And I'm no longer upside down! My first post of 2013 is coming to you from the Northern Hemisphere - apparently it's pretty cold in the UK but we haven't made it quite that far yet. It was gloriously sunny, if a little chilly, in California today, where I have been shopping. Mostly not wedding related, but it's so nice to have real shops again!
I have bought two things for the wedding - primer (a nice radiating moisturising one, not a shine free one as I have such dry skin) and waterproof eyeliner in a blue slate colour. That's all the make up I'm planning to buy (except a new mascara which I need anyway), but we'll see how the first test run goes soon enough.
I have also sorted another thing for the wedding - my lovely friend who we're staying with here has agreed to do one of the readings. I'm very excited about this, particularly as she likes the reading we've chosen. Gadget has decided we have to buy her the book now (can't remember exactly but I think I've said that our reading is actually a children's story).
So things got a bit crazy just before we left our flat, and I didn't have time to schedule any posts to publish whilst we've been travelling. I' also completely out of date with my blog reading and have slightly lost track of the RSVPs, so I've definitely got some catching up to do! And really, I should get it in before monday because that is The Day of Wedding Planning. I'll tell you about it on tuesday (should have plenty of time to write a long post on the train to see the almost-in-laws).
We land in the UK on Saturday, and my Dress only has to make it on one more flight and a short train ride - although so far the dress has had more room than I have, and has even travelled first class! Thank you Qantas, you've been fantastic.
That's all for now...
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Honeymoon wardrobe
I've been considering this post for a while, and rock my wedding's packing post yesterday has spurred me into action.
I am a pack-light-and-wash-your-clothes type of packer. I'm also a plan-it-as-far-in-advance-as-possible packer - Gadget, unsurprisingly, is a do-it-all-the-night-before type. There are always lists - actually there is a master list on the computer which I print out and adapt to each trip. I based it on this list which you can download (it's actually from the University of Sheffield, and whilst not perfect is one of the best I've found). Itchy feet (an outdoor retailer in the UK) also do lists for specific trips which are worth looking at through their website.
So I start with the list, then I lay everything out on the bed. Then comes the key part - I work out what NOT to take. The temptation to add things at this point is huge - I promise you don't need them. We've just been to the pacific with 24 kg of luggage between us - 8kg checked each and 4kg hand luggage. This included four bottles of sunscreen, 2 snorkels and masks, an iPad and a DSLR camera - and we still had too much stuff.
Now for the part I think is the trickiest - working out what clothes to take that serve many purposes, go with everything, are light-weight and quick drying and don't make you look like a tramp/gap year student. Particularly important for your honeymoon, when you actually want photos of you looking nice. Rohan do some good items for those of you in the UK - they look like regular clothes but are high tech so are lightweight and crease resistant. (I've got my eye on their cardigans at the moment, but I'm not sure purple is the right colour to get.) I usually have to settle for half-way decent with holiday pics, but I'm working up to 'nice'!
This recently discovered post should help. I tried putting this into practice on our pacific trip, and I think it worked. I took neutral bottoms (skirt, shorts and trousers - one of each) and brightly coloured tops, plus one dress. I left my dressy flip-flops in the UK though, so had to just use my comfy casual ones - they were fine for the no-dress code pacific (much as they are in NZ).
I also took a very minimal amount of make-up - lip gloss, mascara, coloured kohl eyeliner and a mini mousse foundation that works as a concealer too. That added almost no weight, took up very little space but was enough to make me feel dressed up. Because I felt more confident, I smiled more, and that's reflected in the pictures.
This post (provided by a RMW commenter) has some good ideas on packing toiletries and electronics. I think even I would struggle to pare down my toiletries as far as she has, but you definitely do not need the whole bathroom cabinet. 200mls of shampoo will last two people 3-4 weeks, 50g of toothpaste not quite as long. This stuff is heavy, and there's very few places you go where you can't replace it.
If you like to read, I have to recommend you go electronic. Get a kindle or sony e-reader - then you can take six books (or sixty books!) without any extra weight. I'm not going to talk about packing electronics, because I live and travel with a gadget freak and we take way too much. I'm working on it!
Finally, do not scrimp on the essentials. Make sure your passport is valid, check visa and entry requirements (do you really want to be fined £200 because you didn't know you can't bring food into NZ?) and get yourself insured. Then you can sit back, relax, and hopefully enjoy your honeymoon upgrade!
