Firstly, apologies for being so absent! The past couple of months have flown in and quite frankly I have been rather busy, yet not accomplished much at all! I can't stand it when that happens, and I've just realised how much I've neglected this little corner. I have several posts I've been meaning to get round to doing, I intend on banging them out in the next couple of weeks but for now, I thought I'd share my plans for this coming week.
As the title may suggest, I have a wedding to attend this week, and have subsequently decided to take three days freedom from work and spend some quality time with the boy. As we'll be travelling back home to London this week, something I do nearly every month it seems, I thought I'd share my tips on travelling and what I like to make sure I have with me, etc. Rushing from work to the train station, for a near 3 hour round trip, with ungodly amounts of luggage, can be stress inducing for some; it used to be for me but I'm now a train passenger pro -wink-
First and foremost, however, I also wanted to share my choice of outfit with you. I think it can be quite tricky to decide wedding guest attire especially with our unpredictable weather and so I thought I'd show you what I've chosen. I've been to a fair amount of weddings by this point, with yet another on the horizon for next year, so I've got my wedding guest act down to a T.
First up, I've decided to go with a dress. It's a classic wedding guest piece which also keeps things simple and comfortable. The one I've chosen is from Frock and Frill, originally priced at £125 I believe, I first saw it on Asos (which has a fantastic 'wedding guest' selection). However, I scoped out their own website and noticed it had been put into the sale for £50, needles to say, I ordered it from there instead. Its a simple, body skimming slip style which I know works for me. Which is one of the main reasons why I chose it, I want to feel comfortable and confident in what I'm wearing; don't feel pressured to wear something which you think everyone else will be wowed by. If you feel like crap in it, you're going to look like crap in it.
It's a perfect nude pink, flattering my skin tone which, due to the recent sunshine, is lightly tanned. The sequinned embellishment is beautiful, but subtle, being made up mainly of beading rather than sequins, it's not tacky or OTT.
I've paired it with a simple black blazer, the one I've actually bought is the Asos black crepe blazer (not pictured) but I used a similar one above as I couldn't find a decent photo. It's really light and soft, even though -fingers crossed- it will be warm and sunny on the day, it's perfect to throw on when the temperature starts to drop.
I'll be wearing low platform sandals on the day, as to be quite honest, large heels, stilettos etc. are just not practical. They look great for the first 15 minutes of your day...then your feet start to wane. As does your happiness. I never substitute comfort for style. Ever. These sandals were bought from Asos a couple of years ago now, they are called the Asos High Five platform, and they are super cute. They look slightly clumpy in the photo, however once they are on your feet they look great. The little bow is a dainty touch and the heels themselves are super sturdy and comfortable. My feet are not going to aggravate me during the day!
I'll be using my Vivienne Westwood Chancery handbag for the day, I usually use my DKNY handbag, as I like to carry a lot of -crap- around with me, however during an event like a wedding, a large bag is a no go. Viv will hold all my essentials, look cute and stop me taking any unnecessary items along.
Due to the amount of embellishment on the dress, jewellery is not really needed to add anything to the outfit. The only thing I will be wearing will be my watch. I always wear a watch these days, I feel odd without one on, I always need to know what the time is and its far easier to glance at a watch than it is retrieving your phone from the endless pit which is your handbag.
The finishing touch of course, is perfume. I'll be wearing Miss Dior. I like to bring this out for special events, it's expensive and I can't afford to smell like Dior everyday!
There you have it, the wedding guest outfit. The only items I bought specifically for this are the dress and the blazer, only because my only other -fancy- dress hasn't yet been dry cleaned from the previous wedding! On a side note, the blazer was such a great buy! It literally goes with everything, I am in love. I think it was £35 from Asos? around that mark. I believe it will see me through every month! ha!
Make up wise, I'm looking to go for something light and pretty. I don't want anything too dramatic or which is going to slide around my face after 2 hours. I'm thinking liner and a nude lip? As for my hair, that -crap- is going up! and out of the way! The only thing I can't stand more than my hair, is when it's in my face...
What I'll be taking on the trip
I hate travelling. Literally cannot stand it. Unfortunately it's a necessary evil on this earth and my hatred towards it has allowed me to become quite savvy and brutal. Here's what I'll be taking and how it's gonna go down.
Clothes, Uh where to begin, this is 3 days worth, therefore I pick 3 outfits and stick to it. Simple. Don't overload yourself with clothes, it's unnecessary. Us girls, we say we need choices. But no, we don't. We need the outfits we planned, packed and eventually wore. Stop telling yourself you might just hate that outfit you planned for Tuesday when Tuesday rolls around. You're just saying that. Another thing to note here is that outfits can incorporate the same items, so you get a different look but keep the item count to a minimum. For example, black jeans and jumper for the day, black jeans and strappy cami for the evening. Same jacket worn for both. Done.
