Packing List for Winter in Florida

I lived in Florida for most of my life - but for some reason, I forget that it's not always HOT there! We booked a trip in January specifically to escape the winter doom & gloom, which was a good idea. But as the dates quickly approached, South Florida was showing temperatures in the 40's and 50's several of the days. Not exactly beach weather!

We ended up having two really sunny, warm-ish days (in the 70's). However, the other days went either rainy, windy and cool, or sunny and cool. Never cold, never hot. Confusing weather to pack for.

Somehow, I think I packed the perfect things for this trip. It was a lot like packing for New Zealand, where we were going to be ranging 40 degrees in temperature at any time.

Long wrap dress / Vintage maxi dress / River Island long sleeve knit top / American Eagle Outfitters blue chambray shirt / T By Alexander Wang relaxed tee / Bat sleeve cardigan, $8.62 / Helmut Lang slouchy t shirt / H M white v neck tee, $12 / Green military style jacket / NIKE activewear pants / Tassel kimono / Athleta sportswear / River Island black skinny jegging / Current/Elliott current elliott shorts / Sweaty Betty yoga activewear / We Are Handsome bikini bathing suit, $115 / Franco Sarto stacked heel booties / Lucky Brand chunky heel platform shoes / Steve Madden tan leather shoes / MICHAEL Michael Kors handbag satchel / Rebecca Taylor 14k chain necklace / OmSutra print scarve / Dolce Gabbana dolce gabbana eyewear, $880

It was all about the layers. I skipped short dresses and opted for two maxi dresses, which were still breezy, but kept the chill out when the sun went behind the clouds. 

A few plain t-shirts could be mixed and matched with my two light jackets. Which also could be mixed and matched between jeans and shorts. 

Like I said, what I packed ended up working out so well! I'm glad I stuck to layers instead of sweaters, they would have been too warm most days. I'm glad I had one, because I'm always freezing on the plane!

Even though I didn't get all the beach days I was hoping for, it was a good trip. I got to spend a lot of time with my family and my old crew. Next time, I'd just like a little more sunshine!

Any mixed weather trips coming up?
xo

Standard Florida Packing List
Weekend At the Beach Packing List
What to Pack for a Cruise for Him & for Her

What to Pack on a Cruise (featured on TravelFashionGirl.com)

A few months ago, I was asked to write a few posts on cruising for TravelFashionGirl.com! The first is about packing for a cruise, specifically 7 things to bring!

Wondering what to pack on a cruise? With so many cruise dress code guidelines things sure can get confusing. 

A cruise ship is like a floating city. It has restaurants, entertainment, staterooms, and most everything you could want – but there are some limitations. So you don’t show up over packed or under prepared, here’s a list of what to bring and what to leave behind...

Read the rest of the article here!

A few other cruising articles:

Cruise Packing List for Men

Cruise Packing List for Women

Mix & Match Cruise Wardrobe

Why Cruises Are the Best Group Vacation

10 Things You Should Know Before You Cruise 

Go Camping (without hating life)

I like to think of myself as low maintenance, but I think the truth is I draw the line at bugs and sweating all night. So, as you can imagine, camping sounded good in theory but I had some concerns.

I found the best way to overcome these concerns, and to thoroughly enjoy myself, was to be extremely prepared! Isn't that always the solution? :) I read this article in Bon Appetit and I was inspired to have an enjoyable camping trip with a slightly upgraded menu.

We went camping over Labor Day, and although Nashville's summer has been mild, this was a particularly warm weekend. Our camp site at Henry Horton State Park ended up being very shady and nice, providing a little solace from the sun. (I'll mention more about it, but camping at this state park was really wonderful!) 

From one city girl to (potentially) another, here's my list of being prepared for camping.

WHAT TO PACK

SLEEP SOUNDLY

• Tent
• Air Mattress
• Battery operated air pump (unless you KNOW you'll have power! We did not)
• Bedding: lightweight sheets (ones you don't necessarily care about), a light blanket, and pillows
• Lighting (headlamps are handy, but cell phone lights or flash lights will work too!)

EAT ALL DAY LONG

I really didn't want to eat burgers all weekend, so I got serious about our menu for the weekend.

