Packing for a Five Day Trip

This weekend my husband, Tiny Dancer, and Sophie are all road tripping down to Southern California to visit his family and to see Tiny D's godparents and my dear friends. Monday, we're going to Disneyland while my MIL babysits- she's elated and I'll get to ride all the rides, as last time we went when I was 6 months pregnant and my feet were swollen to twice their size by 2 p.m. I've spent the past day or two trying to figure out what to pack for 2 adults, an infant, and a dog who thinks she's a princess. I will definitely post photos when we get back next week.

For this trip, I am using Real Simple's guide to "The Best Way to Pack a Suitcase" (find it here) combined with hints I have found that have worked for me over the years.

RS: Step 1- Gather all the garments you anticipate needing, then put half of them back. Select clothes in the same color family, packing more tops than bottoms. For a five-day trip, you'll likely need five shirts, two pairs of slacks or jeans, and one skirt.
     - I agree with putting half back. I ALWAYS overpack. I do, however, think an extra shirt is a good idea- especially if you are not staying somewhere you will have access to laundry services. I also don't think that a skirt is always necessary, depending upon the purpose of the trip. I am planning on bringing two pair of jeans (mine always seem to stretch out after a wear or two) and one pair of skinny black pants.

RS: Step 2- Choose knits, wools, and cottons. These fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and are versatile. Some garments can do double duty, like yoga pants that moonlight as pajamas.
     - YES, YES, YES! I always pack just one pair of yoga pants that are what I lounge in and sleep in. I try as much as possible to pack things that are wrinkle resistant. If I pack a dress shirt, I ALWAYS bring a cardigan or pullover so if the shirt wrinkles a bit, no one will ever know. 

RS: Step 3- Roll softer garments and fold stiffer ones. Underwear, t-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won't wrinkle when rolled tightly. Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts should be carefully folded.
     - I have three dress shirts in the cue for this trip, and I spent about 15 minutes carefully folding them so they don't wrinkle during the seven hour car ride. I roll everything else so that I can fit everything neatly in my suitcase. I want to make sure I have room for my Disneyland souvenirs! 

RS: Step 4- Arrange rolled items in the bottom of the bag. Think of your suitcase as a three-layer cake. The suitcase is the icing; the rolled items make up the first layer. 
     - I actually like to put my shoes on the bottom of the suitcase with the soles to the bottom. This way they don't get my clothes dirty with shoe gunk and they can all lay nicely next to their shoe friends. Then I stack my clothes on top of them and top it off with my makeup and toiletry bags, hairbrush, flat/curling irons, and any other incidentals that need to come on the trip.

RS: Step 5- Place folded garments next. For your (cream filling) middle later, start with the longest items, like skirts and slacks. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Position the pile flush with the suitcase, draping leftover fabric over the opposite end. (This conserves space since thick waistbands won’t be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends over the handles. 
Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in.
     - I had never thought about doing this before I read this article. Tomorrow when I load everything into my suitcase I'm going to try this. Seems like it makes total sense.

 RS: Step 6- Cover the pile with a dry-cleaning bag. It’s like Botox for your clothes. Because of the bag’s slippery surface, folded clothes don’t stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on either side.
     -  Another one I hadn't heard of before now. I like it though. If I can dig up a dry-cleaning bag I will definitely try this and let you know how it works out.

RS: Step 7- Top the pile with the clothes you’ll need first. Anything goes with your top layer―a bathing suit or pajamas.
     - I agree with this, in theory. If you know what you'll be wearing first, you're about three steps ahead of me. I bring a bunch of outfits I think are appropriate and pretty much decide what to wear each day based on my mood and the weather. I try to hang my clothes as soon as I get to my hotel/host's home to prevent wrinkling and so that I can see all my options each morning. If you have the foresight to do this I'm all for it- I just can't commit to an outfit that far in advance. 

RS: Step 8- Snake belts around the perimeter of the bag. This cradles your three layers.
     - This too was new to me, but it seems like it will work out well. This way in addition to "cradling" the layers, it helps your belts stay crease-free and not get all awkward and coily. 

How do you pack for trips? What tips can you share to make packing easier?

Spring Fashion Trends

I just love Spring! And Autumn. And Winter. OK, so mostly I just hate summer. I am not good at being hot.

