I'm Going Where the Weather Suits My Clothes

Everyone who knows me is aware of how much I love heat and sunshine and that my favourite clothes are floaty cotton dresses, off the shoulder tops and skimpy bikinis. Me and my wardrobe weren't made for this dismal UK weather! A few days after getting home from Glasto with the rain lashing down and the central heating automatically clicking on, I decided that enough was enough, I found an amazing deal for a couple of last minute flights, booked a cheap room and we're heading back to Greece. We're travelling to an island we've been to before but staying in an area new to us, a laid back fishing village with no package holidays and supposedly the best beaches on the island. Our studio apartment is 160 yards from the sea! 

With temperatures expected to hit 39°C by the weekend, I'm not sure we'll be wearing many clothes but here's what we're taking.

Me! Four maxi dresses, two maxi skirts, three tops and a pair of denim cut offs. I'm wearing the Greek Archaic Kori dress (the only one with sleeves) to travel in.

5 pairs of earrings, six rings, Strong turquoise gel nails, Teva granny square platforms (which I'm wearing to travel in) & my Teva midforms; 2 x bikinis; Foldable turquoise straw fedora; A sarong; 4 x bracelets; Raffia clutch bag courtesy of Ann & Jos; 2 x Greek tote bags; 2 x pairs sunglasses; My Tangle Teezer, a hair pin, a hair slide and a handful of covered hairbands.

Jon's taking 3 pairs of shorts & 2 x swim shorts (one pair is currently on the washing line), a neckerchief, a foldable straw trilby, a vintage Greek fisherman's cap, his Teva sandals, his Clarks' suede trainers, 5 x shirts, 2 x tee shirts, a bag and a belt.

Toiletries: Calypso once a day factor 30 sun cream decanted into travel sized bottles ; Facial sun protection; Bite relief; Bamboo toothbrushes, interdentals & toothpaste; Face wipes; Razors; Soap; Lush shampoo & conditioner bars; Lip balm; Cotton buds. We'll buy anything else we need when we're there.

Mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, brush, lipstick, blusher, eyebrow pencil, pencil sharpener.

Also in our bags: Decathlon sports towel x 2, Kobo x 2,  Pestects anti-mosquito bracelets (highly recommended!), my trusty Sony camera, swim goggles x 2, 30x magnifying mirror, prescription specs x 2 and 2 pairs of knickers/trunks (one to wash, one to wear!)

As always, I check the luggage specifics like a woman possessed. Our airline allows a personal item such as a handbag, which can fit under the seat in front, plus a cabin bag weighing no more than 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Mine is 50cm x 35cm x 20cm & 6kg and Jon's is slightly smaller and weighs 6.5kg. As of 9th July 2024 Birmingham Airport requests that liquids, gels and pastes taken into the cabin are decanted into 100ml containers (but the amount passengers can bring is unlimited) and that they be left loose in hand luggage as opposed to putting them in a clear 20cm x 20cm bag and placed in the tray. If you're not frequent flyers be aware than every airline has different rules regarding carry-on bags - don't get caught out - it can be cripplingly expensive if you do!

Weather woes aside, what a exciting week it's been with both a general election (and an historic Labour landslide) and England getting through the the semi finals of Euros 2024. To celebrate I've mostly been wearing red. Friday's look was Psychedelic Mermaid with a 1970s Dori of London maxi skirt, my mermaid tee shirt and these amazing sterling silver fish tail earrings from our festival trader mates, Shilpa Silver. 

I treat myself to a couple of pieces of their fairly-traded, handmade Mexican jewellery every year. If you're not going to any festivals you can buy from their website HERE but, be warned, you'll probably want everything!

On Saturday I teamed a 1960s Forbidden Fruit cheesecloth maxi skirt with an Adidas limited edition crop top -  Jon and I call this look "chav meets hippy" aka Chippie!

Today's the third time in a week that I've worn my Mexican embroidered tomato dress (it never fails to make people smile). It was 6°C when I got up this morning so I'm wearing socks and boots underneath it.

William's uncle Marcus is on cat sitting duty. He was really fussy when we got back from Glastonbury (that's the cat, not my brother!) but has reverted back to regarding us as walking can openers once again. Charming!

Thanks for reading and see you on the other side!!