Favourite Summer Looks

So this Summer I was very very lucky in that I got to travel to three different cities; Beijing, Dubai and Casablanca. And this meant that I got to wear a lot of clothes that I wouldn't be able to wear back home in Ireland (boo rain!)- here are my top 3 favourite outfits from my five-week long vacation. I re-used a lot of my pieces over the three cities as you could see in my Insta posts (follow me @ yasmina aniss) Links to exact items or similar have been posted- Happy Shopping!

*Note-for Irish & UK subbies- there is 20% of ASOS at the minute with a student code, and for Irish only subbies- there is 10% of Topshop for their newly launched Euro site with the code 'IETREAT10'

HOLIDAY LOOK 1-
Badass T-shirt (ASOS) || Collarless waistcoat on sale (Zara)- Similar here  || AM90 Premium (Size) || Levi's shorts (ASOS) || Tassle wallet on sale (Zara)- Similar here









HOLIDAY LOOK 2-
Sleeveless Belted duster- sold out (Topshop)- Similar here and here || Striped midi- sold out (New Look)- Similar here || Alexander Wang Rocco (NET-A-PORTER) || Spiked sandals- sold out (Zara)- similar here || HRH Delicate choker set in gold (HRH COLLECTION) || Pom Pom keyring- mine was is black but I am definitely getting this berry one (River Island)





HOLIDAY LOOK 3-
Black culottes (Primark/Pennys)- similar here || Plunge neck cami (Topshop) || Lace up wedged sandals- sold out (Topshop)- Similar here and here || MK watch (ASOS)

Summer Vacay Reads

I used to always have a book in my hand growing up. Libraries in my area in London were full to the brim of quality authors and titles- I guess I took it for granted. I would take 4-5 books out at a time and become engrossed in them. When I moved to Meath, we didn't have a local library, and the schools version of one, consisted of two shabby shelves that was supposed to cater a 1000+ student school. It was a disgrace. I then started to work more, and college took over and would only read when I was on a Summer holiday- and even then, travelling with Ryanair would mean I was so restricted on weight- that a heavy book was left behind in favour of another bikini!!!

I feel like I have lost a bit of my creativeness and imagination over the last few years, so I purchased four books from Amazon recently that I hope will fuel it back. Books allow you to get lost between the pages- and I'm quite looking forward to switching off from everything else around me.  I'm off work for the next five weeks (yey...joys of being a teacher!) and will bring two books each on the two holidays I am going on; Morocco with the family and Beijing/Dubai with friends. 

My Summer Vacay Reads;

'How to build a girl' by Caitlin Moran- a coming of age tell and a Sunday Times No.1 bestseller...I have heard good things about this book, so I am stoked to read it.

'The Rosie Project' by Graeme Simsion- a love story.

'The Collected Dorothy Parker' by Dorothy Parker- a collection of short stories, poetry and reviews written by Ms Parker (who I am rather embarrassed to admit had never heard of...) who was referenced by one of my favourite blogger- Audrey Rogers of 'Be Frassy' in one of her Instagram posts and I done a little bit of research and this seemed like a good book as it has collection of a bit of everything!

'The Girl with all the Gifts' by M.R.Carey- a thriller.

What's your favourite genre? Any books that you would highly recommend? I sort of read everything so would love to hear some good suggestions?

Summer Mantra

I am very lucky that I'm on my second holiday this summer! With my profession, summer is a quiet time of year- I chose to do camps for the month of July and give myself a whole month off during August. I find it quite hard to sit and do nothing but that was my goal this Summer, to switch off! I do the occasional bit of work here and there (my fingers get twitchy lol!) but other than that, I have spent the last month breathing, eating and sleeping!

Personally, I think back in Ireland, we all work and stress too much and not live enough! People begrudge when you have that much time off during the summer- with the 'it's well for some' attitude being used. People have even said that my job isn't a real one as I don't necessarily work a 9-5. I said it before and I'll say it again, find a profession that you love, not necessarily what pays well (though I'm not ignorant to personal circumstances...) and you won't feel like you have worked a day in your life. Don't work to live, but live to work! 

With only a week between Morocco and Portugal, I got the opportunity to catch up with friends and venture around Dublin.

Myself and Ev went back to Portugal this Summer- only because it's soooo cheap, we already know it and it has guaranteed sun all day!