I am a pack-light-and-wash-your-clothes type of packer. I'm also a plan-it-as-far-in-advance-as-possible packer - Gadget, unsurprisingly, is a do-it-all-the-night-before type. There are always lists - actually there is a master list on the computer which I print out and adapt to each trip. I based it on this list which you can download (it's actually from the University of Sheffield, and whilst not perfect is one of the best I've found). Itchy feet (an outdoor retailer in the UK) also do lists for specific trips which are worth looking at through their website.
So I start with the list, then I lay everything out on the bed. Then comes the key part - I work out what NOT to take. The temptation to add things at this point is huge - I promise you don't need them. We've just been to the pacific with 24 kg of luggage between us - 8kg checked each and 4kg hand luggage. This included four bottles of sunscreen, 2 snorkels and masks, an iPad and a DSLR camera - and we still had too much stuff.
Now for the part I think is the trickiest - working out what clothes to take that serve many purposes, go with everything, are light-weight and quick drying and don't make you look like a tramp/gap year student. Particularly important for your honeymoon, when you actually want photos of you looking nice. Rohan do some good items for those of you in the UK - they look like regular clothes but are high tech so are lightweight and crease resistant. (I've got my eye on their cardigans at the moment, but I'm not sure purple is the right colour to get.) I usually have to settle for half-way decent with holiday pics, but I'm working up to 'nice'!
This recently discovered post should help. I tried putting this into practice on our pacific trip, and I think it worked. I took neutral bottoms (skirt, shorts and trousers - one of each) and brightly coloured tops, plus one dress. I left my dressy flip-flops in the UK though, so had to just use my comfy casual ones - they were fine for the no-dress code pacific (much as they are in NZ).
I also took a very minimal amount of make-up - lip gloss, mascara, coloured kohl eyeliner and a mini mousse foundation that works as a concealer too. That added almost no weight, took up very little space but was enough to make me feel dressed up. Because I felt more confident, I smiled more, and that's reflected in the pictures.
This post (provided by a RMW commenter) has some good ideas on packing toiletries and electronics. I think even I would struggle to pare down my toiletries as far as she has, but you definitely do not need the whole bathroom cabinet. 200mls of shampoo will last two people 3-4 weeks, 50g of toothpaste not quite as long. This stuff is heavy, and there's very few places you go where you can't replace it.
If you like to read, I have to recommend you go electronic. Get a kindle or sony e-reader - then you can take six books (or sixty books!) without any extra weight. I'm not going to talk about packing electronics, because I live and travel with a gadget freak and we take way too much. I'm working on it!
Finally, do not scrimp on the essentials. Make sure your passport is valid, check visa and entry requirements (do you really want to be fined £200 because you didn't know you can't bring food into NZ?) and get yourself insured. Then you can sit back, relax, and hopefully enjoy your honeymoon upgrade!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sacrificing curls for champagne
That's what my MOH happily volunteered to do when I spoke to her on Sunday. In the calm after the storm (when her hubby had removed the boys into the kitchen) we had a brief chat about the wedding. It's looking like there will be no curls.
Allow me to explain. J went to have her hair curled/put up at their local salon for her wedding anniversary. It took three hours. She assures me that when she has it done in Liverpool it only takes one, so we have no idea what they did differently this time. We don't really have three hours on w-day - okay we do but it would leave no time for make-up, never mind champagne. So as champagne is clearly the most important part of the day, we're going to find a hairstyle for her that doesn't involve so many curls!
We quite like the look of this:
with the braid going round the head, but don't really know how the back works or how to describe it to the hairdresser! Anyway, as J doesn't have to match anyone else, she can have whatever she likes. As long as it leaves plenty of time for champagne!
Allow me to explain. J went to have her hair curled/put up at their local salon for her wedding anniversary. It took three hours. She assures me that when she has it done in Liverpool it only takes one, so we have no idea what they did differently this time. We don't really have three hours on w-day - okay we do but it would leave no time for make-up, never mind champagne. So as champagne is clearly the most important part of the day, we're going to find a hairstyle for her that doesn't involve so many curls!
We quite like the look of this:
 |
| Image from Sam Gibson via Rock my Wedding |
Friday, July 20, 2012
Hair
I have a complicated relationship with my hair. Mainly it annoys me; it won't do what I tell it to, it's so fine it can't be longer than my shoulders, it likes to fly off in all directions, it's very dry (so is my scalp) and also a mousy brown boring colour. For years I've gone through cycles with my hair, and whenever I'm in need of cheering up, I tend to have something reasonably dramatic done to my hair.
