Traveling with Golden Tote

Golden Tote White Top / Zara Jeans / Madewell Heels / Old Zara Scarf (similar only $14!)

Golden Tote White Top / Old Zara Skirt (similar) / Geography 541 Bracelet

Packing for a 10-day trip abroad, when traveling to two very different climates can be a daunting task. At least that's how it felt as I was preparing for my recent trip to the U.K. and Israel.  

How do you plan outfits for weather ranging from 40 degrees and raining to 80 degrees and hot and dry, and events ranging from chic parties in Tel Aviv to long days of sightseeing around London?  

Here's how:

1. Forget practicality - I used to pack tennis shoes, shorts and tank tops for sightseeing trips. I knew it was the sensible thing to do, but when I would arrive in country and pull out the clothes, I'd realize that I didn't even like the outfit. Now I pack clothes that I love to wear. If I love wearing it at home, I'll love wearing it on my trip and as long as I bring more than high heels, I'll be comfortable.

2. Pack the workhorses - have a skirt that goes with everything? That's what you want when traveling. The white linen top shown above was the perfect piece. I wore it out to three different dinners and events, dressed it up with a skirt and down with jeans.

3. Shop BEFORE your trip - if you're at all like me, your favorite piece of clothing is the most recent thing you purchased. Rather than saving all your shopping for your trip, pick up a few things ahead of time. You'll love the new pieces and won't tire of something you wear two or three times. 

Luckily for me, I found out about Golden Tote a couple of weeks before my trip and decided to try their personal styling service. Have you heard about these guys? It's an unbelievable service. You sign up online (you can do so here), fill out an individual style profile, pick one to two items that you know you want and Golden Tote puts together a grab bag of additional items for you based on your profile. You can choose a tote with 2 - 3 items for $49 (tote is around a $200 value) or 5 - 7 items for $149 (tote is up to $600 in value).

I've always been nervous to try a styling service because my body is not exactly a standard shape. Tiny on top and really curvy on the bottom, it can be a nightmare to find things that fit. Golden Tote nailed it with my bag. I got the small tote this time around to get my feet wet, but will DEFINITELY be getting the larger tote the next time I order. It's just so much fun being surprised with items picked just for you

I selected the white linen top shown above and let Golden Tote do the rest. They sent me the checkered fit and flare dress which perfectly accentuated my little waist while not drawing too much attention to my hips and I added on this black maxi that ended up being the second workhorse of my trip keep (more on that dress next week).

Both the top and the dresses packed easily and added enough variety to my wardrobe to keep me from tiring of my options. Also, given that GT lets you add on items to your tote at a discounted rate (my maxi ended up being only an additional $35), I got two dresses (each with their own belt) and a white linen blouse for well under $100 which left me enough money to still do some shopping on my trip. That's what I call winning.

Spring Forward

Madewell Top / BR Skirt / Madewell Shoes / Dolce Sunglasses / Red Lip

Did everyone survive the time change this weekend? I definitely feel as though I missed out on some sleep, but in my book, it's completely worth it. Sunshine into the evening, longer days on the horizon and spring just a few short weeks away - definitely worth it.

This crop top from Madewell is barely a crop (just how I like it). It doesn't obviously bare the midriff, but occasionally, if you move in just a certain way, a little skin peeks through. Perfect with a midi skirt for spring.

Time changes always seem like a good time to shake up my morning routine. I'm going to be a little tired and out of whack the first few days anyway, so why not do it right? This morning my husband and I got up 30 minutes early, had coffee together and after he left for work, I got in a quick meditation. Here's hoping it lasts more than a few days as it was a great way to start the day - a nice break from the usual rushing around trying desperately to get out of the house on time to make it into work.

 

 

 

Inner Ballerina

Wifey Shirt / Chicwish Skirt / Madewell Shoes / Kelly Bello Necklace c/o / Clutch (old similar here and here and also love this one)

I was a ballerina once. I can't tell you when I started, but I can absolutely remember when I stopped.

In third grade, I had to miss a recital for my grandfather's funeral and while it's entirely possible that my recollection is incorrect, I don't think I ever really went back.

My perfectionism was apparent even back then. I am far from perfect, but my need to do everything perfectly in the eyes of others or not do it at all, seems to have been with me from the gate. Missing the recital made me feel apart from, different from the other girls in my class and so rather than experience that discomfort, I left.

To be fair, ballet was probably never going to be my thing. My mother was a talented ballerina, but I had been introduced to horses the previous year and was rapidly falling in love. There are really only two things I feel I missed out on by discontinuing ballet - the long, lean dancer's legs (mine are more muscular from the years of horseback riding) and the regular wearing of tutus.

There is something so fun and fanciful about yards of tulle bouncing around you as you walk. Luckily for me (and for you) tulle skirts, reminiscent of tutus, are back in a major way. I probably won't be wearing this skirt to the office anytime soon, but on a girls night out or a date night with the husband...why not?

The pricing on the Chicwish skirt is great, but they are not kidding when they say 12 - 18 days for shipping. If you're in any kind of rush, pay for the expedited option. There are also beautiful and custom options available through Bliss Tulle.

Oh, and the perfectionism? 25 years later and I'm still working on it. Progress is slow, but some of my goals this year are to settle for things that are "just" good enough and to learn to sit with the discomfort of doing things imperfectly. The greatest discovery so far? Once you start doing it, the discomfort becomes less - not more.

Want to start being imperfect? I began by leaving dishes in the sink overnight (I know, the horror) and once I became comfortable with that small action (it took way longer than I'd like to admit) I moved on from there. Start with something small, see how it makes you feel and move to the next thing whenever you feel ready. Miracles can happen. 

P.S. This Kelly Bello piece is called the Past Present Future Necklace. It has served as a gorgeous reminder of the transition I'm currently working through and the changes I'm making for the future. It can't hurt to mark the milestones in life with diamonds!