Style Dilemma: 10 Steps to Packing for Vacation

Those of you following on twitter, Instagram, and facebook know we're about to head East to Europe. It's been 14 years since I've been to the part of the world I consider a second home, and it'll be the first time for the Beans.

The last time I was in a German-speaking country, this is a shot from German-speaking Italy, up in Tirol.

Needless to say, we're all a little excited.

This will be our view for 3 days of the trip, my host parents' place in the Alps.

We're in the final throes of preparation. We all have our passports, and we have friends picking up our mail. We test-packed a month ago to see what luggage it really made sense to take. You see, if it were just H and me traveling, we'd pack the morning of our trip. With two Beans in tow, though, it's a different story.

This past weekend, then, we started packing for realz.

Let me set this straight: I am NOT a pre-packer. My MIL will start packing for a trip a month in advance. I pack that day. I cannot, usually, get over the idea that I have certain things out of commission while I pack, and there's always one thing I have to use up until the Very Last Minute that prevents me from closing the suitcase.

This time, though, I want to be done, no worries, no rushing, just hop in the car with at least 5 separate devices (2 cell phones, a Nook, a laptop/tablet, and the Beans' 2 cameras - maybe 3, if I take the plunge), and get to the airport with more than enough time to let the Beans get excited about the airport and the things we adults think are boring.

I'm also a little panicked about the packing. For, despite my friends' Allie (Wardrobe Oxygen) and Rosana's (DC Style Factory) advice, and Chelsea's faith (The Chelsea Chronicles) that I've got it altogether in the packing department, I'm worried.

Will I take enough?
Will I take too much?
Will I take the right weight clothing?
Will I take the "right" clothing?

That one? That last one? That's my panic. As a 17 year old heading not only away from home but overseas for the first time ever, I had no worries and no real inkling that there was a thing called "looking like an American." By the time I finished my year in Austria, my German was fluid enough that I was mistaken for native. Fast forward through a college year in Germany, then trips back and trips to Romania and Greece with H, well, I'm hyper aware, now, of That Phenomenon.

And I don't want to be Those Americans.

Despite accepting the fact that we are, after living years in Europe, decidedly in the Tourist Camp this time around, I just can't bear the idea. Of course, we ARE Americans, and we're proudly so, but you know the stereotype traveler.

So in addition to guiding the Beans in their packing, I'm selecting my wardrobe carefully. We want to step it up a notch from what we might schlump around in here on a weekend. For the Bean, she happily paired her skirts with blouses and ditched her favorite shorts for a tennis dress. For No.2, who will happily wear a suit to church, he won't even don a polo shirt on a regular day. We picked their things out last night, and we'll see how that goes.

As for me, my packing goals are two-fold:

1) Efficiency - everything in there has to be multi-purpose, and dress up or down
2) Anti-American - 'nuff said. I tried on a few pieces last night and that was the H-test: "Do I look like an American?" He chortled, and humored me.

So here's how I'm doing it, step by step:

1) Know your trip - We're going somewhere slightly more formal, even in casual wear. Where are you going? Is there any variation?

2) Color-Coordination - I picked one color story, to borrow Rosana's term, then pulled easy pieces out. For me, it's grey/black/navy/white. It all goes with everything.

3) Easy, but fitted fabrics - the easiest way to look schlumpy in any language is to be a slouchy mess. You know me, I'm a sucker for a good deliberate slouch, but I made sure to pick pieces that fit well AND are comfortable. Predictably (and is does this mean I'm old?), there's a fair amount of jersey and pique in the mix, with a few light synthetics.

4) Cross-training - I laid it all out on my bed, and tested each top with each bottom, making sure I had at least double-use out of each piece (I did the same with the Bean, to teach her).

What I thought I was bringing - 5 weeks ago. It hasn't changed much, but I have thought through it more.

5) The Pre-Pack - my new tool. With my first run laid out, we put it all in the suitcase to see if it would fit. With that information, we know not only which luggage works, but whether or not we have any wiggle room. (I'm a roller, by the way. H hates it, but I swear by it.)

6) Time - I checked IG. I posted the pick of our "pre-pack" 5 weeks ago. Since then, I've thought and considered, wondered whether I had the right things, and even bought an item or two to round things out. I should be writing it all down, as I'm a habitual list-maker, but maybe the pre-pack took its place this time (only so many grown-up, organized things a girl can do at once).

