The Ideal Travel Companion

how to wear a backpack

So, I was in Scotland again…

That was a week ago, and it was just for a few days. A long weekend. I was back home on Monday.

Yes, I know: travel is one of those activities we’re supposed to avoid now that Europe has become the ‘epicentre’ of the Covid19 pandemic (according to WHO). And I agree: avoiding risks and social distancing are necessary to prevent the virus from spreading.

But, as I said, these pictures are from a week ago. The situation (with the virus)  was very different then (at least in Finland, and in the U.K., too) and has changed dramatically since then. And no doubt we have a long way to go before things start getting better again.

In the meantime, and to focus on something trivial and less stressful for a change, I’d like you to meet my new travel companion:

Marimekko backpack

This time, I decided to travel right. Make that extra light: this backpack was the only piece of luggage I had. That’s right: no suitcase, no trolley, not even a handbag. Just the backpack.

So, how on earth did I manage to fit everything in the backpack?

backpack 1300 x 1000

The truth is, I didn’t. I only packed my camera, laptop, phone and wallet. And some makeup, of course (well, lipstick…). No clothes, shoes, or toiletries.

That’s because this wasn’t travelling in the usual sense. You know: hotels, sightseeing, shopping, all sorts of activities that require different outfits and lots of accessories. 

This was a low-key weekend with hubby. And I have everything I need (some clothes, haircare products, a toothbrush etc) in the rental flat we have in Aberdeen.  

Also, this trip involved a (very) quick stopover in Copenhagen, with only 40 minutes to change planes (= a quick sprint from one end of the airport to the other). So, I didn’t want bulky cabin luggage to slow me down. 

backpack 1300 x 1000

graffiti

By the way, isn’t this mural fabulous?

casual style over 40

Outfit details:
jacket: Makia (old) / trousers: Cut & Pret / shoes: Fila /
scarf: A + more / backpack: Marimekko / sunglasses: Prada (old)
location: Aberdeen, Scotland

Tiina

Do you travel light?

Linking up with:

Elegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink,  Not Dressed As LambLiving on Cloud NineElegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashAway from the BlueMummabstylish Mutton Years Style and I, Independent Fashion Bloggers

10 Comments

  1. Arlene Gomes
    14 March 2020 / 5:53 pm

    Hi I am terrible when it comes to packing. I take so much stuff and then when I get where I’m going, I never use all of it! That was great that you had some clothes and shoes at your rental apartment in Aberdeen so you didn’t have to bring all that stuff with you. Lucky you. When we go on vacation, it’s usually to a rental condo or hotel and of course you have to bring all your stuff you use every day. Glad you didn’t have to do that. Love the backpack! It actually looks like it would hold alot of stuff. Thanks for showing it, and thanks for having a post without dreaded talk about the virus. It’s bad enough we see it all day on the news. I know it’s important but sometimes I just need a break from it all. Arlene from NJ

    • Tiina
      Author
      16 March 2020 / 3:29 pm

      I do the same; I always pack way too much, and then end up wearing just a small portion of it all. But I’m learning… Well, as my husband works in Aberdeen, he also has a rental flat there. So, both of us have some stuff there, as well as in our flat in Helsinki. It can get a bit confusing…
      I think we all need a break from the news, and it’s important to also keep some daily routine going (for our own sanity, if not for anything else).

  2. 16 March 2020 / 12:08 pm

    I always try to pack light but have never achieved such a level of lightweight!. It sounds perfect to have some clothes at your rental flat, so you can travel with your backpack. Not having to deal with trolleys and stuff!, it’s like a dream!
    And these pics are so cool and fabulous, love your camo jacket, your reddish scarf and your style, and love particularly the background you picked, this graffitti is amazing!
    besos

    • Tiina
      Author
      16 March 2020 / 3:34 pm

      Well, travelling light this way was only possible because I wasn’t staying in a hotel but in the flat my husband lives in. We have two flats, so we have stuff in both. We’ve been doing this (me living in Finland and him in the U.K.) for a very long time, and I dread the day when we both retire and live only in one place. How will we ever manage to fit all our stuff in one place, that will be a challenge…

    • Tiina
      Author
      20 March 2020 / 6:49 pm

      Me too!

  3. 23 March 2020 / 9:58 am

    It’s nice you only had to carry the essentials with you! I hope you are safe and well wherever you are now, with everywhere closing the borders! it’s crazy how quickly things are changing.

    Hope that you had a good weekend. We celebrated my son’s birthday at home, with no guests, instead of the big party we had planned in the park, but he still had a good day 🙂

    Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! A new link up is live on my blog now, I’d love you to join again.

    • Tiina
      Author
      24 March 2020 / 8:11 pm

      Yes, it’s crazy, and scary, too. I’m back in Finland, together with my husband. That’s the most important thing right now, being with your nearest and dearest, isn’t it?
      I’m sure your son enjoyed his birthday, even without guests and a big party.

  4. 25 March 2020 / 11:12 am

    Perfect backpack size, before lockdown I was in Uxbridge on the outskirts of London visiting gravel-guy in his wee flat – leaving essential toiletries and just a few items makes all the difference. I often take a backpack that size to visit – and it takes basic makeup, a few skin care essentials, underwear, pyjamas and a couple of tees and a jersey. I have learnt to assemble things as modules – I have a list on my phone, add a tick when it is packed and a tick if I have used it – things without 2 ticks are not necessary. The only things that I cant live without are chargers for phone and camera and notebook/pen. keep safe

    • Tiina
      Author
      26 March 2020 / 12:29 pm

      Modules make sense. I even think of my day-to-day wardrobe in terms of modules. It makes it easier to put outfits together, or to go shopping for those missing items.
      And it’s amazing how little we actually need, isn’t it?
      Keep safe!

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