All of the pieces from this list are from & Other Stories:
Black Tank | Striped T-shirt | Graphic T-shirt | Silk Blouse | Black Oversized Sweater | Grey Pullover | Light Jacket | Blue Jeans | Black Jeans | White Dress | Black Shirt Dress | Skirt | Scarf | Hat | Sunglasses | Sandals | Black Flats | Slides | Black Purse | Brown Crossbody |

When I go to bed at night I always reflect on the day and 99% of the time I shake my head at how unproductive it was. Then I go to bed with the promise to myself that tomorrow I will do better. When I actually pay attention throughout the day to exactly why it is so unproductive I think about the meme that says “trying to accomplish something with children around is like having 152 things going through your head while someone is continuously hitting you with a stick.” That applies to so many things with kids and people who have more than two and still have it all together, I tip my hat to you. Twelve years in and this shit is still hard. So currently I have allowed my older daughter to have her PS4 back (taken away due to ridiculously messing room) and my youngest is quietly watching Charlotte’s web on the iPad so I can sit in silence and actually string two thoughts together on here. Annnnd she just asked for milk and cookies, like 45 seconds after typed that :/

This post is part two, to the What to Pack for Paris and Prague request I got on Instagram. Last post I mentioned how I tried something new and picked the entire list from the store & Other Stories. I found that I kept picking pieces from there so I made the decision the put together the entire list strictly from them. I pretty much want their whole inventory so it was easy. I also talked about how my choices reflected my personal wardrobe the most out of every packing post I have made (I think).

The trip is for 10 days so I put together 18 outfit options from the pieces in the list. A quick breakdown of what the list includes in case you missed last post or you found yourself here from Pinterest (or another social media site) is as follows:

• Several shirts (a tank or camisole, striped t-shirt, a graphic/band t-shirt, and a silk blouse)
• A couple of sweaters (an oversized, off the shoulder sweater, and a pullover) a cardigan might make a good substitute for one of these choices as well since they are very versatile.
• Three bottoms (a blue denim, a grey or black denim or trouser, a skirt)
• Two dresses (shirt dress, summery casual dress) this lace one is great too.
• A light jacket for cooler evenings or rain. I picked a linen jacket that looks great belted on the website (there is also a leopard one that I have my eye on that almost made this cut).
• Shoes, 3 pairs. This is were I always have difficulty but ultimately a walking shoe, a slide, and a sandal made the list. An alternative to the slip on walking shoe would be a sneaker or some kind.
• Accessories. The pieces that tie everything together and what you will use to change-up your looks. These include a hat, scarf or scarves of varying colours and prints, sunnies, and possible some simple jewelry. Like a dainty necklace, bracelet, or rings.
• Purses. Ultimately you only need two maximum. A larger tote/shoulder bag, and a crossbody. These two should get you through any kind of travel situation that may arise. Any more than two is just a waste of precious suitcase space.

So as you can see the pieces above can be worn is so many ways. I put together 18 outfits but the possibilities are much more with some creativity.

This weekend is Canada’s 150th birthday and there is so much going on. I’m not sure what we are doing yet, but I hope you all have a great weekend! 

Follow me on
FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM || PINTEREST || BLOGLOVIN’

SaveSave

Black Tunic Top • H&M+ | White T-shirt • H&M+ | Blue Cotton Blouse • Violeta by Mango | Striped Linen Shirt • Violeta by Mango | Blue Peasant Blouse • Simply Be | Grey Pullover • Violeta by Mango | Black Cardigan • Violeta by Mango | Trench Coat • Marks and Spencer | Casual Denim • H&M+ | Dark Denim • H&M+ | Black Trousers • H&M+ | Striped Cropped Trousers • Violeta by Mango | Yellow Wrap Dress • Violeta by Mango | Black Dress • Violeta by Mango | Blue Scarf • BCBGMAXAZRIA | Yellow Scarf • J.Crew | Hat • Off 5th | Sunglasses • Boohoo | Sneakers • Adidas via Asos | Slides • & Other Stories | Red Shoes • Toms via & Other Stories | Black Purse • Nordstrom Rack | Blue Crossbody • Asos |

SHOP THE POST

You know when you are eating something sweet and it’s so rich that you are almost gagging but it’s still so good you don’t want to stop eating? That just happened with some chocolate truffles. It actually happens all the time but I try to finish it otherwise someone else will eat it on me. Unattended or abandoned food is not safe here 😉

Also that cold that I had? The one I thought was going away decided that it wasn’t ready to vacate quite yet. Several symptoms just won’t let go, and I’m going on week four of a stuffy nose and slight cough. I would have been concerned but those are the two symptoms that have stuck around for Roo too, and she got sick at the same time as me. I guess this is just a hanger on’er.

