The Big Packing Issue
It's holiday time again. And whilst for many that may mean a spell in the sun or a skiing jaunt, for us, this time round, it's off to the Emerald Isle for a week. We go every year to Ireland (although not normally this early so I'm praying that the weather gods aren't against us) to stay with Nanny. Middle of nowhere, back to basics but we absolutely love it. So relaxed, time just seems to stop here. Lots of things planned to do, mostly which involve sitting by the fire and just chilling out. No seriously, we do have some trips - for a start, next week we're going on a girl's day out to Kildare Village (same as Bicester) which I have to say, I may be more than a little excited about...
But of course with a holiday comes the same old dilemma. What to pack? In the glorified sandwich box that Ryanair let you take on as hand luggage. Alas, gone are the days when I used to be able to snaffle half the kids' luggage allowance for my own as a) they pack themselves (I know, I know - they turn up at the airport in one decent outfit that I've picked and the rest, that they choose, is eclectic to say the least) and b) they insist on every spare inch of case being taken up with a cuddly toy (what is it with boys and snugglies?!)
So I had to pack clever this time. And I find the easiest way to do that, is to stick to a theme. A colour theme works best for me, so that everything mixes and matches. This time, I've gone with black and cream. The odd yellow and navy stripe thrown in just to stop me looking like a barcode.
How does it work? Well, on the upside, I won't be packing a bikini or any sun cream... but you see I say that. Before I left it was 19 degrees in Tipperary. That's height of the Summer weather! And the good temperatures were set to continue to the weekend, after which it looked a bit iffy. So back to packing for all occasion. Gah.
Here's how it went.
Trousers - black dungarees, cream dungarees, black skinnies and straight leg jeans
Coats - Trench, black lightweight blazer, black military jacket (it's Ireland, you need coats)
Jumpers - Yellow breton, black breton, black and white jumper, white jumper, black thin knit jumper, grey thin knit jumper (ditto above - it's Ireland)
Tops - Cream blouse, navy stripe tee, two off white linen tees, black vest, white vest.
Shoes - Ballet pumps, black buckle sandals, leopard skater shoes, white Stan Smiths (I have no excuse here)
Scarves - Leopard pint, oversized yellow.
Bag - one black bucket bag
It also meant that there was the obligatory sneaky order to make the suitcase that little more exciting, plus I thought I could do with a casual Summer jacket.
My jumper arrived from Tommy Hilfiger and I love it. (can't say it was the speediest delivery but it arrived eventually) That's definitely packed.
Much more interesting though, I got round to finally doing my order from Hush.
Firstly, I've had my eye on this for ages and am so pleased with it.
Stripe Boat Neck Jumper from Hush £65 It is semi sheer, so I'll wear it with a vest (or my silky cream shirt....) but it will also be ideal under my cream dungarees. I ordered the S/M and it's perfect as I didn't want it oversized as I wanted to be able to wear it under a blazer or my very fitted military jacket. It will go with all the bottoms I've bought with me - will be getting a lot of wear out of this. As good as I had hoped it would be and should have bought it earlier in the season as I would have worn it loads.
Now I also thought that a casual Summer Jacket was a hole in my wardrobe. And I couldn't get this one of my head - the khaki is the ideal shade to go with black and cream.
But it's on back order. Too popular. However still ordered it and am waiting for it as still have Suffolk beach holidays in the Summer and this will be perfect for those chillier days.
Should have probably ordered this now (kicking myself!)..... this would have been perfect and it's in stock. But I do have a lot of knitwear and a black jersey biker jacket (just remembered....) and a cropped knit jacket so in all honesty (a rare moment of reflection...), the khaki one which I have nothing like, will be much more useful.
Doesn't stop me hankering after it though.....
It also made me think about what other options there would be (obviously having left it too late for these hols but I'm hanging out for Kildare Village...) as the Summer jacket is a hole in our wardrobe for lots of people.
