On this post- my final packing list for my fall trip to the UK, and what I took home from the Rails event last Saturday.
It’s time for the weekend meander with Juliet and Elizabeth!
I’ve been busy getting ready to leave on our trip to the UK. I’m excited I am finally getting to Europe. This is my first since fall 2019, before it all shut down..
Max and I had planned to go last fall, but then he was unexpectedly laid off with his whole team…We could have gone anyway, but being here and available to interview for jobs was a priority. So we are finally going!
Thank you to all the lovely friends who sent so many great suggestions! I have saved every one of them, and will try to see what I can get to.
I’m in the lounge at SFO right now as I type this after the most horrific Uber ride. Max even said it was like the guy couldn’t stay on the road and was erratic..Plus loud music. Gosh why are these rides like rolling the dice every time? DO I sound like an old lady?
Here I was in the lounge soothing myself with chocolate pudding and champagne before I pressed publish on this!
My Rails Event
Thanks to all those who came by Rails for the event last Saturday. I may have missed a few of you, but I hope you had a chance to see the beautiful store and meet the lovely people who work there.. I still think there is nothing like seeing beautiful clothes in person and trying them on, so get to the Rails store at Stanford next time you are up there! They also have a branch in SF in Hayes Valley and all the store addresses here.
We had so much fun and I felt lucky to try on many beautiful pieces from the fall collection. My friend Jeanne came by and tried a few things and let me snap pics.
I was wearing the Sunset Crop Jeans, a silky Dorian stripe blouse and this adorable Geneva cardigan. The cardigan is a bit oversized, but is great over a longer top or dress too. Its super soft so I had to get it. Jeanne has on this super cute North trench jacket. I love the sleeves and all the pretty details.
Other standout pieces..
Can I just mention their outerwear, coats and jackets? They constantly are coming up with more coats and jackets to love… As a coat lover, they are killing me. As soon as I decide on a new piece I have to have, they create more beauties. If you are a coat/ jacket person, don’t miss the new jackets and coats here.
We loved this light and warm sherpa longer Connie shacket which is perfect for a cool California day. ..
I was crazy about these Sunset jeans ( come in regular or cropped), here in cropped, but look full length on 5’4 me. They are comfy and have a raw edge and not super high waist. Cute cardi sweater and this stretchy cotton leopard top were fun options with them.
Sweater Dresses
Rails has some fantastic sweater dresses..I bought this black Lorraine sweater dress which is like butter and forgiving.. Felt amazing on. I thought I wasn’t a sweater dress fan, but after trying the Rails versions which have nice stretch, I changed my mind. I think I need to wear with my boy shorts for a smoother look. The black dress is coming on my trip and can roll it in the suitcase, so these are perfect for travel. It also is thin enough I can layer it under a jacket.
Both these styles come in variations an other colors and Rails has at least 12 more styles in knit dresses here. ( By the way, if you don’t see you size online- contact the Stanford store 650-681-8662 or email them railspaloalto@rails.com and they can see about shipping to you from the store or another, which often have things that are sold out online )
I also got this super soft Gisella cashmere sweater. It may be the nicest cashmere I have ever owned and -love this neutral color with the jeans….Now if we could just get some cooler weather. It was 90’s this week in Northern California!
You can browse all the fall looks from Rails here.
I’m and bringing the jeans, sweater, dress and cardi on my trip to the UK..
What I packed for a week in the UK ( London to Edinburgh.)
Guys I actually packed on Monday, four days before I left. I promised myself I would do this to eliminate stress and really see what I had and I did it! My dear mom, (always prepped) would be proud if she were here. I am reading this book about overthinking, and stressing and it also recommended doing everything before you need to, to remove stress from your life. It is helping!
So I have a carry-on size TUMI I have had for a long time and decided on my new carry-on (wrote about here), is the MZ Wallace Nik bag. It had great reviews and a few others wrote me and said it’s the best, including my pal Martha who is a flight attendant that has been all over and checks out all the bags. She says it’s the best she’s ever had!
Pros of this bag are very lightweight, many many pockets including for your water bottle and a trolley slip.. and more inside.. This bag holds: an umbrella, small cashmere shawl, sweater, extra top and pants rolled, a zip pouch bag with extra underwear and socks, my makeup, my toiletries, a light jacket rolled and my laptop and a magazine. In the other pockets I have my charging cord, chargers, AirPods, hand lotion, brush, masks, hair bands and clip, readers, and on the side water bottle. It also has a hidden pocket on both outer sides for passport and phone. I also have my small crossbody bag in this. The trolley slide is wide and helps this bag stay stable over the suitcase.
