Revenge Friday- I am back from hols, Holiday Reset and London

 Hello darlings

I have been on hols for a couple of weeks. I went to stay with my sis in the South of France and then I went to the champagne region of France. I also had two day trips to Paris to see the Olympics which was fun. I went to the Women's Break Dancing final and then another day I just spent exploring Paris. I had a fab time.

Random Things I Have Purchased on hols

-I picked up these sandals from a shoe shop in France. My other sandals I have had for two years and I have still been wearing them but they are falling apart. I picked up some silver sandals with studs (Valentino vibes) from the brand Les Tropeziennes. I love these. I don't think they are as versatile as my other sandals but they are really cute for like wearing with a dress on a night out or a cute denim short look.

-I was walking past a boutique in the Marais and a white belt with a beetle buckle caught my eye. Sadly they didn't have my size but I did pick it up in black and I think it looks cool. I have been after a new belt for ages but I haven't really liked anything. This is perfect.

I'll post a better picture when I get round to wearing it.

-I love buying local delicacies when I am on holiday. I kept on seeing champagne liquor truffles shaped like champagne corks (cute) in the town and I purchased some as a gift and I got some for myself too. I didn't think they were that nice when I first tried them but the taste has actually grown on me- I have had two as a little treat in the evening for the past week. Then I purchased these pink biscuits which were also like a delicacy in the area and... I am not a fan of these. I got a packet for my friend so I hope she likes these better than I did. I got a few other little treats for my partner- wine, chocolates and Les Anis de Flavigny sweets (I have always wanted to these). 

-I wanted to buy my friend some beauty products because when we went to France together I was showing her some of the good items to get from the Pharmacy but she didn't have any room in the liquid allowance bag. Anyway I purchased a cute little Nuxe set for her- I love getting the sets just to try out the different products. I also picked up this Caudalie travel set for myself because when I left the SofF I didn't have a shower gel or face wash.

Revenge Friday

I have been trying to do a few things in London since I have been back. I met up with my dad one day after work and we went to an exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. There is an exhibition, Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere which has some really interesting artworks: the first room has large striking collages/paintings; there are sculptures that use human hair; and on the roof of the building is a model ship of the Black Star Liner but it is like a party boat playing music. There are loads of other really interesting pieces in different mediums. It is really good. I really like the Hayward.

I went to a really great film at the BFI Southbank. It is called Sky Peals and it is basically about a man whose estranged father dies and basically in his grief he starts considering that maybe his father was an alien. The core of the film is about someone who doesn't feel they fit in; the main character Adam works in a motorway service station (which sort of looks like a spaceship) and he is experiencing these physical and psychological sensations and weird things keep on happening to him. It is small release so I think it is mainly being shown at the BFI but yeah I would defo recommend it if it sounds like something you would be interested in.

If you are under 25 you can get £3 tickets at the BFI Southbank- it is a bit of a faff to sign up because you need to show ID in person but it is worth it for affordable tickets in a Central London location. I have heard that at the Barbican you can also get £5 tickets for films and exhibitions if you are under 25. 

Holiday Resetting

I often get it where you go away on holiday and half way through the holiday you sort of get desperate to come home and do everything that’s waiting for you at home like idk water the plant on your desk, catch up with your colleagues, finish that DIY project, apply for a job, organise your wardrobe, or whatever it is. Holidays give you a lot of time to think about your life and reflect. Like you want to action all these ideas that you are thinking about.

Anyway I have done some re-evaluating while I have been away. I am going to make a manifestation board (I normally make them for the new academic year- for me September is like the new year) and I have written down some things I want to do in the summer.

Chat soon!

Love

Happy hippo

Revenge Friday- Hols, Zara boycott comes to an end and results x

 Hello darlings x

I came back from my holiday to France on Tuesday afternoon and I have been home relaxing. I got my university results and I achieved a... 2:1. I am happy.

I hope you have had a lovely week and you have been loving the summer x

Revenge Holiday Continued…

It is obviously really warm and busy in the south of France at the moment, so it was sort of difficult to get out and about. I just sort of relaxed at the beech and went for ice cream and browsed the old town most days.

