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Topic: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?  (Read 3183 times)

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2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« on: September 14, 2008, 02:02:37 AM »
HOLY COW!
Its been an absolute adventure, and now, in two days, I will FINALLY be in the UK!!
And now, for my own sanity does this sound about right? Keep in mind I'm a student, so I don't need a lot of the fancy stuff.
Can you spot any gross oversights and or things I REALLY don't need to bring?

Captain obvious alert: Passport/Tickets/Acceptance Letter/Visa/Wallet

Packed:
Shirts (long sleeve/short sleeve/tank tops)
Pants (jeans/cords/sweats)
Running clothes (fleeces/shorts/tanks/t-shirts, etc) and running shoes
underwears of all types  ;)
Jackets/sweatshirts/sweaters
3 other pairs of good walking shoes (black chucks, blue flats and black sneaker things)
and my monster feet slippers :D
scarves and a hat
My favorite deodorant, hair gel and vitamins (and a few powerbars in case I need sustinence outside of grey airline food :) )
Comb/razor/toothbrush
Make up/nail polish
Contacts and glasses (case, solution, enough for the year)
Teeny umbrella (purse size!)
scale/measuring cups /ziploc bags (I LOVE to cook)
My french dictionary/journal/book to read on the plane
Towels/down comforter/pillow
cameras/batteries/memory cards/ipod/cables/battery extender

my computer is broken and being shipped later on...yikes. I'm so mad about that..
I think at this point it's more of a "whoa, I think I'm actually done" then anything,  but I can't help thinking I'm committing some gross oversight and the minute I get there I'll freak out for not having thought of it...
Any advice?
If not...see you in TWO DAYS!!!!

Thus spake Catie, lord and master of the pirate islands.


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2008, 04:01:24 AM »
hangers
sheets

Are you renting a flat or staying in student accomodation at your uni?
Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poorhouse. The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the almshouse as brightly as from the rich man’s abode; the snow melts before its doors as early in the spring. Cultivate property like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Turn the old; return to them. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts…


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2008, 06:16:04 AM »
If you're going to be running outside, be sure to bring core layers (tights, thermal shirt made of wicking material).  They're expensive here and you'll need them.  Basically, anything that will be expensive to replace, I'd bring over.  What about any dressy clothes for parties at uni?  Dress shoes?  Rucksack/backpack.  Other cold weather stuff - hat, gloves, scarf.  If you can, some really thick socks.  Swimsuit!


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2008, 08:45:40 AM »
How much make-up are you bringing?  I'd bring enough for a year, as its VERY expensive over here!!

Have a safe trip!!


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2008, 09:24:27 AM »
Depending on your razor, replacement blades?

I agree on a few "dressy" items of clothing and also clothes hangers. Also, clothes that can be layered and removed as the day's temperatures change; what can start as a chilly morning can turn out to be a mild day, then a chilly evening again. Even though winter is going to be here soon, and it will get cold and you will need your warm stuff, don't completely leave behind your summer things too; it's a myth that you won't need light clothing in the UK; things can get very nicely mild here, even right now in September, depending on where in the British Isles you are.

Also, although as with everything you CAN run into "pricey" with make-up and clothing over here, (but you can in the US too) you can also still find fair quality/decent brands at fair prices depending on where you shop and which brands you want -- shop around and take a look. It can be surprising. Again unless you insist on head to toe Dior it's just not really true that nice or stylish clothes need to be any more expensive here than you are used to in your own area of the US. Just my take.  :)
*Repatriated Brit undergoing culture shock with the rest of you!*


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2008, 09:32:55 AM »
Again unless you insist on head to toe Dior it's just not really true that nice or stylish clothes need to be any more expensive here than you are used to in your own area of the US. Just my take.  :)

I agree with this!

I'd also bring a jumbo bottle of ibuprofen/Tylenol/etc. They only sell tiny packets of them over here and the cost will add up. Plus, for me it's just a nice convenience to have a big bottle.
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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2008, 09:42:00 AM »
You mentioned jackets, but you'll really need a warm coat too and boots that are waterproof. It rains a bit here.  ;)




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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2008, 09:45:12 AM »
Also, although as with everything you CAN run into "pricey" with make-up and clothing over here, (but you can in the US too) you can also still find fair quality/decent brands at fair prices depending on where you shop and which brands you want -- shop around and take a look. It can be surprising. Again unless you insist on head to toe Dior it's just not really true that nice or stylish clothes need to be any more expensive here than you are used to in your own area of the US. Just my take.  :)

I'm sorry, but I really disagree.

Make-up (whether it be Maybelline, Clinique or Benefit) costs basically TWICE as much in the UK.

Clothes are more expensive too.  I shop at New Look, Dorothy Perkins, etc.. not Dior.

