Vacation Prepping // How I Get Ready For A Trip

22 February 2013


Tonight's the night, I'm off to Dubai! It's felt like such a long time coming, especially since my fiancĂ© has been away over there working for the last eight weeks. But I'm finally all packed up and ready to go. 

Packing is just the last part of vacation prep, there's a whole bunch of other holiday prepping to be done. I know most people have specific things that they will do before a vacation so I thought I'd share a little about what I always like to do.

Pre-Holiday Shopping  //  It goes without saying that a vacation means a little shopping is needed. Usually I'd pick up some new clothes, maybe a pretty maxi for the beach and some shoes but this time I've restrained. I figured that since I'm heading to Dubai, where there's no shortage of malls, my money would be better spent there. Maybe they'll actually stock my shoes size in some decent stores too! I did pick up a new blouse, which you'll see soon and a new necklace that I saw and thought would work with just about any outfit. The phone case wasn't needed but anything gold and studded just calls out to me.

Body Blitz  //  Yeh, maybe I'm being over zealous with that title. It never turns out to be a blitz as such but like most girls I always embark on a pre-holiday diet of some kind. I usually aim to lose a tonne of weight with the reality (sadly) being just a couple of pounds shifted. I like to crack out my favourite excercise DVDs and always feel like Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred helps me feel a bit healthier and beach ready. This time around I've sworn to myself I'm going to keep doing these on a much more regular basis even after I'm back. Healthy lifestyle and all that...blah blah blah.

Teeth Whitening  //  I was first introduced to Crest Whitestrips when I worked a summer in Disney World, Florida. I'd never seen or heard of them in England so I was skeptical. Some of the other 'cast members' (yes, that's what you have to call them!) had to whiten their teeth for their 'face character' roles, so I decided to give them a shot, too. I picked up my first pack from the local Walgreens and, lo' and behold, had white teeth by the time summer was done. I don't like to use them too regularly because they do tend to make your teeth a little sensitive and I've heard that overuse can damage your tooth enamel. Just before a vacation seems like the perfect time to give my smile a little refresh though, ready for all those holiday snaps.

Tanning & Beauty //  Of course the holiday manicure, pedicure and waxing is standard. But part of my pre-vacation routine is tanning. Also common for a lot of people. I like to do it slightly differently and rather than going for a whole hog spray tan I use St Tropez gradual tan. I find that for me, it creates the most natural looking tan and it's almost fool proof. I like to build up the colour over the week preceding my trip, using an exfoliating scrub each day too, to really make my skin look it's best. Nothing good about glowing white laid by the side of the pool, or worse orange is there!


Packing  //  The final task and definitely the hardest for me! I used to throw in clothes until my suitcase was full but nowadays I like to be more organised. I try on outfits and lay them out with all the shoes, accessories and bags to match. It's really help me cut down on the amount of luggage I take away with me and it's more relaxing to know exactly what I'm going to wear each day.


And that's it! Once I have my holiday currency and my passport and I'm ready to go!

How do you prep for your jolly holidays? Do you have a set routine too?

34 comments:

  1. i spot a miu miu bag! i absolutely love it! hope you have a great trip :)

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  2. Have a great time in Dubai I'm sure you'll love it, the weather is going to be amazing there! My boyfriend and I are hopefully going on a three day city break and we're only allowed to take hand luggage so I'm going to have to plan and try outfits on very carefully to avoid paying excess baggage!
    xxx
    Nina from little nomad

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  3. Have a lovely time, I'm very jealous, my holiday is still 10 weeks away :)

    http://wwwclairabelle.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. i use white strips and try to tone up a little before vacations too! the strips work, not sure about the toning up, haha.
    your packing looks a bit different than mine. i don't see any comfy clothes, flip flops, or anything like that. all glitz-n-glamour. that must mean it's going to be a fabulous trip!

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  5. Have a fab time! I'm very jealous!!Xx

    http://lucycole.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. I do really want to try the crest strips!

    Have a lovely time in Dubai :)

    www.gleepface.com

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  7. Have a great time in Dubai!! <3

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  8. You leopard suitcase is SO cute! xx

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  9. Oh man you have so many pretty things :) Have an amazing trip to Dubai!

    PS. Ordered the peel off base coat! So excited to receive it :)
    abundanceoferica.blogspot.ca

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  10. Oh my goodness this post has made me long for a holiday! I am green with envy ;) I so enjoyed reading this, your writing style is just gorgeous!


    www.ciderwithrosiebee.blogspot.com

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  11. I think I am obsessed with your wardrobe after seeing this pictures. Everything looks so amazing!

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  12. I really want to go away !!!! Looks like a glam holiday you've got planned with all that beautiful jewellery and I hope you find shoes in your size :)

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  13. Love your bag! Always stop and look at it when I see it in the shops.

    whatsonyourtulips.blogspot.co.uk

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  14. have an amazing time, love the miu miu bag! xo

    http://prettypetticoats.blogspot.com

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  15. I love your miu miu bag! I'm trying to save up for a designer bag but every time I get extra money in the bank I always spend it! I just got back from a mini vacay to Seattle, and I tend to overpack makeup and beauty products, but I'll under pack clothes. I also only carry 2 pairs of shoes MAX (one day time appropriate and one night time) to cut down on bulkiness.

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  16. have an amazing time!!! looking forward to the photo diary!
    xoxo
    Come visit my Fashion Blog!

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  17. have a great time!

    grace
    http://herumbrella.com

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  18. New follower!!!! Im loving all the items you chose to pack!!!

    http://bourgiechronicles.blogspot.com

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  19. DUBAI! I'm so jealous :P I'm horrible at packing so I've tried to organize myself as well haha. I also used to spend a lot of money buying things "for" my trip which would end up backfiring because I would still buy things while I'm on vacation. Then my luggage becomes too heavy and I end up paying fines at the airport!

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  20. i also use the every day st tropez! love it! have a nice trip! xxx kat

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  21. Have an amazing time in Dubai!
    i just discovered your blog and i am in LOVE. Your photos are so perfect and pretty :)
    Natalie xoxo
    The Blonde Ethos

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  22. The colours of your clothes are so pretty, making me crave summer big time! I hope you have a lovely holiday :) xx

    Lucy Loves To Blog

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  23. Enjoy every moment! Can't wait to see all the pics :)

    xoxo

    http://www.onestilettoatatime.com

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  24. Have a great trip! I love packing for vacation cause it always builds up the excitement.

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  25. I am so bad at packing; totally not that organised!

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  26. I hope you're having a fabulous trip so far!! I love the 30 day shred, I haven't done it in so long though!! I never knew you worked at Disney World! That is something I wish I had done!

    xoxo
    Stacey

    Five Minute Style 

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  27. Love white strips. Hope you having a fab time, can't wait to hear what is in your mystery box!!

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  28. You lucky princess! Looks like an amazing holiday planned! We used to follow each other on my old blog, Professor Barbie. I just launched my new website, The Blonde Silhouette and I would LOVE to follow each other via Bloglovin! I'll wait for your answer on my blog!

    Love Ashleigh
    The Blonde Silhouette
    www.theblondesilhouette.com.au

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  29. I am a bit of a late commenter on this one, but as I keep coming back to this post and bothering you on instagram for pre-holiday shopping, I thought I would join the party here too! Thanks so much for this little guide, I hope you do many more of these!

    Love,
    Kimberley
    www.ohthatkimberley.com

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  30. Have a great time.... Can't wait to see some post from there :)))

    http://www.dictionaryoffashion.blogspot.com/

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