I flew back to California this weekend and managed to pack everything I would need for the next two weeks (in both Cali and later in Florida) into my sequin duffel and Phillip Lim bag. This may not be that big of a deal for some, but I sure impressed myself especially since I was packing for various weather conditions.
As a fairly frequent flyer you'd think I'd have my packing down to a science by now, but nope I certainly do not. I'm actually the queen of throwing in random items that I never use or wear so this time around I decided to plan out my outfits as best I could. Unfortunately on my last trip back to California I had numerous items stolen from my checked suitcase* and so having been scarred by this recent experience I decided carry-on was the way to go this time around. Here are a few tips that helped me pack for this trip:
1. Wear bulkiest layers, coat and boots/shoes on the plane.
2. Stick to packing just two other pairs of shoes (a heel and flat).
3. Plan out outfits and matching accessories (I'm the queen of packing random items that I never end up wearing because I don't have the right shoes to match etc.).
4. (Might be considered cheating but) I didn't pack a blow dryer because I knew I could use my mom's while I'm staying at my parent's house and hotels usually have blow dryers as well.
5. I also knew I'd be able to raid my mom's closest / wash my clothes at my parent's (okay that's cheating too but still a vast improvement!).
Travel Attire: J.Crew Sweater and Heart Bracelet. Helmut Lang Vest. Rag & Bone Jeans and Boots.
Kate Spade Sequin Duffel. 3.1 Phillip Lim Satchel. gifted Juicy Couture Purse.
* I aspire to keep this blog solely positive and hopefully a happy / inspiring place for you all but after some research, I've found that airline theft occurs more than we realize. I hope this post can be a warning for all of you traveling over the holidays to be careful when packing valuables (especially those of sentimental value).
Photography by Lydia Hudgens.
59 comments:
i love this look!
xoxo from rome
K.
kcomekarolina.com
Getting everything into a small duffle is quite the feat!! I'm always such an overpacker! ;)
You look great btw.. Love your cozy outfit!
xo Andrea
Wonderful and Marvelous
Nice post!!!!
i suck at packing too. after flying between uk and australia all the time i thought i would be better, but i always either overpack or forget like ten thousand things!
i actually cannot believe stuff got stolen out of your suitcase! i am definitely going to use proper locks more often!
i hope you have an awesome time back in Cali with your family x
I love your sweater!!!! and that glittery bag! xo, Alma
http://www.soulofashopper.com
I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you. I've always been super paranoid about things like that happening, so I've had to become super organized about how I pack. These are some great tips. Love the travel outfit!
Keep calm and carry lipstick.
This is such a great travel look, and good job getting everything into just two bags!
That really sucks about your stuff getting stolen, I'm always afraid that is going to happen
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
I really love your style!!!
www.thestelstyle.com
We had the same thing happen when flying back after Christmas a few years ago - someone stole many things from our checked bags. Thankfully, they ended up catching the group of thieves, who were airport employees. They lost their jobs and were arrested, but our items were never recovered. :(
I really love your packing & layering tips here - I need to do a better job because I often throw things in at the last minute "just in case" and never end up using them!
www.pennypincherfashion.com
Very impressed with your minimal packing!!! I always lock my bag if I have to check it. Sorry to her about your experience.
I am sorry to hear about the theft via the airport. That really stinks.
I have never actually just done carryon. But then again travelling prior to this I have never actually packed any real valuables. For many reasons mostly because of where we were travelling it wasn't a good idea.
If you can't make everything fit into carryon at the very least wear/carry the most valuable with you.
That bag is Amazing... especially for holiday travel!
That vest is pretty awesome too!
Have a wonderful trip!
Sheree xxx
www.itsnotthatdeep.com
Love this post, love your note at the end too. Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Collections
Love the bags!!! Great Trip!!!
Love your travel look! That J. Crew sweater is a favorite.
Lindsey
poshandpoised.com
Love your travel look! That J. Crew sweater is a favorite.
Lindsey
poshandpoised.com
That's how I pack these days, plan outfits and two pairs of shoes that go with everything! Love this! xo, Christina
www.styleclouds.de
Oh yes I have worked in the airline industry and one needs to be very careful when traveling. Love this bag with the sequins.
xo
Rachelle
http://pinksole.com
My goodness you are the cutest bag lady around! Great tips! Looking incredible as always. xx
Props to you for the packing prowess! Great tips, and absolutely love your travel outfit. Also obsessed with that sequin duffel!
xo
Sam
THOSE BOOTS.
- esther, ceo, cuteheads.com
um that sweater is WAY too adorable!! that sequined bag just tops it off pretty lady!
xo,Taylor
iLikeMyClothesTaylored.blogspot.com
great tips :) have a safe flight and enjoy your holiday :)
chocolatefashioncoffee.blogspot.com
I love your sequined bag! And bravo on packing in one bag for two weeks! I've also had valuables stolen/bags lost a few times in this past year. Needless to say I only carry on these days.
Safe travels and have fun on your trip!!
-April
http://pieceology.com
Wow! I am so impressed that you got all of that in your duffel. Way to go!
Love the outfits and I'm impressed with your packing skills! I friend of mine just dealt with her luggage getting picked through... apparently jewelry and electronics are two things they won't refund you for!
LOVING that sequined Kate Spade duffel! How amazing. Sweater is adorable as well. Happy Holidays and Happy Travels this time. XO.
Gina
www.popcornandpandas.wordpress.com
Ah that is awful, but this outfit looks amazing and the sequins bag is perfect!