Belted Boyfriend Jacket from Topshop £65 This is an interesting one. You can see a theme here with the khaki... Wear with or without the belt. Love the idea of this with the belt over an LBD or culottes (like the idea of the silhouette with this one)
Still in khaki but a different shape now. Not sure I'm a fan of the done up look but I think this shape over wide leg jeans, flares, a dress, culottes - very useful indeed.
Khaki again. Similar to the Hush one but a thinner fabric with not as much detailing. Personally I think I'll hold out for the Hush one.
So clearly this has turned into the khaki jacket thread, but you know when you get an idea in your head and suddenly it works with everything? We've already established that it is an exceptionally useful neutral - that goes with everything.
In for a penny, in for a pound....
Just in case navy isn't your thing - there is a navy utility one that I've found.
My other musthave jacket that I've bought with me is my Hush Tuxedo blazer from last season. They don't do exactly the same but the Summer blazer is identical bar it has a button.
Summer Jacket £65 from Hush (can you see why I really really want the Clarks snakeskin birkie alikes? These are the Ash ones but honestly, I think the Clarks ones for a third of the price are easily easily as good) I love this whole look. I may also have to order the white boyfriend jeans actually....
Finishing with a black jacket that would double up as a casual and smart jacket. Plus a bargain at half price now from Jaeger.
How does everyone else do on the summer jacket front? I am very much looking forward to my military shirt style one arriving - think it will definitely add a different look to my old favourite outfits.
So finishing as per usual with looks from this week. Firstly, from my day out with the 10yr old in London the other day. Great great day although disastrous shopping trip. We came back with two suitcase seats for the boys' teddies from Build a Bear. All the more to do over here in Ireland though.
Red striped tee - Zara
Flared jeans - Zara
Midnight boucle jacket - Zara
White cracked leather Stan Smiths - adidas
Tan bag - Prada
And Wednesday night - dinner and drinks out with the girls. Which was followed by a night of the 8yr old throwing up. Oh. My. Lord. The reason there was no blog yesterday was that I was broken. Poor lamb slept all day before we had to drive to the airport at 5pm. I kipped throughout the day whilst I tried to pack and pull myself together before dragging the three of them to Gatwick on my own. But we had had a good night out, at least. And I am over the moon with the jumpsuit.
Jumpsuit - Kin by John Lewis
Gladiator sandals - Burberry
This is me looking maniacal at the airport, when our flight was delayed, the 8yr old has completely recovered and is bouncing around the airport like Tigger on crack. I was so tired I wanted to sob. I will admit that I may have had a minor breakdown on picking up the hire car at 11pm at Shannon, not being able to find out how anything worked on it and having no idea really how to get where I was going in the middle of nowhere..... In the end, I rang my mother in law who came out to the Tipp Road to meet me and direct me back through the myriad of boreens to get home. In the cold light of day it did all seem like a storm in a teacup but I was more than tempted to check into the hotel at the airport at the time. Wuss.
Black thin knit jumper - Cos
Black dungarees - H&M
Trench Coat - Banana Republic
White cracked leather Stan Smiths - adidas
Leopard print scarf - Louis Vuitton
And today for a day out with my sister in law and the 10yr old - a day shopping.
Black Vest - Black & White Denim
Stripe Boat neck jumper - Hush
Black zip ankle skimmer jeans - Boden
Black Wild Kat ballet pumps - The British Flat Shoe Company
Black Military jacket - Zara
Black Faridah bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs
Have just dropped my two eldest kids and my sister in law off at Bingo. I LOVE Ireland!
I love this method of packing! Of course I had no system whatsoever and now looking at what I've packed realise I've barely worn half, oops. Given me some great tips for a couple more holidays coming up though :) Perfect khaki jacket from hush, i want it! Have a fab holiday x
ReplyDeleteOh good, I'm so so pleased it was helpful!
DeleteSome lovely outfits there - very impressed with my Hush tuxedo jacket and my Clarkes snakeskin sandals - might crack them out if the sun continues! Love that khaki jacket!
