HOLIDAY PACKING: ANNUAL TRIP TO GREECE

HURRAH it is that time of year again. The summer may be drawing to a close in the UK, but I'm packing up my bags and heading to Greece. I'll only be there for a few nights, but I'm ridiculously excited. Sea, retsina, food, swimming, sleeping. Oh it's just TOO GOOD! 

I'm aiming to pack light. I always pack far too much and never wear it all. This year I am forcing the issue by travelling with a carry on only. I basically spend all day in swimwear and cover ups, so am relying on my usual swimwear plus a new navy bikini and tie dye cold-shoulder cover up from Accessorize. 

By evening I want to be relaxed and breezy so am packing Duccio Venturi flats and classic navy Havaianas, this Oysho jumpsuit, ASOS lace wrap midi and a crinkle Topshop bardot top to wear with laid back denim (for a touch of Mama Mia - standard) . I'll accessorise with gold jewellery and this new bead necklace from Zara Simon's collection for Accessorize. 

Make up is pared back. I'll be using RMS Living Luminizer and Lip Shine in Sacred, protecting my hair with Pureology's Hydrate range and going fully Greek with Diptyque Philosykos fragrance. 

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HOLIDAY: MOROCCO PACKING

Tomorrow morning we are jetting off to Morocco! We're staying by the sea in bohemian Essaouira, rather than in amongst it in Marrakech, but will be taking at least one day trip to experience all the hustle and bustle and hunt down beautiful bowls and kaftans to take home.

When I was starting to put my packing list together, my aim was to add a few fun pieces to my usual holiday wardrobe just to 'Moroccan it up' a bit, as well as ensuring I had clothes which would cover my shoulders and fall below the knee for day trips. In amongst a lace midi dress from ASOS, Topshop tile print leigh jeans and converse (for the camel ride of course!), I've added these beautifully light and colourful print trousers from Topshop and statement, layered jewellery from Topshop and Zara. These will dress up my simple wardrobe pieces, like this structured white Cos dress. The Mango dress I mentioned in my last post will feature on the journey to and from the pool and for lazy breakfasts (it's too short for normal day-time wear in Morocco outside the hotel).

I fell in love with this sequin jacket from Sandro and gold woven Anya Hindmarch clutch on a recent trip to Bicester Village and they'll be delicious for evening drinks. For if and when I need a heel, I've packed these simple chunky sandals from Topshop.

I'll be attempting to take lots of photos so check back soon!

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HOLIDAY PACKING LIST: GREECE

L to R, top starting at the top: Topshop top, Whistles leopard top, River Island smock, JCrew stripe top, JCrew denim shirt, River Island embellished scallop top, Zara dress, Topshop Aztec print dress, Jamie Jeans in light blue, blue and white, Warehouse pocket tees in blue/grey and black, JCrew 3" navy chino shorts, Zara denim shorts, Duccio Venturi sandals and beige ballet pumps, Topshop swimwear, Monsoon blouse, Topshop cover ups, straw sun hat and slim Havainas. JCrew and Topshop earrings, Monica Vinader ring, Oribe Volumista, Oribe Apres Beach, Phyto Sun Veil, La Roche Posay factor 50 for face, Clarins fragrance, If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, Diptyque candle, Oliver Peoples and Miu Miu sunglasses.

It's that time of year again! We're off to Kaminaki in Greece to spend a week en famille. In the build up to jetting off, polyvore has been as invaluable as always. It has once again enabled me to edit down the items I want to take. Truth be told, in a separate collage I arrange all the above in outfits to ensure it all makes sense. 

In the day time we're mostly just in our swim things, with cover ups over the top for lunch and afternoon strolls, so I don't really need to take any "day time" outfits. I normally only take one cover up but am taking three this year for a bit more variety! A beautiful lace number from Topshop and a hot pink aztec print maxi dress  (also from Topshop) which I've had shortened a little so that I don't trip my way along the beach. 

For evening I like a mix of prints, embroidery, a dash of embellishment and clean classics dressed up with fun earrings. My Duccio Venturi sandals were my buy of the summer and I heartily regret not buying the same style in black suede. These little chaps will work very hard throughout the week. 

