Travel Questions!

Hi everyone,

I have been receiving a couple of emails in regards to travelling and requests for me to write about some different topics etc. Obviously if you have any questions I am here to help find the answers and post them on this blog. I am sure other people would also be interested in hearing the answers and no doubt are wondering the same thing as you are! 

So if you don't feel comfortable sending me a comment directly on this blog then remember you can ask me on Twitter or I have set up an "Ask" account which will let you write a quick question to me (anonymously if you would prefer). 

If you have any requests or questions then please let me know. After all, I am here to help!

Here is a link to my Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MissJasmineRice

and

Ask:

http://ask.fm/MissJasmineRice

Where To Stash The Cash

I stumbled across two quick tips for carrying around money whilst travelling. If a pickpocket or someone is going to go through your bag then they are more than likely going to be trying to find a purse or wallet, true? So what can we do instead?

1. If you're going to the beach or will be somewhere where your bag is unattended, then you will no doubt be too busy worrying about if someone steals your money to even enjoy your time. Instead of carrying a purse to the beach, think about storing your valuables (keys, phone, cash, iPod, etc) in an empty sunscreen bottle. No one will suspect you have valuables in there.

2. If you are backpacking then you are less likely to want to take such a bulky item as a fake sunscreen bottle. Instead stash your cash in an empty tube of lip balm. Can't imagine any thief wanting to steal one of those. 

Don't Leave Your Hat Behind...

I feel like packing a hat is the most annoying thing. It is extremely awkward and it always ends up losing shape on the trip over. Most of the time I end up leaving it behind, but since I will be traveling in the summer, I want to take a hat with me. So here are two different ways you can pack a hat:

1. Face the hat upside down and place it in the suitcase. Then pack your clothes around the hat and below the brim to keep the shape. Stuff the middle of the hat with items that can be scrunched up, like underwear, socks, scarves or a sarong. It will end up looking something like this...

2. This way is pretty much the same but I find it holds the shape better (especially if it is a larger sized hat). Stuff the inside of the hat with whatever you like, keep the hat the normal way up and pack clothing on top of the brim. So that it looks like this...

I have seen some people get round boxes to store their hats in when they travel, but it takes up so much room and doesn't seem worth it to me when you could be using that space for other things...

There are also some websites that sell "packable hats" specifically for travelers. These hats can fold up or lay flat on the bottom of your suitcase. These might work better for people that are backpacking.

Let's Talk Shoes!

I got a message from my friend today asking me what kind of shoes she could wear whilst traveling that wouldn't be completely hideous. Shoes are so important when you are traveling! When you travel, you are always on your feet, seeing the sites and dancing the night away. So comfort plays a huge part in the "right" travel shoe. Now thinking about shoes that are classified as "comfortable" I immediately think of runners and flip flops (no one even mention Crocs, OK?). Neither of these I would say are particularly "stylish".

If you plan on doing lots of hiking or exercise on your trip then perhaps consider bringing some runners, but apart from that then perhaps not. Apparently wearing white runners screams "I am a tourist" and if anything is screaming that, then it is probably also screaming "pickpocket me!"

(Doesn't this scream "tourist" to you?)

You should definitely bring a pair of flip flops with you though. I feel like if you aren't doing heaps of walking, you're somewhere near a beach or just want a casual look then they are great. Also, you will need these for the showers if you are staying in hostels...no one wants to get foot fungus whilst traveling!

Alright, so what are some viable options for not looking completely hideous when traveling? I hear that Converse shoes and tennis shoes are quite comfortable for traveling in. However, when I traveled to Thailand in January, I brought along with me some cheap tennis shoes that were really horrible. I found that because they weren't incredibly worn in, after a while they started to rub the back of my heel and it ended up feeling like I was walking on the ground. So if you are going to wear them, then make sure they are well and truly broken in before you leave. Also, majority of the time tennis shoes come in white and after you have been walking around for a while they get quite dirty. So I recommend getting them in a darker color to hide the dirt a bit better (or maybe just stain guard and waterproof your white ones).

