Monday Musings- Packing Plans and Outfit Of The Week
Happy Monday, ladies. I can’t believe how fast our cruise has snuck up on me. I am not organized, I have no idea what I will pack, and I almost wish I had another week to prepare. Knowing me, an extra week wouldn’t help anyway, so I’m just going to dig in and start putting things on a rolling rack.
Packing
I’ll probably pack lots of black and several scarves because those are always lifesavers when I travel. I already own plenty of black and lots of scarves, so that should make things easier. Do I want to travel with lots of black, knowing it’s not my best color? I’m totally fine with it. I love knowing the most flattering colors on me but refuse to be a slave to that palette. I think we can limit ourselves to the point that it’s hard to get dressed, and that’s the last thing I want to do to myself. Getting dressed should be easy and fun. Plus, I always feel stylish in black. The way I want to wear black has changed. I’m now paying more attention to the contrast between colors, so I’ll wear it with deeper colors and less white.
You may enjoy-Ā How To Find Your Personal Contrast Level And Why It Matters
I ordered these compression cubes that I’m super excited to try. I’d never understood the value of a packing cube until I found these. They have an extra zipper that you zip to flatten things to save space.
The cruise line requires a negative COVID test before boarding the ship, but to be honest, that isn’t overly reassuring because someone could who caught it the day before could be a carrier. We just plan to be very careful and hope for the best.
I ordered these new low-profile Evolve Together KN95 masks, which are much comfier than my big cumbersome ones. And yes, it did not go unnoticed that my masks match my new bag š They also come in black, white, navy, olive, gray, pink, and combination packs. Evolve also sells mask decals so you can personalize your mask to say whatever you like. What would you put on your mask?
MORE FROM EVOLVE TOGETHER
This is a great company that focuses on quality everyday essentials that are earth friendly, like this ingenious dissolvable hand soap for travel!
Outfit of the week
I’ve had several requests for outfits in a winter palette, so this OOTW is just that.
I wore Russian Red lipstick in my late 30s and always felt it overwhelmed my face, which it did. Even at that age, I knew when something felt wrong on me, so I encourage you to listen to your instincts.
I clustered the red near the top of the body and chose black shoes intentionally. If I’d put red shoes with this look, the eye would be darting all over the place rather than focusing attention on the face. The outfit would begin to look choppy, and nothing would look special. Even the red sunglasses are a stretch, but they’re so cute.
The jewelry has a decidedly avant-garde slant, so they kick this look up a notch. I love the quality of Brahmin Bags, and this one is pretty amazing. The red with magenta ombre combo is just stunning, and both are both “winter” colors.
This classic look has just enough texture and pattern to be interesting but not overwhelming.
Ladies continue to email me for direction with their 3 style words. I think it could be helpful if we begin to think of antonyms for our style words. For example, this OOTW is not delicate, feminine, or subdued. Nailing down what we don’t want our style to be might make it easier to zero in on what we want it to be.
Reading
I’m looking for a book to bring on my trip. What’s an escape reality type book you recommend? I need one that’s easy to put down and pick up because that’s the kind of reading I’ll be doing.
Have a great day, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
My hubby and I just returned from a cruise through Alaska. We felt very safe, did not get sick, and enjoyed every minute! One tip – we never ate at the buffet so as to minimize contact with publicly used utensils and serveware. Enjoy!
Jennifer, thanks for posting an OOTD in āwinterāsā colors. I would wear every single thing with one exception. The pants are great but need to be full length for me. Ankle pants or crops donāt cut it because I am required to wear compression stockings all day, every day.
I am currently reading Diana, William, and Harry by James Patterson. It reads more like a timeline of events but itās interesting. There are so many behind the scenes things the public never knew.
Have a safe and relaxing cruise!
Thank you so much.
Love the red jacket. If it was at least water resistant, it would make a great travel layer. Love the simple cut. Casual with sporty clothes and elegant worn over something dressy with fancy earrings and an evening clutch !
Enjoy your cruise.
Like the outfit! Any book by Kristin Hannah is always good. If I was going to travel right now I would touch base with my MD before going to get meds to have on hand just in case you were to develop symptoms. Then I would just go and enjoy! Life is too short to stay home forever! Have fun!
Great idea. Thanks!
Belated birthday greetings and hoping you had a lovely day. Packing for trips is always a bit unnerving. Should I take it or not? A lot of thinking involved with where you’re going, how’re you traveling, what’s the weather like and so on. It seems you have it pretty much nailed. I bought packing cubes and used them once, then went back to my favorite 1- and 2- gallon Zip Lock bags. I’ve used the same bags over and over again for many trips, and I’ve been using this method of packing for decades. Pennies per use and they’re waterproof.
A great read is The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It’s a bit like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
So many people use the gallon zip locks Iām going to have to try them!
I’ve used packing cubes for a long time, and would hope more of us would do that instead of using plastic bags. The cubes can be used for years!
I also try to read a book relevant to the area where we’re traveling. Have you tried reading the Canadian author Louise Penny mystery/suspense books, set in a fictional Canadian village named Three Pines? Her books aren’t set in the Canadian Maritimes, but in Quebec, just south of Montreal near the Vermont border. If you choose these, definitely read the books in order so you get to know all the towns characters.
