Leaving Wellington – NZ

I guess I haven’t left New Zealand yet but it’s officially my first day of my travels.

I’ve just flown up to Auckland and I’m going to stay with my best friend Michelle before I go to America tomorrow! 🙂

I spent the day with close friends and family having breakfast at Portlander in Wellington. They do the yummiest breakfast buffet! I didn’t think I was going to be able to eat (with nerves etc.) But I had a bagel and scrambled eggs and bacon with a chocolate milk. So good 😥

My Mum, Nathan and I went shopping to pass the time until my flight.
I didn’t think I’d be sad saying goodbye but I had tears well up in my eyes when I boarded my flight 😥

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We all just acted like I was going to Auckland for the weekend which made me feel a little better.
Going to have dinner with friends tonight and stay with Michelle. Then she’s going to drop me off at the airport tomorrow so I can head to San Francisco.
Let the adventures begin!
Xx

Packing List

I’m currently lying on my bed listening to Sam Hunt sing from my speakers, all while wearing this silly little travel cushion around my neck haha.

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I finally have some free time to write a quick blog about getting ready for my travels overseas!!
Last Friday was my last day at work for the next few months. The other administrative girls bought me a cake for my ‘Last day’ which was really nice of them 🙂

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As I leave tomorrow to head up to Auckland, I’ve spent the day packing all my stuff together and hoping that my backpack ends up at a respectable weight…
The final weight was just under 14kgs so I think I did alright. Ecspecially as I’m taking shampoo, conditioner, a big bottle of fake tan and lots of contact lenses!!
These past 2 weeks I’ve been have eye after eye problems so I was slightly freaking out that the first part of my trip I’d have irritated eyes but it’s all cleared up now 😥
I had been using this eyelash serum called F Lash for a few weeks (this was to make my eyelashes supposedly grow and not get eyelash extensions) and I ended up getting a swollen cornea from it 😣 was so annoying! And then two styes on top of that!
I know some people who use the serum though and they’re fine, I think my eyes are just really sensitive to stuff.

So yes, I haven’t quite gotten to my maximum weight of 23kgs I’m allowed on the plane. Im a bit disappointed however I couldn’t stay under 12kgs. That was my goal weight!

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I figure most of the stuff I’ve packed I’ll use up on my trip so it can only get lighter ☺
It’s not too bad to carry on my back, but I do want to buy stuff along the way.
I’m thinking I’ll collect magnets as my souvenirs from everywhere I go. It was either that or pens haha.
This is what I’ve packed so far. (And please note that I’m a real girly girl so some of this stuff most people wouldn’t bring)
☆ 2 pairs of shorts
☆ 3 tops
☆ 2 pairs of gym pants (1 long and 1 short)
☆ 1 casual play suit
☆ 1 dressy play suit (for dinners/going out)
☆ 1 light dress
☆ 2 skirts
☆ 1 pair of jeggings
☆ 5 pairs of socks
☆ 5 bras (2 strapless for dresses)
☆ 5 pairs of underwear
☆ night gown
☆ small/light dressing gown
☆ 1 Kathmandu insulated jacket
☆ Jandals
☆ canvas shoes
☆ Nike sport shoes
☆ 3 face cloths (I use these every night to wash my make up off)
☆ 1 bottle of kerastase shampoo
☆ 1 tub of kerastase masque
☆ small bottle of contact lense solution
☆ 90 pairs of contact lenses (dailies, grr. Wish I had great eye sight)
☆ st tropez dark mousse tan
☆ tanning mit
☆ razor
☆ talcum powder
☆ toothbrush
☆ sunglasses
☆ hair brush
☆ hair straightener
☆ travel hair drier
☆ pillowcase (I like to have my own)
☆ 1 towel
☆ camera
☆ camera charger
☆ phone & tablet chargers
☆ adaptors for each country
☆ bathroom bag

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Which has
– make up brushes
– make up (Eg, foundation, blush, powder, concelor, Mascara, lipstick)
– travel sized shower gel
– travel sized moisturizer
– night cream
– day cream
– eye cream
– face scrub in a little travel sized tub
– body bronzer in a little 100ml bottle
– cotton tips
– ear plugs
– sea sickness tablets
– pain relief
– mouth ulcer ointment (I always get them when I’m run down 😩)
– Bactroban ointment

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In  my carry on bag I have…
☆ My passport
☆ all my documents in a folder (including all my Contiki tour stuff)
☆ glasses
☆ phone
☆ wallet
☆ tablet
☆ kindle
☆ headphones
☆ ipod
☆ 5 magazines (which I’ll get rid of when I’m done haha)
☆ small torch
☆ spare top & pants
☆ lip balm
☆ small travel tub of my origins overnight hydrating mask
☆ face wipes
☆ travel toothbrush and paste

I think I’ve covered pretty much everything.
Let me know if you think I’ve forgotten anything. I feel like all the stuff I’ve packed I’ll actually need. I know I could just pack my phone and not bring my tablet or anything but I’m going to use it on the plane and watch all my ‘Orange is the new black’ on it. Plus I feel it’s pretty good for writing my blogs and watching stuff on the long bus trips.