This has (almost always) worked because I have a great hairdresser. Urban Angels in Selly Oak, Birmingham have been doing my hair for years (throughout two previous salon locations and names). I go in, ask for something a "bit different," they suggest something and it looks fab.
For quite a long time I had an angled, shaped bob with red and blonde streaks. Then I moved to NZ, and discovered hairdressers are expensive and if you don't know them it helps to know what you want! I've currently got a classic bob with subtle blonde highlights - and I am bored.
It's definitely time for a change, but if I do something that doesn't work how long will it take to sort out before the wedding? I want my hair to look something like this on the day (obviously I'm pinning ideas regularly, but this is the favourite). It may take some work, but it may not - curls sit well in my hair as they add volume and hide frizz! I was going to have a DIY practice before the real trial next year, but it turns out I can't curl my hair with straighteners so currently that's not an option.
Maybe I'll just add the fringe (bangs for those of you reading this Stateside) and some red for the moment? Or maybe this is my last chance to go crazy and still have enough time to fix any problems?!
This has (almost always) worked because I have a great hairdresser. Urban Angels in Selly Oak, Birmingham have been doing my hair for years (throughout two previous salon locations and names). I go in, ask for something a "bit different," they suggest something and it looks fab.
For quite a long time I had an angled, shaped bob with red and blonde streaks. Then I moved to NZ, and discovered hairdressers are expensive and if you don't know them it helps to know what you want! I've currently got a classic bob with subtle blonde highlights - and I am bored.
It's definitely time for a change, but if I do something that doesn't work how long will it take to sort out before the wedding? I want my hair to look something like this on the day (obviously I'm pinning ideas regularly, but this is the favourite). It may take some work, but it may not - curls sit well in my hair as they add volume and hide frizz! I was going to have a DIY practice before the real trial next year, but it turns out I can't curl my hair with straighteners so currently that's not an option.
Maybe I'll just add the fringe (bangs for those of you reading this Stateside) and some red for the moment? Or maybe this is my last chance to go crazy and still have enough time to fix any problems?!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Get out of my swimming pool!
Seriously. If you want to swim in it, that's fine. But if your idea of swimming involves large amounts of splashing and generally looking like you're drowning, or worse still standing in the shallow section talking, then GET OUT!! You are interfering with my plan to get (wedding day) fit.
We are very lucky living in Auckland. Most apartment blocks have a pool in them, and ours has big glass panels which allow you to look at the bright blue sky as you swim. Mostly there's no one else in it, and it's free - bonus.
Which just means when it is full of idiots (as it was when I went down today), I get a bit annoyed. I actually turned round and came back again this morning, it was so bad.
Luckily two hours later there was only one drowning person, and two chatters. I suppose I can deal with that.
Not that my w-day fitness plan is exactly on track. I did well for the two weeks of gym membership, but I've been tired and headachy recently (I need a holiday) which has given me the perfect excuse not to exercise. Until my mum pointed out that I'll be picking up my dress at the beginning of december, so I can't lose any weight after november. That changes the timescale slightly!
We are very lucky living in Auckland. Most apartment blocks have a pool in them, and ours has big glass panels which allow you to look at the bright blue sky as you swim. Mostly there's no one else in it, and it's free - bonus.
Which just means when it is full of idiots (as it was when I went down today), I get a bit annoyed. I actually turned round and came back again this morning, it was so bad.
Luckily two hours later there was only one drowning person, and two chatters. I suppose I can deal with that.
Not that my w-day fitness plan is exactly on track. I did well for the two weeks of gym membership, but I've been tired and headachy recently (I need a holiday) which has given me the perfect excuse not to exercise. Until my mum pointed out that I'll be picking up my dress at the beginning of december, so I can't lose any weight after november. That changes the timescale slightly!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The quest for beauty
I just read this awesome sentence on Sara's blog: My beauty radiated out of me; it was not applied to me. She's talking about the ideal things to think when you look at your wedding photographs.
From the beginning, I didn't see the point of having my make up done professionally. It's not something I would ever consider for any other occasion, so why now? The thought of it makes me feel quite uncomfortable. My mum initially seemed to think it was a good idea, but she has quickly (and entirely on her own) changed her mind. So we'll be doing our own.
I want to look like me at my best. Generally I think I look fairly ok on a friday night out with just a bit of make up on, so my plan is to perfect that look.
