20 things to do in your twenties!

My birthday is coming up soon and I'll be turning the grand old age of 20 (still young, I know) but as your 20s are known to be the years you are most fond of and the time to be selfish, I've put together a list of twenty things I think should be done before you have too many commitments and an excuse not to.

1. TRAVEL

This is a MUST, especially for those of you who have major wanderlust! The world is beautiful and should definitely be explored, either by yourself or with close ones.  

2. Road Trip! 

If this isn't the cliché Route 66, then travel your home country and learn to appreciate where you live. I love where I live (UK) and think it's really underrated as a travelling destination. 

3. Go out, stay in, do what you want and be selfish!

Once you're 20, you've left your teens and entered adulthood which means you are responsible for your own life, you choose what you want to eat and when you want to sleep. So go out if you want to and roll into work at some stupid time the following day, or stay in and curl up to Netflix and a glass of wine (or water, whatever). Just do what you enjoy before you have to think about someone other than yourself. 

4. Learn a new skill and master it. 

You literally have all the time in the world, so teach yourself something new! Maybe an instrument, language or craft? 

5. One last family holiday.

For old times sake. Before you're too busy to enjoy and appreciate your parents company. 

6. Girls/lads holiday.

While none of you have commitments, enjoy the freedom and each other's company!

7. Join a team or society.

What about a sports team, craft or music society? Wherever your interests lie. This way you can meet people who you otherwise may not and who share similar interests as you. 

8. Party all night! 

Before hangovers take days to subside.

9. Binge watch a television series.

While you have all this time to yourself, shamelessly binge on your netflix!

10. Experiment with hair colour and clothes style.

Because, why not? Find out what you love.

11. Enlighten yourself and keep learning! 

You may do most of your learning in your teens, but don't forget that your brain can still absorb information and you can never be over-educated!  

13. Spontaneous camp out with a group of friends.

Ditch your phones for a weekend and get back to nature with a group of friends! You'll find it can be really beautiful sleeping under the stars and refreshing to be away from technology for a time.

14.See some of the World's natural wonders.

Swim in a natural spring, get up early to view the sunrise or witness the aurora borealis and aurora australis.

15. Make mistakes, but learn from them. 

You're going to do stupid things and that's alright, just try not to make the same mistake twice.

16. Try something new. 

New foods, new drinks, new adventures, something you never thought you would do.

17. Treat yourself! 

Spend the money you've saved on something you've always wanted or recently been eyeing up!

18. Move out.

Live with friends or solo, you'll gain so much independence and learn a lot. 

Picture from houseandgarden.co.uk

19. Network.

You never know who you meet or what friends you'll make if you put yourself out there. These relationships could come in really handy later on in life.

20. Fall in love (even if just for a night). 

Wink, wink.

Hope this post has inspired you to make the most of your twenties! I'd love to know if you have any other ideas or recommendations?
Check out my Instagram here or check out my Pinterest for more inspo 

Visit Beth's profile on Pinterest.

Travel | Packing for a Summer Getaway

 Summer is the season for sunshine which, if you are living in the UK, usually means jetting away to a more tropical climate. If you are dreaming of hopping on a plane and topping up your tan, then have a look at a few of my tips for packing your suitcase suitable for all occasions abroad!

I'm lucky enough to be jetting off to Orlando, Florida tomorrow for my sister's 21st with my family for two weeks! I've been excitedly counting down the days, although amidst all of my university exams and moving out of my flat, I've left my packing to the last day, oops. 

I have been to Florida quite a few times before so am very familiar with the heat (and humidity) of the place, which doesn't bode well for someone with frizzy hair like me, and of course the theme parks (which you have to visit if you are going to Orlando!) which makes it easier for me to know what to pack.

Considering all of the above, I based what I packed on three things:
- Activities

- Comfort

- Occasions

and obviously I've taken the temperature into consideration.

The above are just a few outfits that I would wear on a daily basis. I've paired super comfy shoes (as I'll be doing a LOT of walking) with both crop and normal tops along with denim shorts, as it will be too hot to wear anything longer! (and obvs I want a tan). I've also added the option of a shirt and cardigan for extra warmth in case we go into an air conditioned restaurant, or if it gets cool at night (which honestly never happens. Yay!)

Accessories Jazz up the outfits, but aren't really suitable for major roller coasters as they'll most likely end up hitting me in the face and make for a hideous (although hilarious) photograph, so I'll probably be taking them on and off throughout the day. This is where a bag comes in REALLY handy, so don't forget one!    

I've packed more, versatile tops and a couple of skirts. The tops are all light-weight and can be paired with bottoms to either create a care-free and relaxed outfit, or a dressed-up outfit for the nights activities i.e. dining out. The same for the skirts; they are made from a heavier material but they are really comfy, colourful and cute, so I'm prepared to feel a little hotter wearing them, and they are also fine when wet as they wont chafe between your legs (lol, that word makes me laugh).  