The Bean's pre-pack. Note the print-on-print-on-print pattern mixing and her own color story. When we swapped out a few things last night, we tested each of them with the others to make sure they work. There was nothing to which she said "No." Brave fashion girl.

7) Pull - Make like your own stylist and pull the items you intend on packing. Last night, we all pulled the actual clothing we're packing. I still have a consideration or two (whether to buy a pair of shorts in case we hike up an Alp).

8) The Plane - Pull the pieces you're carrying with you - we're only taking one change of clothes on the plane in case of the luggage disaster, but for the little one, we need to take more. Those, along with our outfits for the plane (all considered in the packing selections), are all set aside.

9) Don't touch the pile - The Beans and H are under strict orders not to touch the things we're packing. That goes for me, too.

10) Pack - It won't be tonight (I still have to stop at Target for those shorts I think I'm packing, and there's a load of laundry today), but by two nights prior to our trip, the suitcase will be zipped.

And the most important...

If we get there and don't have the right stuff? No worries. Go to the store and fix it. While we don't want to buy loads, we aren't going somewhere obscure. If we forgot something, we can pick it up or do without.

I promise a pic or two of my actual selections and their logic, but for now,

How Do You Pack? How do you decide what to bring? When do you zip up the bag?

Travel in Style: Weekend Bags From Flirty to Sturdy

Oh, more than 8 weeks ago (I know, because that’s when I started pinning possibilities), a reader and twitter friend asked for some help in finding a weekend bag that wouldn’t break the bank. And while it’s well past her beginning-of-September deadline (forgive me?), it’s time I finally put up or shut up on the topic.

It is, after all, nearly the holiday season, when we all travel to see our families.

Yes, I just wrote that.

It’s also the Season of the Fall Weddings. Facebook, twitter, and Instagram are aglow with group shots of brides and grooms at leaf-adorned outdoor alters, group shots of college friends All Dressed Up, and even invites. So I know a few of you need something in which to stow that gear to get you from Friday night rehearsal dinner through nail appointments, the ceremony and reception, and finally the bleary-eyed wedding brunch The Day After.

The original requirements were a not-uncute weekend bag no more than $100. Easier said than done, of course, especially for this vintage-inspired-luggage addict who goes for the leather travel trunk every time. Gorgeous, but ridiculously impractical.

So I found a group of bags - some bigger, some smaller, most under $100 (but a couple of reaches, especially now that they’re on sale. Personally, if I can’t have leather, I want color.

Clockwise, from top left: Land's End Ella Vickers Medium Duffel (um, named after a woman who served as first mate on the America's Cup team? yes.), Dr. Koffer Fine Leather Accessories Chaucer Bag (see? leather. I told you), Urban Outfitters BDG Buckle Tote (the smallest of the bunch, but adorable and versatile), Lipault Plume Weekend Bag (a bit old school, comes in fun colors), Heritage Leather Co. Canvas Mason bag (love the leather and canvas mix for a mildly nautical twist), L.L. Bean Hardshell Rolling Pullman (the whole hardshell thing intrigues me, though I'm a canvas girl through-and-through, plus, well, rollerbag).

On a terribly practical note, I will say this: if you absolutely must have luggage that you need to depend on (and aren’t terribly concerned about the cute factor, though it’s perfectly presentable), go L.L. Bean or Land’s End every time.

After Mom-Mom bought me my first set of luggage for high school graduation (it’s what she did for all 17 grandkids), and my trusty royal blue canvas Land’s End set took me to my years in Austria and Germany (never mind other trips), I can’t say enough about the quality and customer service from each company. We now rely on an L.L. Bean rollerbag, complete with preptastic monogram. I can stuff a weekend’s worth of clothes for both Beans and me in it (though sometimes the shoes have to go in a separate bag). You can’t hurt either brand, but if something does happen to it, both have impeccably easy repair or exchange policies. They’re pricier than this request, but they’re oh, so worth it.

Just pick a color you’ll like - kinda like that tattoo you’re thankful you never got.

Weekend Style: Woodland Wedding

This will be the fastest post in the West.

Western Pennsylvania, that is.

