Outfit of The Month - June 2019

Well and truly jumping on the 'millennial pink' band wagon this month, after I found this lust-worthy blazer in high street favourite Zara. This shade of pink is one of the key colour trends for 2019 and considering the sheer number of pink blazers I have seen this season, this Zara offering is one of the best I have found. The quality and fit is superb and I adore the double breasted structured tailoring, complete with black buttons. I've always been a fan of a classic black blazer, a wardrobe staple for me, but i'm more than happy to add a pop of colour into my wardrobe this season with this particular one. Ok, so how did I go about styling this blazer? You may remember that I documented the 'Surfin' USA' trend earlier this year, one which champions the use of tie-dye, so that was my next train of thought for this look. I was also heavily inspired by the vast number of tie-dye t-shirts I saw on my recent West Coast USA road trip. Pretty much every coastal spot in California was selling tie-dye merch with city slogans: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica - so I felt that would also be a nice homage to my holiday. Whilst tie-dye prints are typically in hippie brights, a number of designers are delivering more wearable soft pastel options - as seen here with this tee from Re/Done. As Re/Done also happens to be one of my current favourite brands, I also opted for an acid washed frayed denim mini skirt from them too. Completing the look, is a failsafe pair of mono coloured cowboy boots (because i'm obsessed with them!) and a structured handbag from London based label Rixo. Known for their prints, Rixo recently launched accessories, including handbags. This style is the 'Jemima' and I adore the twist they have put on a classic tote buy incorporating a polka dot print and gold shell clasp.

Phillippa x

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Fall 19 Trend - Rainbow Excess

Excess was the name of the game for a handful of designers, come the Fall 19 runway presentations. The designer who really 'stole the show,' was newcomer Tomo Koizumi. Hand picked by Katie Grand, after being discovered on Instagram by designer Giles Deacon, the Tokyo-based designer showcased his debut collection at NYFW. It was an extravagant affair, to say the least, I mean who doesn't love an OTT ombre ruffle? Also in New York, Prabal Gurung took inspiration from recent travels to Nepal for his Fall 19 collection - ostrich feather coat anyone? and Sies Marjan opted for an organza extravaganza. In London, the queen of colour and print Mary Katrantzou did not disappoint. Her collections are often collected by loyal admirer's and appreciated like works of art. This season she was focused on the theme of nature, hence the rainbow colour palette and fiery / dramatic silhouettes. In Milan, the Byblos show was equally as exuberant. Rainbow coloured, patent coats, which looked likes petrol spills had fur trim collars.

Phillippa x

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Fall 19 Trend - Colour Blocking

Looking somewhat like a colourful packet of sweets, colour-blocking was a major hit on the runway for Fall 19. Whilst the concept of colour-blocking is nothing new, we saw a variety of aesthetically pleasing new colour combo's on the catwalk this season: Lilac and yellow, red and purple, fuchsia and orange. All had an artistic flair to them, reminiscent of some of the world's most famous artists including Mark Rothko and Henri Matisse. This trend explores the theme of colour-blocking in a very maximalist way, it focuses on head-to-toe dressing rather than just a colour-blocked t-shirt or handbag for example. Despite this, runway looks were sophisticated and surprisingly wearable. To nail this trend, avoid mixing too many different fabrications together, avoid adding prints, and stick to classic silhouettes.
Key Designers: Carolina Herrera, Prabal Gurung, Sies Marjan, Emilia Wickstead, Balenciaga, Atlein, Kate Spade, Valentino, Emilio Pucci, Victoria Beckham

Phillippa x

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Trek America - Roadtrip Playlist

All great road trips are accompanied by an equally great playlist. Here are some of the tunes which will forever now remind me of: driving through death valley, living it up on a party bus in Las Vegas, eating s'mores around a campfire, watching the baseball in San Diego, helicopter rides in the Grand Canyon, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time and hiking in Yosemite...

When It Rains It Pours by Luke Combs (yes, I'm now a country music fan!)

