the holiday edit - what to pack for your summer holidays

The level of excitement in our house is reaching fever pitch as we are about to go on our Summer holiday! I'm glad everyone else is getting excited as I still have the daunting task of packing for everyone- three boys, one husband and lastly, little ole me! There is nothing more I love than enjoying a well earned sunny break but sometimes the planning it takes to get there can make it quite stressful. But over the years I've honed my packing skills and I feel like a bit of a pro packer, the key to it all is planning your outfits and making a list. One of the most common mistakes made whilst getting ready for a holiday is packing too much into your suitcase. Not only is it often not necessary to take so many clothes and accessories, but it can also cost you money if your suitcase ends up weighing more than your allocated luggage allowance.

Not my suitcase -obviously!

One of my stead-fast rules is don't pack anything you wouldn't wear at home, which is why I try on everything before I pack to ensure that year on year it still fits or it still fits into my holiday wardrobe. Making my holiday wardrobe work together is slightly harder as you are so limited to space than in your wardrobe at home. I try and pack in outfits for the evening or any daytime trips we have planned. I lay everything out and try and make items work with two different pieces that I am taking. At the last point before packing the bag, I always take 2-3 items out as they will never see the light of day.

But every year there are always a couple of things I like to buy new for my holiday, whether they are on trend, I need to update or I just have to have it...here are my 5 holiday must-have's.

1. The Jumpsuit

I am so in love with this chambray denim jumpsuit that it's been on my 'have to have' list for a couple of weeks now. It's from French brand Sezane, who function entirely online and ship around the world. This jumpsuit is not the only thing I love on their website, they have some gorgeous printed shirts, elegant dresses and some great casual tops for your daily wardrobe - I urge you to check it out as they sell out fast.

Sezane Jeanna Jumpsuit 135 euros

2. The cutwork dress

I have to confess, my cutwork dress that I did buy a few weeks back from &other stories has sold out and this is what they have replaced it with. I did buy it in black, even though a white cutwork dress is the biggest trend right now, I just thought I would get more wear out of a darker colour. I can't wait to wear mine with a denim jacket, bright coloured sandles and a fab clutch bag for evening and daytime with my hat, sunglasses and beach bag slung over my shoulder. So versatile and I will definitely be wearing back at home too!

Cut-out embroidery dress £95.00

3. The shorts

Unless you're under the age of 25 hot pants aren't really going to cut it and with the choice being so limited in the short department, finding a suitable pair that look good, are stylish and give you the coverage you need can be really difficult and frustrating. I've spent a lot of time recently researching options for clients who don't want to have half of their bottom hanging below the hemline of their shorts (!) and so far, this style from Boden offers everything you might be looking for. They come in a range of colours but the best thing about them is you can choose what leg length you want: 4", 6" and 9". Size wise they start at a 6 and go up to a 22.

Boden chino shorts £42.50

4. The Hat

If you don't fancy wearing your sun hat at the airport, make sure you pack it with the inside full of something like lingerie or socks to help it keep its shape. I have been wearing a hat in the UK for a number of years now so it's worth purchasing and having one for those random hot days we have here! This year I decided to treat myself to a new one, and at £20 I couldn't resist the price of this Oliver Bonas fedora hat with the bright yellow stripe.

Oliver Bonas neon Rosie fedora hat £20.00

5. The bag

I am a sucker for a good bag, a good beach bag to hold EVERYTHING you could possibly need it in...the list is endless with kids right? This one from Madewell ticks so many boxes and is a perfect size for trips to the beach, lunch at the bar and day trips out. I'm not sure I'll need to buy a new one ever again. It also comes in a red and cream option.

Madewell Amalfi Jacquard Tote £37.86

Lastly, always take a pair of sunglasses with you! Mirrored lenses, cat-eyes and tortoiseshell styles are all hits for summer. Remember to pack in your hand luggage so when you step off the plane you are holiday-ready. Boom.

Edits summer style secrets

Summer's here, which means it's time to start planning for that perfect Summer wardrobe. It's not about blink-and-you'll-miss-them-trends, but investing in cool, stylish pieces you will want to wear again and again. Clothes that fit effortlessly into your life and outfits that make you feel good whenever you put them on.

Chanel cruise show in Cuba May 2016

Here are my Summer Style Secrets...

