Holiday travel: Is it bringing out the Grinch in you? I used to love to fly, but shoe removal and liquid restriction (not to mention escalating airfares) are enough to make one wonder if taking the bus would have been a better option after all. And with baggage allowances dwindling monthly, advanced preparation is a must.
I used to be an overpacker. I'd show up at Grandma's local airport with a suitcase that even two people couldn't lift and on top of that, I'd still have a carry-on and a heavy coat. Half the clothing and shoes that I stuffed into my bigger-than-God suitcase went unworn. My reasoning was, I didn't know what I'd feel like wearing once I reached my destination. Better to be prepared. Well, I'll tell you: There is nothing like two months of carrying a 60 pound sea bag all over Europe (Ah, the post college graduation Eurail Pass!) to make even a hearty Renaissance Girl mend her ways.
These days, being prepared means having one carry-on bag that you don't have to worry about losing during flight delays and unexpected travel changes. It means you won't take up too much room where you're staying and that you will actually be able to locate things when you want to wear them! And let's not underestimate the joys of being able to go directly to security without checking a bag. Note: Pack your carry-on WITHOUT unzipping the optional expanding zipper. Save that for shopping that might accidentally (yeah, right!) take place during your travels.
But how to START packing?
a) SCHEDULE, DESTINATION WEATHER FORECAST
I make at least a mental list of what I'll be doing during my stay and what wardrobe requirements there will be.
b) CHOOSE EVENT OUTFIT
I start selecting clothes from my closet by deciding on the nicest outfit first (seeing a performance, going out to dinner with family, etc.).
c) SHOES
I choose 2 pairs of shoes (okay, with my athletic shoes for working out, three), one of them completing the event outfit, the other, perhaps, a boot that is comfortable and stylish and that I can wear on the plane (leaving room for clothes in my carry-on). Don't forget, make sure they're easy to remove for security...
d) LAYOUT FAVORITES ON THE BED
I always choose too much at first, knowing I'll be putting at least half of it back in the closet.
e) UNDERWEAR
Keep it all neutral so it will work with anything you pack. Don't forget hose or tights for skirts, socks for athletic shoes and boots.
f) PACK JAMMIES AND WORKOUT CLOTHES
g) COLOR SCHEME
Hey! I mention this in my advice to On the Verge in the Lady Godiva post! Well, it works for packing, too. If the boots you chose are brown, then that would be a fabulous neutral to match a belt to. Then why not choose more natural and Earth tones? If they're black, find a black belt and choose brighter colors.
h) ELIMINATE
Depending on the length of your stay, you'll only need one pair of jeans (I know, that's a tough one), one skirt, 2 long sleeved tops, 1 sweater, one jacket, maybe one pair of slacks, and a couple camis and a t-shirt. Separates are better than one-piece items (dresses) because everything you brought can be mixed and matched (Yay, color scheme!) to create different outfits.
i) JEWELRIES AND ACCESSORIES (TIES FOR GUYS)
Just bring the earrings, watch, and necklace that you wear all the time. Much less hassle, maybe plus something for the nice outfit... A Pashmena scarf can be worn a couple of different ways.
j) TOILETRIES
Remember the liquids thing, as it applies to carry-ons. You can always buy stuff there.
k) PERSONAL ITEM
Keep it simple. It's winter, you'll have a coat. (Does the coat match your color scheme?) And reading material for when your flight is inevitably delayed.
l) FORGET SOMETHING?
Actually, I'm wondering that for myself about this post, but seriously, that should probably be
your next question.
When the flight finally takes off, I remember how I actually do love to fly. It's a miracle, if you think about it, being that far above the clouds and seeing the world from a wider perspective. See how small all of our problems are in this big universe?
Where are you going this Holiday Season? Have a great time!
The year that Ted and I bought our first little country cottage together, we wanted to give gifts that would also serve as announcements but of course, we didn't have a lot of money left that Holiday season. What I did have, though, was a bag full of leather scraps that I found in the Garment District, a small box full of random jewelry fasteners, and some fabric paint. Ted had a leather punch and some good wood glue. I found some festive ribbon and after about three days of our little assembly line, we had about 45 ornaments to send out, each slightly different. The paint is metallic and quite opaque and worked perfectly on the leather. We ripped paper squares for a rustic look and glued them to the back for documentation. Et Voila! Homemade Christmas Gifts done! And it's fun to go to apartments of friends and family and see little likenesses of our Gingerbread House (that's what we affectionately call it) hanging on the tree.