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison (played whilst watching the San Diego 'Padres' baseball game)

Sign of the Times by Harry Styles (played around the campfire on our final night)

I Love LA by Randy Newman
Scream & Shout by Will.i.am ft Britney Spears
Waking Up In Vegas by Katy Perry
Somebody Told Me by The Killers

Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon
Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder

Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus

First Date by Blink 182
Boys of Summer by Don Henley
California Soul by Marlena Shaw
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
Green Light by Lorde (Chromeo remix)
You Get What You Give by New Radicals
Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
Walking Away by Haim (Mura Masa remix)
This Wild Darkness by Moby (Maor Levi remix)
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
American Pie by Madonna
Hold On by Wilson Philips
Get Lucky by Daft Punk
Nice For What by Drake
Paradise by Coldplay
Unwitten by Natasha Bedingfield
Friday I'm In Love by The Cure
California by Phantom Planet
Under Control by Calvin Harris ft Hurts
On Top of The World by Imagine Dragons
Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams
Good Life by One Republic
Livin On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
Hotel California by Eagles
Surfin USA by Beach Boys

Phillippa x

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Trek America Roadtrip - Tips

After having time to reflect on my trip, I have put together a list of tips which I think you will find useful. So should you be going on a Trek America holiday or just embarking on your own adventure road trip, hopefully you will find these tips beneficial...

TIPS

Enjoy Every Moment - I can honestly say I didn't have a single low moment on this trip. Even the first night we camped in the Grand Canyon National Park, and it was -7 degrees, didn't phase me. Yes I couldn't feel my feet, and at 3am convinced myself I was definitely going to have my feet amputated (dramatic much?) but the next morning we laughed about how melodramatic we'd been and reminded ourselves it was 'all part of the experience'. Then there was the time we got over adventurous exploring the Grand Canyon and legit thought we were not going to make it back in time for our helicopter ride. Panic ensued and we thought the whole trip was ruined, we were definitely not making it onto the helicopter. In the end, after borrowing a strangers cell phone to call our tour leader, we weren't even late and it turned out the helicopter site was quite literally just over the road from the campsite - so no need to worry and we had our 'once in a lifetime' helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. It was moments like these that made the trip more memorable and gave us interesting stories to tell and reflect on. If you have a long drive day, just look forward to the stops you make along the way. Find some cool roadsigns at a gas station to photograph, buy some cool merch or chat to someone on the van - you've got to make the most of your trip and find the positive in every day! Afterall what do you expect? It's not a holiday, it's a 'travel adventure experience'.

Candid Pictures - Don't forget to take candid pics! Sure scenic pics are nice but some of my favourite images, which hold the most memories, are those taken around campsite and with my fellow trekkers - the tents, facilities, eating dinner, driving on the van, strolling through a new neighbourhood. Sure they might not be the most glamorous pictures but they show us living in the moment, enjoying every aspect of the trip and the excitement which came from seeing each new place.

Try Not To Care Too Much About What You Look Like (most of the time) - Did I sleep in the same clothes that I wore during the day...maybe I did...maybe I didn't. Did I 'forget' to wash my face some nights because it was dark and too cold to walk across the campsite to the shower rooms? But you know what? I didn't care and neither did my fellow trekkers. We live in a society that puts such a huge emphasis on what we look like, perfecting that selfie, making sure we have straightened our hair and have 'eyebrows on fleek' (whatever the heck that means!) but for the 18 days I was on my roadtrip I just didn't care. On one occasion I dried my hair sat on the floor underneath a hand dryer, that looked like it was from the 1980's. But did I care - no I didn't...because later that day I was going on a helicopter ride over the grand canyon which was going to be far more spectacular than the bird's nest type hair situation I had going on. I'm not one for having my picture taken, I usually run a mile if someone points a camera in my direction, but on this trip I lost all those insecurities and would happily pose for a picture. I think there's a lesson to be learned here.

You Don't Need To Spend Loads Of Money - I actually came back with about a quarter of my budgeted spending money. Of course there is so much to see and do on a trip of this scale, and whilst I did pay for some cool attractions (thrill rides at the Stratosphere in Vegas, whale watching boat trip, baseball game), people watching / exploring neighbourhoods on foot was equally as fun and memorable. Likewise, the days when we were hiking in the national parks were cost effective. Just walking around you see so many cool, and unexpected, things. I didn't partake in any typical retail therapy on my trip. Sure I bought a San Fran merch tee (because it was $3.99 in chinatown, and I love a bargain) but I didn't go to any malls or well known shops to buy clothes or makeup. It just didn't end up being that kind of holiday for me. Just remember, watching a beautiful sunset costs nothing.