It's still insane at work - it'll be that way for a while - so while I'd love to give you a "What I Packed" (or plan to pack, in this case) for our weekend away near Nemacolin, it's just not happening. It's busy enough (and I'm working late enough tonight) that this control-freaky mama is "letting" H pack for the kids today.

[Watch DC Celine attempt to not say a single word of advice or guidance. Better known as Watch DC Celine bite her tongue off because she can't let go.]

Anywho.

We're headed out for a family wedding near the fabled Pennsylvania resort. And while there is not a single drop of blood shared between any of our two families, they are. The groom is my MIL's godson (with his twin sister). The groom's parents are our wedding godparents (it's an Orthodox thing). There will be laughter, raucous laughter. There will be stories. There will be music (the groom is also a musician, and his band is playing at a Friday night BBQ), and there will be dancing. It will be The Beans' first wedding. No 1 is, shall we say, fairly excited. There's no stopping her wearing her most fanciest Easter dress, despite this being a woodland wedding.

Anywho No. 2.

It should be calm. It should be serene. And as tempted as I am by the activities (would horseback riding trump surfing, you think?) and the spa, I think I'll just ponder this picture, sit on the front porch of the cabin we're in for the weekend, and breathe.

Picture via

Guest Post: Capitol Hill Barbie on Packing for a Weekend Away

A while back, in anticipation of an actual vacation, I asked a few online friends if they would be so kind as to "pen" a guest post for me while I'm away. I realized after the fact that the women I've asked all have voices that have become important to me - all for different reasons. So I'd like to share them with you.

And while I'm not actually away yet (won't leave the DMV for Down Tha Shore until this afternoon), I'm frantically running errands (getting the car serviced, figuring out if I can get a contact lens refill, you know, the easy stuff) and packing us all up.

So Capitol Hill Barbie's post seemed like a natural fit for the First DC Celine Guest Post Ever. Yeah. The honor. I'm sure she's thrilled. But anywho. She's a stylish, active mama who's juggling family through Manhattan (and blogging over at Baby Steps in Heels), and here's what she has to say. Oh, and follow her on Twitter, @caphillbarbie.

__________________________

Ahh, the weekend away.

Or as the Brits hilariously call it, the mini-break. 

So much fun, right? A chance to show off your relaxed style and killer bikini to your significant other? Just throw in that cocktail dress! You might need it? Well, add a baby, about 16 tons of baby stuff, and the fact that you are not going anywhere that requires heels, and it's not the fantasy that Cosmopolitan would have you believe.

However, even though I've had to pare down my packing list, I found a way to stay stylish while leaving room for the extra diapers and stuffed animals my daughter requires.

A Weekend Away by caphillbarbie featuring a fedora hat

Here's the deal.  One white tee, one pair of colored jeans (I am loving my mint pair), a striped maxi dress, bright shorts, striped long sleeved top, a chambray shirt, and one bathing suit.  For accessories, I kept it very simple with a pair of flat sandals and my trusty Sperrys, a braided brown belt, a fedora hat, and a pair of sunglasses.

Don't forget underwear.  Not pictured.

It's all pretty neutral, so I punch it up by adding a few extras in my beauty bag.

Weekend Beauty by caphillbarbie featuring a black mascara

Bright cherry lip stain, NARS Monoi Oil (the most heavenly smell) and lots of mascara.

These items can be remixed endlessly, but here are four outfits that should get you through most of the weekend.

Four Outfits by caphillbarbie featuring leather sandals

The Car Ride: Striped maxi - belted - with the chambray shirt as a cardigan and simple flat sandals.  Comfortable for the long ride, good for quick rest stops for a diaper change (for the baby, hopefully), and easy layers for A/C freeze out courtesy of my husband.

The Beach:  Here, the one piece bathing suit functions as an extra top paired with the shorts and the chambray shirt as a cover-up.  Slick on some Monoi oil and wear your Sperrys...you'll drop them before you hit the sand anyways.  The fedora can also hide your less than perfect hair.

Dinner and Drinks:  Maybe it's just my kid, but bathtime on vacation always turns into an everyone into the tub scenario.  Not all bad though!  It gives me a chance to rinse the sand or chlorine off and refresh a little before dinner and drinks with the adults.  Once the baby is off to the Land of Nod, I'm slipping into skinny mint jeans and a striped top.  Since date night is generally just steps away, I'll usually stay barefoot, but I'll amp it up a little with a cherry red lip stain.  Hopefully, my husband has a drink already on ice by the time it's set.

