What's in my hand luggage? | A few flying tips

Hello everyone!

This time next week I'll be chilling at the beach sipping from a cocktail or two, watching the sun set in Kos, Greece with some of my closest friends. We leave on Wednesday, and as I was taking pictures for this post and my next, the excitement really kicked in; I'm going on my first 'girls holiday' and I couldn't be more excited!

Okay I could be, if it wasn't for my irrational fear of flying and the sea.

Flying is one of those things many people hate, for many different reasons. Me? I don't like being 'trapped', and that's exactly how I feel on a plane as there's no way to get a breath of fresh air- it's not like I can just walk outside! Also, flying over the sea freaks me out a lot. Its just so BIG and never-ending. Even though the odds of dying in a plane crash are 11 million to 1, I can't help but get freaked out a little bit. It'll be fine, just relax.

Today's post, (and Tuesday's for that matter) is unlike anything I have ever done before, so this might not work and may not be my thing. But they say practice makes perfect, right?

So, what will I be taking with my in my hand luggage on Wednesday? Well, you've came to the right place!

I think I'm a little bit in love with my new handbag! It's a Limited Edition from Primark and cost £20, which seems pretty pricey, but its not just an ordinary bag. It comes with a removable clutch at the front which is great for when we decide to go out, and if you look at the picture on the right, it has the main area, and two sections which can be zipped shut at the front and back for your more valuable possessions- perfect!

Obviously there's my passport -that's a must- as well as my money, EHIC card, digital camera and phone. Again, from Primark I bought a card and phone holder for £4 which I think is great as I won't have to go rooting around my bag for these things. It's also a really great size, not too big, not too small, and It has a small section for money too. Bonus.

I've also included my iPod shuffle rather than my iPod classic as it isn't the end of the word if I lose the shuffle. I've added the most relaxing, calming music I own to keep myself calm throughout the flight. I'm especially excited about the edition of George Ezra's album Wanted on Voyage which has been on repeat since it arrived on my doorstep on Saturday as pre-release. If you haven't already, I highly recommend you listen to the whole album on iTunes for free before its general release at midnight tonight! I'm also bringing a knitted kimono (even though it doesn't go with what I'll be wearing shhh) as a cover up incase it gets a bit chilly- especially on the flight on the way back!

Other obvious things include chewing gum and boiled sweets, a MUST if you get really sore ears while flying like me. Water is also a must as it is VERY important you keep hydrated during your flight. I shall be buying all of these things at duty free.

It's quite a long flight to Greece, so I need to keep myself entertained. Magazines are essential, especially if you want to read all the cheeky celeb goss, and summer styles. I'll also be starting Giovanna Fletcher's You're The One that I Want. I've had to restrain myself from starting this ever since I bought it. I vowed to myself I wouldn't buy it until after exams, which I did, but it's been staring at me, daring me to read it. I read Billy and Me last year, which even though was an easy read, was amazing and made me laugh and cry. From reading reviews of her new book, it seems You're The One that I Want is also an easy read, perfect for a relaxing holiday!

Stupidly I didn't read the allowances for hand luggage on liquid and so will have to buy a new moisturiser to fit in my clear makeup bag, which I will apply at the beginning and after the flight on make-up free skin to keep my skin hydrated as your skin can get really dry and dehydrated when flying. Since the plan is to go out once we land and get to our hotel, I've pack very minimalistic makeup to apply at the end of my flight, just so my face looks a little fresher and 'awake'. I've also included my contact lens case and solution and will be taking my glasses with me, as your contacts can dry up and cause irritation if you wear then while flying.

If you're going on a long haul flight, or a flight lasting more than a couple of hours I recommend you get up and go to the toilet every hour or so, just so you can stretch your legs. Obviously you're going to wear your comfy clothes but sometimes people forget about shoes. Slip on shoes or flip-flops are best for flying: not just to make it easier when going through security, but your feet can sometimes swell when flying and these leave room to allow your feet to remain comfortable if they do swell.