Example - Maybelline Define-a-Lash Mascara

$7.99 at Walgreens

£8.99 at Boots

I'd love to know where you purchase make-up for similar prices to the US.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2008, 09:47:08 AM by Yael »


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2008, 09:50:32 AM »
I'd also bring a jumbo bottle of ibuprofen/Tylenol/etc. They only sell tiny packets of them over here and the cost will add up.

I second this advice!

I don't understand the suggestion of clothes hangers though - they are readily available here - are they much more expensive here or something & maybe I'm just clueless to that?  (Plus whenever I've packed hangers in the past, they just seemed like an awkward, bulky thing to pack - more than I thought they would be, but maybe that's just me.)  Hangers were one of the first things I bought upon arrival, but it was like £1-2 for about 10-12, IIRC.

Everyday clothing can be purchased easily & not prohibitively expensive if you're not picky, and if you're not an unusual size (in terms of what manufacturers make, I mean).  I'm talking about shopping at places like TK Maxx and charity shops though - not the high street brand shops as mentioned by Yael.  (All depends on what you like and feel is acceptable to wear.)  I've also picked up quite reasonably priced (and good quality) sheets at TK Maxx before too.  Specialist running gear is another matter though (expensive) so you're best to heed geeta's advice on that.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2008, 09:55:07 AM by Mrs Robinson »
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in...

- from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen (b 1934)


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2008, 09:51:19 AM »
I'm sorry, but I really disagree.

Make-up (whether it be Mabelline, Clinique or Benefit) costs basically TWICE as much in the UK.

Clothes are more expensive too.  I shop at New Look, Dorothy Perkins, etc.. not Dior.

Example - Mabelline Define-a-Lash Mascara

$7.99 at Walgreens

£8.99 at Boots

I'd love to know where you purchase make-up for similar prices to the US.

I agree that most make-up is cheaper in the US (even Boots No7 is cheaper in Target than in Boots - Protect and Perfect serum is £17 here and $25 in the US!), but you can find some cheap make-up products in the UK - Boots Natural Collection is nice and cheap - all their make-up is £1.99 or less!


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2008, 09:53:07 AM »
I'd love to know where you purchase make-up for similar prices to the US.

Superdrug sells mascaras for under £4, so similar if not cheaper! As Midnights_mom said, it depends on what brands you're looking for and how loyal you are to a particular brand.  :)
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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2008, 09:54:22 AM »
Rimmel brand isn't terribly expensive either, as I recall.  :)  But again, it all depends on how attached the OP may or may not be to a particular brand, etc.  I don't think Cover Girl is available over here at all, is it?

(cross-posted with ksand24 & chary)
« Last Edit: September 14, 2008, 09:57:41 AM by Mrs Robinson »
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in...

- from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen (b 1934)


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2008, 10:24:46 AM »
Ooh, going of chary's medicine related post - what about Neosporin?


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2008, 01:28:11 PM »
Relax, it sounds like you did a great job packing, and honestly, as long as you have all that stuff, you probably have enough.  Most anything can be bought here that you might have missed, it just might be slightly different (and/or slightly more expensive) than you are used to.  I packed a lot of things, and in hindsight, I could have brought less.  I agree that a large bottle of whatever pain reliever you like would be good to have, and also, I really like Midol when the cramps hit, so I brought a large bottle of that and definitely don't regret it!  Just make sure you have the stuff you really, really love, like old t-shirts and lounge pants/pajama bottoms, or stuffed animals, or whatever comforts you or feels familiar.  Those are the things you miss the most if you leave them behind.  Also, some pics of family and friends and your hometown might be nice!
The top things I am glad I brought are the texas star quilt my grandma made for my 16th bday with pieces of my baby clothes and grandpa's pjs, etc. (you just can't get more comforting than that!), my worn out cookie monster t-shirt, my flannel pajama bottoms that I like to lay around in, and the huge pile of ugly sweater socks my mom kept buying me for xmas that i never wore at home... they suddenly come in very handy!  Also, I brought all my photos, a couple of stuffed animals, and just small misc. things that reminded me of "home," and measuring cups, etc.  If you have room to bring more make-up or whatever, then do it, but don't leave behind the precious things just to bring more deodorant and tampons or whatever!!   :P


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Re: 2 Days!!! What am I forgetting?
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2008, 05:27:55 PM »
I suggested hangers because when I first arrived, I had no car, didn't know the bus system in London and could not find them anywhere.  There was no £ shop that I knew where to find.  I was just sort of lost for a few weeks.  I also didn't have a pillow because I forgot to pack one.

The only things I made sure to bring were my face soap (couldn't find it anywhere), large bottle of ibuprofen, and some stuff to do at night before my satellite was set up (a few books to read, my cross-stitch, playing cards).
Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poorhouse. The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the almshouse as brightly as from the rich man’s abode; the snow melts before its doors as early in the spring. Cultivate property like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Turn the old; return to them. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts…


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