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Purchases for the month of July. Shopping whilst travelling is always inevitable, and before leaving for Europe I put together a wishlist of things that I wanted to pick up or that were missing from my wardrobe. While I didn't manage to get everything that I had on my wishlist, I did manage to tick a number of boxes.

In a somewhat curious event, I managed to come home with a suitcase lighter than the one I went over with (having taken over a few things for my parents), which should give an indication of how little I actually did buy. Missing from above are a couple of light summer jackets and linen t-shirts, as well as a couple of jackets and skirts I managed to nab off eBay while I was away.

Instead of buying a number of small things to fill up my suitcase, I opted to hunt out a couple of quality items I'd been wanting instead - as well as continuing my love affair with the breton stripe top - to avoid post-holiday shopping regrets, something that has plagued me many times after a large trip. Now, I just need to wait for the weather to warm up and the rain to go away so I can get both those pairs of shoes on my feet!

 

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outfit 1: Zara linen t-shirt, Supre denim shorts (similar)
outfit 2: Kate Sylvester top, Karen Walker shorts, Topshop sandals, Karen Walker sunglasses
outfit 3: Topshop top, shorts (similar) & sandals, Karen Walker sunglasses, Diva necklace

Final days. I always find the ending of an overseas holiday bittersweet. On the one hand, I look forward to going back to the comforts of home and returning to my routine, but on the other, I'm sad that all of the wonderful times are ending - until next time that is.

Our last three nights sailing were spent anchored right by the village of Finikouda, which felt like home while we were there. Shortly after waking up I would - somewhat ungracefully - submerge myself in the water before motoring ashore for a combination of lying in the sun and cooling off in the warm waters whenever I got too hot. We were lucky that on our way back, a school of dolphins surrounded our boat, jumping in and out of the water as we sailed along. I don't think that I have ever seen dolphins so close before.

Aside from sailing, yesterday was spent travelling out to Olympia, quite fitting considering that the Olympic Games start this weekend. Today involved another venture to an ancient site, that of Arxaia Messini, quite possibly my favourite Greek ruin that I've been to. Still being excavated, there were a number of new things which had been uncovered since the last time I went. I doubt that there are many other ruins where you are walking over unearthed columns, and those that have been are easily accessible.

It would probably be unsurprising to most who know me, that I managed to have a couple of three-week old kittens as "pets" while in Valira. If only I could stay longer...

 

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outfit 1: Karen Walker blouse, shorts & sunglasses, Topshop sandals, Zimmerman bikini
outfit 2: Forever 21 singlet, Supre denim shorts (similar), Topshop sandals, Karen Walker sunglasses

Mediterranean. The last five days have passed by in a blur, as we sailed the coast from Kalamata down to Finikouda. After spending so much time on a boat, I'm still getting the rocking movements from the water hours after being on land. I couldn't help but share the last few remnants of my time in Santorini, and thinking about it makes me miss the beautiful ocean and houses by the sea.

We were a bit unlucky in our initial sail to Xranoi beach for a swim, as it was quite windy and with the sails up the boat was tipping on its side a fair amount, something I had not been expecting at all. Even once we anchored in Koroni the swells were quite strong and I don't think any of us got very much sleep. The village of Koroni is so charming, with taverna's along the water, and an old castle a short walk away. The perspective of the village from the sea is incredible, as unlike on land, you get the full picture from your vantage point. More incredible still was watching the sun set over the buildings, and the sky fade away into pastel coloured hues. I'm pretty sure that I have spent the majority of the past five days lounging about in my swim suit, as we constantly dipped back into the water for a swim. I can honestly say that this has been a 'beach' holiday at its best, and not your typical one at that.

 

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ALDO 'nealey' sandals
Gladiator. I think it goes without saying that in Europe in the summertime, sandals are an absolute necessity - compared with Wellington where I live, where I could go the whole three months not even slipping a pair on. This probably would explain why I only have one pair.. well, until recently.

I stumbled across the 'Nealey' sandals on ASOS a wee while back and was pleasantly surprised to find over the weekend that they were on sale for an absolute steal. I love the pop of neon, contrasting against the white and brown leathers - neon for dummies if you will. Should you prefer a more classic colour combination, you can get the cognac&white pair here and the tan&black pair here. Wishing that these had gone on sale before I headed to Europe, as they would have been perfect for Greece!

 

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outfit 1: Acne blouse, Supre shorts (similar), Topshop sandals, Karen Walker sunglasses
outfit 2: ASOS lace dress, Topshop sandals

While I've probably already said it, I don't think that I've ever seen any place as beautiful as Santorini, a place teeming with experiences and moments that I hope I will never forget. I'd forgotten the mist that hangs in the air, making it impossible to tell when the sea ends and the sky begins - something I still can't get over.

Most of our time in Santorini was spent either at the beach, eating at the various Tavernas, or simply enjoying the view from our balcony (which is where I'm standing in the first pics). Swimming down at Ammoudi Beach was an experience in itself, jumping off boulders into the calm cool waters of the Calderra. Perhaps regrettably, I didn't ride a donkey from the bottom of the steps near Ammoudi Beach to the top, instead opting to climb the 240 plus stairs in the heat. There's always next time!