I did a bit of shopping on Sunday. I wanted to get a bra because it’s so hot in Nice and I did not bring enough bras. Like not to be tmi, but it’s the sort of temperature where you can only wear items once before having to wash them. 

Anyway I got some underwear from Etam. If you are in France, Etam is a great place to treat yourself to underwear for a French Girl Glow Up. I also like Princesse Tam Tam- I have a lovely bikini from there. My sis and I also like Tezenis (technically it’s Italian) and Undiz. I will do a big list of all my fave boutiques and places to go in Nice- or just send me a message on Instagram if you want recommendations.

I also met my sisters dog, Azar. He’s so sweet; he has such a lovely nature.

Zara Boycott over:

I have mentioned this before on my blog but I had been boycotting Zara for the last five years (if my memory is correct it had been over 5 years since I had purchased something from Zara). Long story short, a member of staff was rude to me. 

However Zara is my sisters favourite place to shop and so I do get dragged in but I always resisted buying anything- it felt too soon lol. However, on Sunday, after over 5 years, I felt different like I actually felt ready to forgive. I brought myself a really chic dress and I am going to wear it in my new era of forgiveness. 

This isn’t the most flattering photo tbh. With ballet flats or heels or sandals, it looks nice.

New purchase

I got this Fiorucci tracksuit second hand… I am hoping it’s legit. I got it because it’s been sort of shit weather this summer and I have been wearing the same grey hoodie, so I just sort of fancied an upgrade. I love Fiorucci; we love an Italian vibe. This sweatshirt came with adorable matching shorts.

I feel a bit cute. It just needs a wash with a bit of fabric softener.

What I am watching

Ultimate Wedding Planners- Let me preface this by saying I do not recommend this, I just want to complain about it. I don’t normally watch shows like this but I tuned into the first episode one evening when I didn't have anything to watch and I have been watching it ever since. Basically there are like several contestants who work in the wedding industry (in some form of another) but would like to make it like big and to turn it into their career. They have to work together to organise a wedding and they have like a couple of days to do it and £10,000. This show is awful. The first episode it is shocking how horrible they were to each other- it’s actually like bullying. But the show is a bit addictive because its so tense and I am a bit gripped.

DIVA

My mum kindly invited me to join her and her friends to the V&A, I actually felt bad for intruding. We went to the exhibition Diva. I loved the concept of this exhibition at the V&A but it just fell short for me. I can’t stand the exhibition space it’s in; I will get so hyped for a V&A exhibition and then I find out it’s in that space and my heart actually sinks. The exhibition explored the history of the Diva, it’s a goddess but the word also comes from Opera. They had some very famous dresses such as the stunning Swarovski dress Rihanna wore for CFDA 2014, a few Cher outfits and a little black dress worn by Edith Piaf. But it’s on till next year April if you want to go. It was a really lovely day and we all had a chit chat in the cafe after.

Whose wellies are these?

Have a lovely week!

Love 

Happy hippo x

Revenge Friday- Revenge Holiday to France

Hello darlings, 

I hope you have had a fabulous week. I am currently in France chilling out.

I left on Wednesday. The Percy’s are for my sister. Doesn’t my packing look cute? 

At Gatwick my gate changed last minute from 113 to 572 (I think) which are like opposite ends of the terminal. I was fighting for my life, I was so exhausted.

Enjoying a caramel crepe with cream in the square.

Film, TV and Podcasts

Who shat on the floor at my wedding? (Podcast)- So this podcast is like a true crime parody. This couple were having a wedding on a boat in Amsterdam when someone basically shits on the floor. The podcast is investigating who did it. The couple and presenter are sweet, really fun.

The Gold (BBC Iplayer)- This is really good. This is a series which is a drama about the Brink Mat robbery; the robbery where gold was stolen from a lock up near Heathrow in 1986. So the people who committed the robbery were expecting to steal 1 million in Spanish currency but then ended up stealing 26 million in gold. It is like so interesting how they like attempted to sell the gold and then lauder the money- its a bit complicated. It is really interesting and it is very interesting wikipedia read because so much isn't included in the drama (like there were a lot of deaths after the robbery and most of the gold they never found where it is or who has it).

