How to travel with style.

We've entered the holiday season so I felt it was appropriate to write a guide on style and travelling. Packing, ticking off lists and checking the weather all make for a stressful start. But I am the master of organisation, I loooove writing lists and planning ahead. One of my pre holiday rituals is practicing my packing, yes I'm that serious about this. I've picked up a few tricks along the way and I hope they help you hit the road stress free.

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Pre holiday: Lets get ready! 
I have a love hate/relationship with pre holiday jitters, on one hand I love the excitement and having something to look forward to. On the other hand I'm convinced something will go wrong and I won't be able to go, I'll forget something major like my medication or phone charger.

Check...

• You have valid travel insurance.
• Have a European health card.
• Your passport is in date.

Plan ahead...

• How would it take to the airport or train station? Estimate the timing and give yourself plenty of time, plan to arrive early rather than exactly on time. This gives you extra time in case anything happens.
• Make a holiday playlist to listen to while travelling.
• Stock up on your favourite magazines and save them for your journey.
• Download handy apps.

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Luggage: Style and practicality.
First of all lets talk about your luggage, style and practicality are key. It's helpful to have unique looking case so it's easier to find but think with your head, designer bags will catch the eye of a thief and vintage suitcases aren't appropriate for the airport. Vintage suitcases probably won't survive the airport and it's not as secure, if it's going straight into your car truck I think it would be fine. The design is completely up to you though, the options are endless. I would love a pink quilted design ala Chanel style but I also like hounds tooth which is classic. Your suitcase needs to be the best quality you can afford and durable enough to last a few years,

The size of your suitcase depends on the length of your stay but I have to honest the recommended sizes don't always work in girl world, ask a friend which size she uses for her holiday. A weekend case never works for me, unless I take another bag which I hate doing. If you need to buy a suitcase you should borrow a similar size and practice packing to see if it will fit. I recommend doing a practice run to check if you have enough room, nothing worse than packing the day before and realizing the suitcase is too small.

When you've bought your suitcase I recommend putting some scented sachets in them, your clothes will smell beautiful. After this you're all ready to pack!

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Packing: I'm sorry the fun ends here.
The worst part of holidays is the packing, I'm not sure whether it's deciding to what to wear or worrying if you've forgotten something. Whatever the cause it can be solved by organisation and some good music, get on your iPod docked up and your notepad ready. Start by creating a list of everything you need in your suitcase, double check it and ask other people if you're missing something. I recommend noting down everything you use in a day starting from the moment you wake up. Once you've finished making a list you should start cleaning everything you'll need and note down what you don't have. You will need cosmetic bags and travel size toiletries even if you're not going abroad. Also you'll need an emergency bag and a mini first aid kit, even more important if you're going out the country.

Your health bag.

• Plasters.
• Bandages.
• Antihistamine.
• Dehydration sachets x 2.
• Diarrhea tablets.
• Travel sickness tablets.
• Insect repellent.

You will need to know where your local hospital is and walk in centre for non-emergencies, finding the nearest 24 hour chemist is helpful as well. If you're taking pain killers make sure you get a letter from your Dr to prove you need them.

Toiletries.
Packing your toiletries can be a worry, is my shampoo going to explode and am I under the liquid limit? Start by separating everything and use cosmetic bags to keep them apart, they're cheap and makes it easier to pack. Keep your liquids all in one bag and label it, put them inside a sandwich bag as well just in case they do explode. I actually don't recommend buying travel size version unless you have to, they're a rip off. It's better to buy travel bottles and fill them with the shampoo you've already got. One of the few things I buy travel size is toothpaste. Take cleansing wipes instead of a liquid cleanser, be realistic you don't carry all liquids and this is one of the best ways to cut down without compromising. You could try getting samples to take instead, less packaging means more space in your case. Know the liquid limits as well, that's really important.

