#BEDM Day 26: Wanderlust

As I missed this post on Sunday, I decided to do it today instead.

I have a dream to drive across the USA. Topher and I decided that when we do eventually get married that we will do this for our honeymoon. Take a month off and hit the open road! Here are some of my cannot miss destinations that I've added to my wishlist. 

Visit the Statue of Liberty in New York

Cliche but I have visited NYC twice and have missed it both times. I am determined to make it next time.

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Climb the hills in San Fransisco

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Take a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon

I've been to the Grand Canyon before with my family but my mum is afraid of helicopters so this remains on my to-do list. 

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Visit Disney Land

I visited about 15 years ago but barely remember anything so I would love to revisit and see where it all began!

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Stare up at the Washington Monument in Washington DC

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Go to Salvation Mountain

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Eat Lobster in Maine

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Stay at a Wigwam Motel

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Sit on the Giant Rocking Chair in Ohio

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Eat gumbo in New Orleans

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Get a cake from Carlo's Bake shop in New Jersey

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Take pictures in the Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas

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I've got an ever-growing pinterest board for this trip! One day :)

What are your must do's for a USA road trip?

#Divasglamvegas with Thomas Cook

When the invitation for Thomas Cook's #Divasglamvegas popped into my inbox, I was quick to RSPV. Who can say no to a bit of roulette? 

It was all to promote that Thomas Cook are now running flights straight from Manchester to Las Vegas! And not for bad prices either!

I've only been to Vegas once when I was nineteen so of course I was underage and unable to go to any casinos. I did go to the top of the eiffel tower and ride the New York roller coaster though. One day I'll go back. 

The event was held at The Milton Club on Deansgate in Manchester. I loved the decor.

I began the evening with getting some false eyelashes done by the talented makeup team. There's a first time for everything. 

They felt so weird at first but I eventually got used to them.

As fun as they were I don't really see myself using them again though - at least not without a trained team on hand. And lets face it, that would only ever happen if I became Beyonce. So I'll avoid gluing my eyelids closed for the foreseeable future, thanks.

The night wasn't without some blogger selfies (of course). 

Left to right: Ruth from Ruth Writes, Stacey from Style Speaks Louder Than Words.

And there was a performance from "Britney" - with apparently a ghost arm, check out my photography skills! Britney pre 2007 of course...poor Britney. 

You had to fight your way to the roulette table, it remained busy all night. 

And there were plenty of cocktails and nibbles on hand which I scoffed before taking photos of. Bad blogger *slaps wrist. 

Have you ever played roulette or been lucky enough to visit Las Vegas?

Outfit Post: Hello Sailor!

Rather than jumping straight into a catch-up post, I have decided to ease you in with an outfit post. Which I have to add is my first outfit post on my new (yes I'm still calling it new) camera!

I'm currently on holiday in Jordan visiting my family so I have to dress modestly and yet still keep cool as it is friggin hot here!

Blouse: Love culture - bought in USA

Maxi skirt: Next

Belt: My mum's (I always forget something when I pack!)

Earrings: Forever 21

I am in love with this blouse. I bought it while I was in Florida earlier this year. It's perfect for just throwing on with skinny jeans or tucking into a skirt. Plus the print is so kitsch. Now that it's gotten warmer, I dress it up for work. This maxi skirt is also a work and casual staple for me. I had been wanting to find a pleated maxi skirt for so long and this one is even more versatile since it has the shorter skirt underneath. The best thing about it is that the under skirt isn't too short for me. The majority of the maxi's I've seen in this style have a ridiculously short underskirt which isn't my cup of tea at all. 

As for my nails, I actually did them the night before we flew over here. I couldn't decide on spots or stripes so I did a little of both. It turned out pretty well - especially the stripes. This colour is such a nice shade. You can't really tell in the photo but it's like a champagne colour. And even better for my impatient nature with nails - it dried in an instant. I really need to start writing down the nail polishes I use when I do these posts. I left this bottle at home I think, so if you happen to be curious what shade it is, I will gladly tell you when I return to England. 