Paula (Channel 4)- I am not sure if I mentioned this when I watched it a few months ago- it just jogged my memory because my dad and I were talking about Paula Yates. This is a documentary about Paula Yates who was a TV presenter and journalist and sort of socialite. But it is a bit of a Wikipedia rabbit hole honestly because she had quite a messy divorce with Bob Geldof, then she had a lot of media scrutiny and it is quite awful tbh. This documentary is actually sad but it definitely made me realise that she was actually quite cool and charismatic. I recommend watching it.

Other than that I have been feeling a bit uninspired on what to watch on TV. Send me suggestions my way. 

Revenge Friday- Self Love Spending Spree

I had a little day out in Nice on my own. I went to Emilie and the Cool Kids for lunch- I got a salad and a cookie. I got some shorts in mango. I have been after a pair of shorts for a while but there was always something wrong with them or I would literally rip them in the shop (I once went shopping with my sister to purchase a pair of jeans and I actually ripped three pairs and my bad luck also extends to denim shorts shopping). 

These are perfect, I am so pleased.

Then I got some gifts for my sisters birthday. And then I wondered round the old town and had a browse in a few more shops. I planned to shop but nothing else called to me. I met up with my sis in the afternoon and helped her choose a pair of trainers. Then we went out with our dad for dinner which was really nice- we had Lebanese. Then my sis and I met up with some friends in the evening.

So sort of a successful revenge Friday. 

Anyway speak next week. Drop recommendations for TV shows ect x

Love,

Happy Hippo x

Revenge Holiday to Nice, France 2023

 Hello Darlings, 

So I went on a revenge holiday to Nice which was really nice. It’s always loads of fun with my sister. I also love going to Nice this time of year because it is nice and warm but isn't too hot and there aren't many tourists about, it can get very very hot in the summer and I end up spending all my time inside. 

Monday

So on Monday I took an afternoon flight to Nice which was pretty chill and stress free. My sister always asks me to bring crisps so I normally spend an arm and a leg on skips, wotsits and quavers at the airport. Anyway it was a really chill flight and I ended up landing in France about 9pm. I met up with my sister and we got a crepe and a glass of wine in a square- I think this is becoming like a tradition whenever I go to Nice. Anyway we got back to the apartment and decided to do some late night crafting accompanied with wotsits. I taught my sister how to make friendship bracelets which she smashed. I also left her some cord so she can do more practice.

Tuesday

We decided to walk from Nice to Villefranche. It took I think about an hour and a half and it goes along the coast. My sister had made a Guatemalan (she recently went on hols there and brought back packets of beans) inspired breakfast so that fuelled us. It was a really nice walk but I am quite unfit, so it was a slight struggle.

I look like such a dork lol.

 Anyway we got to Villefranche and we had a nice glass of wine on the seafront. 

We got some snacks to have on the beech and got a lift from some friends back to Nice. In the evenign we stayed in and watched Love is Blind. We did some more crafting- my sister had purchased a plain black bikini top ages ago that she wanted to thread some pony beads onto, and so we did that and yeah it looked really cool. 

Wednesday

On Wednesday we had a revenge shopping day in Nice. I didn't actually buy anything because I like to sort of think before I buy something. But yeah there are some things on my shopping list. We looked round Galleries Lafayette and Sephora, and I tried on some bikinis in Etam. We went for a bagel and a cookie for lunch. There is a cafe in the shopping centre called Emilie and the cool kids which does like bagels and cookies.

We were admiring some Zadig and Voltaire bags in Galleries Lafayette. They are so edgy and cool. 

 My sister and I had some noodles for dinner and then we went for a glass of wine in the evening at one of my favourite bar in Nice- Les Distilleries Ideales. 

