If you’re frequent floater or have just booked your first cruise you’re probably wondering what to take with you. While it’s a given that you’ll need all the necessities like a passport, travel documents, tickets, sunscreen, clothing and such that’s not what we’ll be focusing on today.

I thought I’d go one step further and give you a short list of things to pack that you might not have thought of…

Image: © Star Stevenson

1. Power Strip – Most staterooms have a limited amount of electrical outlets. If you’re taking along a curling or flat irons, mobiles, laptops and digital cameras and such, you’ll need a power strip to keep them charged up.

2. Extra Duffel Bag – You might not need this but if you’re planning to do a little shopping on board the ship or at each port your souvenirs might not all fit in your luggage. This also helpful if you want to keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones at the end of the trip.

3. Plastic Bags – Use these to store your shoes so they don’t soil your clean clothes inside your luggage.

4. Extra Zip Lock Bags – Store those seashells you picked up at the beach or souvenirs. These are great to use if you want to take small items on excursions where you might get a little wet.

5. Cash (in small bills) – You’ll need a lot of small bills for tips and when shopping at various ports if you choose not to use your credit cards. Also, some shops only take cash.

6. Empty Drink Bottle – These are extremely handy if you’re going out on various shore excursions. Check out Sigg bottles. Fill them up with water (or lemonade) before you head out. Saves you from buying bottled water while on the go.

7. Brightly Coloured Ribbon – This is definitely option but tying a bright green ribbon on your luggage will help you find it easily at the baggage claim area. Also the hallways on ships are very long and each door and corridor looks the same (after you’ve had a few drinks ). A fun way to help you easily find your room (other than the room number of course) or find friend’s room is by tying a ribbon to the door handle.

8. Baby Wipes and/or Anti-Bacterial Wipes – Helpful if you’re on a shore excursion and don’t have the opportunity to wash your hands. Also wonderful for those sketchy bathrooms at the beach! These were also a god-send for us after we were done zip-lining and were sweaty and dirty.

As a self-proclaimed over-packer, the list above helped my husband and I a great deal during our cruise.

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Image: Drugstore.com

I have to say I’m in love with this product! If you’re looking for an inexpensive sunscreen to use on your face (or body) this is a great choice and here’s why:

1. Price. This is extremely affordable at less than $10. You can even get it for less if it happens to go on sale.

2. Pleasant scent. There’s a bit of a scent but it’s very mild and fades after a few minutes. It’s not at all chemically smelling either and it doesn’t have that sunscreen smell which is great if you’re sensitive to that.

3.  Broad-spectrum protection – This sunblock is formulated with Parsol 1789 which protects again harmful UVA and UVB rays.

4. Oil-free – I have oily/combination skin and this worked really well for me. I didn’t have to use moisturizer and it worked very well under my make up.

5. Has antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E – Always good to have with any skin care product!  It’s also non-comodogenic and PABA-free!

6. Sweatproof, waterproof and rubproof - One of our activities was zip-lining and this definitely lasted through all that!

Convinced, yet?  My husband used it too and he didn’t have any issues or concerns with it at all. My skin is also sensitive and I didn’t break out or have any weird reactions. I’m definitely repurchasing this when I run out!  You can pick up the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 at drugstores or Drugstore.com

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If you’re a shoe addict and a bargain shopper, here’s a list of 4 websites for affordable and stylish shoes you might not have heard of.

Love My Shoes

Cutesy Girl

Urban Original

Gotham City Online

All of these websites cater to the bargain shopping fashionista in all of us. They carry an assortment of shoes from super trendy to your basic flip flops. This are the site you should definitely check it if you want to try out a trend but don’t want to spend a lot of money.

What I love and what I don’t like (sometimes) about these sites are their turn around rates. Sometimes you’ll fall in love with a shoe and then it’s gone or they’re out of stock or they no longer have your size. It’s a little frustrating to say the least. My only advice is to check out their sales (because they have them often!) and if you see a pair you really, really want, get them because someone might just beat you to it!

