All posts filed under: Fashionable Travels

Living in a Bikini When You Don’t Have a ‘Bikini Body’

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One of my biggest trepidations about going travelling, especially to Thailand where I am now, was my body. I’ve spoken previously on the blog about rejecting the media’s portrayal of the perfect female form, and I do stand by that. It’s just hard to wash away 20 years of body neuroses in an instant. I went travelling right after Xmas. With the Christmas weight of a girl who knew she wouldn’t be home for a long time. I honestly thought I’d lose weight in India due to Delhi belly but sadly/gladly the food was so tremendous I gained weight! Even a bad case of food poisoning didn’t make a dent in my behind. And so the time came to shed the layers and get into beach life in Thailand. Honestly the first time I put in a bikini I had a nervy spasm. You know when you look at your body and think ‘who even is that?’. Inevitably when you’re in a tropical paradise there will be beautiful lithe women who make you feel inferior, …

Sustainable Fashion – What Does It Mean & How Can You Help?

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  Main photo: A clothes factory in Burma Ph. Steve McCurry  The older I get, the more my conscience niggles me about things that would have never crossed my mind in my early twenties. Our generation is the first that grew up with fast fashion; we were, and are,able to get our mitts on designer-influenced duds at rock-bottom prices. And if you’re anything like me, you took advantage of this. I used to definitely subscribe to the quantity over quality mode of buying, treating myself to new clothes on a weekly basis. The bulk of which would be worn once, never to be seen again – sound familiar? Now I’d rather buy less, maybe spend a bit more, but certainly I think about clothing that will have longevity. Now I’m not saying we all become eco-warriors, start boycotting Topshop and only wear hemp BUT I think we could all be more considered when buying and caring for our clothes. No person needs 50 dresses, why not buy fewer that you really, really like? We’ve lost the …

The Day We Ran Over a Cow and Almost Got Stranded in The Middle of The Desert…

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In India getting the train is all part of the experience, they love a good train, and it’s the easiest and cheapest way to cross the country. So they’re pretty much unavoidable if you’re a backpacker like me and you’re on a budget! Luckily, I love Indian trains, there’s a sense of excitement about getting on one – Will it ever arrive? Will it stop midway through? Will it breakdown? Have you seen the Wes Anderson film The Darjeeling Limited? If not, see it, it’ll make you want to ride an Indian train. My first experience on a train in India was uneventful as it was a sleeper train so it was mostly sleeping that I was doing, but my second Indian train was certainly an experience… To get from Bikaner to Jaisalmer it’s a 5 hour train ride (or 6, or 7, or 8) on a local train – the kind where people hang out of the doors when the train is going and people wander up the aisles selling samosas. On this train …

Hotel Bhairon Vilas, Bikaner

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I love a good hotel – I stay, I lay, I unpack and I snap. This one’s a bloody great one too so read on… The hotel Bhairon Vilas looks, to the untrained eye, like a palace, elegant yet totally homely, the ancient residence is crafted from the red sandstone native to the town of Bikaner in the north of India. It’s literally the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in… period. The owner Harsh is one cool character, an Indian man in his early forties, he rocks (with aplomb I might add) a handlebar mustache., salt and pepper ponytail, a serious amount of silver bling and an old English tweed smoking jacket. He looks like a cross between a pirate and a Bollywood heartthrob. I met Harsh holding court in his bar, which looks like a 19th century Opium den – the dark walls lined with all manner of curiosities (many of them family heirlooms) – and he told me that the hotel is his ancestral family home, built by his great grandfather. …

Make Your Own Hardcover Book with Artifact Uprising

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When I saw this amazing idea I knew that this is how I wanted to commemorate my round the world trip – with a stunning hardcover photobook by Artefact Uprising. The sister company of my favourite photo editing app VSCO Cam, Artefact Uprising take your photographs from either your app, iPhone or camera and let you turn them into your own book. Choose the layout, number of pages and colour of the book and arrange your pics anyway you want. I think this is SUCH a great way to collate all your travel memories and create a beautiful reminder of your trip. Hardcover photobooks from £43 Artefact Uprising

Sweden in The Summer by Jamie Jonathan Ball

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Jamie Jonathan Ball an artist and children’s book illustrator found a novel way to document his move from the UK to Scandinavia. Using photographs he’s taken as a starting point Jamie has created a series of beautiful illustrations that capture the summer in Stockholm and in various spots on the Aegean coastline. Jamie Jonathan Ball’s website Little Kingdoms chronicles his twin loves of illustration and travel.

The Perfect Carry-On Packing List

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Your carry-on luggage is super important and it should be treated as such. Your bag needs to be organised and contain all your desert island items. I know everyone has different needs and priorities, so pack to reflect that. This is my carry-on but I hope it helps you to pack yours… Laptop, case (customised with SkinnyDip stickers) & charger Kindle, USB lead & cover Headphones iPhone & charger Travel adaptor Selfie stick Highlighter compact Glasses & case Sunglasses & Frame Chain Business cards Diary Notebook Pens Book (Shantaram) Large scarf Highlighter compact (Clinique) Makeup Bag (READ: WHAT MAKEUP TO PACK) Travel mirror Facial mist Cosmetic bag with sunscreen, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, bobbles & tissues Camera & memory cards Fan Tote bag PASSPORT!!!!!!!! Tickets & travel documents Money (take USD for emergencies) Earplugs Eyemask     So there you have it, all this fits into my Herschel backpack comfortably and I have tried to organise small bits into pouches and a tote bag to separate. Carry a travel pillow and you’re all set. Happy …

Almost Time to Go? Get Your Affairs in Order

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So you’ve booked your flights, paid them off, saved some cash and waited what seems like a lifetime. Suddenly the time is almost upon you and you’ve got a couple of weeks to get your shit in order. This can be pretty overwhelming, realising you actually have quite a few things to sort out before your trip, so here is a list of things you need to do so you can chill once you’re at your destination. PACK This might sound obvy but pack EVERYTHING in good time, you can always unpack if there are things you’ll need to use but pack up everything you plan to take in your backpack or suitcase to see if it fits. Also to see if you can carry it. If you can’t then at least you have time to edit. Also launder any clothes that need to laundered and purchase anything on your list that you don’t have yet. Read my packing list>>> GROOM Give yourself an epic grooming session before you leave so you can chill out …

Want to Get Away? Here’s Your Inspiration

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I bloody love a mood board, be it cut outs from magazines in my notebook, a file on the ole’ laptop or a highly curated Pinterest collection – they can sometimes help get me through the week. Since it’s hump day I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite travel-centric images. Maybe you’re planning a RTW trip of your own and want some inspiration, you’re counting down to a holiday or you just a break from looking at the grey UK skies. Anyway enjoy… Check out my Pinterest >>>