ReplyDeleteoh you got both. I'm so jealous of the snakeskin sandals . I definitely need them (and they'd look fab with the jacket... hmmm)
DeletePacking is a nightmare. I always, always end up taking too much even when I try really hard not to. It's wierd but things just seem to creep in at the last minute. It truly is a kind of disease! !
ReplyDeleteBut you never know if you might need it... The weather can always change.....!! I will let you know how much I wear of what I've bought. Problem is, I've no idea what the weather is going to be like next week x
DeleteYou are my favorite blogger - funny and fashionable.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! xxx
DeleteI agree with Marianne :)
DeleteWell thank you too xxx
DeleteLove this post! Just bought 5 cabin sized bags for our Italian jaunt in July. Figure we don't need too many clothes as staying with friends but the bags are so small!! Will be taking on your packing tips!
ReplyDeleteGood luck xxxx
DeleteThat jumpsuit is lovely, did you wear a jacket over tye top?
ReplyDeleteI did - my military fitted black jacket - looked ok I thought!
DeletePacking this week for Portugal was complete disaster it's rained been cold etc so have we one the two thin sweaters I brought in rotation! You will enjoy Kildare (Euro working well for it!!) Back to Belfast tomorrow where they have been basking in warm sunshine all week! Aaagh!!
ReplyDeleteNoooo! The weather has been great here so far - high hopes for next week too! x
DeleteI keep looking at that hush knitted biker jacket, it is gorgeous! I'm not sure I can justify another jacket... maybe if it's in the sale. Atterley Rd seem to be having a good season too, they had a good sale in Jan too - I bought a lovely pair of charcoal wool trousers. Love the jumpsuit, very versatile.
ReplyDeleteI think I would feel very maniacal after a night of an ill child, a flight and late night drive! I think you did very well. Love those zara flares! I have bought one pair of kick flares, but perhaps I need to get a wider, looser pair...
Yes, Atterley Road really are doing well - I just wish they had more brands. There's such a My Wardrobe shaped hole in the market I think.
DeleteI have to say I do love the wide flares for flats x
I keep looking at that hush knitted biker jacket, it is gorgeous! I'm not sure I can justify another jacket... maybe if it's in the sale. Atterley Rd seem to be having a good season too, they had a good sale in Jan too - I bought a lovely pair of charcoal wool trousers. Love the jumpsuit, very versatile.
ReplyDeleteI think I would feel very maniacal after a night of an ill child, a flight and late night drive! I think you did very well. Love those zara flares! I have bought one pair of kick flares, but perhaps I need to get a wider, looser pair...
I got a khaki jacket very much like the Hush one from H&M about 2 years ago - it was only about £20 to start with, and with a discount I got it for £11! It's thick cotton so good for chilly days in summer, and goes with pretty much everything. I'm in the market for a military-style blazer/jacket, navy preferably, but the Superdry one I like is so expensive! Anything you've come across that might work?
ReplyDeleteHmmm I haven't seen a navy one at all, I'll have a look and see what I can come up with xx
DeleteYour packing picks are flawless, you look so polished. It's such a challenge when you visit a place that has fickle weather conditions, but you did a great job. I really love all your Hush picks too. Enjoy your family vacation!
ReplyDeleteoh thank you xxxx
DeleteEnjoy kildare village have not been in a while hope it's a successful trip.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to it xx
DeleteYou will LOVE my Red stripe Zara tee... age 13/14 from the girls section. HA HA! £8 I think. Bargain of the season so far. x
ReplyDeleteI just love the challenge of packing! Like you, I go for a theme and do my best to pack outfits that do double duty. Always leave room for a cheeky holiday purchase though!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done this! How bad is that?? The boys may be leaving a snuggly here as I need room in their suitcase....
DeleteI love your idea of packing using two main colours - and black and cream seem to have worked really well! Thanks, Berlin Clothing
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave Kat! Travelling with kids anytime is a nightmare but at that time of night & with a delay!! Hats off to you! Great packing & I shall be taking a leaf out of your book next month when it's my turn! x
ReplyDelete