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Here are my top 7 women’s fragrances, in no particular order…

Images: Sephora

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue – clean, light, refreshing, classic

Marc Jacobs Daisy – warm, floral, sensuous, girly

Philosophy Baby Grace – sweet, light, baby fresh, delicate

Marc Jacobs Rain Splash – watery, zesty, light, fresh, cool

Nina Ricci Nina – warm, heady, fruity, floral, romantic

Fresh Cannabis Rose – deep, sensuous, a little androgynous, woodsy, earthy

Fresh Strawberry Flowers – light, crisp, refreshing, perfect for spring/summer

I also have two favourites,which top the ones above, that are not widely available as they were/are limited edition. They are as follows…

Images: Elizabeth Arden, The Body Shop

Nanette Lepore Shanghai Butterfly – clean, light, citrusy, refreshing

The Body Shop Apple Blossom – light, crisp, powdery, soft

If you’re looking to try out a new scent, I highly (highly!) recommend these! Also, if you can track down the last two, you’ll fall in love, I promise!

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One of those brands is Urban Decay.  I love, love, love Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils! They go on like butter, don’t crease (after 8+ hours) and last forever. This holiday season, Urban Decay gives you 9 reasons to fall in love with their eye liners.

Image: Sephora

The 24/7 Super Stash ($36) kit features 4 new shades (that I’m personally dying to try out) and 5 of their best selling shades.

Corrupt (brown sparkle)
Binge (navy blue)
Eldorado (gold)
Oil Slick (black sparkle)

Zero (black)
Graffiti (bright green with silver sparkle)
Ransom (bright iridescent purple)
Rockstar (dark purple)
Stash (dark golden green)

I have the last four shades and I can tell you, they’re simply fabulous. This set is a great way to try out a few shades without making a bit commitment. Once you try these, you’ll want to grab all the other colours in their collection because they’re that awesome. Pick up this set on the Urban Decay website or at Sephora.

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Admittedly, I’ve come across many a men’s fragrance that I would definitely wear myself and I have my personal favourites that I often pick up for the husband. The other day, I asked him what his top favourite fragrances were and we compared notes. Surprisingly, we agreed on all but one of them.

Here’s our Top 7 men’s fragrances (in no particular order) – see if you love these too!

Images: Sephora

Jean Paul Gautier Le Male – citrus-y, woodsy, warm, soft
Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme – elegant, warm, woodsy
Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Pour Homme – clean, light, crisp and refreshing
Burberry Touch For Men – powdery, warm, soft, sensuous

Images: Sephora

Lacoste Essential – clean, citrusy, fresh, light, perfect for summer
Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme – another great summer scent, light, crisp, clean, watery
Fresh Cannabis Santal – deep, warm, romantic, bold, great for fall

So, did we pick fabulous ones or what?

My husband’s first choice out of all of these is Aqua di Gio and I agree. It’s a beautiful, clean and crisp. We’re both fans of ‘watery’ and citrus-y smells and this one is hard to beat.

The one scent we didn’t totally agree on is the Fresh Cannabis Santal. I love this scent and I have a bottle in my collection (it’s wonderful for the fall and winter!. He likes it on me but he not too fond of the scent on him – kind of strange as it’s listed under the men’s section in Sephora. I feel it’s a unisex type of scent but yes, it does take some getting used it. You either love it or hate it.

Our honorable mentions include Davidoff Cool Water, Joop! For Men and CK One. Brings back fond memories of high school for the both of us haha.

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Image: Newscom

Below are my top favourite fashionable TV shows – maybe we’ll share the same ones?

Gossip Girl
My guilty pleasure! I love Serena’s boho style and Blair is always channeling Audrey Hepburn. I can even appreciate Jenny’s edgy outfits. GG has helped me discover and fall in love with new handbag designers (Rebecca Minkoff, Be&D etc.) too and the music selection is always inspiring.

Glee
I personally love Rachel Berry’s (played by Broadway star Lea Michele) prep-school style on the show. Who can forget that fabulous green and black Marc Jacobs houndstooth skirt she wore on the first episode?! And Emma Pillsbury (played by Jayma Mays) prim and proper lady-like style. The whole show is simply amazing, this is what “high school musical” should have been. Are you a Gleek?

Project Runway
Heidi Klum is a total doll and I adore Tim Gunn, together they make this show. I enjoy watching the designers compete to be the best and it’s nice to see all the hard work that goes into designing and creating a piece of clothing (no matter how beautiful or ugly!)

America’s Next Top Model
I honestly can’t stand Tyra but I love all the fun and fabulous photo shoots and creativity that goes into the model’s make, hair and clothing. Plus, I love Miss J’s antics on the show and the interaction, friendships and drama the models have with each other.

The Rachel Zoe Project
Who doesn’t love Rachel and her associates, Taylor and especially Brad? Whether they’re styling celebrities, pulling outfits and accessories or just bickering and hanging out, this show is a fantastic peek of what really goes into putting a look together.