Hat, Neck Scarf, Gloves - picked up in the mothership (aka Walmart) for a few dollars.  The gloves are ideal to wear when setting up /taking down the campsite, to avoid getting your hands dirty (so to speak). The neck scarf however, proved pretty versatile. It kept my neck / chest from getting sunburnt, protected my face from campfire smoke and was worn pulled up over pretty much my entire face when we 'slept' (term used loosely) in -7degrees in the Grand Canyon...thankfully no photographic evidence exists of this strong look! Thank you Walmart for this $4 sartorial statement. 

Food Kitty - As mine was a camping trip, we each gave $10 per day for our food kitty. This also included ingredients to make and prepare lunch. I would 100% recommend making the most of this. Prepping a sandwich/fruit/snacks on a morning, means you have more time to explore the places you are visiting because you don't need to stop to find a cafe or restaurant. There's also something rather nice about finding a rock to perch on, or picnic bench, and eating a slightly squashed sarnie out of your rucksack. Who knew wafer thin ham could be so appealing?

Snacks/Candy - whilst I didn't snack on candy too much, curiosity did sometimes get the better of me and my eyes (*mainly my belly) were lured in by all the never seen before sweets. But your brain totally deserves to know what all the American candy tastes like right? So I say: eat that giant bar of Hershey's chocolate, the rainbow coloured cotton candy ice-cream from a gas station, the Moon Pie (still unsure quite what exactly this was), that family size bag of crisps and the novelty rabbit shaped marshmallows! You'll burn off the calories hiking in Yosemite anyway...so it's totally fine and justified. Also, have an In-n-Out burger - because literally every person who has ever been to the West Coast will tell you it's the best fast food burger (I would agree) and if you don't have one you may as well just hang your head in shame and wallow in self pity that you didn't get to try the 'double-double'.

Time Of Year You Travel - I do not cope well in super hot temperatures, 30degrees is around my limit, so the weather played a huge part in why I decided to travel when I did. My trip departed on the 28th March, concluding on the 10th April (I stayed in LA an extra 3 days and flew home on the 13th). I believe the max temperature we reached was around 30degrees (in Vegas and Salvation Mountain) and for me this was ideal. I know that during the peak of summer the temp in Las Vegas can be over 40degrees and around 50degrees in Death Valley (some treks actually skip Death Valley during the summer if it is too hot). I know these sweltering temperatures would have made the trip less enjoyable for me.  So if you, like me, are not a fan of super hot temperatures then I would advise travelling earlier in the year. You'll still get glorious sun, but without the humidity and you won't be melting on the floor.

Take A Hard Suitcase - I took the largest suitcase I own (one of those soft fabric ones that claim to be the lightest suitcases in the world). Whilst it was the perfect size, for an 18 day trip, the outer fabric did rip (fluro green duck tape to the rescue). I'd forgotten about the fact that these suitcases are going to be in and out of the trailer / tent most days, packed next to heavy cool boxes and camping equipment, so damage might occur. On a couple of occasions the ground was also damp overnight and even with a ground sheet in the tent, the suitcase still managed to get a little wet. So take a hard suitcase, and if you don't have one borrow from a friend or family member.

Hand Sanitiser Is Your New Best Friend - Whilst hand san is provided by your trek leader (mainly before food prep and eating), it's great to carry a little bottle with you at all times. Especially given the amount of times you'll be in and out of gas stations and on public transport. Also worth noting that various points in the national parks do not have running water...meaning no sinks in the restrooms to wash your hands. This is mainly the case when you are hiking, so hand san is a lifesaver. A little bottle cost only around £1 / $1. I also advise taking a small hand lotion with you. After hiking, setting up camp, cooking and washing up you're hands could do with some TLC.

Take A Reusable Water Bottle - All of the national parks, and most cities, had drinking fountains from which you could refill your water bottle. This is a very active trip, so you'll want to stay hydrated. Some gas stations and shops were charging up to $4 for a standard size bottle of water. If you keep repurchasing it will soon add up, so grab yourself a reusable water bottle. I brought mine from the UK, but you can always purchase one from Walmart on the first day of the trip . I also ensured my rucksack had a side pocket for a water bottle. Made it super convenient.

Sunscreen - Don't forget to wear sunscreen... especially when on a 3 hour whale watching boat trip. "Let's stand at the front of the boat", "we'll get the best view", "it'll be just like being on the Titanic"...yes but you will inevitably put your hand on the side of that boat and it will get sunburnt, and it will swell up and look like you have a sausage McMuffin for a hand, and then you will have to wear gloves so your hand doesn't scare everyone away, and you will spend the entire trip applying aloe vera! Now I can't confirm, nor deny, that I am referencing myself here in this scenario but basically just wear sunscreen!

