what to pack: fall weekend getaway!

Each fall I love to plan a little getaway weekend to sightsee and relax while enjoying the fall foliage and newly fresh and crisp fall air.  Antiquing with a warm drink in hand, cozying up by the fireplace with a good book or enjoying a delicious farm-to-table meal with fall produce are great ways to explore new towns and relax and unwind in the fall.

Here I pulled together a few simple pieces to pack for a relaxing fall weekend away.  Cozy layers, comfortable shoes and a few extra warm layers are perfect to pack and then mix and match together for several outfits in one small bag.

get the pieces:  jeans, hunter green tote, fair isle sweater, boots, sweater tunic, striped sweater, scarf, hat,  faux leather leggings, leather jacket, earrings, driving moccasins, book, ring, trench coat

Or shop the pieces here: 

what to pack : spring break!

Spring break season is here friends… I myself can't wait to jet out of town for some sun and relaxation and I know a lot of you gals are feeling the same these days.  If you do spring break "right"… you don't need a lot of clothes, just a few loose and comfortable layers for over your swimsuit, maybe a few pairs of shorts and sneakers for a day or two of exploring, and a couple of dresses for dinners out. Or at least that is my dream spring break… total max out relaxation.

Lately I've been craving a lot of blue and white and loose flowy layers. I think it's a perfect motif for spring and summer; and spring break is no exception.   Whenever I pack for a trip I always try to base the entire packing list on just a few colors. This helps make all the pieces really easy to mix and match.  Other things to keep in mind… always pack plenty of sunscreen, Coola is my favorite… so light and refreshing!  And I always like to pack a larger bag to carry to the beach or pool with snacks and reading materials and then a smaller cross-body bag for adventures, shopping or dining.

So dish, what awesome places are you headed to for spring break? What are your must-haves when packing?

white strapless eyelet dress, striped tote, denim shorts, lilac swimsuit, navy/white scarf, sunglasses, ankle strap sandals, white tee with striped sleeves, loose oxford, Coola sunscreen, white denim shorts, blue maxi dress, nude cross-body bag, white sneakers, arrow bracelet, white beach cover-up, flip flops

what to pack: head south!

A number of you have emailed me or left comments that you are heading south to some warmth and sun soon and want some packing tips!   Little by little the spring and resort collections have hit the retailers… and there are some really fun vacation picks to be had.

If you are headed south sometime soon… here are a few packing suggestions for a simple and stylish vacation south.  I always try to plan my wardrobe for vacation in one or two color groups… it helps to make sure everything mixes and matches easily so you can pack as little as possible while still having plenty to wear.  Here I chose whites (a white blouse & a white dress are super versatile), grey (a simple grey v-neck can go a long way), stripes (like this dress & shorts) with a few burgundy and pink accents.   And to those I added a comfortable and stylish pair of sneakers, a simple pair of flip flops and an awesome pair of leopard sandals (perfect for dinners out!) to pull the looks together and make sure you have a little of everything shoe-wise while away.

If you are heading south, you lucky little devil, enjoy yourself!

tote, stripe tunic, striped shorts, swimsuit, flip flops, maxi dress, sneakers, v-neck t-shirt, white dress, denim shorts, white short sleeve blouse, coin purse, animal print sandals

what to pack: winter weekend getaway!

This is the perfect time of year to take a winter weekend getaway.  A cozy cabin in the woods where you can read by the fire, take winter hikes or go sledding with the kids is a great way to chase away the winter blues.  Here I pulled together a simple and comfortable packing list for just that sort of weekend!

Packing versatile basics like jeans and ponte leggings make mixing and matching tons of outfits a breeze.  My personal favorite would be pairing the white sweater with sweatpants and slippers for sipping tea by the fire!  But you could even dress up these basics by pairing the ponte leggings with the riding boots, a black sweatshirt and a scarf if you were going to head out for dinner.  There are so many outfit possibilities here for keeping warm and staying stylish!

scarf, ponte leggings, sorel boots, black sweatshirt, jeans, cardigan, sneakers, sweatpants, riding boots, leather tote, grey t-shirt, white turtleneck sweater, slippers

the minimalist packing list (how to fit everything in a carry on!)

The other day I posted on Instagram how I was packing super minimalist for an upcoming trip.  You guys wanted some more details and so here is how to fit everything on a carry on or just pack super minimalist for an upcoming trip.  With these ten pieces you can go for 3 - 5 days depending on how many outfits a day you need… if you just need one outfit a day these pieces could mix and match into ten outfits (or more!).  If you need one day and one night look, these ten pieces could last 3-4 days or more.

These are my minimalist packing tips:
- Be sure to choose the most versatile pieces in your closet to pack.
- Don't pack a piece unless you can envision multiple ways to wear it with the other items packed. No one hit wonders allowed!
- Choose neutral pieces that will mix and match easily for your entire trip.
- Use jackets to keep warm and as a layering piece to create a new look with a top and bottom that you have worn already.
- Creatively layer to make new outfit combinations, think of all the under and over possibilities that you can.  For instance, beyond the standard 'tee under a blazer' look you can use a sweater to drape over your shoulders for a new look or try a tee underneath a button front top.
- If you won't have access to laundry facilities, choose dark pieces that won't show wear or dirt during your trip.
- Let shoes, accessories and jackets add new life to pieces you've worn already.  Try unexpected combinations like sneakers with a blazer or pumps with a tee to change things up a bit.
- Always carry baby wipes or Shout wipes for any spills or potential stains - the quicker you catch a stain the better!
- And lastly, always wear your bulkiest items on the airplane or in the car. It frees up more space in your suitcase that way!

Did I miss anything? What would you add to this list of tips?

above: striped tee, jeans, army jacket, chambray top, black dress, black jeans, white tank, black blazer, black sweater, t-shirt, leopard flats, black pumps, sneakers, necklace, ring set, watch, bracelet

what to pack: family vacation!

In all honesty, this is the time of year that I start getting excited for fall a little… new clothes, school starts, football… you know what I mean.  But the fact is that there is still PLENTY of summer left to live.  And in my opinion, August can be one of the best months to plan family vacations.  It's time to make sure we wring every last bit of fun out of the summer.  Wouldn't you agree?

Whether it's is a road trip to a few towns over, to visit friends and family or a full blown family vacation to locations far and wide - packing is a snap with these family vacation packing tips.  I like to go for a neutral palette or to choose two or three colors to base the packing list from.  This makes mixing and matching these versatile pieces a snap - that way you don't have to carry your entire closet across the country.  I try to pack as lightly as possible and so I try to get creative with how I pair pieces throughout the vacation.  Having simple pieces makes this process a whole lot easier.

Here I suggest some grey, black and denim pieces as the foundation of the outfits.  Then I add in a little camo (how amazing is this jacket?) and a fun pattern (in the scarf) and a little color (in the striped top) to keep the looks interesting.  I like to have a few dresses on hand that can be dressed up or down - or even thrown over a swimsuit.  In addition I always find a jacket and jeans to be perfect for cool evenings or mornings and sneakers and a large tote necessary for daytime activities. Minimal jewelry like a necklace and a bracelet are great to dress up any look as needed and can be packed easier than a ton of extra baubles.

camo jacket, distressed jeans, white tank, army green shorts, bathing suit, striped top, sandals, sweatshirt, tunic, denim shorts, grey dress, scarf, maxi dress, tote, sneakers, sunglasses, bracelet, necklace

Are you headed out on vacation soon? What additional packing questions do you have?