Monday 19 June 2017

So Many Dresses...Such A Tiny Luggage Allowance


For a woman with a wardrobe stuffed with backless, slash fronted, halterneck, gloriously impractical dresses it's a crying shame I was born in a country where we can count the number of gloriously hot days suitable for wearing them on the fingers of one hand.

Vintage 1970s Bernshaw maxi (pressie from Curtise), African tribal choker (inherited from Mum), 1970s sunglasses (50p, Age UK), Massive hoop earrings (50p, Sari stall, Walsall market)

When the perfect opportunity for wearing strappy summery dresses comes along (a week in Greece) we've only got a piffling 15 kg luggage allowance between us (which is why our return flights are less than £80 each). We could pay for more but we're out and out cheapskates. What with the sun cream & mossie repellent, toiletries, the beach blanket, a few choice pieces from my bastard massive jewellery collection and our flip flops that leaves around 3 kg each for our clothes. Five cotton dresses, a couple of bikinis, two pairs of knickers (that's only because some of my dresses are a bit on the see thru' side), a rayon wrap, a shawl and that's my lot. 

Our packed bag weighs in at 12 kg...phew! 

Which means that there's lots of dresses that can't come, such as this '70s Bernshaw number*. Happily, since Saturday, the UK's been enjoying temperatures of 30 degrees meaning that not only have I made a good start on my tan but I get to flounce around the lawn in skimpy clothes swigging cans of pre-mixed G&T and generally getting into the holiday spirit.

*I think I usually wear it with heels hence the reason why it's pooling around my bare feet (unless I've shrunk).


We haven't been completely lazy. As usual, whenever I go on holiday I have to clean the house from top to bottom (trust me, that's not a regular event) and donate a shed load of stuff to the charity shop (mostly paperbacks, I read like a maniac when the sun's out). In addition, the decorators start work tomorrow so we've had to shift all the plants from the front of the house and move them elsewhere (easier said than done in our tree-filled wilderness). Luckily I'm not a high maintenance woman so getting myself holiday ready consists slapping some colour on my roots, painting my nails and shaving my legs in the bath later. 


Keeping the boys in food (and cat litter) is a full-time job. Jon's been on a lettuce run for Jacob so often this weekend the checkout lady in Lidl is beginning to think that he's stalking her. 



Linking to Patti & The Gang for Visible Monday.

Kalinychta (as they say in Corfu!)

93 comments:

  1. Yay, it's my favourite tortoise! I love seeing Jacob ❤

    Don't you look fantastic in your zingy dress! The weather is glorious isn't it! It's meant to be getting hotter down here in the south, a fact which the bunnies are going to hate. We're having quite the time keeping them cool, particularly as they hate the fan.

    That's what I call a capsule wardrobe! I wouldn't have a clue how to pack for a holiday xxx

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    1. Thank you! It was actually cooler in Corfu than the weather we'd left behind when we got there, soon changed though! xxx

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  2. Bet you're like an exotic plant swishing around in your floaty summer frocks! Not sure quite when you're off to Greece, but have a lovely long rest before the onslaught of summer festivals when you come back!! Zxx

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    1. Thanks, Z! I'm all rested and ready for the rest of summer now. xxx

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  3. My dear Vix, you were born to be kissed by the sun EVERYDAY.
    I know it is getting warm in England, but Spain is on fire, so very hot for this time of the year. Still July and August to get through.
    We also have been invaded by tiger mosquitos, getting stronger every summer.
    Thank gooness that, all well when run to the hills of Scotland in search of cold weather.
    Much love, dear friend

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    1. Oh, Mis Papelicos, the hills of Scotland are indeed cold - and grey and wet! Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

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    2. Izabel's right, Scotland's been very cold over the last week or so but I suppose it's a novelty for you after the heat of Spain! xxx

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  4. I didn´t say how beautiful you look

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  5. Have a lovley time , You deserve the break xxx

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    1. Thank you, we did! a lot more relaxing that Glastonbury! xxx

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  6. Even with the teeny luggage allowance, you'll still be the best dressed on the island! xx

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  7. That seems a very mean allowance; when I fly it's usually 10 kgs each...different allowances for different airlines I guess.

