At certain points in life, we all need to celebrate special occasions. For some of us, they tend to come round a lot more often than others, and when you’ve got a lot of celebrations going on, you always need the perfect gift to mark the occasion. Sometimes, gift buying can be super easy. You can find yourself picking up the perfect presents for the ones you love with ease. But then there are the kinds of occasions that warrant something a little less tailored to their tastes and a little more classic. Because classic gifts are often the best kinds to opt for when it comes to marking special occasions in life. So let’s look at five that should easily be your go-to.

Flowers

Flowers are always a first choice gift for a lot of occasions. In fact, there isn’t an occasion that can’t be celebrated with the right bouquet of flowers. If you really want to make sure that you’re matching your choice of flowers up to the occasion, then this link https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/giftflowers/flowers-and-occassions is really going to help you out. From birthdays to anniversaries, graduation and grief, flowers will always be a classic go-to gift.


Chocolate

And then there’s always chocolate. Okay, so this gift is definitely one more for the girls than the guys - but they, if that guy in your life loves himself a sweet tooth, then go to town! Chocolate can be comforting when you’re down and exciting when you’re up. So it can be the best kind of gift to give for a range of occasions from Valentine’s Day to the holiday season. So if you’re not sure what you want to say it with, keep things classic and say it with the sweet stuff.

Jewelry

One of the most classic options that you could ever go with will be jewelry. Pick yourself the right retailer, like http://yourdiamondguru.com/reviews/james-allen/ and consider your options. Because celebrating with jewelry will always see smiles all round. Just think about it. Birthdays? Winning. Weddings? Winning again. Christmas? Winning even more! With jewelry, it’s always a win-win!


Champagne

From here, you should also think about celebrating with champagne. It’s one of those classic kinds of drinks that you can always go to town with. Because not only is it a great gift for the person you want to shower with praise, but you can then immediately drink it as a part of your celebrations too. And what could be better than that?

Something Special

Or maybe you want to go completely over the top and celebrate with something super special? If you do, then you’re not the only one. But the only question may be, what will that special something be? If you’re not great with picking presents, but you’ve got cash to burn, then a list like http://www.elle.com/fashion/news/g27274/expensive-luxury-gifts/ is what you need to consult. And then, you should definitely find the perfect present with the right classic air to celebrate with.

When a lot of people think of the land down under, they think of sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that in plenty of people have an amazing time doing just that for their entire trip. But if does do something of a disservice to the sheer number of amazing things that there are to do and see when you're in Australia. To help you maybe get just a little bit more out of your trip, here are a few amazing activities that absolutely everyone should try while they're in the land down under.

Snorkeling in the great barrier reef

The great barrier reef is one of those places that it's almost hard to believe actually exists. It's the largest reef system in the world, and it's actually visible from space. And the great thing about snorkelling tours is that you get the chance to observe fish and other aquatic creatures in their natural habitat without having to worry about large, expensive equipment or specialised training. It's a great chance for anyone, no matter how experienced they are to discover the beauty of one of the world's true natural wonders. Plus, with the impact of climate change on the reef, if you want to see it, it might well be better to do it now rather than later.

Go island hopping

The idea of island hopping on a private yacht is the kind of thing that most people assume that you need to be a millionaire to do. However, when you're in Australia, it's something that's far more affordable than you might expect. The Whitsunday islands offer some of the most wonderful sailings in the world and the 74 islands, 69 of which are completely uninhabited offer you the chance to hop from island to island easily. Of course, if you don't have any sailing experience then there are places that can offer assistance and training. There are few ways to spend a perfect vacation, and with a group, it works out to be incredibly affordable.

Walk on Mars (sort of...)

A lot of people tend to forget about the deserts in Australia. After all, what's there to see in a desert? Well, it turns out that there are some amazing sights. One of the very best sights is The Pinnacles. According to the aboriginal owners of the land, these amazing limestone formations are said to represent those who've fatally sunk into the quicksand around them. But walking through The Pinnacles, it's hard not to feel as though you've been transported away from the planet earth and are walking on the surface of Mars.