Thursday

So my sisters day got off to a bad start to her day as she had an emergency at work (it involved mice lol). So I decided that I would get breakfast and walk up castle hill to eat it. Castle hill has a viewing platform and yeah lovely views over the port and the old town. I literally made it only half way up, I am so unfit, this has been like a wake up call lol. But yeah I ate my breakfast which was a chia seed pot, kombucha, haribos and cheddar bites. I then read a bit of my book, I read two books when I was away, The Great Gatsby and The Graduate, which I enjoyed reading both.

I love this outfit. 

I then met up with my sister in the park that afternoon and had some nibbles while watching some people do hip hop dance. Then we went back and did some cleaning because we had guests coming to stay in a few days time. 

Then in the evening we tried out a new restaurant, which did like sharing plates and wine. Really nice, I would go back again. We went for another glass of wine in a square.

We saw this like weird head on our walk back. 

Friday

We did some finishing touches to cleaning the flat and had another Guatemalan inspired breakfast. Ugh I was actually so sad to be leaving. There was a bit of a delay with the airline because of the strikes, I kind of wish I brought more provisions because I got hungry. But yeah I had such a fun trip. If you ever want a recommendations or advice blogpost for Nice I will defo be up for posting.

Love,

Happyhippo x

Revenge Friday- I am back! Berlin Reccomendations and craft sesh

 Hello Darlings, 

I have been gone for ages- I actually feel so bad:( I ended up taking a long break because I have been blogging for 5+ years and I wanted to just archive a few blogposts; I ended up archiving 300 blogposts and then I had a blogging identity crisis. I have written a blogpost on why I have archived mostly all of the blogposts. But also some of them might be republished again. So, I was already to return but then my blogging hiatus was like slightly extended because of quite a strange situation which you can read about at the end of this post, its a long read :) But yeah I am really happy to be back and looking forward to the future of Happy Hippo. 

Anyway I have a long revenge Friday blogpost for you so enjoy x

Berlin Recommendations

So before I took my blogging break I was in Berlin and so I thought I would share my recommendations with you because my sis and I just had so much fun and we did some like really good things.

Things to do:

Humana- Humana is a chain of second hand shops (I think its a charity shop) that my sister and I went to. I got a pin striped blazer and my sister got a denim jacket and a belt which were both really 80s. It is a bit spenny but its still worth popping to, we went to one which was four stories tall.

Stasi Museum- This is so so worth going to. I was on my own at this point of the hols because my sister hadn't arrived yet and I have such vivid memories of the walk there because I got caught in snow and it was my first day and I was so excited for my hols. I had gone to the Stasi Museum previously on a school trip but I think it was a bit lost on me but I found it so engrossing this time- you just wanted to read everything because all the stories were soo interesting. It is a museum in the former Stasi headquarters and its very eerie.

Hackesche Höfe- This is like a nice courtyard of boutiques and there is a really nice sweet shop called Aseli, that does like marshmellow mice, crocodiles and dolphins. Seriously delicious. My parents brought my sister and I back some of these sweets when they went to Berlin a few months before and they were so yummy that we made it a priority to go to this shop when we were in Berlin. There is also like a really nice row of shops and cafes on a street nearby too- I think it was called Rosenthaler Strasse.

Boros Bunker- I so so recommend this. So Boros Bunker is a private art collection owned by a family and the gallery is a former WWII bunker- the family live in a penthouse on top. The gallery sells out very quickly so you have to book a few months in advance. You get a guide who takes you round the gallery and tells you about the art and the history of the bunker- it was a war bunker, then a fruit storage warehouse and then a techno club. The art work is really cool and the lady was saying how the artists get to choose how they curate their work in the building. 

This is me outside of the bunker, you couldn't take piccys inside- very exclusive.

TV Tower- My sister and I went here for lunch because my parents said they really enjoyed it. The restaurant spins round so you get like a 360 view of the city. Its really cool. The food is slightly weird but like the staff were very sweet and it was a really chilled out. I had a lovely cocktail I want to recreate. From the building you could see the Radisson Blue Hotel which had a fishtank that exploded killing 1500 fish and we could see like the barricade was up.

