The art of packing

Since I'm already sitting here considering what to pack for my upcoming trips, I thought I would share my tips on smart and simple packing.  This next two weeks poses particular challenges - get this: 


Sunday Mar 21 - fly Zurich to Stockholm (via Copenhagen for some extra flavor) - current temp in Stockholm 30 degrees F
Wednesday Mar 24 - fly Stockholm to Boston - current temp 70 degrees F
Tuesday Mar 30 - fly Boston to Zurich, arriving mid day March 31.  Who care's what the temp is because then I fly
Thursday, April 1 - Zurich to Tel Aviv - current temp 82 degrees F


Now, anyone who knows me knows I have the upper body strength of a toddler. Besides that I just HATE lugging stuff.  I even bought a granny cart to grocery shop here.


So, for those reasons and many more, I've disciplined myself to pack light.  Here are a few ways I keep my packing in check assuming a 7-10 day trip:

• I notice that the earlier I start laying things aside to pack the bigger the pile because I keep seeing things I'd like to add.  So, I don't pack very far ahead and find that it helps me not overpack.
• I decide on the size suitcase I should need for the length trip and make myself live with it.  I don't pile everything up and then look for a bag to fit it all in.
• I have trial sized everything (mostly snatched from hotel rooms).  They go in a ziplock bag, not a cute (but inevitably bulky) toiletries bag
• Make-up: I only take one versatile eye shadow, some mascara and 2 lip glosses
• I never bring perfume.  Not necessary and can leak or break.
• I never pack a hairdryer - there's always one at the hotel
• I try to get an easy haircut so I don't care about straightening, etc.  If you have long hair it's easier to pack an elastic than a straightening iron.
• I'll usually bring a fun necklace or two since they don't take up space and they will jazz up your outfit b/c you're packing fewer clothes if you're good.
• Clothes - ok here's where you all go crazy.  This is my formula
• Bottoms - # of days divided by 2.  One of those should be suitable to go out to dinner and not feel like a bum, but can also be comfy enough for running around sightseeing.
• Tops - depending on the weather, usually 1 sweater (2 in winter), a few light long sleeve shirts and a few short.  # of total top options = # of days minus a couple.  So, for a 7 day trip I'd have 5 or 6 tops.  I always have 1 or two I really like and want to wear a second time.
• Instead of a bottom/top combo above I like to pack a jersey dress that you can just throw in the bag it won't wrinkle.  These are awesome.
• I always wear the bulkiest of the clothes I plan to bring with me on the plane.  If it's warm, the sweater goes around my waist to save luggage space.
• I buy really easy pjs to pack (usually light bottoms and a tank)
• Shoes - 2 pair limit.  One ok for work/dinner and one that I can really walk in.  Flip flops don't count.  Always wear the bulkiest on the plane.
• Undies and socks go in last and you shove them around everything else
• Always remember your chargers (phone, camera battery, kindle plus adapters)
• You can fit more clothes by rolling them than folding them but I normally only need to do this on the way home after shopping!
• Speaking of, remember - the less you pack the more you can shop.
• Nothing valuable every goes in checked luggage and I never lock it (I'm convinced this invites attention of thieves anyway).
• Many cell phones have alarms so you don't need to pack one.
• To the airport I wear the bulkiest clothes and shoes I'll need and any coat/jacket.  You can always shove the coat/sweater in the overhead bin if you're hot.

Before I close the suitcase one last time I do this check in my head:

• Make sure you have your passport
• Make sure you have your credit cards and money
• Remind yourself that no one cares really what you wear so can you take anything else out?
• Make sure you have your toothbrush/toothpaste
• Don't worry about anything else - you can always buy it.

Let's Go travel books always say - pack your bags and then take half that amount and twice the money.  It's as good advice as any.

These are a few of my favorite things

As I run out of projects in the Melrose house I am starting to feel the withdrawals of decorating.  Although I'm not a creative person I am loving the process of re-doing the spaces in my house.  Though the thousands of hours watching HGTV and listening to how colors can "pop" and how important "texture" is, it's becoming ever more difficult to rein in the tweaking.  For those of you that don't care about this stuff, go ahead and hit your "back" button, but for the rest of you (anyone?) who dream of auditioning for Design Star, I'll share are a few things that I'm loving right now. What's on your list?

Purple/Plum
I'm starting to see this color pop up in magazines and for the heck of it threw it into my dining room and I love it:

Can't really see it from here but there are coordinating pillows on the chairs along the back wall and I found great paper with which I lined the shelves of my hutch.  David Bromstad says you have to repeat a color at least 3 times in a room and I'm a good pupil.















I am also loving retro fabrics:

Such fun fabrics!!  I want to make some pillow covers to add to the dining room for a little punch since there is no other pattern there.  In general I like simple fabrics but a little punch of color here and there is really fun.  

I think the Hollywood Regency style of decor is so beautiful - especially in a bedroom

 

It's characterized by lush fabrics, lots of shine like mirror or glass, and nail heads on upholstered pieces but it's also very clean looking at the same time.  Perhaps now my new bed purchase makes sense: 

Some of the upholstered beds are too feminine but this was perfect for me and I LOVE nail head detail.  I also didn't want something I'd be sick of in 5 years so this seemed a good compromise.

Going a bit to another extreme, I've been eyeing a new dining room table for almost a year now since my current one is really too small for the space.  Some day I'll plunk down the cash for this one or similar:

It's a chunky industrial, rustic table.  One of my design shows they described one person's style as "rustic contemporary" or rustic revival and I guess that's as close to what I like as they come.  I like pieces with character, I tend to like more masculine pieces (other than when "shiny" and "rusched" are involved) and I definitely like clean lines and simplicity.  I've been going back to this table every few months to see if it's on sale at Pottery Barn but no luck yet.

On an earlier post I had this mirror on my wish list and now it's mine!  I love Zgallerie where I got this fabulous sparkly dining room mirror.  Zgallerie is one of my favorite sites for a lot for ideas on cool and unusual pieces.

Well, that's a few fun things for right now.  I have major shopping itch now.  I guess it's obvious that one of my favorite things is online treasure hunting.  I wonder if there are any sales running....