1. Layering is my secret to always feeling put together. Wearing lightweight stylish jackets over shirts or tee's makes me feel like I am ready for any eventuality.
2. I like my clothes to be versatile. Shirts are still my style hero as they can be worn in so many different ways; with shorts, skirts, jeans and over dresses, tuck it in, roll it up, button it up or keep it open, the style list is endless!
3. Trends are just suggestions of what to wear, so know your style. If you love minimalist laid-back pieces over boho then perhaps a simple white dress is your forever summer throw-on with a few pieces of bold jewellery.
4. Mix old favourites with new finds. I have a 'Summer box' of items I have collected over the years and I will wear them with my new season pieces.
5. Style your shape. Know your body shape and shop for pieces that will showcase your body rather than wearing 'figure fixers' such as baggy linen trousers or long jersey t-shirts.

If you have lost your style and need some help getting back on track and then contact me now for a personal styling consultation. My job is to take the pain and frustration away of not knowing what to wear. I will work with you to create the perfect style that suits your personality, lifestyle and budget AND is easy to maintain.

No Dresses Allowed- What else to wear at a wedding

Deciding what to wear to a wedding isn't easy at the best of times, but if you don't want to wear a dress then it can be a minefield of shopping nightmares!

Not everyone fancies looking like Victoria Beckham in a chic dress and heels, for some the idea of showing their knee's, leg's, or ankle's makes them want to RSVP NO!

While tomboy chic has long permeated our catwalks and shops, weddings are still regarded a widely formal affair where dresses are seen as the female uniform of choice. Weddings require a way of dressing that would be totally unnatural in any other setting. In fact, the clothes wedding guests wear would today only really be suited to Ascot.

Dressing up doesn't have to mean just dresses. There is an odd but common misconception that trousers are more informal than dresses, which is obviously ridiculous for anyone who has seen Katharine Hepburn in one of her high-waisted trouser suits and shirt combos. It also doesn't make you less feminine; Audery Hepburn, the girliest of all women, loved a pair of trews and if she was around today she'd have rocked a pair of chinos and silk pink shirt to her girlfriend's nuptials. Or there's the Amal Clooney- remember that incredible white trouser suit she wore when she married George Clooney? Admittedly you have to be pretty lean to wear such a look, but she looked chic and elegant.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with wearing a dress. But just don't feel it's your only option. And remember if you're feeling lost when looking at the murky wedding guest dress code, think what would Alexa Chung do?

Here is my guide to alternative wedding dressing:

1. Playsuits - Playsuits are another good option; think of Seventies Halston and Studio 54. They look great in both jewel tones and also in classic colours like navy and black. It also has the same beauty of a dress in that you only need to think of one item, unlike with separates. Chunky heels are about the only item you need to go with.

2. Trouser suit - Channelling Amal Clooney, wear with wedges as they give you height without having to worry about stepping onto the bottoms of the wide leg trouser. Adding some great accessories will ensure that you look dressed right for the occasion.

3. Slim trousers & shirt combo- For a wedding you can wear black and white without worrying about clashing with the bride. Or change it up by wearing a sequin top instead of a white shirt and always make sure you wer those killer heals to finish off the look.

4. Skirts - There's something about a skirt that doesn't feel as formal as a dress. Team a high-waisted skirt with a sequinned vest or a lace shirt tucked into a pencil skirt. Then throw an oversized mannish blazer over the top for good measure.

Check out some more no dresses inspiration on my pinterest board - https://uk.pinterest.com/EditsStyling/no-dresses-allowed/

Edits dress code- Summer Christening

I'm currently in the middle of organising my little one's Christening in the summer. I also have the honour of being Godmother to my lovely friend's daughter Niamh in May. So with two very important Christening's coming up in the next few months, it got me thinking; what do you wear to a Christening?

It's not a formal event as a wedding would be, but it's not a casual party as there's a Church involved. So what is the perfect dress code for a summer Christening? Here are my thoughts:

• A lightweight day dress is almost certainly going to be appropriate
• Choose a luxe fabric like silk, lace panelling and brocade but stay away from chiffon which may look too eveningy
• A floral print, dot or small motif always looks appropriate and romantic
• Don't overdo it with accessories
• Think about skirt length and arm coverage when going to a religious ceremony
• Stay away from white (too bridal) and black (too evening) think colour instead
• Have a coloured blazer, printed jacket or wrap on hand for the ceremony or if it gets cold at the reception

Here are my top 5 Christening dresses-

1. Finery London, Printed lace shirt dress, £69

2. Whistles, Bloomsbury print bodycon dress, £150.00

3. Diane Von Furstenberg, Meghan dress, Selfridges, £345.00

4. French Connection, Freida Flower warp dress, £130.00

5. Iris & Ink, Fi crepe dress, theoutnet.com, £155.00

Visit my pinterest board to see more of my Christening inspiration!