3 Tips for Traveling to a Small Town

Sometimes nothing's better than the charm of a small town, a little escape from the hustle and bustle of our crazy lives. They're cute, they're small, they're quirky, but most of all they're fun! I've been to a few here and there, instate to international, here are my 3 best tips for traveling to one, enjoy!

1. Embrace it. It's not hard (and actually adjusting while visiting a small town can be quite fun) but you have to remember things are different, smaller. For big city dwellers or those locked in the suburbs you have access to everything, favorite brands, favorite foods, WiFi, etc. However, when traveling to a small town you have to just make do with what you can find. It's usually not worth the hour drive to a bigger city just for shampoo certainly when there's a little market just around the corner. (Also check before you go and make sure you get cell reception 😊)

2. There's no Uber. Most of the time if you're not meeting family or friends you're going to have to rent a car- otherwise your stuck. Sometimes you can take a train in and out of town and just walk during your stay but as that's not always a option. Renting a car usually your best bet.

3. Explore EVERYTHING. Most people just go to a small town to do some certain thing like go kayaking however, small towns are actually full of little hidden gems. It doesn't matter if you're in Lacock, England or Arena, Wisconsin, the shop 10 steps down from your hotel could be full of your friends' future birthday gifts.

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The Creation of a Garment

If you do not already know -as it is probably what lead you to my blog- I am a fashion designer. Since I was nine years old I have designed/sewn unique, and fashionable clothing ranging from Brit worthy trench coats to red carpet gowns. Most of my past work was couture (made for the client) however I  have dabbled a bit in the world of Prêt-à-Porter (ready-to-wear). Though lately I have been exploring a even different realm, blogging. Today I have decided to give you all a behind-the-scenes look at how I create garments (I'm just about start two new pieces!). Here is the basic process I go through:

1. Designing: For me this part tends to come naturally, I think of a piece, draw it, and if I believe it is a unique enough design I keep it. Only about 0.01% of my designs ever actually get to come to life in full fabric form so a lot of thought goes into choosing which looks I will actually create. Many people ask what my inspiration is and I have trouble answering. This is because my 'inspiration' is A. always changing and, B. not always identifiable, or C. sometimes I don't even have one. However, I like to say I am inspired by the world around me -which pretty much covers everything-.

2. Mock-ups: A mock-up is a version of the garment made out of cheaper fabrics -not always even fully sewn-. It is the prototype made to see how the end result will look and fit to help the seamstress 
-in my case me- figure out how to sew the piece without wasting expensive fabric.

3. Fabric: Now, some people do this step first, which I have tried before, however, I tend to do it after the mock-up. This step is the one where you go to all the local fabric stores and search desperately online for your dream fabric. During this step the design is often slightly altered to fit the resources available even though when the garment was designed there was fabric in mind, it frequently changes.

4. Cut-out & sew: Almost always the longest step, it is the actual putting together of the piece which could take mere hours or months. I often use the pieces of my mock up and transfer them to a semi-opaque paper and then use that as a pattern when cutting out of the final material.

5. Final touches: Pressing, sewing in the tag, and fit adjustments are just some of the last things to do before the final piece is complete.

Honestly, when a piece is completed and it fits better than a glove it is the most amazing thing in the world. This is just a basic outline of the process of creation of a garment -minus fittings, dealing with fit, etc- however, I hope it gives you all a little look into the work that goes into making clothing.

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How to Wear Perfum

Honestly, doesn't everyone want a light pretty aroma that follows them everywhere, not a strong stench that smells like a department store perfume hall but a delicate pleasant scent.? Here some of my tips on application to make your perfume last long as possible!

Where: I've heard a lot about putting perfume on your pulse point so that the scent is pushed off and into the air. However, I've found this to make little noticeable difference. Instead, simply apply where you think people will smell it most. I usually go around my neck and leave it at that. You can also spray some in your hair (or on your brush). Another good place is at your wrists, which works for some but the scent is likely to fade with hand washing. Lastly, I find a quick mist of perfume is always nice. Simply spray once out in the air and walk through it. 

