5 fun (and functional!) accessories to take on a family holiday
Plus, need a new bra?
This week's bits and pieces:
I wrote about my child-free holiday (again!) this time for Stylist and in relation to recognising when you truly need a break, navigating the handing over of responsibilities and all of the mum guilt that comes with leaving your kids. It’s behind a paywall but this paragraph sums up the vibe:
Did I deserve a break? I mean, I had been feeling exhausted from the past five years of trying to cling onto a career while also looking after two young children. And yes, I was pretty frazzled from endless loads of laundry, remembering every school event and to buy presents for the almost-weekly birthday parties. And I did have an undercurrent of rage that never seemed to shift, even after a run/bath/drink. But 10 whole days off motherhood duties felt far too indulgent, not to mention logistically impossible – who would do pick-up? Packed lunches? The weekly shop? The last time I went away (three days in Athens last September) I spent an afternoon on the beach organising emergency childcare when my husband had a last-minute meeting come up.
I also got some excellent advice from Jennifer Cox, a psychotherapist and the author of Women Are Angry, on how to manage feelings of guilt when you’re away. To paraphrase, she says it's all about telling your partner not to message you unless there’s an actual emergency (and not just that they can’t find the P.E kits!! ) and remembering that everyone back home will benefit from you being a more chilled-out and happy version of yourself.
If you're around London over the school holidays - and have kids who enjoy big bangs - go and see Brainiac Live at the Garrick theatre. An hour of mad science! We got tickets for £15pp through Todaytix.
Classette does the cutest hair accessories in school uniform colours. Stock up now before the end of August rush.
On the subject of uniforms, I love the look of BLCK.B - a new school shoes brand which uses an online measuring tool meaning you don't need to take on the Clarks queue.
I gave my two-cents on the delights of a cocktail top for Harper’s Bazaar. Essentially the new way to do a nice top and jeans. My white broderie one is currently sold out (sign up for an alert here), but how about this which is on sale?
How to bring holiday spirit to your family packing list
I’m taking the kids down to the caravan next week and have started mentally compiling my holiday wardrobe: a one-piece that my boobs won't fall out of; denim shorts that can handle a splattering of pizza sauce; linen shirts that keep me cool as I diffuse a sibling squabble; a baseball cap because I'll probably forget to top my own suncream up.
So far so sensible. Which tends to be the case when packing for a family trip. But does it have to be?
My last holiday suitcase was a riot of whimsy. And while there's no way I could get away with a white silk dress or a teensy crushed satin bag, perhaps there's space for some holiday frivolity? Especially if it doesn't take up too much suitcase space.
With that in mind, below are the fun - and functional - accessories that will up your holiday spirit (even if you're Google Mapping the closest soft play)
A printed scarf
Knot it around your head when you haven’t had time to wash your hair. Fold it into a triangle and tie around your waist to reinvent an old slip dress. Use it to cover up heat rash on your neck. Fashion it into a pirate’s bandana to cheer up a grumpy five-year old. Endless possibilities…
DIY beads
Holidays are the perfect time to pile on bright beaded bracelets. Holidays are also the perfect time to sit and make piles of bright beaded bracelets with the kids. A rainy afternoon activity and a fashion statement all in one. I've just bought this set to take away with us. (Amazon aff link)
A jolly tote
If you're going to have to lug suncream, wet wipes, water bottles, snacks, spare clothes, etc, you might as well do it in something that makes you smile.
Bright beach shoes
For not getting verrucas at the kids pool.
Colourful packing cubes
The only way to keep a family-sized suitcase organized is with packing squares. Dedicate one to each kid, then keep the remainder for your underwear/swimsuits and tops.
Staying on the theme - 3 cute summery tops to wear with your staycation shorts
The mum-friendly way to buy your next bra
I came across The Pantry Underwear when I was pregnant with my first baby. I popped into the Islington shop and had the most incredible and informative fitting with the founder Elly, who has four kids of her own. She's so knowledgeable and kind and fun, and I came away feeling great, with two beautiful maternity bras that served me very well indeed.
So, when Elly dropped me a line about the new online fitting service she has launched in order to make getting fitted for a bra at home both easy and accurate, I jumped at the chance to give it a go.
The service uses AI capture to create a 3D model of your torso so that Elly and her team of expert fitters can pint-point exactly which size and shape of bra is going to work best for you.
It's super easy to use. Once I booked my fitting (Elly has intentionally scheduled some slots for the evening, so you can do it once the kids are asleep) I got an email prompting me to use the pre-appointment fitting tool. This is done on your phone and requires you to stand in two different positions – front and side – wearing a dark top and leggings while the tool captures your measurements. No nakedness needed and no photos are taken.
During my online appointment, which is done over video call, Elly asked me to wear one of my current bras so that she could check the three fit points:
Was the apex of the bra (the middle bit) lying flat against my sternum?
Did the underwire fully encase my boobs without digging in?
Could the back band be pulled out no more than two inches from my back? (I could pull mine about about four).
From here we discussed whether the shape was working for me and the alternatives that might be better (demi-cups and plunge help when you've lost volume at the top), then we discussed the sorts of styles I liked/ needed in my bra-drobe.
The appointment takes 30 minutes, and afterwards Elly sent me a link to my ‘Fit List’ which contained her recommended bras in the right sizes depending on the styles (because you might not be the same size across every brand or shape). She also bobbed in a cute swimsuit recommendation and sports kit. If you're having a fitting during pregnancy, she has some gorgeous PJ's and robes that will take you into postpartum too.
I picked a pink demi-balconette to replace something similar I've had since before babies and is now too big. When it arrived via post it fit like a dream.
Is this the future of bra buying? I'm sold. To not have to a schelp into town, negotiate a changing room with a buggy/bored toddler, or die of embarrassment when the too-small curtain (why does it never reach the edges?!) exposes my wobbly bits to the rest of the lingerie department is a gift.
For total transparency, Elly kindly gifted my pink bra and the matching pants (what a babe), but I will be returning for a pretty turquoise and lime number, and a white style that has a clever lace section that stops overhang when your boobs fluctuate during the month. And as my fit list will stay active, I can add them to basket in the correct size whenever I want.
If you're reading this while mourning the loss of your pre-baby cleavage then listen to this: during our appointment, Elly told me that the best boobs she's seen (and obvs she’s seen her fair share) are post-menopausal ones as apparently it's very common for boobs to get plumper and for nipples to shrink. Isn't that something to feel cheerful about?!
On that note, that's all for now. You're doing great, Frankie x
LOVE the beads at the beach idea 💡
Love the sound of the pantry AND the small plump meno-nips