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How I travelled to Bali with a capsule wardrobe in one carry on luggage bag

in Uncategorized on 03/03/20

I have recently returned from a much anticipated Immersion Retreat in Bali. It was all the things – relaxing, exhilarating, challenging, tiring, uplifting, healing and euphoric – I share a reflective piece on some things I learnt about myself below. The 8 day immersion was jam packed full of fun and challenging activities like yoga, meditation, surfing, pottery, hiking volcanos, breath work and ice baths. I had to laugh, I even managed to find an op shop too. And yes I did buy something 🙂 

I wanted to travel light and easy, so I set myself a challenge to pack a capsule wardrobe and only take one carry on bag.

Benefits: 

#1 Save money – I didn’t have to pay extra fees for checked-in luggage. 

#2 Save time – upon departure checking in I jumped in the short queue and got through to my gate quicker to relax. On arrival I didn’t have to wait at the carousel to get my suitcase could just walk straight through to customs from the plane. 

#3 No overwhelm or headaches – because I had limited wardrobe choices and a few items that all mixed and matched together picking outfits each day for activities was a breeze.

Watch the video HERE to find out exactly what I packed.

Reflections from my recent Bali retreat…..I recently posted this on my social media profiles and it struck a cord with many women so I thought I’d share it here with you too in the event you may resonate with what I share. 

‘What does it mean to be woman on International Women’s day?

Who am I?

This question was asked of me last week on Immersion in Bali. I proceeded to answer I’m a daughter, sister, friend, lover, single mum, ex wife, business owner. Then the question was asked again

Who am I without labels? It was hard to answer I started to cry who was I without labels?? For years I grew up ashamed of my femininity, my womaness I learnt from a young age that showing emotion and crying were signs of weakness and to survive in a man’s world you just didn’t do it. I had to be one of the men in my adolescence pulling my weight with farm work, driving tractors, even hunting and gutting animals for our family to eat. For years I suppressed my femininity (at a physical cost too) to be in my masculine to fit in with my family and my career driven life. I slowly started to embody my femininity but it took many years. Last week on Immersion I had a number of powerful experiences that really helped me embody my sensuality and femininity.

Needless to say today when I answer the question Who am I without labels? I am infinite wisdom, embodiment, pure love, divinity, radiance, strength, depth, free spirited. I am woman.

Hit reply to this email and share with me any capsule wardrobe travel ideas you have or your thoughts on being a woman.

Have a beautiful week! 

Much much love to you!

Rachel x

Rachel Prest on Email
Rachel Prest
Rachel Prest
Director & Founder at Raid My Wardrobe
Rachel Prest is founder of Raid My Wardrobe. In 2010, she founded a preloved fashion event for women to refresh, recycle and reinvent their wardrobes. She began this blog in 2016 as a way to inspire, educate and encourage her community with more sustainable ways of fashion shopping, styling and creating. When she's not doing a wardrobe makeover or planning the next event you'll find her down at the beach, hiking or mountain biking in the bush or hanging out with her friends and her kids. Rachel is based in Newcastle, Australia.

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Hi, I’m Rachel — mother of two, founder of Rai Hi, I’m Rachel — mother of two, founder of Raid My Wardrobe, and a lifelong advocate for living with intention, connection, and conscious choice. 🌿✨

Raid My Wardrobe was born in 2010 during a major life transition, when I craved a way to refresh, recycle, and reinvent not just my wardrobe, but my whole life.

What started as a simple idea — a space for women to pass on what no longer served them and find new treasures — quickly grew into a movement, attracting over 1,000 people to our very first event.

My love of second-hand fashion began during my university days, where resourcefulness and creativity walked hand in hand. Later, my work in teaching and charity management deepened my belief in community and purposeful living.

Motherhood shifted everything. It called me to slow down, simplify, and live more intentionally — aligning my choices with my core values of sustainability, authenticity, and sovereignty.

I’m not from the fashion industry — and that’s my strength. I’m passionate about slow fashion, eco-styling, clean living, natural health, and inspiring others to honour themselves, their community, and the earth. 🌏

In recent years, I’ve expanded my creative work into interiors through @lovemyplants101, helping people bring nature indoors and create beautiful, nurturing spaces that support wellbeing and connection.

Today, Raid My Wardrobe is more than just an event. It’s a celebration of women — all shapes, styles, and stories — and a movement toward living soulfully and sustainably.
It’s about fashion, home, and self - being beautiful, meaningful, and aligned with what matters most.

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GOODBYE 2023!! Another year is winding to an end a GOODBYE 2023!! Another year is winding to an end as we count down the days until Christmas! 

I'm not sure how this year was for you, but for me it was a very challenging year of navigating a relationship breakdown, dissolving a business partnership and seeking new employment whilst raising two teenagers.

I learnt a lot about myself this year about my strength, resilience and resourcefulness while navigating emotional turmoil and facing adversity and I'm beyond grateful for my support network especially my closest friends who were there to support me, comfort me and cheer me on through it. 

I've heard from a lot of other people that this year was challenging for them too in many different ways and I know that I'm not the only one looking forward to saying goodbye 2023!

So as the year comes to a close and you're busily winding down and preparing for Christmas and the New Year holiday period I wish you to pause and take some time and reflect on;

What did you accomplished this year? 

What were your highlights?

What challenges did you move through?

What were you proud of? 

This Christmas season may you relish on the simple pleasures this time brings, the taste of favourite foods, the excitement of little ones, the hugs of loved ones and the memories of others. 

Be kind to yourself and take time out and rest when you want to, decline obligations where you need to take care of you, seek out pleasures that light you up and fill your cup - time in nature, connecting with friends, doing your favourite activities. 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas filled with radiant health, magical moments, love, joy, happiness and beautiful connections. 

May 2024 be your BEST year! 

Catch you next year with more Raid My Wardrobe events and preloved fashion fun!

Much love, 

Rachel
Rachel's haul from Raid My Wardrobe Cessnock Editi Rachel's haul from Raid My Wardrobe Cessnock Edition. All garments purchased were only $5 each. Many brands new with tags still attached. Such a score approximately $600-$700 worth of clothing for only $60 #recycledfashion #prelovedfashion
MY GIFT - It's a gift that I've been able to conti MY GIFT - It's a gift that I've been able to continue to provide @raidmywardrobe to our community this year with the support of local councils. 

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💰 It's about giving local people an opportunity to make extra cash to pay bills, provide for their kids.

💵 It's about keeping cash currency in circulation. 

👭 It's about donating clothing to women escaping domestic violence who leave home with nothing to now have clothing to wear. 

👭 It's about friendship and fun. 

❤️ It's about love and support.
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