How much: No one wants people to need gas masks when around them. Three sprays are usually a good amount to be noticeable but still pleasant.

When: Perfume lasts longest when you put it on after a shower on top of a neutral or same scented moisturizer. Also, depending on the perfume, it can last 1 to 12 hours. With short lasting perfumes you can carry an atomizer around in your purse so you can re-apply. just PLEASE DO NOT SPRAY IN PUBLIC it is very irritating when people do this and leave everyone around them coughing.

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5 Things You Simply Must do in London

Hello all! I have decided to do a little series of posts on my favorite city London, England. I love many things in London, here are 5 of my favorites, I would recommend anyone who is traveling there to try a them all!

1. Go shopping at Harrods: The clothes (and great collection of designer wear) are one thing, but you simply cannot ignore the magnificent food courts of Harrods. The rows and rows of delightful looking treats and fantastic array of flavors presented makes it easy to lose control.

2. Visiting the gardens: I mentioned my love of the gardens and parks in London in my previous London post. However, I cannot recommend visiting them enough! My favorites are Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.

3. Experience Hamleys: No matter your age, anyone can enjoy Hamleys, the seven story toy store in the heart of London. With staff showing off impressive toys and even a little salon for young ladies it's easy for everyone to like Hamleys.

4. Go grocery shopping: I know that you go on vacation to get away from grocery shopping and cooking, however, the food shopping in London is actually a bit different from that in the United States. Not only can you get dreamy butter and fluffy breads but it will also save you more than a few pounds by not eating out.

5. Explore a bookstore: Bookstores can be quite fun in London. especially for Americans looking for a little difference in language. Whether you're like me, and just have to get your hands on the original versions of the Harry Potter books, or you forgot to bring a book on your trip, stop in a bookstore and will surely be more than satisfied.(My favorite one is Hatchard's on Piccadilly) 

Hope you all are having lovely days!

*What are your favorite activities in London, England?*

5 Tips for Traveling to London, England

London is probably my favorite city in the world clean, beautiful, friendly, I often describe it as what everyone hopes Paris to be minus the Eiffel Tower. Lucky as I've been, I have visited London almost every other year since I was just nine. Overtime there are a few good travel tips for London I've learned, enjoy!

1. It rains... all the time!: I'm a born and raised Portlandian so a bit of rain wont make me melt, which is good because (no joking!) every time I have been to London there has been at least three days I feared the river Thames would over flow from the rain. Which is saying something as we usually go mid-summer. Travel tip ~ bring a (simple, travel breaks/loses) umbrella you can fit in your purse as the rain is sporadic and you never know when it is going to start. Also don't forget to a stylish rain coat, best choice would be a classic trench to look stylishly British!

2. Chip cards!: If your a shopper like me, or even if you just know that your going to have to run to the pharmacy for bandages, make sure your credit card has a chip in it. Most British -and most European businesses as well- cannot accommodate swipe only cards.

3. Go underground!: London is city which means traffic and taxis end up costing about as much as designer purses. However, lucky to you London has a wonderful underground train system which costs far less, is easy to navigate and has stops almost everywhere you may need to go all you'll have to worry about is "Please mind the gap" -ing.

4. Leave the city!: Some of the best things to do while staying in London is leaving London and going out into the beautiful country side! Little towns such as Lacock are marvelous, (and have great shopping!) some aren't even too far out of city. When in London some off your best adventures are only a train ride away! (Comment below if you want me to write up a post on some of my favorite places to go just out of the city!)

5. Take a stroll!: One of my absolute favorite things to do for London is stroll through the gardens and parks certainly in mornings when all the Londoners are walking to work. You may even see HRH Kate Middleton off on her morning run in Kensington Gardens. Simply, wake up, pick up some tea, at the nearby Starbucks and get a lovely morning walk in, just don't forget your sweater it sometimes is a little bit chilly!

Hope you all get a chance to make use of some or all of these tips in London! Also don't forget to subscribe my YouTube channel for travel, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle vlogs!