That’s it! It’s a short list I know, but those are my favourites. What shows do you love because of the fashion? Let us know below!

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Image: Zuma Press

I do have my favourites or my defaults when all else fails. These are the ones I re-buy once I’m out and/or have back ups of in my make up dresser.

1. Softlips (in pretty much any flavor) – I’ve said this before but I never leave home without one. I have a few strewn all over the place, in various bags, in my car etc.

2. Nars Dolce Vita lipstick – My holy grail lipstick shade; it is the perfect colour for me and the formula is fantastic.

3. Nars Stolen Kisses lipgloss – Another holy grail lipgloss; a beautiful neutral pink shade that’s perfect for every day.

4. Nars Pampa Lip Stain – One of the best lip stains I’ve tried; it’s like a non-drying marker for your lips!

5. MAC Baby Sparks Dazzle Glass – A shimmery, non sticky lipgloss in the prettiest light pink shade!

6. Benefit Benetint – The first lipstain I ever bought and next to the Nars lipstain, it’s one of the best ones I’ve tried and the bottle lasts forever!

7. DuWop Reverse Lipliner – This is a wonderful go with anything lip liner that keeps your lipstick and glosses from feathering and makes the edges of your lips smooth.

These are my personal favourites but they’re amazing products and worth a try if you’re looking to pick up a new lip product. If you do try them or have tried them let us know what you think by commenting below!

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Marie Antoinette (Image: Sony Pictures)

Here’s my personal list of fashionable movies, in no particular order:

500 Days of Summer (2009)
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Romeo and Juliet (1996 and 1968)
The Duchess (2008)
The Great Gatsby (1974)
The Notebook (2004)
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Clueless (1995)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Sweeney Todd (2007)
The Virgin Suicides (1997)
Elizabeth (1998)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Chicago (2002)
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Almost Famous (2000)
Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Atonement (2007)

As you can probably tell, I love period films! The costumes/dresses and imagery are often so breathtaking and c’mon who wouldn’t want to wear those dresses for at least a day?  What are some of your favourite fashionable movies?

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Think of this as a mini fashion glossary!

Dolman Sleeve Top (Image: Forever 21)

A-Line Dress / Skirt – A dress or skirt that is fitted at the waist and then flares out to a full skirt
Appliqué – A type of stitch where a design is created by sewing pieces of fabric or materials together onto another fabric
Basque Waist/V-Waist – A dropped waist that begins at the natural waistline and dips in the center to create a “V” shape.
Bateau Neck/Boat Neck – A wide neckline that runs straight across the front and back; the depth is the same for both front and back.
Bell Sleeve – A long sleeve that flares at the bottom
Boucle – A yard that is uneven and loose creating a nubby texture
Burnout – A fabric with a solid and sheer design or print
Cap Sleeve – A short sleeve that sits on the shoulder to form a stiff cap that provides minimal coverage of the arm
Couture – Made to order
Cowl Neck – A neckline featuring a piece of material attached at the neck of a top which drapes loosely; can be found at either the front of back
Crew Neck – A round neckline that fits close to the base of the neck.
Decollette – When a clothing item is cut very low at the neckline; usually reveals the shoulders, back and part of the chest area
Dolman/Batwing Sleeve – A deep and wide armhole that often reaches from the waist to the wrist or elbow.
Epaulet – Any kind of shoulder detail; a botton or trimming
Faux – A French word meaning imitation or fake
Grommet – An metal or plastic eyelet used as a closure or decoration.
Kitsch – A style incorporating elements from popular culture.
LBD/Little Black Dress – A black dress, usually cocktail style first introduced by Coco Chanel
OTS/Off-the-Shoulder – A wide neckline that generally exposed one or both shoulders
Paillette – A small sequin line disk that is sewn together to create a fish like scales on fabric
Pareo – A printed rectangular shaped piece of fabric that is usually worn as shawl, cover-up, skirt, dress or scarf
Peplum – A short flair or flounce that is attached to a fitted waistline in tops or jackets
Pin-tuck – Narrow pleats usually found on the front of a garment and sewn down
Prêt-a-porter – A French term for “ready to wear”; lower priced and popular collections from most design house
Ruching – The pleating or shirring done to a fabric for a textured or ruffled effect
Tunic – A top that usually falls below the hips or longer

Pretty easy right? If you have any suggestions for this list, feel free to add them below!

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