• Cast iron pans are going to be your best friend. You can put them right over the fire! They'll make the best eggs & pancakes you've ever had (more about cast iron here). Dutch ovens (non enamel coated!) also work wonders.
• Additionally, stainless steel pots and pans do great over high heat.
• No matter what you do, leave the teflon/nonstick pans, and plastic spoons & spatulas at home. Metal or cast iron only!
• Bring 1-2 big bowls that you can use to serve & mix in. No need to bring the whole kitchen.
• A few multi-purpose serving spoons/tongs
• Paper Plates & plastic forks are great. Disposable and less dishes to do in the woods. Bring twice as many as you think you need. 
• Tin coffee cups or disposable coffee cups, depending on your style
• A roll of paper towels
• Tin Foil
• All your normal spices/condiments. For me it was salt, pepper, oil vinegar, garlic, mustard, hummus, salsa. I picked up a few packets of ketchup and mayo from the Publix deli on our way out incase anyone wanted them (they did!)
• A blender bottle (used for protein shakes) can be very multi functional. I used it to make salad dressing, mix batter and more!
• Breakfast
• We cooked pancakes, eggs, bacon, and even cinnamon rolls over the fire. They were all easy and even tastier cooked over an open flame.
• Lunch
• Keep lunch easy with snack-y foods, like raw veggies, hummus, hard boiled eggs, pretzels, sandwiches, and cut up fruit. 
• Dinner
• Prep as much as you can at home. I pre-cooked pasta to make a pasta salad (just add basil, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella at camp), and quinoa that was easily re-heated or added into a salad.
• Chili was also a game changer: cooked at home, frozen (helped keep our cooler cold!) and reheated over the fire. It was amazing. We even made cornbread in the skillet which was an amazing addition!
• Salad kits were great as the prep work was minimal, and we still ate tasty gorgonzola and almond salad!
• In the spirit of camping, of course there were burgers and hot dogs. Just not every night :)
• Snacks
• Chips and salsa are always a winner. 
• We brought some hard cheeses (they do better without proper refrigeration) and enjoyed a custom cheese plate in the middle of the woods. Yeah, definitely not roughing it.  
• Chex Mix and trail mix seemed fitting and were great by the river or over a game of cards
• S'mores.... duh! We got creative with Oreo's instead of grahams, and Goo Goo Clusters or Reece's instead of chocolate. (Heather is a genius)
• Drinks
• Bottled water was the obvious choice. Stay hydrated!
• La Croix with a slice of lemon was a fun day-drink
• Bota Box of Sauvignon Blanc was so easy and lasted the whole weekend - no corks, no vinegar taste by day 3. And 4 bottles per box... win. Add some La Crox or Perrier for a spritzer
• We made Moscow Mules (minimal ingredients) and they were a great addition around the fire! 
• Leave the beer & the bottles of wine at home. They are cumbersome and complicated. 

CLEANING UP

• A few extra ziplock bags 
• A set of Purel wipes to get rid of anything nasty
• Brillo Pads Pre-Soaped - these were AWESOME and I got them at the Dollar Store.
• Microfiber towels (also picked up at the dollar store)
• Extra paper towels. You'll need them.
• A gallon jug of water (that you can refill at the bath house) to make your own dishwater
• Tin foil 
• A medium size tupperwear bin that can be used as your "sink". This is also a great place to store dishes after they're washed to keep them away from the elements.
• Shopping bags are great for trash, as you won't want to keep scraps around all night. I budgeted 7-10 bags per day for the 8 people, and that worked well.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR

My friend Heather asked me if I was going to be "Sporty Spice" or "Cute Camper Girlfriend" for our weekend in the woods - I opted for both.

• Running shoes & socks
• Workout clothes (for hiking and trails)
• Bathing suit
• Cover up
• water - friendly flip flops (wore these most of the weekend)
• lounge clothes (jean shorts, tank tops, easy sundresses, romper)
• Comfortable pi's
• light sweater for nights around the fire 
• Sunscreen, bug spray, and your favorite facial wipes

NOVICA dress / H M long sleeve shirt, $15 / Lucky Brand red shirt / MANGO white cardigan, $34 / Reiss top / Athleta red shirt / T By Alexander Wang white shirt, $95 / Abercrombie Fitch romper / Zoe Karssen clothing, $190 / Current/Elliott short shorts / Under Armour logo sportswear / NIKE clothing / Sweaty Betty sports bra / DELiA s bikini top / DELiA s swimsuit swimwear / Reef sandals, $25 / RetroSuperFuture sunglasses / Burt s Bees face cleanser / Hawaiian Tropic bath body, $15 / Naked Botanicals Apothecary Lavender Insect Repellent

EXTRAS YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND

• Clothesline / clothespins. Hang up wet bathing suits, towels and the like so they don't get nasty.
• A few extra towels.... just incase.
• Bug spray
• Sun screen
• Proper footwear 
• Firewood/fire starters (or pick some up on your way)
• Hammocks
• Camp Chairs
• Ice, ice, ice!

