Vic's Tips - How To Pack For A City Break - Toiletries

As I said in my previous Vic's Tips for City Breaks post, I've been luck enough to go on several four-day city breaks over the past couple of years. Whilst I'm pretty confident that I've got my clothing choices down, I still struggle somewhat with my toiletries. This is mostly because I'm a girl who not only likes her makeup but also has several stages when it comes to hair care. It's bad enough that I can't take my diffuser with me, let alone if I had to leave behind anything else! (As an aside, I'm going to be posting an updated 'everyday hair routine' post soon as it feels like a lifetime ago since I wrote one).

However, there are a few things I have picked up over the years which I thought I'd share with you today. Remember, the UK has a liquids allowance for hand luggage. You cannot carry bottles with over 100ml of liquid in them in your hand luggage and all you liquid has to fit into one clear 20cm by 20cm bag.

1) Travel Size Bottles. I know all those miniatures that line the queue are very sweet and tempting but trust me: miniature products are over-priced and you can get by without them. Instead, I recommend investing in a good kit of travel sized bottles. I invested in a LifeVenture Travel Bottle Kit, which contained three bottles, one spray pump, and two screw-top tubs. This comes in a zip bag, which I've never used because I take a lot more than these items, but the bottles are a really good starting point for me to decant other toiletries into.

2) Shampoo and Conditioner. If you're travelling with a friend, I really recommend compromising on these and trying to share out the shampoo and conditioner between you both. Unless you have super thick hair, you'll never get through 100ml in only a handful of days. Sharing between two of you will still probably leave you with loads left over and you'll be amazed with how little product you actually need. The same goes with toothpaste and shower gel.

3) Don't overestimate. 100ml is actually a lot more than you think. You'll probably be surprised how many of the products you own are already in bottles smaller than 100ml and, if you can fit them in, I'd recommend taking products in their original bottles where possible. This saves on wasted product. as I always loose some of the product during my transfer between different bottles. Similarly, pare down your skin and hair care routines as much as possible. You're not going to suddenly break out if you go a handful of days without properly exfoliating! I usually decant some miceller water into a 100ml bottle and use that as a two-in-one makeup remover and cleanser. I also always take a flannel with me. This way you know you have something clean to wash and dry your face with and I make a point of rinsing my face before and after using the miceller water.

4) Makeup. You probably won't need to significantly reduce the amount of makeup you take assuming that you're like me and the majority of your makeup is powder based. Eyeshaddows, blushers, brow pencils, setting powders - there are all powders and don't need to be included in your liquids bag. Lipsticks/glosses/balms, mascaras, liquid eyeliners - these are all products that you have to think about when you're packing your bag. I usually only take one lipstick, one lip balm, my mascara, and my concealer. I'm not a foundation girl, but if you are you might want to think about that too.

5) Samples. Ask in shops as samples are a great way to get miniature bottles of things without paying above and beyond. Lush is a great company for giving out samples - so long as you don't take the mickey they are often more than happy to give you samples of a couple of products to try out. Some perfume companies also give out miniatures, which is a great way to include perfume into your bag without taking up loads of space.

6) Buy it. Another thing I like to remember when I'm packing toiletries is that it isn't the end of the world if I forget something. If you're staying in a hotel, they usually provide small shampoos, conditioners, and body washes as standard. If you're staying with a friend, ask in advance if you can borrow their stuff for the couple of days you're there. Otherwise, you can probably buy a cheap as chips option when you're out there and leave it for the next person who is in need!

Here's a run down of everything I take in my toiletries bag...

Liquids:
Shampoo
Conditioner
R&B Hair Moisturiser
Phil Smith Curly Locks Spray
Miceller Water
Deodorant
Concealer
Mascara
Lipstick
Lip Balm
Moisturiser
Inhaler

Other:
Toothbrush
Toothy Tabs (I use this instead of toothpaste)
Eyeshaddow Pallette
Blusher
Highlighter
Setting Powder
Brow Pencil
Hairbrush
Makeup Sponge and Brushes
Eyelash Curler

I hope that helps! What are your top tips for travelling light with toiletries?