The Ride Home:  Again, nothing is comfier for a car ride than a maxi-dress.  This time, I layer the tee shirt over the dress and belt.  Chances are my hair is a mess again, so I'll sport the hat so I don't scare the people at the rest stop.

Again, these are just a couple of examples.  I can think of a million combinations for these items, which is why I love them.  It leaves plenty of room for that one extra adorable onesie for the baby...

Back

Back at work, nose (almost) to the grindstone.

The week away from everything was a wonderful, family-filled, sun- and surf-filled week. No schedules (well, ok, 2 - 1 for spa treatments and 1 for yoga class). No makeup - at all. Shouldn't even have brought it with me. An outdoor shower - delightful. Double-stuff oreos, chips, grilled meat. A few pieces of fruit stolen out of The Bean's cup.

The Bean's first real beach time, playing in the sand...

It was a lovely, lovely week. Restaurant review and other updates to come.

Style Dilemma: One Week, One Car, and One One-Year-Old

Yes, yes, this is another one of my own style dilemmas...but I figure someone else must have the same issues I do, so...

Must pack. Someday. Leaving in 2 days for the beach. Won't have time to pack until tomorrow night, probably. And have to do it with baby and baby gear in tow. So compact packing is key. The good thing? It's the beach. Beach requires little real clothing. It's the Outer Banks, so there's absolutely no need to dress for anything. If I bother to throw in a nice skirt, it'll be a Big Deal. And there's a washer and dryer, so if I underpack, no problem, just toss it in, and reuse.

How to pack quickly and not forget anything? Make a list, probably...so here goes...

Very Important Must Not Forget
Underwear
Sunscreen
Non-flip-flop shoes
Bikini (wanted to get out and buy another one, but don't think I can even fit in a quick trip to Target before we leave)
Beach dress/coverup
Wear around the house yoga pants and tank
Deodorant
Razor & new blade

Could Really Live Without It If I Had To, So Maybe Shouldn't Bother
Light Ts
Tank(s)
Shorts (the single pair I own that are really too big for me)
Cargo pants (also really too big, but they're cool and have loooooots of pockets)
Jeans (because)
Beach towels (the benefits of traveling with mommy, as she brings these things)
Makeup

The bigger list(s) will be for The Bean & her paraphanalia. But we'll deal.

Report from Greece: Overdue

Yeah, yeah, so I'm a little behind.

And so I overpacked a little. With good intentions. Problems with my packing:

1) It never got really warm in Greece - not even on Crete, though there were some jacket-free days there.

2) The M khakis I brought, while perfect for the plane (very comfy and lots of room), were/are really too big. I wore them out one day in Athens, and found myself hiking them up constantly. I wanted a belt, but M pants don't come with one. At least not that pair.

The result was that I wore my jeans 24/7 (except for Easter night, when I wore a dress). Tummy Sleeves saved my fashion life. I played the Layer Game. Almost every day was a combination of Tummy Sleeve, tank, and sweater or T. Flats, too, as my Grasshoppers were lovely, but not broken in enough (I should know better).

So here's the edited list of what I took/wore:

2 Old Navy tanks (one in True Blue, one in a berry color that doesn't seem to be on the website)
orange sparkly Indian-inspired Chrome Hearts tank
INC sheer blue T (didn't wear at all)
4 summery, flowy tunic-y blouses lent me by a marvelous GreekGoddess friend who just gave birth to her first daughter (only wore two. One regularly, one one day only. They currently make me look much bigger than I am, and that's just not a good thing. They're hanging back in the closet for later.)
an iie
blue Motherhood Maternity dress
linen Old Navy halter dress (for some reason not on the website - wish it were - it's so non "M") (never got warm enough to wear)
a standby cami
tummy sleeves (one black, one nude)
underwear (of course)
socks (in case my feet get cold at night)
trouser socks (eew, I know, but just in case it gets cold over there - it's possible) (and I couldn't have lived without them. Note to self: shoes with teensy star cutouts leave teensy star blisters on bare feet.)
tights (see above comment, but without the "eew") (never really got cold enough)
Old Navy rollover waist khakis (Babsie D, you were right, right, right - don't knock 'em til you try 'em - and I never want to wear anything else ever again - but also can't find these online)
Citizen standby jeans
an old standby printed Ann Taylor skirt - just in case (didn't even pack)
favorite brown merino v-neck sweater
favorite black cowl neck sweater (again, just in case it's cold) (not cold enough, though)
a black cotton motorcycle jacket (Gap, 300 seasons ago, but it's still one of my favorites)
red cotton raincoat
teal silk pashmina-like shawl - perfect for the plane!

Shoes are a little extensive...but here goes
Mia stars flats - like slippers - with stars! (for some reason, 3 of the last 4 pairs of shoes I've bought have been Brasilian-born - something to look into there)
my orange flats (didn't bring 'em along)
standby black heels (just in case)
gold strappy sandals (we didn't go out, really. I was too darn tired the whole time.)
my favorite bought-in-Miami with BlueSuitGirl ankle wrap sandals (never got the chance to wear them)
my new Grasshoppers
slippers (oddly enough, also with stars)

Packing for Greece...if I ever get to it.

Let's just say that I'm thankful I've traveled a lot. Packing happens for me in about 30 seconds. 60 if it's winter and I'm trying to stuff things into a bag.

Everyone has different packing styles. Take, for example, me and my mother-in-law. My style? I just told you. List in head for a week (or not), then pack on the fly. Invariably I end up with a few too many tops, but worse things could happen. MiL? She's been packed for a month. I kid you not. MiL's a very planned and "get it done now, so I can play later" kinda gal (dinner's often cooked by the time I get up in the morning). It's served her well. So she started packing in the spare room about a month ago. She'll be packed, then think twice, pull something out, replace it, see a weather report, change it again...

So when I left this morning, already mildly stressed about trying to get further with the aforementioned thesis-type project thingy and transition my projects to coworkers for the next two weeks, I really wasn't even considering packing. It'll happen. Someday. Our plane departs tomorrow dinnertime, so I figure I'll get it done at some point. No worries. Jae and Erwin tomorrow morning are much more important (I'll feel good, even if I have nothing to wear) than getting my crap in a bag.


[12 hours after I started this post...continued...]


But I did find 10 minutes before a meeting and again after my brain conked out on work & school to make a list of the things I think I should pack. I'll spare you all of the vitamins and face products, but here's the pre-packing clothing list.


2 Old Navy tanks (one in True Blue, one in a berry color that doesn't seem to be on the website)
orange sparkly Indian-inspired Chrome Hearts tank
INC sheer blue T
4 summery, flowy tunic-y blouses lent me by a marvelous GreekGoddess friend who just gave birth to her first daughter
an iie
blue Motherhood Maternity dress
linen Old Navy halter dress (for some reason not on the website - wish it were - it's so non "M")
a standby cami
tummy sleeves (one black, one nude)
underwear (of course)
socks (in case my feet get cold at night)
trouser socks (eew, I know, but just in case it gets cold over there - it's possible)
tights (see above comment, but without the "eew")
Old Navy rollover waist khakis (Babsie D, you were right, right, right - don't knock 'em til you try 'em - and I never want to wear anything else ever again - but also can't find these online)
Citizen standby jeans
an old standby printed Ann Taylor skirt - just in case
favorite brown merino v-neck sweater
favorite black cowl neck sweater (again, just in case it's cold)
a black cotton motorcycle jacket (Gap, 300 seasons ago, but it's still one of my favorites)
red cotton raincoat
teal silk pashmina-like shawl - perfect for the plane!


Shoes are a little extensive...but here goes
Mia stars flats - like slippers - with stars! (for some reason, 3 of the last 4 pairs of shoes I've bought have been Brasilian-born - something to look into there)
my orange flats
standby black heels (just in case)
gold strappy sandals
my favorite bought-in-Miama with BlueSuitGirl ankle wrap sandals
my new Grasshoppers
slippers (oddly enough, also with stars)


And, of course, accessories...but I haven' t decided on those yet.


MiL says that the shoe shopping in Greece is to-die-for - lots of little boutiques. I promise a full report - and I'll tell you if I actually packed any of what I listed, let alone whether or not I wore it.


See you on April 11th! I'll let you know how visiting the relatives in Athens and Chania, Crete, was!

What I Actually Wore in L.A.

