Let it rain…

40+ winter wear

48 hours in London…

On Friday I woke up at 5 am (45 minutes before the alarm was supposed to go off, must be stress), worked the whole day, got back home to pick up my luggage and took the evening flight to London. Nothing unusual about that; I do it often enough. Of course, this time as soon as I landed I I saw the news about Paris…

Yes, I’m as shocked as everybody else. Surprised? Well, this isn’t the first time something like this happens, and I fear it might not be the last time, either. And like all Europeans, I want my sense of security back. A colleague asked me this week whether I’m ever scared, given that both I and my husband fly a lot, and my husband also has to travel for work… Yes, I worry. Do I want to talk about it? Absolutely not. You see, I’m a bit of a Negative Nelly: the glass is always half empty, there’s always a disaster waiting to happen just around the corner, and the whole universe is out to get me… So, if I give in to worrying, there’s no limit to the horrible scenarios I can picture, and frankly I don’t need the stress. Besides, I’ve been working very hard to adopt a more shallow attitude to life (yes, I know how silly that sounds…), so enough of that.

So, about this 48 hours in London…

As I was due to fly back to Finland on Sunday evening already, hubby and I decided to spend the weekend in London instead of me rushing to catch the last train and then spending half the Sunday getting to the airport again.

umbrella

This meant that I actually had to pack for a couple of days… 

And the London weather being famously unpredictable, the only thing I could be sure of was that I’d definitely need an umbrella. So, I packed the smallest umbrella I have: the one I bought at The Umbrella Shop in Vancouver last summer. By the way, this is the first time I’ve featured it on the blog.

It was a coincidence that it matches the down jacket I’m wearing. You see, I was wearing this jacket on Friday evening because it’s a bit colder in Finland at the moment, and I didn’t want to be cold on my way to and from the airport. As the jacket weighs nothing and packs really well, I thought I could just toss it into my trolley once I get to London and wear the leather jacket I’d brought with me on Saturday…

Well, as it turns out, I found it too cold for the leather jacket, which then hitched a ride to our British home in hubby’s suitcase on Sunday (I won’t need it in Finland until April for sure, and I have more closet space to store out-of-season clothes in our house in Britain). And the down jacket was just what I needed on Saturday. I wish I could say this was evidence of my packing genius…

No, the point of this long story is: don’t expect packing advice from me. Sure, I travel between two countries all the time, but I also have wardrobes in both homes. When I actually have to pack for a few days, I usually get it wrong. And then I go shopping…

Yes, there was some shopping, of course, but not because of a wardrobe emergency. It was what I like to call ‘grab-and-go’ shopping: the winter coat I’d been stalking online had sold out everywhere, except one shop in Covent Garden… Yes, I got it, and you’ll see it on the blog in due course.

down jacket

I’m wearing:

down jacket: Beaumont / jeans: Next / top: Banana republic (old) / shoes: Clarks (old) /bag: Chanel

Are you good at packing?

Tiina

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Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishGaray TreasuresHigh Latitude StyleSydney Fashion HunterThe Pleated PoppyStyle ElixirGet Your Pretty OnHappiness at Mid-LifeA Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the HatSincerely Jenna MarieMore Pieces of MeColor and GraceNot Dressed As Lamb

25 Comments

  1. No Fear of Fashion
    19 November 2015 / 5:28 am

    All this travelling would not be for me. I really don't travel at all. This year I have been to Turin twice, to Vancouver and to Spain. That is 4 travels more than usual. So I admire you.Cannot wait to see the new coat. And the umbrella is very nice with the jacket.Greetje

    • Tiina L
      19 November 2015 / 3:17 pm

      It seems to me you've travelled quite a bit this year… I don't actually like travelling, not really. I like staying in places that I know already, but the actual travelling bit, getting there, taking the plane, dragging the luggage etc, all that stresses me out. And airports, I hate them…

    • No Fear of Fashion
      26 November 2015 / 7:12 pm

      Any chance of remaining in one country????

