Reflections from holidays (vacation)

I'm back from 10 days away with the family at 2 coastal locations. In Australia many workplaces close down after Christmas and one is encouraged to take the time off. It is also our long summer school holiday time (6/7 weeks).

Here are a few thoughts about my packing.
* I was glad I bought 2 long sleeve tees. So cosy for cooler times. A lightweight grey cardi
* I should have brought some shorts! And some baggy lightweight pants. And some of my loose summer dresses. I didn't really calculate that if you wear lounging clothes for lots of the day they get dirtier than just for a few hours at the end of the day. (and we lounged a lot!)
* my new running skirt isn't quite as comfortable I hoped for wearing as casual gear
* I didn't think through shoulder coverage. Although the weather was cooler than where I usually live, it was usually sunny (say 23-30) and we were outside a lot - I brought too many sleeveless tops and would have preferred shoulder coverage
* I need to bring more knickers!
* I didn't realise we were staying (with a rellie) in a house with a no shoes in the house rule. I would have packed slippers if I had known.
* I bought 2 of my new summer outfits. Wore one to church. Wore the other barely at all, as was saving it for "going out" and didn't.

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7 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I love how we learn more about packing from each trip. Hope you had a wonderful time.

anne

Thanks Barbara Diane. I forgot to say that, yes we did. Beautiful scenery, time with the family and lots of rest.

Bijou

It sounds like a great relaxing holiday. I know what you mean about shoulder coverage, I often seem to get sunburnt on the tops of my shoulders when wearing sleeveless tops outside. I usually pack a long sleeve linen shirt on trips like this, because I just slip it over whatever I am wearing and it provides a good blocker from the sun.

Brooklyn

The sleeveless top thing is a real challenge here. I feel much cooler when I am in a sleeveless top or dress, but the minute I step into the sun I feel really exposed to sun burn (even with sunscreen). So I have sleeveless tops for indoor wear and sleeved tops for outdoor wear. And sometimes have to get changed more than once during the day. Sigh!
I am glad you had a good holiday

Ledonna N.

Sounds like a wonderful holiday and a great assessment for the next one.

Like others have mentioned a fe lightweight roll away toppers are always good.

Brooklyn, you expressed it so well. Yes to everything you said!

Bijou, I actually have a shirt I had kept for that express purpose - but I had forgotten about it. Will have to bring it next time.

Suz

(website)

Love your skirt, Anne, and it sounds like a good holiday. It is difficult to pack for a different temperature range and type of activity -- no one gets it perfect the first time.

Joy

You look cute and ready for a walk or run. I like the hat. Packing the right items is hard, especially if the trip is to a new-to-you location or season.
Could you use your socks as slippers in the house? I do that a lot.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Anne, you crack me up, and you look adorable. DO get more knickers!

It's hard to get the packing right sometimes, despite our best planning intensions. All we can do is learn from our mistakes and hope to do a better job next time.

It was a great holiday, but the embarrassing thing is that these are far from new locations. Until a few years ago I lived less than an hour from one, and my Mum grew up in the others and I have visited numerous times.
I did bring a few sleeved tops - but they didn't always go with the bottoms.

Angie, I'll get some more knickers ( I took most of what I own, so I clearly need to own more)

Sara L.

Ha - I always bring too many knickers (I don't like to rewear them after putting a swimsuit on so have to bring lots of extras). I really like your skirt and hat in your photo. I hope you had a nice time! Better luck next time with packing. I never get it quite right either.

It's SOOO worth having a good assortment of basics, Anne.

Aziraphale

Good observations, Anne. You should jot them down so you remember for next time! I always make a few mistakes when I pack. Often these are related to failing to anticipate events, or failing to understand the level of dressiness required. This year, at Christmas, we went to England and stayed with relatives. I have been many times before, and remembered how muddy it is (they live in the country, south of London), so I packed my wellies and gosh did I wear those a lot! But I failed to pack a dressy-enough outfit for this one night that I went out with my cousin and her friends. I knew we would be going out for dinner, but it was going to be at a pub, which to me equals casual. So I go over to my cousin's place, where we're meeting, in my short black boots, jeans, and a top that's on the dressy side of casual and a fine merino wool duster cardigan, and she and her friends are wearing towering heels and skin-tight dresses with all their cleavage showing! Lol. I don't dress like that anyway, but I was sorry that I hadn't at least brought a sparkly top and some proper high heels!

Helen11

I hope you feel refreshed after your holiday. I never quite seem to get the packing right, even though I buy some items thinking they'll be particularly good for travel.
My rellies humour me and let me do my family washing every second day.
Your running skirt looks good, as does the hat : )

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