The Bare Necessities - Essentials - Winter Handbag Essentials.

Hi!!!

Welcome to Blogmas Day Seven! Today I wanted to talk you through some of my handbag essentials for the winter months. We all tend to be quite busy during December and the last thing you need is to get to someone's house or to a restaurant or to a Christmas market and realise you don't have any of the things you want or need in your handbag. This is sort of a checklist to make sure you're ready for anything and you can just get on with enjoying yourself. Also, I appreciate that these are very 'first world essentials' and I wanted to disclaim that before we began.

Phone/Money/Keys/ID.

These are all obvious so I'm counting them collectively, rather than as individual items - definitely make sure you have these, I don't need to tell you why these should be in your bag.

Sunglasses.

This might not seem obvious to some of you but I have quite sensitive eyes and with the sun being quite low in the sky in the winter months, I really appreciate having my sunglasses with me so I can look at all of the lovely seasonal surroundings rather than the ground with the hopes of saving my eyes. These are my prescription sunglasses - even more of an essential as they help me see everything with greater clarity, too - and they are from Joules via Vision Express.

 

Hand Cream.

Winter is my favourite season but I must admit that my skin does need some extra help in the winter months because of the changes from being out in the cold to being in shops and houses with central heating on full blast. I like having a small, travel sized hand cream in my bag in case I want or need to use it. The one I currently have is Hand Food from Soap and Glory, and I love it, but if you want something a little more festive then The Body Shop have their three Christmas scents (Vanilla Chai, Frosted Berry and Frosted Plum) available in hand creams.

Lip Balm.

I always have a lip balm with me - even if I'm not carrying a handbag, I'll probably have one in my pocket instead. Lip balm is always a must-have for me, but Winter is the time when it really becomes more of an essential because of the effects of the weather and central heating I mentioned earlier which can be quite uncomfortable. I swear by Vaseline Rosy Lips because it's moisturising and hydrating and has a really lovely soft pink tone - in the past I've been complimented on my lipstick when actually I'm just wearing this lip balm. 

A Book.

Whether I find myself on a train journey with nothing to do or in a coffee shop by myself while out Christmas shopping, I often find having a book with me useful. I don't really like sitting scrolling through my phone and I'd much rather sit and read a few pages or a chapter if I end up with some spare minutes. I'm currently reading 'A History of Britain in 21 Women' by Jenni Murray (it's amazing, highly readable and very interesting) and next on my list is something much more festive.

Tissues.

I'm sure we've all be caught out by a surprise cold at some point and there's nothing worse than being totally unprepared when the sneezes arrive. Having a packet of tissues is also super handy for all kinds of other things - should you find yourself in need of a napkin at a Christmas market or a cloth or something to wipe away your happy tears upon receiving a really thoughtful present, the possibilities are endless. I'm more than happy to sound like your Mom here and tell you to carry a little packet of tissues.

I hope you enjoyed this post.
What are your handbag essentials at this time of year? Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Leave a comment to let me know.
Thanks for reading Blogmas Day Seven. I'll see you tomorrow.

Have a wonderful day!

GingerSnaps xxx

The Bare Necessities - Essentials - My Carry On Essentials.

Hi!!!

I don't know about you guys but when I'm going on holiday (even if its weeks away), I'll be looking at packing lists, airport outfits and carry on essentials posts on the blogosphere. These are my own carry on essentials - I'm talking short haul today, because I have no experience of twenty hour flights. Let's roll.



Passport, Boarding Pass, Phone and Purse. These are the real essentials for your flight so pack these first, preferably in a little side pocket in your bag (if there is one...) so that you can find them easily and you don't have a mini did-I-leave-it-at-home heart attack.

 

Camera. I like to keep my camera in my hand luggage so that I know where it is and that it isn't going to get damaged in transit (or, you know, when its taken on and off the plane...). If you have a little case for it, then pop it in that. Having it in my hand luggage also means that, should I want to use it when at the airport or when I arrive, I have it to hand. Obviously it isn't in the photos because I was using it.

 

Sunglasses. I keep my sunglasses in my bag for multiple reasons. One is the good old 'don't want them to get damaged in transit' thing. Another is that, if I want/need them on the plane for any reason, then I have them handy. Finally, I might need them when I arrive (obvs this is dependant on the time of year and where I'm going). Mine will be in their plastic case.