I fell victim to the Zara sale. Remember that pink tweed jacket that I got a while back? While I love it, it was actually my second choice. My first choice had more of a blue fleck than pink, 3/4 length sleeves, a collar, and buttoned up the front in more of a blazer than jacket style, but it kept selling out in my size. I’d get an email when it came back in stock and then when I added it to my cart it would be out of stock again. Very frustrating in the grand scheme of First World Problems, so when the Zara summer sale started and I saw they restocked it and it was $60 cheaper I was excited. Then it sold out again with seconds (I swear it was seconds) so I gave up. On Mandat afternoon Merle and I went to pick up some groceries and we have to walk by the big Zara to get there. As I was walking by I made eye contact with my jacket. There were 4 in a messy little row. Side note: Have you ever seen how chaotic and messy Zara gets especially during sales? It must really suck for the workers to maintain that. When I worked retail I would have to hold my breathe and walk away when someone rifled through my neatly folded tees. I can’t imagine the amount of work it takes to get it cleaned up after closing. Long story short, I pretty much dived at the rack to check and they had it in my size so I carried it to the cash in a death grip (you know. In case someone tried to snatch it like they do in movies) I kid only slightly.

This brought me to the realization that I have a thing for jackets. I never really realized that until yesterday but I get really upset when the weather gets too hot for me to layer a fun/cool jacket over whatever I am wearing. Some people have a thing for shoes I apparently like jackets. Now on to the real meaning of this post.

I will be short and brief after a long-winded story. These 24 outfits (12 above and 12 below) are the outfit options that I put together for the What to Pack for the UK packing list from last post. The details from the trip are in the original post but I wanted to point out to those that may have not seen it that this list is plus size and meant for a 3 week trip to the UK for the end of June to middle of July, so technically early summer. The trip it is requested for is mostly casual with a few dressy nights. The colour palette was mostly blues with a few colours added, while staying away from browns/beiges. Whenever I make a packing list I tend to include mostly solid colour neutral pieces, while adding a piece or two in a bright colour or pattern. I also like to add some colour variation using scarves and sometimes a shoe. A fun colour or print shoe can add so much to an outfit, everyone should have at least one “fun” coloured shoe.

While the temperatures at this time of year can lean towards hot, it can also get cold and damp in a blink so clothes that are loose, and breathable will work for the heat while adding a sweater over top will transition you through cooler days easily. *The UK is currently having a heat wave, so pay attention to the weather.* Remember that your travel outfit comes from the pieces in the list as well, and is not in addition to. It’s always a good idea to wear your heavier, more layerable items on the plane (planes can be cold) so that you can pack less.

Have you found any good sale deals lately?

Follow me on
FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM || PINTEREST || BLOGLOVIN’

Black Tunic Top • H&M+ | White T-shirt • H&M+ | Blue Cotton Blouse • Violeta by Mango | Striped Linen Shirt • Violeta by Mango | Blue Peasant Blouse • Simply Be | Grey Pullover • Violeta by Mango | Black Cardigan • Violeta by Mango | Trench Coat • Marks and Spencer | Casual Denim • H&M+ | Dark Denim • H&M+ | Black Trousers • H&M+ | Striped Cropped Trousers • Violeta by Mango | Yellow Wrap Dress • Violeta by Mango | Black Dress • Violeta by Mango | Blue Scarf • BCBGMAXAZRIA | Yellow Scarf • J.Crew | Hat • Off 5th | Sunglasses • Boohoo | Sneakers • Adidas via Asos | Slides • & Other Stories | Red Shoes • Toms via & Other Stories | Black Purse • Nordstrom Rack | Blue Crossbody • Asos |

SHOP THE POST

SaveSave