Clothes and shoes.
If your bags haven't got separate compartments I recommend buying some cosmetic bags, they're cheap and keep everything in place. A bag for your electrics like plug converter and phone charger, a bag for your liquids, etc. It makes packing so much easier! The first thing to pack is your shoes because they're dirty and you don't want them on put of your clean clothes. If don't want to put them in first you should put them in a bag, any cheap plastic bag will do.

When you're packing roll your clothes to save room and stop them wrinkling. Take advantage of the compartments as well, I always put my liquid in there just case they explore and somehow escape the cosmetic bag.

Accessories.
Ziplock bags are a handy way of organising your jewellery. Another clever way of preventing tangles is to wrap your necklaces in cling film or put your necklace through a straw and clip it together. Use a spare piece of paper for earrings, poke them through and tape them down at the back.

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The travel: How to dress.

Simple and comfortable.
To ease the pain of travelling I recommend a simple outfit, you will be so much more comfortable and happy. I'm not suggesting you travel in pjs (I'm not judging but you're too stylish for that) but there is a compromise. The more comfortable you are the less you are to arrive grumpy and looking for the nearest shower. Those all dressed up may look good at the start but they'll arrive with a face like a slapped backside, you'll stride past in a new clean outfit all refreshed and ready to go. Wear clothes that give you extra room, bloating is a common symptom on air travel and long hauls. Air conditioning can be chilly so bring an extra layer like a cardigan or jumper, these can be folded up and used as a pillow. When you've sat and shuffled around for more than hour your clothes will probably get wrinkled, avoid materials that crumple easily.

You can accessorize if you want, keep any metal finicky jewellery to a minimum. You'll have to remove them at airport security and they'll probably end up in your handbag anyway. Scarves are the perfect travelling companion, they have multiple uses and you don't need to worry about setting off alarms.

Shoes should be easily slipped off for airport security and snuggling up in your seat. Ballet flats are my favourite for elegant comfort but whatever floats your boat, make sure they're comfortable in case you have to run and you'll arrive ready to explore. Your shoes will probably be taken off if you're on a long haul so bring a pair of soft socks.

If you're planning to change after travelling, I recommend a light weight cotton dress. It's easily packed into a bag and doesn't wrinkle. Half an hour before landing should be long enough to reapply make up and get changed.

Your hair and make up.
There's something about travel that turns my hair to fluff and it gets on my nerves, I just get sweaty and axigated. When I'm travelling I tie it into a side bun, it's out the way and I can put my head back onto the seat. If you're going to sleep make sure it's out of your way and doesn't tangle. Pig tails, low ponytails, buns on top of your head are all good options that are easily brushed out.

There's nothing about your make up that needs to change really, except you may need a moisturizer and lip balm on a plane. Consider your holiday destination, for example if it's going to be hot you should cut down on foundation and add a suncream. If you're going to take toiletries with on the plane you'll need to follow the regulations, these vary in different countries.

The easiest way to look refreshed after a long travel is to spray toner on your face to rehydrate and brighten, if your make up is ruined you're better off removing it. Fresh skin is much better than creased foundation and smudged concealer, tinted moisturizer or BB cream is a quick solution. Use lip balm throughout your journey to keep your lips soft.

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Travelling: what to take.
Personally I travel with a big handbag with all my important things in, if I'm travelling long haul I take a mini suitcase. I use mini bags inside my handbag and make use of the compartments, particularly handy when you have to empty your bag at security. Alternatively you use a holdall but they're more difficult to carry. Totes are a good idea because they're strong, can be cleaned and easily packed away. You can put your mini suitcase above in the overhead compartment and out of the way, there's also spaces on trains. If you're in a car you can put anywhere as long as it fits!

Keep healthy by drinking water on a regular basis and getting some sleep on long hauls. Feeling sick, dehydrated and jet-lagged is a horrible way to start your holiday. Sometimes it can take longer than a day to recover and you don't want it to spoil your whole holiday, specially if it's only a week. You want to arrive ready for your adventure.

In your mini suitcase or extra tote:

• Anything you can't lose should be in your carry on, like medication.
• On the off chance you might lose your luggage you should pack a spare outfit in your carry on, a simple cotton dress doesn't take up much room.
• Laptop.
• Books.
• Noise cancelling head phones.
• A light weight blanket and a pillow, a necessity on long journeys but it can get chilly on airplanes. 

In your handbag:

• Bring a big bottle of water. Don't bother buying one before going through security instead bring one to refill or splurge at the airport.
• Pack some healthy snacks in your bag, nothing that needs to be warmed up or kept cold though. The snacks in the airport and on board are very expensive so think ahead.
• Lip balm and moisturizer, it's not impossible to find an all in one. Apparently Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream is very good but a mini cream will do the same job.
• iPod.

Always check the airline regulations before packing anything.

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How to pass the time.
Finally the worst parts are over now and it's time to relax. You can do anything within reason but here are some suggestions:

• Catch up on your beauty sleep, don't forget the cute eye mask.
• Watch some films or TV on your laptop, download these beforehand or you'll have to cart round disks.
• Listen to your iPod to get you in the holiday.
• Read a book.

I rarely take the opportunity to go on holiday because I can't afford it but I've booked a weekend break in York for July, I'm going back into full time education and choosing my Universities this year so I feel like this is the last holiday before shit gets real. I can't wait! Hopefully after reading this you'll handle your next travels like a pro and arrive looking fresh for your holiday. Happy travels.

What have I being watching?

Looking for something to watch and be inspired by?

The Lady Vanishes (TV 2013).
Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence and shown on BBC earlier this year, I prefer the Hitchcock version but there's more delicious inspiration in this. I really want a blouse similar to the one above, if I had money I would get it custom made. The silk dress with a white fold over collar is beautiful as well.

Time Warp Wives.
A channel 4 documentary on four women who live the vintage lifestyle. Obviously you need to take it with a pinch of salt but I found it very inspiring, I particularly favoured the youngest one as I related to her the most. I must admit I found some of their views a little naive to put it nicely, the 1950s weren't the perfect existence. Personally I take what I like from previous eras and mix with modern conveniences, I do think they're taking a bit far. A vintage oven?! You can watch it here on Youtube.

Mary Queen of Charity Shops.
As a frequent shopper at charity shops I was very intrigued to see what Mary Portas would do to change them for the better, she has received criticism for trying to change them but for someone who doesn't shop at charity shops she did very well. I felt really frustrated with the older volunteers though, they were really reluctance to change! It's got three parts at an hour long each and it's currently available on Youtube to watch.

The Secret of Crickley Hall.
A spooky ghost story with flashbacks to the Second World War, lovely 40’s aesthetic and a rather sad tale. I enjoyed it and although the ending isn't necessarily happy for everyone, I cried! Nancy was obviously my favourite character for her outfits and curly hair springing out her berets. You can watch all the episodes from here.

The Supersizers Go Wartime.
Restaurant critic Giles Coren and comedian Sue Perkins trying out food from different eras, They have to dress and live the part for a full week, plus I fancy Giles even more in this episode. It's actually quite funny in general, they work brilliantly as a duo and I wish they worked together more often. I enjoyed the whole series and I miss it. I deeply recommend you check it out and to stay with the 30-50s theme you can view the Wartime episode here.

Quirky and original ways to organise.

Tea sets.
Tea sets have always being collectible but thanks to the cupcake and tea party trend the price has surged again. Charity shops are my favourite place for the odd tea cup and saucer, it makes an eclectic mix. Antique markets and auctions are good for full sets, I would avoid online shopping because you can't be sure they won't be broken during delivery and insurance is costly. Teapots are brilliant for putting your make up brushes in, I put my necklaces in the cups and put my rings around it in the saucer to decorate.

Photo frames.
You can convert a photo frame into a board for your brooches. You will need stuffing and fabric, you don't have to sew instead you can use staples or glue. It doesn't need to be as secure as clothing seams because it's only going to sit around.

