Festival Essentials

The days are getting longer and festival season is just around the corner which excites me so much! My friends and I bought tickets to Global Gathering the other day and Bristol's Love Saves the Day is in just two weeks, so I thought it was about time we started thinking about what to pack for those field days and decided to put together a little Festival Essentials list for you all. I know half the fun of festivals is getting muddy and dancing, rain or shine, with a beer in hand, but there are a certain few luxuries I can't live without when I'm living outdoors. Carry on reading to see what I'll be packing this year...

Wellies: Goes without saying really. With thousands of people dancing in a field it's gunna get muddy whether there's rain or not. And let's face it, if there's one thing that completes any festival outfit it's a pair of wellies!

Phone Juice Pack: There's nothing more annoying than when your phone runs out of juice and you have no way of charging it, especially if you're using it to take all your photos. You can pick up a battery pack pretty cheap off Amazon these days so you'd be silly not to take one really.

Pac-a-Mac: Let's be realistic about this - it doesn't matter how good the weather man says it's going to be... we live in England, so unless you're lucky enough to get to a festival abroad this summer make sure you pack your mac! Cath Kidston do some seriously cute ones.

Body Spray: To keep you feeling and smelling fresh take a bottle of body spray. It'll be your shower in a bottle for those couple of days and Victoria's Secret do some really amazing smelling body mists that have serious lasting power.

Alcohol Pouches: Most festivals prohibit glass bottles to be carried onsite so stock up on some handy pouch containers for your drinks. Asda sell Eco-Refillable pouches of vodka for a reasonable price, which are much easier and lighter to pack than bottles.

Compact Mirror: An obvious but easily forgotten item that you will be so grateful for. I once went to a festival and was the only girl who had remembered to pack a mirror... needless to say I was very popular that weekend! 

Eye Mask: I know festivals aren't for sleeping but when you finally roll into your tent at 4am after a whole day/night of raving I'm sure you'll appreciate those extra hours once the sun has made its 6am appearance. 

Dry Shampoo: An absolute festival essential. It may not compare to a proper hair wash but it's a bloody good substitute to tidy you over til' you get home. 

Disposable Camera: If you don't want to take your  phone/camera then pop in a disposable to capture some of those memories. They aren't going to be the best quality but it's better than the risk of losing or water damaging your £200 camera...

Anti-Bac: Another festival staple that you shouldn't go without. It's one thing being dirty but it's another thing being unhygienic, especially after using those portaloos. Ew. 

Wet Wipes: Another attempt to make you feel fresh on those shower absent days. Also great for cleaning off the mud!

Loo Roll: Don't rely on those loos to supply you with the luxury of loo roll. There might be some in the first 10 minutes of the first day but after that you will be grateful you took your own!

I'm sure there are many more essentials that I have forgotten, so feel free to add them in the comment box below. 

Are you going to any festivals this summer?

My Essential Summer Shoes

You don't need to be a genius to know that girls and shoes have always had a close bond. They come in every shape, size, and colour and best of all they don't judge you like clothes do if you put on a couple of extra pounds! I have always been a bit of a shoe fanatic but as ever my budget doesn't allow me to be stocking up on Jimmy Choos or Louboutins...
Although my collection is overflowing and ever growing, these are my staple pairs that I can't live without this summer!

The Comfy Canvases

There's nothing better than getting dressed up and feeling fit for the red carpet, but we can't be expected to look like that 24 hours 7 days a week- our feet would be crippled! So for lazy days or when I know I will be walking a fair distance I just have to be in my trainers. My current pair are Vans 106 Vulcs in navy from Schuh.

The Simple Sandal

In the summer, sandals pretty much become glued to my feet. You can pick up a pair for just a couple of quid and they keep your feet cool and comfortable whilst going with pretty much anything in your wardrobe- what more could you want?! I am still wearing my pair from last summer, which are very similar to those in the photograph, so I am currently looking for some new ones to replace them; any recommendations welcome!

The Black Boot

Although it is summer we mustn't kid ourselves...we do live in England after all! So for when the weather is not so great I always fall back on my black boots. They can be dressed up with a mini dress if you're out for lunch, or down with jeans if you're just popping to the shops, and you can always rely on them to give you comfort and support. I LOVE the black boot! My current pair are these cut-out buckle numbers from New Look which were a bargain at £27.99!

The Wedge

Before a night out I always plan my outfit, which usually includes a pair of 5/6 inch stiletto heels that will elongate my legs and, in my head, make me look like Rihanna...then I have a few glasses of wine (or maybe a bottle) and when the taxi arrives without fail I reach for my wedges over the killer stiletto. For me, a wedge never lets you down. They give you enhanced comfort so you won't end up walking out the club bare foot carrying your heels (never a good look), they are easier to walk in so you're not shuffling around like an idiot, and they pretty much stop you from breaking your neck by giving extra stability. My newest pair are these suede cut-outs that I managed to pick up in the Office sale. 

What shoes can't you live without this summer?