The Art of Packing

With less than 24 hours to go before I fly away home for the summer, I decide that now is probably the perfect time to start to think about actually packing. Don't get me wrong, I did have a brilliant brainwave three weeks ago to pack, but my beautifully crazy London life managed to get in the way. 

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My open suitcase has been in my room for the past week, in the hope that it would give me some inspiration of the packing variety. Each time I walk past, or should I say trip over it, I am reminded that I am indeed going on holidays, and that I eventually must pack.

My first thought was to just throw in a couple of dresses, my Gucci sunglasses and a pair of flip flops. After examining the contents of my mostly empty bag, I thought this was taking the whole minimalist ideal way too far. Subsequently, my second theory of just throwing things in my suitcase when I think of them has also proven quite problematic. I seem to have only 'thought of' five pairs of shoes, twelve bikinis and an eyelash curler. Therein lies the problem.

The self-confessed control freak in me is silently celebrating at this point as I know that it is time to write a list. I didn't want to resort to this, but drastic times call for drastic measures.

And so I start.

Lipgloss - check
Passport - check
Flight friendly little 100 mL bottles - check
Ridiculous travel pillow - check
Nice clothes to inspire upgrade - check
And the list continues...

An hour later, I have the most comprehensive list known to man. You will be pleased to note that I did refrain from having it laminated - a little plastic envelope with a 'My Packing List' label on it is ok, right?

So, I guess I have to embrace that i'm a list girl. I mean, where would I be without my list? Well, probably I would be out for dinner in my bikini & shoes with perfectly curled eyelashes.


I do think I knew it all along but once, just once, I wondered if I could throw caution to the wind and pack like any other free spirited human being. Nope - not me. I'm a list girl, through and through.

Now, the other packing dilemma... to roll or fold?

I need a wine! 

Loved Beyond Measure

Just thought you should know...

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Little Lost Bag

So, last week, en route to a night out, I accidentally got myself into Christmas present buying mode. Two hours and several beautifully festive and overflowing shopping bags later, I decided to check my bags into the cloak room for me to collect later that evening. Well that was the plan anyway.

In typical Amy style, the night ended and I happily went on my way merry little way, with the cloak room ticket silently sitting in my back pocket. Mid transit home I jumped up, shrieked, froze and then sat back down. And despite being particularly comical for the fellow passengers, I was one sad little shopper girl.

I made some calls (actually my beautiful friends made some calls) and discovered that all unclaimed items in the cloak room were packed away in road cases until the following weekend. 

So what's a girl to do? Wait a whole week in the hope that her lovely little Christmas presents are still in the cloak room or count the cost and enter into, once again, a Christmas shopping frenzy? 

I waited in hope.

Unfortunately, I waited in vain.

My little Christmas parcels were Absent Without Official Leave.

So, with only 4 days before I fly home for Christmas, I have got some serious shopping to do. I tried to replicate most of the items that I had bought, but some were just impossible to find again. I even resorted to good old Mr Google to help me out. To my absolute joy, I discovered the most precious little online company. They stock some of the sweetest gift ideas ever. (I know, quite strong of a sentiment, but stay with me on this one).

These cutesy personalised bags are simply adorable. Perfect for storing your knitting all you fabulous Sisterhood girls out there.

Now, I am not entirely sure what a 'shirt collar stiffener' actually does, but I'm pretty sure that if I was a dad, I would love one of these.

Little munchkins are certainly not forgotten on this site. There are so many toys and gifts for the little ones including this darling Bunny in a Box.

And one more gift just for fun. 

Ah, my shopping dilemmas now resolved and maybe, just maybe, I might have even been converted to the ways of the savvy online shopper. So, if you are time poor this Christmas, or like some people we know, unable to hold onto their purchases, get online and see what's out there.

And you never know, my lovely little shopping bags may turn up one of these days and there will be more gifts to give. 

Oh, how I love Christmas Time x 

Advent Calendars

The countdown to Christmas is officially on. Each year around this time, I start to shop around for an Advent Calendar to help me on my merry way to Christmas goodness and seasonal cheer. 

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An Advent calendar is a special calendar which is used to count or celebrate the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. Most calendars have 24 windows or boxes that open to reveal an image, a part of a story, and often a treat or chocolate. This year, I think it's time to expand my Advent Calendar horizons and make my own. There are so many sweet ideas. Here are a few that I found. 

For all you as 'challenged' as me in the sewing department, here is a non-sew Advent Calendar. Loving the whole baking tray as a base :) Very environmentally friendly.

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I particularly love the little birds. Just hang them from a branch and voilà, you have your very own Advent Calendar.

If you have little people in your world, this personalised Advent tree is so precious. 

So be inspired and get creative. Go out and grab some special little personalised treats and gifts to fill your Advent Calendar & enjoy this very special season xx