 

Books and magazines. As much as staring out the window is my favourite thing to do on a plane journey, sometimes you want some other options. Bring a book for longer flights or a bunch of magazines for longer and shorter flights.

 

Tissues. They're just handy to have and even if you don't need them, someone else might. Buy a little packet and pop them in amongst the rest of your things.

 

Lip balm and hand cream. While I love plane journeys, I do sometimes notice it can leave my skin a bit dry. I like to bring hand cream as this keeps me feeling fresh and lip balm to keep my lips from drying. Pop them in one of those little clear bags and make sure they're under 100ml.

Pocket Size Sun Cream. This is somewhat dependant on where I'm going but if I'm going to somewhere sunny, then I like to bring this with me. Nivea do pocket size sun lotions which are less than 50ml, so you can bring these on the plane in your clear bag. You can then pop some on when you arrive at your destination - that way, you won't start your break with lobster red skin.

Sweets. I like to have some with me because they help to stop my ears popping (*shudders*) and also because I like sweets. I get them at the airport once I'm through security at WHSmith or something.

Water. You can bring water on a plane if you buy it at the airport, just to let you know (because I didn't until recently). I don't bring a bottle of water on shorter flights - I just get a cup of tea from the trolley - but on a longer flight, it's good to have the option. Dehydration at 30,000ft is not the one.

So, those are my carry on essentials. Hope you're enjoying the 'holiday-y' content.

What do you bring in your carry on? Do you have any recommendations for other things I could take? Do you have any suggestions for future posts or any other comments? Feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for reading. 

Have a sunny day! 

 

GingerSnaps xxx

The Bare Necessities! - Essentials - Cosy (and Festive) Night In Essentials.

Hi!!!

Today I thought we'd have a little conversation about some of my favourite cosy night in essentials (with a bit of a Christmassy twist). I'm sure you all know by now that I am a huge fan of nights in and all that kind of stuff to the point where I would consider myself a bit of an expert and since its now December (by the way - HAPPY DECEMBER! ITS CHRISTMAAASS!), its chilly outside, the Sun sets earlier and the festive season is upon us, what better time could there be to share with you the best things for when you want to take some time out for yourself? I think I've rambled enough so let's crack on, shall we?

Cosy Night In Essentials (with a festive twist).

• Pyjamas!!! Whether you're digging out a set of pyjamas you've had for a while and love, are treating yourself to new ones or hopping onto the sofa in your fluffiest onsie (always a good choice), I think you'll find they are essential for comfort, cosiness and warmth. Bonus festive points if you have Christmassy PJs.
• Hot Chocolate. In my mind, hot chocolate always improves everything ten fold and no night in (especially not a festive one) seems quite right without one. I always opt for the extra rainbows and sparkles (AKA marshmallows and cream). Feel free to sub for tea (tea is always good) or coffee if you prefer. Bonus festive points if you hang a candy cane over the side of your mug - it'll make your hot chocolate taste of peppermint.
• Blankets. They bring cosiness to the table and you can truly curl up properly for a lovely evening when you're armed with a blanket. Choose any kind of colour or texture that you like - be it a tartan blanket, patchwork throw or microfleece blanket - it is a total essential. Bonus festive points if you build a whole blanket den/fort complete with lots of cushions and maybe even some fairy lights - actually have bonus life points for that.
• Films. Of course films are going to get a special mention as in my eyes they are a total night in essential. Whether you watch something you already know and love or watch something for the very first time I don't think any night in would be complete without movies - I have a bunch of my favourites listed in my blogger profile if you want to check those out. Bonus festive points if you watch Christmas movies - they are always guaranteed to make you happy.
• Books. If you don't fancy watching a movie or if you've got a bit of time spare on your big night in then I'd always suggest picking up a book. It can be whatever you want - a relaxed read or a crime thriller (who doesn't love a good crime thriller, eh?) or anything really - just spend a bit of time getting lost in the pages. Bonus festive points if the book has a festive theme (shout out to a certain Mr Dickens).
• Snacks. Come on now, be serious, I could never do a post like this without mentioning food especially not with all the awesome food around at Christmas time. Some suggestions include popcorn, crisps, biscuits, cupcakes and all that kind of stuff. Bonus festive points if you opt for mince pies (I blooming love mince pies).
• Music. You know what I'm like for my music so I thought I'd throw it into the mix. Why not pop on some tunes while you're getting all of your essentials ready and have a bit of a dance while you are there? I couldn't think of a more lovely extra. As with the movies, I've got a list of some of my favourite artists in my blogger profile if you aren't sure what you want to listen to. Bonus festive points if you choose to crank up the Christmas tunes!!!