A suggestion for handbags: I generally travel with an anti-theft handbag that also has RFID blocking qualities. I don’t ever want to stand out as the person with the expensive handbag when I’m traveling, especially in places where I’m out amongst large crowds of people. Just an extra precaution for me. I don’t want to be the one to impress the pickpockets!
I would suggest Marie Bendedict’s books especially The Personal Librarian; based on some facts around the gilded age and how JP Morgan developed his collection of books & manuscripts. The main character is a female force of nature! I’ve been plowing through Louise Penny’s mysteries about Detective Gamache. Mysteries are always page turners! Since you are cruising to cooler temps, I learned a trick from the asian women on my alaskan cruise. They all carried small, maybe 10 ounce, thermos or Yeti’s and had their tea hot while snuggled under blankets while the ship cruised. Hot water is always available but never stays hot in those take out cups.
Have a great time!
Great idea!! I am a tea lover
Try Nightingale by Kristen Hannah , itās going to be a movie in Dec . Historical fiction set in ww2 France .. her writing is great !
Love the outfit ,just my style but not sure I m into clunky shoes yet . Love black and red accents . Cold water creek which Iād forgotten about has a very cute rain jacket that packs into a small bag . Also some cute comfy shoes
Have fun
I always include black as a key element of my travel wardrobe. It is versatile, and doesnāt show dirt as easily as other colors.
Thank you for the information on the masks. They are a fixed part of my life these days, so will be purchasing these. Have a wonderful time on your trip!
Love this weekās outfit. Very much my style. I adore your new handbag as well. You will be cruising to my original part of Canada so I hope you love it! Bring a waterproof jacket for sure as liquid sunshine typically happens. I just did NCL cruise from Iceland to England and we were required to produce a negative PCR test originally but that changed to a rapid test which we did and when we boarded we were not asked for proof of anything, tests or vaccinations! On a ship of approx 2600 my guesstimate is about 20 people wore masks other than the crew who some did and some didnāt! So you can only take care of yourself and sanitize your hands constantly. I hope you have a safe trip and a great time! Halifax has an awesome waterfront area now.
I think this cruise line is requiring everyone to wear masks on the ship. I sure hope so. Your trip sounds amazing
Hi Jennifer
Great Post! I agree with you about black for travel. It isn’t my best either but it sure is great for travel and keeping things simple. I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise! Love the read jacket in your outfit of the week!!
I love the comfortable-looking style of the Naturalizer loafer that you featured, but how I wish shoe manufacturers would incorporate navy blue into their shoe lines. Navy is my “black” and it’s often difficult to find.
Packing cubes do save space. But I now pack as if my suitcase will get lost. Packing cubes usually contain like items. So in my husbandās suitcase goes a complete change of clothes including a sweater, my carry on has a fresh top, undies, toothbrush and makeup, and my jewelry will never again go in a hastily packed checked (lost) return bag. It only goes in my carry on. Lost luggage wonāt spoil my lovely trip! And always have an extra phone charger. Lessons learned the hard way. š Bon Voyage!!
Just finished The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley which has very short chapters and would be perfect to pick up and put down in short bursts of reading.
Jennifer, I am sure excited to hear how your travels go!
We are going to France to do a river cross in September so I will be looking forward to hearing about your experience
I just finished a trilogy āthe Robinswood Story ā by Jean Grainger
Such a great story over several decades. I miss the characters already!
I take black pants on cruises with matching tops, sweaters. I find this easy to mix and match. You will look good in whatever you bring.
The Last Flight is a good book, as others have mentioned. I also liked The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar
Have a great time on your cruise.
The 3 Pines – inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. Also Frieda Klein series by Nikki French. Start at the beginning with both. Love them so much. As my friend said āthe characters walk beside meā.
I enjoy reading your posts first thing in the morning, something cheerful before daily news.
They do sound fun
I loved Sarah Perryās The Lost Apothecary! Happy belated birthday Jennifer and have a wonderful trip !!
I love the idea regarding the antonyms! And glad you still embrace black!!!!
Happy travels!
I love everything Art Deco and that bracelet is not exception! I just finished a upper level beach read… The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand. I read it between more serious books we read for book club.
Have a great cruise!
Great book recommendations. āThe Last thing he told meā, āThe Last Flightā and I would add the āThe Locked roomā by Elly Griffiths. Have āWest with Giraffesā sitting waiting for me. I donāt read hard copy books any more but need to make an exception for this. (true story about Giraffes destined for the San Diego zoo). Happy cruising!
Happy Belated Birthday,Jennifer!
Hope you had a great day! I have been following you for the last couple years and I have learned a lot from your posts! Love the outfit today! Red is one of my favorite colors. Thanks for all you do!
Thanks so much, Denise
I recommend from Barbara Ross the clambake mysteries. Fun, cozy mysteries with a sympathetic main character set in small town Maine.
Those do sound fun
Absolutely love every item in this outfit of the week! I don’t think I can come up with style words, although I can come up with words that my style is not, like not boho. I just read The Latecomers by Jean Hanff Korelitz. It is a nice, long book about the most dysfunctional family known to man that eventually gets it together. Would be a great read for a cruise or plane flight.
I think it’s so much easier to nail down what we are not too!