Guys, camping is FUN! Don't forget to have some of that. And even if you just throw some burgers in the cooler and sleep on the ground.... it's gonna be a great memory :)

What's on your camping list? What did I forget?
xo

WINNING WEDNESDAY: Vapur Collapsible Water Bottle (a giveaway!)

Happy Wednesday! Let's win things, shall we?

One of my all time favorite things I've discovered is a Vapur water bottle. Funny story, I thought I invented it (in my head) - thinking of a water bottle that worked more like a Capri Sun, after being sick of carrying large Nalgene bottles in my purse. 

The Vapur rolls up so you can carry it with you at all times and fill up when needed! BUT, it opens, closes, and drinks like a normal water bottle. It's always with me when I travel, and kind of with me all the time. I love it. It looks crazy, but who cares - it's the best.

Rolls up to the size of a candy bar.

You can win one today! I'm giving away a red Vapur Element bottle 0.7L in size.

You can enter up to 8 times with the options below - good luck!
xo

a Rafflecopter giveaway


all images via 

Translating Packing Lists Into Real Life

I shared my planned packing list list for Italy, but wanted to follow up and show how it panned out in real life. It's easy to say you're going to pack light, but it can be harder to actually do it! Honestly, packing light takes a little more planning on the front end, but makes your trip smoother, lighter, and generally more enjoyable (at least it does for me!) Here's what the contents of my backpack looked like!

The gold scarf at the top was swapped for a lighter weight black & white scarf.

 

It all fit in my 45L osprey backpack with room to spare! Here's how it looked out on the road :)

What I would have done differently:
- I brought 2 dresses but only ended up wearing 1. For fall/winter, I should have stuck to 1 dress as most days were a bit chilly (even with tights). Plus, I'd never worn the grey dress before. If you don't wear it in real life, you won't wear it on the road. Broke one of my own rules!
- I foolishly brought suede flats for my 2nd pair of shoes. With the rainy forecast, I don't know what I was thinking! These were in my backpack the entire time.
- 2 jackets. I wore both of them, but definitely could have streamlined down to 1 and chosen another medium weight top for layering options.

Overall, not too many regrets. And definitely not ones that were too terrible! But as per usual, you can usually pack less than you think you need :)

What I wouldn't change:
- My ankle boots. They were great for long days of walking, water resistant, and matched everything! 
- Layers. I got creative with my layering, putting my plaid shirt under my black dress OR the striped sweater, wore it over the black top, or by itself. Same with the mustard cardigan! Versatile as they come, and added color to otherwise plain outfits. 
- My black shirt from Vinnie Louise. It's heavy enough to be warm but billowy and breathable. With a belt it has great shape or can be layered under a sweater! I think I wore it on every train ride because it was so comfortable.
- 2 different scarves. These scarves were different colors, materials & weights. They instantly changed an outfit's look, PLUS it was nice to have different weights for weather changes.
- Low profile trainers. I found these on sale a few weeks before we left (for $30 at DSW) and I'm so glad I bought them. We hiked in Cinque Terre (so running shoes were necessary), but didn't use them again - these were half the weight and size of my Brooks running shoes, and saved me a ton of space.

Thinking about New Zealand next month, I'm trying to be smart with my packing! Here's what I know so far about our trip.
- Hiking at least 2 full days (one of those hikes will require cold weather gear)
- Driving (clothing that is comfortable in the car without being frumpy)
- The weather will be Spring-ish. Warm days, cool nights (maxi dresses, lightweight layers, thin scarf).

We'll also be sea kayaking, wine tasting, exploring cities, glaciers, and all sorts of crazy stuff. It's looking like my bag will be filled with a lot of athletic wear! Similarly to Italy, we will be bouncing around quite a bit - so i'll need easy mix & match items that pack well without wrinkling. Challenge excepted.

