(A bit late) Long Weekend Week: Packing List

"I travel light; as light, that is, as a man can..."
-Christopher Fry (b.1970) British playwright

Packing is by far the worst part of any trip.

I'm one of those people who likes to decide what I'm going to wear each day depending on lots of things... the weather, the day’s events, my mood... So I find it agonizing to try and plan out what I will need for a trip. I'm also a bit of an over planner (a staircase as Chris not so affectionately calls me) and I need to have every outfit to be decided ahead of time, so I can make sure I have all the underpinnings and accessories I will need!

Out of necessity more than anything, I’ve come up with a must have packing list.

The items on this list are what I consider wardrobe basics… pack these and all you'll need is to throw in a few fun or colourful pieces and you are good to go! All the articles listed can be interpreted to fit you’re personal style; you just want the basic idea!

The List:

1. Skinny Jeans



I love these classic J. Crew matchstick jeans


2. Boyfriend Blazer



Mine is really similar to this Halogen Boyfriend Blazer from Nordstrom


3. Maxi Dress




So comfy... but looks so good! I have this Victoria Secret Halter version in Black


4. Basic Tee



This American Eagle V-neck Favorite T is awesome! You can layer it or wear it on its own... Plus you can actually throw it in the dyer with no shrink!


5. Long Cardigan



I always go for a black cardigan, but you can add some colour here if you want. I love the American Apparel Solid Rib Cardigan


6. Ballet Flats



I live in ballet flats! These Tory Burch 'Reva' Ballerina Flats are super comfortable and super stylish!

7. Basic Tank



I always make sure I pack a couple of layering tanks. I love the fit of the Garage Sheer Cami, and for under $10 you really can't go wrong!


8. Wrap or Scarf



I love having a wrap with me when I travel! It can easily double as a blanket when you're cold, and if you get hot you can loop it on to your handbag! I am loving the colour and texture of this Love Quotes Linen Scarf available at Tobi


9. Sunglasses



I like classic sunglasses that are a bit hip, so I usually go for a pair of Aviator or Wayfarer Ray Bans.


10. Leggings



These Lululemon Wunder Under Pants are so comfortable and fit amazingly! These are not only great for traveling... if you don't have a pair already, you should!


11. Shorts



A great pair of shorts can easily go from day to night if you pick the right style and fabric. I would choose a pair like these Linen Tie Shorts from Forever 21. Great with flats during the day, and then dress them up with heels for the evening! Va va voom!

12. Heels



I just got this pair of Spriggle heels by Spring and I am in love! They look so hot, but are comfortable enough I can dance in them all night!


I find that with this basic wardrobe, I never stress out about having nothing to wear. Pack a few fun tops, dresses and accessories as well and the outfit options are endless!

Happy Packing!


Photo credit: replicapot.com

Long Weekend Must Have: Urban Outfitters Straw Fedora

"Cock your hat - angles are attitudes."
-Frank Sinatra

Hats are the perfect summer long weekend accessory! Not only do they protect you from the sun and the heat, but they keep you looking cool at the same time!

There a a ton of awesome summer hats out there to choose from this year, so you'll have no problem finding one to perfectly suit your style. If you look for a lightweight hat in a classic style that can be packed easily, it will work for almost any occasion this season. Don't plan on spending a ton of money though... the last thing you want, is to be worried about sand and water damage. Besides, this way you can buy a new hat next year guilt free!

I have tried a few different styles of summer hats over the last couple of years... a perfectly broken down Shady Brady cowboy hat that I absolutely loved, a gorgeous floppy black wide-brimmed hat from Forever 21 that made me feel like Audrey Hepburn, a surfer-girl military inspired newsboy hat by Roxy with more style than function... But the one hat that I wore again and again was a cute little straw fedora with a simple black ribbon I picked up at Urban Outfitters.

To me it is the quintessential summer hat. It's made of woven lightweight straw and can bounce back after spending 10 hours in a suitcase. I love that it's casual enough to throw on with a bathing suit to hang by the pool, yet doesn't look even a little out of place with a dress and gladiators for dinner on a patio. It's hard to believe you can get all this chic and it's cheap too... I picked it up for under $40.

Although my hat is a few seasons old, the almost identical (although maybe even cuter) version pictured is available from Urban Outfitters for $48. I'm loving the menswear inspired checkered hatband!

The Long Weekend Week: Golden Glow

"The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend."
-Chuck Palahniuk

The long weekend is almost here!

I'm sure you are all just as excited as I am to celebrate the birth of Queen Victoria... No?

Just me?

Well, I may not be excited to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday, but I do enjoy a holiday long weekend! And I'm even more excited than usual for this one, since I'll be spending it celebrating one of my best friends bachelorette in sunny Kelowna BC!

I can't wait!

In anticipation of this momentous occasion (or the fact I can't seem to focus on anything else!) I've decided to dedicate the entire week to the long weekend.

First up... getting that much needed Golden Glow!

As I mentioned in my post on bronzer last week, I am in desperate need of some beachy colour before I can even begin to think about spending the entire weekend in my bikini! And considering we had snow on the ground just a couple of weeks ago, I'm starting from square one!

A few years ago I would have been forced to spend the whole weekend faking a smile as friends and strangers laughed at my pale skin and made comments about needing to wear sunglasses for the glare I was creating... Well not anymore! Since discovering the Spray Tan, I can now get that golden goddess glow in under 15 minutes!

These days, I swear by spray tans! They are inexpensive, convenient, completely healthy and most importantly, leave you with a beautiful flawless tan!

New technology has virtually eliminated unwanted overspray and skin over saturation which means no more streaking. And with multiple depths of colour to choose from you can say goodbye to the oompa loompa orange as well!

I've tried a few different Spray Tan salons in the Calgary area, but for the best overall value I recommend California Tan at Willow Park. They use the Autobronze system which is said to offer the best results for an automated application! They also offer a really great deal on the spray tans... 5 tans for just over $100. It's perfect because if you use a great self tanning lotion in between, it can get you through almost the entire summer! The service at California Tan is also really great, and since they are open until 10:00pm on weeknights its really easy to work into your schedule!

Here are a few recommendations to make your spray tan the best it can be:
-Make sure your skin is exfoliated really well
-Make sure you are waxed or shaved before your tan
-Be sure to wear dark, loose fitting clothing... but don't worry, the tanning solution washes out!
-Make sure you are make-up, perfume, lotion and deodorant free
-The longer you wait before you shower the better... I usually sleep on it, and shower the following morning... but be aware you CANNOT get wet for a minimum of 6 hours, so plan accordingly!
-If you plan to sleep on it, don't use your good sheets... but again, it does wash out!

So, if you're like me and are freaking out about baring all for the first weekend of bathing suit season, try a quick and easy spray tan and you'll feel like a bronzed up goddess!




Photo Credit:
Kelowna - summit chiropractic
Spray Tan - ourmanly.com.au