Such a cute sweater! Love it! :)
Xoxo
Cassidy
http://norebeccaforayear.blogspot.com/?m=1
I love this outfit and am impressed by your packing skills. I can't remember if I told you this but when Stefan and I first started dating, he was living in LA because of work. I flew out to visit him (with my huge, clunky leopard print DVF suitcase) and of course, checked my bag. He promptly explained to me that if we were going to travel together I had to learn to pack better (and not check my bag.) That suitcase broke and I downgraded to a small carry-on. I've since slowly learned to get things down to a science... but it can be so hard sometimes, especially with hair products and tools. I love your sequined duffel... it's so fun!
so sorry to hear about your luggage, how scary! just returned from NYC and did a better job of packing, but definitely not as good as you here... this Florida girl is not used to packing for cold weather and went a bit overboard (and I may have purchased a few items at Zara that led me to not need what I packed; small details of course!). Safe travels, and hope to connect with you in Florida.
Oh I love the vest, amazing.
xoxo
Christy
http://www.am2pmchic.com/
I remember seeing you tweet about your luggage fiasco - so ridiculous. I hope you gave the airline a seriously hard time and got some kind of compensation for the loss. (Sorry, that's the lawyer in me speaking!)
Also, I will never forgive myself for not snatching up that J.Crew sequin weekender when I had the chance!
Lexi @ Glitter, Inc.
use a TSA lock, they CAN unlock it if they "need" to but usually it deters them from stealing... has worked for me in every traveling situation!
I was just telling my boyfriend how bad I am with packing. I always overpack and then only end up wearing a fraction of what I brought with me. I'm going on a few road trips during the Holidays so I'm going to challenge myself to only use a duffle bag and see how it goes. That should be good practice for my next flight :)
@Anonymous - yes, a lock is a good idea!
So sorry to hear about items getting stolen. We just got back from New York and I wasn't even sure we'd receive our luggage let alone with everything in tact. We did the curbside check in outside and the guys were not nice. We will not do that again if we check a bag. Nothing was stolen thankfully. Hopefully I can fit everything in a carry on next time. Thanks for the packing tips.
Beautiful! Maybe you'd like to follow each other via BLOGLOVIN?
Let me know on my blog www.fashionhypnotised.com
seriously scary to think about airplane employees stealing from luggage! I tend to pack carry-ons only because i hate paying the extra 25 bucks for a checked bag on most airlines. i think i definitely need a sequined carry on :)
being a bag lady has never looked so good ;)
Xo Megan, www.TfDiaries.com
I always do carry on so thanks for the tips, but I do not look this chic when I travel!!!!
Brooke @ what2wear
I absolutely love your sequin duffel!! I was dying over it when it came out!! Plus, I am definitely very happy that you managed to fit everything in that duffel for a two week trip!!! It would be a miracle if I could do that, hehe!
-Stephanie
@LaminLouboutins.blogspot.com
I love how comfortable you look in this outfit and I'm impressed at your packing skills. I always end up over-packing where ever I go..
-Sarah
The Weekend Diary
dying over that sequin duffel!
Today on The Glitter Life: http://the-glitter-life.com/2012/12/17/weekend-wrap-up-4/
Good post, girl! I have to pack later this week and have already began strategizing. :)
See you soon!
That's freaking awful about your stolen stuff :( I never even thought about that happening. By the way, I'm obsessing over your duffel!
xo Ashley
luckylittlebird.blogspot.com
I adore this sweater, so funky and much personality. I hear ya about airplane theft, you just never know!
Your hair is such a gorgeous color these days- very striking! And I love the outfit today- adorable sweater and very fun bags xxx Sal
www.bluebonnetsforsal.com
,,,sorry to hear of your mis-fortune. i hope you filed a claim with the airline. i've traveled the world over and rarely checked a bag and learned to carry all my valuables with me. not so much because i wasn't trusting but because i couldn't imagine them being lost or gone forever. have a merry and plenty of cheer!,,,
fantastic boots and puffy vest .. love the forest green with your hair/skin tone especially
ugh the worst part about theft like that is that you feel like you're going crazy.. maybe you didn't pack it? maybe u left it in the car? i always try to do carry on whenever possible... and even if I check I put my most irreplaceables in my carry on... so sorry that happened to you.. did the airline do anything? curious about that... #theft
It's terrible your stuff! It must have been an awful experience! But on the bright side you looked so FABULOUS! Love the bag...it's GORGEOUS!
Nadia
http://my-pinkelephant.blogspot.com
Nice work! Love these tips. I know this must have been hard for you. Hope to see you in SF! xx
Love these packing tips! I need to take them into consideration the next time I travel. Miss you girl! xx
1. I love this look.
2. That bag is amazing (understatement).
3. I do the SAME thing when I travel because I'm much too cheap to pay baggage fees after dropping SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS for my xmas flight. I digress.
As an aside: these photos are taken literally at the front step of my apartment on Leroy. You must live in the area because a lot of your other shots are taken on my block as well. We should meet up for coffee at Amy's or Prodigy sometime!
xo
http://shanelesheek.blogspot.com/
I am incredibly impressed that you packed all of your stuff into your duffel and satchel, plus they're both so stylish for traveling! My husband's had things stolen from his checked luggage before, it's a terrible thing and something that sadly happens more often that we'd like.
Marisa
http://style-rhapsody.blogspot.com
Adorable J Crew sweater. So sorry to hear about your luggage. How durable are those sequins? I've had trouble with other items where the sequins come off.
www.twoshoppermoms.blogspot.com
loving this outfit, that duffle bag is to die for!
Super glad I found your blog, I love stumbling across new inspirational style blogs, keep it up!
Bonnie Friday
xxx
Great post. I just located your blog and wished to let you know that I have certainly loved reading your blogs. At any rate I’m going to be subscribing to your feed and I really hope you are writing again soon.
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