How To Pack For An International Trip

I always read about people who pack an entire month's worth of travel into a carry-on bag, and although part of me is impressed with how clever that is the rest of me is horrified at the thought of wearing the same thing over and over!
When people tell me they pack one black dress and the next day wear it with a blue scarf and hey presto! a whole new outfit! I always just think "no, you are wearing the same now dirty black dress with a blue scarf. No difference."

I actually do work relatively hard to have items that mix and match and create lots of different outfits, based on a neutral palette, but that also bores me silly. There is this part of me that thinks a trip overseas is a major deal, and therefore I want to wear clothes that I love and feel happy in. And for me that tends to be bright colors that don't necessarily mix and match. So how I pack everything becomes a little more important because even though I wear everything I take with me,  by most people's standards it's too much.

Buy a really good suitcase. 

I am clearly not a backpack or duffle girl, although when I first started traveling I would happily have been.
A couple of years ago I changed suitcases and bought a 25 inch Samsonite suitcase.
When you are shopping for suitcases look at the construction over all else. The shops are full of super lightweight cases, but most will crush if a heavy bag lands on them, which means anything breakable you have inside, will break. My Samsonite is relatively lightweight, but super sturdy. Find a Samsonite like mine on sale  here and similar suitcases on sale at The Container Store here.

Don't buy black.

When you are standing at the baggage carousel after 10 hours flying and you are exhausted, watch how many black suitcases go swirling by you. They all look the same, which makes it easy for another weary traveler to pick up yours and head out into the world with it.
I bought a red suitcase, last year one of my travelers brought an orange one. They were easy to spot, and there were very few circling by us in the same colors.

Get 360 degree wheels.

Sooooo crucial! The difference in maneuverability is incredible, and the decrease in stress on your back is worth its weight in gold!
This is another reason to buy a quality case though, because you want wheels that stay on and don't break when your suitcase is being thown around by baggage handlers.
I found plenty of cool looking, chic cases that had flimsy looking wheels or cheap plastic wheels. Samsonite stands by their product and repairs any breakages, so should I have one at least they will fix it. My red suitcase has done multiple trans-world trips and so far nothing has broken.

Size matters.

I really can't do anything smaller than a 25 inch case, but I definitely won't go any bigger. I have friends that travel with a 23 inch, but that is too small for me. Always keep in mind how you are going to get your bag on and off the baggage carousel, and how you are getting it to and from where you are going. The bigger the bag, the more you will fill it.

Don't use a hard case carry on bag.

This may sound odd. For years I used a hard-sided rolling carry-on bag. It was genius in the airport, right up until I got my suitcase off the carousel, at which point it was hell. Especially traveling in Europe where you are getting on and off trains, maneuvering along cobble stoned streets, and climbing stairs to get to your apartment.
I now use a soft carry-on, and as soon as I have my suitcase at baggage claim I put the carry-on inside it, leaving me with just one suitcase and my handbag. Frankly it is one of my best travel hacks ever!

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Roll your clothing.

My mother is a world traveler, and is super chic. She told me years ago to roll my clothes when I pack them to stop creasing and to maximize space. It took me a while to get on board with it, but now I roll all my clothes.

Use packing cubes.

This is the best thing ever, especially if you need clothes for different occasions and climates. I use the Eagle Creek packing cubes, and I have them in a variety of sizes. I compartmentalize clothes for different parts of each trip, or breakdown clothes into categories and have one cube for lingerie and swimwear, another for T-shirts and tanks, another for skirts and sundresses - you get the picture. It makes travel so much easier. 
I also have a small cube that I use for all my chargers and electronic gadgetry. I always know where everything is, and I never have to rifle through a suitcase to find anything.
I always pack a cube with three days worth of outfits and necessities in case my suitcase doesn't arrive with me. Again it keeps everything super organized.

I bought my Eagle Creek packing cubes at The Container Store.

FYI The Container Store has a travel sale on right now, which would have been perfect timing for me, except that I already have everything. Except for maybe one of these Tab Messenger Seat Back Organizers. They look pretty cool.

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What To Pack This Summer For Capri

Capri has to be one of the most glamorous places on earth.

Perched prettily in the Gulf of Naples with a view along the Amalfi Coast, (from Villa Jovis) Capri is all spectacular views, sapphire blue ocean and glamour for days.

From the top of the world at Villa Jovis, looking down at the water surrounding Capri

I always think about Jackie O in her heyday walking around Capri town buying sandals. In fact every time I go to Capri I buy sandals from the same store Jackie O did! (read about it here)

When you are packing for your trip to Capri there are some key elements to keep in mind.

Capri is luxe casual. It is the epitome of chic, but effortless chic. 
Cottons and linens wear beautifully on this sunny island, lightweight fabrics that move with you when you walk. 

Here is my list of what you should be packing to take to Capri this summer.