Hopefully, these have given you a decent idea of just how much there is to do when you're in Australia. In fact, it's such a remarkable place that you really could end up going back and traveling there year after year for the rest of your life, and you'd never have to do and see the same things twice!

Dressing up for an engagement photo leaves you with a lot of options. Do the style and sizing work together? Is the background pretty enough? Does this lettering distract away from the important things? Knowing what to do and what not to do is a learning by doing process, and thus here are a few tips on taking a good engagement photo when you have no clue where to start.

Keep the Season in Mind

Having a summer wedding is glorious; you’re practically guaranteed to have the sun’s rays shining down on your and reflecting off of your dress, and perfectly highlighting your partner’s face whenever you look at them. Yet, a lot of the time a wedding is booked about 6 months after a proposal, so you can’t be sure whether you’ll catch the rays or not unless you specifically plan for it.

In the meantime, use the fall and winter to good effect in a photo shoot. For fall you can wrap up warm and stylish in layers and designer jackets, emphasising your new life and comfort ahead, if you like to think of it that way. Fluffy coats and scarves make us look cute, and a little sexy when we want them to!

Incorporate Your Background

Depending on where you’ve decided to get your photos done, use the setting around you to complement your outfit and make you fit better into the shoot. Opted for the outdoors? Time to get those grassy shots of you lying down with your heads together. Indoors? Use those industrial brick wall shots to show off the colors in your outfit.

For clearer skies, use them in the header of your photos and have the two of you standing happily beneath it, wearing light clothes that show off your curves and grooves, and highlight the feeling of being surrounded by nature. Umbrellas work well in rainy shoots; kiss underneath them!

Get Your Nails Done

Showing off an engagement ring means it should be centre stage, and when your significant other decided to shop amongst 77 Diamonds engagement rings, you’re not going to want people to miss them! Having them act as your main accessory is key, and complementing them with some buffed and beautifully painted nails is the cherry on the top.

Accessorize accordingly! For lighter colors on your nails such as teal, pale green, or pink, a good flower corsage would work. For darker and more striking colors like red and purple, something lacy will have good impact for your hands. Make sure to take a photo of the two of you joining hands, maybe laughing and dancing at the same time.

Remember that the photos don’t have to be perfect, and you can take more than one of each pose. Once you’ve done your serious shoots, have a little fun with your setup! It makes the process a lot less awkward and gives you some good pre wedding memories, perfect for combatting the stress of the rest of the planning!

It seems to me that my wanderlust is incurable and I always find myself globe-trotting every now and then. I've been travelling with my hand-me-down duffel bag for a year since I bought my first airplane ticket. It has been my carry-on travel buddy ever since, but my duffel bag was not enough. In fact, it was arduous. I endured the pain of carrying it for a year on my shoulders. I have been scouring at malls for a cabin luggage and have came across countless choices, and that huge range have had me reaching for some margarita, trying to whittle down my decision.

So I wanted a bag where it's lightweight, carry on cabin sized, and of course, I prefer the ones not on wheels. Since, more and more airlines overcharging for checked bags, trust me, it's worth travelling light to save money.

Picking the ultimate travel bag can be overwhelming, there are so many choices out there, and most of them are not worth the cash. But, how do you figure out which lightweight carry on luggage option is not only worth your hard earned money – but also light and stylish (I mean, who wants to carry an ugly bag?) Ladies and gentlemen, introducing CabinZero bags!

1. Oh-so stylish!

I have two CabinZero bags so far. My first one is the Classic 44L Mysore Red, and my recent one is the Classic 44L Urban Camo. Both bags are the "Classic" ultra-light cabin and travel bag that features large 44 litre capacity, side compression straps, top and side handles, front zipped pocket, inside zipped and mesh pockets. It's thick padded shoulder straps only reinforced additional comfort which I really love.

I like the overall design of both of my bags and it is really perfect for almost any outfit. I can switch between my Mysore Red and my Jungle Camo, depending on my mood. All CabinZero bags are not your typically designed bags, like the ones you see in most of the backpackers. It's contemporary simple, yet stylishly posh that can stand out from the crowd, whilst maintaining its durability.