If anyone has been to New Zealand and has any tips on visiting in the late Summer/Early Fall, please let me know! I'm all ears!
xo

Capsule Wardrobe for Every Season

I'm always on a mission to pack less. Carrying on is a way of life and I can't recommend it enough!

What I've realized is having a basic selection of clothes for every season is the perfect building block for packing. With these capsule wardrobes, I start with these basics - then add or take away as needed. Add a more formal dress, or slightly lighter or heavier clothing depending on the location. It works pretty well! Here's my basic capsule for every season.

Spring can be a tricky time - warm days, cool nights... you  need a little bit of everything. Here's how you can have plenty to get you by without bringing your entire closet. This little 8 piece packing list gives you over 10 outfits with almost no effort. Also, pick a few lighter colors as a reward for getting through winter :)

POWER PLAYERS FOR SPRING

- Lightweight tops that can be layered with cardigans or a chambray.
- Dresses... because it's spring! I always bring tights because you  never know how breezy it will be.
- A lightweight scarf. A key ingredient in ANY weather.
- A pair of closed toed flats for chilly days, and sandals when the sun is shining.

Other Spring packing lists:
Charleston

Summer is HOT. You'll never ever see me in jeans unless I'm at the north pole. Moving from spring, I ditch the jeans for shorts and a skirt, add a dress and swap to tank tops.

POWER PLAYERS FOR SUMMER

- A black sundress can be dressed up or down, and can cover you from the beach to dinner.
- Maxi dress. Once again, can be good for a day date, bridal shower, dinner, or attending a wedding. Plus you can wear it again on the flight to stay warm.
- The chambray will take care of any breeze or shade, or more likely, cold restaurants.
- Tank tops go with your shorts, skirt and can be layered over the black dress! Seriously, don't ever forget the black dress!

Other Summer Packing lists:
Cruise Outfit Guide // Cruise for Women // Cruise for Men // Seattle // Vegas // Florida 

Fall is always a favorite. After sweating all Summer I'm ready for some layers. Like Spring, layers are key.

POWER PLAYERS FOR FALL

- Lightweight sweater. My black & grey sweater is a fall favorite because it's lightweight but still warm. I can add a tank top or jacket and be good to go.
- Wool dress. Add tights and you've got a cute evening outfit. It's also nice to mix it up from jeans.
- Fingerless tights. I love these things! They keep air from sneaking up your arms but aren't so hot that you can't breath.
- Medium weight scarves add the perfect layer of warmth on a chilly night or overcast day. Then your medium weight jacket can take care of every occasion.

Other Fall packing lists:
Italy // Chicago // Seattle 

Winter... I almost don't even want to talk about you since you're almost over. BLAH! The only redeeming quality about winter to me is cute sweaters and blanket scarves.

POWER PLAYERS FOR WINTER

- Merino wool sweater. It's the thinnest, warmest sweater you can invest in. They have them everywhere from TJ Maxx to Target to J.Crew & beyond - get one. I have one in a neutral tan so it goes with everything!
- Layerable clothing. You will wear at least two tops every single day, so make sure they can layer over each other and all match.
- Blanket scarf! I love mine. I use it as a blanket on the plane, wrap myself in it when I'm freezing, and have even used it as an extra blanket in a cold hotel. Get one.
- Thermal & fleece. While these aren't attractive, they are warm. They are worth a little extra bulk in your suitcase so you don't freeze.

Other Winter packing lists:
Sub Zero Temps // Hot & Cold Weather (in one bag) 

General Packing Tips
Mix & Match // Packing Math 

You can DO THIS! This weekend Matt & I shared a carry on suitcase. If I can do it, you can too. What essentials are in your capsule wardrobes?
xo

Packing List for Charleston

We leave for Charleston in a WEEK!

So far my list of places to eat & drink is long... and growing. Poogan's Porch, Cru Cafe, The Black Tap, Fig, Collective Coffee & more.... any I'm missing?

Today, the weather in Nashville got HOT all of a sudden. I'm definitely not complaining, I was just surprised. Mid 60's after weather below freezing for weeks. It made me think - will it be warm in Charleston?

Turns out it will be pretty mild while we're there. Days in the 50's and nights in the high 30's. It's making me believe I don't need to pack a real coat... but I'm probably just lying to myself :)

So here's the packing list so far. 

