Packing for a Weekend Getaway

Packing for a Weekend Getaway

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 6 comments

My birthday was on the 23rd, and I decided to take a weekend off to escape a bit and relax. We decided to go to Cascais, since the weather is so nice lately, it was the best place we could travel too, because we don't have a car. We are staying at a very nice hotel in Estoril, right next to the beach and one train stop away from Cascais.

When I go on a weekend trip I don't like to take my carry on, I enjoy taking only one backpack and a cross-body day bag. It's so liberating not to have to carry around a huge bag filled with stuff that I know I won't use. So here is what I'm going to pack in my small backpack that you can see on the photo:

INSIDE THE BACKPACK + One short sleeve top + One long sleeve blouse + One Pyjama set + One pair of Laced up flats + One Cosmetic case + My hair straightener + One Bikini + Chargers

THE TRAVEL OUTFIT + A Leather Jacket + One t-shirt + One pair of Sneakers + One pair of jeans + My cross body bag

ON MY DAY BAG + My Wallet + My phone + My camera + Important documents

As you can see, I'm only taking 3 tops, 2 shoes and 1 pair of jeans. And that will be enough for a weekend trip. And yes, it all fits in that small backpack! With the help of a packing cube, I can keep all my clothing items in one place. 

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Travel Light // One month & two weathers

Travel Light // One month & two weathers

Monday, October 05, 2015 7 comments

THE PACKING LIST

A lovely reader of mine asked if I could help her to pack light for one month when the weather at your destination is not so stable. Having to pack for two different weathers may seem a bit tricky, but with some tips you can actually only take one carry on and you will be fine for the entire month!

TIPS FOR PACKING LIGHT FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH:

+ Layering. Pack items that can be layered when the days get cold. You can layer a t-shirt with a sweater and you are ready for those chilly days, and you can also add a scarf it is very cold.

+ A good coat. Tacking a great warm coat with you can be a life saver, just be shore not to pack it, but instead wear it on the plain so that you suitcase has more space for your items.

+ Cosy Sweater. Take a cozy sweater with you, layer with a t-shirt or a button up and you will be ready to face that cold weather.

+ Flowy tops. By packing tops that are lightweight you will save space on you bag and you will be set for those hot days.

+ Shorts. I like to pack a pair of shorts and a pair of warm tights, this way I can wear the shorts on hot and cold days just by adding a pair of tights.

+ Warm Scarf. This is a great layering piece for those cold days! No one likes that cold breeze on the neck.

+ Heavy Items. Wear your heavy items on the plain, like your coat or your heavy shoes. This way you will have more space in your bag to carry your items.

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Packing for Greece and Milan

Packing for Greece and Milan

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 5 comments

I forgot to make this post before I went on vacation, but since my computer is broken and I'm unable to make the post with all the pictures from my vacations I decided to make this instead. It's pretty much just like the one that I made for Paris. So I went to Mykonos for a week and I also spent 1 day in Milan (without counting the days I spent on the plains). I was only able to take one carry on with me because I traveled with Easyjet, but I think that one normal size carries on is more than enough, especially when traveling with hot weather.

So here is the list of all the item I took with me on this vacation

Clothing

A pair of Jeans
Soft pink baggy pants
Black shorts
Blue Shorts
Blue dress
Pink Dress
Pink tank top
Blue sleeveless blouse
White button down blouse
Beach Cover-up Blouse
Pink sleeveless button down
White t-shirt
2 basic tank tops
Black Cardigan

Shoes

Flip flops
Black sandals
Brown Zara Sandals

Accessories
Beach Towel
Beach Bag
A few bracelets
Necklace
Earrings

Intimates
8 panties
2 bras
3 socks
1 bikini
Pajama

Toiletries

Shampoo 100ml
Conditioner 100ml
Body Cream 100ml
Sunscreen 100ml
Foundation 30ml
Face cream 30ml
Deodorant 30ml
Toothpaste 30ml
Lip balm 4,8g
Lipstick 5g
Nail polish 8ml
Mini perfumes 1,5ml
Mascara 5ml
1st aid kit
Makeup bag

Technologies 
Camera
Camera charger
2 memory cards
Cellphone
Cellphone charger
Headphones

Stationary

Notebook

Pen&Pencil

Book to read

Others

Reading glasses

Wallet

Playing Cards

If you look at the list you can see that in the Toiletries section I mention the quantities of every item I took with me, I did this because I was only allowed to take a transparent plastic bag with a zip lock, that could only hold 1litre of liquids and had to be a maximum of 20 x 20 cm, and each item inside could only contain 100ml. I found this experience really educational. At the end of my vacation, I realized that I actually don't need as many things as I thought I needed. And from now on I'm only traveling with a carry-on.

