We're all going on a summer holiday

We're off to the Greek island of Skiathos very soon, hip hip hooray. It's a paradise on earth. A very small but perfectly formed island in the Sporades group, not far from Skopelos where most of Mamma Mia was filmed.
On our first visit we did the inevitable "Mamma Mia" excursion and I can assure you that no donkey could ever make it up the steps to the tiny church at the top of the hill  (which looked pretty big inside, in the film, but in reality is TINY!).

What I love most about Skiathos is the fact that our lovely hotel, Kassandra Bay, has the best of both worlds: a beautiful beach and swimming pools;  plus there is a water taxi on the beach to whisk you away to Skiathos Town, a seven minute boat trip, for just one and a half euro.

The hotel has a gym and outdoors yoga, Pilates and aqua aerobics;  best of all for me, we can stay bed and breakfast which means we can go into the town every evening and sample all the wonderful restaurants. Some of them are very high up - lots of steps - so that you have a fantastic view of the bay. And all the ships! I have binoculars so that I can watch from my sunbed  the endless flotilla of ships going by: the glamorous catamarans and Flying Dolphins; the chuggy passenger ferries, the sleek cargo ships.

I always buy a new beach bag every year. This year's is the blue sequinned knockout, above, from Pure Collection (also in gold and silver). Every day I stuff it with my Kindle, headphones, sun creams, various pairs of glasses (sun / prescription / readers), a magazine I've saved to read on the beach, sunhat, comb and snorkel.

My outfit for breakfast and the beach is usually a kaftan worn over a bikini. I've amassed quite a collection of kaftans over the years. I used to splash out on one expensive one each year but I found that although they have lovely beading and stitching, it soon looks shabby. Kaftans and tunics, or anything long and floaty, don't do much for my shape so I don't wear them out at night unless they have some waist action going on. Below I'm wearing a glamorous Maryan Mehlhorn kaftan over a Zara skirt. Necklace and gold mules: Marks and Spencer. Bag: Accessorize

If we're going sight seeing I wear shorts or cropped jeans with a t-shirt. Shorts: Marks and Spencer, t-shirt, Dior; sandals, Topshop.

I usually buy two or three new bikinis, always from Freya or Fantasie, and usually bandeaus with detachable straps. If you're quick you can usually get a beach dress or wrap that matches the bikini. Below is the new Freya beach dress that matches my bikini. By "quick" I suggest constantly perusing beachwear from January onwards and snapping up ranges when they're new in. The Watermelon dress I'm wearing is available from Belle Lingerie along with matching bikini separates. Sandals: Next

After a day spent swimming and sunbathing or sight seeing,  it's always bliss to shower and wash my hair and then put on a glam outfit for dinner.

I'm afraid to say that I am a sun worshipper, although these days I wear SPF50 on my face and a sunhat, and hide in the shade after midday.

I love Vichy's sun products for my face and for my body I use something that might surprise you: Bergasol. I'm sure you remember it from the 70s where the ad showed one twin who was pale and the other, who'd been using Bergasol, very brown.

It's still available in France (I get it from Amazon UK, takes a couple of days to ship)  and reformulated with UVB and UVA protection. I love the light lemony scent and the fact that it's a light oil which is moisturizing. I never get sun burnt with this product, whereas I have with others, so I think it's very good. I'll be taking a combined shampoo and conditioner from Grow Gorgeous which I've road tested and it works very well, Who needs two separate bottles?

The nail polish that I always use on holiday is OPI's Happy Anniversary. It's a gorgeous pearly shade that goes with anything, and unlike red or other dark colours, doesn't show chips quite as badly.

Watching the boats - 2016

Dinner at The Final Step, 2016

I'll be sharing some outfits on Instagram so it would be great if you could follow me.

Sharing this post with Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Elegance and Mommyhood. Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Fabulous Friday at A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Fun Fashion Friday at Fashion Should Be Funnd Saturday Share Link Up at Not Dressed As Lamb.

COMING SOON ON IS THIS MUTTON?

Monday (19th): Every woman needs a Ribkoff dress

Wednesday (21st): It's Gemfie Day!

Friday (23rd): The indispensable denim skirt 

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Fashion, fashion over 50, summer holiday dressing