It’s weird, I feel I’d be more excited for this trip because everyone else is. I just don’t think it’s really hit me yet that I’m going. I think once I’m on the plane I’ll be like “holy shit I’m going overseas by myself”
Eek!

Happy travelling everyone xx

My Beauty Cupboard

So this post isn’t travel related but it’s something I enjoy talking about anyways. Beauty products! 💄🚿
And many of these products I’m going to be taking on my travels anyways so I guess it’s travel related 😋. I bought a new beauty bag im going to take with me too. Very useful to hang up in the bathroom! 🙂

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Frank Body Scrub
I mentioned this in my last post and I absolutely love it! I ran out of it in the shower this morning but thankfully I’ve ordered a couple of more bags so they should be coming in the mail soon 😍
Frank is 100% Australian owned and made. Their products are mainly scrubs but I see they’ve bought out a face cleanser, body balm and face moisturiser which I have yet to try!

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All their scrubs are made out of roasted and ground robusta coffee beans and green coffee extracts. They have no parabens, sulphates or silicones.  I always see pictures on their Instagram from toddlers and men using their products which makes me think it’s pretty safe for all ages! It’s great because once you’ve scrubbed in the shower, your skin feels and smells amazing when you’re all dry.

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I’ve noticed a difference in my skin since using it as well. I’d upload a photo but I’m half nudy in it so it’s probably not appropriate for here haha.

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Order here – http://www.frankbody.com
I’ve talked on the radio about this product before and couldn’t believe how many people didn’t know about it!!

Origins Intensive Overnight mask
I have to hide this from my partner as he has really dry skin. He works as a builder so all the stuff he works around makes his skin flaky and dry.
It’s $25 USD from Sephora, so about $38 NZD

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I usually use this about twice a week or whenever I feel like my skin is looking really dry. You just massage it into your skin and leave it. It’s great as you can just go to bed with it on and not worry about having to wait 10 minutes like most masks and then wash it off afterwards.
Origins is a natural brand too so they don’t have any parabens or sulfates.
I’m definitely taking this on holiday with me as I love to use it on the plane!! No dehydrated skin for me 👍👌

MAC Mineralized Volcanic Ash Exfoliant
LOVE LOVE LOVE
I don’t think I’ll ever be using a  different face exfoliater after I tried this. It’s made with sugar crystals and volcanic ash and leaves your face feeling amazing. I use it about once a week or when I’m about to go out and put make up on nicely 🙂
Costs $29 USD on the MAC website or you can buy it from your local MAC store in NZ which is a bit more spendy.

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Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip Protectant

I bought this when I was in duty free coming back from Australia once. I didn’t even want it, I just had a voucher to use and needed to use it up so it was the cheapest thing there.
Now every time I’m in duty free I buy one! It sits on my desk at work and keeps my lips Hydrated while I sit in an air conditioned office. It lasts on your lips for awhile and I love putting a bit on before I put on matte lipstick 💄image

I just tried to look up the ingredients online and the only Elizabeth Arden lip protectant that comes up is in a stick. It either looks like they don’t do it anymore or they’ve replaced it with this…

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😐
St Tropez Dark Tan Mousse
The holy grail of all fake tans!!
I used to do spray tans when I worked as a beauty therapist, which are great (until they become patchy when they come off) but if you want something at home, I can’t stress how great the stuff is.
Yes it’s expensive. But you get the nicest colour, and I can vouch for that as I am as pale as a ghost and it never turns me orange.

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I’m taking a big bottle of this with me on holiday, and I know what you’re thinking “why don’t you just lay in the sun and get a real tan??”
First of all, the sun causes skin cancer, leathery skin when you’re 50 and ugly sun spots.
Second of all, I can’t tan. I’ve spent weeks in Thailand and Australia and I’ve only ever stayed white, gone a bit pink or burnt.
It is a bit of a hassle to put on all the time but even 1 application lasts nicely for a few days. Obviously do a few consecutive days if you want a dark tan. 🙆