I'll be taking my black river island Molly jeggings, oversized check shirt, vest top, t-shirt and black Roll neck. I'll be travelling in a skater skirt and a plain vest top, the skirt can be re-worn. I'll also have my wedding outfit of course, but thats an extra this time. However, the blazer will also be worn with my other outfits -wink-
Of course, there's also the matter of undies, ha. Well thats simple, take as many pairs as you need, I'll be taking 6 pairs of pants, a clean pair for each night and day. They literally take up no room so I don't think underwear can even count! I tend to shove them in a zip pocket. I'll also pack a pair of tights and a pair of cute socks.
As i'm staying at my mothers house whilst we're there, I don't need to take any sleep wear with me, I left a couple of pieces there quite a while ago, so I don't have to worry about packing any! If I was staying elsewhere I'd pack an oversized t-shirt to sleep in, they don't take up much room but are super comfy. And thats about it clothes wise. Typed up it appears to be quite a lot, but in reality it really isn't. Its compact and planned.
Accessory and shoe wise, there isn't much going on, I'll be wearing my vans to travel in, and for everyday except the wedding, where I'll be wearing platforms. Sneakily, I chose a pair which I conveniently left at my mothers -sly- Watch, bag and sunglasses are the same for the wedding, I don't find I need much else! I'm quite a simple dresser!
I like to use travel bottles for the bigger items. I literally can't get enough of anything in -mini- form. They are just too cute! and, of course, they're practical. Means you aren't taking several full sized bottles along with you! I bought a travel bottle set from Primark, with 2 same sized bottles, a smaller bottle and a pot. They also came with sweet little labels to stick on them, i was going to nick some sticky labels from work! I've filled the two larger bottles with shampoo and conditioner
(I refuse to buy travel sizes of these when I own huge bottles which I can decant) the smaller bottle with toner (I love that stuff) and the pot has been stuffed with my current favourite face mask. Cute little portions!
I've also packed a bottle of soap and glory's mini clean on me shower gel, a razor and a mini body shop scrub. Face wise, I've got a stack of large cotton pads, a flannel, Vitamin E oil, Avene's Cleanance K cream, Reve de Miel lip balm and a Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser. I've also got my trusty tangle teezer along for the ride.
Phew, sounds like a lot, really isn't! it's all been stuffed comfortably in my wash bag and I'm set for the 4 days I'l be away from home.
And last but not least, Make up! ha. I use a small plastic case and in it is the bare essentials. Currently i'm using Bourjois' Happy Light Primer, Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, Urban decay's Naked Basics palette, Sleek Face form palette and sleek's eyebrow kit. Lastly, Liner and mascara. I've also packed two Mac Lipsticks and a Nars Multiple. Of course, theres a couple of makeup brushes slipped in there (MAC stroke of midnight) and a beauty blender.
seems like a lot, again, really isn't! All packed in neatly and everything fits in the captains case! As well as the boys stuff
-wink-
Handbag Essentials and travelling tips
When Travelling, I have to have a few items with me, literally to make me feel better. Even though I'm used to doing it constantly and have no problems, I still think it's a ball ache.
P.S I received the Dior lip balm for my birthday, It goes everywhere with me!
When you lay it all out like this, it seems an awful lot. I hate to think what it is normally!
I always book my tickets online and print them off at the station, I have an oyster card but literally only use it if I have to. I prefer to book my tickets from first station to last station, taking care of any changes in between. It's common knowledge to check the stations/ trains/service etc. before you embark on your journey, however so many people just don't bother. They're the ones left hanging around for 45 minutes getting angry.
I always arrive 5 minutes before the train is expected to depart, I want a decent seat and to not be sweating before I even get on it! And I also tend to take a seat in the same carriage as a toilet, but not near it. It's such a ball ache if you've drank too much of your liquid provisions and have to go on a mission for a toilet. I use that term loosely as we all know what they're like -grim-
Talking of toilets, always have change. Literally everywhere in London (at least) you have to pay to empty your bladder...
Lastly, I always always always, send a text or a quick call, to whoever I'm meeting/staying with etc. Just to let them know I'm on my way/ have arrived. If they haven't heard from me, they know something's gone wrong. Morbid yes, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Also, I thought I might just point out I'm only talking about local travelling etc. No planes here, obviously, there's a lot more which goes into -that- type of travel!
Phew. I think this was quite a large post, maybe thats because Its been such a while since I have done any!
Are there any items you refuse to travel without? Or tips you find useful?
