Annabel: Ella and I thought it would be fun to do a blog together of our “must-haves” to go on a holiday.
I wouldn’t say that either of us – despite constant trips abroad – have still learnt the art of being economical packers. We just can’t resist the “we just might wear this” over and over again.
I love it when my daughters borrow my clothes and they get a whole new lease of life, but we actually have very different styles.
Ella is an ‘old time glamour girl’ that actually stops people dead in their tracks on the streets. She is so beautiful. She reminds me of an old style Italian movie star. She always looks glamorous and with two different coloured eyes, one brown and one blue and with ridiculously long lashes, I see people being mesmerised by her.
With her golden skin, her hair perfectly coiffed, her long legs, shiny and glowing, here she gives you “some” of her secrets.
Ella: My mum really is an effortless dresser, she could wear a sheet (sometimes she’s not far off!) and make it look as if it couldn’t be worn any other way.
She never over-thinks her approach of getting dressed, whether going to a wedding or running down to the market she will somehow always just throw it together and make it work.
Helped by her 6ft height and endlessly long legs, she really does make getting dressed look easy.
Annabel: So we decided to play the game that my mother used to play with me when I was a small child to divert me from the “are we nearly there yet” every five minutes and then I played with Ella when she, herself was little and bored on long car journeys.
The memory game is called “I packed my bag and in it I put” , the game goes round and round and when its your turn, after listing everything previous in the right order, you toss another object into the trunk.
Ella and I have good memories so our trunks were always overflowing.
So here we limited each other to only 10 essential items (no bird cages!) that we must-have in our bags this summer.
Here they are:
ELLAS ESSENTIALS
1. Agent Provocateur Bikini
These bikinis can be expensive (you can find last seasons on ebay) but you will never feel better and have it forever.
2. Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body
An essential for nights out before the natural tan has arrived!
3. Dior Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm
I always get dry lips when I fly, this hydrates, plumps and has SPF of 10!
4. Book or Mags
The last book I read on holiday was Not that kind of girl by Lena Dunham, I like to be able to turn the pages of something on the plane – no kindles or ipads!
5. Pajamas all day
.Sometimes it is too hot to get dressed, a slip or silk pajamas to dinner or breakfast while on holiday courtesy of Olivia Von Halle.
6. Playing cards
They always come in handy after dinner or chuck a pack in the communal beach bag.
7. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
This is so good for spots if your skin reacts or gets oily from using sunscreen when travelling.
8. Celine cat eye sunglasses
Personally I would happily get my sunglasses from Topshop but I was told to never buy cheap sunglasses as they are bad for your eyes.
9. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry shampoo spray
Essential for fresh looking hair after swimming or sweating!
10. Muji empty spray bottle
If you likely do not have an iron… fill the empty spray bottle with water and spray it over crumpled clothes from your suitcase. Leave them hanging up overnight to remove creases.
ANNABELS ESSENTIALS
1. Pure Lavender Oil
I use this to calm down, for sensory familiarity and to help me sleep.
2. My book
I can never go on holiday without 5 books, I take different books for different moods. If I like an author I tend to go and buy all their work.
These 2 books in particular I have suggested – My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante for women & Prisoners of Geographyby Tim Marshall for men.
3. Espadrilles
Espadrilles make me feel feminine, even in shorts and a T-Shirt I feel more dressed up.
4. Charlotte Tilbury Travel Minis
I cannot travel without these, between the magic cream, moisturizer and cleanser this keeps my skin feeling fresh and hydrated wherever I go.
5. Norma Kamali Swimwear
Norma Kamali designs swimwear for women, the shapes and cuts are so flattering, feminine and forgiving, anyone can feel like Sophia Loren.
6. Heidi Klein Sunhat
One should always protect their skin as you’re stuck with it forever! This is a glamorous way of shielding your face from the sun and the hat is collapsable to fit neatly in your case.
7. Eyemask
Sleepwear is not a necessity for me however I am so sensitive to light so an eye mask is a must. Puffy eyes however is not the desired effect so one that blocks light yet is light and lets air through. It is always in my bag.
8. Scarf
As Ella mentioned I am very much in the habit of just throwing things on and a beautiful scarf has the potential of becoming so many different outfits!
9. Peasant Blouse
I love the casual gypsy style of these, loose, relaxed and fun, so adaptable for day or night.
10. My Ipod
I always take my ipod too – my ipod is my failsafe relax mode for the nightmare of airports, in a bubble of my sons latest playlist, I am cocooned from all the stress and noise around me.