Vic's Tips - How To Pack For A City Break - Clothing

I've been lucky enough to travel abroad a handful of times over recent years and four-day city breaks have turned into one of my favourite ways to explore the world. However, the only downside of a short city break is knowing what to pack. Having the right combination of options whilst still staying in your hand luggage limit can be tricky, but I like to think that I've got it fairly sorted.

1) Bottoms. Depending on the time of year it will depend on what exactly you bring but my general rule of thumb is one pair of jeans or shorts and one pair of trousers. You can interpret this how you want but if I'm going somewhere warm I like to have a full length loose trouser to cover up with and if I'm going somewhere cooler I like a smarter trouser option for evenings. You might be tempted to stick with the trousers you're traveling in - especially if you travelling in jeans and you're not going anywhere that you want to get your legs out - but trust me; if you only take one pair of trousers you will spill something on them (probably before you've left the airport) and you'll have to walk around with a huge ketchup stain on your crotch for the rest of your holiday! You can, of course, swap the alternative trouser option out for a skirt - it is up to you.

If you're worried about running out of room or weight, remember what you're going to wear to travel in. Jeans (and jacket) are often the heaviest thing that I take with me when travelling and I almost always wear them on the plane. This frees up space in my luggage, so realistically I'm only packing my alternative bottom option - even though I'll have both with me when I'm away.

2) Tops. I usually stick with t-shirts when I'm travelling. They go with everything, they can be tucked into high waisted options or left loose, and you can dress them up or down. At the very least, I'll have one white, one grey, and one dark t-shirt. I might also throw in a patterned tee, or a slightly smarter shirt, but these tend to be more restricted in how you can mix and match them with your bottoms. 

3) Dress. I almost always take at least one dress with me when I travel. In the winter this might mean taking a pair of thick tights, too. Dresses are perfect if you suddenly find yourself eating out at a smarter restaurant and, even when worn with trainers, they can make you feel more put-together than your jet-lagged self really is! If you're going somewhere warm, you can always pack more dresses and fewer tops and bottoms, as summer dresses are ultra-versatile and easy to wear.

With all of these three, I find that it is best to pack options but be realistic. You might love a specific t-shirt but if you know it only goes with one of your bottoms, leave it at home. Similarly, that strappy body-con dress might look great on a night out but if you're not planning on hitting the town it probably won't see the light of day on your holiday.

4) Underwear. This is one area when I would much rather over pack than under pack. As someone who has a menstrual cycle, I always pack a couple of extra pairs of pants. Even if I know that I'm not going to come onto my period, unexpected spotting can happen at any time and I don't want to be walking around with that in my pants all day long - if I can help it! Packing extra pairs of socks is also important, especially if you're going to be spending a lot of time on your feet. Nothing feels nicer than changing socks if your feet have been stuck in sweaty trainers all day long and it is a quick way to freshen up without having to take a shower. Although I over pack socks and pants, I tend to err towards under packing bras. Realistically, I don't change my bra all that often, so I don't need a new one each day I'm away. Bear in mind that you'll probably be wearing one on the plane, so it is up to you if you'd like another option with you. If you've packed any strappy clothing you might want to take a multi-way bra or if you're wearing a lot of white you might want a nude bra in your arsenal, but it really is up to you.

5) Jackets. As I said when talking about jeans, remember you'll probably be wearing this to the airport, especially if you're heading off for some winter sun. Even if you're going somewhere warm, it pays to have a jacket with you to cover up with. Personally, I tend to take my leather biker jacket. This is another item that you can dress up or down as you like and it is both warm and a little bit waterproof. If I’m headed somewhere I know will be warm, I also take a super lightweight cover-up style jacket. Recently, this has been my bomber, as it is silky (so it looks smart) and lightweight (so I won’t overheat).

6) Shoes. If you’re going somewhere where you want to walk and explore, packing comfortable footwear is a must. For me, that means a pair of trainers. Not only are trainers engineered to support your feet, but they are also usually ultra-lightweight too. If you’re not a trainer fan, or you’re not going to be doing a tonne of walking, I recommend a solid pair of Converse. These shoes are versatile and comfortable enough to wear for hours on end. I almost always pack a pair of smarter shoes, too. Again, these are just in case I find myself out at a smarter restaurant. The shoes you wear can smarten or scruffen up outfit, so they are a lightweight and low-space way of packing outfit options.