Anyway, there's plenty of fun posts coming up as I've been having quite the vintage adventure while I've been here in Amman. Plus I'll have to do a quick catch-up in photos as well. 

How has the past couple of weeks been for you?

American Memories

A look back of my week in Florida in photos.

I am definitely going to miss this view. Love the colour of the sky. 

My parents learned the hard way to never order a large of anything in the USA. Hard to tell but these cocktails were so massive I burst out laughing when they arrived. You could probably have fit your face in them!

Outlet malls - where ugly shoes go to die. I used to hate shopping as a kid because these were the kind of places my parent's took me. I thought all shopping was like this until I was about 12/13 and discovered the high street. *Shudders*

Got to love American advertising. Straight the point. They also rent trucks too apparently. 

 

This will be one of my proud achievements of 2012. For the first time, I actually finished a stack of pancakes from IHOP. Felt like I was going to die afterwards, but so proud.

One of my holiday outfits. New Look dress and crochet waistcoat. Wore this to the Florida mall and btw that is my cardigan tied around my bag strap, not a massive scarf. Leaves both my arms free to browse the rails :)

So my week of sunshine has come to a close and I am now back in Manchester shivering while covered by my slanket (purple and the best thing ever). Back to work tomorrow. 

How was your week?

So I may have visited a mall or two...

Three in fact including today. Though in my opinion American shops pale in comparison next to the British high street (biased no? :P) I did find some cute bits and pieces.

 

Love Culture - $16.90

Ready for the nautical trend. Such a simple shirt that I will probably wear mostly with jeans but would look great with shorts and skirts too.

Charlotte Russe - $24.99

Got a tribal theme going on here. Love the shape of this dress.

Icing $18.50

This shop kinda reminds me of a cross between Accessorize and Claire's Accessories. Love how unusual this necklace is!

Forever 21 - $2.80 and $1.50

What can I say, I like robots! They will take over the world!

Forever 21 is like a Topshop with reasonable prices. The one in Florida mall is huge! I could have easily spent a day in there. Would have taken pics as I love the look in there but it was pretty much opening time and not many customers in so all employee eyes were on me. I know when to keep my camera hidden. At least after having to run away from Tommy Hilfiger as a fashion student, ha ha. 

Though I do love their clothes, I always end up going home with jewellery from there. I really need to pay a visit to one of their UK stores. Open one in Manchester please? For anyone who has visited both a US and UK Forever 21 - is there much difference in the store environment?

On another note, I finally walked inside a Hollister store. I'm not a massive fan of anything which is just plain with a brand across your chest - kinda makes people look like clones. I really liked the decor of the store though, if only they turned on the lights. Am I getting old? Really wanted to fill the place with vintagey clothes and unusual stuff as it was an amazing space. Please tell me I'm not the only one who can't stand the place, ha ha.

I also bought a t-shirt, blazer and jumper but haven't taken any pics yet so that will be for another time.

Have you bought anything nice recently?

I've arrived in sunny...

Orlando Florida! 

It turned out that I had 6 days holiday to use before the end of this month and my family were going anyway so they got me a plane ticket! My parents own a holiday home out here that they rent out and they come every so often to make sure it's still standing ha ha. I went from stepping out in the snow yesterday (in peep toe flats) to stepping out into the sunshine. 

So I arrived yesterday afternoon after a very enjoyable 9 hour 10 min flight. Both seats next to me were empty (score!), the food was good and I watched 4 films. Bridesmaids (not what I expected, but funny), Friends with benefits (enjoyable), In time (awesome), and Bad Teacher (not as bad as I heard it was). And yes, that is three Justin Timberlake films. Didn't even mean to.

So my first meal in the U.S of A was in true american style, a big ass steak. Now in the picture, it may look small but I can assure you, it was big and can be only described as a beast! Though it took me awhile to devour, I'm proud to say I did it. 

I'm here until Sunday so I'm off to soak up a bit of sun outside. Already went in the pool this morning. It's a hard life!