Spring in Charleston by reneecutaia featuring blue leggings

Moschino Cheap Chic a line dress, $615 / A drea skater dress, $110 / Glamorous black dress, $59 / MANGO white cardigan, $34 / American Eagle Outfitters chambray shirt / Black and white striped shirt / VILA black blazer, $64 / Pieces blue legging, $40 / Sergio Rossi suede shoes / Steve Madden lace up boots, $56 / Steve Madden flat shoes, $73 / MICHAEL Michael Kors leather tote, $285 / Leather handbag / Plaid blanket scarf / Lightweight scarve, $14

POWER PLAYERS

• The long black maxi. The one I own is actually a convertible dress that can be worn 5 ways. Full disclosure, I only wear it 2 ways because I don't feel confident it looks right as a skirt on me, but that's ok - it's still been a great piece. It's really thick cotton so it regulates temperature well. It's also great because the material is nice enough for dinner, but casual enough for the beach. 
• Lightweight tops. I'm planning to bring two light weight tops that can be worn together as layers or separately for different looks.
• Chunky cardigan. With sunny days in the 50's, I'm unlikely to need a full coat during the day. However, i'm sure there will be shade at times and cold restaurants as always, so a cozy knit is just the trick.
• Blazer. Instantly dresses up any part of this mix. Even the striped top with jeans and heels will look polished with a blazer. I know southern folk can be proper, so I don't want to be sloppy.

I'm not completely sure of our itinerary, so I have a mix of causal and slightly nicer pieces that can be mixed and matched. I'll also throw a pair of nude tights in my bag to wear under the pink or white dresses at night. It's our Valentine's Day, so I want to have some fun dinner dresses, right? I admit, for a 3 day, 3 night trip, this might be a slight overpack. Looking at it now, I also might swap one dress out for another top (mix it up, travel days, etc). 

Have you ever been to Charleston for a weekend in the Spring? Send me your tips!

xo

Healthy Travel Snacks

Airport food can be a NIGHTMARE. It's come a long way in the last several years, with great restaurants like Lemonade in LAX or the amazing salad bar from CIBO in La Guardia, but if you're flying to major metropolitan airports like Ithaca, NY, Chattanooga, TN or Rapid City, SD, you aren't left with a ton of options. I cringe when I see one sad kiosk with packaged pastries and a huge pot of 5 hour old coffee as the only food or beverage option. You never want to eat something that will make you feel sick or gross before you get on a 3 hour flight, amiright?

I almost never travel without at least one snack (a girl's gotta eat!), and here are some of my favorites that travel well.

DIY TRAIL MIX
Mix anything you have on hand - almonds, cashews, dried mangos, pumpkin seeds, dried cherries, whatever! The dried fruit is a sweet treat, the nuts are filling and crunchy, and a winner in my book. Here's a great chart to help you build a great mix! The best part is you can make a bunch and snack on it for months. Make up little baggies that are ready to grab & go! 

CUT UP FRUIT AND VEGGIES
Fruits and veggies grow outside... so they don't need to be refrigerated for short periods of time. My favorite trick is to buy carrots and apples the night before and cut them up before I leave, never putting them in the fridge. That way they don't get clammy or brown mid-flight. Carrots, celery, apples, bell pepper, cucumbers, oranges, grapes.... whatever strikes your fancy.

RICE CAKES + ______________
Take two rice cakes. Top with nut butter, guacamole, hummus or any other topping. Add salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper, garlic... or whatever you want. I just found this Pinterest board with a ton of great ideas.

POPCORN
Air pop and top with anything you want (I use coconut oil in lieu of butter to make the seasoning stick). It's crunchy and flavorful and fills the salty snack fix!

ONE TIME USE PACKETS
These bad boys are ready to go and can be picked up at any grocery store.
- Sabra makes single serving hummus cups
- Justin's Almond Butter makes 1.5oz packs in several flavors
- Blue Diamond makes 100 calorie packs of whole almonds
- KIND or Lara Bars are the least processed of the granola bar world
- String cheese is always a winner.

If you're worried about what counts as "liquid" food, try the TSA app to search for the item in question. For example, type in 'yogurt' and it reminds you of the 3.4oz rule, and most yogurt comes in 5-6oz tubs. Decant into smaller containers (remember, the container itself needs to be within the size regulation) or choose a different snack.

