Style Dilemma: Finding the Grownup Overnight Bag

This is my dilemma, folks. Usually, Style Dilemmas come from readers and friends, or even from family. But in this case, well, here’s my story.

In January, H had his Big Company Holiday Party at the American History Museum. It was a crazy time, and I’d barely thought about what to wear. Fortunately, both of the dresses I bought for his reunion were an option. Nor did I need to think about shoes. The I-Could-Wear-Them-Every-Day Stuart Weitzman patent platform pumps I bought for the reunion (a more than worth it investment I’d recommend you consider) worked for both dresses.

So we could have a little alone time, H booked the night at The Willard. We certainly don’t live far from downtown DC, but not having to worry about what time The Beans would wander into our room (invariably early, when we’re out late)? Heaven.

We were late, we were rushed. I tossed my shoes, underwear, and next day morning clothes into my gym bag. It’s the smallest thing I have. The dresses went in a leftover store garment bag.

We ran out the door and hopped in the Uber. I mean, if we’re going to stay at the Willard, we should arrive in style, right?

We pulled up, and the doorman opened the door. I stepped out, and our driver handed me my bag. And then I went to walk through the lobby at The Willard. With my gym bag. I decided right then and there I need a new overnight bag. Well, I need an overnight bag, because a gym bag doesn’t count. I’m a nearly-40-year-old woman who counts herself among the relatively stylish (presumptious, I know), and my bag looks like I’m in high school.

Thank you, Mr. Bellman, for snapping this before we stepped out to party with Kermit, Dorthy's ruby slippers, and the American Flag.

Well, I still haven’t bought one, but I’ve thought about it. Often. And on the eve of my BFF’s 40th, when I’ll drive north to PA to celebrate with her for one night, I packed, and again I wondered which bag to use. My trusted and reliable L.L. Bean rollerbag is too big for a t-shirt, shoes, a dress, toiletries, and a sweater. Oh, and a clutch. I won’t be able to find a solution in time (gym bag, you win again), but I searched out a few small, stylish, and hopefully durable options.

Herschel Novel, Rib & Hull Heirloom Tote, Adidas Perforated Hold All (yes, I know, no gym bags, but this is a decidedly grownup one. Picture yourself arriving for an overnight in a hipster hotel on the LES, perhaps?), Graf & Lantz Carry On

What do you use for overnight or weekend trips? Do you have a favorite? Do you use a garment bag? Toiletry or jewelry cases? Please share!

Oh, and yes, I wrote this post, then remembered...I’d posted on a very similar dilemma not all that long ago. We’ll just blame my memory loss on The Beans

Healthy Style: Moving Forward

Just a little update on where I am - in #healthyme, in life, in family, and in style. I have - promise, swear, cross my heart - a few actual reader questions I really, really, really want to get to, have started, but just haven't finished. I wrote a version of this for my Weight Watchers blog, and, as usual, it seemed worthy of sharing. Maybe it's not. You tell me.

1) I hit my goal weight, so now I'm on "maintenance" to stay at a single weight. I technically "get" to each more. yeah. a little bit hard. there's a little bit of a mental "oh hell." but on the other hand, the habits are still there. I still make choices like a roasted veggie wrap with hummus (seriously delicious) at lunch the day of H's reunion so I wouldn't have to worry about dinner that night. Also, I didn't drink. Very much, anyway. That had more to do with not wanting the hangover (even though our nanny came with us and kept the kids occupied so we could sleep in a teensy bit).

Yup. Used it. Friday night, walking to H's Homecoming game. But not actually at the high school. Promise. (Bowmore 15, btw)

2) I love Princeton, New Jersey. I knew this, but I especially love college towns in the fall.

Wandering Princeton's cobbled streets

3) I really want to have the space to be creative. Even just snapping cell phone pics in Princeton University's Prospect Garden gets me going.

Just one of the snapshots that littered Saturday's Instagram feed

4) I'm already having to toss my interim clothes (ok, give away, consign, etc.), plus I wore skinny jeans tucked into boots and rocked it. LOVE.

5) I was the Hott Wife at H's reunion. As in "how did he score that?" level. Kinda gloating in a way that's, quite frankly, deserved.

6) I love my dress (DVF)

7) I love my shoes (Stuart Weitzman Platswoon, in blk patent)

Dark and stormy accessories shot. Clutch is an ancient (at least 10 years old) 9 West.

8) I love my family

Goofing around on just one of the many sculptures littering Princeton's campus

This week. It's crazy at work, of course, but what this week brings is better:

1) (yes, another numbered list) Home. We're home. All week. And into next. Since I went to San Diego in the end of JULY, this coming weekend is only the 2nd that both of us will be home together and/or we're not traveling as a family. I made H promise we Will Start No Projects, even on the weekend.

2) Tuesday night: going an event designed to inspire women to figure out how they can make money with their passion. And there are a load of other inspiring women coming with me.

3) Thursday night: meeting one of my style idols (again): Stacey London at her new book signing here. CANnot wait.

4) Outfit planning for said events

Lastly, a few "thankfuls" on my part:

1) Our nanny. She is loving, kind, and savvy. She's patient, and puts up with us. We are blessed.

2) My husband. He's just plain old the best.

3) Our lives, that we have the freedom and means to do things like go away to H's reunion for the weekend. We're very lucky, and I recognize that.

4) Silliness. See the picture. The Bean looking all modelly, and for some reason, I'm in a Prell commercial. The weekend (and especially the drive back) was filled with giggly moments like this. And I really, really, really need to remember that. All of the time.

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.

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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...