Posts Tagged ‘packing’

Itching, aching for a little vay-k as in I need a vacation, get me out of here and make sure a margarita is included? Well, call up your man or nudge him and remove the remote if he’s right next to you. And if he’s not budging, then call your girlfriends a la Thelma and Louise style. It’s time to pack a bag, toss it in the trunk and head out on the highway. Whether it’s the heat of Palm Springs or a jam-packed weekend in Montauk these are the stylish essentials that work on either coast or in between with your friends at the family lake house.

These are my faves for a fun filled weekend in outfits that are hassle free and eye catching. Are you ready to go?

A sexy and yet relaxed looking tank that will go with pants, skirts and shorts. When you want to dress it up later, tuck it into a pencil skirt, add a wide belt at your waist and heels.

Saks.com, $83

Shorts, you can roll up and cuffed or wear long. I prefer a slightly longer inseam, especially when sitting at a restaurant so the chair doesn’t leave any funky marks on my legs.

Shopbop.com, $88

Skip the ordinary white tee and choose one with details like stripes or ruffles. I got this in the mail and immediately paired it with cuffed chambray pants and wedge sandals for movie date night with my hubby.

J. Crew, $39.50

Relaxed fit linen pants for lounging. These can work with wedges and a cute tee for going to the movies or be those comfy pants for the car ride to Palm Springs.

Shopbop.com, $155

I found this swimsuit while shopping on TheFind.com; it was offered at several online retailers and boutiques and lucky me it was on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue. So easy to scope out an item on sale on the site. I haven’t worn a one piece in years, but this is both sexy and flirty so it’s mine. And I like that if the sun breaks through my 70 SPF barrier I won’t have strap lines.

Saks.com, $164, now on sale for 114.80

I like a cover up that works triple duty. It’s a dress the first night, it’s a long skirt paired with a tank for lunch and it’s a cover up when I’m pool or beach bound.

Bloomies.com, $68

A wedge with height and a neutral color so it will go with everything.

Piperlime.com, $134.50

Vacation is just a few days away and you don’t need every lip gloss or eye shadow on your trip nor do you need five necklaces. Time to edit your selections down to tinted moisturizer, a pinky gloss and a black masacara plus a chunky necklace, two simple necklaces with charms to layer, a bold cuff and dangly earrings. Put yourself in a happy-go-lucky mood and pack them in Trina’s Morrocco collection. The jewelry roll has multiple pockets so the jewelry doesn’t get tangled. Find them at Nordstrom.

Q. I’ve just taken a new position with a company that will require quite a bit of business travel. Any tips for a girl that will soon be lugging a laptop to multiple cities?
-Hotel Hopping

Alison: I, too, am a girl on the go and have learned several ways to try to make life a little more comfortable while visiting multiple cities. Get yourself a good bag that has multiple pockets for just about everything. With pockets you’ll be able to find essentials faster. And consider skipping a leather bag since it will get scuffed up faster with all the shoving underneath the seat in front of you on the plane. I used to buy a new big bag each season at TJ Maxx or Marshalls since they have so many designer labels, but I’d be bummed when they got dirty. I have been using a travel bag from Baggallini for the last six months and it’s saved me plenty of shoulder pain. The bag fits my laptop inside the bag so I don’t have to carry another bag just for my computer plus holds magazines, a book, and all my other essentials like snacks and toiletries that I carry on board. I bought the bag on ebags.com and it comes in multiple colors choices plus has a pull up handles and wheels. I was very picky on finding a stylish bag that fit under the seat, saved me carrying anything extra and didn’t look stodgy.

When booking hotels using online sites, request a quiet room on a high floor away from elevator . Nothing makes for a bad night sleep with an early wake up than listening to the elevator opening all night, the ice machine chugging and noise from the freeway outside your window. Also, a room on a higher floor can mean quiet and safety for a woman.

Don’t give up your workout, just find new routines to do on the road . Most hotels have fitness centers, bring along your swimsuit for a pool workout, ask the hotel for a nearby park with running trails or bring a stretch band and workout in your room and do walking lunges down the hotel hallways (I’ve gotten over the embarrassment factor).

When your meetings are over or after you’ve checked in, get out of the hotel and explore the city . This is easy when you’re doing business in a big city like San Francisco, Chicago or New York. Skip the car and walk around. Portland has the waterfront to explore, you can walk around West Hollywood in LA, get a cupcake at Toast, shop the boutiques on Third Ave and hike in Runyon Canyon or head to the fisherman’s wharf in Seattle and try several food options from various vendors and stop by the aquarium. The point is, don’t get stuck in your hotel room every time. It’s inevitable in some cities when you’ll have to do with room service and the TV, but if you can get to a local restaurant, then indulge that time with a good book. If you’ll be choosing from the room service menu, then check to see if the hotel has any restaurants on the property and you can usually choose from their menu, but have it delivered as room service. I’ve indulged that way several times at the Grand Hyatt in Tampa Bay from Armani’s and Oyster Catchers restaurants.

As for traveling on the plane, comfort is crucial. I usually wear the same “uniform” which consists of a stylish t-shirt or button down, pants or dark jeans, a sweater or cardigan (usually thin cashmere), a wrap that works double duty as a blanket and flats or cute kicky sneakers. And I have a blow-up neck roll since it takes up no space in my bag rather than lugging a stuffed one. Always have a good book, paperback is lighter, and a rotating menu of magazines. I’m always tearing out pages of decorating ideas, restaurants to try and a new pair of shoes or jacket to track down. While I have the new iPhone which has helped my business needs tremendously and means I can listen to music without bringing my iPod, I also bring my Archos video recorder. It’s a slightly larger screen than my iPhone and I can download multiple movies and TV shows to watch when my book bores me and the flight seems endless.