Yeah you can just make out the baricade.

Other Galleries- We went to the Konig Gallery which is in a brutalist former church. There were only a few rooms but we enjoyed our visit. I think we were recommended it by the lady doing the tour of Boros Bunker and my sister wanted to go because the church was called Saint Agnes. We also went to the Hermit Newton Foundation- he was like a fashion photographer. We really enjoyed that and it was near some department stores KaDeWe and shopping centre Bikini Berlin. Then we went to a gallery which was in a former hospital which was interesting.

This is inside the Konig gallery.

Where to Eat

My sister and I ate so well when we were in Berlin, the food is really great and vegans are well catered for. There are some nice Lebanese restaurants in Berlin which is always a shout. There a hotdog stand called Curry 36 (I believe its a chain) and they do a really good Vegan currywurst- so yummy. Also I would recommend a burger chain called Burgermeister- this is unexpected for me as I have never been a burger person (I am veggie) but my sister and I decided to try one of the branches because it was in the guidebook (we were also very cold and hungry). The vegan burger was really good and the vibe was so nice- everyone was really cool. Then if you are in the Friedrichshain area there is a really nice restaurant called 1990 Vegan Living which did Vietnamese small plates and my sister wasn't so sure about going here but I sort of insisted but she really liked it- there was one dish I hardly had any of because she was hogging it. It was really nice. Also this is a bit random but there is a supermarket chain called Rewe and they did the nicest vegan sausage rolls in the bakery section and then we would pick up a smoothie. I loved that supermarket. Also my sister and I really got into chai lattes when we were in Berlin and there were loads of cool independant cafes to try.

Important tip

Also slightly important tip is to carry cash and get some euros before you go, a lot of places don't do card, my sister and I nearly got caught out several times. Also you are going to struggle to find a bank to take out money, there are lots of cashpoints on the streets but they charge a fee and my sister and I were just a bit nervous about using them because we were not sure about the exchange rate. We did manage to find a bank and it was okay.

Craft Sesh

So another thing that kept me away from blogging for a little while was because I had a few essays due which honestly I felt so out of my depth with. I have found it so difficult with all the university strikes, they just really effected my motivation. Anyway I did hand in something and then the day after I went to Hobbycraft as a treat to myself.

So from Hobbycraft I ended up getting a embroidery hoop- I swear I must have loads of these but I can never find one when I need it. I brought some paintbrushes because I actually really enjoy painting and I didn't have any brushes with me in Cardiff. I got some black embroidery thread and aida cloth because I had run out of both.

Then I was sort of interested in getting into making bracelets- I can do the macramé ones with embroidery thread but wanted to try making the type you can adjust. So I worked out I needed some waxed cord and when I was in Hobbycraft I also saw these cute heart beads which will probs tarnish in two mins lol.

So when I got home I watched a few YouTube videos and learnt how to do the knots that adjust. Also yes I am using a sanitary towel tin for the beads- I so hope they bring back the tins at some point, I liked collecting them.

As you can see I had a crack at making some bracelets and I think they turned out really nice. I have more exciting beads back in London- I just need to find them they are in a box somewhere. I am still in the process of unpacking things.

When I was back in London I did manage to find an abandoned project. I think about two years ago I had made a gingham top for my sister and she is always saying how much she wears it and she really loves it and she wanted another top made in the same style. So I picked this really cool flower power vibe fabric which has a slight seersucked texture. Anyway, I completed it and I think it looks really cute. This sewing pattern is always a quick sew, and yeah if my sister sees another fabric she likes I would be happy to make her another one. 

Here is a picture of me wearing it. Ignore that I am totally not doing it justice and my parting is non existent. The top looks wonky- it is not!