    Anyway, you will look gorgeous in whatever you've packed. The tan's coming along nicely. I hope you have a spiffingly , brilliant time!

    I love the maxi dress - I remember this style so well.

    I am coveting that tribal choker.

    xxx

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    1. It was 10kg, 20kg or just hand baggage. The man at check-in said our bag was small enough to fit in the cabin but we couldn't as we had packed liquids. We could have bought sun cream in Greece but it would have cost more than paying for our baggage! xxx

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  8. Ooh, I remember that dress - I saw it and immediately thought of you!
    Looking fabulous, and very tanned already. You and Baker are past masters at travelling light, and I know you'll have a brilliant time. Enjoy!
    Love you! xxx

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    1. Thanks, darling! I love that dress, much better now without the wobbly belly, too. xxx

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  9. You're looking glam and gorgeous as always, Vix, and I hope you have a brilliant getaway. Thanks for linking up, xox

    https://www.alabouroflife.com/2017/06/value-village.html#more-24998

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  10. What a gorgeous dress, it's a good thing you've had a chance to wear it since it won't fit in the luggage.
    The cool cats look seriously chilled, not sure if a tortoise can look chilled but he's very well catered for.
    Hope the decorating goes well and that you have a fantastic holiday. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! The decorating is till ongoing, put back a few days due to the crap weather. it's rather disconcerting tapping away on my PC with a hairy arsed builder painting the window frame inches away from my face! xxx

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  11. Loving the dress missus, the colour is lush. Good on Curtise for knowing it was just you.
    I really struggled being away from my wardrobe last week and will definitely spend more time planning what I'm taking with me next time. It looks was Sod's law I didn't find anything in the chazzers, not one thing.
    I have now got a massive collection of brightly coloured jellie shoes they've taken over from my fly boots for summer haha.
    Have the best of times in Greece, looking forward to your pics.
    Love to you both xxx

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    1. I do love a bit of emerald green, it never looked as good when I was a blonde.
      You've got even more choice than me, no wonder you were struggling. I'll come and pack for you next time!
      Your jelly love has rubbed off...watch this space! xxx

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  12. That dress is radioactively fabulous on you! Shame you can't take it but beach hols are all about bikinis anyway. Have an amazing trip to Corfu, can't wait to hear all about it xx

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    1. Thank you! On reflection all that polyester would have been rather sweaty! xxx

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  13. How exciting! Enjoy your week in Corfu and be sure to eat your fill of fabulous Greek vegetarian food!

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    1. Thank you! We had an epic time! xxxx

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  14. Oh for the old days when you could bring two suitcases. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with plenty of sunshine and beautiful beaches.

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    1. Nothing glamorous about air travel these days, sadly! My poor four vintage frocks (I wore one to travel in) crushed into a tatty old canvas bag! xxx

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  15. Have an amazing holiday. You look fabulous whatever the luggage allowance is xx

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  16. You need to your man servant to bring out your G&T on the lawn when you are dressed this snazzy.

    Enjoy your holiday!

    Can't wait to see the photos.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. After the photos that's exactly what did happen - if you can call Jon a man servant! xxx

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  17. Hi Vix, I'm the total opposite, I always seem to find winter clothes in op shops and I have hardly any summer clothes. Now I'm consciously looking for summer clothes only. Haha. Enjoy your holiday! Xxx

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    1. How funny! I'm just not attracted to winter clothes hence a wardrobe of summer dresses I can only wear a few times a year - they don't look half as good with a coat on top! xxx

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  18. Stunning strappy sundress!!!

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  19. Absolutely smashing!! Wandering the yard with a book and a G&T, as life should be. I'd forego luggage allowance in favour of a cheap seat too. You could probably wear several dresses if you were desperate for more space. I hope you have a fantastic holiday - I can't imagine otherwise.

