Vacation Packing!

Morning Friends! 

We are headed camping later in the week so packing / shopping / organising / stressing is in full force here. When I started organising all the many many many things that I need to take with us I began thinking about my packing process and tips. Today I'm sharing my three biggest packing tips that I have learned throughout a life of international travel. Regardless of where you are going or what type of vacation you are taking next, I promise these tips will be helpful! 

Make A List 

I know this seems like a total obvious but I have learnt over the years that if it isn't on a physical list you can cross off, it will be forgotten in the pre holiday chaos! I write down everything we could potentially need from rain jackets to tissues. Its all on the list baby! 

Designate a Packing Space 

I know a tone of people do this but this is seriously the only way I can get organised. I use the spare bedroom as designated packing zone. Lay every single thing out on the bed and work from there. I like to sort items into four categories - Clothes, toiletries, personal items i.e books, electronics and then a fourth pile of 'living supplies' if we are camping or having to bring sheets etc. 

Organise Outfits Pre Departure 

The best way to prevent over packing is planing! I try and plan all of my outfits, including shoes and underwear before I leave. Now this is where my OCD kicks in. If you are traveling with kids or simply want an organised way to disifer what is clean or dirty after day three of your trip, use zip lock bags! I buy the largest zip locks I can find and sort each outfit into a single bag. That way you can pull out one bag with everything you will need for the day without rummaging through an entire suitcase. This also means at the end of the day you shove those dirty clothes into the zip lock bag and won't accidentally wear those dirty socks again :) 

So there you have it, my three biggest packing tips. I know there are about a million more I could share but I would love to hear yours! How do you prepare for a trip away? Please comment below! 

Have a wonderful day friends! 

Lou 

xxx

Friday Favourites!

It's Friday and I'm pumped! 

Although this week has been blissfully uneventful, I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend. This weekend we are packing for our camping trip next week, celebrating my grandfathers birthday, brunching and hopefully fitting in a few chores! And a nap or movie break would be lovely, fingers crossed I can squeeze that in! But before I can even think about the weekend I better share my favourites from this week! 

One 

This may seem like a completely random favourite but this water bottle is brilliant. A water bottle that filters your water, no matter the tap... Genius! Although they are usually priced around $15 I found them reduced my local supermarket the other day. It's a splurge for a basic I'll admit but clean water is a must and since I will be camping next week, this baby is a must! Check out their official site here!

Two 

On Wednesday I shared a whole lot of outfits! I have been so slack lately, forgetting to snap a pick of my outfits as I run out the door. But I'm pleased to say that I'm changing my ways and managed to capture a few cute getups this past week. If you missed this post you can catch it 

Three

Ok this may not be 100% true because it is Winter here and I doubt that is the official season of camping! However some friends and I are packing up the car and heading south next week for 5 days of outdoors fun. How did I get conned into this again?!? I'm not a huge camper but I know that it will be a great trip. After all its not about where you go or how much you spend, its about the people your with! Lucky for me, my people are pretty wonderful. 

Four 

So I'm aware that the year isn't 1980 and most people don't buy physical travel books anymore, thanks to trip advisor etc. But I'm a secret nerd and organisation freak. I love planning my holidays  and having a solid understanding of the city I'm about to visit. No matter if you are visiting a city for the first or fifteenth time, you can't go past a pocket travel guide by Lonely Planet. My NYC one is currently filled with post its and scribbles! You can pick up these books for all countries in most bookstores or Amazon. 

Five 

Last off, as always some wise words to start your weekend! 

Happy Friday friends! 

Lou 

xxx

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Its Thursday and that means its time to talk food! Woo! 

This weeks recipe is not only healthy but delicious and the perfect snack. WIN WIN WIN. Only five ingredients needed and super easy to make. This recipe will be a new favourite for sure! 

You Will Need 

2/3 cup peanut butter 

1/2 cup choc chips 

1 cup uncooked oats 

1/2 ground flax seeds 

2 Tbs honey 

Method 

Combine all ingredients in a medium and combine. Place mixture in the fridge for 10 - 15 minutes, so the dough is easier to roll. 

Roll dough into 12 small balls and keep in fridge for up to one week!

Enjoy with friends and family! 

Lou 

xxx

Weekly Wardrobe!

Happy Wednesday Friends! 

This past week has been a huge one. I started a new job, finalised all our holiday plans and enjoyed a huge family packed weekend. #isittheweekendyet However this busy and very social week has been a great chance to whip out some cute outfits which I'm sharing today! 

Vest here

Jeans here

Shirt here

Scarf here

Bag here

Sunglasses here

Boots here

Jeans here

Shoes here

Shirt here

Sweater here

Jeans here

Vest here

Shirt here

Boots here

Dress here

Heels here

Blazer here

So there you have it, a few of my favourite outfits from this week. I hope you all have a wonderful day and I'll see you tomorrow! 

