Summer Travel. What to Pack???
Posted on | May 18, 2010
Each time I see one of those Southwest Airlines commercials that ends with “Wanna Get Away?” I think to myself….does anyone ever say no? I mean who doesn’t want to go on vacation. And when I say vacation I don’t mean a business trip where you are locked up in the hotel with your laptop or in back to back meetings. I mean where you can leave your iPhone/Blackberry or, whatever else is glued to your hand, in your room and go out and enjoy yourself or do nothing, just do what you want. So we won’t get crazy because I realize in this economy we all have to work twice as hard but remember even a brief vacation can reenergize you and allow your mind to generate ideas that can make you even more valuable in your business environment. So we’ll imagine you are going to allow yourself a four-day weekend getaway and I’m going to give you some tips of what to bring.
Since I travel about 150 days a year I have discovered its easiest to just have a bag packed with the essentials and add whatever specifics I need for each trip. Some of my favorites include the following:
My Top Ten Summer Travel Must-Haves
1) A carryall you love.
My favorite is this amazing chestnut leather Saddleback Overnight Bag ($537) With a 100 year warranty and a company slogan “They’ll Fight Over it When You’re Dead” Get one now before there aren’t any more to will your grandchildren.
Saddleback Leather Overnight Bag ($537)
2) A versatile oversized handbag.
… to maximize your carryon capacity…just admit it, it never fits the same on the way back as when you packed it. And this stunning creamy white and gold bag is a beauty for summer travel. A versatile go with everything style to do just that…go with everything!
Michele Cala Mercer ($595)
3) Reading material
Since you won’t be scrolling thru 376 emails an hour you’ll have time to read something that enlightens you or entertains you or just something you can read because no one is telling you what to read. I admit it is considered a business read for me but I can’t resist brining along the latest copy of Lucky Magazine to see what they are saying will be the hot new buy.
Lucky Magazine ($3.50)
4) Travel Shoes
Once you’ve been stopped going thru airport security in a pair of boots you learn the valuableness of slip-ons. If like me you have a “Stop Me TSA” beacon on your had you learn to streamline everything. My favorite travel shoes are comfortable,easy to maneuver thru airport security and roll up to the size of my fist so I can throw them in my clutch. At just $22.50 how are you living without your own pair of “Spare Pear Travel Shoes/Ballet Flats.”
Spare Pear Ballet Flats/Travel Shoes ($22.50)
5) Oversized Sunglasses
So maybe you overslept, or maybe like me you finally want to sleep in peace or maybe you actually just need to shade your eyes but some oversized black shades are a must-have. They hide a multitude of things and work brilliantly for shutting down the lady next to you on the plane who was about to tell you about her recent intestinal issues.
Black Miami Shores by Michele ($128)
6) A Staple-Meets-Accessory Scarf
Areat replacement for airline blankets, wrap for evenings, sarong for day and a little extra something for the freezing hotel room. Check out the cool multi-purpose scarves available from Donni Charm. You’ll be amazed what college students are doing nowadays!!!!
Donni Charm Orange Scarf, benefits MS ($59)
7) Little Black Dress
Does this really need an explanation? If it does check out my “Little Black Dress Experiment” from last year and see all the ways you can wear it.
Elli Grace, Valerie Shift ($150)
Oversized Hat
To hide from family, ex-boyfriends, the paparazzi, or just to keep your skin shaded to avoid skin cancer, this awesome widebrimmed hat can be folded, bent, smashed and yet it still pops back to its original shape when you take it out at the pool.
San Diego Hat Company ($36, as seen in Lucky Magazine)
9) A comfortable swimsuit
Get out and enjoy the beach, pool, lake, whatever. No one is looking at your “pasty-white-I’ve been in the office all year” skin. Just get some sunshine so when you return to work everyone else wishes they enjoyed your vacation as much as you did.
…love the styles at Target starting at $14.99/piece.
10) A trip to the Container Store Travel Sale for all of lifes little travel essentials.
This last one is a little all-encompassing…but there are so many great little pieces I don’t leave home without….the reusable Ziploc complete with TSA approved travel-sized toiletries, jewelry roll, shake and wake travel clock, lint roller, wrinkle release, digital luggage scale, vacuum bags…and there is so much more to meet every traveler’s need. Visit the store or their website for amazing deals on travel goodies. Sale going on now.
Don’t Miss the Container Store Travel Sale
No matter what you pack, just promise me one thing…you’ll take the time to get away this summer…even if it’s just a weekend roadtrip to stay with a friend. It’s healthy to get out, to take a break from work…I really am just repeating this to myself but you can keep listening. Ha. Have a great summer and K.I.T.!!!
xo-Valerie Elizabeth
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