WIT-ty summer holiday packing

I'm off for a week's holiday at the beach in Italy. I hate packing but I've become very strategic about it so thought I would share some of my packing tips as well as showing what's in my suitcase. 

This is how I do it:

LOCATION: Maremma, Italy

HOLIDAY: Beach 

DAYS: 7 

EVENTS: none 

STYLE: totally relaxed 

Packing tips:

KEEP IT TONAL- I've chosen a palette of navy, corals, neutrals and denim- this way everything goes with anything, I can improvise and mix and match.

THINK FOR THE WORSE- I always pack a "in case it's cold" trousers, a hoodie (great against air-con on planes), one pair of socks and at least one pair of closed toe shoes.

SHOE REALISTIC- With the exception of a chic tan wedge, I rarely wear heels on a beach holiday and tend to prefer flats. My rule is ONE dressy, ONE casual, ONE close-toed.

DRESS-ME-UP/DPWN DRESS- I have to have it, possibly in a coral or emerald green to go with my tan. It has t be simple so to be worn with casual shoes or dressed up for the evening.

STYLISH LUGGAGE- I've said this before.. no point in doing all this work and then wheeling an Argos trolley. Luggage is a life tile investment and has to be as stylish as my outfits.

What's in my 7 days&night suitcase:

1- SWIMWEAR one swimsuit, two bikinis (same style different colours cause over seven days I don't want to worry about tan marks)

2- T-SHIRTS (two stripy, two block colours)

3- SUN HAT (I love this gold trilby from M&S)

4- COVER-UP (I opted for a cool&casual denim jacket)

5- SKIRT (the go-with-anything denim)

6- SUMMER CARDIGAN (for chilly nights- mine is balck and goes with anything)

7- SARONG (a thick cotton style is so chic)

8- BEACH COVER UP (I opted for an oversize crisp white shirt to leave opened over a bikini or belt up)

9- SIGHTSEEING BAG ( I love this hands free from Anya Hindmarch)

10- MAXI DRESS (a MUST- I'm packing two jersey numbers from ASOS, great for day or night)

11- CHINO'S (my "in case it's cold" trouser)

12- SHOES (one pair of tan wedges and three flats: one dressy, one casual one closed toe)

13- THE DRESS ME UP/DOWN DRESS (kind of says it all)

14- EVENING BAG (my summer Chanel 2.55)

15- DAY DRESS (a loose fit stripy number)

16- BEACH BAG (this is actually the cotton dust bag from one of my Anya bags but it's lovely and takes no space)

17- BELTS (one tan leather and one black fabric)

18- STATEMENT DRESS (this is my Chanel navy silk maxi shirt dress and I actually have feelings for it)

19- DRESSY PANTS (I love these coral cropped style- perfect dressed up with my wedges)

20- SUMMER SCARF (great on the beach or on the plane if air-con gets chilly)

21- JEANS (boyfriend style for a relaxed fit)

22- HOODIE (great for traveling)

PS. I'll be "mobile-blogging" for the first time from tomorrow... 

My week with my-wardrobe.com: DAY SEVEN

LAST DAY OF My-wardrobe.com collaboration

Today it's the day after the big party and I'm going to a picnic on the lawn. I'm wearing a gorgeous watermelon dress from Theory which looks great with tan wedges. I absolutely love this frock, it's a perfect dress-me-up dress-me-down number and perfect for holiday packing.  

You can check out pictures from my day on My-wardrobe face book page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223625&id=122379760872

Theory watermelon self belted dress

Theory dress, Mango wedges, Chanel bag, Marc Jacobs aviators

My week with my-wardrobe.com: DAY SIX

NEW COLLABORATION!

My-wardrobe.com

I'm going to a beautiful country wedding in the Tuscan hillsides today. I'm wearing a bright pink day dress that needed some simple yet beautiful jewellery to complete the look. I chose a cute heart shape necklace and a heart lock bracelet to add a gold highlight to the outfit, and a statement ring that picks up on the colour of my dress. I love the somewhat romance of my heart themed trinkets.