So when I got there, I got lazy. And comfortable. Thank goodness for the California vibe...made me not need to worry so much about clothing...sounds like an oxymoron, I know, L.A. and not worrying about appearance, but honestly, when you're looking out at the ocean from your balcony after your massage gift from H, who the heck cares?

Tops (yes, I packed too many, but they all fit with room to spare, so why not? You never know how you'll feel, right?)
H&M babydoll sweater*
Favorite brown merino v-neck (Banana) all-weather sweater*
Favorite black holey cowl neck sweater (also Banana?), just in case it's chilly
Banana indigo babydoll T**
I.N.C. nearly sheer, ribbed printed indigo T (yes, I'm apparently in love with indigo)
Brown merino shell (Banana)
Brown F.C.U.K. kinda racer-back tank (yes, brown's a theme, too)Romanian iie (my fallback, ahem, signature, look)
Indian-inspired beaded orange tank (I'd tell you the designer, but it's packed, and all I can remember is that it was a Nieman Marcus purchase and the logo reminds me of Guns-N-Roses)
H's old school warm-up jacket

Bottoms
Ancient Citizens trouser jeans*
Boring but functional (and well-fitting) khakis (Banana)*
Boring but functional (and not-as-well-fitting) pseudo khakis (Banana?) - original plan are still at the cleaners (sorry, H, I forgot, too!)
Too big (but fit the mildly growing bump) Kate-inspired pinstriped trousers**

Sole dress H&M wrap dress (we'll see if I feel up to wearing it, but it packs too well to not come with me)

Shoes
New orange Nine West flats
Ancient and holey Target mocs
Ancient (what will I do if they ever die?!) bronze/gold sandals (for evening with jeans - perfect) ***

*On the original list
**Gotta-go-to-work-don't-want-to-bother-to-change-before-the-plane-wear
***which, since I haven't worn in 3000 years, gave me a BIG ol blister on the bottom of my foot.

What I Actually Packed for L.A.

Tops (yes, I packed too many, but they all fit with room to spare, so why not? You never know how you'll feel, right?)
H&M babydoll sweater*
Favorite brown merino v-neck (Banana) all-weather sweater*
Favorite black holey cowl neck sweater (also Banana?), just in case it's chilly
Banana indigo babydoll T**
I.N.C. nearly sheer, ribbed printed indigo T (yes, I'm apparently in love with indigo)
Brown merino shell (Banana)
Brown F.C.U.K. kinda racer-back tank (yes, brown's a theme, too)
Romanian iie (my fallback, ahem, signature, look)
Indian-inspired beaded orange tank (I'd tell you the designer, but it's packed, and all I can remember is that it was a Nieman Marcus purchase and the logo reminds me of Guns-N-Roses)
H's old school warm-up jacket

Bottoms
Ancient Citizens trouser jeans*
Boring but functional (and well-fitting) khakis (Banana)*
Boring but functional (and not-as-well-fitting) pseudo khakis (Banana?) - original plan are still at the cleaners (sorry, H, I forgot, too!)
Too big (but fit the mildly growing bump) Kate-inspired pinstriped trousers**

Sole dress
H&M wrap dress (we'll see if I feel up to wearing it, but it packs too well to not come with me)

Shoes
New orange Nine West flats
Ancient and holey Target mocs
Ancient (what will I do if they ever die?!) bronze/gold sandals (for evening with jeans - perfect)

*On the original list
**Gotta-go-to-work-don't-want-to-bother-to-change-before-the-plane-wear

Packing for L.A.

After I finish up a few things for work, pretend to work on my thesis (which now has a very pressing deadline), feel sorry for myself because I'm so tired, I have to pack.

I hate packing.

I especially hate packing when I don't like a fair amount of the clothes in my closet or when I don't fit into a lot of them.

I especially hate packing for a vacation trip when I don't feel like I have a lot of casual options.

The good thing? L.A. is unabashedly casual. And rubber bands are my friends.

Things that will definitely go in the 'case:

H&M babydoll sweater
Ancient Citizens trouser jeans
Boring but functional (and well-fitting) khakis (Banana)
Favorite brown merino v-neck (Banana) all-weather sweater
New orange Nine West flats

See? Boring. Not happy. I'll just have to dig and see what I can find to add in the 'case.