Jet Star and Travelling light.
I have just returned form a lovely weekend of keeping my mum company in Christchurch. She asked me to come down (from Auckland) to entertain her while her partner was busy doing Harley stuff at biketoberfest, a motorcycle festival. Normally mum would be right there, flipping burgers for fundraising and riding on the back of the Harley. But, 4 weeks ago my mum fell down the kerb at KFC and broke her foot. She has been pretty incapacitated and frankly, thought she was going to go crazy if she had to spend another weekend alone and at home.
So she shouted me a trip down to see her.
Now, my mum is no cheapskate, but let’s face it, if you can get something cheap, you should go for it. I was extremely impressed that I could get a $160 return flight to Christchurch, 4 days out and at time that were convenient to me. The hitch being, that I could only take handbaggage.
Not a problem, you can take up to 7 Kg on the plane and I was only staying 2 nights. However, I only have a small back pack and lugging 7 Kg around an airport is a pain in the butt, so I was going to have to travel light.
Side note; if you are going to go on Jet star and take a huge carry on, please be advised that you are not the only stingy person (cheap skate) that doesn’t want to pay the $10 to check your baggage. You will have to jostle your way onto the plane to get the prime overhead locker space (i.e. above your seat). Luggage space is a premium on these cheap flights. If you choose to take the maximum luggage allowed on the plane you will have negotiate for space with like mined tight asses. It’s a jungle out there, save your sanity and pay the measly 10 bucks to have the nice bagage handlers deal with your stuff.
So back to my story, I was going to have to travel light.
Easy!
I know that at this time of the year Christchurch will still be chilly. Sunny, yes, warm, no. This means all I need is one pair of skinny jeans and a pair of boots for my bottom half. Skinnys and boots will take me from plane to party, from mall to visiting and everything in between. A pair of jeans can be worn constantly for 2 days and 2 nights with even the neatest of neat freaks agreeing that they still look good. And unless you are planning on gardening or horse riding in them, they will be acceptably clean and tidy for all your tripping around the city.
Boots over skinnys always looks cool and sexy. This look is pulled together enough for a party or dinner, but casual enough for visiting Granddad and traipsing round the shops. The only reason you may need to take another pair of shoes is if you are planning a night of man hunting on the town, therefore you can take some slutty shoes (you know with a ridiculously high heel and straps all over them, painted toes are mandatory). But if you are married (like me) or tall (like me) you don’t need the slutty shoes to make your outfit look awesome. Save them for the next time you go out in your own city.
Another side note, if it is summer, wear your skinnys with some beautiful sandals (or jandals if you like) and throw a pair of shorts into your bag. Or if you have a big butt, wear bootlegs and slip them over a pair of kick ass boots.
Okay, bottom half sorted, and cause you will be wearing your bottom half on your body on the plane, that leaves your bag for the top half and toiletries. I am lucky, in that I know if I am staying with my mum I do not need to pack shampoo etc, smelly shower gels or body cream, but all these things can be brought in minis. Pack your face creams, tooth brush and some make up. Leave your hair dryer and straighter at home and go for natural styles or pony tails.
Next, top half clothes. Take on the plane with you a statement scarf (I have a faboiulous red silk Oroton one that I always get compliments on) a long line cardi and a blazer. These 3 things will keep you warn and can be mixed and matched to give make you look cool. Then that leaves the rest of the space in your bag (after the toiletries) for some tops. Tops are small and easily rolled, so you can pack as many as you can squeeze in (although remember that you may need room for any importune shopping trips). I took a sparkly tank top that looks very cool under my blazer for a night time party. A Cybele T- shirt that’s soft and big for shopping (didn’t end up wearing it because mum brought me an oversize t with a cool leopard face print on it that I wore with my long line cardi). I also took a tank and off-the-shoulder sweater and a tunic.
I looked cool, I had plenty of options, and I managed to reduce my stress on the plane.
Excellent weekend.