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    1. Thanks, Melanie! I have seen people six or seven layers of clothing. Fools! xxx

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  20. Wowza! That is an amazing dress!
    Wherever I fly shopping is going to happen. So I fly Business class and take 2 very empty and huge suitcases to load up!
    xox

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    1. Good plan! Even in cattle class the Air India baggage allowance is ridiculously generous (and I still only take a tiny bag)! xxx

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  21. ***I´m not a high maintenance woman****
    this makes me smile - ´cause i´m in the same sisterhood....
    one has to set priorities - a cheap flight would be mine too. but i would buy the sun/moskito-stuff/soap/all the heavy toiletries in greece - they´r still in european union and should have good quality for a good price.
    that green dress is a stunner! its so you! fabulous! and i´m in love with you´r mum african choker!
    cuddle the boys from me!
    happy holidays!! xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! I'm glad I took the stuff with me, when Ii checked the sun cream it was three times the price of the one we use and not a once a day one either so we'd have used more. We do buy toiletries in India though! xxx

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  22. Kalimera from me! That dress is classic Vix Sun Siren! I struggle with tiny luggage allowances so well done to you!!
    I hope your boys will be ok in the sun. I always feel so sorry for cats in the heat!!x

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie. If I just take a handful of things I feel really good in then I don't mind wearing them on repeat. It's not like anyone knows me (although we ended up sitting next to a girl on the plane who asked how the vintage business was going - she'd bought stuff off us at a festival three years ago!) xxx

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  23. You won't need much more than a bikini anyway. Well done for finding such cheap flights and have a brilliant time, can't wait to hear all about it. Xx

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    1. Thanks, Fiona! One has to dress respectable when one's sightseeing - sadly I don't think everyone got the memo. I saw topless blokes and women in bikini tops and hot pants walking around Corfu Town (only the Brits!) xxx

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  24. You won't need much more than a bikini anyway. Well done for finding such cheap flights and have a brilliant time, can't wait to hear all about it. Xx

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  25. You look goooorageous! And don't worry about the holiday packing, in that heat it'll be easy to rinse things out in the sink and hang them up to dry overnight. (I do that in Spain sometimes.) Corfu is going to be ace, I look forward to hearing all about it.

    I too feel the need to clean the house before going away. I think at the back of my mind is, "What if we get burgled and I have to explain to the police that no, the burglars didn't trash the place, it's always a pigsty..."

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    1. Thank you! We had a really sunny balcony with an excellent drying rack so we did just that. xxx

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  26. Have a great trip! Packing is either so flippin' easy or a total nightmare. There is no inbetween - or that's always been my experience. Toiletries are my downfall, I have to decant everything into smaller bottles and I still end with half a suitcase of them!
    It's a very glam outfit for wafting around the garden - love it!

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    1. Thanks, Hazel! I have to take my Lush shampoo, conditioner and deodorant bar and my once a day sun cream, I can buy everything else locally if I have to. xxx

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  27. That color! Absolutely vibrant. I've gotten better a packing the minimum and if I do forget something, learned to make do.

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  28. Love the sunnies Vix. Greece is on its way. Have a great trip both of you.

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    1. It takes me longer to chose what sunnies to take than my clothes, I have so many! xxx

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  29. I am in awe of you travelling light something I cannot do!

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  30. You look gorgeous! I hope you both have a fantastic time in Greece! :)

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  31. I truly don't understand why a tiny woman (even 'tho loaded with bastard massive silver jewelry) can't have a bigger baggage allowance than a hefty man with a similar bag. Load is load is load, or at least it was when I took flying lessons in the age of pterodactyls.

    Good to hear that old Jacob is thriving! And good to see that the felines are keeping up their strength in order to supervise the decorators. How fortunate that the white paint won't "show"...

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    1. You're so right. Strangely the bigger the traveller the more they seem to need, or at least that's what we observed at the airport. We've even had people ask if we could take some of their luggage when they've seen the tiny size of our bag - cheek! xxx

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  32. I tried a cast off battery shaver on my legs - kerching!

    Have a fab time in Greece!

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    1. Thanks, Maureen!
      I've never used anything but wet razors. I thought about getting an epilator as I've got a stupid high pain threshold but don't think I could be bothered with the faff of growing my leg hair between sessions! xxx

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  33. Hope you have an amazing time on hol Vix. Lovely to see the photo of Frank [forgive me if I've got the wrong name]. Are the two felines getting along together ok?
    Arilx

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    1. Thanks, Aril!
      Yes, the mega white thing is Frank. They do get on well, we caught them eating dinner from the same bowl yesterday - that's a first! xxx

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  34. Happy travels!!! You look AMAZING in this green dress - Curtise has a great eye! Looking forward to read your travel posts soon. Have a wonderful holiday!!!

