We're all going on a summer holiday.

Or at least I am!

Alley has all of the fun. In the past three years the holiday count is as follows:

Alley:

Spain, Benidorm (yes I know this is Spain too,) Edinburgh, London, Spain again and Venice.

Me:

Furteventura, London, Edinburgh and the occasional overnight excursion to Newcastle or Durham.

So in three years, Alley has been on four trips that require a plane. I’ve been on one. We did go to Edinburgh together with a neutral friend which was AMAZING, but in comparison, my jet set life is lagging behind. (It possibly peaked when I was 16 and went on a school trip to Italy – to this day I brag about the fact I’ve been to Rome, Florence and Pompei.)

Therefore, it is only fair that I go on a sunny holiday back to Furteventura for 10 days in June and Alley stays at home.

So, now that it is finally booked and all official, I can think bikini and start holiday shopping!

Here’s a mixture of little bargains I have picked up and what I own from last time (three years ago.)

Pink and black vests- 2 for £12, Miss Selfridge, blue and orange  vests - £8 each, Next, shorts - £19.99 New Look, Shoes - £4 Primark, bag - £10, Primark. 

Playsuit, £25 - River Island. Tan sandals, £6 - Primark. Aviators, £15- River Island (men's wear.) Black Sunglasses , £1 (YES £1) Primark. Bikini's from Next and Primary like 3 years ago. 

Bikini, £10 - Matalan. 

Dress, £5 - Primark. Wedges - I got these when I was 15 from River Island for a holiday with my parents. Since then, they've been to Italy, various parties, nights out, weddings and beach holidays. Alley loves these too and likes to liberate them from my wardrobe. 

Left: Primark £2. Right: Primark £1. Bottom: River Island men's wear, £15.  Because no one will buy me Raybans. 

I feel like I need to explain how much of a miracle the shorts are. At the moment, it seems the primary consumer of denim shorts is 14 year old girls and if the cuts are to be believed, super models and Pilates experts. Or at least I think this must be the case because why else would at least 9/10 pairs of denim shorts be ridiculously tight and so short that half of my arse hangs out? 

Even 14 year old arse, as well as being grossly inappropriate (you're a girl, you don't have to prove it with your camel toe) they just look ridiculous, unflattering and like the girls wearing them are going to get piles. (God I sound like my mother.) So to find a pair of shorts that while short, don't reveal my booty or the shape of my lady bits and aren't stupidly tight is a miracle. Girls, if like  me you are not built like an ironing board and do not want cold arse cheeks, get thee to New Look! They have some wonderful pairs of shorts and these ones are a steal at £18. 

Another tip, if like me, you just aren't designed for shorts, go for some Levi cut offs. They're having a major arse out moment right now, however, if you hunt around enough you can get some that are cheap, unique and don't allow your bottom to hang out. Urban Outfitter's Urban Renewal is a good place to start, but I

bought mine for £16 three years ago from a vintage shop who claimed they had originally come from Urban Outfitters. Their renewals are around £32. If you don't fancy trawling through vintage shops and stalls, try ASOS marketplace. In particular, Biytch Vintage and Vintageous Rags - the first is a girl who was the year below at sixth form and I follow on Twitter, I reckon she's destined for big things in the fashion world so get yourself on Biytch Vintage - she sells some awesome dresses! The second is a vintage shop in Middlesbrough so being local, I'm doing my bit on here to encourage you lot, where ever you may be, to check them out!

Left: Vintage Levi cut offs, £16. Top: New Look a few years ago. Bottom: Dorothy Perkins a few years back. 

So, what bargains and trusty beach fail safes are you lot taking on holiday this year? Anyone else have issues with denim shorts? 

Let me know! 

Rachel xxx