Brocade brocade!

I have to admit that as much as I love these trousers I've been delaying the first wear because I was finding it hard to pair with something already in my wardrobe. My go with everything grey T-shirt was just not right, a baggy knit somehow didn't work.. I was struggling! In the end I bought a darker version of my American Apparel T-shirts and paired the lot with my Miu Miu bejewelled ballerinas + mannish tailored coat. I found that with such a statement pant keeping it simple was the way forward and I'm happy with the result!

French Connection coat, American Apparel T-shirt, Marni for HM trousers, Miu Miu ballerinas

It all starts with a perfectly-packed suitcase

PACKING TIME

Back at home I apply my same old rules:

1) Lay everything on your bed: seeing everything helps not to overpack

2) Three of everything is my rule: enough to give you variety but not too much

3) Keep everything tonal: so you can mix and match everything in your wardrobe

4) Bring a statement piece: always pack something special or new that will make you feel fabulous

5) If you only bring one piece of swimwear make it a flattering black one piece

Zimmerman Belted ruched bandeau swimsuit £216.67

ACCESSORIES

An example of my "three of everything rule":

3 BAGS: a large tote, a hands free mini satchel and an evening clutch

3 SHOES: 1 sandal, 1 ballerinas, 1 pair of trainers

My Anya mini bag was a perfect travel companion, worn across the body leaving me handsfree to shop!

Anya Hindmarch Mini Gracie leather shoulder bag £341.67

BEACH ESSENTIALS

Sun hat, sarong, sunglasses (keep all accessories tonal too- it will save you so much time when dressing) and sunscreen factor 30

When it comes o sunglasses I love "cat" shaped ones with fume lenses, mine ar last season Gucci but I found these ones that are very simliar

Diane Von Furstenberg Shosheba sunglasses £115.00

I always pack a light weight cotton shirt too- it looks great over a bikini and if you choose an extra long version you can belted like a dress.

MiH Jenas Oversized cotton shirt £125

Travel tip!

Muji has a great range of travel product from mini bottles to vanity cases and much more. I love their travel slippers and eye mask which come in handy cotton pouches

PACKING MUST!

Maxi dresses are my absolute packing must, they are super comfortable, cover a moltidude of sins and are eve so practical. Jersey versions are my favorite, keep and eye out for shift like versions from the likes of Dorothy Perkins, Top Shop, mine is from Chinti and Parker and I love it because I can wear a bra underneath it (I hate spaghetti straps versions!)

HOODED JERSEY MIDI DRESS Price: £34.00

Always pack something special that you haven't worn before - I love this Jaeger dress I bought last year and my new Marni for HM silk maxi dress both make their debut on this holiday.

BEAUTY TIP

I try to get a pedi before going on a beach holiday but also always pack a small kit for touch ups and bring my favorite top coat (Seche Vite) to freshen up the polish. 

At night, slather on some foot cream and wear socks to bed, you will wake up with baby soft feet.. or do it the professional way with one of my favorite luxe home spa treats from Bliss

bliss ready, 'pedi', go! £44

Stripes was an obvious theme in my wardrobe choice - here I'm off for an afternoon walk and layered cotton jumper over my Top Shop dress. Having packed everything tonally everything goes with everything and makes dressing so easy.

I LOOOOVE this Netaporter exclusive to add to my breton collection!

Chinti and Parker Heart-print striped cotton top £75

And finally choose stylish luggage- yes it's expensive but it says so much about you and you will use it forever. think about it, how many times are you really going to buy luggage? it's a life time investment

Mulberry Henry Trolley suitcase £595

Follow my lead and packing will be a skip in the park! 

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Diary from my Tunsian holiday

I've just spent a fantastic week with all my family in Djerba, Tunisia. Whilst the weather hasn't been great in Europe I've been blessed with beautiful sunny days which, between us, I was SO in need of! I've done a post about Djerba before (see some my previous post here and here), but every time I come here I can't help taking lots of photos of this picturesque island and share them with you. Here's a little photographic account of my Easter holiday...

My father set up Djerba Charme six years ago, and since then has built beautiful holiday rental villas true to Djerbian style.

www.djerbacharme.com

(QUOTE "WIT" at your booking to receive a special WIT-friends discount!)

I stayed at Dar Cerine (Dar meaning home in Arabic), every villa has the name of a woman and this is one of my favorite house because it's perfect for a large family (see more villas HERE).

One of the things I packed that I was most excited about was my old Pentax manual camera with black and white film. What a thrill to go back to not knowing what the photos will be like, I've carried it everywhere like a 70's tourist!

Here I am at one of my favorite shopping spots: a courtyard that sells all sorts of antiques and funny old objects...

The souk (market) in Midoun is very busy and if you don't like to haggle it's not the place for you! I'm not great at it but because I've been coming for years I now have favorite places I go to where they know me and give me good prices.

One of them is the "rugs" shop - I buy loads every time I come here. I use them as beach towels, pic nic blankets, sarongs and they also make great little thank you presents and souvenir gifts.

Another great local find are babouches - I hadn't seen this pom pom style before it must be SS 2012!?! ;-)

I end up buying this gold pair...

I'm a big foodie... I stuff my face with fresh fish, a veggie dip called "Mishuia" mixed with a hot hot hot tomato paste called "Hariissa"...

Lounging by the pool with my sisters is also another favorite local activity!

...and here we are!

The beach, especially out of season, is beautiful- I think the best months to come to Djerba are April through to July and the September through to end of October for some autumnal sun. Apparently there are 300 days of sunshine in Djerba!

Growing up I always went to a place called Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany and my father named this beach after some of our favorite spots by the beach

Easter day I wore a simple stripy Top Shop dress with my Chanel sandals

Family snap: Easter day we spend lunching on the beach for hours...

Colomba is a typical italian Easter cake... between all of us we had two whole ones!

Ciao ciao palm trees and sunshine!

If you are interested in coming to Djerba you can email djerbacharme2@gmail.com 

QUOTE "WIT" at your booking to receive a special WIT-friends discount!

Smile!

French Connection coat, Cos t-shirt, Top Shop leggings, Converse, Gap bag and my old Pentax manual camera

New jewellery box addition

Another sunny day in London today! I'm wearing a new birthday present, a sparkly diamante necklace that my friend sent me all the way from Australia and I'm teaming  it with a stripe cotton jumper and my favourite Zara cargo pants which are seeing the light of day for yet another season. I've started taking out of storage boxes some of my SS items, what joy! 

Jigsaw jumper, Zara trousers, Julie's necklace, Smythson bag, KG ballerinas