Tuesday 28 June 2011

Summer Series: Packing

Not that you'd know it from the weather (Typical UK), but Summer is officially here and many of us will be packing up and jetting off to warmer climes for sun, sea and sand.  For me, it's 8 days and counting and the fear is setting in....

WHAT THE HELL DO I PACK?!


 Here are some great tips I've picked up along the years (3 months in Australia with only 15kg was no mean feat..!) and some new ones I've heard recently....

CLOTHES 
  • Only take what you really love to wear.  That dress that 'may look nice on the beach/with a tan/at sunset' will probably make you feel just as bad when you put it on abroad as it does in your own bedroom.  If you've never rushed to put it on at home, why take it away for your special few weeks?
  • Keep rolling - it's honestly a godsend!  Cuts down on space... and creases too.
  • Apart from jackets/blazers - as learnt from this month's 'Red' - lay inside out with the arms tucked in...genius!
  • Plan - If you're really organised, you can plan your outfits.  Not down to the last detail but if you have 101 summer dresses, take your favourite 10 and you're sorted!
  • Colour co-ordinate - If you're not that organised or simply have just run out of time, just choose items of all the same colour palette and you'll be fine - everything will go with everything else!
  • Cover Up - Always take a light jacket or hoody, even if you're hitting the tropics.  There will usually be an occasion where it gets slighty chilly.  A pashmina is a great alternative that can be used as a blanket on the airplane too, where they are all too fond of arctic temperatures.

SHOES 


  • Be realistic - you may plan to wear a different pair of heels every night but chances are, you'll stick with your faithful sandals - you feet are on holiday too!  Even if you're going to Ibiza - nobody wears heels...I've done it and instantly regretted it!
  • One pair of havaianas, sparkly sandals, wedges and heels should be more than enough for even the worst shoe addict!
  • Neutral colours will go with everything but brights are great for making a statement - go with whatever you're comfortable with.
  • If you're on a city break or know you may be walking last distances occasionally, take an old pair of pumps that you know are broken in already.  New shoes will probably give you blisters - not what you want on a holiday!

TOILETRIES

 
  • Take minis or not at all - Most toiletries you can get anywhere.  Unless you have a very specific need for a product, just save on room/weight and buy when you're out there! 
  • Be realisitc - again!  You're on holiday!  Will you really be spending hours exfoliating, moisturising and deep conditioning your hair?  Probably not.
  • Think outside the box - Conditioner is great for shaving your legs with and a light pair of exfoliating gloves will turn any old shower gel into a scrub and you can just throw them away at the end of the holiday. 

EXTRAS 
  • Share - If you're going with friends, agree to share hair tools/books/toiletries and even clothes if you have the same style.
  • Be a lightweight - If you have 20kg allowance but your suitcase when empty weighs 5kg, you're immediately at a disadvantage.  Try and find the lightest one around!
  • Take advantage of the hand luggage allowances.  Usually this is 10kg which if you pack right, is a lot!  But remember to have your liquids in a clear bag under a total of 1L. 
  • Always check the weight of your luggage before you leave!  The airlines are rip-off merchants as we all know!
  • Accessories are your best friend - jewellery, especially large earrings, can completely dress up an ordinanary outfit and take up hardly space or weight.
And most importantly....
  • LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES!  If you know that last year you took specialist hair serums for in the sun/a different belt for each outfit/5 pairs of pyjamas and 10 pairs of shoes (...yes, I admit it - I did just this) and ended up living in the same bikini and pair of flip flops for a week, don't make the same mistake again.  This year - bikinis, havaianas, tanning oil and a few dresses are all I'm pretty much taking.....leaves more room for the duty free Vodka ;)


If you have any more tips - please let me know! xxxx

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Face and Nails of the Week

I have been happily stuck in a rut with my make up this past week or so.  I've now got this down to a fine art and it literally only takes me a few minutes in the morning.  In this picture, I've gone heavy on the highlighter and added some 110 Eyelure lashes - my new absolute faves!

You can also spot my newest nail varnish purchase - Rimmel's 'In Style Coral'.  It is is a beautiful pink-toned coral that is near to Rose Libertine but slightly more coral toned and therefore an absolute hit with me!  Between this and Barry M's Peach Melba, I'm set for colours this summer!


FACE

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer
Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer (52) to contour
MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush
Benefit High Beam to highlight

EYES

MAC Bare Canvas Paint all over lid
MAC Tempting through outer third & crease and smudged along lower lashes
MAC Dark Edge through brows and lightly through crease to darken at night
Dream Weave mascara
[110 Eyelashes at night]
 
LIPS  

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush
Lipgloss: Jemma Kidd Petal OR Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker

NAILS

Rimmel - In Style Coral 

I hope you're all having a lovely week
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Friday 17 June 2011

An Update and Weekend Wish List

Hello gorgeous girls!  I am so, so sorry for going AWOL over the last few weeks.  This is down to a combination of finishing exams, a technology breakdown, a few random road trips and leaving Manchester for the final time.  It was very emotional and yes, I did cry!

But moving upwards and onwards, I am now back in leafy Warwickshire for the foreseeable future and am happily settled in my gorgeous family home.  Things are nowhere near calm however as we are in the midst of decorating and stacks of DIY is calling but this does mean an entirely new bedroom - inspiration is flooding in from weheartit!

As for me, I am in the graduand limbo before graduation in a few weeks and trying to relax but constantly finding jobs to apply to - why is being an adult so hard?!

I am excited about the prospect of a 'real job' though - I have no idea what I really want to do so the sky is the limit which is pretty exciting!  I have some amazing things in the pipeline but I don't want to jinx them by saying too much...

However, I cannot stop myself from mentally planning what I might buy - typical girl - with my first real salary....

YSL Rouge Volupte 


Oooh 1 or the whole collection - I just need some YSL in my life!  I have always had a mental debate with myself over whether these are worth the cash but I have fully decided - YES THEY BLOODY WELL ARE!

 Dressing Table 
I've never had a proper dressing table (I make myself sound so deprived..!) but with my room being re-done, it is something that I really, really want!  I'm torn between a Venetian style like pictured or a white shabby chic version... What do you reckon?!

Lily Flame Candles
What girl's room would be complete without a stupidly large array of scented candles?!  I love this brand - the scents are amazing and they look so cute too.

Chanel 2.55



One day, one day..!!

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural

 I have a love-hate relationship with powder and feel I've tried every one available in the drugstore.  This is therefore the next logical step...MAC have never let me down before though so I have high hopes!  I am excited by the light coverage that it can provide - I am hoping that over some tinted moisturiser it will be all I need when I'm tanned.

Some are realistic and some are very much not - but then a girl can dream..!