Hitting the Slopes: Where To Go & Ultimate Ski Bunny Style!

 

 Whether you’re an avid skier or a wannabe, take note!

Planning a ski trip in 2018? I’ve got you covered with fantastic travel deals and style solutions to match ensuring you dazzle on the slopes! In this post I bring you the latest offerings from Crystal Ski Holidays and Regatta Great Outdoors for the ultimate in ski bunny travel and style inspiration!

*Not sponsored.

Crystal Ski Holidays:

Award winning Crystal Ski Holidays always have incredible travel deals to trusted destinations such Italy and Austria starting at just €369 per person with travel in February and March making weather conditions optimal. Plus, longer days means more time on the slopes! Backed by TUI one of the world’s leading travel groups, Crystal Ski have been bringing more people from Ireland and the UK to the mountains, than anyone else and won the Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2017! Crystal Ski also provide details on snowy extras you will need for your trip, Ski Holiday Essentials a handy checklist to glance over and make sure you’ve covered all bases. P.S. I’m sharing some of my dream destinations below, read on!

Note: All holidays and prices are subject to change and availability, and are based on 2 sharing (unless otherwise stated). Prices do not include optional extras such as: insurance, in-flight meals or group seating.

 Visit: www.crystalski.ie or call 01) 433 1080 or your local travel agent to snap up a deal on that snowy trip of dreams now!

Regatta Great Outdoors:

From cosy winter jackets to comfortable fleeces and reliable footwear Regatta Great Outdoors have everything you need to keep warm, dry and stylish with appropriate apparel easily transitioning your style from dazzling slopes to Après Ski shenanigans. Plus they have a sale on! 

{Dare 2B Black Cultivated Jacket. €260}

{Dare2B Motif Sweater €60}

For guaranteed protection on the slopes, all Regatta stores stock Dare2B, high performance men’s, women’s and kids ski clothing brand. Whether you need technical ski jackets, salopettes, base layers, and fleeces; Dare2B have a range of bold colours and stylish prints to make you stand out on the mountain.

 

 

{Ladies Brienna Waterproof Insulated Hooded Jacket was €100 now €67.00!}

{Dare 2B Kardrona Boots €140}

Apres Ski:

My footwear pick perfect for Apres Ski lounging, mingling or a spot of retail therapy in the mountains, are these stylish yet cosy boots Regatta’s Women’s Bedford Casual Boots in Saddle Brown ideal for when you want to keep it casual yet look presentable and appropriately dressed.

Have you ever been skiing? I’ve never been skiing before but I’d love to try it! Where’s your dream ski destination? Let me know your recommendations in the comments below. I’ve listed some of my European dream destinations below including: Zermatt, Switzerland, Morzine, France and Dolomites, Italy.

Zermatt is a “green” ski destination meaning it’s environmental attributes are better than most. Essentially “car free“, they have opted for *electric run buses, mini cars to transport hotel guests, even the taxi’s run on electricity!* Morzine is a traditional, more commercial mountain town located in one of the world’s most extensive ski resorts Portes du Soleil, with chalet layout.  *A quieter ski destination in Switzerland is Rigi which boasts the oldest mountain railway in Europe dating back to 1871* with breath- takingly beautiful, dramatic mountain views – being a fan of railway travel naturally, this is an experience I would a relish. The idea of sleigh rides and hot choc apres ski adds to the allure of a ski holiday for me of course! 

*Source: onthesnow.com

Other dream ski destinations are: Chamonix, Courcheval and Meribel in France. Grindelwald in Switzerland and I have Dolomites in Italy on my list to explore in both summer and winter, as I have it on good authority that the location has an incredible reputation as a summer resort to boot!

Browse the many destinations catered to on Crystal Ski and see which one suits your needs!

There you have it, all you need to plan and enjoy the perfect ski trip and shake off the January blues!

Thanks for stopping by!

Gail. x

Images: 1st © Crystal Ski.

Rest: © Regatta Great Outdoors.

 

 

 

 

Santorini Vibes and a Goddess Glow: Summer Style Inspiration!

{Santorini Vibes: shades of blue and pops of white, taking fashion inspo from the picturesque, hillside vista of Santorini, Greece.}

When a colour palette compels you to blog about it…

As a writer and blogger I find inspiration in everything. From nature, to a conversation, to trend forecasting in Fashion/Beauty etc – however when a colour palette inspires you to write an article on it you know you’re obsessed and you may as well give in and do it!

Santorini Vibes:

If I can’t go to Santorini, I’ll bring Santorini to me – taking inspiration from the islands colour palette in particular the white and blue hues associated with this Greek island!

Into the blue:

{Postcards from Santorini: The Santorini hillside vista that inspired this post.}

I can’t get enough of this colour palette…

I’m talking every shade of blue, paired with white for the ultimate holiday mindset. From washed out denim and cobalt to pastel and Santorini Blue (yeah I totally just made up that name) but you know the one, that blue that conjures up images of deep blue rooftops that majestically overlook an equally blue sea signifying a beaming beacon of relaxation, and an unequivocal Greek island experience of an island way of life of a by gone era. Coupled with white washed, glistening walls this colour palette simply screams summer and the blue and white sun soaked hillside, has immersed itself in my fashion subconscious and seen me dress in island blues on repeat!

Stripes, prints, block colours I’m loving it all – mixing and matching within the palette, block colours of white and blue with prints and stripes in the same hues – adding the odd pop of colours such as yellow, orange, nude, navy and tan to compliment the look.

