A couple weeks ago, Tom and I made a quick trip over the pond to visit his family. Although he’s from Scotland, all of his grandparents and extended family live all over England, and since I hadn’t met a lot of them yet, we wanted to take a trip to visit them.
With just three days on the ground and pretty much all of England to cover (some of his family is from northern England and some from southwestern England), we didn’t have a lot of time for playing tourist, but we decided to stay in the Cotswolds so we could make the most of our short trip.
We stayed at The Lamb Inn, in Burford, which was absolutely perfect. Built in the 15th-century, the inn is full of low beams, stone floors, and cozy fire-lit rooms that feel steeped in history. It’s intimate and romantic rather than polished - more about atmosphere, charm, and slow living than modern luxury. We also loved the breakfast each morning! I discovered Weetabix and now I’m determined to find it in the US!
Burford is one of those places that feels almost too perfectly English to be real - like you’ve stepped into a storybook version of the countryside. Some of the villages in the Cotswolds almost feel as if they are on display, but Burford feels lived-in. There’s a beautiful main street, set on a hill, with independent shops, cozy tea rooms, pubs, and antique stores. There’s also a gorgeous church called St. John the Baptist Church that dates back to the 1100s that is definitely worth seeing.
On our way to the airport we made a stop in Bibury, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, and home of Arlington Row. I had actually stayed in Bibury with my family many years ago, so it was fun to go back. Bibury almost feels frozen in time like a perfectly preserved scene from the 14th century. Be sure to stop in Eleven Bibury for a tea, meal, or shop!
What I Packed
This was the first time I had to pack for a trip while being visibly pregnant and I was a little unsure of what would work, but thankfully what I packed ended up being perfect.
Pants:
Vincent James Leigh Pants - wore these on the plane and they were perfect. We were hitting the ground running so I didn’t want to be in sweats when we landed, but still wanted to be comfortable. These pants are the best!
DL1961 Maternity Jeans - this was my first time wearing them and they worked really well. I was comfortable all day. They also have the same style in non-maternity!
Citizens Aura drawstring pants - I just wore them under the bump and they were great.
Donni Eco-Terry Stripe Crop Pant - I’m obsessed with these. I wore these on the plane home and have worn them like three times already since we’ve been back. They are sweats, but they’re cute!
Tops:
AYR Early Mornings Tee - I can’t say enough about this. For pregnancy it’s great because of the length, but I’m going to love this one for life.
Everlane V-Neck Sweater - I’ve had this one for several years and it was long enough to cover the bump!
Pink Blush Maternity Tee - this is the only “maternity” tee I’ve ordered so far and I love it. I might get it in another color because it’s really the perfect fit.
Varley Hawley Half Zip - love this for both pregnancy and just life in general. It’s so soft and a great layer. I also have the pants that coordinate and love them as well.
Accessories:
Black Croco Sling Bag - the only bag I ever need when traveling. Also, today is the last day of our Friends & Family sale where you can get 20% off with code SPRING20!
New Balance sneakers - I only wanted to bring one pair of shoes and these were great because they are neutral and just go with everything. I think I’ve had these sneakers for 4 years now. I couldn’t find my exact pair, but the ones I linked are similar. :)
I think the key to packing light is to stick to a color palette where everything works together. That way you can create multiple outfits with less actual items of clothes.
I’m currently on my sister’s bachelorette party in Florida this weekend, so I’ll be back next week with a totally different kind of packing list!
xo,
Abby
Sounds like something out of a hallmark movie !!! Love it !
So glad you’re loving the Leigh pants, Abby. 🤍