I stayed with a color theme packing which is black and tan.. Kind of good for the UK don’t you think?
I will share the more details list next week I hope..
- 3 sweaters
- 3 t-shirts to layer
- 2 jeans
- 1 black pull on pant ( daytime to dressy)
- 1 track pant to travel
- 2 dresses
- a pull on skirt
- trench
- puffer jacket
- black knit blazer
- scarves
- booties
- sneakers
- ballet flat
- pjs
- one white blouse
- socks and underwear
SO here is my entire world ( felt like it at least), crammed into my very full suitcase and the Nik carry-on. I am wearing track pants, booties, a black t-shirt, and a soft blazer- and carrying my J. Crew Factory trench coat ( that I love). I manages to cram my puffer and sneakers into the suitcase.. Let’s hope it doesn’t explode on me.. I am serious! I do carry-on for the trains and for the way there. On the way back I’ll check my luggage and another folded down duffle for purchases.
I need to leave the house more.. I just had a lot going on with my cat changing her meds, cat sitter situated, and of course there is the usual getting the house, plants, and everything cleaned up like we don’t live there! Anyone else relate?
We change the sheets, leave no laundry and clean out the frig, empty the trash, and water every living thing.. It’s a lot isn’t it? I am fortunate to have next door neighbors who are twins taking care of Marlo, and dispensing her meds.. I have my son and his girlfriend coming to give loves to her, so I’m hoping she doesn’t fall apart when we are gone!
Hoping to be able to do a small post next week and just share a few pics with you all! but if not I’ll be back in two weeks and you can follow along on my Instagram where I’ll post photos…and of course Elizabeth and Juliet will be blogging…
Thank you for stopping by,
Kim
Please visit Elizabeth and Juliet’s lovely blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Hi, Kim —
Looks like you are all set! DH and I talk about going to England and Scotland one day soon, but it’s hard to know where to start to plan something like that when you’re not big international travelers. Well, not big travelers period, to be honest!
Chocolate pudding and champagne. Sounds delicious and decadent!
I am interested to know what book you are reading on overthinking and stressing. I am currently enjoying both On Our Best Behavior and Uncommon Kitchens, which I believe were your recommendations.
Have a wonderful trip! I look forward to hearing more about it.
Julia
Hi Julia! I hope you get to go! You will love it. It’s not as difficult as it seems..
I linked to thé overthinking book on the post now where I mentioned it!
I’ll share my itinerary when I’m back.. maybe it will help !
xo
I chuckled at all the things you need to take care of before leaving and they rang true with me. Two cats, many house plans and I always like to come home to clean bedding when there’s enough vacation laundry to tackle. Hope you’re having the BEST time.
Really? Barb isn’t it crazy, but worth doing! Aw thanks!
Kim – have the best time ever! I cannot believe you got it all in the smaller suitcase. I am NOT a great packer and ALWAYS check a bag. A large bag. A bag that barely fit in my room in Porto!!! :/
OH well…. can’t wait to see your pics. xo
I didn’t have a choice, but now that I’m here I’m so glad as we’ve have to drag the cases a lot up stairs and across town even!
Have a great trip Kim! I’ll be following you on IG. I’m curious about the measurements of your carryon suitcase. Mine seems so small! But maybe I just don’t know how to pack well. Also, Will the Nik also be your purse?
Hi Sally my suitcase is 22x 14. It’s International carry-on size.. It can expand too..and I have it expanded for this trip.. I rolled a lot of my clothes! That saves room..
I have a small shoulder/x body bag inside the Nik bag
Hope that helps! I’ll share more when I’m back.. xo
T
I can relate to your getting everything ready on the home end, great work! Our pets are such a big concern, they really are sad when we leave.
Kudos to your packing as that’s the hardest part for women. I always overthink it. I didn’t see a mention about packing your toiletries. I’m curious about how you handle that. That’s hard for me because I have a fragrance allergy so If I forget or run out of something, I’m out of luck. I end up taking a lot of stuff and I feel high maintenance. Also, I never trust a hotel or Air B& B hair dryer. They never have a diffuser and they don’t seem very strong ( in UK, etc.). So, toiletries plus dryer and several brushes take up lots of room.
