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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Accessories Trend - Beaded Bags

As of late, there's been an increasingly popular trend for unique, and some would say impractical handbags. Whilst a classic leather tote will always be a wardrobe staple, various different fabrications have come into play recently. Clear plastic bags have been popular (note what I was saying about impracticality) but more so beaded bags have come out as the winner. Inspired by vintage designs from the 1960's, these beaded bags come with nostalgic throwbacks and they are above all else, super cute! Sure they are fun, colourful and on trend but don't expect to be carrying many items with you. - there'll only be room to carry the essentials. If you like to have fun with your sartorial choices, and are quite happy to get onboard with short term trends, then beaded bags could be your go to accessories choice for summer 2019. The playful aesthetic, coupled with a bright colour palette and quirky motifs, would be a great fit for girls who like to inject light-hearted fun into their outfits.

1. Topshop £25

2. Delduca £617

3. Staud £195

4. Rosantica £190

5. Skinny Dip £32

6. Loeffler Randall £255

7. Susan Alexandra £274

8. New Look £25.99

9. Shrimps £440

Phillippa x

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Fashion Q&A

What is the oldest item in your wardrobe?

Mulberry handbag from the early 00's

What is the newest item?

Stella McCartney x Adidas running jacket

Most expensive item?

Balmain skirt, purchased in a sample sale

What was the biggest bargain?

Burberry lambskin leather jacket. £130 in a designer consignment store. The owner kept referring to it as a Barbour jacket and I realised she had somehow got MAJORLY confused between the two brands. These leather jackets retail at over £2000 - bargain of the century right there!

Cheapest item you wear the most?

Green a-line mini skirt. Purchased in a Housing Works thrift store in NYC for $2.50 - it still fits like a dream, even though I bought it in 2012

Most treasured item?

A gorgeous pink coat from Milly. Gifted by the brand at the end of a 3 month internship

Favourite model?

Gemma Ward - she was on the front cover of the first Vogue magazine I ever bought (August 2005). She was wearing a Missoni dress and the editorial was called 'Seduced by the Dark Side' and it was shot by Mario Testino. I still have my copy!

Favourite designer brands?
Louis Vuitton, Prabal Gurung, Mary Katrantzou, Sies Marjan

Favourite everyday brands?

Anine Bing, Isabel Marant, Iro, The Kooples, Reformation, Realisation, Rockins, Rag & Bone

Brands to keep on your radar?
Calvin Luo, Orseund Iris, Rixo, Matty Bovan, Tomo Koizumi, ALEXACHUNG

Favourite sunglasses brand?

Elizabeth & James, Andy Wolf

Favourite scarf brand?
Rockins

Favourite jewellery brand?
Missoma, Foundrae

Favourite shoe brand?

In an ideal world i'd be wearing Chloe and Saint Laurent...but thankfully Office do some great designer dupes and they also have great sale reductions

Best celebrity red carpet style?

Margot Robbie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Item you would love to own?
Anything vintage by: Zandra Rhodes, Celia Birtwell, Emilio Pucci, Mary Quant

Phillippa x

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Fall 19 Eyewear Trend - Yellow Lens

Trend - It's not so mellow yellow for Fall 19 with yellow tinted lens sunnies being a major hit on the runway. 'Sunshine Yellow' was a key colour callout from this past fashion month, with countless designers playing with sunshine hues and that colour trend seamlessly crossed over into eyewear. One of the best things to note with this trend, is that the shape and style of the eyewear plays second fiddle. It's almost irrelevant whether you want to opt for: classic aviators, fashion metals, shields or slim frames  - it's the colour that matters the most. In essence meaning that this trend can suit everyone, as you can still wear a style that suits you. We also saw 70's design references coming through on the runway, and yellow tinted sunglasses do have a vintage feel to them (think Johnny Depp's infamous yellow aviators in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas').  This look has already been adopted by models and street style influencers alike. Notable wearers include: Bella Hadid, Vittoria Ceretti, Caro Daur, Gigi Hadid, Shay Mitchell and Chiara Ferragni.

