Wednesday 3 July 2013

What I Wore Wednesday: Mar Menor, Spain

I really wish Glasgow knew what summer actually means. It is currently 55 degrees and raining--I'm sorry but that is not how summer is defined in my dictionary. Luckily while we were on holiday by Mar Menor, Spain we actually got to experience summer. I'm talking temperatures in the 80s/90s, swimming outside, blue skies and SUNSHINE!!!

We rented a villa with NotBlondeHusband's sister, mom and her husband; we had our very own pool and hot tub. We ate breakfast outside on the patio and swam every day and generally only went inside to sleep. It was absolutely perfect and over way too fast.

Blondie Boy LOVED the pool. We had to enforce a sort of backwards adult swim where he was allowed 15 minutes in and 45 minutes out only because we were worried he'd still burn even with super high SPF on. He is a total pool rat and we're going to look into getting him swim lessons again now we are home.



Private Pool Villa Spain

Father Son Swimming

Dirty Dancing Water Lift
Perfecting the lift from Dirty Dancing
We were only 10 minutes from the beach at Mar Menor (a salt water lagoon separated from the ocean by a large inhabited sandbar) and 25 minutes from the ocean side of La Manga (the aforementioned big ass sandbar) but we only ventured there twice. We drove down La Manga one evening and Blondie Boy had such a great time playing in the sand along the ocean that we went to the Mar Menor beach the next morning to build more sand creatures and collect shells. If you're going to this part of Spain the water in Mar Menor is really warm and really shallow so is pretty ideal for small children!

La Manga Beach

La Manga Beach Sandcastles

I pretty much was in my swimsuit all day and then changed into a sleeveless top and shorts or a sun dress at night. It so rarely gets warm enough for shorts in Glasgow I had to buy some before we left! I've put them away for the next time I'll need them but I'm not holding my breath!

I have about a gazillion pictures of Blondie Boy swimming or playing with his new cars (visiting Spanish Toys R Us was on his to do list) but I won't bore you all with them. I'm so glad we were able to get away and I would totally go back again. At first I was worried we didn't really do anything super cultural but then I realised growing up our vacations were about going to the beach and getting good weather and honestly there is nothing wrong with that. If you think of Spain as our Florida (Midwest Americans go to Florida, Scottish people go to Spain), lazing by the pool all day doesn't sound so bad. To be honest does lazing by the pool ever sound bad?

We did go into Cartagena, a former Roman strong hold, for the afternoon and walked around the cobbled streets and even found our way into Sephora (why are is Sephora on the continent and not in the UK?!? Why is their iced tea on the continent and not in the UK? Why are churros so freaking tasty?!?!) and had drinks on the harbour. It was super windy but we managed to snap one picture on the promenade and then another when we got home.


High Low Skull Top HM

Forever 21 Jean Shorts

High Low Skull top-HM
Dark Wash Denim Shorts-Forever 21
Flip Flops-Old Navy

We all know I have a minor major obsession with skulls so when I saw this shirt at H&M I had to buy it. Forever 21 only opened in Glasgow a month or so ago and honestly I wasn't sure if it was my type of place but since they had shorts that fit me it TOTALLY is! I've learned over time not to try and buy pants/trousers that aren't made in America. I know that sounds odd but my American ass is not made for British jeans what can I say! Do you have issues finding pants/trousers that fit right?




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63 comments:

Melaina25 said...

Aw sounds like you guys had an amazing time! What a sweet baby :)

Melaina25 said...

The Spain trip looked like fun! Glad you guys were able to experience a real summer. It's really hot over here in Cali.:-) Cute top. I love skulls too but mainly on accessories.


Mo

Melaina25 said...

So jealous, but in a good way! Pictures look lovely.

Melaina25 said...

Somehow Spain sounds soooo much better than Florida! It looks like you had a great time and I love the top!

Melaina25 said...

Yes I have similar problems; my American ass is not made for American jeans!
On a happier note, your vacation looks like it effing rocked. Just...perfection. I'm so glad you guys had such an amazing time!
xo
Kym
bitty.and.bunny
UD Naked Palette giveaway

Melaina25 said...

So jealous of the holiday. Sounds like Glascow is not too different to the NZ winter this week :)

I would like to know Melaina - who does fit most pants anywhere in the world...??? What, no-one? Certainly not me either.

Melaina25 said...

hope you enjoy the vacation....looks beautiful there and I too love skulls!


xoxo
Val
http://styletoenvy.com

Melaina25 said...

Thanks for hosting!

Melaina25 said...

OOh yes... I always seem to have a problem finding pants to fit! They're never long enough or they're too high so they don't fit right. Pants are rough... haha

Melaina25 said...

The panoramic picture is awesome!! I so wish I was on a beach! As for pants, they are the bane of my existence, I swear! I'm tall (8ft5) but I'm not like gigantic or anything and I can NEVER find pants long enough! If I ever find "longs" in a store, I stock up because it's seriously like finding my golden ticket to the chocolate factory! haha

Melaina25 said...

I am so glad you enjoyed El mar menor. Where I live id far too hot, so we are off to England looking for cooler weather hhahaha

Melaina25 said...

Looks and sounds like such a fun holiday! :)

Away From Blue

Melaina25 said...

Your holiday looks and sounds perfect - just like holidays should be! I am already missing sand, sea and eating al fresco! I really like forever 21, they are next door to my old office in London, so as you can imagine I used to pop in there quite a lot during my lunch break... x

Melaina25 said...

It looks like you had an amazing time and nothing beats a lazy holiday by the pool in my book! I love the skulls! I actually saw that in H&M the other week and thought of you :-)

Melaina25 said...

