Reporting in: 10 days on the ground in Europe in a carry on

Initially I was going to do this big production post of look what I took and how I packed it, both when I left and when I came home. As I was packing, I thought hey...you should take some photos and if you know where this is going you know I didn't. As I was packing to go home, it was after midnight after a hellish night of travel with an early wakeup call for more travel, I was ready to kill MFD, and the TV was broadcasting the stress of Election night so yeah, no photos then either. I also didn't take any when I unpacked at home, but truth be told I just stowed the suitcase away over a month after traveling but since I did laundry the first day, it was a mess. The blessing and curse of spare bedrooms you never use, am I right?

What was in the checked bag - others I was traveling with were checking, and if one checks, you all check - but it was 21 inches with wheels:

• A pair of ankle boots and a pair of Tom's with a larger bottom
• Four bottoms: one jeans, three leggings (clothes were in packing cubes)
• Six-ish tops: one black tunic length cowl neck sweater, one marled knit v-neck, one black tunic length 3/4 sleeve top, one crew neck thin sweater, one tunic length v-neck, and a spare thin tank
• One set of pajamas: Gap favorite pants, long sleeve tee, tank top
• Undergarments: two bras, five pairs of underwear, five pairs of socks
• Makeup bag
• Health & beauty aids bag - I brought solid shampoos and put my day and night face lotions and eye cream in contact lens cases
• Travel laundry kit
• Two paperback books
• Scarf, hat, gloves
• One thin fleece
• One long rain jacket (I took the lining out of that one for this trip)
• One fold up zipper bag that could be checked on the way back

What was in the carry on:

• Medicines in an organizer
• Electronics: power cords for iPhone, camera, kindle; adapters
• Purse w/ wallet, passport, camera
• One heavy fleece
• Mini flight organizer bag to pull out before bag went into overhead with tissues, ear plugs, sleep mask, kindle, iPhone, portable charger, headphones, a pair of socks, and a pair of snoozies slippers

I wore a pair of yoga pants, a tank, a vneck, and a pair of sneakers. 

Lessons learned:

• I could have done with one less top, one less pair of shoes, only one fleece, and none of my vitamins because I ignored them most days
• We shop when we travel and we needed the checked bag on the way home. 
• I can do this smaller bag thing if I do some laundry while traveling. One of the places we stayed had a washer, but it was a washer/dryer in one and I had no idea how to use it so I think my clothes got clean but I can't be sure. For those other times, there's the woolite travel laundry kit.

Are you an over-packer or under-packer?

Thursday Thoughts: vacation countdown

1. Allow me to remind you that I once had a Pete Rose haircut, wore short things, and posed with pumpkins. Basic bitch from 1977 on. My mom always posts throwbacks on Instagram. Follow her here.

2. Is there anyone out there who has everything they need before a long trip and has to buy absolutely nothing? If so, I want to meet you. Call me. And by call me I mean text me, of course. Also, is there anyone who has figured out how to beam their dogs wherever they are? I want in on that too.

3. Jana and I saw Jodi Picoult at the library! She has great energy and is very engaging and talked a lot about the conversation on race we desperately need in this country but fear having on a lot of levels. I appreciated her honesty and frankness. I bought a copy of her newest, Small Great Things, and I can't wait to read it...but it's heavy so I'm not hauling it to Ireland and it's signed so even if I did haul it I couldn't leave it behind there which is my M.O. on trips. Local friends, check out Author Events at the Free Library - some are free, some tickets cost $15 or $30. There's usually a book signing to accompany it but not everyone does photos so it was awesome that she did. They have an eclectic and impressive roster of writers in.

4. We walked out of the library and I was enamored by this little urban arty thing affixed to the light pole.

5. Center City has been feeling a little edgier lately, so I took an uber to the train station. My uber driver was old, listened to smooth jazz, and drove a pickup truck. Every time I have to take the train home late, I feel like I'm in the bus station scene from Adventures in Babysitting. As I was sitting there waiting on a train Tuesday night, trying to keep my eye on all the people around me and googling an image to use here, I came upon the perfect one...from my own blog last year. LOL. I guess I am perpetually Brenda in the Bus Station.

