So it’s almost here…

Yes Marbella which I’ve been whittering on about for the past few months is finally happening next week! 

Eekkk. *does a little happy dance*

As if you didn’t realise I’m blinking excited.

Below is the villa we’ve rented.

That sunbed is whispering “Tracey jump on “ The pool is whispering ” jump in“

As there are 11 of us we tend to try and hire places rather than book lot’s of hotel rooms – it’s much more sociable.

I honestly don’t know what I’ll talk about when I get back home.

Perhaps I need to book another holiday ?

*hint hint boyfriend *

First things first and for the first time in as long as I can remember I won’t be on my period while I’m sat around the pool. I actually ‘started’ my period today.

This means (get the flags out or wave your tampax in joy) I’ll be finished by the time we jump on that there plane this Thursday.

It might sound like I’m getting excited about nothing but my periods are SO SO VERY heavy. It’s a nightmare , especially when your on a packed flight or a beach that either has no toilet or a mucky one and / or your having to dash to the loo every two minutes!

Also showing signs of improvement just in time for a few days away is ( touch wood) my skin.

Yay.

I’ve been trying to stick to a regime and not mess too much and you know what … It’s only bloody working.

I’ve been using the Juliet cleanser by Antipodes which I’ve mentioned before. It’s a wonderful cleanser that leaves my skin feeling extremely clean.

I’ve then been toning and moisturising with products from the La Roche-Posay Effaclar range – the Clarifying Toner and Effaclar Duo (+) moisturiser.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar is a soothing and clarifying skin care line for oily and blemish-prone skin types.

Hydrating and calming, these products remove excess oil without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Formulated with anti-bacterial and astringent ingredients to refine and cleanse the pores for a clean, fresh, matte finish.

My skin loves them both.

My pores look smaller, my skin tone is more even and it’s non greasy. It’s getting a big thumbs up from me.

Any spots that try to come out and party on my face are quickly zapped with Acnecide. (£9.98 from Boots)

I used to swear by Quinoderm which much to my dismay has been discontinued .I’ve been trying to find out why from the lovely Boots staff .

They are all being very vague.

Perhaps they  just don’t know … all I’ve been advised is that Acnecide is the new non prescription, behind the counter spot cream.

No complaints here; combined with my current skin care routine it’s really cleared my chin and jaw-line up which had become very sensitive, lumpy and bumpy.

I also tend to get more spotty around my period. Dam you hormones !

*Touch wood* as I’m typing right now I don’t have a single spot … Not one ! Which is quite frankly a miracle. There’s time I suppose … but let’s remain positive.

Now that I’ve seen an improvement in my skin I don’t want to go and ruin it all by burning my face.

Tanning my face in general only  highlights my pigmentation problems caused by acne in my early twenties. I therefore tend to keep my face out of the sun altogether.

Massive hat, big sunglasses and a sunscreen with a high factor. I look like I’m post – surgery sat around the pool.

You may laugh but somebody did actually ask my ex-husband once if I was recovering from a face lift while on holiday in Greece!

I swear by La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL  Ultra light 50+SPF which I’ve been using for a couple of years now.

It doesn’t break me out in pimples like the majority of sun lotions tend too .

It now also comes in a tinted version which is fabulous as the original, un-tinted one used to leave a slight white tinge, which was especially noticeable on photographs.

It’s a seriously good sun lotion.

If you follow me on snapchat you’ll no doubt be aware of my love affair with Goldentini from Temple Spa which I’ll be slathering on my sun parched skin of an evening.

Goldentini is a gorgeous bronzing body treatment oil.

It’s quite similar to another long time favourite of mine Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse in texture. They both smell equally as delicious.

I tend to apply Goldentini to areas I want to highlight as it leaves a lovely sheen to your skin. Previous review of it here.

I’ve so far only tried it on my lily-white skin but one can imagine it would look superb with a hint of a tan.

******

You’ll be pleased to know that I’ve also bit the bullet and actually bought a couple of bikini’s.

I hate the trying on the bikini bit, anybody else with me?

It’s not pleasant, especially when your feeling a bit ‘wobbly’  and your BF decides to advise you it’s the biggest he’s seen you look…. *see’s your face* but that it looks nice?

A little tip I find helps is to false tan yourself all over and then try the bikin on. I don’t care what you say everything looks better with some colour, including bodies.

Below is a little number from Next, which I bought yesterday. Floral Moulded Bikini Bottoms £12, top £14 – bought separately.

I was very impressed with the selection of bikinis Next had available in store yesterday. There really was something for everybody and in some great colours.

I always size up ; for some reason bikini’s are alway’s so tiny.

During a discussion  about this with my mum yesterday we came to the conclusion that this is so they stay on when you go in water? Doesn’t everything go bigger and baggier when it gets wet …

Below : Black bikini from Swimwear365 – top and bottoms bought separately which worked out slightly more expensive than the Next bikini at £45.00 .

Also shown are a selection of jewellery from Black and Sigi

I wear jewellery all the time even for the beach. These pieces are amongst my favourites.

I also picked up these sun-glasses from Next yesterday.

Style FS026 / 100% UV protection.

I have no idea whether they suit me or not?!

The thing with sunglasses is you try them on in the shop , everything becomes dark and you can hardly see your reflection. I’ve trusted my mums opinion.

They can be yours for £15.00 which is enough for me (clumsy-clot) to pay. I can’t remember a year when I’ve not either sat on , trod on or left my sun-glasses somewhere. Basically they never come home in one piece, or at all!

******

On a last note I’ve gone and taken matters into my own hands and dyed my hair dark brown again ! It feels so much more like me…

I had blonde highlights put through my hair last haircut but I wasn’t happy. They were very random and I had a big blonde clump in my fringe? Which goes to show paying mega wonga doesn’t necessarily guarantee a good cut and colour.

It was looking positively straw like and ginger. It just had to go.

I was a little nervous as the last time I did a home dye my hair went jet black. I looked like bloody Elvis Presley!

Following my BFs comments about me being large and with black hair … I feared pool-side I may  have resembled a bikini clad Elvis during his twilight years. An  image that keeps making me giggle and one which I will leave you lovely lot with…

5 days and counting!

 

Tracey x