You can check out pictures from the wedding on My-wardrobe face book page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223625&id=122379760872

Dogeared heart necklace Zoe and Morgan bracelet Kenneth Jay Lane amethyst cocktail ring all available at http://www.mywardrobe.com/

Vanessa Bruno pink dress, Jimmy Choo nude patent shoes, Zoe and Morgan bracalet, Kenneth Jay Lane ring, Dogeared heart necklace

My week with my-wardrobe.com: DAY FIVE

NEW COLLABORATION!

My-wardrobe.com

Today I'm doubling up with a day and night look so log back later to see my party outfit. I'm back in Italy and I'm starting my holiday with some serious retail therapy at the Outlets (I'll have to specifically blog about this another time as it's my absolute shopping mecca). I chose to pack this versatile navy, linen blazer from Paul and Joe- I love the summer take on this classic piece, it has a great, sharp fit and it looks great thrown over my double denim look. Tonight I'm going to a "Jazz party" and dressing up in this ruffly number from Malene Birger...

You can check out my day shopping in Florence and at my party on My-wardrobe face book page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223625&id=122379760872

Paul and Joe navy blazer and By Malene Birger blazer black dress

Gap denim shirt, Levi's vintage cut-off skirt, Paul & Joe blazer, Marni wedges

My week with my-wardrobe.com: DAY FOUR

NEW COLLABORATION!

My-wardrobe.com

This season it's all about easy fit, supercool pants and these slouchy cotton pair are my ideal combination of comfort and style. I paired it up with one of my absolute wardrobe musts: the breton top. I love this relaxed sweater-like style, it's got an effortlessly chic feel. I'm out and about on appointments all day and then catching a flight back to Italy for a wedding. This slouchy ensemble is perfect for my day running around, although I might slip a pair of gold flats in my gorgeous Mulberry bag..

You can check out my day in the Red office and out and about on My-wardrobe face book page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223625&id=122379760872

Therory stripey sweater £165 American vintage trousers £84 Mulberry Daria £659 bag all afrom www.mywardrobe.com 

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Theory cotton top, American Vintage Trousers, Mango gold sandals, Dorothy Perkins diamante necklace, Mulberry bag

My week with my-wardrobe.com: DAY THREE

NEW COLLABORATION!

My-wardrobe.com

Two of my favorite things in the whole wide world: denim and sparkle! Today I am celebrating My-wardrobe's launch of their brand new online Denim Bar by choosing one of my favorite styles: the boyfriend. I love this Current Elliott,  light wash, ripped pair, they are  just so cool rolled up and worn with flats or heels. I'm in Dungeness shooting all day, pictures are being taken behind the scenes so I had to make sure that my relaxed denim look was that little bit extra special. To the purpose I'm throwing a cashmere sequined sweater and a jewelled thong over my slouchy jeans. You can check out my pictures out and about today on My-wardrobe face book page:

You can check out behind the scenes pics at today's shoot on My-wardrobe face book page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223625&id=122379760872

DKNY cashmere sequined pullover £188 Current Elliott jeans £245  Steve Madden jewelled flat sandal £85 

My week with my-wardrobe.com: DAY TWO

NEW COLLABORATION!

My-wardrobe.com

Second day of my My-wardrobe.com collaboration and I'm out and about on appointments all day, then traveling outside London for a shoot and later meeting clients for dinner. I rarely do the "pretty" look but I chose this romantic lace dress because I love it toughened up with all black leather accessories. I chose a Juicy Couture leather jacket and rock'n roll meets chic Anya Hindmarch studded bag. It's the perfect look to take me from day to to night with a simple flat/heel switchover. 

You can check out my pictures out and about on My-wardrobe face book page:

http://www.facebook.com/mywardrobefashion#!/mywardrobefashion

Supertrash lace tulip dress £78 Juicy Couture leather jacket £560 Anya Hindmarch studded tote £695 all at www.mywardrobe.com

My week with my-wardrobe.com: DAY ONE

NEW COLLABORATION!

My-wardrobe.com

Starting from today WIT sees a new exciting collaboration: I've paired up with e-commerce website My-wardrobe.com  for a weeks worth of great outfits and stylish buys. I've hand picked 13 fabulous items that I'll be incorporating into my own wardrobe and showcasing over the seven days that sees me working on shoots, running errands, flying to Italy, going to a wedding and a jazz party. My-wardrobe has everything a girl needs for day or night and I had a great time selecting my favorite buys, starting with these cool rolled up chinos which I paired up with chic tan accessories and a tangerine silk t-shirt.

