Travel tips and tricks

If you can get from your house to your travel destination with no mishaps then I applaud you. While I am not well travelled by any means, I have travelled enough to have come up with some tips and tricks that will help you avoid some mistakes I have made. 

1. Always print your documents
Be that a copy of your passport or your flight ticket, print it. There have been so many times that I have relied on my phone to bring up my flight ticket only to not be able to connect to the wifi to retrieve said email. Had I printed my documents, the stress that usually ensues would have been avoided. Even if you don't think you need to print your documents, you do.

2. Print a map of where your hotel is
Ok, I've been to Japan twice and both times, we forgot to print a map of where the hotel was and how to get there. Japan has foreign street signs and getting anywhere is tricky. As with point one, you might not always find wifi and therefore, you are left to use street maps to assist in your navigation. If you can print a map with directions, even better! If you get lost, don't panic! Remember, you've gotten lost before and found your way and this situation will be no different. Panic is what sends people the wrong way.

3. Have an electrics adaptor before you leave the house
Not all airports will have the adaptor you need for the country you are going to and trying to find one in a country that potentially doesn't speak English is stressful. Try and get one before you go and you will thank yourself. 

4. Take cards against humanity
Ok, so this one applies if you're travelling in a group of three or more. We all know the plane ride can be boring, so why not play cards? This card game will be guaranteed to make you (and other passengers) laugh and is a great time killer. On that note, make sure you also have paper to record scores and a pen which will also come in handy when you are filling in the various departure/arrival/customs cards. 

5. Book a rental card in advance
While also on this topic, make sure you pick a car that suits the terrain or landscape of where you are driving. Both times we have been to New Zealand, we've booked a rental car. The first one was a small Nissan Sunny (bad!!) and the second was a Toyota Rav 4 (good!!(. New Zealand is hilly and windy and the Nissan Sunny (we named him Richie) struggled. The first trip was a road trip and honestly, I wish we just went and upgraded the car. It was that bad and slow and struggled uphill. The second trip was based in Queenstown and we drove to the ski slopes every day. The drive up the mountains required something with power and the Rav 4 handled it with ease. Research where you will be driving and pick the right car and you're set.

I have a lot more tips which I will come back and fill in another day. 

What are your travel tips and tricks?

A late Spring wedding

Over the weekend, S and I went to the wedding of a very dear high school friend. The ceremony was at a beautiful little Catholic church in almost-country NSW. I am not religious, but I did think the ceremony was lovely and liked that it was to the point. I've been to a Catholic wedding before that went for about two hours and it was stiflingly hot in there. Not pleasant. 

The reception was down in Wollongong at the Harbourfront Restaurant. If you haven't been there, it is a restaurant on the water overlooking the boats and bay. Beautiful views from all parts of the room. 

A definite mistake was made ordering three meals for two peoples during the break between ceremony and reception because by the time the food was served at the reception, I was still full. Eyes are too big for my belly!

I had pork belly for entree, Chicken for main and sticky date pudding for dessert. I was so stuffed  by then I couldn't even fit in a bite of cake. Such a shame. 

The bride requested I didn't wear black as per my original plan, so I went out seeking colour and colour I did find. In the form of a bright green dress! It will be perfect for my 'tropicana' themed Christmas party this coming Friday too. 

A wedding is not a wedding without some dancing.

Nor is a wedding a wedding without some Photo Booth fun. 

 Congratulations, Mr and Mrs D!!

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Currently - Happy Friday!

 

I haven't done one of these posts since April and a lot has happened since then, so Happy Friday and here you go!

Making: Nothing at the moment, although S won't be home all day tomorrow which gives me ample time to get something started. I want to make some Christmas stockings and start on my work wardrobe that I talked about here. 

Anticipating: To be honest, not a lot. I've been so busy lately that I am happy for things to quieten down for a few weeks, although this weekend starts the many Christmas get togethers that are coming up between now and Christmas.

Reading: The man and the sea by Ernest Hemmingway and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I'm not loving Gone Girl. Perhaps because I googled the ending and know what is coming up. 

Listening: Nothing new recently. I did have to get a bunch of songs ranging from the 50's to now for work and that playlist has been fun to listen to. 

Wearing: Shorts, singlets, sandals. Comfortable summer wear!

Looking forward to: Hopefully some overseas travel on the cards for next year. I am desperate to get to the US and if it all works out, we'll be there for my Birthday in May. We're thinking LA (Santa Monica), Vegas, New York, DC (to see Steve's colleagues). Any recs for where to go in those places?

Watching: The walking dead. I forgot about that show for a good six months or so. Lots of catching up to do!

Thinking about: Trick question! I never stop thinking about things. Right now, it's what I should wear to work given it's going to be 40 degrees today. 

Loving: I just bought my favourite makeup in the right colour (I bought a shade lighter last week) and the difference it makes it huge. When you're on to a good thing, stick to it!

What about you?

Lovely lippies

S came home bearing some pretty new lippies from the states. I got a MAC prep and prim lip primer which claims to keep lipstick on your lips longer. Perhaps I am not using it properly, but I have not noticed a difference. Lipstick doesn’t tend to last too long on my lips and I usually re-apply a few times a day. What are your tips for long lasting lipstick?

 

 I got: MAC Plumful and MAC Pink Pearl Pop

MAC Plumful

 

This is my new favourite every day lipstick. It is a natural colour and provides a pop of colour to freshen up your look. I usually wear this to work as it is not too bright and over the top for my workplace. No-one wears lipstick here it seems, so I can’t wear bright red lippie without standing out a lot. As the name suggests, it is a plum coloured lipstick.

 

MAC Pink Pearl Pop

 

Another beautiful lipstick to add to the collection. Pink Pearl Pop is a brighter pink that I will probably only wear when going out. It is a light and bright pink and a very sweet colour. I’ve noticed the staying power on this one is not great and I need to apply a fair bit for the colour to show well enough.

 

Have you gotten any new lipsticks lately?

 

What are your go-to colours?