Taking the family on a staycation holiday

Stylogs,

School is out for a week, so we had to do something to retain sanity under pressure. The little creatures need entertainment effectively every waking hour. Staying at home would mean either an irreversible nervous breakdown or an irreversible marriage breakdown. Or both.

We booked Elmers Court Hotel and Resort in the New Forest, Hampshire. Along the way from London we stopped for lunch in Winchester at Jamie Oliver’s Union Jack new chain. I like the look and feel. Rustic and rusty meet 1950s Britannia. The rousted Cornish mackerel was delicious and the minty peas were just minty enough. The soup (vegetable) was somewhat bland. Light lunch and back to the car.

We made a masterstroke stop in Eastleigh Station to visit Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. This was a real high point for the 4 year old and his 6 year old sister. The fat controller was actually not so fat…

Elmers court is a beautiful stately home (which served as a hospital during World War II), with massive grounds and a stunning view of the Solent.

Our recently renovated room had the killer proposition for any parents on holiday: a separate mini-room for the kids with a bunk bed. Although tiny in size (just enough room for a kids-size bunk bed and a flat screen CBeebies god-send), the kids felt cosy and comfortable in their own space. Mom and dad felt cosy and (almost) alone in the main room as they shut the door.

The in-door pool was a big hit, especially when the weather got wet. At 1.2m depth it is shallow enough to be with the kids at any point in the (reasonable spacious pool). Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to sample the sauna and steam room. My only disappointment here is the Jacuzzi was not hot, but rather (opened to the main pool) was at the same temperature as the swimming pool.

We had dinner in the Scottish Steak Club where we tried the skewers and fish. Both were fine, if not exquisite. The next evening we dined at the Waterford Restaurant (a classier affair where the kids had to behave). Both opting for poached salmon and soup, we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere.

My husband managed to sneak a couple of times to the gym, which he reported back as being sufficient for a holiday with relatively wide range of machinery and space.

I, on the other hand had a sneaky visit (or two, or three) to the spa. More on that later.

We didn’t get to use the outdoor pool (as it is late May, and who would have expected to be in an outdoor pool in late May?). We did however, use the playground and the vast grounds for a little run-around and a game of football.

Overall, a great location for a young family’s holiday, with reasonably priced rooms, good food, indoor pool, gym and beautiful grounds.

 

 

 

 

Holiday Packing - How Not to Drown Before You Even Get to the Beach

So I’m getting excited about the holidays. Although the summer seems too shy to even poke its lovely head on our cold shores, I know it is coming. The days are longer and… pretty much that’s it.

I started thinking that when I go on holiday I may actually have to pack some warm clothes and some sun glasses and some sandals and all those things that never get used. So I got out my weapon of choice (my pen) and listed my best ideas on what and how to pack for the summer holidays.

This list is quiet general and must be tailored to your individual taste. I combined my best experience with interviews with fashion colleagues and well-travelled friends.  With such preparation, I’m confident that this list should be the definitive starting point for your holidays packing.

 

I’ll start with some general packing advice:

• Travel size toiletries – a great idea. Try to use travel size toiletry bottles, as the full size ones can get extremely heavy very quickly. Also remember that hotels normally supply some useful toiletries, like soap, body lotion, conditioner etc.
• Sort and conquer – have one bag for undies and another bag for socks and hose. This way you can easily transfer each pile into a separate drawer in your hotel room. Same goes for a dedicated bag for cosmetics, which will live happily in the bathroom during your stay.
• Small gym bag – soft and light fabric duffle bags can be a great way to have flexibility in case you end up buying some souvenirs or presents for the folks back home.
• Pack your dresses hung on wire hangers – roll them up in plastic bags to prevent wrinkles and place carefully in your suitcase. When you get to your hotel, it is all ready to be taken out and straight away hung in your hotel room closet. It is a real time saver.
• The all-important bikinis – roll them into your shoes to save space.
• First aid plasters – These are your essential first aid response for those annoying blisters, typically associated with a long night in high heels.

Unlike iPads and eReaders, books don't get stolen

Vamos a la playa

• Invest in a large beach bag – you will need all that space for your  towel, swimsuit and various bits and bobs, so go for a large one. Stripy design or summer prints are this season’s greetings for the beach. See some good examples for reasonably priced beach bags with Boden. 
• Beach Towel – a beach towels is essential, as many hotels won’t let you take theirs to the beach.
• Cool shades - this season, larger is definitely better. Large sunglasses appear to be the long term trend, especially the large framed ladies’ sunglasses that seem to be having a good time with a variety of bold colours.
• Sun block – this is an essential weapon to avoid premature skin ageing. At least SPF 15 to avoid sun burns.
• Hair ties or hair bands – these are another essential item, especially if plan to get your hair wet in the sea or the pool.
• A good book – not surprisingly old fashioned books are much less attractive to thieves than iPads, Kindles etc.

Your wardrobe:

Should be tailored to your taste, but I would suggest a backbone of at least - 2 sundresses for night and day, a pair of shorts or slouchy trousers, a skirt, maxi dress, and five or six tops. I would go with a pair of flats, wedges, and sexy heels for your footwear. For your underwear drawer, make sure to bring your push up bra for the evenings. Finally, bring a cardigan, just in case it gets a bit nippy in the evening.

Your toiletries:

Don’t forget to bring your after sun lotion (in case of sun burns), deodorant and your favourite shampoo and conditioner and of course your face wash and moisturiser. Some basic medication in the form of insect bite creams, diarrhoea tablets (in case you indulge in a dodgy street vendor lunch) and pain killers (which are also useful for a hangover…). Of course don’t forget your tooth brush and tooth paste and razor and shaving gel.

Make up and beauty:

Don’t forget your hair straighteners, hairbrush and comb and your make up (don’t hold back on the eye shadow). Make up removers are important as are cotton balls and cotton buds.