7) Pyjamas! This is one item that is so easy to forget, but it is absolutely essential to take. It’s completely up to you how you go with this one but if you’re staying in a hostel with a shared room you might want to take something a little more covered up…

8) Optional Extras. Once you’ve packed up all your clothes, toiletries, and any electrical items you might need, you can start adding in alternatives. This is usually the point of packing when I throw in my extra t-shirt, a skirt, and any other items that I had initially cast aside.

As an aside, it pays to have a system for packing – especially if you’ll be living out of your suitcase for the duration of your holiday. I tend to pack all my underwear in one end of my suitcase, under my spare bottoms and toiletries. At the other end of my suitcase, I’ll pack all my top options – as well as any dresses. This makes finding clothing simple and I don’t have to play a game of jenga each time I want to put together an outfit.

That’s it for the clothing! I mentioned toiletries at the end there and I was originally going to talk about these here too but, on reflection, I’ll save that for another day.

Are you going away for any short city breaks? Do you have any top packing tips that you think I missed?

Top Five Foods in New York City

I only stayed in New York for seven days so I know that I barely scratched the surface in terms of what the city had to offer. Amongst the food I ate I tried deli sandwiches, hot dog street vendors, and even the classic McDonald's. Looking back, though, there were definitely some meals that were more memorable than others. I thought I'd share those with you today. Normally I don't put these kinds of lists in any order, but today I'm making an exception - starting with my 'must try' and ending with classic quality!

1) Takumi Taco. I mentioned this briefly in my top five highlights, as this glorious fast food shop has an outlet in Chelsea Market. When my tour guide mentioned the phrase 'Japanese inspired Mexican' I wasn't sure I fully understood what she meant. One bite of my Takumi Taco and I was sold! Mixing the flavours of Japan (think sesame, soy sauce, and ginger) with classic Mexican dishes (tacos, guacamole, tortilla chips) is a match made in heaven! In fact, even thinking about this dish is making my mouth water... I went for one of their Bento boxes, which included two tacos of my choice and a side. It also comes with a salad and a serving of tortilla chips - all for just over $11 (plus tax). That might sound a lot for a lunch but in New York, for the amount of food you get, it's actually great value for money. 

2) Bare Burger. I am so glad I googled 'good places to eat' when we were sat in our hotel room deciding on food for the night! Offering a huge range of burgers, salads, and sandwiches, Bare Burger prides itself on its locally sourced and organically grown ingredients. What's more, if you're a meat eater there are tonnes more choices than the traditional beef or chicken. These include wild boar and elk. I'm always one to try something new, so I went for an elk burger. It was delicious! There were also a number of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu too (I'm actually planning a blog post discussing my views on veganism and how it fits into my cruelty free makeup ethos, as I know that for a lot of people my diet and values sit at odds with each other - but that is a story for another day). I got my burger with a side of fried pickles - which were divine - and my family shared a basket of fries too. My sister ordered a Mexican milkshake - honestly one of the most delicious drinks I've ever tasted (coming from someone who doesn't really enjoy milk that is very high praise). I could easily have eaten here another couple of nights!

3) Junior's. My next door neighbour had insisted we get cheesecake from here and it actually ended up being our last meal in the city! Dad and I shared a pastrami on rye and Mum and Becca a cheese and ham toastie. These came with pickels and beets, too, and fillings piled so high you had to deconstruct the sandwich before eating! We then made our cheesecake choices... Dad and I went for the New York classic whilst mum and Becca chose a Devils Cheesecake (essentially a cheesecake with a chocolate fudge cake on top). Thank goodness we shared - how on earth anyone eats a whole slice is beyond me! They were massive! Hands down the best cheesecake I've ever eaten, though.