I think that that is everything that I have for you today. I hope this was an interesting read for you and that I gave you some ideas that you hadn't thought of already and inspired you to have your own fabulous cosy night in (with a festive twist).

What are your cosy night in essentials? What do you think of mine? Are you going to give the festive twists a go? How many bonus festive points do I need to award you? Any other comments or suggestions for future posts - particularly Christmassy ones? Let me know in the comment section.

Thank you very much for reading, I hope you have a lovely weekend.

 

I hope your day is completely amazing!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

Spookly Dookly - Halloween - Last Minute Essentials and Ideas.

Hi!!!

Good morning everyone! I hope you're all having a good week so far! Today is a bit of a Halloween post and its one for those amongst you who haven't quite organised themselves yet.

I know the struggle. You spend the whole of October planning just how awesome your Halloween costume is going to be or trying to think of ideas and then, before you know it, you've run out of time and it's October 30th - or October 31st (it happens to the best of us) - and you're running around the shops like a headless chicken and throwing clothes around your bedroom trying to find a way of making them Halloween-y. There is a plus side, however, to me having been so horrendously badly organised for many years and that is that I can help you. I know what you need to do to salvage some of the awesome you had planned. Need my advice? Keep reading.

Advice for the "I know what I want to be - I just haven't sorted it out" people.

1. Write down a quick list of things that you would like to have for your costume and makeup.
2. Look around to see if there is anything you already own that you could use - old costumes, dresses that would look good with a cape, any makeup you already have that could be used to make you look spooky. Is there anything you could give the DIY treatment to?
3. Head down to your local supermarket, pound shop or maybe a fancy dress store (if there is one near you) and see what you can find. Charity shops can also be good if there is a specific thing you need - like a long dress, for example. Do you see anything that could look more like you wanted if you did some DIY?
4. Put all of the things you've gathered together and see how it all looks.
5. Do any of the DIY type things you may have thought of - and, if you doubt your skills, have a back-up plan.
6. Bear in mind that it may not turn out exactly like you wanted it to, but you can make it work - I believe in you!
7. Tah Dah!

Advice for the "I have no clue what to go as - why do I always leave it so late? (its October 31st and I need to leave my house in a couple of hours!)" people.

1. I've been this person, I won't judge you. You won't always have a spectacular idea in your head. Remember that this will turn out fine in the end and you'll have loads of fun.
2. If you have no form of costume and no time to go looking for one in the shops, my first piece of advice is look in your makeup bag (or if you don't have one, look in someone else's - having asked them first, of course) and start doing your face. Think spooky, mystical and/or out of the ordinary and use a whole host of colours - dark colours, colours that you'd never normally dream of putting together or colours that wouldn't normally go where you put them (like my fluorescent pink eyebrows from years back). Essentially, let your creative streak come to the foreground and have fun with it!
3. If you do have some form of costume (like an old one) then pop that on and do some makeup that goes with it or, if you prefer, opt for Step 2 and shake it all up a bit - it's Halloween, it doesn't have to look perfect.
4. Back to those of you who have not got any form of costume at all, look in your wardrobe for some dark clothes (or whatever colours would correspond with your makeup - creepy dolls may want lighter colours etc.). Pull out whatever you've got and try things on together in front of the mirror at home to see what looks best.
5. If you want, accessorize with anything that goes with your look.
6. See, you did it, you look fabulous - I knew that this would all work in then end!
7. Tah Dah!

Advice for you all!

1. It's all about having fun - bear that in mind - and I'm sure you'll all look great whatever you chose to do.
2. Don't feel bad about not having been prepared and sorting things out before now - it happens to the best of us!
3. Stay safe, have fun whatever you're getting up to and have a Happy Halloween!!!

I really hope that this has helped some of you guys out in some way, I know what it's like to have left it to the last minute, I know the panic, but hopefully some of that has been avoided with my advice.

What are you doing this Halloween? Have you found this advice useful or helpful? What are you going as for Halloween? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

Thank you for reading, Happy Halloween!

Have an spooktacular day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx