Maybe it’s because I have not gone away for over a year or taken a real vacation, in ever, but I’m simply itchin’ to get out of New York. While I’ve certainly gone away before, my past vacations mostly mean flying out to Haiti to visit family. While it’s great to see everyone and be somewhere with limited to no internet access, I’m dying for a vacation where I get to explore, eat with the locals, and lie on a beach. This city girl wants to dip her feet into the water and have not a single care in the world.
Alas, a new job with (very) limited vacation days mean I’ll be dreaming for now but that won’t stop me from bookmarking spreads like this Lonny feature on the Greek island of Perivolas. Everything is just vibrant, crisp, and refreshing.
I hardly ever leave New York- heck, I hardly ever leave Brooklyn for more than a day. So on the rare occasion that I am heading out of my house for more than 24 hours (even if it is to sleep by my friend’s house) my head spins into a tizzy trying to pack and get it all right.
What if we want to go out that night? What if it’s a fancy shindig and I need a dress? Are we going to a club? A lounge? I just may run into my future boyfriend/husband/soul mate…what do I want to meet him in? Jeans? Skirt? Something purple? Pink?
You get the idea. All of these thoughts (and many more) run through my head and there I am packing everything I can fit. Or convince myself it fits. The bikini in the middle of winter? Heck yeah…jacuzzi anyone?? Three sweaters for an overnight trip…you betcha bottom dollar!
While packing isn’t my forté, I know I’m not the only. Tell me that packing is easy for you and I’ll call you a liar. But hopefully, you (and I) can learn how to make packing a breeze. Fashion Consultant Alegra Torel tells us the do’s and don’t of packing.
Feel free to print this and tape it to your closet door. You can thank me later.
Always bring a lot of separate pieces. This makes it easy to mix and match, and with pieces that you can wear more than once, your suitcase will be lighter and more manageable. Instead of bringing a bunch of pre-determined outfits, it’s much more resourceful to choose pieces from your closet that you can dress up with heels and jewelry, or dress down for the daytime.
Weed out things that you have doubts about wearing! If it’s one of those items that one day you feel fabulous in and the next you can’t even bare to look in the mirror, leave it at home! Only include things that you are sure you will wear. Here’s a huge hint: if you wear it less than three times a year, it’s not a contender for your suitcase.
Always keep in mind the weather, whom you are traveling with or whom you are traveling to see, and what the overall purpose of the visit is. Packing should begin with a mental browse of your belongings before actually going through your closet. This will save the time of taking things out only to put them back in again.
Once you have everything lined up in one place, you can determine what size bag you need. Never bring a bag that is larger than necessary. Believe me, you can travel light and still dress like a fashionista!
After weeding through your closet, and strategically fitting those versatile pieces in your bag, you’re good to go!
With these stellar packing tips, your vacation is sure to be divine from your bedroom all the way to the beach! Or in my case, from my house to my bff’s house
Maybe it’s because I have not gone away for over a year or taken a real vacation, in ever, but I’m simply itchin’ to get out of New York. While I’ve certainly gone away before, my past vacations mostly mean flying out to Haiti to visit family. While it’s great to see everyone and be somewhere with limited to no internet access, I’m dying for a vacation where I get to explore, eat with the locals, and lie on a beach. This city girl wants to dip her feet into the water and have not a single care in the world.