Step 1.
Remove the back and front glass, you don't need the front glass any more but keep the back.
Step 2.
Cut out two pieces of fabric the same size as the back.
Step 3.
Sew all around the edges leaving the top open for stuffing. You can glue around all the edges or use staples.
Step 4.
You should now now a pocket of fabric ready for stuffing. Pull apart your stuffing so it's not too clumpy and gently place it inside, pat on top to flatten the stuffing and don't add too much.
Step 5.
Sew/glue/staple the top and glue to the back for extra support. Put the frame back onto the back and voila! You have a framed board for your brooches.

Vintage suitcases.
These can be picked up from charity and vintage shops, although for some bizarre reason they're not particularly cheap. Even if they're not in good working order! Don't be afraid to ask for a discount if it's broken or incomplete. I bought a vintage suitcase along with a few dresses and accessories, the store owner suggested I put the rest of things in the suitcase to make it easier to carry home. Well it seemed like a good idea until I got home and realised he had locked it, and I was without the key. I had to rip off the locks in order to get inside and I have to store it backwards to hide it. Anyway lesson learnt! I love collecting and piling them up to create mini shelfs, a table and storage in one makes for extra room.

Your accessories!
Use your beautiful accessories to decorate and organise. Tie a scarf up hobo style with small things inside like bracelets or window keys, hang it up using a nail in the wall. Tie ribbons around the heels of your favourite shoes and hang them from a nail, generally you can add up to three shoes before it gets too heavy.

Decorative pillows.
These pillows can a little annoying to take off and on your bed every day, make use of these pillows by using them to display your brooches and earrings. Much better alternative than tucking them away in a drawer and never seeing them. Practically every homeware store has them and they're good on a tight budget.

Glass ware.
You can pick up glass ware really cheap in charity shops, I got my heart shaped container for 30p! Glass ware is good for showing off what you have rather than hiding it away, an easy way to find your favourite ring too. If you're on a really tight budget you can stain your old wine bottles and hang your necklaces around them. However, you must never display glass near windows as it's a fire risk.

Mannequins.
Endless opportunity to display with if you're not easily spooked! I see them all the time at antique markets for a fair price, much cheaper than retail sources. Avoid rusty ones and check they're in good working order. They're also quite handy to air out your clothes and make sure they're wrinkle free for the next day.

Vintage hat boxes.
Adorable alternative to generic plastic boxes. Make sure it's not musty otherwise your lovely things will get smelly. If you've bought a musty one you should start by dusting and wiping over with a lightly damp cloth, add a drop of lavender to the water and squeeze the excess water out thoroughly  Leave it to dry and if its still slightly smelly sprinkle lots of baby powder or bicarbonate soda inside, put the lid back on and leave it for a few days. When the powder has absorbed the smell place the box upside down in a bin liner and tap it until clean, redust to remove any left over powder.

Quick beauty fixes.

Found via Tumblr, original source.

I've being bitching about my skin recently but what's new? I've had a lot of early mornings this week and day by day my beauty routine shortened, I hated having to compromise on looking good. This is a round up of all the advice I've successfully used over the years and they're all achievable in less than ten minutes.

Eyes.

• Use a beige or white eyeliner on your lower inner rims to offset the redness.
• Try eye drops to brighten your eyes after a late night, your eyes will look and feel better.
• If your mascara has clumped and you don't have your eyelash comb use a face wipe, wrap it round your finger and gently wipe from root to tip. This also helps to lift your eyelashes if you don't have an eyelash curler.
• Apply cooled cucumber slices on eyebags for a few minutes, it's less harsh than ice cubes and it's gentle on your skin.
• Correct any mistakes with a cotton bud soaked in make up remover, it needs to be a oil free formula because your make up will smudge otherwise. If you don't have any wrap your cotton bud in a face wipe and gently press to dampen it.

Lips.

