Double Denim & Travel Packing

WEARING: Vintage Lois bell bottoms, 1970s Vogue for Rockford Indian gauze tie-neck blouse (eBay) and a block printed waistcoat from Second-To-None, Plum fedora, (retail purchase)

No, you're not seeing things, I really am wearing jeans. These aren't just any jeans though, they're vintage 1970s Lois bellbottoms last seen on the blog HERE. They've not seen the light of day since May 2018 and, if I took any notice of the so-called decluttering experts, they'd be long gone by now. Getting rid of anything you've not worn in six months is utter rubbish, if you like it, it fits you & you've got room in your house then hold on to it, you never know when you've get a craving to wear something again.

As I'll be living in maxis for the foreseeable future I thought I'd ring the changes a bit this week. Above is Tuesday's outfit - those same jeans worn with an 1970s Indian gauze blouse by Oasis Trading, (snaffled off eBay just before Xmas for £2.50)  with a 1970s tooled leather belt and a vintage Indian silk screen print scarf which are now packed away in my travel bag.

Taj Mahal, Agra, Jan 2019

Koorg, Karnataka Jan 2015

Dharavi Slum, Mumbai 2018

Yes! I'm Indian ready and this is the final cut for this year's trip. As usual, we'll be travelling about and I need to pack for cold Northern nights as well as the tropical heat of both the coast and the desert; I need modest gear for visiting temples & shrines and for venturing off the beaten track plus glamorous stuff for uber hip Mumbai and laid back hippy chic for Goa's beach life. Of course, when we're in India we'll be posing for selfies with most of the population of the Sub-Continent so will need to look fabulous at all times.

Clockwise from top left: 1970s block printed kaftan (eBay); Recycled sari top (Vintage Shop on IG); Anthropology linen top (Charity shop); Clarks' Orinoco Club boots (eBay); Vintage tooled leather bag (eBay); Block printed maxi dress (Anokhi, Jaipur); Metallic suede tote bag (on-line Fair trade shop); Quilted riding jacket (Anokhi, Jaipur); Yara sandals by Birkenstock (eBay); Vintage Guatemalan cotton maxi dress (eBay); Crochet top (Roadside stall, Goa); Vintage silk kaftan (eBay); 1970s Third Eye block printed maxi skirt; Miss KG suede espadrilles (eBay); Organic cotton block printed maxi skirt (Cotton Cottage, Goa); 1970s India Imports of Rhode Island block print halterneck maxi (eBay)

I've bought a few items especially for my trip - the recycled sari top, the green linen top which I found in the charity clearance shop for £2 last week. I didn't realise it was by hip US label Anthropology until I got it home (I can't be bothered wearing my reading glasses to read garment labels when I'm charity shopping, I just buy what looks good) and the Kurt Geiger orange suede, pom-pom trimmed, espadrilles which I scored for £1.50 on eBay. The Guatemalan angel-sleeved maxi was another recent eBay bargain.

I always pack way too much jewellery and wear the same things for the entire trip. I've really cut back this year - honest! Obviously there's my silver rings and bangles, too - but I'm wearing them.

Make-up: Barry M eyebrow kit (I've been using it daily for 2 years so it's a little battered); Barry M Future length mascara (a recent discovery, I love it); Barry M waterproof kajal; 15x travel magnifying mirror (£1.98 with free postage from a UK-based seller on eBay) ; Barry M matte lip paint; Tweezers; Models Own* cheek tint; Pencil sharpener; Nail file; Hair bands and screws; Barry M nail paint in The Way You Make Me Teal.

*I think this UK-made, cruelty free make-up brand is no longer in business, a lot of their stock is currently in every Banardos charity shop I've visited. Stock up if you find it, it's good stuff.

I found the Australian-made green bikini top for £1 in the charity clearance shop yesterday, the crochet bikini top is a couple of years old.

Normal and prescription sunglasses, a sarong, the block-printed cotton scarf I bought from the factory in Gujarat, a tooled leather belt and a vintage silk screen printed scarf (both worn on Tuesday). Not pictured are my alpaca wrist warmers, a vintage cotton sun hat, three pairs of knickers, a pair of leggings, a bodysuit, three pairs of socks and my reading glasses.

First aid/ toiletries: Lush shampoo & conditioner bars; Tangle Tamer; Eye-make-up remover (plus reusable cotton pads); My pills plus ibuprofen just in case; Dental floss; Bath plug: Lip balm; Aloe Vera gel; All day sun screen (Factors 30 & 40); Jon's razor, blades and shave gel; Tea tree soap; Konjac sponge; All day facial sun screen; Toothpaste; Bamboo tooth brushes; Bite relief; Razor; Moisturiser; Foot file; Anti-bac gel; Bamboo plasters & blister plasters; Echinacea Cold & Flu relief.

Agra Fort, Jan 2019

What adventures await? Other than the return flight, an internal one-way flight and the first five night's accommodation booked who knows? Let the fun commence.

Banni Grasslands, Bhuj, Gujarat, Jan 2018

See you in February!