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  35. I'm a cheapskate with the luggage allowance too and we had ski gear last time we flew. We wear many layers on the plane. The kid complains but I block my ears. Could you do the same thing with maxi dresses? You'd be a bit hot when you arrived at sun drenched destination! xx

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    1. Ha! I can picture you two in your ski gear. I bet you weren't cold, were you? xxx

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  36. This is too fabulous, that maxi dress was made for you. Enjoy your time in Greece! No need to pack a lot of clothes to vacation, I say...isn't the point of a vacation to spend as much time as possible in our bikinis? That's how I always interpreted it.

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    1. Yes, too right! The less clothes the better.It's good to be away from the wardrobe as well as every day life! xxx

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  37. oh yes, I understand that the luggage allowance is a shame, particularly for your fabulousness, sorry that you couldn't pack this beauty!, you look gorgeous wearing it! and love your massive bracelets!
    wish you enjoy your holidays!!, five dresses and some accessories are all you need to look gloriously hippietastic and cool!. And bikinis!
    besos

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    1. Thank you! I think it would have been a bit sweaty on reflection. Maybe next time! xxx

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  38. Hey Vix... You look fab as usual, and I'm sure you'll look awesome all holiday.

    A tip...I tend to wear my heavy shoes for travelling and all the layers (and take them off on the plane)... if I'm wearing it, it's not luggage!

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    1. Mind, might be a bit sweltering if you wear too many layers in this glorious weather.

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    2. It's a good plan! I did wear my clogs to travel in and one of my five dress (reducing the packing that bit less!) I was amazed how much stuff you could take on the plane but isn't that a faff? I'd rather kick my bag under the front seat and get my book out, not have to wander up and down the aisle trying to find room in the overhead locker. xxx

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  39. That is a gorgeous dress, what a lovely colour! You look fabulous in it. I haven't been to Greece since me and Mrs Noah sailed across in the Ark but if it gets any colder in Scotland I'll be going back.

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    1. You should go back, apparently the number of people flying to Greece on holiday this year has broken all records. That should help them get out of that financial mire! xxx

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  40. Yes, I read about your lovely warm temperatures. Enjoy! (Hoping it's still warm). I love going for holidays where warm things aren't required...I have learnt to get by with very little baggage and try to get away with just carry on for domestic flights to Sydney or further south (tying cardis and light jackets around my waist fixes that issue). When you're only away a week, don't worry, Vix, just enjoy the sunshine and holiday, you'll look and feel sensational anyway and your amazing wardrobe will greet you on your return - bringing back some weather and happy memories. xx

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth! It would be a nightmare having to pack for a cold climate, I'd have to wear everything, I think! xxx

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  41. Hope you have a fab holiday!
    Your dress is stunning! x

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  42. Hi Vix, you look gorgeous in that green dress!! Have a great time in Greece. 😘

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  43. I don't think I could survive a week with that small of a luggage allowance unless I was going to a very hot climate where I wore next to nothing. You have so many beautiful summer maxis; it's a shame they won't all get to visit Greece ;) Hope you have a marvelous vacation in the sun.

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    1. I'd struggle if I was travelling to somewhere cold. Truth is I feel so confident and happy in the sunshine I'm not really that fussed about what I'm wearing. I was born in the wrong country. xxx

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  44. You are Too HOT!! Love those sun glasses too!!! I wish I could go with you so bad!!

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    1. I wish you could have come with us, you've got all the right clothes! xxx

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  45. You certainly know how to pack light. I hope you have a wonderful time! xx

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  46. What a stunning dress, and in my favourite colour too! I admire your ability to travel light, but then again, it would be easier to do for Greece than for Wales! I definitely needed most of what I packed, as there was a 20° Celsius difference between our first and our last days ... xxx

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    1. I think you had more than a challenge than usual with your Welsh wardrobe this year, we've had everything in the last fortnight from record breaking heat to unseasonably low temperatures! Never a dull moment in the UK! xxx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix