Travel Prep

Packing would be one of the hardest things about preparing to travel (apart from organising a cash passport and a travel sim!).

I usually tend to overpack things so I tried really hard to pack the bare essentials. I have a standard size suitcase (thanks to a couple of friends at my 21st birthday) and a regular handbag to take with me on board in order to make my flight just a bit more comfortable. Here's what I packed!

Handbag (a forgiving size!)

- carmex, face powder

- t-shirt and underwear

- face wipes

- hair tie

- camera + charger

- phone + charger

- travel wallet (KikkiK) including vouchers, passport, id, documents and travel money

- travel medication

- mints

- sunglasses

- hairbrush 

- mini toothbrush and toothpaste 

* you can also choose to pack a book or a magazine but if you get travel sickness really easy like me you probably shouldn't ;) plus I'm looking forward to watching movies!

In my suitcase!

- 2 pairs of jeans (1 blue 1 red)

- 4 pairs of shorts (1 dressy)

- 1 pair of leggings

- short sleeve tops

- long sleeve top

- one throw over jumper

- underwear

- casual dress

- casual/dressy playsuit (good for day to night!)

- thongs

- 2 pairs of bikinis 

- a few accessories (including a watch)

- soft cross-body bag (for everyday sightseeing)

- ghd straightener (perfect for straight and curled looks)

- makeup bag

- 20x20cm clear cosmetic bag including bottles of 100ml or less of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face cleanser, moisturiser, bb cream, nars foundation, hand sanitiser, travel sized Dior mascara and -- wax strips

- photocopies of passport and other documents 

*I chose not to pack any heels because in most clubs I have been told people wear flat shoes and dressy sandals (I'm all for the partying with no pain!)

Thankfully the hard part is over! Today is the day! 

Love always,

Via Porzia

  

25 things.

This tag has been used countless times but nevertheless is still just as fun. Enjoy. 

1. I go by "zia porzia" or "aunty porzy". I have three little nieces, Isabella, Georgia and Siena. My friends call me "porsh" and every time I meet someone new they ask if I was named after the car. I cringe every single time. 

2. In one week exactly I will be traveling overseas for the very first time with my childhood friend. Our italian trip back in year 12 got cancelled. We have been planning this trip since 2008.

3. I recently became a godmother to my youngest niece Siena. I have a godmother but she hasn't been around since I was young. I hope to do a better job.

4. I had a pet dog called Rocky. He was originally my sister's pet. He quickly became king of the house and my best friend. 

5. I used to be terrified of Rocky and other dogs as a kid. I guess I got over it when my sister decided to throw him on my lap. To this day, only really big dogs make me nervous.

6. I have a degree in Psychology with honours. How I will use it, I still don't know.

7. I have been a casual barista for the last 5 years in my family's cafe. They sold the business and tomorrow is my last day ever. I met my best friend Mima here. 

8. I can (not fluently) speak Italian. You can kind of get the gist of things though.

9. My parents were born in Molfetta, Bari and both migrated to Australia many years ago. They speak molfettese dialect. It is a language in itself. I will be visiting Molfetta for the first time next month and meeting some of my family for the first time!

10. I love everything and anything that is Spanish. Barcelona is the place I am most excited for this year. I have pretended to be spanish a couple of times in my lifetime. 

11. My siblings Felice and Vincenza, and I were named after our grandparents. 

12. I was called "Porcelina" as a child. It means "little pig" in Italian.

13. My brother owns an italian inspired coffee bar called Caparezza. I'm very proud of him and my parents too for their hard work everyday.

14. I used to share a room with my sister as a kid. She never used to let me in. I can count on her much more these days.

15. I can't wait to finally get a second ear piercing with my little friend Siena.

16. I used to be really shy as a child. I still can be. 

17. I believe my mum is the greatest woman in the world. 

18. I've learnt if you can't be yourself within a friendship then it is a friendship not worth having. 

19. When I first learnt to drive I hit a small tree. I ended up with a car covered in leaves and a broken head light.

20. My favourite movies are La Bamba and Selena. 

21. I had braces. Best decision made. 

22. My favourite colour is red. I hate pink. I really. hate. pink.

23. I would rather not change my last name.

24. Bon Jovi was hands down the best concert I have ever been to. This december I will be reliving it all over again!

25. Wanderlust. If there is something I think about constantly. It's travel.

Europe trip basics.

Lacey Leggings Style 500008 $69.95 & Candy Love SS Tee Style 506080 $49.95

So, although I have been trying to avoid the shops in order to save for my trip, I really needed some key pieces that are aeroplane/trip friendly. There were two main criteria I was looking for in my purchases. They needed to be (a) comfortable and (b) stylish (I don't want to look like I just rolled out of bed). My friend and I are traveling all over Europe in the space of 8 weeks which involves a lot of flying!

Today, I visited the French Connection store and the sales assistant was so nice and helpful. She helped me visualise how I could put these two pieces to their maximum use. Immediately, as I walked into the store I noticed these really cool leggings. They are super comfortable and warm, but the print is what really caught my attention! I could easily venture around the london streets in these babies paired with a cute oversized top and black ankle boots or wear them on a night out on the town with a sheer black or white top, blazer, black heels and a statement necklace. 

I paired the pants with a white basic tee. Although a long sleeve top would be better for the plane ride (I hear it gets cold in there!), I decided to buy a white tee that I can keep in my carry on. This piece is easy to layer and will most probably be overused during the trip since it will be mega hot outside! I can easily pair it with some cute black leather or denim shorts, denim jeans, or better yet, throw it over my bikini! Not to mention it will go amazing with a European tan :) The front of the tee is quite simple but the white on white contrasting on the back is what sold it for me. 

Candy Love SS Tee (Back)

With love, Via Porzia
Xx

The new kid on the blog.

Hello! My name is Porzia (pronounced "por-sha") or my friends just call me Porz (pronounced "porsh"). 

This is my very first blog. I named it Via Porzia because it represents my perspective. This blog is me. It is a space where I can keep my memories safe and accessible.

I first came across the idea of blogging when I did my first placement in my Psychology course. I developed a study on mommy bloggers (that is, mothers who blog). I had a lot of fun learning about the little community they had developed. It was interesting to note why they blogged and what they blogged about. Very recently, in a time where I felt quite alone, I came across Mexican American blogger Dulce Candy on youtube. I watched her videos and read her blogs weekly and overtime I felt that I had developed a connection to her. She was just like a friend. She gave me advice and her energy and positivity became both inspiring and infectious. With over 1 million subscribers it is very clear others feel the same way. 

Dulce Candy (dulcecandy.com)

I admit it. I am an Instagram devotee. I began to notice that I had been following other bloggers for example Brazilian blogger Thassia Naves. In my expanded search I came across another Brazilian American blogger Camila Coelho who I have been following on makeupbycamila on youtube. She exudes effortless chic and not only are her makeup artistry skills to die for but she also teaches her audience words in Portuguese. I love learning about different cultures, so this was a major plus for me.

Camila Coelho (supervaidosa.com)


Although I enjoy following these unique bloggers it was not untill I came across Julie Sarinana (otherwise known as SincerelyJules) that I became inspired to write my own blog. In just over a month I am traveling overseas to Europe for the very first time. I came across Sincerely Jules' Barcelona blogs and I connected with her instantly. She was blogging about the places I have been dreaming about.

Sincerely Jules (www.sincerelyjules.com)

These women bloggers are my definition of the 'it girl'. They open themselves up and connect with people around the world by sharing their passions and positivity towards life. I find myself in a position in life where I am ready to start fresh. My dream of traveling is about to come true and this is why I chose to start blogging now. I want to keep my memories of this trip with me forever and equally I would love even more to share these experiences with you.

Thanks for reading. Much love :)

Via Porzia

xxx