Jet Lagged

Well, I am back from my trip and what a success it was! Such an amazing, incredible, influential journey. The best I have ever been on. I fell in love with every place I went. Although, I do have to say that I am definitely jet lagged. After being awake for over 24 hours, with only a few 30 minutes naps, I went home at midnight, fell into bed, and slept for about 17 hours, waking up around 4 pm the next day. But it was so worth it! I have so many amazing stories and experiences to share! I unfortunately will not be able to now because I still have to unpack, do laundry, and work on an English project I may have procrastinated on until now (oops), but in the coming weeks, I will be writing about my experiences and posting pictures!

Thanks for reading!

Em

4 days away!

I couldn't be more excited. I have been dreaming about this since I begged my mom to let me sign up two years ago. Thanks to putting all the money I make towards it, saving, and the help of generous family members, I have finally made it to this point. I feel so thankful that I get to experience Europe for the first time ever. It is all very exciting.

I have been planning for a long time, but my specific planning started about a month ago.

How to plan: Basics:

I started by scouring blogs, webpages, and YouTube videos, searching for any advice I could find about packing tips, how to not be to touristy, fashion tips, and more. I made countless lists in my notebook of what to bring, etc. Then I decided, I should share my findings with other people! So, I typed blogspot into the google search bar and started my own blog. It's honestly been very helpful for myself, and I enjoy doing it!

Another tip I can give for planning is learning basic phrases in the language of the country you will be visiting. People tend to respond better if you first address them in their native language, even if all you know how to say is "Hi, how are you? Do you speak English?" (Bonjour, Comment allez-vous? Parlez-vous anglais? in French) Then, if they confirm their English speaking abilities, you may continue in your language of comfort.

Give yourself plenty of time. Start packing days, if not a week before. Do a practice packing a week before if you have to. You don't want to be rushed and possibly forget something.

 However, DON'T OVER PACK. Do not bring your scuba gear if you're going to London in winter. I don't want to hear any stories about meeting your rich English lover who takes you on his private jet to his beach home in the Caribbean. Leave it at home.

Save up enough spending $$$ so you don't starve. Or have to stare longingly at every souvenir that you can't afford. Hey, you don't get to go to the Top Shop in London every day.

Learn about the places you're going. Not only will it make you look smarter, but you will appreciate it more.

And finally, don't stress! Enjoy yourself!

As always, leave a comment with advice for me or just something you took notice on. Thanks for reading and happy travels!

Emily.

2 in 1 Outfit Ideas

Hello blog readers!

I am excited to say that I will be leaving for Europe in 5 DAYS!! I can't believe it, honestly. It has come so quickly, and I am so excited!
Anyway, I thought I would post two outfit ideas using the same dress as a way to look cute, while saving space in your luggage. I will be telling you where I got the items, and different ways you can wear it.

Both outfits include this striped t-shirt dress that I purchased form SheInside.com, a website that has relatively inexpensive and good quality cute clothing. This dress is comfortable, and slightly form fitting, although might be looser on smaller frames. 

My scarf is from Forever 21. 

I am wearing black tights that I got from Wal-Mart and brown shoes from a local shoe store in my town.

I got this black faux leather jacket from a Consignment store called Plato's Closet. It will definitely be chilly in the Northern parts of Europe, so I can just throw this on top of the short sleeved dress.

In the next outfit, I am wearing the same striped t-shirt dress, but with a red skater skirt with a brown belt over it, just to change the look a little bit without using a totally separate outfit. 

I ordered the skirt online from Ebay.

My black floppy hat is also from Ebay. 

Here, I am wearing the same leather jacket as pictured above.

My necklace is from Cato's. 

I am also wearing the same black tights and brown shoes as before. 

You can also change up the outfit another way by tucking the dress into high-waisted pants. I have worn this as an outfit before, although it is not pictured here. 