Nice Outfits - In Vegas, San Fran and LA (the latter not included in the trek, but I extended the trip myself) I made sure to wear some marginally nicer outfits. The majority of the time I was wearing my activewear/ trainers/hoodie, so when in the cities I made a bit more of an effort to wear something more along the lines of what I would typically wear back at home in England. For me this meant a pair of snakeskin ankle boots, Debbie Harry t-shirt and an LBD (worn in Vegas). Still practical, but for a short space of time just nice to be wearing something a little bit nicer than Walmart trousers with an elasticated waist!

The ultimate road trip playlist to follow...

Phillippa x

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Trek America - Westerner 2 Review

Last month I went on a holiday of a lifetime with travel company Trek America. I wanted to write a series of blog posts to document my experience and offer an insight into what you can expect if you go on a similar trip. 

Ok so a) why did I choose to do a west coast road trip? and b) why did I decide to do such a trip with Trek America? Well, for as long as I can remember a west coast USA road trip has been at the top of my bucket list. I'm not entirely sure where my love of America came from, perhaps the fact my dad used to work there or maybe the fact I grew up watching films and tv shows which featured iconic American landmarks - but whatever the reason I've just always wanted to travel around the US, in particular the West Coast (I previously lived in New York for a few months after I graduated). Five years ago I heard about Trek America and got my heart set on doing this trip with them. The 'Westerner 2' trek offered me everything that I wanted to see and do on the west coast. The itinerary is full of all the iconic sites / national parks and the fact that this was a camping trip meant that I would have a more authentic travel experience. Aside from this, going on an organised trip means that it takes all the usual stress out of planning a holiday and offers you the chance to meet likeminded travellers.

Itinerary

Day 1: Los Angeles -> San Diego. After setting up the campsite, (we stayed at 'Campland on the Bay') we visited La Jolla and watched the sunset at Mission Beach

Day 2: Full free day in San Diego. I went on a whale watching boat trip with Flagship Cruises, strolled around Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter, and then ending the night at Petco Park watching the San Diego 'Padres' take on the San Francisco 'Giants' in the baseball.

Day 3: San Diego -> Lake Havasu. En route to Lake Havasu we stopped at Salvation Mountain (famously seen in the 2007 film Into The Wild). We camped along the Colorado River at Buckskin Mountain Park Campground.

Day 4: Lake Havasu -> Grand Canyon. En route to the Grand Canyon we drove along part of the original Route 66 and stopped off in the iconic town of Seligman. It is full of cool retro signs and vintage Americana. After setting up camp at Camper Village Campground, we watched the sunset at the Grand Canyon, whilst eating pizza.

Day 5: Free day in the Grand Canyon. In the morning I visited the museum and took in the scenery. In the afternoon I went on a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, one word - BREATHTAKING. After dinner at the campsite, we went to a bowling alley for an evening of fun and games.

Day 6: Grand Canyon -> Las Vegas. After passing the Hoover Dam, we made it to Las Vegas. We stayed at the Golden Nugget hotel in downtown Vegas (a very welcome bed after the previous 5 nights camping). That evening we went on a party bus tour of the Vegas stip, stopping off at: the Vegas sign, Little White Wedding Chapel, the Bellagio fountains and ending on Fremont Street.

Day 7: Free day in Las Vegas. I visited the Neon Museum (well worth a visit if you love the iconic American road signs) followed by exploring the Vegas strip. In the evening I went on the thrill rides at the Stratosphere (google this, it was insane!)

Day 8: Las Vegas -> Death Valley. After a quick stop at Area 51, we drove through Death Valley. Stopping off at various different points, including where they filmed Star Wars. We camped at Lake Isabella campground.

Day 9: Death Valley -> Yosemite. Here we stayed at Indian Flat Campground. After setting up camp we drove to various view points to take photographs, including visiting the world famous 'El Capitan'. Check out the documentary 'Free Solo' if you haven't already seen it!

Day 10: Free day in Yosemite. I went on the 'Mist Trail' and the 'Mirror Lake Trail', visited the museum and had lunch at Half Dome Village (try the pizza!)