    • Tiina L
      19 November 2015 / 3:19 pm

      In Kent, about an hour from London.

  2. Patti
    19 November 2015 / 12:41 pm

    You travel so effortlessly, Tiina! Inspiring. xoPattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      19 November 2015 / 3:21 pm

      Oh no, it's not effortless at all, I'm just lazy, or busy, and can't be bothered to plan ahead…

    • Tiina L
      20 November 2015 / 7:45 pm

      Thanks! Yes, they still have a few of those phone boxes.

  3. Doused In Pink
    19 November 2015 / 11:02 pm

    I love the color of your jacket and umbrella! It really makes your eyes pop!JillDoused In Pink

    • Tiina L
      20 November 2015 / 7:46 pm

      Thanks, Jill!

  4. Alice Warren
    20 November 2015 / 4:04 am

    If I had clothes in 2 separate homes, I am sure whatever I want to wear would be at the other home. I am impress how you can keep things pretty organized. Great outfit and can't wait to see you new coat.Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week. Have a great weekend!Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com

    • Tiina L
      20 November 2015 / 7:48 pm

      Well, that's exactly what usually happens: whatever I need or want to wear is in the other house… But you get used to it, and make do with what's available.

  5. Nicole Mölders
    20 November 2015 / 5:14 am

    Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. I always thought that rain is the normal in GB and that therefore you have matching umbrellas to all outfits. This one really makes it! Great look.

    • Tiina L
      20 November 2015 / 7:51 pm

      Yes, rain is normal. And I have quite a few umbrellas, in both homes, and most of them go with all my outfits. I'm all about simplifying life, so umbrellas, bags, shoes etc must go with everything.

  6. Alyssa Monique Bustillo
    20 November 2015 / 7:15 pm

    You made me smile a bit. Then again shopping is still fun even if it is a 'grab and go shopping'.Jexshop Giveaway' | follow me on GFC ~ new post on My Blog Styleccentric Fashion' | like my Page' | follow me on Bloglovin'

    • Tiina L
      20 November 2015 / 7:52 pm

      Shopping is fun… when you find what you're looking for. It should happen more often.

  7. Suzanne Carillo
    20 November 2015 / 8:53 pm

    Oooh…cannot wait to see the new winter coat. I mostly drool over your coats. Especially that Belstaff. I'm beginning to wonder if you don't forget to pack certain items on purpose…Love the bold colours and the floral umbrella. There may be rain in the sky but you've got flowers on your umbrella : ) bisousSuzanne

    • Tiina L
      21 November 2015 / 7:30 am

      Well, I live in a cold climate, need a lot of coats…

  8. Petite Silver Vixen
    20 November 2015 / 10:59 pm

    I'm intrigued about the new coat! I always pack far too much on the assumption that I'll need that obscure item that has found its way into the suitcase because it will be sod's law that if I don't pack it, I'll be bemoaning the fact that I don't have it!http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/

    • Tiina L
      21 November 2015 / 7:31 am

      Oh, I always overpack, too, just the wrong items.

  9. Dawn Lucy
    21 November 2015 / 1:40 pm

    This is my new favorite picture of you! The colors, the phone booth, the rain .. and you just look so lovely! Stay safe, Dear. And yes, worrying never helps.OXOXDawn Lucyhttp://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com

    • Tiina L
      27 November 2015 / 4:42 am

      Thank you, so sweet of you to say that.

  10. Elsie Davies
    9 December 2015 / 1:20 pm

    I love the photos Tiina. I am so scared of flying, I avoid it at all cost except when I really have to do it. I suppose with work you are used to it now and like you said there is not need worrying about it. xo

    • Tiina L
      9 December 2015 / 3:01 pm

      Oh, I don't like flying, either. I'm not scared, I just find it stressful (stuck in a small place with strangers…) and I really, really hate airports. But, since hubby and I have two homes, there's no way around it: one of us has to fly every weekend.

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