So again, these are easy ways to change up your outfit with a few different accessories without having to pack an entirely new outfit. Thanks for reading, and happy travels!

Em

Normandy

On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces of about 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along  50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France's Normandy region to liberate France and Western Europe from the Nazi regime, and lead to the Allied victory of World War II. This was the largest seaborne invasion in history, and was the beginning of the end of the war against the Germans.

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial commemorates the deaths of the thousands of American soldiers who died in Europe during WWII. This memorial was the first American cemetery on Europe soil after the war, and proudly flies the American flag over it.  It is an incredibly important part of history to remember the brave men who died fighting for not only our country, but for others as well. I will be visiting this memorial on our first day in France, and it humbles me to learn of the history, and bravery of our great nation.

Space Saving and Other Packing Tips

Hey friends.

Here are some tips I have picked up for saving spaces and packing lightly. This is one thing that is definitely hard for me, so I need all the help I can get!

TIPS:

Pack lightly by:

• Stuff boots or shoes with socks, or other small items. Not only will this use vacant space, but it will keep the shape of your shoes. 
• Use travel size products.
• Roll your clothes instead of folding them. This is also makes it less likely for them to wrinkle.

• Fold Jackets like this: to save space

1. Take one of the arms of the jacket or blazer and pull it so it is inside out. 
2. Insert it through the the other arm hole.
3. Pull the arm so that they are secure and fitted.
4. Fold the jacket.

(not my picture)

Other Packing tips:

• Tape liquids shut so they don't explode or leak during turbulance perhaps. Wouldn't you hate for your foundation or your hairspray to stain your ENTIRE trip's worth of clothes?
• Put chords into a glasses case or wrap them with rubber bands to keep them from getting tangled.
• Insert necklaces into straws (cut for the appropriate length of the necklace) and secure them shut to keep from tangling with each other.
• Get cheap, cute bags from the dollar store to put things in like your jewelry, chap sticks (yes there are multiple. I am addicted), makeup, etc. 
• Put the heavy things near the bottom of the suitcase by the wheels. This while keep you suitcase from toppling over when it is standing up.
• Use 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner. I know it may be a hard switch if you are stuck in your ways of doing them separately like I have always been, but it is a space saver, and a time saver.
• Take a few Walmart bags or laundry bags. Not only can you use them for dirty clothes, but also separating souvenirs from the rest of your stuff. 
• LEAVE ROOM FOR SOUVENIRS. If you leave your home with barely enough room in your luggage to hold the stuff you have, where can you possibly store all the cool gifts you bought for your friends or cute skirts that you can only buy in that one boutique in the entire world. So make sure you're not completely stuffed. 
• Bring certain toiletries if you know you're going to need them. 

Those are all the packing tips I have for now. As always, thanks for reading, follow my blog if you like it, leave a comment with suggestions, advice, or just saying hi. Happy travels!

Em

Can't wait to meet you in just two weeks London!

For the carry-on/purse

Hello blog readers!


My Europe trip is a little over two weeks away! I am super excited and have been planning like crazy. So, without further ado, here is my carry-on/purse packing list:


I do not have specific lists for either, I will probably just separate as I pack.