2. It's ultra light!

All CabinZero bags are light! The classic collection weighs in approximately at 760g only. And you know, there's nothing more worse than traveling with a heavy suitcase. Finally, a bag that won't weigh you down on your travels.

3. Built in Global Luggage Tacker

There's nothing more infuriating when you lost your bag. Well, you don't want that to happen do you? Fret not, CabinZero bags have built in lost and found tags so it can be traced backed to you in the event it is lost or worst stolen. The built-in tracker is also secured directly into the Airline's own baggage tracing system. You just need to register the tag online with Okoban.com as soon as you receive the bag. Your bag is then protected by this lost and found system Cool huh?

4. It has a sturdy and lockable zipper

You don't want a thief to ransack through your bag, especially if you've got valuables in it. I know how you've been wanting a thief-proof bag. Well, one of the best feature I love about CabinZero bags is that it has a lockable zipper. I would just bolt my luggage lock and voila!

Plus, CabinZero bags doesn't use an ordinary zipper. And I know how you hate having a broken zipper? Teeth that break. Pulls that pop. Herky-jerky sliding and irreparable lockups. One zipper gone wrong can render an entire bag unusable. Thus consistent quality is a must, that's why CabinZero use YKK Zippers throughout.

5. It's durable!

All the materials and other hardware used to make all  CabinZero bags are heavy-duty. My Mysore Red bag has gone through thunderstorms, a horrible tumble down from a suitcase hold and having to keep up with my walking speed. So far, it's been very good and no damage can be seen.

Folks at CabinZero attested to its durable quality and that's why they offer a standard 10 year warranty and it is up-gradable  to 25 years free of charge in all of their bags.

6. It's waterproof

One of the things why I love CabinZero so much is because their bags as made with their own customized waterproof material. Of course, no body wants their stuff to get wet. This doesn't necessarily mean that the bag itself is 100 percent waterproof, but it has a high level of water resistance and repellancy. Trust me, I was walking down on a gritty street of Manila one day, and it was pouring so hard. I thought all my stuffs are wet, but as I checked it out, it didn't not even a single stuff is wet. Way to go CabinZero!

7. Carry-on size

With more and more airlines charging for checked bags, it's worth travelling light to save money. It is a wise decision to escape baggage fees and go hand luggage only. I personally don't like checking in my luggages and would rather save my money to travel. CabinZero bag is just like that. Not only CabinZero bags are cool, but they are perfectly cabin sized.

True to its name, at 55 x 40 x 20 cm (weight 760g) the CabinZero is designed to give you the maximum possible space while remaining within the luggage allowances of all majority of airlines carry on dimensions.

8. Spacious Capacity

Not only CabinZero bags perfectly cabin-sized but they are surprisingly spacious too. Their 44L capacity bags allows you to fit everything you'll need on your travels. If you are planning a carry-on all the way, you need to be careful; keeping in mind the maximum carry-on weight of the airline you will take.

9. Its versatile functionality

CabinZero has one outer, easy accessible pocket - perfect for whipping out a book, passport, and travel information without having to open your entire luggage open. The main compartment opens almost right up, like a suitcase, making packing and unpacking easy-peasy. There's a mesh pocket in the inside of the 'lid', and a second smaller compartment just below the mesh pocket. I usually store my valuables in there so they don’t get crushed.  It has external compressions straps, a carrying handle on the side, and an over-the-shoulder strap. Its rucksack straps on the sides can be unclipped and zipped away. I personally like stashing my travel blanket on its side straps.

The Verdict

I wanted a bag that would allow me to travel without checking in a hold bag. Its overall design is cool and I love the way the CabinZero completely opens up like a suitcase. It enabled me to avoid charges and save money on flights all over the world. With its carry-on dimensions and spacious capacity, it can easily house my laptop, clothes, beauty kit, and books for a two week trip. Being durable enough to squeeze to any luggage bin is a big bonus. It is so far the best travel backpack I have.