The Strange Mystery

So this is a bit of a strange mystery. Basically one Saturday I was feeling a bit under the weather, I was meeting my friend that day- that was lovely actually and I did not think much of it. Sunday morning I am awoken by the taste of chemicals (there was no smell). I am getting changed because I was going to go for breakfast at Metchys. As I am putting on my top though (I had worn it for a few hours the day before) it occurs to me that it really stinks of chemicals. I come back after breakfast but the chemical taste hits me again once I am in my house, so I stay out the house and I am just feeling really nauseous all day. I go to my friends that night to sleep because it was so unpleasant. So I am quite unwell that night, stinging eyes, heartburn, lungs aching and a really strong chemical taste in my mouth. It was like Chernobyl or something.  My friend was very intrigued by the situation (particularly intrigued by the top) so he suggests we take a late night walk and we can pass by my house and see if he can find what's causing it. But when he gets to mine he just cannot taste it (neither could I that time) and he could not smell the chemicals on my top. So basically three days pass and I was staying at my friend house and each day I would return to my house expecting it to be gone but it wasn't, even if I was there for half an hour to get changed and collect a book, hours later I would taste chemicals in my mouth which would last an hour +, it had like a burning sensation.

My friend was really sweet letting me stay at his and making me breakfast every morning but by Thursday I was outstaying my welcome (he had an essay due that evening) and he was very concerned about the chemical taste but he was very sceptical about what I was saying. I felt really low because I felt like I was going mad tbh, because no one but me could taste it or like had felt the symptoms. But I drag my friend away from his desk to mine to see if he could taste it this time and he was very apprehensive and after being there for like 2 minutes he was ready to leave lol. However I wasn't letting him leave and after 10 mins he did start feeling it too and he was actually shook. So basically for the next two nights I sleep at my friends house and I take the train back to London on Saturday. I haven't been back for nearly two weeks. So its a bit of an unsatisfying ending because I have no idea what was causing it. I have so many questions.

When I went to stay with my sister over a week later, I brought my black top and she could smell it. Anyway sorry for the really long story. I am so confused. 

Revenge Shoe and Quote

Image link

These are adorable 💋💋

Anyway, I am off but I will be back soon with a blogpost. I have recently gone on revenge holiday to France, so I will share what I got up to. 

Love Happy Hippo x

Revenge Wardrobe- French Edition

Honn xx

You may have read my last my blogpost- so heartbroken. I am currently in Nice, France for a bit just processing what happened. Anyway, since I am in Nice my sister gave me a few birthday presents: some clothes she picked up in the charity shop and a small gift- and they are just perfect for a revenge wardrobe. I have written a previous blogpost about revenge life and I have put the revenge terminology at the bottom of the blogpost. A revenge wardrobe is a wardrobe you curate in order to get revenge, it should be flattering, maybe a bit sexy and should just make you feel confident. Btw this is not literal revenge because the best revenge is self improvement. speaking about revenge life, I recently did really well in my essays for university (I got a first in one of them 🎈🎈🎈) and that makes me sooo happy. The one I did less well in, I got good feedback and they said my work was very promising.

On my first day in Nice I was dragged out of bed to buy some new sandals as the ones I came to Nice wearing were so knackered- I had trekked pretty far in them.

 I got these really cute strappy ones in gold and my previous ones were gold so I knew it was a good choice. Gold is a neutral and will take you from day to evening. As my sister pointed out, the straps strategically hides my large ankles :/

My sister brought me a cute headband. It’s ivory with gold embellishments. My friend used to call headbands like this tiaras which always melted my heart. Also, one of my sisters friends said I looked very regal in my crown.

Anyway I styled it with this Zara playsuit I got many years ago and something interesting is that this was like the last thing I ever brought from Zara (I think) because I have been boycotting them in the last few years. When I purchased this playsuit the woman THREW the change at me. It was a mixture of coins and notes. Like actually threw it at me so yeah I have not really wanted to shop there since. Anyway, I love this playsuit it’s very cute.

Second outfit is this tarot print skirt. So my sister lent this to me and we have been swapping it back and forth for the last few years but currently it is in my possession. I styled the skirt with this H&M bodysuit that I brought a few days ago. I think this bodysuit is so cute. Very sexy neckline. My sister brought one too in black and orange. 

