It’s vaxxed girl summer everyone and you know what that means? Travel! Within the confines of our country! But travel nonetheless! It might not be the meandering streets of Mykonos or the botanical beauty of Bali, but when you’re in great company, escaping the confines of your day to day and there’s a wee bit of sunshine involved (please Met Office) then who cares the destination, you’re on holiday baby!
Before a staycation might have felt like a last resort, it’s not something we’ll ever take for granted again.
Gratitude and appreciating the small moments of joy in life has been a common theme in the past year or so, and we’re sure you can agree that whilst before a staycation might have felt like a last resort, it’s not something we’ll ever take for granted again. Whether it be The Lake District, Margate, The New Forest, Cardiff, Brighton (our personal favourite) or The Cotswolds, there’s beauty to be found in the big sights and the small, undiscovered experiences and memories that only the U.K has to offer. Wholesome times ahead, people!
And with the endless smiles and photos to come is the also endless organising, packing, repacking and worrying you’ve forgotten something that is universal to every trip away from home. This week the team are sharing the essential (yes Monopoly Deal IS essential) items that we refuse to pack a bag without, both as a reminder for our future holiday going selves and to inspire your own travel bag contents this summer.
What’s a non-negotiable item you would absolutely turn the car around if you forget? Snap if you also said the snack supply.
Zoe
I’ve just got back from a staycation in Suffolk so this has come at the perfect time! Most of the things I took weren’t totally out of the ordinary but I do feel like depending on the type of staycation you’re going on, being able to drive allows you that little bit more space for some home comforts that you’d usually leave behind! I think having cosy joggers with a matching top is good, because if the weather drops in the evening, it works, but also looks great as an out-and-about outfit too. SPF! Just because you’re staying in the UK, don’t forget it! Chunky, comfy slip-on shoes! Qwirkle cubes is also a great game to play with friends and family too!
Zara, TIE-DYE CROPPED T-SHIRT, £17.99
Boots, Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dryness Protection Cream SPF50+ 50ml, £6
*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN Fairplay chunky sporty flat mules in black, £18
Lareese
SPF is always the first thing I’ll pack for a staycation, whatever time of year. This La Roche Posay one is my ultimate go-to, nothing else compares to it. The rest of my bag is usually filled with a mixture of swimwear (because if there’s water of any kind, you bet I’ll be getting in it), a good book, a camera, a nice face mask to do in the evening before getting ready to go out and some sort of cosy layers I can chuck on in the evening.
*Look Fantastic, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream 50ml, £18
Skinny Dip, Instax Mini 11 Camera – Lilac, £69.99
*Bookshop.org, The Summer Job, £12.99
*Sezane, QUILTED OVERNIGHT BAG, £70
*John Lewis, ESPA Active Nutrients Clean & Green Detox Mask, £40
*Marks and Spencer, Textured Gingham Plunge Bikini Top, £22.50
*Marks and Spencer, Textured Gingham High Leg Bikini Bottoms, £14
Charlotte
GET ME ON A TRAIN/IN A CAR/WALKING TO A DREAMY UK LOCATION STAT. As you can tell I feel extremely excited at the prospect of a home away from home trip this year and honestly I always love exploring the U.K. so it will still feel like such a treat! I’ve got a trip booked to Penzance in August and my Instagram saved folder is already packed with things to do and general wanderlust.
My staycation picks are kind of predictable, but what can I say, it’s good to be prepared! Tech is always a must in my ‘don’t forget’ pile and headphones and a portable charger are up there as two of the most essential items, especially during a long car journey. I’m manifesting a summer of sun, sun, sun so of course a cute new bikini is coming with me, along with SPF which of course I wear (mostly) all year round. Finally, are you even human if you don’t leave the house with a tote bag? Didn’t think so.
*And Other Stories, Smocked Floral Embroidery Bikini Bottoms, £27
*And Other Stories, Smocked Floral Embroidery Bikini Top, £27
Skinny Dip, Happy Plugs Plus Earbud Tws Pink Gold, £99.99
*Liberty London, MAISON M Thorpe Hill Frilled Cotton Tote Bag, £35
Danielle
I just came back from a little staycay in Cornwall and it actually felt like I’d flown to another country after being in my own boring house for so long! Honestly if you’re stressing about booking a holiday abroad just save yourself the anxiety and find something fun to do in your home country, I guarantee it’ll be just as exciting. I bought these super chic white trousers with me and felt like a millionaire in them, I’m usually such a jeans wearer and have trouble finding trousers I like that fit me. Throw in a classic white shirt resort shirt you can wear with said trousers, jeans, midi skirt, or over swimwear! Never go anywhere without my trusty Monopoly Deal, and some sunnies, these hexagonal Ray-Bans are fun. I also came across this cold cream which can be both a cleanser and a mask that sounds dreamy for sunkissed skin. Pack it all up in this lovely green holdall from OB!
*H&M, Tailored trousers, £24.99
*Content Beauty Wellbeing, THE SEATED QUEEN THE SEATED QUEEN COLD CREAM, £39
*Amazon, Monopoly Deal Card Game, £4.50
*Oliver Bonas, Synita Khaki Green Slouchy Holdall Weekend Bag, £49.50
Holly
The girl guide in me really comes out when packing for a staycation. Most of my weekends away involve my uni friends who can be a bit wild so there’s no choice but to be prepared for every eventuality. And who knows what’s going to happen with British weather. We could need boots, we could need bikinis. Staycations also mean driving so I mean you need snacks and an eye mask for naps right?
Argos, Energizer Max Polymer 5000mAh Portable Power Bank – Black, £14.99
Jessops, Instax mini 11 Instant Camera Lilac Purple, £69
Mountain Warehouse, Latitude Extreme Waterproof Vibram Womens Boots, £159.99
*ASOS, COLLUSION square neck swimsuit in neon crinkle, £16
*Beauty Bay, Bondi Sands SPF 30 Sunscreen Oil, £7.95
Darcey
I’m so here for the Summer UK staycations! It’s sad to not be able to travel abroad, but this traffic light system is proving… unreliable to say the least. I have a holiday booked for Broadstairs in July which I’m super excited for so these are some of the things I’ll be bringing with me. Number one, I never go anywhere without my La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF, it’s so good and lightweight! A large tote bag is your best friend on holiday, especially if you are heading to the beach and are like me and pack EVERYTHING you could possibly need. I always bring a face mask too, in case you are wanting an impromptu pamper night, also good for the skin when wearing so much sunscreen. Bikini packed of course (fingers crossed for sun ha) and some funky sunnies!
*Look Fantastic, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream 50ml, £18
*ASOS, COLLUSION Unisex branded tote bag in ecru, £12
*Cult Beauty, VIEVE The Essential+ Makeup Bag, £25
*Beauty Bay, ALYA SKIN AUSTRALIAN PINK CLAY MASK, £29.95
*ASOS, COLLUSION recycled tie side bikini briefs in blue, £8
*ASOS, COLLUSION recycled tie front bikini top in blue, £8
*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN square sunglasses with yellow lens in black, £14
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