Pack It In

I am leaving a little bit later today for a business trip, because that is what fancy people do, and I am, as always, paralyzed by the packing process. Especially since I have to pack wrinkle-prone suits and shirts, all while attempting to not have the biggest suitcase on the trip.

Sounds like sort of a nightmare, right? Well, should you find yourself in the same boat, here are some tips on packing for a trip from Anne McAlpin, author of Pack It Up: Traveling Safe and Smart in Today's World. If anyone knows, she must, right?

1. Checklist. Make a list of the items you need to pack and check off each item as you pack it.

2. Travel Wardrobe. Cut down on the amount of clothes you pack by building your wardrobe using two basic colors. Then you can wear the same shoes, belts and accessories with everything. Since shoes are one of the heaviest items in any bag, pack a minimum of three pairs.

3. Wrinkle-free packing. The secret is to pack in two layers. The first layer should be your heaviest items and the second (top) layer should be your clothing.

Some more layering tips:

Pack your shoes heel-to-toe facing one another with socks stuffed inside, and place them in your suitcase by the wheels. Place belts flat along the perimeter of the suitcase and place any heavy items in the center. Pack squishable items like socks and underwear around the corners and between heavy items.

Use a packing board to separate your layers. If you don't have one, use a placemat. A flat surface for packing your clothes helps reduce wrinkles. Start with pants, folded in half, with the waistband against the left side of the suitcase. For your next pair, use the same method but in the opposite direction. Leave the legs out side the suitcase for now.

Next, fold shorts, skirts and dresses along their natural creases and alternate laying them left and right in your suitcase. For button-up shirts and jackets, fold the sleeves to the back along their natural creases, slide a dry cleaning bag over each and place them in the suitcase with the collars at the top edge.

Roll up your knit items-- the tighter you roll them the fewer the wrinkles-- and pack them next to one another on top of the layered clothing. Once you have utilized every last inch of space, bring the pant legs up and over the rolled items inside the suitcase alternating sides as you go. Then fold in the bottoms of any shirts or jackets that may be outside the case.

One more benefit of a packing board: you can lift out the top layer without disturbing it to retrieve something from below.

And, some final super packing tips:

If you can't wheel or carry your bag with ease, you've packed too much.

Dry-cleaner bags (plastic) allow items to move more freely without getting stuck in a wrinkled position.

Pack everything possible inside a plastic bag. This keeps items well organized and protected in case anything leaks.

Organize children's clothing by packing an entire outfit in a large freezer bag.

Pack women's shoes inside men's shoes (if possible), saving valuable packing space.

Always cover shoes with a shoe bag to avoid getting soil inside your suitcase.

Compression bags are the best solution for the overpacker. They're also great for wet swimsuits, damp workout gear and laundry.

Hanging toiletry bags are the answer to organizing your personal-care items when there's limited counter space.

Never pack make-up in your toiletry bag in case something leaks.

If you can't live without a hair dryer, call your hotel in advance and ask if they provide them. One less thing to pack if they do!

Whew. I am feeling more ready to tackle this packing project. How about you?

Up And Away We Go

There is almost nothing worse than getting back into the groove of every day life after a luxurious three-day weekend. But there is almost nothing better than a new line of Shabby Apple dresses, and that is what we have for you!

Friends, meet Up And Away. Up And Away, meet your new friends!

These smooth, silky dresses will have you flying high for certain. So tell me, any instant favorites among them?

And away we go!

Year In Closet Review

The always delightful Reagan Breinholt of Reagan's Blob Hooray! did a post recently about the clothes that she loved wearing the most in 2010 and, before it becomes too distant of a memory I thought we should do the same thing. Because, I mean, doesn't that sound fun?

Yes?

I'll go first.

{And, my advance apologies for these slightly less-than-stellar quality phone photos. But, you do what you can, right?}

Numero Uno.