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Packing for Paris // The List

Packing for Paris // The List

Tuesday, July 03, 2012 6 comments

With just a few days left before I go to Paris, I decided to start making a list of things to take with me. I'm trying to pack light and don't take things that are completely unnecessary, and I don't need to take a lot of clothing because I will be shopping as soon as I arrive there. I'm just packing the essential so even if I don't buy as many things as I'm hoping to buy, I will still have things to wear during my stay. Also, I'm thinking on buying some things to make a giveaway, but I'm not sure of what I'm going to buy -- but I will figure that out once I'm there. Also, I already made a list of things to buy there, but if you could recommend some things that I must buy in Paris please tell me in the comments.

So here is the list, I hope that I'm not overpacking:

Clothing

Black Skinny jeans

Black pants

Cream pants

Striped shirts

White button down

Blue button down

Basic t-shirts

2 fun tops

Black blazer

Trench Coat

Blue light jacket

Shoes

Black sandals

Black Oxfords

Primark boots

Cream Loafers

Accessories

Rose gold watch

Black watch

Olive green bag

Red bag

Jewelry

Scarfs

Sunglasses

Brown Belt

Intimates

6 pairs of socks

6/7 pairs of underwear

2 bras

Toiletries

Hairbrush

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Shampoo

Conditioner

Deodorant

Makeup

Makeup wipes

Straightener

Perfume

Nail file and clippers

First aid kit

Hair clip

Moisturizer

Sunscreen

Face Wash

Technologies 

Camera

Camera charger

2/3 memory cards

Cellphone charger

Headphones

Stationary

Notebook

Pen

Travel Guide

Book to read

Others

Reading glasses

Wallet

Now I just need to finish my Travel Guide that I'm making. I really prefer to make my own travel guide, with all the info that I need and pictures that I found online, and my own maps from Google Maps. Also, I have already finished my itinerary, let's see if I can keep up with it. 

I was watching Monte Carlo yesterday, I just love that movie. I love Leighton Meester outfits during the entire movie, but I especially love this one. It screams French all over! and since I have an obsession with stripes, this would be an outfit that I would love to wear in Paris.

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How to pack

How to pack

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 5 comments

Step 1. Check the weather and the cultural expectations – this is the most obvious one, before you go travel you need to know how the weather is going to be there. If it's hot weather the clothes you pack will be lighter, but if its cold you have to pack more heavy and voluminous things, like jackets, wool scarfs, sock, boots, etc. Also is good to check the culture of the place you are going to, some countries cultures don't allow certain parts of the body to be uncovered, or to use certain pieces of clothes, so pay attention to that so you don't feel like the unfortunate centre of attention or get in trouble because of that. And when in doubt, always take a few conservative pieces just in case and check out what the women are wearing when you arrive.

Step 2. Gather Your Basics - Always take the basics, (jeans, white t-shirt, black pants, etc.), they are a must so you can mix and match all your outfits so you don't have to take a lot of clothes with you. I personally like to take striped shirts and button down's, just because I love to wear them and I think it goes with everything. I like more subtle colors so that is also a plus because it makes it easy to mix and match them. Also take a more dressy outfit, because you may need it for some event, it's always good to have an outfit like that.

Step 3. Add key color items – choose a color palette for some key pieces. Just to give a pop of color to your outfit, because sometimes when choosing clothes that you can mix and match together we tend to choose some dull color so this few colored items will give your outfits what they need. I like nude colours a lot because it's a colour that goes really well with all my basic pieces.

Step 4. Rationalise your shoes - choose shoes that are comfortable. This is one of the most import things, because if you intend to move around a lot you don't want to do it in a high hell. And by comfortable shoes I don't mean sneakers. Chelsea boots, ballerinas and loafers are good options.

Step 5. Complete with Accessories - nothing better than good accessories to complete your outfit. I personally like to wear watches a lot, and I think of bags as an accessory as well. For jewelry I like to keep it simple, I don't like extravagant jewelry, so pear earrings, a pretty pendant and I'm good to go.

Other tips?

Outfits - make your outfits at home, know what you are going to wear each day so that you don't need to take more clothes that the ones you will need.

Cosmetics - Take only the essential, you don't need to take all your makeup or all your creams. Choose only the essentials, like a good moisturiser and don't forget the sunscreen (if needed). Buy miniature containers for you shampoo and body creams, it will be easier to carry.

post inspired by A pair and a Spare

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