Ahhh that's one of the things I miss about living in Britain - the ease of taking a little European getaway! Being on the other side of the Atlantic makes it considerably more difficult :p

Melaina25 said...

Pants shopping is pretty much my least favorite activity ever. Currently, the only jeans that fit my big ole American butt are Old Navy...haha. I don't think I have ever found pair of bottoms from Forever 21 that fit, so I stick to the tops mostly. But, I do love them for some cheap stuff!

Melaina25 said...

That place looks beautiful! Love that top on you!

Melaina25 said...

Oh my gosh it looks gorgeous there! What a nice vacation. I hope y'all had an amazing time!

Melaina25 said...

Love that top! It is so fun!
oXo
Jenn
www.thebrandiedpair.blogspot.com

Melaina25 said...

Sounds like a lovely vacation!! We're doing a similar getaway (renting a house with extended family) for Christmas this year - to Florida, of course! :)

Melaina25 said...

Looks like you had a great vacay! What a fun skull tank!


Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com

Melaina25 said...

What a great holiday! And I am totally coveting that skull tank :)

Melaina25 said...

Oh yes! Especially pants since my waist is wider and my legs are skinnier sooo it's always a miss and rarely a hit in finding a perfect fit for my lower torso. :D Your trip sounds very exciting! I miss vacations....tours.... pleasurable leisure trips. Sigh. so jealous!

Kaye
Http://stylekikay.blogspot.com

Melaina25 said...

Your trip photos look amazing! I've been to Spain once and loved it. I'm glad you could enjoy the sun while it lasted.

Melaina25 said...

Spain is beautiful! I've been to other parts of Spain but not Mar Menor. This place looks gorgeous! I'm co-hosting THE Collective Social Blog Hop this week. If you want to grow your blog and/or meet new friends please stop by at http://mamainheels.com/2013/06/30/the-collective-social-blog-hop-co-hosting/

xo,
Janise
http://MamaInHeels.com

Melaina25 said...

Spain look so pretty! And I love your tank top - so cute!
~Callie
www.creationsbycallie.com

Melaina25 said...

Looking gorgeous in your shorts. It always takes me ages to find jeans that fit properly and then when I find them I buy about 3 pairs in the same style! More manufacturers should offer a variety of waist/hip ratios I think. Looks like a fab holiday in the glorious Spanish sun x

Melaina25 said...

I totally agree with you Melaina - when does swimming and louging by the pool all day on vacation ever sound like a bad idea. Great to hear that you had such a fantastic and bonding-filled vacation. Hope things are going well at your new job!
www.the-lifestyle-project.com

Melaina25 said...

Looks awesome. You look fab. I'm so behind this week not had a chance to link up, sorry xx

Melaina25 said...

Oh wow looks like you had an amazing time - I know just how you feel - the UK does not understand the term "summer". I come from South Africa were we have a loooong summer and short winter and I really miss it. It must of been so nice for you to be in shorts for a little while :)


Laura x

Melaina25 said...

It was a fun trip!

Melaina25 said...

My Mom likes to remind me of how nice the weather is in California lol.

Melaina25 said...

Thank you! I was a great week but back to dull, wet Scotland.

Melaina25 said...

Logistically speaking though it's about the same travel time :)

Melaina25 said...

We need to have a transatlantic jeans swap ;)

Melaina25 said...

You are probably right!

Melaina25 said...

It was lovely--I'm missing it already!

Melaina25 said...

Thanks for linking :)

Melaina25 said...

For real yo, for real!

Melaina25 said...

Oh see at least if I find ones that are too long I can get them hemmed. Not finding long enough must suck!

Melaina25 said...

I love visiting Spain! I'd move there in a second!

Melaina25 said...

It was a lovely time!

Melaina25 said...

I never took it seriously as an option for me but I will totally be back!

Melaina25 said...

You know me well :)

Melaina25 said...

I do think we'd miss that if we moved back to the USA but there are so many things to do and see in the States, too.

Melaina25 said...

I'm strictly an Old Navy jeans girl, too. I was pleasantly surprised with F21's shorts!

Melaina25 said...

Thanks Tiff!

Melaina25 said...

It was amazing--wish I could stay!

Melaina25 said...

Thanks Jennifer :)

Melaina25 said...

It's such a great way to go on holiday---it's more affordable and you get extra hands to help out if you have a little person like I do :)

Melaina25 said...

Thanks!

Melaina25 said...

H&M current season! I've found H&M stock is pretty much the same worldwide.

Melaina25 said...

Good to know I'm not the only one with pants problems :)

Melaina25 said...

I've been to Spain a few times now (always to different places) and I really do love it.

Melaina25 said...

It was our first time as well; we'd been up north by Santander/Bilbao, Barcelona and Mallorca but my inlaws had been to this area several times. Was perfect for what we wanted.

Melaina25 said...

Thanks Callie! It was so pretty.

Melaina25 said...

I think I'm going to resort to buying too big jeans and going to my fab wee seamstress to get them sorted!

Melaina25 said...

Thank you! It's busy but good :)

Melaina25 said...

You've got plenty on your plate this week! Don't worry xx

Melaina25 said...

We have 4 distinct seasons back home with really cold winter (colder than Glasgow) and really hot summer. It mostly makes me sad for Blondie Boy because most of my favourite memories involve summer y'know?

Melaina25 said...

Now that's interesting....

Melaina25 said...

I finally remembered to join in with this. Thanks for the reminder on instagram! :)

Melaina25 said...

What a fabulous looking vacation - Oh how I want to be in a sunny pool right now after seeing these pics!! :)


Lauren xx
www.stylelixir.com