Day 11: Yosemite -> San Francisco. We drove across, then stopped off at, the Golden Gate Bridge followed by a visit to Ocean Beach and Twin Peaks viewing point. This was all before checking in at the USA Hostel on Post Street. In the evening, the group took a stroll to Pier 39 to see Alcatraz, explore the shops and have dinner.

Day 12: Free day in San Francisco. In the morning we went on a 4 hour 'Urban Adventures City Tour'. Highlights included: Union Square, Chinatown, Lombard Street and Fishermans Wharf. Later in the day, I took a cable car, visited Alamo Square Park, the Painted Ladies on Steiner Street (of Mrs Doubtfire fame), Haight Ashbury and the Cheesecake Factory.

Day 13: San Francisco -> California Coast. Lunch in Santa Cruz, and time on the beach and the amusements. I couldn't resist taking a barefoot stroll on the beach! Later we visited Morro Bay and the city of San Luis Obispo (highlights included Bubblegum Alley). We camped at Pismo Beach Park Campground and watched our final sunset on the beach itself.

Day 14: Pismo Beach -> Los Angeles. Stopping off in Santa Barbara, we made it back to LA around 5pm for our final farewells.

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Why the trip was so special...

Ultimate Bucket List Trip - This trip was everything I could have wished for, and more. Everyday we were visiting places, which for years I had looked at online and in magazines and dreamed of visiting - and there I was experiencing it all for myself. I don't take that many holidays, so for me to actually not only be on holiday but to be on my dream 'bucket list holiday' felt incredible. I loved that the tour had a mix of both cities (San Diego, San Fran, Vegas) and national parks (Grand Canyon & Yosemite).  We visited so many iconic places that everyday was a real pinch me moment. Our tour leader, Brad, was amazing. He gave us lots of information regarding what we could see and do in each place and really motivated the group. He helped us to book tickets for attractions we wanted to visit (baseball in San Diego) and dropped us off at specific locations on our free days depending where we wanted to be - this was greatly appreciated. He ordered pizza for us to eat whilst we watched the sunset over the Grand Canyon (not many people can say they have done that) and it was one of my highlights of the whole trip. Also, going with a travel company means that your tour leader knows lots of places which other tourists may not visit, and you fit more into your day than perhaps you would do if you travelled independently. For the entire duration of the trek, I can honestly say it was the happiest I have ever been, not a care in the world and just living and loving every moment. The trip might be considered expensive, but after doing the trip I can 100% say it was worth every penny. I booked the trip 9 months before I actually went on the trek, meaning I had time to initially save for the trip itself and then even more time to save for the flights and spending money.

Camping - For me, going on a camping version of this trip made the whole experience way more memorable (if you opt for the 'BLT' version of the Westerner 2 trip you stay in hotels and hostels for the full duration). Setting up camp together, cooking as a group, eating s'mores around a campfire - it was these little things that made the trip so special and meant our group bonded so well. All the facilities at each campsite differed slightly but it kind of made it fun seeing what facilities we had once we got there. Some had pools, some had shops, laundry rooms etc. I can't imagine doing this trip any other way. 

Fellow Trekkers - My trip had 11 trekkers and 9 of us were solo travellers, but honestly we all got along so well it literally felt like we had known each other for years. What was great about this, was that each day you could spend time with different people depending on what activities you wanted to do. I had been apprehensive that perhaps the group would become fragmented, or we wouldn't all get along, but this never happened. We had trekkers from: England, Norway, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Australia. We all swapped numbers and shared our photo's with each other. I hope we all keep in touch for many years to come!

I hope you have found this review useful! Next week I'll be posting a list of my 'top trek tips', followed by a road trip playlist, so be sure to check back in with my blog for that!

More pictures from my trip can be seen on my Instagram (Phillippa22)

Phillippa  x

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Fall 19 Trend - Hot Pink

The past couple of seasons, high voltage highlighter brights have been the leading colour trends and this season there is a distinct continuation of the vibrant colours but with less acidity. Fall 19 saw hot pink and magenta making a huge, unexpected, impact on the runway.  Unexpected in so far as we are traditionally used to seeing deeper wine and mulberry shades for Autumn. The pink shades pack a punch and play into the 90's and 00's nostalgia trend we have seen lately. Above all else they are feminine and and are very complimentary to many skin tones. To nail this trend, dress head to toe hot pink, for the ultimate Fall sartorial impact. Key Designers: Prabal Gurung, Jacquemus, Balenciaga, J.W.Anderson, Valentino, Carolina Herrera, Off-White

Phillippa x

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