetic like a jumble sale. Thank goodness for the online shop, as at least I have found what I was looking for there.   But enough moaning, on with the outfits.

First up is this lovely geometric print blouse from Massimo Dutti with fabulous pleated sleeve detailing.  A really simple classic shape with this added ingredient of pleating is great and so easy to wear.  Hidden buttons down the front and long puff sleeves, that I have pushed up, with  a button cuff complete the piece which is in 100% viscose.  Soft muted shades add colour but are very much in my comfort zone and I think this piece will be fab with smart trousers and jeans.

The trousers are from Zara and are the white  textured wide leg trousers at £69.99  which are a polyester/elastane mix and really comfortable to wear.

Next up is the lovely linen mix double breasted cream blazer also from Massimo Dutti.  A flattering slim fit with a subtle check pattern, it is great to team with trousers, like these flared ecru trousers from Zara in 100% polyester at £39.99 .  With a lovely flowing shape they are a perfect summer wardrobe addition and easy to dress up or down.

I have worn with a silk round neck top that I have had for years and came from Pure Collection and a statement necklace which was gifted to me from Mandys Heaven and I absolutely love.  We can offer our followers a 15% discount with them,  just use the code ANNE15  and enjoy adding to your summer wardrobe as they have so much to offer. 

The sunglasses are new too and come via my optician as I need prescription lenses.  They are by Cocoa Mint and are the CMS2037 style, available from lots of opticians so worth asking your own if you like them.

And another Massimo Dutti find is this striped blouse with satin details on the neckline, cuffs and placket.  A similar simple straight shape that works tucked in or out, it adds a touch of sophistication to an outfit.  In 100% viscose it cost £59.95 and I is something I am sure to wear time and time again.

The trousers are the same flared Zara ones and the pendant is one I have had for so long I can't remember where it came from!  This is the sort of outfit I would wear for going out to dinner and on chillier days teamed with jeans for sightseeing trips.

Last but not least, a splash of colour - you see I am learning to embrace colour thanks to the other Anne's positive influence.

This lovely striped top includes pleating detail and yes, it is from Massimo Dutti again.  It's a linen/silk/modal mix and the side vents are deep enough for it to be worn loose or tied at the front. Great for walking hot city streets when teamed with some white straight leg jeans like these 7 for All Mankind which have been a wardrobe staple of mine for years.

The sandals are from Mint Velvet and so comfortable they will not be off my feet!.  They are the India Stone Cross flats featuring a low espadrille and a metallic toe strap with chic cross straps and zip at the heel.  Perfect summer shoes and a colour that goes with anything. They also come in black with a snake effect strap.

NEW SUMMER WARDROBE ADDITIONS

I am not normally a fan of Zara - I am not the correct shape for their clothes and as Anne has previously said, it's getting to look a bit like a jumble sale in their shops!  However, I spotted this lovely Chanel-like jacket in the doorway as I was passing by, and instantly fell in love with it.

I love the shade of deep baby blue and the signature ragged braid reminiscent of Chanel, and at £79.95, it wasn't expensive, and will go from Spring to Summer to Autumn, so hopefully I will get my money's worth.

I have an obsession for wearing the same colour trousers and top as a base and then adding a pop of colour with the jacket or top, and this time I have teamed the jacket with white skinny jeans from M&S and a plain white tee, but I have also worn it with cream trousers and top, and beige trousers and top.  It would work equally well with black or navy as a base.

The cat's eye sunglasses were from TK Maxx - I tend to go for the same shape of sunglasses but with different trim, so this shape is quite a departure for me, but I like them because they're quite funky.  The jewellery is understated, so just a paid of diamante drop earrings from Simply Devine completes the outfit.  I love brooches on jacket lapels and this naughty Chanel-style diamante one  is something I have had for a long time. Shoes are a few years old and came from Nine West.

Staying with Zara - once I was in there, I also spotted this ivory bardot-style summer top in pleated chiffon, which is so pretty, and will be perfect for my holidays in Greece this year.

The white linen trousers are from Marks & Spencer, shoes as before from Nine West.