Summer Vacation Planning

It's really getting down to the wire here.
I am walking the tightrope between staying fully devoted to my work
and letting myself get lost in daydreams about my upcoming 10 day vacation.
So far daydreaming is winning out.
Well I'm just spending my lunch hours squaring everything away.
And by squaring things away, I mean shopping for items to be used on the trip.
Items such as this beauty from Miss Makes Alot, which I will wear at some point on my trip
and this cutie I just snagged from Forever 21 to wear under a cropped navy blazer and khaki shorts. (It is way cuter in person, I will post an outfit pic!) Apparently it gets hot in Napa this time of year and my June gloom Santa Barbara wardrobe isn't quite prepared for hot weather yet. lol. Oh and pps I am super screwed because Forever 21 is just like 3 blocks from my work and I have absolutely no will power.
I thought I would share some packing/vacation tips since it seems alot of us are heading out of town soon.
I am in no way a doctor, travel agent, concierge or expert of any sort. 
I am just making lists & taking note of ideas I like as I come across them lol.
Hope you can glean something useful from this.

1. Get a mani/pedi.I am normally a total bum who slacks about having my nails done, but vacation is an exception. I plan on having my toes out & my hands on display so they need to look their best!

2. Since I am heading to Napa (aka a wino's dreamland) I am bringing my Crest 3D white toothpaste.
I already did the strips and the toothpaste isn't too expensive & is great at maintaining. Very important when consuming mass amounts of vino rojo.

3.  Be flexible. I know it sounds trite but I always have the best time when I'm being flexible about an itinerary. I always have ideas planned out and solidified but I leave room for changes because A. Things happen & B. I always find new things I want to try when I'm there!

4.  Pack your toiletries in plastic baggies. No spillage on your clothes!

5. Invest in a portable steamer. I bought one for like $40 and I love it. So convenient (it's like the size of a milk container & lightweight) just plug it in and stand there steaming away wrinkles! No hassle of ironing boards or laying items flat.

6.  Always over pack. I know most people would say the opposite (or not!) lol but seriously, there is no worse feeling that wanting to wear an item you didn't bring. It's torture.

7. Buy jewelry! Ok, this is a silly tip but one I love. I used to stress whenever I went on vacation about what trinket I would get to remember the trip. I spent hours scouring tourist shops for stuff that I didn't even display half the time. If you need a bedspread, silverware set, artwork, jewelry, pillow etc.buy it on your vacation. You will use it more often & it will mean more to you than a snow globe.

8. Save your money for dinner. If you are trying to be thrifty (which I always am) scout out less expensive places for breakfast and lunch. It's pretty hard to screw up a sandwich or pancakes & you can save the big bucks for a really nice dinner somewhere. Also some of the most delicious food comes from a hole-in-the-wall or a taco stand so don't be afraid to get your hands a little dirty.lol

9.  Bring flats (and heels!) Ok big secret admission time ladies. I have fallen twice in the past month in heels. Ugh! This is after years of a clean high-heel wearing record. I'm not one of those wibbly wobblies who cant hang with three inches of heels. I can hang, and I can hang while intoxicated! Damn Santa Barbara bumpy sidewalks.
So I have vowed to give myself walking options based off of the Napa terrain. lol

10. Roll your T-Shirts. Helps keep out wrinkles! Literally, roll them like sushi.

Ok that's it for now because I know that like me you probably don't have too much of an attention span for advice. Happy Hump Day!

5 comments:

Anonymous | June 30, 2010 at 4:30 PM

ah, i love the vaca-mani/pedi..enjoy! and great tips, instantly got me excited to go...somewhere. soon. i adore that one of my little handmade beauties will be with you as you enjoy every moment of your trip.... vacations are the best: have a ball, be fabulous, per usual. xo

Caroline | June 30, 2010 at 4:36 PM

You are going to have such a great trip!!! I love love this post!!! XO

Jen | June 30, 2010 at 4:36 PM

Napa?? Take me with! Take me with! Girl, I'm so jealous of your vacation. And 10 days? You're going to have so much crazy fun! Don't forget to take a ton of pictures for us!!

Gorgeous Glam | June 30, 2010 at 5:09 PM

oh my goodness I am using the crest white strips too for my vacay! lol. I always buy a piece of jewelry wherever I go. That's definitely a glam thing to do girl! Another nice thing is mini travel candles. They are romantic say if you want to take a bubble bath with someone! Or they just make the room smell so yummy!
I forgot to e-mail you the brushes! Another cheapie is the elf studio line at Target. Get the powder brush ($1)!! and eye shadow brushes ($1)!! and the fan brush in black ($3)!! paired with the sonia one I told you about and that is a great starter set. I use all of those in my kit and recommend them to clients. If you want to get more brushes let me know I will def fill you in on the hot stuff right now ;) hugs doll

Unknown | July 1, 2010 at 1:45 PM

I be rollin' like sushi! I am so psyched for your vacay, Rachel! You are going to have so much fun! And you know, it could be worse, it could be Barney's that is just down the street from your work, not Forever 21. So there. XO!

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