Spring brings with it a promise of new life, there's residual rain left from winter, and it isn't hotter than two goats in a pepper patch yet. Spring is also when all the best flowers are in bloom- peonies, dahlias, tulips- so full and fabulous!

Anyhow, I was browsing glamour.com and I came across an article listing the top 10 Most Wearable Trends for Spring 2013. Some of them are better than others, but here they are followed by my opinions of each.

1. Bermuda Shorts

I actually really like a bermuda short, if styled correctly. I have pasty white legs (yes, all year round- comes with being a ginger) and carry most of my weight in my thighs, so I feel like bermuda shorts do everyone a favor. They can look a little matronly if the top is not tailored/fitted, so I really like them styled like the photo above. They look casual but polished.

2. Black and White

Black and white together are such a beautiful and classic combination. I have a top similar to the one above I got at J. Crew Factory that I pair with a kelly green sweater and I get compliments every time I wear it. I love the whimsy of polka dots too- they keep things playful but are still appropriate in a professional setting. Black and white are always a good choice.

3. Peekaboo Pieces

HATE. Unless you are tiny and have no cellulite and are in great shape, you have no business sharing your wobbly bits with unsuspecting citizens. If you're not sure you qualify, play it safe and just don't wear this trend.

4. Statement Sunglasses

I have a love/hate relationship with statement sunglasses. The ones on the model on the left are adorable- bright, some whimsical flowers on the corners but in a pretty classic shape. The middle ones are tolerable- relatively neutral color but the shape is awkward. The far right glasses are horrid- they look like they're from the future and I can't think of a face shape they might flatter. Bottom line- keep one aspect classic. Whether it's color or shape, I feel like they need something to not look completely out of bounds.

5. Bold Stripes

Like horizontal, do not like vertical. I know this seems counterintuitive, as vertical stripes are supposed to be slimming and horizontal are not, but look at the photos above. The horizontal ones are adorable and fun. The vertical ones look like she's playing dress up as The Riddler from Batman.

P.S. What is happening with those red glasses the girl in the middle has on? They look like those glasses they make you wear at the dentist when they bleach your teeth.

6. Luxe Leather

Not a fan. I feel like leather is allowed in two places for clothing: jackets and shoes. What is happening with that middle outfit? And what average person is thinking "you know what would be awesome for spring weather? A full leather outfit." WHAT?!? I feel like I couldn't take someone in a leather outfit seriously. I am, however, all for a fabulous leather shoe.

7. Beautiful Beading

I actually like this trend for everyday, if it's done in moderation. The first dress (bright blue) is really beautiful for a wedding or nice party and it just screams "SPRING!" to me. The pink dress, although exquisite, sort of reads "Indian wedding" to me and can seem a bit formal for the average person to wear to her business casual job. Overall, though, thumbs up to beading.

8. Shorts Suits

One person is allowed to wear a shorts suit: Angus Young from AC/DC. Shorts suits on anyone else, especially women tend to look like an awkward schoolboy. The shorts are often WAY too short for any professional workplace. Something like is shown the photos above would be far too formal for any workplace that allows shorts. Overall, pretty awkward.

9. Sporty Dresses

I really love these. I think they are appropriate for most social situations and are pretty but still fun. They do tend to be relatively short, so for those of us with pasty/jiggly/dimply/imperfect thighs, these are a perfect excuse to wear fun colored tights that complement the dress.

10. Flats and Low Heels.

YAAAAAY! My shoe time has finally come! These have to be my two favorite types of shoes to wear. My mom is always bugging me to wear a "higher heel" (I'm 5'2" with shoes on), but I am SO not the girl who can lie and say I am not in pain wearing a 6" shoe. I've been lusting after those mint flats by Ivanka Trump for months now! I just picked up the Tory Burch "Reva" flat (see above)- a little pricey but SO comfortable and they go with EVERYTHING. I have also always been a fan of a pointy toed shoe- they really elongate my shorty-short legs and dress up any outfit. The ones above are Kate Spade (another favorite of mine).


So, there you have it. Glamour's Most Wearable Trends for Spring 2013. I do think they missed a giant one- nautical themed clothing. It is freaking everywhere and it looks so good on every body.

