I usually don't like to write about going on a trip until I get back for what should be obvious reasons. So, you may not know that last month the big guy and I took a couple of days and met some great friends down in Vegas.
We stayed here.
I won't bore you with a bunch of trip photos but I will say that Vegas in December is incredibly festive.
There is just so much eye candy in this town but particularly at Christmas.
I loved this Grinch made entirely of chocolate.
In Vegas there is so much do do but one of our favorite things is going to the shows.
We were totally stoked and couldn't wait to see this one
but I would have to say we were horribly underwhelmed.
:(
One of the highlights for me on this trip was an excellent and forever memorable dinner at a Russian restaurant called The Red Square.
Caviar and vodka reigned. I loved it.
The memory though that will be etched on my mind and in my heart for years was standing with Mr. Rosie on a chilly December evening, sipping Sambuca outside and watching the Bellagio fountains.
In a word:magical.
When they performed The Hallelujah Chorus I was totally moved. If that music and the corresponding and choreographed sight doesn't give you a little religion I don't know what would. Seems a bit improbable to have a moment like that in Vegas but I guess it can happen anywhere.
This post, though, is not about the trip but how I pack for a trip.
On a day to day basis I am a great list maker but for trips not so much.
The only list I make is for my electronics.
iPhone, check.
iPad, check.
charger, check.
Technology covered.
As for my cosmetics, by this stage of my life I have my face down to such a routine that it is fairly simple. I set my toiletries out in the order I put them on. Hair products are bit more complicated because so many of them are liquids which is an issue when flying and styling tools add weight to my suitcase and yes, I am usually that woman that checks in with a bag weighing 49.5 lbs. So these things take a bit of thought. Pairing down hair products usually means transferring my shampoo, conditioner and styling cream into smaller bottles because I like my own products so much better than the freebies the hotels offer. As for the basics, I buy a sample size of toothpaste, deodorant, and hairspray.
Even with all this effort, to my husband's disappointment, I will never be that super cool and confident woman smartly pulling her carry on bag behind her. You know, that woman that never needs to check her luggage. I kind of hate her because seriously? my liquid toiletries would never fit in one of these.
Since I have to donate a percentage of my prime suitcase real estate to cosmetics I find myself looking at my clothes and mentally calculating how much they weigh. I do the same thing when I go to the doctor.
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I wear the heaviest items on the plane often times looking like some sort of indigent woman with fourteen layers of clothes on.
The only exception would be my boots. They usually end up in my suitcase even though they are heavier because when it comes to what goes on my feet I have to consider how easily my footwear is to slip on and off. I don't want to be that woman that has to sit on the floor struggling to manipulate her midwest calves into a pair of zip up knee high boots.
Air travel, when did it become such a science?
So after I have pulled together my electronics and cosmetics it is on to the fun stuff...
what to wear.
No long lists for me. When it comes to the clothes I am going to take I have a totally different approach.
I just figure out how many days and nights we will be gone and then I add one extra outfit for each because a girl has to have options.
I try and stay in one color family - usually black. Not only because I have probably mistakenly convinced myself that I look slimmer in black but also because everything mixes and matches so easily. Color comes with the accessories; a handbag, tights, or a scarf.
Then I lay out each outfit from giddy up to whoa.
That means undergarments, shoes, jewelry and accessories - the whole deal.
I confirm my stellar eye for style and repeat.
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I'm a very visual person. So the upside of this method is I don't forget or overlook anything. For example, I don't end up with all black bras and a white shirt. Plus, I can look at my line up of outfits and tell myself that the boots I am wearing on day 1 will also work for evening 3. Thus, consolidating and keeping that bag weight limit in check.
Another little trick I use is to put my costume jewelry, all twenty pounds of it, in my purse. This allows me to take a few more pairs of shoes or boots. I do get some interesting looks though when they x-ray my purse and I lean dramatically to one side while carrying said purse.
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So, when I was packing last month my mom stopped by. I knew how ridiculous my method looked by the expression on her face at seeing by clothes spread out all over the floor. So I decided this was worthy of a blog post with pictures so you could get a chuckle out of it too.
It's a good thing we weren't going on an extended trip because I was quickly running out of hallway.
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Happy travels.
Don't forget tomorrow is Motivated Monday and next week will be laundry and kitchen organization and a decorating update.
xoxo,
p
