My summer adventure prep officially begins. Well, truthfully it’s been mentally going on for WEEKS, but now our trip is officially approaching—QUICK. For me, traveling is one of the times when my wardrobe is even more important than normal. I tend to live in my bubble sometimes for weeks where I’m in lounge clothes an inordinate amount of time…albeit cute lounge clothes, but still. I also spend WAY too much time in yoga clothes either “about to go class” or “coming from class” and there can be hours on either side of those statements. All of that I’m totally fine with, but there is nothing like traveling to force you to step up your game, force you out of your bubble.
This year we’re going to Spain, Portugal, France and England. It seems to be the case that Europeans just generally dress up more. Even if the weather is hot. Even if they are just at the beach. It’s been years since I’ve been to Spain or Portugal so I’ll have to confirm that is still the case when I’m there, but I know France and England definitely don’t mess about—they dress well and generally snub their noses at American tourists in their Tevas and walking shorts (no offense to either of course.)
We’re gone for nearly 7 weeks, and once again we are packing the entire family into one small SUV, so there is limited room and everyone gets one small suitcase. I’ve got to be strategic, but I also need to pack for all situations. Long car rides, super hot weather, cool weather, an opera, a flamenco show, hikes, bike rides, monuments, museums, markets and dinner dates. There are a lot of pictures being taken too, and I definitely don’t want to look back and wonder why I wore “that”.
So this is my week to break down what I need, make my lists, and start the packing process….this gives me just enough time to get something I need in time for the June 14thdeparture date. So here’s my categories:
- TOPS: Tanks that are light and airy, and anything with a high neck is perfect right now because I’m trying to get the freckles from going crazy on my chest. Light and airy long sleeves. There seems to be more night time bugs than I could imagine almost everywhere we travel. Mosquitos
love me. They want to literally suck all my blood. So I need longer sleeves for evening, and preferable super light fabric. Love this Velvet Tash top, with it's stripes and light woven cotton.
- DRESSES: My favorite thing is to have a handful of easy dresses when we travel that can go from day to night, and that are appropriate (sometimes I need a scarf for the shoulders) to go into churches or temples that require proper attire. This time we are seeing some shows too, so I’ll need some dressier pieces.
- SWEATERS: Good versatile sweatshirt, and at least a couple light cardigans for evening and freezing museums etc. It’ll be smoking hot in Spain, but not all that warm in England.
- BOTTOMS: Shorts and pants. I bring shorts, even though I’m not convinced they are my best look, but there are too many activities outside that just demand shorts (like bike riding in the heat). I also bring several pairs of lightweight, easy pants because they work for day but also are great for evenings when either it cools, and/or the bugs come out. I know these Hard Tail shorts to the right look like a black blob, but in reality they are super cute and I always bring them with me--they have a great inseam that isn't too short or too long. Love the drawstring waist too (and they wash great)!
- SCARVES: This one is important I think. I always bring at least 2, but usually more. I have one slightly heftier one for the plane, but then I have other light ones that are perfect for utilizing as wraps when you need coverage, for sun protection, or evening chill protection. I literally keep one in my purse at all times.
This year our route starts in Madrid and we do a large loop into Portugal, back around to northern Spain, up thru France, and then across to England. I can’t wait, I look forward to these trips all year. Traveling is our absolute passion, but I also get excited to simply have the kids undivided for such a long time. Don’t get me wrong, they will drive me crazy, but it’s so nice to get time with them uninterrupted…no social conflicts, and far less phone obsession. I intend on blogging daily, because if I don’t I’ll forget all the juicy details and one thing that has been so fun is to look back and read about our previous trips, it brings it all back in a way that the pictures can’t. That could be because my memory is crap, but also the pictures evoke strong feelings for me, but the words will put the events right back into my head with details that the pictures never tell.
Come along with me…we’re leaving soon!
Signed, ME {lv}
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