Styling - Sunglasses such as these are going to do all the talking, and be the focal point of your look, so keep the rest of your outfit tailored and paired down - black, grey and navy are great combination colours for yellow. Yellow tinted lenses also make for a great option for festivals, so if you are hitting up Coachella or Glastonbury these could be your go-to sunglasses of choice.

A/W 19 Key Designers - Michael Kors (oversized topbar aviator), Self-Portrait (large fashion metal), Fendi (d-frame), Gucci (extreme cateye and small metals)

If you love eyewear as much as I do, be sure to follow my 'Eyewear' board over on my Pinterest (details below). I post all the best eyewear from the catwalk and independent brands.

Phillippa x

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Twitter - @phillippa22

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AW19 Trend: It's All In The Name, Branding

We've long seen brands splashing their branding across apparel, for some it is their signature style -  think Supreme and Superdry for reference. A logo and strong branding can make or break a brand, becoming recognisable world over and being worn like a badge of honour by the wearer...a sort of status symbol if you will. And whilst some brands have quite literally made their mark through this type of branding, many luxury and fast-fashion retailers have steered clear of it, opting instead for producing collections based on ever changing seasonal trends. However this season, there has been a shift. Countless designer and high-street brands have been emblazoning their brand name across t-shirts and sweatshirts, something which we haven't really seen on this scale before from typically more trend driven retailers. On a recent comp shop along Oxford Street, I lost count of the number of brands who were proudly displaying their branded wares on mannequins - Zara, Mango and River Island to name but a few. Typically with branding, it opens up a whole world of marketing opportunities especially with luxury brands. Whilst the average consumer is unlikely to be able to afford a Versace dress, they could perhaps save and push the boat out and purchase a Versace branded tee at around the £200 price mark. For many this purchase would still be considered a 'splurge' but it allows the consumer to tap into the market of their favourite designer and feel 'on brand'. So it's quite surprising that lower price point high-street retailers have been getting in on the action too. Typically the average high-street consumer is not as loyal when it comes to shopping, opting for which store has the best version of the catwalk trends rather than having brand loyalty for quality or brand ethos. I'm not too sure if wearing a Zara branded t-shirt carries quite the same kudos as a Balenciaga branded one, but where the catwalk leads the high-street will follow and that is what we have seen this season. Also good to note, is that this trend has very recently been seen on the catwalk at NYFW, for Fall 19, proving it shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Calvin Luo and the wonderful Rodarte both showcased runway pieces with their brand name strewn all over in inventive fonts and graphic patterns.

1. Long-sleeved jersey top - Balenciaga £445

2. Black t-shirt - Zara £12.99

3. White t-shirt - Desigual £44

4. Long-sleeved cropped jersey - River Island £14

5. Black t-shirt - Burberry £220

Phillippa x

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Spring Soundtrack

The Walker - Christine and the Queens

Hollow Days by Twin Shadow

No Longer Making Time by Slowdive

Kind and Generous by Natalie Merchant

Yes by Chromatics (Symmetry remix)
Fortress by Lennon Stella
My Sweet Lord by George Harrison

For Sarah by Tourist

Mile High by James Blake ft Travis Scott and Metro Boomin

Seashells by Part Time
Wide Awake by Katy Perry

No Stranger by Small Black

Mr Noah by Panda Bear
It's Not Living If It's Not With You by The 1975
Ripples by Ian Brown
Silver by Caribou

Paint Me Silver by Pond

Skies The Limit by Fleetwood Mac

Nobody Compares To You by Gryffin
You Get What You Give by New Radicals
Black Rainbows by Cut Copy
The Best Day by Taylor Swift
Staralfur by Sigur Ros

Phillippa x

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Twitter - @phillippa22

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