Your best options are to take whatever shoes are most likely going to match your outfits (ballet flats, boots, tennis shoes etc.) All of these are OK. The thing that is really going to make a difference is wearing insole comforters and gel cushions on the inside the shoe (wish I had thought of this before I took my tennis shoes to Thailand!). This will give you added comfort, stop the shoe from rubbing and make it feel like you aren't walking around barefoot on the ground. They are also really inexpensive and will save you from having to buy a brand new pair of shoes just so you can walk for long periods of time. The best part about gel cushions is that they come in many different shapes to suit your needs and you can wear them with different types of shoes (flats, boots and even sandals). So there is no need to ditch your pretty shoes and replace them with hideous, walking shoes, just add these and you'll be sweet!

(Insole comforter)

(Gel cushions)

What Makeup Do I Take?

It's hard to know exactly what to take with you on a vacation, but the best part of traveling is that you don't always need a face full of makeup! So remember to only bring the essentials. Here's my packing list:

1. A light colored eye shadow. After long flights we are going to look tired and gross but a small amount of a light colored shadow can make you look more awake, particularly if you put it towards the middle of the eye. Plus, this can also be used as your highlighter!

2. Concealer. For those days where you don't need a full face of makeup, you can just dab a bit of concealer on problem spots and under the eyes. Just make sure it is a concealer with a matte finish so that you don't need a finishing powder. You can also use your concealer as a base for keeping your lipstick on for longer. This is a great alternative to a lip liner pencil!

3. Brown eye shadow. Obviously this can be used as an eye shadow by itself or in conjunction with the light colored eye shadow. It can also be used as a substitute for your eyebrow pencil. Two in one! Just apply it with an angled brush.

4. Waterproof mascara. This is great for areas that are really humid and for long flights. Your mascara is less likely to smudge, it will hold your curls in place and is long-lasting. You can also use mascara as sort of a gel eyeliner. Just take an angle brush, dip it in the mascara tube and apply it like eyeliner.

5. Lip stain. Lip stain doubles as a blush! Make sure you get one that isn't sticky though...

Instead of bringing all of these things in separate containers, buy a magnetic compact container (with a mirror) to store your eye shadows, concealer and lip stain. This might also have enough room to hold your angle brush! Otherwise, you can keep your brush and mascara separately. Having all of these things in one compact place, with a mirror, means that you will save room and you can do your makeup on the plane! Here is a link to an American website that sells magnetic compact containers (but there are other places that sell them too! So just look around to get the best deal): http://zpalette.com/makeup-z-palette

 Remember that on long flights with the air-con blowing on you and in different climates, your face is more likely to be dry. So bring a moisturizer (with sunscreen in it) or a tinted moisturizer (if you feel like you may need more coverage than just a concealer). You might also need to bring a lip balm!

What To Wear On The Flight

What you wear on a flight can make or break how comfortable the trip will be. So here are a couple of things you need to remember when choosing an outfit to fly in:

1. Try to wear all of your heavier gear. These items of clothing take up too much space in the suitcase/backpack and so it is easier to wear them on the flight. This includes knee high boots, big jackets and even jeans. You can also layer clothing, for example by wearing a sweater underneath the jacket. Remember that you can always take the jacket off and store it in the above compartment! 

2. Wear a scarf. A scarf can help you take a basic outfit and turn it into something a bit more fancy. They are perfect for flights because you can take it off and use it as a pillow! I find that travel pillows are awkward to carry around and take up too much space when you aren't using them. Plus, it is always cold on those long flights so a scarf will help you to stay snug. 

3. Wear comfortable clothing that won't crinkle. Seems kind of obvious, doesn't it? Wearing a stretchy jean is good for travel because it won't be restricting and best of all you will still look fresh (no crinkles!) when you get of the plane. Another really good idea is wearing leggings because it also doesn't crinkle. No one wants to look raggedy when they step off of their flight. Leggings can take you from a daytime look but can also be used as your pajamas if you want to save room in your bag.

The very best part about these looks is that it will save room in your suitcase/backpack. I find that you can get cheaper flights when there is a lower luggage limit. So packing and dressing efficiently might even save you some money (and who doesn't want to save money!)

Here is my favorite outfit for flying in! 

It's Not Just A Dress!

