Do you ever get that thing where you are kind of plonking along in your professional life, thinking that things are going well and it’s all kind of, you know… happening… and you don’t feel like you’re 24 and clueless any more.
But then something stops you in your tracks, some awful moment, and you suddenly feel like – OMG – I know nothing. I am a baby kitten. I am a drooling 6 month old. I barely know where my nose is.
That happened to me the other day.
I was standing about at the John Lewis press day like a watermelon, staring into space, and I saw my old friend – and co-founder of The Midult – Emilie McMeekan.
Emilie is really, really high energy – (like if fossil fuels run out and we’re all still arguing about nuclear power, I think we could just run some stuff off Emilie for a while) – and she was wearing this sassy little jacket and had her goddamn nails done.
“You’re a sensation!” she said.
“Am I?” I said. “That’s GREAT!”
“After this come to the Aisle 8 press day,” said Emilie, clutching my arm.
“What’s that?” I said, worrying it was a new dress designer I didn’t know about.
“It’s a PR company. They’re great, they’re a sensation” she declared. “You must meet Lauren.”
And I was like fuck, fuck, what’s going on? Who is this press woman who is so fantastic that she goes about using only her first name? Like a model. Shit, I know nothing. I know nobody. I’m fresh off the boat.
So I went along and I realised that this is where they are keeping all the good stuff. Cefinn, THREE GRACES HELLO? Kitri Studio and a load of other fabulous junk.
And among the vast treasure trove of excellent shit that Lauren, (who really is a sensation), had – was Away.
Away is basically the best luggage there is. Unless you have literally just bought a new set of luggage, throw all your luggage away and get this.
It is light as a feather. Each piece of luggage comes with a lifetime guarantee.
And I mean… I mean the colours… you can charge your phone in it… it comes in loads of different sizes. The wheels are… uhhnnnnnn with the way they twirl about… you can put little STICKERS ON IT… inside – okay listen, listen – inside it comes with a laundry bag for all your dirty clothes on the way back.
You can get ones with outside pockets, you can get matching fucking items, which hook seamlessly over the telescopic handles of the case. You can get interior organising pouches.
If Giles and I didn’t already have a smart set of hard case luggage from Rimowa, (also good, but not as good as this), I would buy us all – kids too – one each.
So I cannot justify getting myself any of this, but someone has got to have it, and it might as well be you.
It’s not even very expensive. This is not an ad.
Guys, what can I say? Quite simply: it’s a SENSATION.
You ARE a sensation! And a mind-reader. I’ve just spent a fruitless few days pondering luggage, a half hour waiting for my – now I realise soooo sub-par trash to appear on the conveyor belt – and you pop up with THIS to brighten my wind strewn, rain-sodden Monday morning. Thank you. (Oh did I mention that you’re a sensation? And you always make me laugh! What’s not to like.) x
aaaah this looks great. but i have to know: is it really better than rimowa?
can Rimowa charge your phone? no. Does Rimowa come with its own laundry bag? no. does Rimowa have a lifetime guarantee? not sure actually. Plus, this is less expensive and just cooler.
Love this! I need new luggage so you have helped at least one person! X
Excellent timing as ever! Need to get myself some new luggage for work trips 🙂
I gave my husband an Away bag for Christmas and I got one from my parents (after dropping serious hints). We have not looked back. We even got the monogrammed tags. I feel so polished when I travel. Also, the shell is hard and (apparently) very strong, but also somehow flexible, so if you have not quite got the hang of traveling light, this is a perfect segue between a soft bag you can pad out and a hard-shell case you feel better about checking in or tossing in an overhead compartment. I love that I can charge my phone in it while I’m waiting at the gate. Love the laundry bag. Love the interior compartments. Mine is navy and I adore it. I never take anything else with me on business trips now.
Nikki you are even more of a foaming enthusiast about these than I am. I’m very pleased to have my foaming seconded though. Thank you for taking the time to write this x
I got one a few weeks ago with the pocket on the front (my husbands main bugbear about his rimowa is they are impossible to open on a plane). I absolutely love it… now trying to justify buying a big one….
I just bought a set consisting of their larger check in and medium sized case and they arrived today. What no one else has mentioned so far is the most exciting thing ever in my mind – they come with a DUST BAG!!!! I LOVE a dust bag. Otherwise I end up vacuuming my case when it comes out of the attic all cover d in dust and spider webs. I am off on a 5 night girlie trip to Marbs soon and as I am a notorious overpacker I’m looking forward to testing out their claim that 4-7 days worth of stuff will fit in the check in size however I expect I shall end up taking the larger one as a girl needs options. And space for shopping.
Thank you Esther for the recommendation, and also for the Cucumber pj recommendation – I also bought a pair of those a while back and they’re fab.
Loving your blog as usual. Please keep up the good work as you’re always so entertaining xxx
Sue! I’m so pleased these have all worked out so well for you! Thanks for leaving such a kind comment xxx dust bags FTW!
Oh and btw I mentioned you and your blog by name in the “where did you hear about us” box – so hopefully one day they’ll repay the recommendations with a free suitcase for you x
oh THANKS!!!!! very kind xxx