Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sofia Coppola Style

I know how so many people are in love the Alexa Chung's style but for me Sofia Coppola beats her hands down. She has a very chic french style and always looks amazing even when just running around town.

slim cut pants, shirts, cute shorts and fine knit jumpers

chic and simple dresses in interesting textures and prints (p.s. someone who can pull of a maternity smock dress and still look cool is a real style icon to me)

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Taylor Swift Style

I am not a celeb obsessive but I do have a soft spot for Miss Swift not only because I like country music (not a very known fact about me) but also because she has amazing style in her every day to day style. It's casual and sweet without being "it girl"ish and everything is so wearable.
60's styled day/tea dress
sun dresses and cardigans
cute prints
coloured skirts with pattered tops
thick winter coats (love the duffle)



Sunday, January 1, 2012

Are you a travel MacGyver?

You know the type that turn up with only the clothes they stand up in and a day pack, only enough money for a month even though they are traveling for 3 and no accommodation booked anywhere.
We all forget something when traveling or get into unforeseen problems but when can being unprepared really be dangerous. Most of the "MacGyver's" I have met have been men (sorry for the stereotype, I have met a few women but mostly it has been men) who have never really had to fully look after them selves and who have kind of just stumbled through life taking the crap as it has come and been bailed out my parents when the shit hits the fan.
I am not a "MacGyver" more of a "Girl Guide" but I am flexible enough to go with the flow and have the ability to adapt into the situation. I am forgetful with taking things (towels or bathers) and do also leave things behind on trips (toiletries are the big one) but still have a the strength to take it in my stride.
So to all the "MacGyver's" out there have fun while the good life is going but don't cry over spilt milk when it all goes wrong, use it as a reminder the next time you think of going "MacGyver".

My "MacGyver" Tips:
- hair elastics can be used to hook wet bathers/socks/underwear through the loop in a larks head knot and secure the other end to somewhere that there isn't a hook to hand them from
- use tooth paste as a makeshift bandaid over surface cuts from shaving or paper cuts, just let it dry on your skin, and it will help stop dirt getting into it
- use mouth wash as hand sanitiser if you don't have any soap at hand
- a bobby pin or paper clip can be used as an emergency safety pin for clothes

Tips and Tricks

Image from jen loves kev
1. Flask me up
Travel means 2 things, 1. having to drink water that you are not use to and 2. buying loads of bottled water, both of these will cause extra expenses to the budget so a good way to do it is to take a re-usable water bottle or thermos flask. There are many water bottles that have replaceable filters that can help keep your water safe to drink, just fill it up from a safe to drink tap or from a kettle of hot water. A good thermos flask can help with keeping the cost down of buying coffee and tea from cafes when you are out and about (or as a quick snack if you put cup a soup in it when it's cold) so you can make it in the morning and it will stay hot for at least 6 to 12hrs (depending on the make and model. If you are going to want very clean water you can go down the UV pen water purifier route that kills any bacteria sensitive to UV light, but it is still a good idea to use a safe water souse to drink from. If you are traveling by plane keep the bottles empty and make shore that you put the flask in your carry on so that it can be inspected by security.

2. Fit as a fiddle
Change in weather and stress on the body can make your body get out of whack, fast! Having traveled when recovering from an illness I know how not getting enough sleep, eating crap food or not enough food and constant partying causes havoc with your body so a good dose of vitamin supplements before you leave and while you travel can be a very wise thing to take. A good multivitamin for your gender will give you a basic start to any deficiency's in your diet. There are supplements to help with travel sickness, insomnia and any basic stress relief. If you are traveling in the winter some cold prevention would be advisable, a digestive aid can be good for the prevention of food poisoning (just make shore that it's not the kind that needs to be kept in the fridge) and "fish oil" to help prevent DVT from long periods of sitting upright when in transit. Coming from Perth where it is always sunny being somewhere overcast for a long period of time can cause you not to get enough vitamin D that helps with the absorption of calcium (important to women to stop osteoporosis) but also if you don't get enough vitamin D it also causes low serotonin levels that in tern causes a higher risk of depression and also acts as a apatite suppressant so a good combination calcium/vit D is a good idea.