We eat fish every day, squeeze oranges for breakfast every morning and go on walks/runs as much as possible!

Pure Bliss! I'm about half way through my  stay here in Porches, Portugal...and I couldn't be more revitalised! I'm also super excited to start the new business year in Sept...

Summer Salad

Dad is in the midst of a middle life crisis which has resulted in a garden full of the most crisp greens. Organic obsessives, eat your heart out!

Tonight's dinner is a chili and garlic chicken served with roasted peaches and  basil, sautéed courgettes, a caprese salad and mixed leaf and beans and flatbread. Woah...that was a handful to write!

Marinated the chicken in cayenne pepper, fresh chillies, garlic and salt and pepper. 30 mins at 180 degrees (fan oven). Caprese salad is made up of mozerella, vine tomatoes (newbarn farm), basil and plenty of olive oil and salt and pepper. Peaches were roasted with basil in coconut oil and courgettes were also cooked in coconut oil. Flatbread cooked for 5 mins to crisp. Mixed salad was Swiss chard, spinach and rocket and green beans- washed and served as it is.

Dinner took me 30 mins to prepare and I used a mix of olive and coconut oil. No excuses. 

Salad isn't rabbit food after all...

Casablanca Diaries

Hi Guys,

I'm back to Morocco for the next 10 days for some much needed TLC! Spending a week in Casa (with my family) and the final few days of the holiday in Marrakech. I flew with Ryanair (for the first time to Morocco!) and flights were so cheap! It usually costs me around €500 for flights but I paid under €250! More shopping for me so....

One of my highlights whenever I come to Morocco is how fresh my diet becomes- I eat so well! Figs (which are such a luxury back in Ireland) are so easy to get and I start my day with a bowl full...

We spent today in the souks and the houbous (market place) picking up spices, nuts and trinkets. I prefer shopping in Casablanca in the morning when it's not so touristy and the city isn't so humid. I have just devoured the most delishious Cous-Cous and I'm heading to the coast later on for a long walk and some mint tea (delish!).

My #OOTD;

Leopard pants (Zara- S/S13), tank (H&M basics), Jewelled sandals (Zara- S/S14- scored these bad boys in the sale...yup yup!), Mini city office bag (Zara- A/W13) and Rayban Wayfarers Square.

Summer Bucket List

Wow!!! It's been a while...but I'm back!

Stumbled upon this cute post on Pinterest (find me @ Yasmina Aniss) this morning...and it made me think?! What's on your Summer Bucket List?

Mine is eating out more, spending time outdoors and drinking more water...I have some awesome plans coming up- Kanye at Marley, travelling around Morocco with the family and holidaying in North Portugal with Ev! 

What are yours?

Pic Source- http://www.movenourishbelieve.com/ via Pinterest

Bliss in the Algarve

After four weeks straight of working with kids, I needed a break. Our spontaneous trip was to Porches in the Algarve. It was amazing. All I did was eat, drink, tan, eat, drink, tan and did I mention eat, drink, tan? We chose a self catering accommodation and scored a cute quiet apartment with a pool and sea views which allowed us to do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. No plans. And that's what we did...

Food is a big factor in both mine and Ev's day- we made daily trips to the fish and veg markets indulging in top quality food that is so hard/and expensive to get back home. I had fresh figs every morning and fish every day.  We ate like kings but at a fraction of what we would have spent back home. Gigantic tomatoes, sardines, prawns, avocados and these yummy Portuguese custard tarts were a staple to our daily diet. We ate incredibly healthy...but I guess I wiped that out with several white wine bottles lol! Hey I was on my holidays...

I would spend my mornings by the pool and my evenings looking at the sunset from out balcony. Took day trips inland, but generally just became absolute sloths. And sometimes you need to do that in life...As I am reaching my mid twenties, I'm finding the importance in enjoying the little things in life- and a cup of coffee with the bf watching the sunset is my idea of bliss!

I feel fully recharged and eager to start my new business and meet new people, I can't believe how only seven days (I have never gone on a summer holiday less than 2.5 weeks lol!) has left me so relaxed but raring to go.