6. I did the thing: 10 full days and two half travel days packed into a 21 inch carry on. I'll report back on how this goes.

7. My brother is house and dogsitting for us while we're on vacation. Sorry for the blurriness but Mae is quite pleased.

8. Just in case you were thinking your candidate is going to win so you don't need to vote. Obviously this is skewed the way I like it but the same applies to all elected positions at all times. Tinfoil hat your vote doesn't matter conspiracy theorists, I'm not entertaining you at this time.

9. Reminder. Anything that's in your life is there until you let it go, and you are responsible for what stays and what goes.

10.  E-card of the week: Right about here right now.

Hit me with yours.

Linking up with Kristin

What's in Jill's Makeup Bag?

It's that time again! My great friend and personal product guru Jill, a professional makeup artist and cosmetology educator at PB Beauty School in NJ, is back today for her monthly post. Beauty is her passion and she's gracious enough to stop by here once a month to share her knowledge and favorites with us. 

Click here to learn more about Jill.

Follow Jill on Instagram: @kicksandlipsticks
Previous blogs by Jill:
Bargain Beauty Buys, LUSHtastic

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Hello again everyone! I am getting ready to head out on vacation this Friday on a 15 night Disney Cruise through the Panama Canal. That being said, packing for a total of 18 days is giving me a ton of anxiety. Over the years of traveling with Steph I have become much better about packing, especially with space saving. See her shout out on Ebags Packing Cubes here, we both really find them useful! This month I want to share with you my travel makeup must haves. What I can't live without. Most makeup artists have their own personal Ulta at their disposal, so picking and choosing what to bring can be difficult. Of all my "babies," the following is what I just can't be without! 

I'm not going to break down my skin care essentials because we talked about it last month, but you can read about my beauty routine here in case you missed it. I find the Slim Packing Cube to be really useful in packing those items. It is perfect for holding my toiletries, just the right size and it has a strap for convenient hanging in a hotel bathroom.

 

I got this awesome quad of travel bags when I was shopping around in Victoria's Secret a few weeks ago, they were only $29.95. They're not available in this print anymore but they have a ton of similar items on their website. I like that the pieces in this set can fit inside the large one or can be thrown in a purse or beach bag separately.

  

I will also be using my Eve Pearl Satchel Drawstring Makeup Bag ($34) This thing is a Mary Poppins bag of sorts. It holds so much! It cinches up and also has a convenient strap.

I love Eve and really like a lot of her products - check her out if you aren't familiar! Her line is very skin friendly. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks back and have to share these pics of Eve and I, also me and one of Eve's Emmys (a girl can dream!).

  My Makeup Must Haves:

Face Staples

 1.) Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation $48

This stuff is amazing and literally worth every cent. I often work 11 hr days sweating behind a blow dryer and this stuff doesn't budge. It goes on smooth and gives the skin a nice glow.

 2.) Laura Gellar Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow $45

I use this bronzer everyday. It is quite big and I would say it lasts me about six months. I love this for a little sun-kissed look or even to do my cheek contour with.

3.) Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light $45

I know this is pricey, but I use it to just highlight my cheekbones and my chin. Nothing I have ever tried worked as well as this. Highlighting powder is helpful in giving the face dimension especially in pictures!

4.) Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Powder in Luminous $30

This shimmering powder can be used on the face and the body. I use it a lot in the summer on my collarbones and upper chest to give the skin some glow. I love sparkles so if I can make my skin sparkle like Edward Cullen in Twilight I am buying it.

5.) My favorite trio of Mac Blushes $17

Melba, Sunbasque, and Devil all have orange or coral undertones. I love these for summer but Melba is my main blush I wear all year round!

 6.) Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo $23

I have pretty thick brows so I do not use a pencil or a brow paste. I simply use the powder duo to just fill in the shape. It sets nicely and it isn't overly dramatic. Also, when I wash it off it's easy to remove, not like a paste that sometimes leaves you looking like Groucho Marx.

