In Spades

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Weekend Packing List: Just the Essentials

Today I’m heading to Florida for a quick trip.  Normally, packing is a nightmare because it takes me days to decide what I want to bring.  For this trip, I was determined to fit everything into a backpack AND wear every single thing I packed.

Time to get lean, people!

Here is my list (and style tips) for what to pack for a weekend getaway.  Just the essentials!

Weekend Packing List

Bare Minimum Packing List

1.Backpack – no rolling carry-on here!  Backpacks double as a purse and are so much easier to schlep.  I love this one because it can be washed, is SUPER lightweight and looks chic.  It comes in 3 sizes (I prefer the large for weekend trips) and 7 colors.

2. Purse – a crossbody is the only way to go for a weekend getaway.  Hands-free access is essential in airports and while walking the town.  This one is my favorite (review here).  Try this one for a more affordable version.

3. Pants – I cannot say enough good things about these pants.  SUPER comfortable, polished look and go with everything.  I also have the wide leg version.  They run TTS and come in 5 colors.

4. T-shirt – I recently discovered this closed-loop fashion company.  Once you buy a tee, you are “in the club” forever.  They take back your old tees when you want to swap out, recycle them and give you access to sale prices for a new one.

5. Jacket – I recommend 3 options for weekend trips.  Either a leather jacket, denim jacket or utility jacket.  Depending on what activities you’ll be doing, choose accordingly.  I will be in meetings during the day and out to dinners at night, so I’m bringing my leather jacket.

6. Sweater – a must for freezing airplanes and an added layer for night time.  I’m taking this one, but also love a good cardigan to throw over a tee and pants.

7. Sneakers – I’ve talked about these ad nauseam, but for good reason.  You can walk all day in them and they look chic as hell.  Not all sneakers can be worn day to night and still look good.  These do!

  • Try this brand for a more affordable version.  I own a pair of low tops and they are divine!

8. Boots – these babies are SO GOOD.  They come in 3 colors.  A weekend trip requires a flat shoe and a heeled shoe, IMHO.  This one gives you some height but it still comfortable.

Odds & Ends
  1. I always hit up my favorite beauty store for samples before a trip.  I NEVER take full-sized bottles.  Even most travel-sized bottles are too big.  I truly try and stick with mini samples that will be finished by the end of the trip.
  2. I never bring hair dryers or styling tools.  I wash and style my hair the morning I depart and use hotel hair dryers to refresh my hair each day.
  3. I pare my makeup bag down to just the essentials.  For me, it’s foundation, concealer, blush, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow and brow gel.  I leave the color options at home and just stick to “one look”.
  4. Clothing color palette – I choose one palette and stick to it.  Either black and grey or black and tan.  The same goes for hardware color – either gold or silver – so my handbags, jewelry and shoes can be interchanged.

Of course you can’t forget about pajamas, socks and underwear.  Adjust the quantities above, i.e., bring 3 t-shirts for 3 days, depending on your weekend getaway.

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Vacation Prep: Secrets for Looking and Feeling Your Best

Happy first day of spring!

The beginning of spring means fresh starts.  Cue new beauty routines, wardrobe updates and exciting travel plans.

I was recently chatting with a friend about a major trip she was gearing up for.  She asked how I normally prepare for NYFW (the end-all-say-all event for wanting to look and feel your best) and after several back-and-forth emails, I realized this should be a blog post.

My guess is that all of you have a spring vacation on the horizon in which you want to look and feel your best.  Maybe it’s a wedding?  Reunion?  Girl’s trip?

Read on for how I prepare for a trip and my secrets for looking and feeling your best while away.

Vacation Beauty Prep

1 month – 2 weeks before

DIET
I try to cut out or drastically reduce all sugar, dairy and nuts.  They all contribute to breakouts (especially painful, cystic pimples).

So, what exactly do I eat?  Beyond opting for lean protein, veggies and healthy carbs, these smoothie recipes are my favorite snacks.

Blend:

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 5 frozen strawberries
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter

or

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 3-4 Medjool dates
  • 2 cups spinach

To cut out bloat, I make a pitcher of this water to drink daily:

  • 8 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 12 mint leaves

FITNESS
Stay consistent with workouts.  This is more for stamina rather than “looking good”.  No one is going to make a massive transformation in 2-4 weeks.  The goal is simply to have a good base built up so you sleep better and feel strong while away.

This also means you’ll get the built-in benefits of workout habits: hydrating consistently and choosing meals that make you feel “fueled” and not “crashy”.

Most weekend trips involve being on your feet all day and staying up late.  Give yourself the benefit of amped-up endurance and stamina!

This is my favorite workout for vacation preparation because you can do it from anywhere and on your own time.

2 weeks before

FACIAL
I have sensitive skin and depending on the level of extractions my esthetician has to do, I like having 2 weeks to recover.  I always do microdermabrasion and recently tried dermaplaning.  This actually removes a layer of your skin with a scalpel (and any peach fuzz on your face – it does NOT grow back as whiskers, not to worry).  It’s not painful at all.  Your makeup goes on SUPER smooth afterward.  Just about every model and actress does this and that’s why their makeup always looks flawless.

TEETH WHITENING
I use an upgraded version of Crest White Strips from my dentist.  If you are pregnant or nursing, clear any teeth whitening with your doctor first.

TAN
Body scrub the night before departing.  90% of the time I don’t do any tanning, but when I do, this is the only acceptable method in my book.

During Your Trip

BEAUTY
No matter how long I’m gone, I always pack these seven miracle products.  They are my literal lifeline for looking my best while traveling.

  1. Sheet face masks – I use one per day for brighter, more vibrant skin
  2. Eye masks – I use one per day, eye bags be gone! (if pressed for time, skip the face mask and just use these)
  3. Pimple patch – emergencies; literal miracle worker
  4. Facial roller – each night before bed to promote lymphatic drainage
  5. Exfoliate – if I’m staying more than 3 days, I’ll bring this
  6. Vicks Vaporub – airplanes always make me feel congested and I use this on my wrists and neck at night to promote better breathing.  It also helps with headaches if used on your temples.
  7. This balm is a miracle worker.  I use it for chapped hands, random irritations or just deep hydration (all things I find crop up on trips)

FOOD
What we put in our bodies is just as important (if not more) than what we put on our bodies.  Studies have shown that sugar, caffeine and alcohol consumption skyrockets during travel.  I keep the following two secret ingredients in my hotel room to ensure I look and feel great.

  1. Pedialyte – the number one reason why you feel like crap when you travel is because you’re dehydrated.  One bottle of this per day (1/3 per serving: morning, noon, night) will keep you feeling right as rain.
  2. Ginger Turmeric Tea, sprinkle black pepper on top – this is proven to reduce bloating.  I drink it as much as possible but aim for one cup before bedtime.

Would you like to see a sample Packing List for a weekend away?  Let me know in the comments!

Photo by Arielle Levy