Below are some of my favourite pics!(This post has actually given me a serious amount of holidays blues, as I'm writing this, it is currenty lashing outside...weh!) I really will miss you Portugal x

Summer Holiday Essentials

We are not always blessed with the opportunity of flying with a luxury airline who give gracious amounts of travel weight allowance...sometimes, we have to endure the pain of flying budget with a not so gracious airline! And by pain, I mean v.limited weight allowance! In my case, Portugal was a spontaneous trip, so the only decent flight was with a low cost airline- and even with a check in bag bought, I am still only restricted to a 25kg allowance in total. This has made me totally rethink my packing scenario and really knuckle down to the essentials!  Here are mine;

1.Tangle Teezer- 

Literally the best invention ever! I tend to go for a fuss free look with my hair on holiday as the heat often sends any form of styling into a frizz ball! So I usually put a serum in it during the day(Moroccan oil is a life saver) and have it in a top knot for most of the day and this bad boy get rid of any tangles before I go out for the evening festivities. ASOS have an awesome range of colours which I totally recommend mixing up...

2. Palmer's Cocoa Butter balm-

With SPF 15, my lips are fully protected and moist for lazing by the pool. We tend to forget about our lips when applying sun cream and this is the perfect tool for it. I purchased mine at my local pharmacy.

3. Fedora-

Hats are a must have cover up for when your having a serious tan sesh- I can spend hours baking out in the sun- but my poor head hates it, so save yourself from sun stroke and rock a fashion forward fedora at the pool. There are a huge choice of hats to go for- but limited with luggage- I wanted one that could pair with several looks that I am planning to wear next week. Miss Guided, Zara and River Island all have a range of funky hats- but Topshop is where my grey one is from.

4. Sunnies-

When I am buy the pool, all I tend to do is read, read and read! Whether it's the latest glamour magazine or a gritty thriller, sitting by the pool with some material is my idea of pleasure! I will be wearing these Rayban Wayfarers but in the square version. They can be found at ASOS. I did however spy these bad boys from the Sunglasses Hut last time I was in the airport- I like the funky take on the classic aviator- so may have to do my best puppy dog eyes and get the bf to get them for me lol!

5. Reading Material and Music-

Obligatory Glamour Mag shot. I have been a Glamour reader for the last eight years and still have every issue ever bought- September's issue will definitely be coming with me. I also have my iPod to do some prep work for stage school.

6. Gold hoops and a printed Scarf-

To keep my hair in a top knot by the pool I often wrap a head scarf around as an alternative to wearing a hat. It adds plenty of colour but is also practical. And I will never go anywhere without my circa 2000 JLO hoops- I think more Chic Riviera as oppose to Ghetto Fabulous lol!

What are your holiday essentials you can't live without???

Fierce Shoe Friday

Naughty Nudes...

Today's Fierce Shoe Friday is this seductive 'Bond Girl Pump' in nude by Jeffrey Campbell at Nasty Gal. OBSESSED! The style of these sandals are insanely popular now with high street stores making replicas of the very much coveted Céline strappy Mulese sandal. I however love the twist JC have done on the shoe- adding a slashed ankle cuff on the shoe.  It adds some much needed fierceness!

Made in leather and with a colour that will match anything in your wardrobe- these are a go to shoe for those summer nights. Pair with this Zara skort and this Topshop cami, some gold jewellery and a slick ponytail and all eyes will be on you... 

Happy Friday x

Bond Girl Pump by JC (NastyGal)

Fierce Shoe Friday

Metallic Mood...

Today's Fierce Shoe Friday is a studded metallic vamp sandal by Zara. Metallic mayhem at its finest! I am heading to Morocco for two weeks this summer and swore that this year I would not pack a gazillion outfits that will never be worn...I am limiting myself to two pairs of sandals only this year (yes shock horror...only two!) and I'm currently looking for the perfect pair that will go with all my outfits.

These pair of sandals are budget friendly, are an awesome gold colour and are full of studs that look secure.

Metallic material not only looks awesome with a tan and any colour nail varnish on the rainbow, its super trendy and adds a bit of glam to any outfit. Pair with uber long chiffon skirts or a cute play-suit and I'll be rocking around Marrakesh buying trinkets and jewels to fill up my suitcase on the way home.

Happy Shopping, and enjoy the long weekend...I don't know yet what I am up to as my bf has a surprise for me but I don't know yet what! Eeeeeh! xxx

Studded metallic vamp sandal (Zara)