7.) SmashBox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner $20

This liner is AMAZING! I have it in a few colors and will be packing it in brown and black. The best part about this besides being waterproof is that there is a built in sharpener in the cap, no reason to pack one because this baby is always sharp!

8.) Nyx Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand in Porcelain $4.99

I use this to spot treat any blemishes that arise and I also will use this to contour and brighten under the eye. This is probably my go to concealer line for when I am working as well. It comes in a ton of shades as well as three color correcting shades. 

9.) Makeup For Ever HD Microfinish Powder $35

I use this in place of a colored setting powder. I like the way it sits on my skin and it is lightweight and translucent so it can be worn with any skin tone and it is talc-free so it does not dry out the skin.

10.) Too Faced Better Than Sex Water Proof Mascara $23

I had been using Calvin Klein CK One Mascara for a while and LOVED IT! Then of course like most things we find and love, it was discontinued. I have been bouncing from mascara to mascara since to find one I like. This is the current one I am using and honestly I do really like it, it lengthens and defines and the brush is nice. Plus, its waterproof.

 

LIPS

I love Lipstick. I think I am like most women, in that even if I am not doing a full face of makeup a little lip color and mascara is something we gravitate to. Just makes you feel good.

11.) Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipsticks $18

Can't say enough about this stuff. I am obsessed. The color is super pigmented, goes on and stays on. Smooth and creamy application and doesn't dry out the lips like many matte lipsticks can.

 

12.) Mac Lipsticks $17

 I really like to have a variety of lipsticks no matter what the occasion, so I know it seems like I am packing a lot of them but I just can't choose one or two. I love them all so much!

13.) Lip Liners and Lip Glosses 

BH Cosmetics - Candy and Raspberry $4.50

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Grandma, Trick and Sebastian  $16

Dose of Colors Lipgloss in Bellini $15

Mac Lipglass in Nymphette and Saint Germain $15

These are all a bunch of shades that compliment most lipsticks, pinky orange undertones are kind of what looks best on my skin so that makes up a large portion of my personal collection.

EYES 

I love having a few options for eyes as well. I have my fall back shades that I tend to use everyday but on vacation when I have a little more time to play around I like trying new looks and using a little more color.

14.) Naked One Palette $54 

 This is my favorite shadow palette, I love the colors in it and it is always my go to.

15.) Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded Palette $56

 I do not need to bring this but I just picked it up and will play around with it on my trip. I like the colors in it so far and any UD shadow is good quality.

16.) Dose of Colors Eye Deal Duo in Disco and Pixie Dust $25

I am obsessed with these glitters. They have a built-in primer that sits above the loose sparkle pigment. I like to be glittery and I love both of these shades so much.

Lastly, Brushes

What is an artist without a brush? I love Real Techniques Brushes. They are my go-to for work and play. Plus you can't beat the quality for the price! The three sets that they make are perfect for face, eye and brow. I really feel like you do not need anything besides the three kits listed below. In addition they come in a great little travel case. Also, right now at Ulta you can get them Buy 1, Get 1 50% off . They run this deal a lot so its a good chance to stock up on them.

17.) Real Techniques Core Collection $17.99

18.) Real Techniques Starter Kit $17.99

18) Real Techniques Brow Set $19.99

19.) Dose of Colors Brushes 

 Flat Contour Brush $24

Vegan and Cruelty Free, soft and great upscale addition to any brush collection

Blending Brush $18

Love this for working on my eyes, especially when creating a little more of a smokey look.

Tapered Blush Brush $24

This is perfect for applying blush, plus it is so soft and fluffy it feels great on the skin

One last little gem I can't forget about is my Mac Fix + Setting Spray. I use this to lock my makeup in and I also will use it on the beach or by the pool for a refreshing mist on my skin when its hot.

Mac has made it in a small travel size and you can grab it for $10 dollars. Not bad.

 

I hope you guys have enjoyed taking a peek into my travel bag. I have my makeup figured out now its on to packing my clothes and shoes! Yikes, I am glad with Southwest Bags Fly Free!

