As you read this post, we are hopefully cruising down the M1 somewhere, on our way to Heathrow airport. Today is the big day – our holiday to the USA begins and we have all been super excited for adventures galore, sunshine and friends awaiting us on the other side of the Atlantic!
Packing for this trip has been quite different to recent ones. Usually our holidays are somewhere in Europe, budget airlines and the good ol carry on only option to save us a few quid. So normally because of that, I pack rather minimal as I have just a small wheelie case to get it all in. I find for a week in a sunny spot in Europe though that this is ample.
This time though, with it being a long haul flight, we have a lot more baggage allowance, which is good with all of the English treats we are taking over too! I have used this space wisely and packed rather sensibly in the sense that my baggage allowance and Ethans are combined (and we have even fitted Alice’s in too) – his case is our stuff for Arizona and mine is our stuff for Utah. Because we will be in 2 different climates throughout our 2 week stay, it made sense to pack one with Summer stuff, the other with spring/Cooler weather, rather than rummaging in either place through clothes that weren’t weather appropriate.
I have been really precise and Ethans stuff is packed individually for each day with Alice’s little outfits too, all in Ikea zip lock bags. These line the bottom of the case, along with treats in zip lock bags labelled with each families names, and then my stuff is rolled/folded on top – again all in outfits!
Arizona Wardrobe
In Arizona we expect it to be like a decent Summer’s day here – if not a little warmer! I want to dress cool and comfortably, as we will be rather busy and out in the sun a lot. As we will be in warmer weather it is the perfect excuse to dress more colourfully, and I have been making more effort to buy and make outfits that are more colourful and patterned too. I love these things in my life and want to wear more of them generally. I am very excited to dress for Summer!
For footwear in Arizona I am taking my new sandals from Primarni – these were bought a couple of weeks ago and are in a Birkenstock style (with added bling) but unlike the real deal, they were only about £5/6. For church I am taking my gold block heel sandals (again from Primark last year) and then I will have my grey Nike and Bronze trainers from Office, that I will wear when we go on a Hike/off into the Dessert!
Clothing wise, in this case I am taking my light wash ripped Zara Jeans with red striped/embroidered Zara T-shirt. My linen striped trousers from New look with a simple white Peplum T -Shirt from Tesco, My new comfy Zara dress (available here) and my Topshop wide legged (an a little mental) jumpsuit! I have also packed a black logo T Shirt and embroidered top from TU as an extra option for our overnight stay up to Utah after the Grand Canyon.
Utah Wardrobe
In utah I will be wearing more jeans and jumpers as the weather will be more Spring like! I don’t think I will be wearing sandals here, and so have put in my black suede heeled ankle boots from New Look and Next white leather high tops for casual!
I will be wearing these with either my black H&M leather look skinnies or just my primark blue skinny jeans or black skinny jeans. I have packed my Zara Denim shirt, Red Zara hoodie, H&M pink knitted Jumper and Primark Yellow sweatshirt. I have a red stripy T-shirt from Zara (I want to wear with the yellow sweater) and my grey “Living the Dream” T-shirt from DP! I have also packed my black T shirt with frilled bottom from H&M, My ASOS colourful jumper dress and leggings, and several pairs of cool earrings for both weeks!
When we head to Vegas, I will be rewearing whatever I loved in AZ and as I am travelling in my black Zara jumpsuit (its mega comfy) with my leather jacket and Nike trainers, of course these will be extras to mix in when we’re there too!
The good thing about taking all of these gifts is that it will free up space for my years supply of peanut butter M&Ms and taco seasoning! I am also hoping to bag a deal on some Levi’s and who knows what else will make it’s way home with us to add to my wardrobe?!
Now here’s keeping everything crossed our flight is on time and the kids fly well – for the whole 11 hours to LA!!!!!! See you on the other side!