Packing for the holidays can be stressful. Whether you are going to a Summer or Winter climate, its all too easy to over pack for those ‘just in case’ moments.  The key is to be organised and plan ahead. My tips are:

1. How many days are you going for?  For example, 5 days – then you really only need three outfits. If you pack the right pieces you can ‘mix n match’ and recycle two looks to make five and work them from day to night.  A little black dress or tailored pants are always handy.
2. Lay everything out on your bed and work out outfits from head to toe.  Remember the saying ‘this goes with that’.
3. Make a list and tick it off – passport √,  jacket √, shoes √, pants √, hair dryer √, bathroom supplies √, international plugs √ etc… when you are packing to go home, check your list again to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.
4. Pack outfits in clear zippered pouches – it keeps clothing clean and safe, gives you more space and helps you find everything at the other end.
5. Always pack precious pieces like jewellery in a seperate pouch and carry in your carry-on luggage.
6. Remember: The lighter you pack, the better the holiday.  Lugging around heavy bags is no fun and you’ll have room to shop!

After a 7 year absence, I returned to my other love, New York City. It was a whirlwind of catching up with friends, sightseeing with my children, work and of course fabulous fashion (Barney’s, Bergdoff’s, various Boutiques up and down town)  oh and lets not forget food (The Polo Bar, Lure, Nomad and Omar’s to name but a few).  There will always be a huge place in my hear for NYC.  Thank goodness my packing skills lived up to it all.  My best packing tip would be “The less you pack the better the holiday”.  You can always Shop if there is something you forgot.  Here’s my list the items that got me through NYC on a daily basis. * black pants, leather jacket, classic blazer, good walking shoes and a great everyday bag.  These pieces will take you from day to night. The true saviours were my shirts (more to come on this hopefully soon).  But a classic shirt can make any old pair of jeans (or trousers, shorts, skirts) look pulled together and chic.  Here are some of my fashion picks that will stand the test of time for your next trip.

For some people, packing for a holiday is not fun, but when you are going to warmer climes it’s really easy.  The less you pack the more fun the trip, and when you spend most days in the water or in the sun, a couple of swimming costumes, cover-ups and casual pieces (depending on where you are holidaying) to wear to dinner or out to the shops is all you need.  Here’s a little list of the essentials you’ll need when escaping the winter cold… Dior Sunglasses, Hatmaker straw sunhat (as seen on Margaret Zhang), Lisa Marie Fernandez two-piece, Valentino espadrille, lace shorts.  Don’t forget to pack sunscreen!

This past week I made a quick trip to Hong Kong.  What a fun, exciting city.  A shoppers paradise, a foodies delight, with a warmth and energy that make it the perfect destination for a quick getaway.  Pack light to fill your suitcase with finds from fashion meccas Joyce and Lane Crawford. You can’t go past all the sparkle of the cities many glam shopping centres: Harbour City/Ocean Terminal, IFC, Causeway Bay and Landmark… the list goes on.  There are also fun markets (Temple St, Ladies Markets) and street vendors for little crafts, electronics, bags and watches galore. Great bars and restaurants such as Sewa, Armani Prive, Isola and Yard Bird to name but a few. Here are some of my HK snap shots.

I’m off to the northern hemisphere these holidays. Whilst I’ve been working out my packing list I have to admit I’ve gone a bit check crazy!  I’ll definitely be packing some of these pieces. They will keep me warm and cozy and have that cool, rugged outdoors feel.  Check out the plaid coats and shirts at www.shopbop.com and www.jcrew.com  Below: Unif plaid motocycle coat and Free People check shirt.

Going on a holiday is fun.  Packing for it, not so much.  As I’ve just been away, I thought I’d post some simple packing tips. Here are my top 5…

1.Keep it simple. The less you pack the better the holiday and the more room you’ll have for holiday shopping.

2. Keep it simple, in terms of colour.  Pretty simple, but easy to overlook.  Pack colours that are neutral, work well with other items and look expensive i.e., Black, White, Denim, Beige, Charcoal or Grey, Khaki, Chocolate and Navy.  If you want to add a pop of colour do it with a shoe or accessory such as a handbag or jewellery.

3. Don’t pack things you don’t normally wear at home.  All of a sudden you pull out some random item of clothing that never sees the light of day back home and somehow makes it on your holiday – don’t pack it!  Opt for pieces that are comfy, easy to make an outfit out of (each piece should give you at least three different outfit options (day and night)) and something you are not too precious about.  You’ll enjoy yourself more and the outfit will be effortless.  You don’t want to worry about having to work out what to wear or where your nearest dry cleaner is while on holiday.

4. Pack things in separate bags.  Garment bags, ziplock bags etc… storage shops such as Howard’s Storage www.howardsstorage.com.au sell lots of different packing solutions to make things easier to fold and find and stop any accident such as leaking shampoo bottles.

5. Use a brightly coloured suitcase.  Yes, black looks nice and it doesn’t show all the dirt, but all the cases going around the carousel are black.  Choose a bright red, yellow or orange for example (see Blue one below).  Something that stands out from the crowd. As much as it’s divine to have expensive luggage (Louis Vuitton), they get trashed – so it’s not worth it.

Happy Packing and Bon Voyage!

 

Over the Summer holidays my family and I spent some time in Hawaii. I have to say, even with a baby in tow, it was fabulous. We swam, sun-baked, spend time by the beach and pool, went for walks, ate yummy food, did a few “touristy” things and took in the sights around Waikiki. You don’t need much when packing for a summer holiday, in fact the less you bring the better the holiday (and you’ll have more room to fit those holidays purchases).  Even though we are heading into Winter, some of you may be trying to chase the sun.  My holiday essentials consisted of: Sunglasses, Shorts, Espadrilles, Hat and a swimming costume.  Here are some of my picks… they might just help you pack for your next Summer vaycay!  Prism Leopard Espadrilles, Belinda eyelet shorts, Marc Jacobs swimming costume and Dries Van Noten Sunnies.

The excitement of Fashion Week in New York City is always full of fun – people watching, after parties and of course the runway shows. However, for the first time in while I don’t envy those in NYC right now, the snow is out of control!  And that brings me to that question we all ask ourselves when packing to go away, (especially if you’re going to Fashion Week) “what do I wear?”  Here are some snaps (all from Instagram) of what I’m loving on Editors, Bloggers and people on the street…think long coats, fur gilets, sneakers, knee-high boots, big chunky sweaters and beanies (don’t forget to through in a great bag).  A neutral colour palette, casual and very wearable. Some inspiration when winter hits us down under.

Images of: Vanessa Hong, The Haute Pursuit, Columbine Smille and French Vogue Editor Emmanuelle Alt.

Handy tips:  What to do with your WINTER COATS.   Summer is well and truly gone.  So it’s time (if you haven’t already done so) to store those items you won’t be using for the next three or so months.  Don’t get rid of them until Autumn.  Hang them in another closet if you don’t have space and store them in a garment bag with a nice smelling clothes sachet on a good sturdy coat hanger.  Alternatively, you can store it in a plastic zip pouch (various sizes available from stores such as Big W and Howard’s Storage) for jumpers, coats etc… Come Autumn, if you don’t like the fit, style, colour – donate it to a local coat drive, salvation arm, St. Vincents etc…

These clear plastic pouches (as above) are a really useful packing tool – you can divide your clothing by outfits or categories for example, all t-shirts in one, undies in another – keeps everything neat, easy to find and doesn’t take up a lot of space.  Also, I have found that using a bright coloured suitcase so much easier to locate your luggage on a conveyer belt full of black suitcases! Loving my canary yellow luggage.

I’m now back with lots of great things to report from my travels…..