Leaving On A Jet Plane

I am going on vacation, what do I pack? A lot of people struggle with this question, they don’t know what to pack or what to leave behind, and have no clue how to fold, stack and organize and ultimately forget important items at home.

I will admit I once traveled to Amsterdam without a single pair of underwear, I didn't forget to pack make up, hair products and more than enough outfits, yet somehow my panties were left behind.

These days I record and organize everything I pack in an Excel spreadsheet, and no, you don’t necessarily HAVE to be that thorough, but it wouldn't hurt to be.

Friday I am heading to Dominican Republic for bestie’s destination wedding! I am all packed and ready to go after weeks of considering which clothing and accessories would make the cut.

In the spirit of packing for an amazing vaca I would like to share with you a few items I believe are staples for any vacation. All items available on Shopbop 

 1. A large tote: Personally, I don’t think it’s appropriate to board a plane with a designer hand bag, unless maybe you’re sitting in first class and have oodles of space to place your precious belongings chances are your purse will be shoved under the seat in front of you or thrown in the overhead compartment. Also, practicality should be taken into account, you will be carrying your wallet, passport, Ipad, magazine, maybe a novel, snacks, one of those inflatable head rests (its you’re nerdy and you’re me) etc, so space is a necessity.

THIS isn't just a large tote, it’s the new Rachel Roy Limited Edition FEED India tote . I have last year’s Tory Burch for FEED bag and it is easily one of most favorite totes. It’s the perfect travel bag. And um, its charitable, its a no brianer. 

The limited-edition FEED India Bag was designed to raise awareness and funds to help fight hunger in the country that is home to one-quarter of the world's hungry people. I know I will be grabbing my own soon as I can get my hands on one.

 2.Comfy yet fashionable shoes: Unless you’re Victoria Beckham I highly doubt you will be wearing your 5 inch Louboutin’s on a plane. I prefer a simple slip on when travelling. I choose flat espadrilles over running shoes because they are much lighter, you can skip socks (ewww socks) and they're easy to kick off if you are one of those people who enjoy changing into slippers on the plane. 

I usually opt for TOMS, but if you're looking for something a little different and a bit more fancy you can try out a cute lace pair of espadrilles like these ones. 

3. An easy to wear dress: A simple, affordable dress that can be folded without  getting totally wrinkled. And may I add  that a floral print would be ideal. Why? Because a bright floral print is really versatile and will look great in pictures. 

 This one from Splendid would be perfect! I am a huge fan of Splendid and have packed their dresses on many a vacation. 

 4. A jumpsuit: yes I said a jumpsuit. I have become obsessed lately with these easy to wear shirt + pants combo’s, who doesn't love getting dressed in 2.5 seconds? You don’t have to find a shirt to match your pants, you don’t have to work to tuck in your blouse, and you don’t need to plan an outfit, you just slip into a jumpsuit and go! Its brilliant, and so is this jumper from Juicy
 

On vacation that is a luxury you want to have, you’re too busy sun tanning and stuffing your face at all you can eat buffets to stress about your fashion choices. I love combining shorts with long sleeves (only if its light weight fabric, please don't be one of those people who wear shorts with a turtle neck or a sweatshirt, they are just confused) 

5. A Jean Jacket: I take my jean jacket with me every single time I board a plane. No matter where you are traveling you can bet the plane will not be perfectly climate controlled, and your lil denim jacket will come in very handy here. When you reach your destination if its scorching hot you can then fold that jacket easily and stash it away. Mine has visited Dubai, Italy, Miami, New York and Costa Rica; what a lil globetrotting jacket it is.

This one is light and perfect for summer, or any warm destination trust me if you invest just a lil in a quality jacket you will wear it and wash it over an over.

SPF Required

Jut so you know, I am leaving for somewhere very warm and sunny in 7 days from now. I am looking forward to one week of swimming in the ocean, lounging pool side (swim up bar!) but more importantly, bestie's WEDDING! 

More on that later, I promise I will post a destination wedding fashion guide before I depart :) 

Today we are talking about what to pack for a week lounging pool side, while you sip sugary drinks and pose for hundreds of pictures with your friends. You want to look your best don't you? 

My favorite part of any beach outfit are the accessories, not because I am uncomfortable in a bikini but because its me, duh, I am an accessory hoarder! Usually I spot a cute bikini and wonder what cover-up would match it, which sandals would compliment it, and I am constantly debating weather or not I should adopt the beach jewelry thing accessory?? On that note: I believe there is a time and a place for beach jewelry and over accessorizing. Are you playing beach volleyball at a lake? Or on a banana boat ride in Cancun? If you answered yes to the above then NO, the answer is no, you shall not wear beach jewelry. 

Below you will find one perfect example of when its OK to wear some jewels poolside, check it out for yourself along with two other beachy outfits. 

1. I call this my Monaco look, because well, if I were to visit Monaco during the summer this is what I would wear on my private Yacht. Jay Z would dock beside me and B would totally be into my stunning silk Etro kaftan. Let me break this look down for you, the bikini is Versace, and I believe there are rules to abide by when you're wearing Versace. Mainly, you cant possibly pair this bikini with anything less then a spectacular cover-up, and a frikin hand bag that I will be dreaming about for months now, sigh. Lastly, do i really need to mention that nobody in their right mind would wear flip flops with this outfit! Valentino studded sandals are much more appropriate. 

super cute straw hat, stunning silk Etro kaftan, silver and quartz wrap bracelets, Valentino stud sandals,YSL polish, Versace bikini,canvas and bamboo box tote, watersnake trim sunnies

 

2. This next outfit is perfect for any vaca down south. The bikini is swim friendly, its not just one of those fancy ones you cant get wet. A SWIM SUIT that cant get wet....I never got that.  I love Marc by Marc nylon bags because you can stuff them with anything, throw it around, fold it up when you don't need it any more, and finally wash it after a week of abuse on vacation. 

Rayban Wayfarer , crochet tank, Steve Madden studded gladiators,nylon tote, Julep nail polish ,printed bikini

 

3. Are you planning on spending a weekend at a cottage on a lake this summer? You do know that packing your most expensive clothing would be a very foolish move, instead I recommend picking up some cheapy bikini's and outfits, cause of course you still want to look cute while roasting marshmallows. These swim suits are under $30 and those sunnies are under $10. Can you say perfect cottage/glamping gear? Yes that's right, I used the word "glam-ping". 

knotted floral head wrap, sunnies, Zara bikini, Zara studded sandals, Straw beach bag, heart print one-piece, joe fresh eyelet cover-up, Sephora nail polish