One outfit I have brought specifically for 'dressing up' in is the outfit above. The tailored looking dress is a recent purchase from Topshop, and despite being quite a heavy material, it's perfect for the night. I've paired it with a statement necklace from Newlook, some gladiator sandals from White Stuff and a light-weight kimono, again, from Newlook.

The picture below shows the tailored dress from Topshop, a light-weight, floaty dress from TKMaxx, a thin maxi dress from Urban Outfitters and a cute, floral playsuit from Missguided. The last three are all really versatile outfits as the material is so thin and light. They will dry really easily and keep me cooler than some of my heavier pieces or clothing.  

Obviously I'll be taking swimwear, as I'll be hitting the water parks and we're staying in a villa with a pool, which is heavenly in their hot, hot climate! Both bikinis are from River Island.

I'll be taking makeup with me for my nights out, but I have narrowed down my options because I don't think it's necessary to take all of it. The weather will be so hot during the day that I will most likely sweat it off and I'll be wearing sunglasses which will help to cover up my bags and blood-shot eyes (from the chlorine, not alcohol. Cough..)

And there you go, that's all I'm taking clothes/makeup wise. Obviously I'll be taking other hygiene related products like deodorant, toothbrush etc.

To summarise I have packed:
- Comfy Shoes 

(Jelly Shoes, Roche Run Nike trainers and Gladiator Sandals) 

- Clothes for all occasions and suitable for the weather 
(Fancy meals, day-time wear, swim wear, night-wear)

- Accessories

(Sunglasses, necklaces and bracelets etc)

A good tip for jewellery is to place them in sealable, plastic bags so they don't tangle.

I hope this post helps, especially for you last minute kinda people!
Check out my Pinterest for some holiday destination inspo! 

Beth x

Follow Beth's board Wanderlust on Pinterest.

Made by me | Knitted Halter Neck Crop-Top

So this month I set myself the challenge of knitting my very own crop top. I have wanted to advance my skills technically within knitting for some time, but as I teach myself and have been busy with work and university I haven't really had the time or skill before now to do so. Seriously, if I was ever to pick up the knitting needles it would just be to knit ANOTHER hat, I've been knitting them so regularly that I could probably knit one in the dark. Just saying..

Anyway, I've been out shopping recently (after I finally finished my exams) and fell in love with all these knitted and crocheted crop tops/bralets/halternecks etc, but after looking at the prices of them I was a little put off; I knew I could make one for at least half the price and so I set myself the challenge.

I had bought some really beautiful coloured, blue yarn a couple of months ago and hadn't had a use for it up until I decided to knit my own top, it is really soft so I knew it would be perfect for wearing. 

I used 4.0mm straight needles and cast on 130 stitches (I'm a size 6/8 for tops as I have no boobs. cry)

I used a knit 2, purl 2 pattern until my stitches measured about 4cm and then proceeded to knit 1, purl 1 until that part of my work measured 15cm (so overall my work was 19cm). 

Obviously the length of your top depends on your own preference and personal measurements. I wanted my top to start just above my belly button.

Then I started to decrease my work, to create room for my arms. Here I would knit 2 together every third stitch, so I would use my usual pattern of knit 1 purl 1 and then knit 2 together, and then carry my pattern on. I did this until my work measured approximately 25cm accross. I then carried on knitting 1 and purling 1 until my work measured my overall desired length (around 30cm).

I put my work against my body to make sure it was the length I wanted and that it all looked alright, before I seamed the loose stitches at the top of my work together. Then I created a plaited, halter neck strap and attached that to my top. and finally seamed the back of my top together. 

The whole experience was a massive learning curve and took me about a week to finish (contributing about 3 or 4 hours a day as my hands begin to hurt when I knit for too long). I had nothing to guide me, I literally just used my knit and purl knowledge and guessed at what I was doing, so I'm extra proud that it worked out. Although there are things I would change, as it definitely isn't perfect and I am still altering my seaming on it, I'm determined to keep going until I have it right! 

I hope this helps any of you knitting novices, or anyone who wants to start knitting. It is super fun as you can literally make anything you want and you only really need to know the basics and have a bit of imagination! 

If you don't want to knit your own then here are a couple I love that you can buy online:

Vera Moda sleeveless knitted top, which you can buy from here.

Printed asymmetrical top from Zara. Clickable link here

I hope you enjoyed reading and feel inspired to make your own and get crafting! Check out my Pinterest board below for some crafty inspo
Beth x

Follow Beth Dallas's board Craft on Pinterest.