 Bon Voyage Beauties! See you next month!!

********************** 

Thanks so much to Jill for the peek inside of her makeup bag. Did you find anything you liked? 

TWTW - the one before vacation

Friday night I had to work late and didn't get home until after 7. MFD was away for the weekend so I locked the doors, made naughty nachos, and sunk into Luther. Ruth Wilson is insane and awesome and not enough can be said about Idris Elba. 

Saturday morning I did a Target run for fun things like doormats and new glass water bottles and not fun things like toilet paper and sports bras. I came home to construction.

Yes, we are getting the backyard concrete done the week we go on vacation. We like to live on the edge. By we I mean MFD because this project so close to departure is stressing me the fuck out. There's no fence on one side right now so it's like playing goalie to the dogs. Not fun. I did get assurances that it was going to be poured today. If it's not, you will hear my scream this evening no matter where you are in the world. 

I met my BFFs Debbie and Michelle for lunch at Las Margaritas for a late celebration of Debbie's birthday. 

Before lunch I went to Marshalls. It was a bad one so I didn't expect the homegoods section to be awesome but it was. So I went back after lunch and secured things for a future decor project, including a clearance table I had to drag all over the store because they only had small carts. I was tempted to go to another Marshalls after that but told myself to slow my roll. Instead I came home, got in bed without dinner and watched more Luther. Then I was hungry at 9:30 p.m. so I had cookies and milk. Not nutritious but quite delicious.

Sunday I did the typical hausfrauing (sheets and towels and blah blah blah) and started packing for our trip. I'm waiting on the Amazon delivery of more e-bags packing bags but everything is laid out in the spare room and a lot of stuff is in the suitcase. I'm pumped. Do you guys print and bind your itinerary and confirmations or am I the only dork? I typically have it in my planner and phone but am worried about the lack of WiFi everywhere so I figured I'd be safe and have it all in hand.

L'Shanah Tovah to all of my Jewish friends, and happy birthday to my friend Lauren. La, if you find an awesome new appetizer this fall as you usually do, please take pics and do a guest blog for me! xoxo

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Pack it up pack it in, let me begin

I typically use excel spreadsheets for packing and try everything on before I put it in a bag which is very Type A tight assed of me, I know. I have spreadsheets for cruises, long weekend trips (air), long weekend trips (driving), lake trips, beach trips, week at the beach trips, week long vacation trips (air) etc. etc. What can I say? I love a list.

Since this upcoming trip is a laid back casual clothes situation with a washer and dryer available, I simply laid out soft stuff on the bed in the spare room, let the piles sit there for a week, picked some things out of the piles and added some new stuff, and boom, done. Note: The description of this trip should prepare you for the photos you will see on social media of me wearing the same clothes with no makeup and hair that resembles a planet due to salt air. 

We're driving so I wanted to pack in a bag that could be squished, hence the duffle. I have a Stella & Dot bag Lori gave me and an old Vera Bradley. I'm not a big Vera fan but you cannot beat the duffle for hauling a lot of crap. I packed everything in the expandable Stella & Dot first and then repacked it in the Vera. The Vera zipped even after I added a pair of sneakers and a big ass bag of sunblock.

Busting the seams of this duffle: two sweatshirts, a long sleeve T, pajamas - long pants/capris/shorts/2 tanks, four non pajama tanks, three t-shirts, two pairs of shorts, capris, a dress for a family photo, three bathing suits, a cover up, long sleeve for the beach, under garments, all of my health & beauty aids, a pair of sneakers, a pair of flip flops, and a big bag of sunblock. I'll end up not wearing half of it. Trust.

The only thing I have left to pack are books (I'll take at least eight), mags, and electronics. The small electronics go in these smaller bags and everything will packed in the larger Stella & Dot I didn't use for clothes.

Curious about my beach essentials? You can read about them here.

Gotta run. MFD (who packs a half hour before we leave for a trip) is reading articles like Avoiding Shark Attacks aloud. I need to take refuge upstairs with a book. Ahhh, vacation in the summer of the shark. TTFN.