Sealed up my first box!

That's right - I finally taped up my first box for good. Things I won't need probably for the next 4 years (including University!). It's sad! The things in there are like, ME! My Vogue magazines, my folders, my cards, my books - all my interests, hobbies etc. In that box. 

I have searched HIGH AND LOW for charm bracelets with letters on. I'm looking for a simple silver chain - CHEAP! (So many shops have said: 'try H.Samuel!' 'Try Goldsmiths!' 'Try Crystal Chain!' Er, I don't have a money tree at the back of my garden!!) - with A LETTER. One letter charm. For the first initial of the names of the girls I'll be looking after. NO WHERE SELLS THEM! Not even Claire's Accessories, who had this marvelous creation of a pick'n'mix Charm bracelet, where you buy the chain and then individual charms. WHY STOP IT? So back to square one on presents for the girls. I'm considering nail varnish, but what if they're a really strict family? You'know... giving a 9 year old make-up... I did however manage to find a very traditionally English gift for the parents - some Earl Grey Tea from Crabtree & Evelyn. :) Tres La-De-Dah!

My cookbook arrived today, for making meals, and I've also decided to take a bag of ready-mix cookie dough (the kind you just add water and cook for 10 minutes) in case everything else goes to pot! I just hope it doesn't go through the scanners in London/Paris and get picked up as being cocaine or something! A big packet of white powder... Hmmm. 

This evening I attempted packing, but EVERYTHING IS SO DAMN BIG! I've decided to do a 'Pilot Pack' tomorrow - to actually pack EVERYTHING I will be taking. Then I can realistically see how much stuff I need to get rid of. If worse comes to worst, I'll get my Dad to ship out a small packing box with the rest of my stuff in!!! My suitcase is bursting already, and it's only got clothes in!! I can't reduce my 6 pairs of shoes any more - I really need them! FitFlops if it's sunny, dolly shoes for driving and quick shopping trips, FitFlop boots (similar to Uggs) if it's cold, ankle boots as a general everyday shoe, and wedges and heels for going out, and smartening up! I cannot leave my FitFlop boots. They are my LIFE. Oh shit, and I forgot my trainers. SEVEN PAIRS. What is a girl to do? I need an entourage of porters and trolleys like Paris Hilton!! :P A suitcase for each shoe! 



The Distance Learning Course work pack also arrived today, and I DID NOT count on it being two ENORMOUS ring binder files - one for AS and one for A2. Great. Maybe I'll have to buy a bigger suitcase...?! Shipping out may have to be the solution here...

Slowly taking all my beloved photos, pictures and adverts down from walls, doors and wardrobes. My room is starting to look quite empty! Down comes the beautiful Orlando Bloom, Bye-bye Kellan Lutz, Au-revoir Taylor Lautner. Thanks to Heat Torso of the Week for 'hotting up' my bedroom door! :P

90210 - my favourite program! - starts on September 13th. I really really really really really really really really REALLY hope the family has internet. PLEASE!!!!

TIPS:
1. Abandon all sentiment to your personal items! You're trying to be ruthless here - not pack up a time capsule!
2. Or, release an album, create a perfume and walk round London/Hollywood with a dog-rat under your arm and you'll have a crowd of bodyguards to literally carry each item you require for you!
3. If you're cooking for people, always keep a ready-made/pre-mix people-pleaser item with you, IN TIMES OF NEED. Betty Crocker's Cookie Dough may actually be quite a lifesaver. Or a quick trip round a local prison (before they discover that your 'cocaine' is actually flour and chocolate chips).
4. DON'T ask shops to gift wrap a present for you if you're taking it abroad - I now have a large Crabtree & Evelyn gift bag and a mission NOT to crush it!