I hope you enjoyed reading and seeing what I will be taking with me in my hand luggage, and I hope my tips (although not many) help you if you are indeed going on holiday or flying this summer.

I'll be back on Tuesday with a summer haul.

Cheerio x

Finishing School Forever and The Shine School Media Awards

Hello Everyone!

Yet again there has been a prolonged absence from me over the last few months, but when A-Levels call, a student's gotta do what a student's gotta do! However, after many many months of not having much of a life at all and revising up to 10 hours a day, exams are officially over and I'm finished school forever! (Hopefully).

After finishing my last exam on Thursday it was time to celebrate with our school leavers dinner, plenty drinks, and a lovely night with friends; what a way to end 15 long years of school, even though it didn't feel that long at all! Here's just a few of the photo's from the evening/night.

These last two years have been the hardest of my school career to date, but I can rest on the fact that I tried my absolute hardest, and I couldn't have possibly done any more. At times it got a bit too much and I lost my cool, but I've done my bit and now it's time to play the waiting game and enjoy my summer! I've quite a bit happening over this summer, which I can't wait to share with you... starting with a little something from Yesterday!

As some of you will know, I want to go into a career in journalism, and study it at uni. I'd been editor and co-editor of our school newspaper for the last two years, and for the second time we had reached the final of the UK Shine School Media Awards in London at The Stationer's Hall.

Being an editor and contributor for The Alnwickist, with help from the team at The Northumberland Gazette has taught me quite a lot about journalism, but I know University will teach me a lot more.

Back in January when news of Ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson's visits to schools to speak about tolerance and non-extremism reached the national press, I found some national newspapers (which I will not name for obvious reasons) had taken a quote I had included in one of my articles for the December 2013 issue. Because one online newspaper took my quote, but didn't credit myself or The Alnwickist for it, other newspapers reported 'The ****** spoke to.. etc" and I got to see first hand what national journalism was like, which left me very intrigued.

Moving on from that and back to the point- haha! So yesterday, myself and the rest of the main editorial team made our way from good old North-Northumberland all the way to London- only my third time there! It was a very similar set up to last year, if you would like to read my blog post 'I ventured to London' about that click here.

We arrived at the stationer's hall and took part in a book binding workshop. Lets say us language and writing types aren't the best at logic! It was a lot harder than it sounds!

Then, after a light lunch it was time to take our seats for the awards ceremony to begin.

The awards ceremony was presented by Simon Heffer of the Daily Mail, formerly The Telegraph (I can't remember his full job title, sorry Simon!) and Suzy Cox, deputy editor of Cosmopolitan who has worked on other titles such as Mizz and Smash Hits ,a huge inspiration of mine. Awards were also given out by big names in the journalism and publishing world. Not only this, but Suzy spoke to about her career in journalism which I found so fascinating- especially her story about one member of Busted!

Out of the 200 schools that entered from across the UK, we were one of over 20 schools to be shortlisted for some of the awards up for grabs. We were shortlisted for Best Newspaper Cover, Best Design and Layout, Best Feature Article and Best Newspaper. Out of these four categories we were then recognised as highly commended for Best Cover and Best Newspaper, and although it wasn't an outright win, we were very pleased with ourselves as the competition was tough, dominated by magazines, and we didn't have the budget or the facilities other schools at the final had.

Going up for Best Newspaper. Image credit.

All in all it was still a worthwhile trip and we are very pleased with ourselves as again, it taught us just how competitive the journalism field is. Am I ready for that? I think so.

After the awards ceremony we were left to navigate London and the Underground ourselves, which for me, on a personal level was such an achievement- especially during rush hour! Maybe living in London wouldn't be too bad after all.

Stumbling across Trafalgar Square, again.

I would just like to thank the organisers of The Shine School Media Awards for the chance to  go to London, as without them I would've been sat at home probably watching Netflix! If you want to find out more about Shine, click here.

Cheerio x