By packing healthy snacks, you'll save a ton of money and feel better for your flight! Do you ever bring snacks with you when you travel? Any other great healthy snacks I'm forgetting?
xo

Packing for Sub Zero Temperatures

I travel a lot for work & it's a lot of fun! The major reason I travel is for photo shoots... which isn't as glamorous as it sounds, because they're always on farms :)

It's a lot of classic pick-ups, horses, barns and wheel barrows. 

Fashion is minimal as we're outside in the dirt all day, however, I still want to appear professional (enough) & dress appropriately. My typical photo shoot uniform is jeans, v-neck t shirts, thin plaid shirts and my rain boots. The thin long sleeved shirts protect from bad tan lines & add an extra layer on a chilly morning. The rain boots keep my feet dry in muddy areas (or, um... not worry about horse poop on my shoes) and can be rinsed off easily at the end of the day.

one of the models getting a bit friendly!

Up until now, our photo shoots have been in the 60's-80's, weather wise. My main concern was wearing light, breathable fabrics so I wouldn't overheat on long days! But now.... we're headed into a snow storm to see farm life in the winter. SEND HELP!

Like the other photo shoots, it will be long days outside.... but this time, it's in the snow and likely sub zero temperatures. I've had to pick up a few items to prepare & hopefully prevent freezing my tush off.

MiH merino wool sweater, $295 / FWSS long sleeve top, $125 / J Crew merino wool sweater, $120 / Rag bone JEAN long sleeve top, $120 / H M top, $15 / The north face jacket / VILA black puffy coat, $135 / H&M slim fit jeans, $46 / Brooks Brothers wool socks / Fleece legging / Frye tall boots / SOREL rain boots, $185 / Burton lightweight glove / Cable knit infinity scarve, $50 / Krochet Kids hat / Sole Society knit circle scarf

POWER PLAYERS FOR THE ARTIC TUNDRA

Sorel Boots - These are by far the warmest thing I've ever worn. Fur lined & completely waterproof. Absolutely incredible. I can be in several inches of snow and stay dry!

Wool Everything - Wool socks, merino wool sweaters (the first 3), wool beanie, wool scarves. Wool is not only warm, but it has moisture wicking properties. This means even if you start to sweat or get wet, the water will be pulled away from your skin & keep you warm. It doesn't hurt that there are so many cute merino wool sweaters out there! (Check J.Crew, Madewell, etc)

Layers - I am planning on wearing thermal leggings & a thermal vneck top underneath all of my clothing. I've never thought jeans were warm on their own, so these will definitely help.

Long Down Jacket - While my snowboarding jacket would keep me very warm and dry, it is only waist length. The extra long down jacket will really help me stay extra warm... which will be necessary!

via

It's going to be so pretty... but SO COLD! Any tips for standing out in the snow for 10 hours? Brrrrr.
xo

Which Shoes Should I Pack?

SHOES.

We all love them. But they take up SO. MUCH. ROOM. in your suitcase. Packing less almost always starts with shoes, because unfortunately, they take up the most space (especially in winter). The research I've done, talking to others along with my own trial & error, I've found that 3 is the magic number. The trick is choosing shoes that serve multiple purposes. Which shoes should you bring on vacation? Here are some combinations I've found work for different occasions. We might not have the exact same style, but use this as a jumping off point and adjust for your own needs & preferences! Let's talk about how to pack less shoes when you travel.

COLD WEATHER SHOES

When it's cold out, the last thing you want is freezing feet! However, you still want to maximize space whenever possible!

Power Players for Winter Shoes

Sleek boots can go from the office, to a party, to brunch. Choose a neutral color (black or cognac) that will go with almost everything!

Beautiful flats are definitely your friend. While they aren't going to be heavy enough for somewhere like Montana, they will work in most places! I am really lusting over Tieks lately, because they lay flat and can fold up into a purse. Perfect for city travel, when walking kills your feet! Does anyone have a pair they can tell me about?

WARM WEATHER SHOES

While sandals and flats don't take as much room, there's still no reason to overpack in the shoe department. 

Power Players for Summer Shoes

Beautiful sandals, rather than flip flops, can cover you in several situations - you can run around town in them, take them to the beach, go to a casual dinner & more. They're not appropriate for a business meeting, but that might be your only place! Once again, neutral flats will take care of a situation like the office or a nicer occasion. Unless you're a true heel girl, you can always sub in beautiful flats for things like work or weddings. Wear what makes you comfortable & feel great!

REMEMBER - leopard print is considered a neutral! Neutral doesn't have to be boring ;)

Don't let this be you!

