Vacation Recap: What I Packed Jul 01, 2012
My family and I left for vacation on a Sunday morning and planned on heading home on Thursday, but we actually stayed until Friday. We were staying with relatives in the south, who live on a lake. I knew I would have access to a washer and dryer but didn’t plan on using it.
What I Packed:
- J. Crew navy cotton voile sundress (seen here)
- Lands’ End white linen sundress (seen here)
- Lands’ End green knit sundress (seen here)
- Soft Surroundings linen dress
- Old Navy denim cutoffs (seen here)
- Caslon orange twill shorts
- Kut from the Kloth white jeans (seen here)
- Old Navy black yoga capris
- Lands’ End Canvas orange plaid cotton voile shirt
- Target chambray shirt (seen here)
- Armourlux white/navy stripe tee (seen here)
- Old Navy gray vintage v-neck tee (seen here)
- Two casual tee shirts
- Aerin Rose blue halter one-piece swimsuit
- Lands’s End paisley halter one-piece swimsuit
- Softspots Tatianna sandals in tan
- Born Myndy sandals in yellow (seen here)
- New Balance sneakers
- Reef “Sandy” flip flops
- Three pairs of socks
- HOBO tan crossbody small purse
- Nordstrom yellow leather tote bag (seen here)
- A bunch of different bangle bracelets, these necklaces (only wearing one here but have two), this necklace, and my silver hoops
What I Didn’t Use:
- Lands’ End white linen sundress
- Chambray shirt
- Lands’ End Canvas swimsuit
What I Wish I Brought:
- Another pair of workout pants
- Water shoes
The car ride was about nine hours; on the trip down, I wore the orange shirt and denim cutoffs and the tan sandals, on the way home I wore the gray tee, white jeans (yep they are that comfortable!), and tan sandals.
We spent the majority of the vacation at their house, where it really didn’t matter what I wore. We went to the zoo one day, and for that I wore the Soft Surroundings linen shift with the tan sandals; I used the yellow leather tote since it was my purse, Emerson’s bag, and also carried some snacks and water. We went to a nearby bar for beer and wings and I wore the white jeans with the vintage tee (pretty much this same outfit, but with the yellow sandals and the yellow tote). One evening they invited over neighbors for dinner and a sunset cruise on the boat and I wore this outfit. I thought I may use the chambray shirt as a swimsuit coverup, but instead used the J. Crew sundress or just a towel.
The lake shore was rocky and the bottom either rocky or mucky, my flip flops couldn’t hang and I really wish I had a pair of proper water shoes. Emerson had a pair from REI and my husband wore his Vibram Five Fingers and they both had a blast while I stuck to the bottom of the lake. I also wish I had brought more workout clothes – I know my cousin and his wife are athletic, but I didn’t know I would have free access to a gym every morning and I took advantage of it.
I brought more dresses than necessary. This was a very relaxed environment where a sundress looked quite fancy, even with bare feet and no makeup. I felt most comfortable in my orange shorts and Breton-striped tee, which was casual but true to my personal style. While I could have packed my entire closet for this vacation, I tried to keep the list short so fashion wasn’t something I had to think about while away. I wanted simple pieces that could dress up and down with ease and mix and match.
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Thanks so much for your reply! And I totally get wearing kid-friendly clothes, because I have two little boys, so I always have something sticky on me. 🙂
I just got back from vacation as well, and I also took too many dresses. I really thought I’d wear them almost every day, but the only one I even pulled out of the closet was my black Gap maxi. It was mostly v-neck tees and shorts for me–sometimes gussied up (a bit) with jewelry and sometimes not. Next year I’m going to try to remember, but I have a feeling I’ll be bringing dresses again–I love them too much!
And you look really, really great with the natural hair and make-up.
I just got back from vacation as well, and I also took too many dresses. I really thought I’d wear them almost every day, but the only one I even pulled out of the closet was my black Gap maxi. It was mostly v-neck tees and shorts for me–sometimes gussied up (a bit) with jewelry and sometimes not. Next year I’m going to try to remember, but I have a feeling I’ll be bringing dresses again–I love them too much!
And you look really, really great with the natural hair and make-up.
I started packing by pulling my tried and true wardrobe faves. I then took out anything that couldn’t be easily laundered or wasn’t Emerson-friendly. Then I looked at them to see which could mix and match, and which were the most versatile. I thought back to last summer when I went to a Vermont lake for a week, and what I wore then, and also the lifestyle of these relatives we were staying with. So my original pile of potentials were cut in half. But yes, I tried to considered both outfits and separates just in case 🙂
LOL my husband is 6’4″ or so and I am 5’3″ 🙂
Thank you for posting this list! Did you try to pack a bunch of separates that would work well together, or did you plan out specific outfits? It looks like you used pretty much everything you packed. I always find that I overpack, but I also tend to take more fashion risks when I’m on a trip, for whatever reason. Maybe because I’m inspired by a new place. You look gorgeous in the green dress and I love your wavy hair! 🙂
Thank you for posting this list! Did you try to pack a bunch of separates that would work well together, or did you plan out specific outfits? It looks like you used pretty much everything you packed. I always find that I overpack, but I also tend to take more fashion risks when I’m on a trip, for whatever reason. Maybe because I’m inspired by a new place. You look gorgeous in the green dress and I love your wavy hair! 🙂
I started packing by pulling my tried and true wardrobe faves. I then took out anything that couldn’t be easily laundered or wasn’t Emerson-friendly. Then I looked at them to see which could mix and match, and which were the most versatile. I thought back to last summer when I went to a Vermont lake for a week, and what I wore then, and also the lifestyle of these relatives we were staying with. So my original pile of potentials were cut in half. But yes, I tried to considered both outfits and separates just in case 🙂
Thanks so much for your reply! And I totally get wearing kid-friendly clothes, because I have two little boys, so I always have something sticky on me. 🙂
You look gorgeous with wavy hair and no makeup! (But also with straight hair and makeup, don’t get me wrong.)
Thanks for sharing your packing list. I am going on a lake vacation later this month, and I’m sure I’ll refer back to this. Also, I am nervous by proxy about you going to eat wings in white jeans. It would be a surefire disaster if I tried it.
You look gorgeous with wavy hair and no makeup! (But also with straight hair and makeup, don’t get me wrong.)
Thanks for sharing your packing list. I am going on a lake vacation later this month, and I’m sure I’ll refer back to this. Also, I am nervous by proxy about you going to eat wings in white jeans. It would be a surefire disaster if I tried it.
Thanks for posting this! I love seeing what people pack for vacation. I’m going to Mexico in a few weeks and I will take some tips from your list. I have a personal question to ask (feel free not to answer) how tall are you, and how tall is your husband? He looks so tall in the bottom left picture!! Not that it matters, you are a cute family, I’m just being nosy!
Thanks for posting this! I love seeing what people pack for vacation. I’m going to Mexico in a few weeks and I will take some tips from your list. I have a personal question to ask (feel free not to answer) how tall are you, and how tall is your husband? He looks so tall in the bottom left picture!! Not that it matters, you are a cute family, I’m just being nosy!
LOL my husband is 6’4″ or so and I am 5’3″ 🙂