4) The View. This is another crossover from my top five highlights. If you have a bigger budget and want a spectacular meal then I'd really recommend it. Like I said in my other post, we went for the Sunday Mimosa Brunch. This was a full buffet with four sections: 'breakfast', cold cuts, 'lunch', and desserts. The options where almost limitless and all the food was constantly being restocked. I started with a classic all American pancake, had a lobster mojito shooter, ate cheeses and meats, and finished with some delicious desserts! All of this glorious food was topped off with sparkling mimosas! The waiting staff were all excellent and the view as the restaurant rotated was wonderful!

Dad enjoyed the beer too - Brooklyn Lager.

5) We stumbled upon this cute Italian place after a long trek to Central Park - and I can't remember the name of it! I've searched high and low on google maps with no luck. It was somewhere between Central Park and W. 49th St, but that's as good as I can get. All I know is that the food was delicious. The meal started with free garlic bread, I ate a seafood linguine, and the wine was perfect. Although it was nothing 'special', it was exactly what we all needed after a very long day on our feet!

Have you been to New York? Any food places that I didn't get to try?

Five New York Highlights

The Big Apple, the city so good they named it twice, New York City. I'm writing this post on the final night of my stay in the city - and what a week it's been! New York is a place I've always wanted to visit so when Dad suggested that he'd like to go to celebrate his fiftieth I jumped at the chance. I haven't been disappointed and, although not everything met my expectations, I am really sad to be packing my bags and heading back to Blighty. Before I leave, though, I want to take a brief moment to look back on a few of my highlights of the trip - with high being the operative word! These are in no particular order... 

1) The Top Of The Rock - I was lucky enough to do both Top of the Rock and The Empire State during my time in New York and if you ever visit I strongly recommend you do both too! We did Empire State and night and Top of the Rock in the day and, to be honest, I struggled over which to include in this highlights post as I didn't want to use up two slots with 'amazing views' items! Top of the Rock just pipped Empire State for me because of its glass panelling along the observation decks. Not only does this shelter you from the wind but it gives almost uninterrupted views across the city. I'd really recommend doing this in the day time - particularly if it's a nice day or if you can get up just before sunset - as the views you get really are spectacular and it can help you find your bearings a little too!

The view over Central Park from Top of the Rock.

2) The High Line and Chelsea Market - I'm cheating a little by pairing these two but it seams silly to do one without the other. We gave ourselves half a day to do the pair and ended up rushing both, so I'd really recommend giving yourself a full day to properly explore the area. The High Line stretches further than you'd think and it has loads of places for you to stop, sit, and enjoy the view. I'd recommend picking some food up from

Chelsea Market and walking a little way north or south along the High Line to enjoy it. I actually picked up a delicious 'Japanese inspired Mexican' dish from a stall in the Market and it was one of the most enjoyable dishes I had over the week.

The food from Takumi Taco - it was delicious!

3) Central Park - I loved the little of Central Park I got to see and I can really see the appeal of it for someone who lives in the city. Although it's only the 5th biggest park in New York it is really surrounded by skyscrapers, which makes it feel much larger than it is. We did a cycling tour of the park which was a nice quick way to explore a reasonable amount of the park - including the Stuart Little boat lake and the John Lennon Strawberry Fields memorial.

One of the many performers in the park. 

The memorial in Strawberry Fields.

4) The View Restaurant - our very lovely neighbours gave us a voucher for this restaurant which slowly revolves as you eat. We were there for just over two hours and experienced one-and-a-half rotations - you really do get great views of the city! We went for Sunday brunch, which was a huge buffet with mimosas - it was absolutely delicious. If you want a fine dining experience in the city I really recommend it!

Dad and Becca with one of our many courses!

5) Clipper City - this is one of the most unique boat tours of the Statue of Liberty. The clipper boat is a traditional sail boat that takes you out to the island and down to the Brooklyn Bridge. The boat has a bar and good music and a really fun crew - and it's one of the few tours that is unguided. Simply sit back (or wander around) and enjoy the view!

The captain making notes in his log.

Mum pointing out the sights.

Becca and I in front of the lady herself!

It was really hard whittling this list down and I know I've missed out so much! You can definitely expect a few more posts from me about my time in the city that never sleeps!