OTHER WAYS TO SLIM DOWN YOUR SHOES

Minimal Sneakers

I waited to pick up a pair on sale at DSW ($30 for last seasons minimal Nike's!), and it was the best decision I've made in a long time. They flatten easily & are half the size of my Brooks running shoes. 

Packable Flats

Like the Tieks in the photos above. I really want them! Then you aren't worried about your suede flats losing shape (I'm sure I'm not the only one).

Wear Your Largest Shoe

This might go without saying, but wearing your riding boots when you travel can be really helpful. If you're in a backpacking situation (or when we visited 4 cities in italy over 2 weeks) and are in transit multiple times for your trip, you might want to consider only bringing that ONE pair and perhaps a 2nd pair. I ended up only wearing my larger boots because I didn't want to shove them in my bag. Looking back, I should have left my 2nd pair at home.

Don't Bring Doubles

Please PLEASE don't. There's no need! Two pairs of neutral flats... Why? Two pairs of heels when you have 1 formal occasion? Think practically. And remember, if you don't wear it at home (or they aren't broken in!!!!!), you won't wear it on the road.

You can avoid this!!!

Shoe addicts... I know this sounds like a deal breaker for you... but I know you can do it! :)

What do you tend to overpack?

xo

Travel Makeup

I don't wear a ton of makeup, but I definitely need something to even out my complexion and make my eyes look OPEN, so strangers don't ask if I'm tired or have recently been crying ;)

My makeup bag isn't large, but it was bigger than I was willing to carry around in my 45L backpack on our trip to Italy. So I started making some swaps on my toiletries & worked my way through my makeup bag. Here are some hacks cut my makeup bag by almost 75% in volume.

1 - Travel Brushes
I use this set at home and away, but I know that brushes can take up a lot of space. I used a large brush for bronzer, and finally swapped for this mini one. It works just the same & takes up so little space.

2 - Ditch Your Bulky Eyelash Curler
I couldn't bear to leave my eyelash curler at home, so I was thrilled when I found this compact, flat eyelash curler! And to be honest, I like it more than the traditional style! I was lucky to snag it on sale for $7 at Sephora, so keep your eye out for discounts & promotions.

3- Double Duty Products
I found this concealer/brightener combo this weekend and was so thrilled! It lays super flat and packs a serious punch. I also have this duo that could be used as bronzer & highlighter, but I use it for 2 shades of eyeshadow and it works like a charm. 

4 - Sample Size 
Samples from Sephora, Ulta, travel size bonus packs, Birchbox & the like can change everything. My 1.5oz Stila CC Creme is pretty bulky compared to the 0.17oz (about 1/10th of the size), and my Benefit "They're Real!" mascara at 0.1oz is way smaller than the full size 0.3oz. This might seem silly, but it makes a huge difference! If you can't get a sample size of an essential, like foundation, make your own using small travel tubs (the little circle pods that come in your toiletries bag).
Note: The sample size of BB/CC creme lasted me over 3 weeks, some days applying twice. Same with the mascara. It would last for at least a month, I'm sure of it!

5 - Leave the Perfume at Home
Not completely! Just swap a body spray or bottle of perfume for a rollerball! This is the size of a pen, and a tiny amount goes a long way! I keep mine in my purse at all times, and it's lasted me over two years. Find your favorite fragrance here.

If you find yourself going away for longer than a few days, this will be even more helpful, as you'll need other essentials the longer you're gone. A miniaturized make up set will make your bag lighter & your trip easier!

Do you have any travel make up hacks?
xo

How To Pack for a Semester Abroad

As I've said before, I am a reformed over-packer.

True Life: We wore all of our clothes on the plane to avoid being charged for heavy bags.

I mean I really, really, REALLY badly overpacked. Always. It's embarrassing to think about how much I towed around for almost no reason.

When I was a senior in college, I took a semester abroad in London. We lived in a flat near the Marble Arch, and it was the best few months of my life - hands down.

What I wish I knew then was how to pack for this wonderful time of my life. I brought two massive suitcases (weighing very close to 50lbs each), one carry on sized suitcase with my heaviest items, and one "personal item", a pretty large duffle, that I would never get away with these days. 

I have so much advice for you, future study abroad student, you have no idea.

I'll share my massive mistakes, and provide some smart solutions... so you don't have to share in my overpacking misery.