My sister purchased this skirt for me from the charity shop. It has a really cute French Provençal pattern. I think this looks really french chic. So nice. And again I have styled it with the new bodysuit from H&M. Ignore the fact my legs look really pale compared to the rest of my body.

I’ve no idea what I’m doing.

This is the look I wore to go for aperol spritz. A velour black dress and the tiara.

This is a cardigan my sister also picked out from a vintage shop. This crochet style cardigans have been popular for the past few years and this is a really lovely trend piece because it’s very classic. Also, I think it might be handmade because there is no label in it. When I took this photo there was a pigeon flying about the apartment and so I look very shook. I had locked myself in a room and waited for my sister to rescue me because I am terrified of birds. Anyway I love cardigans like this, it looks a bit hippy and a bit witchy.

I’m so scared. Also it has shitted on the halloumi. 

Anyway guys,

I will probably chat with you soon. I’m going back to Cardiff shortly.

Love you lots x

Revenge Terminology

Revenge Wardrobe: This is a wardrobe you create for yourself to get revenge. It is characterised by stylish and confident outfits that are very you. 

Revenge Weekend/ Week: This is a weekend or week dedicated to self improvement activities. This could be building your revenge wardrobe or meeting up with friends. The most important thing is that your week is fun!

Revenge Field Trip: A Revenge Field Trip is a normally a trip you take to become more cultured. Maybe you go to an art gallery or museum. Maybe you visit a new place for the day. The focus is becoming more cultured and gaining info for your new revenge life. 

Revenge Holiday: This is normally a holiday taken in solitude. You might be taking a revenge holiday to process a break up of a relationship or friendship. Normally you will dedicate  the holiday to becoming more cultured, reading books and indulging (shopping, eating and pampering). 

Ventimiglia Market Day + purchases

 Hey guys x

So as I explained in my last blogpost I was going away in the Easter hols to see my sister in France. I am now back from France. It was a really nice hols. On the last full day of the holidays we went to Ventimiglia which is a small city in Italy close to France. It was a really peaceful train journey there and back because it runs along the coast- so scenic. We went on a Friday because that is when they have like a massive market, which sells like all sorts of stuff (leather belts, cashmere socks, clothes) and then there is a like a covered market in the town which sells like Italian produce. It is a border town so it has loads of tobacs and alcohol shops. It is both charming and gritty.

So first thing we did was to have a browse of the sea front market. My sister brought a really cute leather clutch bag in like a cow hide print which is totally Kate Moss vibes. I had a look at a store selling cashmere cardigans and I picked up a cute hoodie with zip.

I love the cable knit details. You have no idea how snug this is; it is so nice. 

Then we went to another store that sold bootleg designer perfume for €3. I got Chanel no5 and I think my sis got Coco Mademoiselle. We got a table cloth for our grandma. Then we decided we wanted some lunch. 

 my sister liberally putting the parmesan on ;)

We went to quite a sweet restaurant where we had a glass of prosecco and some pasta. My sister had a delicious cheese gnocchi and I got a really good artichoke raviolli.

Yeah they had like loads of these perfumes which smell identical to the real thing, they just come in slightly odd packaging. My dad had serious fomo when we told him about the market in Ventimiglia, so we have promised we will take him next time.

Then we decided to do a bit more shopping in the town. We went to Tezenis which is a really nice underwear shop and yeah we picked up some knickers.

We then went to the supermarket where we just picked up some olive oil and a really cool gift for our mum for Easter. After browsing the boutiques we stopped for an Aperol spritz. We sipped it while battling the elements (it was so windy) and the street sellers.

Then we took the train back to Nice. Yeah and again it was such a scenic train journey. So beautiful. On our walk back to the apartment we walked past the scene of the accident (on our last trip to Ventimiglia we did so much shopping I slipped over- luckily no prosecco was harmed in the incident).

Anyway, I  hope you have enjoyed reading about my trip to Ventimiglia. Italy just has a brilliant vibe. I will probably have another holiday post coming soon- I think it will be like holiday pics and a haul because I did buy quite a lot in Nice. Let me know what other posts you want. 

Love you lots 

happy hippo x