The CabinZero folks certainly knows how to provide high quality and durability, with tons of features and quality.

Where to buy?

CabinZero bags are available at Urbanize, Rustans, Duty Free, Fashion Rack - NAIA Terminal 3, Flight 001, and Lazada. You can also buy directly at the CabinZero website which offers free shipping anywhere you are on the planet.

Win A CabinZero Bag

Want to bag one CabinZero? Well, here is your chance to win a CabinZero Classic 44L Urban Camo Cabin Bag for yourself. All you have to do is to follow the steps via the giveaway app below. The giveaway is open to anyone worldwide and will end on November 15, 2017 at 11:59PM (PST). Goodluck!

CabinZero Classic 44L Urban Camo Cabin Bag Giveaway


**Charlotte Anne is the host and the sponsor of the giveaway. This competition is not sponsored and/or endorsed by CabinZero.

Say the words "Monte Carlo" and a few things always come to mind. One is probably the famous Formula 1 race that happens there once a year, which is technically known as the Monaco Grand Prix. Another is the postcard image of a harbor full of gleaming, glorious yachts that appear to cost more than some small nations’ GDPs. You may even think of seeing beautiful celebrities dressed as if they’re heading for the red carpet and strolling along some ornate promenade or other. These images don’t encapsulate all that Monte Carlo has to offer – but they do speak to the general glamour and luxury of the destination! If that’s something you like to look for in travel, read on for what you might specifically enjoy about this one-of-a-kind Mediterranean paradise.

Hotel de Paris

A destination like this is naturally packed with luxury hotels, and you can easily Google a list of them, close your eyes, and point. You probably won’t be disappointed. If you’re going for the most authentic Monte Carlo experience though, Hotel de Paris is probably the way to go. It’s very expensive, but then you probably expect as much looking into a place like this in the first place. This hotel was first established in the mid-1800s, and has been updated with the times without losing a sort of refined, retro atmosphere. Unlike some luxury lodgings in popular destinations, it features open, relaxed rooms rather than beautiful but cramped ones. The on-site restaurants are wonderful, and the location keeps you close to everything else the city has to offer.

Yacht Cruises

I mentioned the yachts in the harbor before because they really are part of the city. In fact, though they are of course at sea level, they almost feel like part of the Monaco skyline in their own way. And they’re not just to be looked at from a distance. You can actually book a private yacht cruise on any of a number of different boats. You basically get a tour of the French Riviera from the water, enjoying a state of the art yacht, unrivaled views, and the chance to feel like a local high roller with the world at your fingertips.

Casino de Monte-Carlo

If you’re familiar with Casino de Monte-Carlo, it’s probably thanks to a Hollywood film – most recently Casino Royale. That can make it seem a little bit like a set, or a gimmicky tourist attraction. But I assure you, it’s anything but that. In a ranking that placed it among the top five casinos on the planet, one article characterized it as a casino that oozes class from every pore, which is a funny but accurate way to put it. This is a venue that’s every bit as stunning and fascinating to explore as a royal palace, such that even if you aren’t in for gaming, you might want to stop by.

Sports Car Experiences

I don’t need to go too far in-depth on this one, but suffice it to say you can book a ride in a high-end sports car just as you can with a yacht. You won’t quite be racing along in an F1 car, but it’s still a way of tapping into the area’s deep connection to luxury vehicles. Ferrari and Lamborghini both offer experiences like this, and they’re not to be missed. Speeding down these roads, with these views, in those cars, is about as good as it gets if you like the high life.

Fine Dining

This last point probably goes without saying, but there’s about as much fine dining in the area as anyone could handle. In the best of spots you might enjoy a gorgeous seaside view while you eat, or, if you’re lucky, spot a celebrity out for the evening. Even if not, however, the food is to die for. Blue Bay is perhaps the most renowned restaurant if you want to shoot right to the top. With a Michelin star to its credit, a terrace overlooking the water, and a chef who fuses flavors of his background (Caribbean) with French cuisine, it’s an incredible place for a meal, provided you don’t mind that it’ll cost you more than your average dinner!