MISTAKE: Bringing too much luggage. As I said, essentially I brought 4 pretty sizable bags.
SOLUTION: Bring one large suitcase and a 30-40L backpack for weekend trips. Remember - this is a lot of space. Just because you have two big bags doesn't mean you have to FILL them.

MISTAKE: Bringing 20 scarves & 5 thin jackets. Scarves are bulky, and 5 jackets are too many - not to mention I needed something a little more heavy duty once we got into December.
SOLUTION: Bring 3-4 scarves, 1 heavier coat and 1 lightweight jacket.

MISTAKE: Bringing unnecessary, bulky toiletries
SOLUTION: Things like your favorite foundation or specialty product (like prescription face wash) should come with you. Regular things like body lotion, body wash & shampoo (especially things that you will run out of anyway) should just be purchased once you land. No use wasting precious kilos & space on things you can easily pick up abroad. This goes for things like tampons, Qtips, nail polish remover, etc. Bring enough to get you through a week and grab some at a local store. 

It's fun trying new products abroad! I found some of my favorite lip gloss & mascara when I was living in England. Don't be afraid to try something new.

MISTAKE: Packing copious amounts of unseasonable clothes "just incase", knowing we would have a chance to travel Europe
SOLUTION: Do your research about the time of year you'll be studying abroad in your specific location. Pack 80% for your climate you'll be in full time, and 20% for specialty items. 

So for me, I should have brought primarily jeans, tops, boots, and sweaters, and brought a few dresses, tank tops, a pair of shorts and flip flops for warm weather trips. This way, I was outfitted for a trip to Greece, but I didn't have half of my clothing sitting useless for most of my time in London (plus, most places nearby were cold in October). Also remember, layering is your friend!

MISTAKE: Overpacking on shoes, purses & other accessories. Let's just say there were at least 3 pairs of heels and 4 medium-large purses.
SOLUTION: One of each would suffice - athletic shoes, boots, flats, sandals. I did not need heels AT ALL (I wore one pair one time).... the nice flats, boots or sandals would have worked just fine. Also, one carry-all bag, a cross body bag (great for traveling!) and a clutch would have fit inside of each other and covered a multitude of sins.  

MISTAKE: Bringing extremely specific items
SOLUTION: Choose versatile pieces, like neutrals, and add color w/ jewelry & scarves. Also, choose pieces you can layer & pack easily without wrinkling. Make sure that these pieces mix & match with other items, so you'll have the maximum amount of outfits with the least amount of pieces.

MISTAKE: Bringing things I never wore at home
SOLUTION: If you don't wear it at home, you won't wear it on the road. Leave anything like this at home. Repeat - LEAVE IT AT HOME. Sorry, I didn't mean to yell ;)

MISTAKE: Bringing things you're too attached to
SOLUTION: Anything you'd be lost without, please leave it at home. It's unlikely that you'll be mugged, but why risk it? Keep valuables at home and bring costume jewelry, leave extra delicate tops and dresses and opt for less expensive pieces. 

MISTAKE: TOO MANY BOOKS.
SOLUTION: You're lucky, you live in an age of e-readers and iPads. We brought books, unfortunately. I didn't think about the fact that there are libraries all over the world, and many hostels have a take one/leave one mentality. Leave any unnecessary books at home. Here's how to get e-books for free (you can even download Kindle apps on your laptop!)

MISTAKE: Bringing two things that did the same thing
SOLUTION: I believe this was my problem in my entire packing strategy. Why bring two light weight black jackets... when 1 works just fine? Why bring two pairs of neutral flats? Why on earth bring 20 scarves, when you're only going for 4 months?!? I'm telling you, less is more. 

MISTAKE: Leaving no room for souvenirs
SOLUTION: Underpack, and pick up some fun things on the way! If I only brought 2 or 3 scarves, I could have picked a few up on my travels and had plenty of room to spare. Also, funky jewelry is fun to buy as a souvenir. (More on souvenirs, here!)

The truth is.... with all that clothing, I still felt like I had nothing to wear, because so little of my "closet" worked together. I had plenty of "fancy" clothes (ya know, JUST INCASE...), but not as much for the every day. I had 5 jackets, but none of them kept me warm! I ended up wearing mostly the same things, but I brought so much - for pretty much no reason at all.

Don't make the same mistakes I did. Pack light, pack smart, and have SO MUCH FUN during your semester abroad! :)
xo