Homeward Bound

Well, I am home. And if I thought I hated Luton before, it is only intensified after travelling through Europe, staying with my French penpal in Lille/Paris and spending a few days in Cornwall.

You can expect many blog posts on everywhere I've been and everything I've done, full of food, clubs, sunsets, pubs, clothes, landmarks and more.

I have a lot of writing to do.

Bises,

Riona

Blogging from Prague

Sorry for my absence recently, but as I mentioned in my last post, I left England on Monday to go Interrailing! So I now reach you from our Prague hostel's dodgy wifi. I'm most definitely feeling worse for wear after the infamous Prague pub crawl last night, which started with an hour's free bar (stocked with absinthe) and ended in the 5 story Karlovy Lázně, the biggest club in Central Europe.

I'm pretty busy for the rest of July; after I return on the 13th, my French correspondent comes over to stay with me from the 15th to the 19th, I then get the Eurostar to Lille with her and return on the 24th, to then hop on another train from London down to Cornwall for a few days to meet my family who are on holiday there.

I've got a pretty good July lined up, but unfortunately, besides quick updates, I won't have any time to blog properly! So, this is me officially signing off for the summer. Have a great one and I'll see you some time in August, with many a blog post about everything I've done, but if that's just too long here are some photos to whet your appetite...

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(Absinthe photo by Hannah)

Yes, I am having the time of my life.

Bises,

Riona

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Packing For: Backpacking Around Europe

Packing For: Backpacking Around Europe by rionadoherty featuring a straw hat

On the 1st July, two friends and I are setting off to backpack around Europe for 2 weeks. First stop Budapest, then Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam. We're Interrailing but cheating the system by flying to Budapest first, thus only activating our 10 day train pass when leaving Budapest. We leave next Monday and  this Polyvore collage is literally as close as I've got to actual preparation for the trip.

Obviously the one major thing (that I've completely left out) is a Duke of Edinburgh-style backpack. When packing for travelling, the most important things to remember are:

• Does this go with several outfits? If you're not gonna wear it at least 3 times, don't bother.
• Can I layer it?
• Is it lightweight?

I LOVE denim but don't think I'll be bringing my dungarees. And I'll have to limit myself to only one pair of jeans, probably my Topshop Moms.

But here are my other picks... (going clockwise)

a) a nondescript wide brim floppy straw hat (the hat featured above is an overpriced one from Nordstrom). Straw because it's lightweight, won't make you hot and straw hat can get creased in the backpack and usually spring back into shape. To chic it up a bit you could tie a scarf around the brim, Breakfast At Tiffany's Sing-Sing-Prison-visiting style.

b) A bralet. Again, lightweight and just so easy to wear and layer. Also perfect with high waisted shorts, skirts etc.

c) A duffle bag. Not a necessity but I just LOVE this tribal festival style one from Accessorize. This one also has pockets inside and duffle bags generally are ideal for travelling - spacious, stylish and easy to hang onto and open.

d) A midi smock dress. Ridiculously comfortable and lightweight, can be dressed up or down and it's an entire outfit. I especially love the flowy shape of this one on ASOS.

e) A print pair of shorts is also a must, again very light to pack and a high waisted pair like these can easily be paired with a crop top.

f) A pleated midi skirt. This ASOS skirt comes in cream or green and is high waisted enough to wear with a crop top - I think it goes great with a denim bralet and ballet flats. Daytime look = sorted. I would say if you buy this skirt, that it is very see-through so investing in some sort of slip or thick nude underwear-shorts is essential.

g) A kimono. Kimonos are going to be huge this summer and are the ultimate beach cover up. This Topshop number can be dressed up or down, unlike some which are really only suitable for the beach. 

h) A bumbag. A seriously 'dad' accessory, but an essential nonetheless, and probably the most secure way to keep your phone and money on you. You can also sleep with it in your hostels. This studded one from Pieces (via ASOS) adds a modern edge to the 90s it bag.

i) Ballerina flats. The comfort of standard ballet flats, PLUS adorable leg ties that can be shown off with a midi skirt. Win win. The Office link I used on Polyvore was actually out of stock, but Miss Selfridge have sold them from time to time, and if you're really desperate you could go to a proper ballet outlet.

j) A hoodie. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of the drawstring hoodies that everyone in the UK seems to own (I can't help but think of Cher Lloyd), they're comfy and therefore ideal for travelling. I can't imagine the night time 8 hour train rides from country to country being too warm, or comfortable. The hoodie featured is an oversized Topshop one but I'd probably just pick up a cheapy Primark one.

k) A fail safe evening dress - specifically, a landscape dress. Landscape designs are HUGE at the moment and H&M have released an absolute steal for £15, when they used to only really be sold by more expensive shops such as American Apparel. The cut out design on the back also makes it stand out.

l) Comfortable but stylish sandals. You definitely won't be taking heels with you so a stylish pair of flats is essential for the evenings. This Accessorize pair are £29 and can work in the daytime as well as the evening.

m) A crop top. Invest in basic colour crop tops, they can be matched with other items so so easily.

n) A vest. Vests are also easy to wear when crop tops aren't an option, they can be tucked into anything, or in this case the 'extreme swing' fit looks great with print leggings or shorts.

