Life gets a bit brighter in Brighton

 London is a beautiful city, but it's only the beginning. There are so many beautiful surrounding places to discover and explore.

And for as little as £10, you can be on a train for an hour and a half and end up in the beautiful seaside town of Brighton.

I spent a whole day exploring the streets of Brighton and it has reenergised my soul.

So things to do in Brighton.

Firstly you should take a stroll along the seaside and soak in the sea breeze. This is such a great remedy for energising the soul.

Along the seaside you can discover some markets and explore the local art and photography. 

You can continue your walk along the seaside until you reach the Brighton Pier.

Here you will find food and many sideshow games to play. You can play few games and enjoy some rides overlooking the Brighton sea.

Or if you are anything like me, you'll be a bit peckish after your seaside stroll and you can't leave Brighton without indulging in the typical local cuisine... Fish and Chips!

But, be warned, they are large servings!

You'll be nice and full after your feast and ready to take a stroll in the streets of Brighton. You'll discover an explosion of colourful houses, graffiti alleyways and more markets to enjoy. The best thing to do, is just walk. You'll discover little hidden gems along the way.

After a couple of hours of strolling through the streets, it's time to energise. And what better way to energise then a hot cup of coffee. One thing I was amazed at was the amount of cafés in Brighton. They all look amazing, it was hard to choose where to go.

I only spent 6 hours in Brighton, but it was enough time to re-ignite my love of exploring new places. I hope this day trip was only the beginning of discovering more of the places surrounding London.

Last Minute Travel Tips

Travelling is supposed to be a fun and exciting time but sometimes it can make a person incredibly anxious.

Like me.

I always feel like I have forgotten something important.

So I plan. A lot. And I thought I would share with you, my last minute packing/travel tips!

Firstly make a list of everything you will need. If you have it written down, you won't forget to pack it in your suitcase. Once you have your list, take that list to a friend or family member and they might prompt you to remember something. Or like a lot of friends, they told me I don't need to pack so many shoes (we are no longer friends!).

Photocopy your important documents. Save them on a USB stick or email them to yourself so if anything happens, you will have a copy of them. Always keep the originals and photocopies in separate bags. It will double your chances of keeping them safe!

Next, get all your clothes and shoes organised for packing.  Do this about a week or two before you take off. You can see if you have forgotten anything and you can also take stuff out if you don't think you need it. And check if some of the things you are taking require dry-cleaning. Take it in with plenty of time.

Pack everything properly! Make sure all your shoes are at the bottom of your suitcase so they don't damage your clothes. And also, pack things into your shoes. This uses up wasted space and it helps keep your shoes in shape. Bring lots of spare zip lock bags. You can separate your dirty clothes from the clean ones and you can wrap your shoes in them once they get filthy. This will ensure, your clean clothes stay clean. And pack your toiletries into plastic bags. It will contain any spillages or explosions.

Break in any new shoes. You don't want to wear new shoes when travelling as they are more likely to give you blisters. Break them in first so when you do start travelling, they will be comfortable!

Your carry on bag will be the most important thing you pack.  

What should you pack in you carry on?

• You want all your valuables with you at all times just in case your suitcase goes missing (touch wood)! This may be your electronics or travel documents but keep them close.
• Always pack a change of clothes and emergency toiletries in your bag. Again, if your luggage goes missing, you have fresh clothes, underwear and toothpaste at the ready! 
• Pack a scarf. Planes can get very cold so use it to keep you warm.
• Aspirin is also important. Planes can dry you out so drink lots of water and take some medicine if you get a headache. You want to be as comfortable as you can be.
• Pen and paper is also important. You'll need to fill out declarations and luggage tags so make sure you have a pen ready. Also, you are going to be stuck on a plane with so much spare time, you never know what inspiration may occur when you are travelling at 35,000ft.
• Wear shoes that are easy to put on and take off. You'll be going through security and you might want to take your shoes off in the plane. Have a pair of socks or slippers in your bag too incase you have to go to the bathroom or stretch.

It's important to tell your bank that you are travelling overseas! There will be nothing worse if they cancel your cards and you will be stuck without your funds!

Speaking of money, take some cash in the local currency. You won't want to be changing money at the airport plus you'll need it for transport out of the airport.

Don't forget your universal power adapter. There would be nothing worse if you couldn't charge your camera or laptop (oh, the horror!) while your away.

And finally, learn the local language. Now, I don't mean you have to be fluent in the language but it's important to know the basics. Write them down and try to use them when possible. It shows you are making an effort and it shows respect. 

Here are some of the basic French words you may need to know:

• Good morning/Hello - Bonjour
• Goodbye - Au revior
• Yes - oui
• No - non
• Please - s'il vous plaît
• Thank you - Merci
• My name is Fiona - Je m'appelle Fiona

But lastly remember to relax! If you plan ahead, you'll feel prepared and ready to explore the world.

Where is your next dream holiday?

A review of my suitcase

So I've been in France for about 8 weeks now and it's hard for me to admit...

I packed too many shoes!

I had a lot of arguments with my friends, family and boyfriend when it came to packing my suitcase. They all told me I had too many shoes but I was adamant, I didn't have enough.

Now that I have had some experience travelling for 8 weeks, I wish I packed more clothes and less shoes.

It gets tiring really quickly to wear the same clothes over and over and over again! I like having different shoes to change the look of the outfit however, it would have been more practical to pack a few more items of clothing to get just a few more outfit options!

Since I am travelling for 12 months, I think my shoes will get more rotation when the seasons change but for now, I've been living in the same 2 pairs of shoes.

Travel Series: What to pack for travelling in style

Boom! Boom! Boom!
My heart is racing... 
Racing to the beat of a drum...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Nerves are creeping up inside me
Fear is close to taking over
I can't possibly live like this!

