South Africa | Vanity Claire

Oh hey there, it’s been a while. I barely recognise you, you saucy wench.

As you may or may not know, I have been off gallivanting around South Africa having a hugey whale of a time. I got back yesterday after 27 hefty hours of travelling and I only slightly have holiday blues (Claire is helping by occasionally making me tea). This is going to be quite a picture heavy post, because I’m sure you’re not too bothered exactly how many times I went to the beach, got sand in my eyeball and acquired another freckle…

After missing my flight because of horrific traffic and spending the night in a Travel Lodge, I was off on my merry way (after an obligatory pre-flight pint).

Port Elizabeth

This is the city I lived in for 11 years, so lots of time spent with family and friends (and their pools). Awooga. As you can see, there was no tan to be had. I also went shopping and they made me put my stuff in a cage, it was very alarming I can tell you.

Kayser’s Beach

This is a mini beach village where my granny lives, it is TINY and there is one shop. And the most perfect beach you will ever come across. Blisssssss.

Addo Elephant Park

It’s not a trip to SA without a trip to Addo. We saw 26 elephants, and lots of other animals. Amazing.

Knysna

After Kayser’s, we started the 10 hour drive to Cape Town. We stopped off at Knysna on the way, which is a beautiful beach/lake town. 6 words: log cabin with a spa bath. If you’re ever in South Africa, you have to try a Rooibos tea cappuccino too.

Cape Town

We spent 6 days in Cape Town and did SO much. A lot of time again was spent with friends and family, but we did see some beautiful stuff along the way. And eat some deeeelicious sushi along the way. If you ever get the chance to visit Sevruga restaurant on the Waterfront, please get one of their massive plates of sushi. And that is me on Table Mountain.

Simon’s Town/Vishoek

We stayed in Viskhoek just outside of Cape Town, and also visited the little village of Simon’s Town a lot too. Such a chilled out vibe and there are also penguins.

Franschhoek/The Winelands

When in the Western Cape, it’s rude not to head out to the Winelands and check out the absolutely stunning scenery and erm…sample a bit of vino. I did both and also had a cheeseboard. I ALWAYS HAVE TO GO TOO FAR.

Anyway lovely ladies (and gents – what are you doing reading a fashion and beauty blog?), I hope you have enjoyed my little South Africa gallery. Have you visited much in the country? Let me know in the comments below. Hoe.

Please nominate Stylingo.co.uk for the Best Blogging Duo award in this year’s Company Style Blogger Awards!

Hello you wonderful thangs,

You may be thinking ‘PARDON, we have not yet had Chrizzy yet why are you writing a post about bikinis and beachwear?’. It will all be come clear, do not worry.

Most of our blogging pals probably don’t know this, but I was actually born and raised in South Africa. I lived there until I was the ripe old age of 11, before emigrating to Merry England and becoming obsessed with castles. I’ve put together a nice collage of me being an obese baby with a ginger afro for your amusement.

I unfortunately don’t really get to visit too often – it is HUGELY expensive to get out there and as you’ve all probably noticed in our time as bloggers – me and Claire are poor. But the very exciting news is that me and my family are going for a holiday in the new year! As all of my extended family are still living in South Africa, I’m super super excited to see the rellies. And of course, hit the beach. With the fist of an overexcited woman.

My holiday planning tends to be quite terrible, frankly. It usually involves madly dashing around the nearest shopping centre looking for sandals and at least vaguely matching bikinis. However, as this is going to be one of the biggest, longest and most exciting holidays I’ve had in a while, I have decided to be prepared. As in months-ahead prepared.

Thankfully, the wonderful people at Beach Cafe are aiding me in my prepared state and sent us a beautifully timed email just days after I’d found out my annual leave was approved. They asked us if we’d like to review some beachwear and I said OUI MONSIOUR, YOU ARE TRES EXCELLENT (or something to that effect).

Beach Cafe sell beautiful luxury beachwear that I have to say is vonderful. I particularly like their beach dresses, so I thoroughly recommend having a browse if you’re keen to update your beachy wardrobe! I was able to pick whatever I wanted, so this is what I went for:

Jamaica Triangle Bikini | Bandit Dress in White | White Diaz Kaftan | Brasilia Bikini

Ahhh, how gorgeous are all of these? As anyone who knows me at all, I am a huge fan of animal print – after all, I am African and must remain one with the zebras and/or leopards. The Jamaica Bikini is so lovely and there is some fab detailing, including beading on the strings. The Brasilia Bikini is another fave, mostly because of the lovely colour and the fringing. Bikini fringing is brilliant because you can eat a bit too much beach picnic and hide it with fringe.

Beach dresses are a big must for me. I come from quite a conservative family, so prancing around in bikinis is not always an option – especially if there is beach tennis involved. Both of these kaftan/beach dresses are really light and fresh, perfect for throwing on after splashing about in the sea like a lunatic.

What do you think of these beach outfits? I’m planning on doing quite a few posts about my South Africa planning over the coming months – so be prepared!

South Africa 2014 Roundup