Could you go hand luggage only for a week abroad? Now before I start I need to say that I have never done this before. It is indeed a challenge as I am not usually known for packing light. I usually like to take a variety of my bags, kimonos and outfits so I can photograph them somewhere beautiful. However given that I went away on a 2 night break last month to do just this, now i don;t need to...I will of course be taking a few, just less of them! So why am I doing this… well because we did it last year and it was amazing (I actually still had too much stuff) but I love the freedom hand luggage only gives and walking straight out of the airport both ways is a wonderful thing!! We had an incident a few years ago where we waited so long when we got back to Birmingham for our cases that I took the family home and my partner stayed at the airport for another 3 hours. I know that’s unusual but I quite like the idea of getting off the plane with your bag and walking out of the door. (yeah I know there are huge queues for passport control in between lol but you know what I mean).

I usually end up having a a big case and taking suncream etc for everyone. So here are some things that I have learnt and I will be doing this year.

1. Looking at the size of my dresses. I know this sounds weird but some of my dresses take up three times the size of others. I have a gorgeous maxi linen sundress that is ridiculously voluminous. Sob, sob this won’t be coming.
2. Only take my favourite bikinis. I am only going to take 3  bikinis and wash and wear on rotation. It is so easy to quickly hand wash and dry so this is no biggie. I might squeeze 4 in.
3. I normally take 7 dresses but this time I am going to take several pairs of shorts (and a skirt) that can be dressed up with a nice top in the evening and also worn in the daytime (if we go anywhere).
4. It’s def going to be hot so no need for layers, apart from what I travel in (a linen co-ord) that can also be re worn over a bikini.
5. I like to run on holiday so I will def be taking my trainers with me  and some running gear. I will take a couple of sets of shorts and vests to run in an hand wash if I need to. (I usually wear trainers to travel as they are bulky and then add to my basket when I am ready to switch to sandals.
6. Click and collect suncream from Boots at the airport. This is an absolute revelation for me. I assumed you would have to either take teeny tiny bottles of suncream or go and buy overpriced ones when you arrived with only one brand available in the nearest mini market. How wrong was I! UPDATE - the rules at Birmingham airport chnged this week and we can now take liquids up to 2L, so I have bought suncream and will be dishing it out amongst everyones bags. 
7. One bag… eek. This was a biggie for me as I am sure you can tell but I will be taking a leather bumbag to go with everything (gold I think) and I will travel with it as well. I will also take my large woven leather basket  and pop my bumbag in this (make it look small as possible and using this as my ‘handbag’ at the airport.
8. Shoes – or rather sandals. So as I said I will take a pair of trainers to run in.  I take a pair of havianas for the pool / beach and two other pairs of sandals. One tan and one metallic. Possibly one if I don’t have space. I will wear my hat to the airport.
9. Plan your outfits early. I got out my dresses and looked at them, their size and really thought about which I would take. I do like to have options normally but have given myself a few options with my tops which take up a lot less room. I am actually suffering with bloating a lot lately so this helped me decide which things to take. Must be loose and floaty.
10. I am taking a light scarf  (bamboo & cotton scarf) which doubles as a sarong. I will wear this on the way and they use as a cover up.
11. Finally I want to tell you about this packing trick which I just saw on @StylingOnTheVerge insta. I actually do a version of this already but feel I need to get better. It is called the ‘Ranger Roll’ and is a very tight and efficient rolling of dresses which looks like a burrito. I was going to attempt to write the instructions but the best way is to watch one of the videos on YouTube, of which there are loads. Also I love packing cubes for easy organising of my case. Loads of these on Amazon.

I started this blog post a year ago (I know!) and then never shared it but we went hand luggage only to Croatia for 7 days and am doing the same this year. We are staying in a villa this year so I know that I will walk to the pool in my bikini and wear little else during the daytime. 

Keira xx