I'd love some comments here- what do you all think? Was Glamour spot on or do you have different ideas for this Spring?

Fix-It Friday: Kitchen Inspiration

We are moving into a larger house at the end of May and I have been extremely occupied by Pinterest gathering new ideas to turn the house into our home.

Because of this, I've decided to start a series of Friday blogs focusing on all of the changes and upgrades we are making to our home during the transition. This first week's post will focus on our new kitchen.

I have decided to redesign the kitchen using robin's egg blue and tomato red. I already have some turquoise in my kitchen, so I'll be combining the few items I have with some new additions. Here are a few photos of the direction I am heading:

I love the retro feel of this kitchen!

This is pretty close to the color I'm looking for.

The pop of color on this island is beautiful!

I love that there is just one wall and a few accessories in blue.

I am also looking at fabric to make a valance for over the window in the new kitchen. I really like the print of both of these below, but I am definitely hoping the find one with both colors (like the one on the bottom) to tie everything together.

What do you guys think? What are your kitchens like in your homes?

OOTD: Mint and Polka Dots

This afternoon, I went to lunch with a friend from work in Alameda and walked around Park Street for a while. This evening, my husband and I took Tiny Dancer for dinner with my dad and stepmom. This was today's outfit:

Mint Button Down: J. Crew Factory (here)

Polka Dot Sweater: Target (not on site)

Jeans: Forever 21 (here)

Shoes: Tory Burch "Reva" (available at Nordstrom)

Necklace: F21 (similar here)

Watch: Michael Kors "Lexington" (here)

Thick Silver Bangle: Kate Spade (Holiday 2012)

Thin Bracelet: Cape Cod Jewelers (here)

ABC's of Me

I've seen this post on a few other blogs and since I am new to the blogging world I thought it would be a good place to start. I'd love to hear some facts about you guys too, so please steal this and repost!

A. Age:  26 

B. Bed size: California King- my husband is 6'4" so we really need the space

C. Chore you hate: Scooping cat litter. My husband is very good about doing it though. :)

D. Dogs:  Sophie the French Bulldog

E. Essential start to your day: Juice. I love juice in the morning.

F. Favorite color:  All pinks and bright greens

G. Gold or silver:  In general silver, but I am learning to appreciate gold on certain pieces.

H. Height:  5'2" with shoes on. I'm really 5'1 3/4, but I always have shoes on in public, so 5'2" is ok, right?

I. Instruments you play:  I dabble in guitar and used to play piano, but really my only instrument these days is voice.

J. Job title: Human Resources Administrator

K. Kids:  One little Tiny Dancer

L. Live: San Francisco Bay Area, the most wonderful place in the world to live!

M. Mom’s name:  Carol

N. Nicknames:  Hol

O. Overnight hospital stays: Just when I had Tiny D

P. Pet peeve:  People eating, especially tortilla chips

Q. Quote from a movie/show:  "I'm not controlling, I'm aggressively helpful."

R. Righty or Lefty:  Righty

S. Siblings:  None, but I have some fabulous sorority sisters! 

T. Time you wake up:  Between 8 and 9 naturally.

U. Underwear: I wear them, yes.

V. Vegetables you dislike:  Asparagus.

W. What makes you run late:  When Tiny D makes a potty diaper right before I am ready to walk out the door and she starts screaming like a banshee until I fix it. 

X. X-rays you’ve had:  My right hand when I broke my right pinky in college.

Y. Yummy food you make:  The husband loves my Shepherd's Pie and Taco Salad.

Z. Zoo animal favorite: SLOTHS!

Monogrammed Clutch Purse by prettierthanapicture on Etsy

As I was browsing Pinterest recently, I came across this fabulous find. It's an adorable little monogrammed clutch purse, as seen below.

See? I told you it was adorable.

It comes in twelve, yes TWELVE colors and you can choose the style of monogram you'd like. What a perfect gift for the girl who has everything, right?

But wait, there's more! This bag costs only $25. $25. Try not to spit your drink out. I am ordering one for myself now and know quite a few ladies who can expect one in the next few months. I just love finds like this one.

Buy yourself one here.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post and the opinions voiced above are my own.