I'm no make up expert, so I'll be searching the internet for tips, going to make up counters and studying you tube videos. So far I have decided I need to buy two products - a primer to keep my foundation on all day, and waterproof eyeliner (I love eyeliner but my current ones are bound to end up on my cheeks). I was going to get a new lippy, but I think I'm just going to use my favourite Ruby & Millie one.
I will be going to the hairdresser though, and taking my mum and J with me. I love having my hair done, and as it generally has it's own idea of what its meant to look like, I need a pro to make it behave. J can have whatever she likes done to her hair - we're going together to have a fun, girly experience, not to look like clones. We might take some champers with us. My mum lives in a small village and uses the local hairdresser, and I used to go to there as a teenager. So that's where we're going.
If you keep the decisions simple they're way less stressful!
From the beginning, I didn't see the point of having my make up done professionally. It's not something I would ever consider for any other occasion, so why now? The thought of it makes me feel quite uncomfortable. My mum initially seemed to think it was a good idea, but she has quickly (and entirely on her own) changed her mind. So we'll be doing our own.
I want to look like me at my best. Generally I think I look fairly ok on a friday night out with just a bit of make up on, so my plan is to perfect that look.
I'm no make up expert, so I'll be searching the internet for tips, going to make up counters and studying you tube videos. So far I have decided I need to buy two products - a primer to keep my foundation on all day, and waterproof eyeliner (I love eyeliner but my current ones are bound to end up on my cheeks). I was going to get a new lippy, but I think I'm just going to use my favourite Ruby & Millie one.
I will be going to the hairdresser though, and taking my mum and J with me. I love having my hair done, and as it generally has it's own idea of what its meant to look like, I need a pro to make it behave. J can have whatever she likes done to her hair - we're going together to have a fun, girly experience, not to look like clones. We might take some champers with us. My mum lives in a small village and uses the local hairdresser, and I used to go to there as a teenager. So that's where we're going.
If you keep the decisions simple they're way less stressful!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
W-day fitness kick started!
I appear to have unwittingly signed up for my own version of Bridal Bootcamp. I've joined the gym on a two week trial (I have no intention of joining properly, but the trial only costs NZ$14 which is £7).
This is not just any gym. It is, quite possibly, the king of gyms. I've joined Les Mills in their home city of Auckland.
For those of you that don't know, Les Mills create all those "body" classes (BodyCombat, BodyPump, BodyAttack etc). They think 30 people in a class is small, they prefer 100. I am slightly in awe - I've never seen a gym like it, and now I understand why Gadget wanted to join (he's been a member for a year).
There are rows and rows of machines, which have iPod docks so you can listen to/watch your fave podcast and also record your workout. The studio is like a disco, with coloured lights and pumping music - but it's carpeted. The changing rooms are enormous, and have more hairdryers and GHDs than my hairdressers. They also have a coffee bar (this is NZ people!) and apple macs for members to use.
So I am determined to get the most out of the next two weeks. So far I've done BodyCombat (recommended for brides, great fitness with serious arm workout/toning), cross training (to the latest Hindsight Bride podcast) and yoga. I don't normally like yoga, as I leave feeling like I haven't exerted myself, but after this class I hurt - everywhere. Plans for the week include BodyBalance, a yoga-pilates combo, and core conditioning (which may kill me as I have no core strength). I might even weigh myself at the end...
This is not just any gym. It is, quite possibly, the king of gyms. I've joined Les Mills in their home city of Auckland.
For those of you that don't know, Les Mills create all those "body" classes (BodyCombat, BodyPump, BodyAttack etc). They think 30 people in a class is small, they prefer 100. I am slightly in awe - I've never seen a gym like it, and now I understand why Gadget wanted to join (he's been a member for a year).
There are rows and rows of machines, which have iPod docks so you can listen to/watch your fave podcast and also record your workout. The studio is like a disco, with coloured lights and pumping music - but it's carpeted. The changing rooms are enormous, and have more hairdryers and GHDs than my hairdressers. They also have a coffee bar (this is NZ people!) and apple macs for members to use.
So I am determined to get the most out of the next two weeks. So far I've done BodyCombat (recommended for brides, great fitness with serious arm workout/toning), cross training (to the latest Hindsight Bride podcast) and yoga. I don't normally like yoga, as I leave feeling like I haven't exerted myself, but after this class I hurt - everywhere. Plans for the week include BodyBalance, a yoga-pilates combo, and core conditioning (which may kill me as I have no core strength). I might even weigh myself at the end...
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