• If you're doing your lipstick in a rush apply Vaseline to the front of your teeth, it's less likely to transfer. 
• Use a damp toothbrush to remove any dead skin and smooth them.
• Tinted lip balms are a good alternative to lipstick, they soothe your lips and add a little colour. I use Vaseline's rose.
• Sometimes teeth can get a yellow tint, obviously the best advice is dental based but for a quick fix use a blue based red lipstick to detract from the yellow.

Skin.

• Do you have dry flaky patches on your nose from blowing it frequently? Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to protect your skin.
• If you have shiny patches try dabbing it with tissue before reapplying powder, press for two seconds on the skin to absorb the excess oil.
• Use a sheer foundation if you're in a hurry, it's easy to apply and less likely to go wrong.
• Blush is seen as a risky product (clown face anyone?) but it's worth it, a swipe of blush can wake up your tired face. Cream brush is good for creating a dewy, glowy look and it's surprisingly quick. Just blend in with your fingers and you're done, no brushes needed. You can also use it as a lip tint!
• Boil some water and pour it into a bowl, lean over the bowl with a towel. The steam will open up your pores and make it easier to remove spots, I do this every week and use a deep cleansing cream to finish. My skin feels amazing afterwards.

Hair.

• Put your hair in rollers while you do your make up for extra volume.
• Woken up to flat hair? Brush all knots out and rebrush upside down, hairspray and smooth over when you're done.
• Ran out of dry shampoo? Sprinkle baby powder through the hair, leave for a few minutes to soak up the greasy and brush out.
• If you see a spilt end snip off the end immediately, don't wait for a hairdresser to do it. Spilt ends will only get worse and they make your hair look dry, basically they're hair killers so get rid. If there's too many or you're scissor phobic use a hair oil to reduce the appearance and hydrate your hair.

How to get lovely summer skin.

Found via Tumblr, original source is Nina Leen.

Summer is a pleasant surprise every year, sometimes after a long Winter you think it's never going to happen!


Change your daily routine.
You should still be cleansing, toning and moisturising twice a day. However as the seasons change you'll need to the products you're using, for example a clean cleanser may need to be switched to a foaming gel cleanser. During the hotter, sweatier months you need more help to get your skin clean and if it's not you'll quickly gain blocked pores and spots. Carry around a toner for a quick refreshing spray and a mini bottle of your SPF to reapply.

You may need to re evaluate your skin type as well. In the Winter I'm dry to very dry but during the Summer I change to combination, oily sweaty t-zone with dry cheeks.

Suncream.
Non-negotiable. Apply it everyday to all exposed areas, including your neck and ears (I always forget my ears!). Suncream has a sticky reputation but it doesn't have to be this way, avoid cream formulas and opt for a oil based solution. Spray oils are so much easier, quicker and nicer to apply and wear. If you particularly hate it look out for once a day formulas, one application and you probably won't need it again. Finding a moisturiser with SPF and UVA and UVB protection has being a nightmare, I'm struggling to find one to matte my face and protect me. However I'm considering Asian brands as they seem to much better.

Get that clean feeling!
As much I enjoy knowing I'm protected in the sun I still hate the feel of something on my skin, it's always a relief to wash it off. I'm currently using Original Sources mint shower gel and it leaves a lovely tingle. Cleaning your sweaty areas is even more important, you're more prone to spots on your chest and back etc. Use a shower puff to get those hard to reach areas.

Exfoliating.
Gently scrubbing your skin once a week provides a well earned skin detox, as long as you don't go over board! I love scrubbing all that gunky oil and suncream off my skin. If you have sun burn don't exfoliate, you should never go over board with a scrub anyway. Once that skin has being scrubbed off it won't repair for a while, you'll be left with red sensitive skin which is even worse in the blaze of the sun.

Salt based formulas are my favourite, Summer is the only time I can use such a drying type without feeling the consequences. Body brushing also helps remove dead skin cells, improve cellulite and stimulate circulation.

Is it really a bargain?

