Boo

Just a little photo of me and my boyfriend on Saturday night in costume, Murder Suicide Bride and Groom. Very Goolish

Travel Crafting - Knitting

So travel always gives you lots of time to slow down and relax, like a long long weekend, but after you have seen the sights and met some nice people what can you do in your ME time? the normal options are a nice book but if you are a very fast reader you don't want to take so many books that will just weigh you down and playing games or watching a movie or tv show on your laptop can also be fun but you don't want to spend ALL your free time doing it because you could have staid at home and do that.

If you are a creative person like me how about taking some craft with you? but what to take?

5 reasons to craft while traveling

1. instant conversation starter - everyone wants to know what you are doing and what you are making

2. can keep you sane - you can pick it up and put it down when you need a little normality while you are traveling

3. grate to do in public - all travelers don't like to be singled out as one when on trains, buses or in cafes but with craft being such a global thing you will just look like you belong

4. can make you some cash - most people would love a trinket to have or to give to someone that has a real story behind it

5. ongoing project - unlike a book or program that always has a definite ending, if you don't like it, take it a part and start again

Knitting

Knitting is a good craft for traveling with, all you need are a pair of needles and a ball of wool. It is grate as you can make a scarf if you are some where cold or a bag if you are going some where hot. If you are traveling buy your self you could always make a little travel companion to come a long for the ride.

Knitting needles are unfortunately are not allowed on planes (a place where you need to keep yourself occupied) in case you become a renegade knitter and try to high jack it but there is an easy option to make a pair.

-Take a pair of disposable sushi chopsticks

-roughly sharpen the tapered end into a point with a pencil sharpener (do not make it into a pencil point you will hurt your self)

- blunt down the end with an emery board (not a metal one) or if you do not have one blunt it down rub the end on tray table

-tie some wool around the other end to make a stopper so that the stitches can't come off

-finally rub some chap stick/lip balm onto points and massage it in with a napkin or tissue, this will help the stitches glide over the needles without catching any splinters

There are lots of kits on Etsy that will give you all the equipment you will need plus a pattern to work off. If you are a first timer and think your holiday would be the perfect time to learn how to check out the youtube clip down below for a simple how to online course.

Tips and Tricks

1. Guide books are so passe

I do like to pick up maps of the city I'm in from the info points but carrying around huge guide books just adds weight. A light weight solution is to use free apps and downloads of each city you go to. Every guide should give you a good idea of what there is to see and do and safe areas to be in. ArrivalGuides.com have over 400 city guides in 22 different languages and most are linked in with the destinations official tourism bureau, they are also in a dual format so that you can have a printable download or as an app for your smart phone. In your pocket specializing in European cities heavily focusing on eastern Europe and there developing tourist destinations. Hostelworld.com has printable downloads but also has video and podcasts so that you can take a guided tour without the tour guide. And a good old favorite is Lonely Planet because you can get your app ($5.99 per city so not that cheap) but you can also get the phrase book for the city as well making it an easy option for quick and easy travel.

2. Travel towels do work

I know that people are ether a lover or a hater of the travel towels but I find that they work for me. They fold up to nothing giving you lots of space, they manage to take most of the moisture off your skin and can dry within only a few hours of hanging. They can start to smell if you don't wash them often so after a week you need to just give it a go through the washing machine or give them a good scrub with a body wash and rinsed until there are no suds left. If you can get your hands on some use a little white vinegar when you wash it to get rid of any fungal growth (I got that tip from a microbiologist) and dry in the sunlight. Travel Gear.com.au and gogogear.com.au both have microfiber towels in varying sizes starting from $15 and free delivery in Australia.

3. Always take warm clothes on planes

An plane is always cold and wearing shorts and a t shirt because you are going somewhere hot will not save you from freezing on the way there. The best way is to wear layers that can be easily put on and taken off when you get too hot or cold and stretchy enough so that you can curl up into a ball on your seat to take a nap. I like to start with some loose pants, stretch jeans, long yoga pants or full length leggings, long socks and loose or slip on shoes to keep your feet warm, a warm cardigan, fleece or knit to throw on over your top and ether a wide scarf or wrap wide enough to go around your shoulders to use as an emergency blanket. If you have bad circulation in your feet you may want to keep another pair of socks in your carry on just in case they get too chilly. Another thing is to take your heaviest shoes on the plane to avoid having them add weight in your checked luggage. Another thing is the better you look the more inclined you mite be to get an upgrade, we can all live in hope.

Colour

Charlotte Olympia love

I am a colour whore when it comes to my wardrobe. I can never go past bright colours or bold patterns to add a little extra to an outfit. I know that the new trend for summer is colour blocking that in Perth is starting to take hold, but for most people i think that colour is a scary concept at other times of the year, but it should be embraced at any time of any season.