The Goddess Glow:

These white and blue hues are off-set for me by a gleaming golden glow to the skin lending a bolder, crisper look with added “pop”, to any outfit! I get the ultimate grecian goddess golden/bronzed glow from a new release in the tanning world which I have been trialling lately!

I rarely sit in the sun in the summer months to “get a tan” and if I do you can bet your bottom dollar I’m smothered in Factor 50 because well you know, who needs the wrinkles? Especially nowadays, when self tanners have come such a long way!

The Tan of Choice:

I’ve been trialling *B BOLD Smart Mousse Tan for about 4 weeks and I have to say it never fails to give me major Mediterranean Island/Tropical vibes when I wear it. #vibes #thefeels

The colour pay-off with this tan is unreal. No really. From sunkissed glow to golden hue to a deeper bronzed tan, this tan is perfect to achieve any depth of tan you wish! It’s a one stop shop, making it perfect for travel – the high performance of the tan is a pleasant surprise and it is a welcome addition to the self-tanner market here in Ireland.

Look out for the FULL review on *B BOLD Smart Mousse Tan coming very soon!

All the usual suspects in fashion have variations on this summery palette and in an array of textures – such as Primark, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, Zara, H&M and Savida to name just a few.

There you have it, some summer style inspiration in the form of colours and textures in various hues of blue for a fashion colour palette that’ll take you through summer feeling like you’ve been to far away climbs even if you haven’t! My summer capsule wardrobe sorted.

Now all I need is an actual trip to Santorini…although it’ll probably be more like somewhere in the west of Ireland! I’m not complaining though, after all I’m channelling those Santorini vibes…

What is your favourite colour palette for summer? What inspires you when choosing pieces for your summer wardrobe? I’d love to know!

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
*Post contains PR sample – All views/opinions on the product are mine as always! .

FASHION ALERT! Get Exercise Ready with the Fitness Collection from Penneys!

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new year – are you feeling good?

Here’s a little taster of what’s to come from Penneys (Primark) Fitness Collection in the next few weeks of 2016!

Fitness is at the foremost of most of our minds right now with most of us having splurged over the Christmas having that extra helping of Christmas dinner or one too many sausage rolls before returning to our spot on the couch. This coupled with all the “new year, new me” mantras/resolutions floating around and health and fitness programmes such as Operation Transformation starting this week, it’s time to get the trainers back on and slip back into the gym gear!

Get Fit Without Compromising on Style!

Penneys are leading the way on the high street with stylish, budget friendly pieces that are hitting stores now and are breathable and hi-tech. This pleases me greatly. Why? Oh come on, let’s face it, looking good in the style stakes whilst getting fit is half the battle right? Okay, okay, maybe it’s not half the battle, but it sure helps motivate this gal to take those first steps, lunges or burpees…ah burpees you old foe.

With that said, whilst some of us may wholeheartedly indulge ourselves in a new “fitness wardrobe”(I know I can’t be the only one) every now and then, (shopping is a sport right?), others may want to ease into this fitness game a little more slowly and purchase a few select items. Either way Penneys are hard to beat with prices starting from as little as: €4 for a crop top, vests at €6, leggings at €9, Outerwear at €14 and runners at €14!

A Look at The Collection:

From cute leggings and performance jackets to sports tops, sports bras, slogan tees and vests, Penneys have an array of fitness focused offerings to tempt anyone into sporting them! Monochrome, brights, solid colours and print all mix and match seamlessly, allowing us to personalise the collection to what suits us. Colour blocking? Check. Mixing prints? Check. Check.

Stand out from the workout crowd: with the latest Active Wear range – emblazoned with bold, luminous brights.

For the Design Lover: tie-dye prints, mesh overlay and shattered pixel prints give the range a sports luxe feel.

Black remains consistent, accenting the fashion-forward, high energy pieces.

Inspirational and fun quotes like; “Start with Believe” and “Gym Hair, Dont Care” abound in the collection, aiming to keep our spirits and motivation up well past February, the month of the notorious “fitness slump.”

What do you think of the collection so far? Are you loving the bold, bright neons or maybe you’re a tie-dye fan? Let me know! Tweet me: @DublinGail or Tag me on Instagram: @littlegforce

Me? I love a lot in the collection (I’m a die-hard neon fan) and also have my eye on the likes of the tie-dye white and blue leggings (picture at top of page). I like a bit of surfer/preppy style whilst I work out and these beauts will serve the surfer girl in me well! #californiadreaming

The Accessories:

Dumbells, Yoga mats, Gym Balls amongst other accessories are available from the collection so no matter what you’re circumstances, working from home, long day at the office, dismal weather – these Fitness Accessories are perfect for getting in an extra gym session or fitting in some exercise after a long day.

Whatever you’re into, be it pounding the pavements, Yoga, Cross-Fit, or a gym bunny, Penneys have fab finds, for the male and female fitness fanatics amongst us and for those of us who think we are…well at least until February!

Fitness Journey?

I want to wish you the best of luck if you’re on a fitness journey guys!
I’m on one myself the last year which I’ve done pretty well on (despite some personal, uncontrollable setbacks) and I hope to stay focused and reach my goals, I’ve set for this year! #werkit #LikeABoss

Remember: we have to work at our personal fitness and health. We make time, schedule it in, because if we don’t make the sacrifice and dedicate the time actually putting in the effort, there will be no results! Let’s keep taking those steps and #hustle.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog guys! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year 2016! I hope you like this fitness related post and a glimpse at the new Penneys (Primark) range of Fitness and Sports wear. 

Until next time – I’ll love ya & leave ya!

Gail. Xx

Images: © Primark.

Motivational quote: Pinterest.