Lou 

xxx

Skin Care 101

Morning Ladies! 

Today we are talking skin care and I'm pumped. I often get compliments on the clarity and 'glow' of my skin but it certainly hasn't always been this way. As a teenager I had horrible skin and really struggled to find cosmetics that suited my skin type and needs. However after years of trying out various brands and products I have found a great combination of skin care products that help me keep my skin in check and feeling great. Today I'm sharing a few products which I love and or have recently tested! 

This Malin+Goetz face scrub has to be the best face wash I have tried to date. This scrub is gentle on skin yet so effective. 

Aesop's B & Tea Balancing Toner is a new product for me and is growing on me fast. Great for re-hydrating skin, I find this product especially useful after a good workout. 

Now when it comes to moisturiser's I have two all time favourites which can not be beaten! First off, Kate Somervilles' Nourish which is hydrating and light but will cost you a pretty penny. 

And second, Clinique's Youth Surge, which includes SPF 15! This moisturiser is a little heavier but still incredibly effective. I love both of these products and can not recommend them enough! 

This Stila One Step Primer is by far the best I have ever used. Despite its funky colouring this product is all business! This product will create a smooth foundation for your makeup whilst hydrating and protecting skin. Love love love! 

Finally, a great face mask is a MUST! This Aesop Primrose Facial cleansing mask was a gift from a friends and I love it! (Plus is smells pretty darn good too!)  

So there you have it, a look into my skin care draw! What are some of your favourite products?

Lou 

xxx

Entertainment Update

Morning Friends! 

I hope your weekend was as relaxing, fun and crazy as mine! We celebrated a big family birthday this past weekend and I'm spent Sunday recovering / resting up for the week ahead. Winter break is officially over here which means its back to business and the days of movie marathons are over for now :( However I thought I would recap some of my favourite entertainment which I have enjoyed lately! 

TV 

I shared some of my favourite bindge worthy TV shows a few weeks ago (you can catch that post    ) Included in this list was one of my all time favourite shows which is now BACK for a 6th season! #iheartoffspring 

OH MY GOODNESS I'm officially obsessed with White Collar. Friends have been telling me for years that Matt Bomer is more than a pretty face and boy are they right. This show is fantastic. Funny, dramatic and totally addictive. I have to watch at least an episode a day to get my fix! 

Movies 

During the Winter break I had the pleasure of hanging out with a few extra kiddos so we hit the movies to escape the cold and snack on junk food. Finding Dory and The BFG where both big hits with the kids and even me! 

*If you are heading to watch The BFG brace yourselves. It is LONG, like nearly 3 hours! 

A very un - child friendly film which I also saw this week is, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. Zac Efron + Hawaii = a win. This movie will make you laugh out loud. Stupid, inappropriate and seriously funny, this is well worth a trip to the cinemas. 

Books 

I just finished Under The Tuscan Sun and am about ready to pack my life up and bolt to Italy! This book is beautifully written and will leave you dreaming of a Tuscan getaway. The perfect summer read! 

I have just started reading Dawn French's hilarious memoir 'Dear Fatty' and so far I'm loving it. This book is a complete 180 from my previous read. Honest, funny and very touching, this book talks family, love and success in a brutally honest way, which only Dawn can get away with. I'll let you know how it ends ;) 

Happy watching / reading friends! I'll see you tomorrow. 

Lou 

xxx

Friday Favourites

Happy Friday Friends! 

This week has been absolutely huge but lots of fun. This week I started a new job, ticked off about 100 chores, planned and booked a whole 10 day vacation, visited 2 doctors, hung out with some little friends who are enjoying winter break, and managed to squeeze in a little time to myself. I am officially exhausted and ready for you guessed it, a HUGE weekend #sigh. But before I take a short power nap there are my Friday favourites! 

One 

Last week while I was house / animal sitting a friends property I basically lived in these gumboots! How cute are they? I mean, I didn't believe an attractive gumboot excited until I saw these. The brand is called Gummies and they come in various shapes i.e. slides ons, short boots or mine which are 'tall'. You can find my boots here!

Two 

This cold weather has dried out my hands and they are in some serious need of TLC. This Crabtree & Evelyn hand cream has been my saviour this winter. I use both Lavender and Tarocco Orange. You can find their full hand cream collection in most department stores or online here!

Three 

Last Sunday a few girlfriends and I headed to our cities major park for a little afternoon picnic. Great food from Botanica and wonderful friends = the perfect afternoon! 

Four 

On Tuesday I shared my favourite Pins from June, including this amazing New York kitchen. If you don't already follow me on Pinterest, prepare yourselves! And then check it out here!

Five 

You are all worthy of the last french fry, you wonderful ladies! 

Have a terrific weekend friends and see you Monday! 

Lou 

xxx