Packing for Travel

I did a post on dressing for travel here and thought it would be a good idea to help people pack. Yes. Pack. I see you. Three suitcases for a three day four night stay. Let them fit a suitcase and a handbag. Yes. One. A sizeable one. How so?
1. Destination.
Where are you going? What's the main pass time activity? Game drives? Sitting by the beach and sight seeing the town?
If it's game drives, the weather might be fair so we rule out heavy sweaters. Bring light ones for the evening chill. Bring a pair of neutral boots (can be paired with most outfits) for the game drives and two pairs of shorts. A maximum of four tops is okay just to allow you some variety while at it.
For the beach settings, get you three bikinis at most and a sizeable towel. Not one that occupies half the suitcase. And two pairs of shorts. You could wear your bikini under your shorts. And these shorts double up as your sight seeing outfits. You need to bring light shoes here. Maybe a pair of sandals and some sneakers/rubbers.
One night gown is enough.

2. Occasion
Will you be attending any special event while at the trip? Consider a light outfit. Not layers and layers of material that make up your event dress. If it's more than one occasion, be smart and bring a neutral pair of heels that will take you through all events.
Keep the accessories neutral as well. And make up  you only need. Not the whole of your dressing table.

3. Personal Stuff
Mostly oils. Body oil, sunscreen, make up you need, lip balm in your handbag, etc.

Bring only things you need without going through what ifs. What if I need this top and I don't have it with me? No. (Anybody read the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella? Becky? Don't be her.) Be decisive and you'll have less stress over your trip.

The purpose of a holiday is to relax and have fun. Have that in mind and you'll be happy.

Enjoy yourselves this Christmas.

As always,
MDA.

Dressing for Travel

It's the Christmas season. The time when most people go on holiday. But getting your dressing all wrong from the time you leave the house could be a headache for you.

How do you dress up for the journey itself? 

1. Be fresh in the morning. 

A good night's rest means a lot on a traveling day and it has to be part of the preparation for the travel. Get your caffeine if that's what you do every morning as a change of routine will be bad for you. 

2. Light/Simple make up

 Go easy on the make up. You don't want to be feeling all uncomfortable as this could be a long and sweaty affair and minimal to zero visits to the bathroom to powder your nose, touch up the lipstick et cetera. Keep it easy and comfortable.

3. Light dressing

Forget the trench coats(in rain or in cold). Otherwise layer up on light sweaters and scarves that you take off easily ones it's hot. Light outfits occupy less space as well so if you are taking them off, they could easily fit into your handbag or carry on bag. Now envision trying to force a trench coat into a handbag.. Get the picture? Good.

Also let the clothing be loose. Tight ones get  a little uncomfortable after a while and our goal is to travel in as much comfort as we can.
Stick to dark colors when traveling. Black is especially good as it will hide spillages of any kind or marks or any crumbled spot. 

4. Low and light shoes

Go for ballet flats. Or better, go for sneakers. These will give your feet comfort as you wear them with socks to ensure minimum strain to your feet. They are also good in case you have to stand for a long time or have to wait at the terminus for hours (you never know. It's better to be prepared).

5. Accessories

Go easy on the earrings. If possible go for studs as opposed to dangling ones. These could get caught in your hair, clothes and will be a distraction and maybe a bother while you are trying to carry your bags. 

6. Hair

It would be best to keep your hair off your face. And tie it up if possible. Just to minimize interference. 

7. Essentials

Keep your essential stuff (phone, passport-if international, ticket, diary and other miscellaneous stuff) in your handbag. This is for easy and fast access in case those things are needed .You can keep your lip balm in here as well and leave space for the scarf and sweater mentioned up there.

Hope this is of help. Now done your sunglasses and walk with your head high. Wish you are relaxing Holiday.

As always,

MDA