I hope you have a magnificent and inspiring trip. Please have some scones with clotted cream for me.😊
Hi Jeanne! I’ve had some clotted cream..Maybe too much. I pack my toiletries in my carry on.. They are all under 4 ounces and I just deal with the blow dryers at the hotels because I don’t want to lug mine..I have one brush and I do wear my hair in a bun or ponytail every other day or so and also pack dry shampoo..
You will like packing less. I find I worry less about looking perfect because I’m just out doing stuff. You will be that way too if you go minimal! It takes a lot of stress out too. Xo
Hi Kim,
I’m so sorry to hear about your scary, horrific, erratic Uber ride to the airport, Hopefully Max was able to hold your hand. I really feel for you.
Glad the chocolate pudding and champagne offered you some comfort.
Getting ready to go away and the endless list of things to get done and looked after is a very big deal. The packing is gigantic. Looking after Marlo’s needs is huge. You are very fortunate you have twins living next door that you trust and your son and his girlfriend. I know what leaving when you have fur children. It’s hard, dispensing the meds is so important.
Glad the Rails event went well, the black knit dress looked good on you.
Have a wonderful, safe, memorable time. I look forward to seeing pictures down the line.
🕊️🇮🇱🕊️🇺🇦🕊️
Aw thanks Katherine! Yes the treats helped.. Yes so true they are really like our babies ! Aw thank you.. Dress was comfy..
Hugs to you too. Been keeping you and your family in my thoughts.. ❤️
Kim — Have a fabulous trip! You are such a chic traveler! And yes, there I was yesterday morning scrubbing the toilet for my house sitter, haha!
Ha! You’re so me! Thanks Molly. x
I love seeing what people pack for trips, it is interesting and I always get good ideas!
Have a wonderful time!
I do too..Thanks so much!
Hi Kim, I think you’re going to look as chic as always on your trip! After seeing your case and carry on bag I tried to convince my husband that we should just take one medium suitcase and a carry on case each when we go to Europe next year (a few days in Athens, 10-day cruise, then about a week in Italy) – he doesn’t think we (or rather, I!) can do it!! He may be right …
Have an absolutely wonderful time, looking forward to hearing all about it on the blog!
Thank you so much Patricia!
I’m here and you know I’m so glad because we have had to drag our cases places we didn’t expect .. Like in London the streets were blocked so no taxi and also three hotels we have had to carry our own luggage upstairs so it’s so much easier to not have a lot! Plus now that I am here I can totally see I need less. xx
Kim,
I so relate to getting the house and pets ready when we travel. This past trip we had to go for an interview at their new club/camp. Then they need toys, blankets, food(we do raw feeding), sweet potato treats for 10 days and all sorts of other stuff.
Next up the house, “just in case” it is clean, aired out, no dust bunnies, clean fridge, everything in place. Perfect if I was doing a house swap while I was away. But also nice to return to at the end of a trip.
As for you travel outfits, you will be stylish and comfy! I love all of your choices! Sticking to a color palette is always a great idea, it leaves a lot of room to mix and match and to add things to if you find them on your travels.
HAve a wonderful trip Kim! Cannot wait to “travel” with you.
xo
Elizabeth
Wow we are the same! It’s a lot isn’t it? Ha! So true about the house swap.. thanks so much!! xo
Your Rails event must have been so fun, and I’m coming to the next one no matter what. I love the stripped cardi and sweater dress. Also the cropped trench Jeanne is wearing is so cute … did she get it?! Kim! I’m so impressed with your packing situation and can’t let Jim know about it or he’ll apply the pressure to me. He’s a carry-on only guy and hates it when I check luggage. So smart to check on the way home and I can’t wait to see what your extra duffle is filled with. So fun to see you already around London in your cute, coordinated wardrobe. Have the best time! xo
Thanks so much! I wish you were there too.. Jeanne is wearing one of the jackets ! I linked to it above..xo
Hi Kim,
I’m just reading this and know you are already over in the UK having a ball.
You pack like a pro and will look super cute and chic, because you have an eye and your own very cool style. I’m freaking out over a four day trip with Chloe’ to Lake Tahoe, but I think I’ve managed to pack what I need and what will keep me warm. It’s so cold up there already, hard to imagine when it’s been so warm here. Sweaters take up so much room but we’re driving so I have a big suitcase that has seen better days but works. Also packed a few “just in case” and “well I have the room” pieces! Any way it’s not England but I’m getting a change of scenery and I’m excited!
Have a wonderful trip,
Xo Heidi