Let me paint you a picture of my current living state.

I have 3 wardrobes, hundreds of shoes, a party dress for any occasion and don't get me started on work clothes. All my wardrobes are bursting with clothes and shoes.

And now I'm expected to take only a few items... how is it possible to choose? What if the Queen wants to have dinner or what if I'm invited to red carpet event?

I can't possibly fit all the necessary 'in case of' items into my suitcase so I've really had to think hard about what to pack. And my conclusion is...

Keep it simple and bring back the basics!

You will need a few t-shirts to wear with skirts, shorts and jeans. And my choice is all things monochrome! Black, white, navy and grey, you can't go wrong!

Next you'll need your bottoms! Pack shorts, one casual pair and one a little bit dressier! From day to night, you can dress things up with a change of shoes and adding some sparkle. And don't forget to pack your Summer skirts. I've been told Europe can get pretty warm during Summer, so pack a comfortable one for the heat and one that can be dressed up.

Don't forget to pack your favourite jeans. They are perfect for trans-seasonal weather and look great day and night.

You will also need to pack a few Summer dresses for the beach and sightseeing. And pack your trusty L.B.D. This is a must have for a night out. You'll be wearing it a lot. Change your accessories to give a new look. And when the cold rolls in, add a jacket and some leggings to keep you toasty warm.

Also, you'll need a trusty jacket for every occasion. My jacket of choice is a blazer. They look great with t-shirts and jeans, dresses and they are suitable for work outfits.

And finally, playsuits! They are easy to wear and super cute for Summer. Pair them with your converse during the day and step into your heels after dark.

What can't you live without when your travelling?

Check out more travel tips here

Travel Series: The Must Have Accessories for Travelling

Apparently travelling is all about packing light. Or at least, that's what my boyfriend tells me.

He may have 12 months experience travelling but I still disagree with him.

I mean, who could get dressed in the morning with only 3 outfits to choose from? And don't even get me started on only having 6 pairs of shoes to choose from.

But, I found a silver lining.

Accessories.

So, what accessories should you take?

You definitely need jewellery. 

All kinds of jewellery!

Add stacks of fine jewellery to your everyday outfits. It adds luxury and personality to your basic travel outfits and they take up no space in your suitcase. Fine rings and necklaces are a definite must have, while your away.

Style Tip: Change everything everyday so it looks fresh and different.

Don't forget to add your statement pieces to your suitcase! Oversized cocktail rings and statement earrings are the easiest way to dress up a basic outfit and to make a statement. If you pack a few options, you'll always look fashionable!

They are small, can fit in any nook and cranny in your suitcase and they can change your look completely so don't be afraid to pack a lot.

Don't forget your handbags!

You'll need a trusty, everyday handbag for travelling. My personal favourite is cross body handbags! They keep your hands free while you are taking pictures or eating Nutella crepes in front of the Eiffel Tower and they sit comfortably over your shoulders! Pick one with zips and locks for extra security.

Style Tip: Pick one in a neutral colour so it can match with everything in your suitcase!

Next you'll need an evening bag. While you're travelling, you are going to have nights out and dining in fine restaurants. You'll want a handbag that will dress up a basic outfit and make you look more elegant!

Packing Tip: Pack your delicates and socks into your handbags! It helps your handbags keep their shape and it conceals your underwear!

Aside from shoes, what accessories can't you live without?

Travel Series: The 6 Must Have Shoes for Travelling Overseas

In under a month, I'll be taking flight overseas. I will be travelling with my boyfriend for a year, sadly leaving majority of my shoe collection behind! So from now until I leave, I thought I would share with you all the travelling tips I have discovered, right up until my heels leave the ground.

So, starting off the Travel Series is the most important and the most difficult subject to understand...

What Shoes Should I Pack?

This is the most difficult thing to pack... Especially for me. Shoes are my life. I love having many to choose from and I have the perfect shoes, for any occasion sitting in my wardrobe for when the time comes. 

But, as it is almost impossible to fit 200 pairs of shoes into my suitcase, I've had to cull... 

A lot.

And it makes me sad! After hours, days, weeks and months of planning, I have finally picked what shoes i'll be taking with me.

So here are my 6 Must Have Shoes for Travelling Oversees:

1. Luxe Trainers. They are all about sports luxury. Travelling is all about exploring new cities which means you'll be doing a lot of walking. So you need comfortable shoes for that! They should be comfortable and a little bit stylish so you can go from day to night easy. 

2. Next, you'll need a pair of simple ankle boots. They will look good with everything. You can wear them with dresses and playsuits during Summer and jeans and stockings during Winter. Choose a neutral colour so you can wear them with everything. Also, choose a pair you'll be comfortable in for a long time. You may need to wear them to work, out for dinner or during the day. Block heels give you height, while maintaining comfort so consider these!

3. If I couldn't bring a pair of high heel shoes with me, I would not be able to leave Perth behind. Choose a pair that can be dressed up for an elegant occasion or dressed down for something more casual. I chose a trusty pair of strappy heels. They are feminine, flattering and super chic.

4. Sandals are a must have for warmer climates. They keep your feet cool during the heat and if you choose a stylish pair, you can easily go from day to night and not feel out of place.

5. Walking shoes are unfortunately needed. They support your feet when you are lugging around your heavy backpack and you'll be able to walk comfortably.

6. Ballet flats. I almost couldn't write this but it's true. If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet for extended periods of time, you'll need a flat shoe. They'll be comfortable for a long shift and they'll look good with dresses, skirts and under long trousers.

What are your must have shoes for travelling?

Check in next week for more travel and packing tips.