This week Charlie and I are heading off to Madrid to spend a long weekend exploring and mooching. I’ve never actually been to Madrid before, so any recommendations are welcome! In fact, I haven’t explored much of Spain at all, unless a two week family holiday to Costa Blanca counts.

I’m looking forward to finding out what the city has to offer, and I’ve been craving a city break/holiday ever since I touched down from Berlin. I’m trying to go somewhere new every other month, so far I’m on track! I kicked off January in York, headed to Berlin in March, now I have Madrid for May, Sicily in July and September is in the works. I told myself at the start of the year I wanted to travel and explore as much as possible, so hopefully I can cram in a few more trips.

Anyway, I’M RAMBLING.

So a few essentials I’ll be packing my my case…

Canon Camera / DKNY Backpack / Acne Studios Phone Case / Frends Headphones / Kate Spade Passport Cover / W7 & LA Girl Makeup via JustMyLook / Aesop Hand Cream

It’s so hard when you’re restricted to just one small case but at least it won’t be cold so I don’t have to waste room with chunky knitwear! My Frends headphones will definitely come with me, I’m not overly keen on flying so I usually try and listen to music to distract myself during take-off. In terms of products, I don’t ever take my full make-up bag, usually as I just keep it simple with a primer, tinted moisturiser, eyeshadow and a few lashings of mascara. The W7 and LA Girl products are perfect as they’re the perfect travel size. And how cute is that mini palette?!

Need some inspo when it comes to city break packing? Have a peep at this…

Boohoo Off Shoulder Dress / Whistles Backpack / Saint Laurent Card Holder / Birkenstock Sandals / Skagen Watch / Tom Ford Sunglasses / Bliss Skincare (both travel size!) / Aspinal Wash Bag / Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser / American Tourister Cabin Bag

Can you believe that dress is from Boohoo? It’m still not over the off-shoulder style, and this is right up my street being monochrome and all. Plus it’s only £18, what’s not to love?!

Birkenstocks because despite what you think of them, they’re comfy, simple and go with almost anything! I do love an ugly shoe and so a pair of Birkenstocks usually make their way into my luggage.

The Bliss skincare bottles are super handy as they’re travel size so you don’t have to worry about being caught out and heartbreakingly having to leave them behind (I’ve seen it happen to people more than you may think!).

I always take a watch with me on travels, as I like to maintain a fairly tight schedule (Charlie just loves me for that haha) I always want to make the most of my time somewhere so it’s always onto the next sightseeing tour or point of interest. This Skagen watch caught my eye, it’s got that minimal vibe going on and I wouldn’t mind adding it to my collection!

What’s in your cabin luggage? Do you take the bare essentials or do you cram as much in as possible?!