I did this with backpacking in mind, but I'd say it's a generally good guide line for most holidays.

Where are you off to this summer?

Bises,

Riona

Desperately Seeking Serena ('s Swimsuit)

Obviously I still haven't got to terms with Gossip Girl ending. To be honest I don't think I ever will. I was rewatching a few Season 1 episodes the other week (as usual) and was reminded of my infatuation with Serena's ruched halterneck swimsuit in episode 12 School Lies.

This swimsuit seems to be one of Norma Kamali's swimwear collection and I've been searching for a similar (and more affordable) one for weeks...

A - River Island Black Body Jewellery Halter Neck Swimsuit, £35

B - ASOS Plunge Backless Suit, £35

C - ASOS Cupped Bandeau Swimsuit, £24

Though it only comes in navy, B is my favourite and definitely bears the most likeness to the original. If you like to bling it up a bit, there's River Island's art deco-esque A option, and if you don't quite want to take the plunge (literally, har har) then C is a safe option.

I will definitely be investing in the plunge backless suit to take abroad with me this summer.

Serena's character is generally styled very well, especially in the summer, so here are a few other photos for wardrobe inspiration:

Bises,

Riona

This Is The One: Gig Wear

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This Is The One: Gig Wear by rionadoherty featuring high rise jean shorts

The ultimate gig questions "coat or no coat?" "Bag or pockets?" are truly up there with the questions of life. I was at the Stone Roses' Finsbury Park gig last night (hence the title - the best song of the night and possibly the best five minutes of my life) and though I wore dungarees and a crop top I thought I'd share some other ideas...

Bumbags especially are so ideal as you don't have to carry them, but another option is a parka/denim jacket with inside pockets. However, choose shoes carefully as more often than not they'll end up like this:

Above all though, without wanting to sound patronising, comfort is everything.

Everyone knows Ian Brown isn't exactly renowned for flawless live performances, but if you're heading up to Stone Roses' second gig tonight, don't even waste a second doubting their live abilities - they're everything you hope for and more.

Bises,

Riona

5 Things to Do This Weekend

As it looks to be another rainy weekend, here are a few ideas, whether they're during a revision break or you're just bored and longing for this supposed summer to finally reach us...

1) See The Great Gatsby | The decadent Roaring 20s era has taken the world by storm recently as Baz Luhrmann's highly anticipated remake of the classic American 20s novel, often cited as one of the best books ever written, is released in the UK today, after the initial Christmas release date was pushed back until now. I've watched the trailer (I wrote a post on it a while ago here if you still haven't seen it) about 30 times and I still get goosebumps every time I watch it. It's sure to be 2 hours of Prada flapper dresses, an AMAZING soundtrack and of course Leo DiCaprio. An unmissable combination. If the film leaves you with even worse 20s fever, head down to Harrod's this weekend, where you'll currently find a pop up Great Gatsby cocktail bar in the store's underground tasting room and wine shop. It closes on the 20th so hurry up! (Although if Harrod's is out of the question you could always whip up a few mint juleps, side cars or if gin is your thing, maybe some martinis - all quintessentially 20s beverages.)

2) Finalise Summer Plans | If you haven't already, get booking! I finally got my travelling stuff sorted out the other week and I've never been so excited - Budapest, Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam within 13 days (the photo featured is of the Saturday night summer bath parties in Budapest. Eeeek). So whether you're planning to head off on a boozy break, a festival or two or a culturally enriching (aha) backpacking excursion, get it sorted and it'll give you some motivation through all the rain and revision.

3) Watch an Audrey Hepburn film | Whenever it's raining, all I want to do is stay in bed with my Audrey Hepburn boxset, often replaying the final "CAT!" scene in Breakfast At Tiffany's with that famous kiss in the rain featuring the beautiful George Peppard.

4) Sort Out Your Summer Wardrobe | Again, when you're bogged down with mind maps and Post-It notes, it helps to keep summer in mind. I love this boho Fringed Coachella Beach Kimono from River Island and will definitely be donning it on a few beaches this summer. I usually look to a few celebrities whose style I admire for summer style inspiration, which is currently Blake Lively (or ANY of the clothes she wears as Serena in Gossip Girl) and Gillian Zinser. I love how laid back their style is, but also polished when need be.

5) Get a Free Graze Box On Me | I got my first Graze box this week and it has changed my life. You can rate hundreds of snacks online between 'Bin, Try It, Like, Love, Send Soon' and they'll send you a selection of the stuff they think you'd like. I received summer berry flapjacks, oatcakes with red onion marmalade, a white chocolate, Amaretti biscuit and coconut mixture and their 'Billionaire's Shortbread', containing milk chocolate, fudge pieces, almonds and cranberries. Now thanks to me, if you quote 'TJRRKJTD' on www.graze.com, you'll receive your first box for free! I'd definitely recommend them, they're perfect for coming home early from college to and their food is supposed to be pretty good for you. If you're into that.

Bon week-end!

Bises,

Riona