The sale section is something that every one is tempted by, including me. Sadly I've lost bought sales items in the past that aren't exactly worthy of the word bargain, they're damaged or just don't fit into my wardrobe. It's hardly a bargain if you have to buy new items just to create an outfit with it! Next time you're flicking through that rack and something catches your eye, remember these questions: 

Would you wear it? And what with?
There's no point buying something that requires another wardrobe to be bought with it. If you buy something and never wear it then it's simply a waste. This is why I always recommend you consider classic pieces like blazers or black dresses before anything else, they're versatile and easy to DIY to look more your style.

What's the quality like?
Sometimes a sale item can seem expensive even after a 50% discount but if it's a brand new leather jacket it could be worth it. However if it's a cheap cotton top that's in a generic design you can skip it safely knowing you'll find another one soon.

Have you tried it on?
There's a chance it might not fit, unless you know your size in this particular shop. There's no point buying something you can't wear because it's not the right size, besides most sale items have dodgy return policies and trying them on can show possible flaws.

What would so and so say if they saw me wearing this?
Just about everyone has a brutally honest friend who would give it to you straight or pee their pants with laughter at that hideous dress your holding. Take a photo of yourself in the changing room mirror and send it to that friend.

What's the original price?
The ultimate test to see if it's worth is to ask yourself whether you would buy this at full price, if you would and you're getting it for half the price it's definitely worth it.

My favourite cruelty free brands.

Who's a happy bunny?! Found via Tumblr.

I've tried cutting out cosmetics that test on animals since January and surprisingly it's working out fine, I didn't have a frantic cull of my entire make up bag and throw things in the bin (what a waste!). I decided to replace each item as it runs out, so far I've ran into the issue of shampoo and conditioner. But I was surprised to learn how many products I was already using were cruelty free. I'll start with the cheapest and make my way up to the most expensive.

Superdrug.
I was very surprised to learn the Superdrug brand products don't test on animals and it's a big relief, I frequently use their budget friendly products. I've being reading vegan forums and quite a few people mention this brand as their saviour, it's really handy to have an animal friendly shop on the high street. They're leaping bunny approved (BUAV) and you can read about their change to cruelty free here.

Original Source.
Available nationwide at a cheap price, it's not everyday you see cruelty free products in your budget. My favourite is their tea tree and mint shower gel, it really gets you up in the morning! Their lavender shower gel is similar to Lush's Twilight so if you're missing that limited addition I suggest you give this a try. You can see their animal testing policy here.

Soap & Glory.
I love their retro packaging and I know that might come across as shallow to some people but hey it takes up space on my table. They actually deliver results as well which pleases me endlessly, I'm a big fan of their Trick and Treatment concealer which is a dead ringer for Benefit's Erase Paste concealer, and it's cheaper which is always great. Their Greatest Scrub of All facial scrub is the best facial scrub I have ever tried, the texture and consistency is a dream. Their formulations are not tested on animals and most of their ingredients aren't derived from animals, see their guidelines here.

Balance Me.
I tried a Balance Me sample that came with a magazine and I knew I had found the perfect eye cream. I suffer from serious dark circle and sometimes I can't be bothered with two types of concealer and blending etc. Their Wonder Eye Cream works incredibly well, I can see and feel a difference. However they're nowhere near my price range, I get the feeling it's an investment but I can't get over forking out £20 for an eye cream. They're an independent company and not tested on animals, read their policy here.

Liz Earle.
When I was a spotty teenager my mother gave me a Liz Earle starter kit, at first I was baffled by the steps I needed to go through in order to wash my face. It all seemed a bit pointless! However I noticed a difference within a week and decided it was worth the time, ultimately it didn't help as I later went on to develop cystic acne and I needed hardcore treatment. I never forgot how nice my skin looked, it just had this...glow. Unfortunately this is also out of my price range but I had the money I would definitely give their cleanser another ago. The Liz Earle Cleanser and Polish is iconic.