Ideal staple items to base your wardrobe on are a great pair of wide legged, flowy white linen pants like my favorite Cool Breeze Wide Leg Linen Pant  from Nic and Zoe. Pair them with a sapphire loose fitting tank.

A maxi sundress is a must on Capri. I love this Quintana maxi from Sky, available at Revolve.com

Abandon your black and your beige - they look out of place and dull on Capri. Channel some 60's glam with some Pucci instead.

Leave your heels at home, trading them in for a chic flat sandal. I like to buy world famous Capri sandals at Shettino on via Roma just beyond the piazzetta in Capri town.

Dolce and Gbbana retro style bikini

Malibu Barbie swimwear looks crass in a place as fabulous as Capri. Opt instead for a vintage/retro style bikini or maillot. 

Dolce and Gabbana vintage style maillot

Protect your face with a wide brimmed hat like this one from Revolve Clothing. (I found Revolve via the fabulous @rachelzelic on Instagram)

Sunglasses are a must on an island, and glamorous, chic sunglasses are essential on Capri.
 Leave your traditional aviator styles at home, instead wear an oversized pair like the Dior Twisting 58mm glasses

or something uber-chic and new like Dior So Real sunglasses.

Makeup needs to be so minimal it borders on non-existent. A full face of makeup looks redundant on a sun drenched island, so stick to the basics. A gold tinted dry oil, like Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or 

keeps your skin hydrated and gives you a fabulous glow. Use a waterproof brow product so that you can swim and still have brows, and a blockbuster lash building waterproof mascara is a must. My favorite for years and years has been DiorShow Blackout Waterproof. 

If you want some extra bronzing use a gel bronzer so that your skin looks fresh.

Top off your Capri summer makeup with a bold pop of lip color like Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lip in Venezia

Don't forget your hair. You can't be blown out perfection on an island, even a super glam island - it just looks like you're trying too hard. Instead embrace your curls or waves with Ouidad. Before you dive into that beautiful sapphire blue Mediterranean sea coat your hair with Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner. 

It will protect your color and keep your hair super soft. When you get out of the water, towel dry then spritz it with Ouidad Botanical Boost Curl Energizing and Refreshing Spray. 

If you are a curly girl it will help give you bouncy, shiny curls instead of post-ocean frizz. if you are a naturally smooth haired girl or a Brazilian Blow Out smooth haired girl your hair will be soft and glossy and shiny. I just got both of these in travel size, ready for summer in Capri.

6 Things You Should Never Pack In Your Carry On

I have a very dear friend who is embarking on her first international trip in a few weeks, and is planning on only taking a carry-on bag.
This gives me borderline anxiety!
I could never survive a multi week trip with just a carry-on.
Not in a million years.

Anyway, for those of you flying anywhere this summer, or ever, here are things you should never pack in your carry on bag.

1. Smelly Foods or Snacks.
There are two reasons for this, the first being that your entire bag and everything in it will take on that smell, and depending on the food in question you may have a hard time getting rid of that smell.
Secondly no one else on the plane wants to smell it.
That goes for eating smelly food in flight as well! Be considerate of your fellow travelers because we really are stuck with that smell, in a confined space, for a long time.

2. Stinky Clothes.
Same as above - none of us want to deal with that stench! If you are traveling with stinky clothes (or shoes) and can't check the bag they are in, at least put them in ziplock bags or travel laundry bags such as Flight 001 Go Clean Laundry Bags.

3. Weapons.
As stupid as it sounds, people do it all the time. Just stand in line at a busy airport and watch what people send through X-Ray.
This also includes gag gifts and other items shaped like weapons.



4. Fluids Over 3.4 Ounces
You probably already know this, but sometimes you can still make mistakes. Be careful that you don't accidentally throw in a bottle of perfume at the last minute, or a bottle of anything expensive.
Another thing to consider is your Duty Free shopping. One of my friends recently bought Duty Free wine when flying back from New Zealand, but it was taken from her at LAX when she went to change planes. If you buy  Duty Free perfume, put it in your checked luggage when you go through customs before re-checking your bag. Don't try and take it on board your domestic flight with you.

5. Meats, Cheeses or Chocolate.
Grabbing a last minute wheel of Brie or a Calcio Cavallo at the airport, pre flight? Do't pack it in your carry on luggage. Some airport xray machines can't tell the difference between these foods and plastic explosive - they have the same density on xray.
If you are bringing them back, know you may get  searched at TSA.

6. Battery Operated Items.
If you are traveling with battery operated items, make sure you remove the batteries, or tape the on/off switch in the "off" position. They can turn on when bouncing around inside your carry on and cause you problems at TSA.
Also know that the TSA agent who is watching your bag go thru 
x-ray can see the shape of everything in your bag, and if you are packing naughty battery operated items in your carry on they probably will open your bag. In front of everyone in line. (and if I'm in that line I will die laughing!!)