One of my favorite things to do is use a dress and layer items on top of it to transform an outfit.When you're traveling it is impossible to pack lots of clothes and individual outfits. Instead, it is important to mix and match all of your clothing. So in order to make more outfits with the clothes that we have, we must layer!

Here is what you do: take a basic dress which you could already wear in a variety of different ways and try putting a skirt over the top of it. I know, weird right? The dress becomes a top. It means that you get an extra outfit out of the dress and also gives you a chance to mix up prints with basic staple pieces.

How To Curl Your Hair Whilst Traveling

Okay, so I set out on a mission to find out ways to curl my hair without using product, curlers or straighteners whilst overseas. Most of these are too bulky to pack and take with you plus if you're traveling around Europe like I am, then the curling tools aren't going to match the electrical socket or they use different volts. Basically, it isn't a viable option unless you want your curler or straightener to blow up. So what can we do instead?

1. I found this awesome tutorial on YouTube where you basically just dampen your hair with some water, twist your hair into these cocoon things (that's what she called them, ha ha), leave them in overnight and then the next morning, voila! You have curls! I think the best part about this way of curling your hair is that you don't require any bobby pins or products to keep your hair there, you can literally just do it without using any tools but water. It is also great because whilst traveling, you don't want to waste your time doing your hair because you want to be out and about seeing the sites. So here is a link to the YouTube tutorial. Give it a go and see if you like it.




2. Another thing I found was this tutorial for creating a sock bun. Basically you take an old (clean!) sock, cut it at the top so you have a hole on both ends, roll it into a doughnut shape and use that to make a bun. Now this is great because a sock doesn't take up that much room in the suitcase/backpack. It is also amazing because the first day you can wear your hair up in a bun and then the next day have these amazing curls. Both hairstyles mean that you won't be spending hours doing you hair or with loads of product. When you do the bun like she shows you in this YouTube clip, it doesn't really need any bobby pins to hold it in  place but I guess that depends on your hair. What do you guys think?

Outfits For Travel: The Black Maxi

In about three months time I will be venturing off to Europe for a summer vacation. The only problem with traveling around Europe in the summer time is that the weather varies completely depending on where you go. Also, as a traveler it is so important to only take the bare essentials because let's be honest, who wants to be carrying around a heavy bag? So if you're like me and you're already thinking about what you are going to bring then hopefully we can share some good tips! So let's get into it!

The first staple piece that will be perfect for the European summer is a black (or neutral) colored maxi dress. A maxi dress can be transformed with the type of shoe you wear, your accessories, your hairstyle and your outerwear. One of the main reasons I am drawn to the black maxi dress for traveling is because the darker color will hide dirt a little better (yeah that sounds gross but it happens when you travel and don't have access to a washing machine at all times). Another good thing about the maxi is that is usually lightweight and made of breathable materials, which means you won't be quite as hot when trudging around. It also means that the material (hopefully you are imagining a cotton maxi like I am), won't crinkle up in your bag and you can roll it up to make more room in your suitcase/backpack. So here are some outfits using a black maxi:

1. Sleek and chic for a night out on the town. Dress the maxi up with a long necklace and a chunky bracelet. The best part about this look is that it will go with pretty much any shoes you have brought with you! Try and match it with wedges, heels or even a dressy sandal. 

2. Casual for a day of site seeing. This outfit is perfect for those colder places, like the UK, where sometimes you might need something a little bit extra to keep the breeze off. Dress this look down with a chambray shirt or denim jacket, a brown belt, brown bag, sunglasses and thongs or sandals. 

3. This is another outfit for the casual days. One of the benefits of having a long maxi dress is that we can layer clothing over the top of it for a completely new outfit! If you want a different look try pairing the maxi dress with a singlet top (either loose or tied up at the back), a crop top or even just a tight-fitting t-shirt. We can take the brown belt from the image above, the chunky bracelet from the first look and add in a hat to complete the look.

4. Also try mixing it with a knitted sweater for those chillier nights or windy days...maybe even those times for catching the train or plane. Match it with the necklace from the first look, chic sandals from the second look and change it up by wearing your hair in a top knot.

So there you have it! Four looks using the same dress, from casual to dressy occasions and from sunny to cold weather. Which one is your favorite outfit?