eat sleep type repeat

H&M is usually forgotten about when it comes to swimwear, but is definitely worth a browse. They sell a range of bikini separates from as little as £3.99 a piece. For example this design:

Tip: Seeing as their bottoms are so cheap, if you're not keen on the top designs, buy the basic bikini bottom which doesn't usually vary from brand to brand, and with the money you saved you can get a more "premium" bikini top!

Missguided offer bikini SETS from as little as £14.99, and even less if you manage to grab one on sale. The few that caught my eye is the cute Nanako Banana Print Bikini (£14.99) and, although not a bikini, this gorgeous American Apparel style Maryellen Deep V-Neck Swimsuit (£20.99). Don't forget they offer a 10% student discount for all their full priced items. If you don't have a unidays account, go hang your head in shame and then make one. Imminently. Although I can't vouch for their bikinis, I have purchased tops and shorts from here and have been more than happy with the quality, especially for the price.

ASOS: An obvious choice, but has great deals as long as you get there quick enough! ASOS very frequently offer discount codes not just to students, but all newsletter subscribers (I patiently waited for one to buy some summer essentials and just as I lost hope they released a 25% off the whole store code!) Currently for a limited period of time they are doing up to 60% off bikinis; go go go! This Playful Promises Water Print Triangle Bikini Top was £30 and now is selling at £12:

And here are the few bits I bought.. (all about pastel colours and mix and matching!)

For those who can stretch their budget further:

Topshop and Boux Avenue have a wonderful selection. As Boux Avenue primarily is a lingerie store, their bikinis offer great support and can be bought in your exact cup size as opposed to an ambiguous S/M/L.

I spent the first day mostly wondering around the city alone, it was strange but also refreshing not being surrounded by people and having to socialise. In the evening my friends arrived and, after spending a good part of the day silent, I was happy to see them. Night was packed with screams and giggles, falling down stairs, photos, typical girl stuff. The next afternoon they set off for the rest of their adventure, and I was alone again on mine. I still do not regret this, as being alone opened me up to meeting more people, and making friends I probably wouldn't have otherwise.

The hostel I stayed at (The Flying Pig Uptown) was so welcoming and had a great vibe with like-minded people. No one thought it was in the slightest bit peculiar that I was staying there alone (contrary to some of my friends back home!) and welcomed me to join them for drinks. I ended up making friends with an australian guy who slept opposite my bunk in the dorm and a german guy who was the kitchen porter in the hostel. They took me under their trusty wings and showed me around the city. We messed around like children in museums, strolled through the christmas markets, and by the evening chilled by the picturesque canal; it was an amazing last day of my trip to Amsterdam and I'd love to go back again.