I'm in love with sunglasses at the moment and am taking along a classic pair by Oliver Peoples and a more interesting, fun pair by Miu Miu. As well as taking a hat along to protect my hair, I'm also going to try out Sun Veil by Phyto having enjoyed their Hydrating Day Cream for hair so much. Inspired by Nicole Ritchie, I plan to style my hair with a deep side parting, pulled back into a low bun with the Sun Veil applied to the finished product. Oribe has also recently become my go-to brand for reliable hair care that delivers what it promises. I'll be taking a mini Apres Beach spray for loose beachy waves and Volumista to help my hair look a little more lively. I'm not a fan of overwhelming fragrances on holiday, so this rebalancing number from Clarins will work a treat.

I'm planning on taking outfit photos whilst away, so be sure to check on the blog and Instagram for updates!

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HOLIDAY PACKING: FRANCE

Yes I may only be going away for a long weekend... BUT. I like to have options, and firmly believe it's only right that my boyfriend gives up two thirds of his suitcase in the interests of this. 
As you may know, I spent some time earlier in the season gradually building up my summer wardrobe. Some of these bits and pieces are featured above, but I'm saving quite a few for a trip to America at the end of June. 
I couldn't wait to pack a few things I've been looking forward to wearing though: a Zara combination crochet blouse (the arms on this are beautiful) and a Monsoon bohemian blouse to wear with worn denim or cut off shorts, an amazing print dress also from Zara and a beautifully worked cream cover up from Topshop. 
Most of the other elements are classics or old favourites: jeans cut to the ankle, converses, black Havaianas, Dicker boots, grey tees, white blouses and trusty one pieces. 
My poolside reading? Gossip by Beth Gutcheon.

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CITY BREAK WARDROBE PLANNING

I'm off to Bruges in a couple of weeks, and so naturally my mind has begun to wander about what to pack. We're only going for 3 nights so technically, I only need 3 or 4 outfits. I don't think I really need anything dressy. For evening I'll thwack on a pair of razzy earrings, or throw a jazzy clutch at the problem and call it a night. I think casual-chic is mostly the way to go? I might be wrong, I've never been there before!

CLOTHES TO PACK

 

From L - R, starting at the top: Topshop army jacket, Isabel Marant Haca jacket, Jaeger navy jacket, MiH stripe top, Whistles Lisa blouse, Topshop jumper, Topshop Neppy tee, Topshop jeans, Isabel Marant Bazil sneakers, Isabel Marant Dicker boots, Converses, French Sole ballet flats

The weather there seems to be pretty similar to London at the moment - drizzle ahoy - and high-teens-barely-breaking-into-the-twenties temperatures, hence the emphasis on useful little jackets and a light cotton parka to throw over outfits whenever I need it, and a jumper! Also note the shoes - all walkable. Yes, some more walkable than others, but the wedge on the Bazil sneakers (screams quietly with utter joy at how much I love these shoes!!) and the heel on the Dicker boots are definitely of the walkable variety. No tottering around for me - it doesn't suit. Converses are a clear must-pack, and pony flats courtesy of French Sole are perfection. 
All the shoes are mostly interchangeable with any of the potential outfits and each piece will marry up well with the khaki army jacket when necessary or one the the little jackets, which of course can be whipped off if the sun decides to come out. 
It's not quite city break style sudoku, but you get the idea! 

ACCESSORIES AND THE REST

Balenciaga City, Bruges guide book, Tom Ford Cary sunglasses, Topshop earrings, Phoebe Coleman necklace, Alex Monroe Pea Pod bracelet, Carmex lip balm, Clinique Almost Lipstick in Flirty Honey, Jo Molane White Lilac & Rhubarb Cologne, Bliss Triple Oxygen Infusing Mask 

At the moment our plans feature lots of beautiful building gazing, beer supping, chocolate chomping and the like. (Can you tell I haven't read my guide book yet?!)

Any tips for places to go or things to see in Bruges please DO let me know! 

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