Blogging Essentials for being on the go!

I have a full time job which is often more than 9am-5pm and it is one which is quite challenging, so at times making some time for blogging becomes quite difficult, I can often be travelling on the tube for hours on end and when I am, I like to make the most of that time and use it constructively.  

So when I am out and about, I tend to ensure I have a few essentials with me that should an idea pop into my head, I have something to write it down on or in and should a photo opportunity arise, even better.

These are the things you are always likely to find in my bag.

My Filofax - I love the design of my Filofax, there is something about the birdcages which I really love and because of its size, it is perfect for every handbag I own.  Everything I do and every place I have to be is written down within this Filofax from meetings, dates with friends and blog events, if I lose it I will be well and truly up the spout.  I bought it to try and get out of the habit of using my iPhone as my calender as it drove me insane when alerts didn't go off, so instead I use it alongside and inside at the back is a jotting pad.

Pens - I tend to have a few pens in my bag, I love pens of all varieties especially gel pens as I find them really easy to write with.  I also always have a highlighter, usually green and a coloured pen which I use to underline.

A notepad - I am obsessed with notebooks and have made reference to their importance in my life on this blog so many times.  It is so nice to sit down with a proper pen rather than a keypad or keyboard and write things, quite old school I know, but I do it quite a lot.  I can be on the train, at work, in bed, down the park, on a bus, on the tube and even in the bath and there is always a notepad to hand.  The one shown above is where I write all my blog posts ideas and actually where this post originates from.  But for many years I have always kept a notepad and pen by the bed because you know when you wake up, usually in the middle of the night with a fab idea only to wake up in the morning to forget it, well not anymore - ta-da!

Sticky notes - Something else I am obsessed with.  I have and use so many post-it notes in all different shapes and sizes.  They are mainly used for referencing things I have written down when it comes to blogging and each colour denotes something different (I am that organised) such as:

Blue - Blog post ideas to finish
Green - Photos I need to take
Yellow - Lists I need to finish
Pink - Ideas list
Orange - Reminders

Camera - I have recently invested in a Canon E0S1000D camera which I use more and more frequently to take shots for my blog.  I am still currently learning what all the functions do, so until I am confident on how to use it, I stick with my trusty faithful Fujifilm Finepix which isn't the best camera but it does take pretty decent pictures and when I am out and about it can come in really handy when I need to take some photos, rather than rely on my iPhone, which I am still doing.

So those are the things I always have in my bag just incase I am stranded somewhere on public transport, have a spare few minutes, come up with an idea for my blog, have opportunities to take impromptu pictures, need distracting and so on.

What are your blogging essentials for being on the go? 

Birchbox Away We Go - August Edition

I am in receipt of my very first Birchbox and it is the August edition, aptly titled Away We Go. Full of samples to take with you on a weekend away.  So when the little box was handed to me by my blog reading postie, I was really excited.

The box, which is slightly smaller than the Glossybox boxes contains five sample products, all of which are available in full size from the Birchbox shop.  This I quite like the idea of because you often get sample products, love them and haven;t got a clue where to get them from, now with Birchbox, you do!

The first item my eyes were drawn too was the chapter sampler, an amazing idea if ever there was one for us book lovers.  How many of, you like, own a Kindle and before buying a book which you are not too sure about, download a sample of it first? Well this is the same concept for me and having already read that sample chapter, I have ordered the book because I was gripped!  

The Proposal by Tasmina Perry features chapter one of the spellbinding and romantic novel, which spans 1950s London and present day NYC. Just 27 pages this long, this sampler did leave me wanting to know what happened next.

Next comes this very cute travel toiletry bag which is very summary looking in bright yellow and pastel blue shades and inside it has the following products:

Liaison De Parfum - Inside this envelope which boldly states "I dare you" which happens to be the name of the perfume, it is said to capture the romantic essences of life and travel. , With notes of vetiver, sandalwood, leather and amber. A 100ml of this has an RRP £105 which at that price is out of my price range, but is a scent I actually quite like.

Number 4 - Super comb Prep & Protect. This is a leave in conditioning spray to detangle and protect against heat and sun damage.  To use you simply spritz over damp hair and comb through before drying and styling. This is a sulfate-free formula sinks in quickly and has a pretty floral scent thanks to white freesia, amber, and musk.  A 200ml bottle has an rrp of £20

Supergoop - A Daily Correct SPF35 CC Cream.  A natural shade-adjusting CC cream with SPF to smooth fine line and even out skintone. This CC cream uses 100% natural ingredients and antioxidants to triple protect against UVA, UVB and infrared-A rays. Light-diffusing mica minerals soften the appearance of pores and wrinkles for a fresh, flawless complexion. I have two 3ml tubes in shade light-medium and it is just a little it too dark for my skintone, but mixed with my MAC foundation, it works perfectly well.

Wild About Beauty - Creme Eyeshadow. A paraben-free eyeshadow from Louise Redknapp and Kim Jacobs make-up range, which is said to give a long-lasting satin finish.  I have shade 03 Buster which is a dark bronze shade.  This is a full sized product with an RRP £13

Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Oil - Nude's signature treatment oil is a work of pure genius. Rich in omega 3, 6, 7 & 9, this pure and active treatment oil delivers a precisely balanced diet of vital skin nutrients.

The addictive oil redefines how we treat the skin, lighting skin from within. Created with 10 precious oils, the beautiful formula absorbs instantly, for deep and long lasting skin cell nourishment. Skin is instantly luminous and younger looking.   

Overall I am really impressed with my first box from Birchbox and I love the toiletry bag plus the book sampler, such great ideas.  For monthly subscriptions, Birchbox is £12.95 per month, including Postage and Packaging.

Are you a subscriber to Birchbox? Are you a fan?

If you have read my blog recently, you will have read that Birchbox have partnered themselves with Breast Cancer Charity CoppaFeel! which you can read all about HERE.