These shoes (Seychelles via Anthropologie) were my hands-down favorite item of the whole year, even though I didn't get them until December. One reason I love them so much is because I only paid $35 for them, even though they were $118 to start with. So, score there. I also love that they are completely unusual, that they have bows and that they sparkle. And that I can get away with wearing them to work. I especially love that.

Numero Dos.

Scarves, scarves and more scarves! In fact, we have a whole wall of scarves at our house. This is just a small sampling. It got really super cold here early on this winter and I only have so many winter coats, but I have a whole wall of scarves to keep things from getting dull. The colorful stripes and red checks have been my go-tos.

Numero Tres.

This cozy flannel (Target) has been my weekend staple this year. Or, I guess I should say, it was my weekend staple last year. I wear a graphic t-shirt or a striped long-sleeved shirt under it, and sometimes a sweater over it, and I am good to go for just about anything. I even wore it to see Jon Stewart storm the National Mall earlier this Fall.



See?

Numero Cuatro.

I love this sweater (Anthropologie) because it is sort of a shape-shifter. You wear it with jeans and some patterned boots and it's a casual, ruffled sweater. Or you wear it with dress pants or a suit skirt and some pumps and it almost has you convinced that it's a soft, comfy blazer. In short, it's another work-to-play number, and I can't get enough of those.

Numero Cinco.

I, of course, have to include my favorite Shabby Apple dress of the year, which is this snappy black dress from the All That Jazz line. The top fits snugly and flattering-ly and the rosettes on the skirt are to die for. This one came to me late in the year as well, but it was totally worth the wait.

All right, I showed you my 2010 favorites. Tell me about yours!

If The Shoe Fits

I don't mean to whip you into a panic of any kind, but all shoes over at Urban Outfitters are 20% off through midnight (EST) tonight, so I am thinking you're going to want to drop whatever you are doing and head over (to the Web site) right about now.

I just couldn't say no to these, or these, or these.

And I am thinking you might also want to check out these and these and these.

Whew.

I mean, why not put your best foot forward in the new year, right?

Booted

They are saying that we are going to get a snow dumping around here, though frankly I'll believe it when I see it. And I have not seen anything yet.

But that didn't stop me from day-dreaming about all the stylish gear I would need in the event of a massive snow event, and these colorful boots from the Sundance catalog top the list.

I don't think I could justify getting them in every color, but I do feel like I could justify at least one pair. Don't you?

What are your winter style essentials?

Do-It-Yourself Year

I took down my Christmas decorations a few days ago, and I am starting to feel the post-holiday blues. No cheery lights and trees and stockings to come home to is sort of bumming me out. So, to cheer myself up, I started researching some equally adorable Valentine's Day decorations. Hurrah!

I'll pass on some of those ideas soon, but for now I came across these two darling crafts that I think are the perfect way to add some spice and DIY fun to the New Year.

First up, this darling petal pillow from Cluck. Cluck. Sew. via Vanessa Christenson.

The pattern looks (fairly) simple (I'll let you know if that is true once I have tried it) and the price is just right. Under $10?!? I have been searching diligently for some hip, colorful pillows for my couch for quite some time now and I have been appalled at the prices. Ten dollars sounds pretty good to me.

And, for all the babies who will be joining you in 2011, let us all swoon over this baby life quilt, also from Vanessa Christenson.

This one looks a little trickier, execution-wise, but I think it would be totally worth it because the darling factor is off the charts. And, let's be honest, I think we would all like this to be the schedule of our lives, too!

That should be enough to chase the January slump right away! (After I take a nap, that is. Just thinking about all this creativity and I am pooped.)

New Year, New You

If you're still looking for a way to turn over a new leaf in the new year, check out this link with suggestions for the best hairstyle for different face shapes.

Because if a new hairstyle isn't the way to start a new year with a big bang (unintentional hair joke! ha!) I guess I don't know what is.

Happy new year, friends! Let's make it a great one, shall we?