Theory chino's £190 See by Chloe bag £415 both at www.mywardrobe.com

YSL gold necklace, Whistles silk t-shirt, Theory chino's, Mango wedges, See by Chloe tan bag

Under the denim look...

...there's a swimsuit! Finally the sun is here and today I'm off to enjoy a day in the sun on the rooftop of Shoreditch House. Poolside-chic is all about a swimsuit rather than bikinis, especially as it can be worn with jeans or shorts for a quick nip at the bar for brunch. I am wearing a black, balconette, strapless Calvin Klein number- Zimmerman does some beautiful similar styles.

Gap silk t-shirt, Current Elliott boyfriend jeans, New Look leopard print sandals, Mulberry Daria bag 

Zimmerman red corset swimsuit and strapless twist swimsuit

PS. From tomorrow I will start a new exciting collaboration, this time with e-commerce website  www.mywardrobe.com I hand picked a week's worth of fabulous buys (all available on-line) and will be showcasing seven great looks during my busy week of shoots, travel and wedding occasions.

You gotta have a me me me day

I've worked two Saturdays in a row so today I'm all about taking it easy. I'm dressing down for a day that's all about me, I'm going to get  a pedicure, chill in the park and tonight I'm cooking for friends. Leggings, ballerina's and a simple t-shirt are perfect for all of the above. I've dressed-up my t-shirt with a sparkly necklace because I can't resist a bit of bling even on dress-down days...

Tomm Binns at netaporter and ASOS necklaces 

I love this polaroid style picture that my friend took with his I-phone

Whistles leather jacket, Gap hoodie, Benetton stripy t-shirt, Oasis leggings, R&B ballerinas

Clog surrender

Here's a celebration to my latest purchase: the clog. I have to admit that it took me a while to warm to this dangerously high shoe, but having  been around at press days I've had to give up- next season is  once again all about the clog so I better start learning to walk in them. I opted for a safe "strap-on version" and I like to think of them as the leather jacket version of footwear to be worn with summer dresses and LBD's to toughen up my look.

Joseph fur gilet, Gap stripy top, Zara cropped trousers and black leather clogs £79.99 (in store now)

Kurt Geiger slingback clog £260 Office slip-on clog £85

 

PS. Thank you to all of you that voted on yesterday's post... guess what's in the bag? My brand new,  hot pink Vanessa Bruno dress!

WIT do you think?

Here I am in the changing room of a London shop trying on a potential purchase (and snapping it away). I have lots of weddings this summer and I am looking for something in a bright block colour that  I can potentially dress up for an occasion but also "play cool" for work. I love this vibrant pink, matt silk Vanessa Bruno dress but can't make up my mind so I thought I would ask WIT readers what they think. Please be my mirror or leave a comment to let me know your verdict!

Vanessa Bruno opaque silk crepe dress £368

I'm thinking nude sandals for wedding and a leather jacket for the day

The leather T...

Ever since I saw the Celine show last season, I've been wanting a leather t-shirt so much that words can't even explain. The one I am wearing is from Wallis but unfortunately has sold out (otherwise I would have bought five), but the great news is that I've been around at press days and everyone from M&S to New Look are doing their version for A/W next season. I will make sure to do a post dedicated to great leather as soon as these are out, but in the mean time I am proudly WIT-ing it today! 

Wallis leather t-shirt, Mango jeans, Zara shoes, Chanel bag

Celine S/S 2010 so chic..

Rock'n WIT

I am loving my Stuart Weitzman for R&B shoes so much that I thought I would style up a whole outfit around them- this is as rock'n roll as I get: black smudgy eyeliner, check shirt, black leggings and a statement lace up shoe. I'm throwing my leather jacket over it all and I'm ready for day on a shoot and later, dinner with friends. Here are some more of my favorite internet finds:

From the top Aubin & Wills shirt £100, Benefit eye-pencil £14

Acne shoes £288, Opening Ceremony shoes£275, New Look shoes£40

Gap shirt, H&M leggings, Stuart Weitzman for R&B suede lace up shoes (in store now)