İznik-inspired Tulip Print

Told you I was obsessed with matching top/short co-ordinates! I love the tulip print on this set, which appears to be inspired by the patterns on İznik pottery, Turkish wares that were very popular in the 16th century.

I wore this outfit on the first of my two visits to Buda Castle. I posted some other pictures from Buda Castle in this Budapest vacation re-cap, but as you can see, the grounds also offer a stunning view of Pest across the Danube from the various lookout points.

Top and Shorts: Zara / Sandals: Fly London (in different colours)

Bag: Longchamp (here) / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (here)

Sunscreen Showdown

Okay, this isn't really a "showdown" as much as it is a run-down of the sunscreens I've been using lately. Vancouver has been having a bit of a heatwave (understatement), and I have naturally been spending a ton of time at the beach. But even when I'm not at the beach, I have still been slathering on the sunscreen. I read an article in a British magazine while on vacation about all these girls who got melanoma despite taking precautions and it kind of freaked me out. Since I have been a bit more lax about it in the past, this summer I am taking my sun protection VERY seriously.

I was gifted a bunch of sunscreens from Avène a few months ago and took them with me on my recent European adventures. The Avène Très Haute Protection SPF 50+ (white tube) is a mineral sunscreen that is specially formulated for the most sensitive of skin types. Mineral sunscreens provide the best tolerance as they don't penetrate the skin, and this particular one is also paraben-free and water resistant. I put the water resistance to the test while enjoying the outdoor thermal baths in Budapest and was pleased to find the water beading off my skin. However, the formula is very thick and because it doesn't absorb, it kind of sits on the surface of your skin. As such, I would recommend this more for paler girls because it leaves a white cast which looks weird if you're more tan like I currently am. I have since switched over to the Avène Haute Protection SPF 50+ (orange tube) which has a much lighter formula that does not leave me with a visible white cast. It's also paraben-free and water resistant, and I especially like the spray bottle which makes for easy application.

On days when I want something a little lighter and more tropical, I have been turning to my Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30. I've been using this brand on/off for years and I usually always return to it because I love the scent and the moisturizing crème ribbons. This particular bottle is travel-size which I love because I can just throw it in my bag or purse and it takes up next to no room.

In terms of face sunscreens, I've been rotating a few different ones. First, my HG Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light SPF 60 which I reviewed ages ago (check that post for my thoughts since they still hold true). I was recently sent a bottle of the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Fluid SPF 60 and actually find it quite similar to the Neutrogena. The formula is a milky fluid that is light, absorbs easily and makes a great base for makeup. Plus, it's paraben-free, fragrance-free, and water resistant, so basically all the good stuff you want in a face sunscreen.

I have also been experimenting with SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. I have reviewed another SkinCeuticals product before and was impressed so it's no surprise that I really like this one too. Although it has the usual sunscreen features like being paraben-free and water resistant, what's most interesting to me is the fact that it's tinted. It reminds me a lot of a BB cream so I've been wearing it on "no makeup" days (quotes because let's be real, there's always some makeup), but it can also be worn under foundation to achieve a super even and radiant complexion. This sunscreen is also formulated with artemia salina, a plankton extract, to increase skin's defenses and resistance to UV and heat stress. Not sure if my skin has actually been building up its defenses but I do like the idea of it.

Budapest: City and Architecture

Budapest has been on my bucket list for a few years and having now been, I cannot recommend it enough. In fact, it's definitely on my list of the top 5 favourite cities I've ever visited (and I've travelled a lot). There was so much to do and see that I found myself wishing I could stay longer but even still, I think we managed to pack a good mix of sightseeing and activities into our time there.

Since there are so many photos, I've decided to split my vacation re-cap into different parts. This first part will focus more on the city itself and all of the gorgeous architecture. Seriously, how beautiful is this place?

(First view from atop Gellert Hill, second from atop Buda Castle)

Numerous bridges cross the Danube, connecting the hilly Buda with the flatter and more bustling Pest. Perhaps the most iconic is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge with its guardian lions on one end, but I also loved the Liberty Bridge.

On the Buda side, one of the most popular attractions is Buda Castle. This historical castle and palace complex is huge and we spent hours roaming the grounds. We also had to take a ride on the Castle Hill Funicular, which seems to have served as inspiration for the one in "The Grand Budapest Hotel."

Budapest has an incredibly rich history being the second capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and as you can imagine, is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I personally loved admiring all the historical buildings, of which there are many. Just a few, for example: the Hungarian Parliament Building, Dohány Street Synagogue, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

There are, of course, spots of nature for people to enjoy as well. We spent some time roaming around the City Park, which I mentioned in this post, and also paid a visit to Margaret Island. This small island is located in the middle of the Danube and accessible by bridge. We decided to rent this hilarious mini peddle car which we rode around the island, stopping to check out the ruins and gardens along the way.

Unfortunately I was unable to include all the sights in this post (it would be so long and take a million years to load). Stay tuned for my next re-cap where I'll share some of the other things I got up to -- think eats, drinks, and other fun!


P.S. Although I spent 5 days in London before I headed to Budapest, I will not be doing a re-cap since I did one a few years ago (check it out here if you're interested). To be honest, most of my time in London was spent visiting family anyway, but I did manage to catch a showing of The Book of Mormon and viewed the absolutely breathtaking Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum. If you get a chance to see Savage Beauty, you absolutely must go.