Image from qs daydream

A good place to get inspiration is from the catwalk. There is always designers showing us how to use peaces in a new way.

Images from little bird fashion and college fashion

You could always take a safe route with sticking to a few striking coloured peaces mixed in with more neutral peaces to make a statement. I love both of these outfits that have concentrated colour on the top and made it a little more somber on there bottom half.

Images from skunkboy creatures and facehunter

I know most of you will not want to go a complete shock value but I know we all have a day that you just want to show everyone how happy you feel. I can't get enough of the yellow coat and the turquoise top and pants outfit. I bought a bright pink duffle coat this winter and am so happy that I will get so much use out of it.

Images from dottis dots and milkteeths

If you are thinking that you want to do colour but not at a shock value try going tonal instead. Try varying shades of dark greens, blues, purples and reds. Add a little interest with only using one other coloured accessory to complete the look.

Sorting the good from the crap

My new favorite blogger Tania from what would a nerd wear who for her limited budget finds grate simple peaces at chain stores to complement her special finds - have stared so many of her outfits in reader as inspiration for my own, ah, love.

I love making my own clothes as a hobby and going vintage and op-shop shopping to find my
clothes but I am a cheap chain store basics kind of girl. The only bad thing is that it can be a little hit and miss about the quality that you get and they can just fall to peaces within weeks but I am going to list my favorite places to find the basics on a budget for cheap that will last.

Underwear - Target

Targets range is about $4-10 for knickers and about $15-25 for bras.

I love them because for the price you get:

- 100% cotton or a 80-20 cotton mix that you don't normally get at that price, they also have organic cotton and bamboo for the same price

- they don't go out of shape easily after you wash them and the colour doesn't run

- the fabric is thick and the elastic stands up to the test of wear (often the fabric thins out before the elastic gives out)

- they stock small sizes, knickers at a size 8 and bras at a 8A, that a lot of shops do not

I have some Target underwear that is at least 2 years old and are still just as good as when I bought them.

Tank - Dotti

Dotti basic tops are $13 each or 2 for $20

I love them because:

- they start at an xs and the arm holes don't cut your circulation off at the small sizes as some do

- they come in a large array of colours that don't run in the wash

- the cotton is thick and only get better after every wash getting softer but not thinner

- they take up no space in your wardrobe and can stand up to wear and tare without the stitching breaking or shrinking in the wash

I love layering the tank tops under everything

Jeans - Kmart and JayJays

Kmart jeans range is about $10-30 and JayJays Jeans range is about $40-50

I love them because:

- Kmart's $10 jeans are thick, colour fast, don't go out of shape and the stitching is soft against the skin

- JayJays jeans are so vast in style that you can always find one that suits your body, they do half sizes, they do every wash and colour and are made for short people so you don't have to get too mach cut off

I have never been a very jeans (or pants) kind of girl but I have had JayJays jeans since I was in year 8 and have never been disappointed by them. I have had a Kmart pair for the last 5 months and am loving them to death but the legs are cut a little small so you are better going up a size for the fit in them.

Skirts, Shorts and Cardigans - Cotton On

Cotton On range is about $10-40 for all items

Ok, for anyone who has read my packing essentials post will know that I am obsessed with them. I can always find something in the store every time I go. I love them because:

- there have a huge range in so many styles to choose from the trendy to the classic

- good fabric in every colour and print

- there skirts and shorts have a comfy fit at the hips and waist allowing for good movement

- there cardigans come in lots of different lengths and thickness so you can find one for all seasons

- the size stars at xs and if you like the cut of it you can normally choose anywhere from 4 to 10 diferent prints.

Cotton On was the first real fashion chain store I went to when I was a teenager and I have been a devotee of them ever since. The main reason is they last, I have things from there that are 4 years old that I still wear all the time. The only thing that you need to do is sew the buttons on by hand after you get there garment before you wash it.

Shoes - BigW, Kmart and Target

All of there shoe ranges are about $5-50

I love them because:

- Big W canvas top shoes have thick fabric upper and very thick and dense rubber soles that take ages to wear out

- Kmart heals are well fitting at the smallest sizes and don't let your feet slip around

- Target flats have a long lifespan and are sturdy

I am a big walker so my shoes only last a few months but at the price there is always a style that will fit and suit you.

If anyone has any favorites of there own I would love to hear about them

Long time no talk

Image from budzi on etsy

Sorry about no bloging for ages but have had some bad times (sad face) but am starting to feel better and now I am happy to announce that I'm off to Germany on the 1st of March with my duel citizenship (3rd time was the charm for getting it) so I hope to keep updating from now on.