1. Sleeping pills. Since I am not used to sleeping on long flights, I will definitely need some help for those ten, very long hours.
2. Headphones
3. Makeup (if you plan to do it on the plane)
4. Makeup remover wipes (or just face wipes to remover any oils or dirt)
5. Extra change of clothes. If you are on a long flight like me, you will need a clean outfit for the next day. Also, God forbid your luggage is lost, at least you won't be naked.
6. Itinerary. I am going on a trip with my school, so we have a schedule we are going to stick to. It helps to know where and when you need to be someplace.   
7. Passport. You can't leave the country without it!
8. Water bottle
9. Contact solution/case (if you're half blind like me and plan on wearing your glasses to the airport)
10. Glasses
11. Neck pillow
12. Watch. If your phone dies, its definitely important to know what time it is.
13. Hairbands/bobby pins. (I'm going to be doing something simple to my hair on the plane.
14. Small travel size brush
15. Dry shampoo (no showering so I'll do what I can)
16. Face moisturizer
17. Body balm/butter/lotion
18. Video Camera
19. DSLR Canon Camera
20. Notebook/pen
21. A pack of cards. You could get bored during long layovers. 
22. Snacks or gum
23. Nail clippers/tweezers. (You may be thinking, "Won't TSA consider this a weapon?!" Fortunately, there have no been any recent attacks via nail care products, so yes, according to their website, they are allowed."
24. Body spray. You do have to be careful with this one though. There may be other people on the plane who have allergies or asthma, and you don't want to stimulate an attack 20,000 feet in the air. If your feeling a little ripe, apply deodorant, or wait until you get off the plane to spray yourself.
25. Deodorant
26. Adapter plugin. (VERY IMPORTANT when traveling to other countries, because many don't have the same outlets as we do here in America.)
27. Phone charger
28. Sunglasses
29. Mini first aid kit
30. Jacket or extra sweater

I realize this is a very long list, but I will be getting travel sizes of most thing. These are just suggestions that I will be bringing on my trip. 

Thanks for reading, and happy travels!

Emily

Hello friends!

So, since I will be traveling to Europe, this flight is going to be a long one. 

We're talking about 10 HOURS. The longest flight I have ever been on was five hours, and that was flying to Seattle from Atlanta. This is definitely going to be a new experience for me. We will be leaving Dallas in the afternoon on a Saturday, and with the time change and the length of the flight, we will be hitting the ground running around 10 am on Sunday. That means no showering. Aannnd attempting to get a full night's of rest on a crowded giant metal flying tube. Ugh.

So, for all you long distance and even short distance travelers, I have been doing some research on some in-flight tips and this is what I have come up with:

DO:

1. Bring an extra jacket or shirt. The cold-blooded creature next to you might have the AC over their chair on full blast.
2. That being said, if you're on a long flight like me, bring an extra change of clothes so you're not stuck in the same outfit for two days straight. (You can change in the airplane bathroom)
3. DRINK WATER! All those other people on the plane? They're sucking all the moisture out of the air, because the air in the plane is recycled. You need all the hydration you can get. Which leads me to my next point:
4. Bring moisturizer. Your skin will get very dry, and you don't want to have crackly hands, crackly face, and or anything else crackly. Moisturize.
5. Move around if you can. (but only when the fasten seat belt sign is off) If you don't stretch your legs a little for ten straight hours, walking around that new place is going to be killer.
6. If you are a female who wears makeup, I suggest not wearing any to the airport. Than, do it about 45 minutes before you land so you will look fresh faced and fabulous when you get off that plane. SO, bring makeup remover wipes, makeup, and anything else you need. (*NOTE: MAKE SURE ALL PRODUCTS ARE SMALLER THAN 3.4 OZ)
7. Bring a good book, iPod, pillow, laptop, movies, or anything else to entertain you with.

DON'T: 

1. Be a jerk to people. They are just as uncomfortable as you.
2. Don't drink a lot of alcohol. It will dehydrate you.
3. Wear uncomfortable clothes or shoes. 

That's about it friends! Thanks for reading! I will be posting later about what I will be putting in my carry on/purse.

Emily

Hello blog readers and welcome to my blog! This is my first time trying something like this out, but I have always had a passion for writing and traveling, so I spontaneously decided to try out "blogging." The inspiration for the idea actually came from many hours of searching for other travel blogs and attempting to research on traveling. Over spring break of this year, I am traveling with my school to London, Paris, and Normandy, and I am very excited! However, since this is my first time overseas, I wanted to make sure everything goes smoothly, and that I am very prepared. I will be posting on here different packing advice, outfit ideas, and tips that I have discovered in my research. Thanks for reading, and happy travels!