packing dilemmas and did someone say PERTH??

So... Perth tomorrow.  YUP, first holiday for longer than a week in OH it would have to be close to four years.  Um - really?  FOUR YEARS.  Seriously, long overdue.  Waaayyyyyy overdue.  Work was frantically, insanely, totally crazy busy today.. trying to tie up all the loose ends and hopefully reduce the amount of urgent emails I return back to.  Ha - who am I kidding.  Anyway, hence the lack of blog post.

BUT - never fear... here it is.  I am taking a much needed break from last minute packing.  Now, I have blogged about my newly-developed outfit over-packing proof packing style in the past; which basically involves outfitting all items which are to go in the bag.  If an item does not make it into two or more outfits - then it does not make the cut.  Tough love is the only way I can get a case on the plane that does not equate to hundreds of dollars of excess baggage fees.  Foolproof.

Not this time.  This time, I am struggling.  Apart from the fact I have started four days too late in my usual pre-determined packing schedule (and have left it to the last minute - NOT the best start), I am simply overwhelmed with outfitting for a summer climate.  Today it was 3 degrees in Ballarat, and there was a frost on the ground.  Blazers, ankle boots and skinny jeans have been my wardrobe staples; I am finding it amazingly difficult styling for 30 degree weather.  What the hell did I wear a month ago?  Why do I have no dresses/skirts/bikinis/silk printed Country Road shorts that I knew I should have bought last week..... grrrr.  I have no one to blame but myself.  Poor planning leads to poor outfit choices which leads to appearance-related depression.. which therefore leads to excessive shopping on my behalf.  Hmmm. Maybe I am doing this on purpose?? No. Never.......

Here is a step-by-step guide to packing like a *last minute* pro:

one can never pack enough tan shoes....

final cull.  can all of this fit in one bag?

DONE.  bag is sorted.

and here is a sneak peek of tomorrows fly-worthy outfit.  loose and breathable and remove the jacket and voila - perfect for 30 degree WA heat.

Thank GOD for Virgin's 23kg checked in baggage allowance.. this *not so* little baby weighs in at just over 17kg (and yes I know this for certain - I weighed it on the bathroom scales myself.  They won't catch me out again).   Now I am all packed... I am SOOOOO excited. I C A N T WAIT.

OH almost forgot - today's outfit.  Better late than never! Here:

Today's outfit was actually grabbed with ten minutes remaining until I was deemed officially late for work.  The dog and I encountered some dramas this morning in our early pre-work ball throw backyard session.  His absolute favourite 'fetch' small purple plastic ball was thrown a little over-excitedly by myself, and accidentally rolled under the fence into the neighbours yard.  UH OH.  It was the end of the world.  Pooch then spent the next ten minutes furiously trying to dig his way under said fence, which left me panicking that he was going to escape.  Distracting him with his second favourite ball had no effect, so the next step was to build a makeshift wall barrier out of loose bricks lying on the other side of the yard.  Clad in my pre-morning fabulous outfit of dressing gown and ugg boots (and no there will never be any posts revolving around this morning outfit. EVER.) -  OH WHAT A MORNING. And the joys of owning a dog.

Back to today's outfit.  Not bad at all for literally 'just thrown together at the last minute'.  I have actually never been very good at that look.. so thumbs up to me.  Today's outfit included the fabulous Zimmermann Limonata citrus silk blazer ($100 eBay), teamed over the lovely Manning Cartell beige ruffle front tunic ($85 eBay), and then the hardworking Neon Blonde shiny black panelled biker jeans ($10 eBay), and then all finished off with the fab colour POP Country Road colour block espadrilles ($45 eBay). Done.  And god those shoes are comfy.

SO - update from yesterday's post - I went with the LISA HO SHEEPSKIN JACKET.  I managed to finagle a *very reasonable* buy it now price of $450 from the seller; her email came through at precisely 7:02 am this morning - politely letting me know that there was 27 watchers and that I should get in quick.  I panicked and wasn't sure what to do; I jumped in the shower and then started to think what life would be like if the jacket called the wardrobe room home.  It was a beautiful life; full of joy and stunning winter outfits - a life I wanted for reality.  SO mid-shower I clicked that buy-it-now button - and that AHmazing jacket is now mine.  It will arrive however mid holiday.  Bummer.  But then.. at least I have something to look forward to upon my return.

Have a fantastic week - I will continue to post *albeit irregularly* for the 1.5 week duration of my Western Australian jaunt.  Stay tuned for sun, surf, beaches and of course bargains galore. GET EXCITED.

FFIFY xxxx