when in mendoza...

packing is a skill i've been honing over the last few years as i travel around the country sharing my university's gospel with alumni and parents. it's a skill i'm finally mastering (i'm kind of undone if i can't put together the right look for a day/event/moment...so packing has historically been a bit of a nightmare!) what will i want/need to wear for the duration of my trip. how can i mazimize clothing/accessory options without compromising on product space (all hair, skin and makeup products are non-negotiable), include gym clothing AND account for variations in weather and activities in the unfortunately yet efficiently carryon-small suitcase my parents gifted me with at the start of my job? daunting task indeed and one at which i've failed many a time.

anyway, let's skip to a packing triumph...the results of much thought and study

where: leisure trip to argentina for a basketball tourney

weather: 50 to 70 degrees f

duration: monday to monday

what made the packing so successful?

color theme: i chose grey/silver and caramel to to ground my accessories selections.

• grey new balance sneakers (i call them newbies) double as fashion/excercise sneakers (key space saver move)



• grey sandals (gots to have the piggys out in summer months even if it's not actually summer weather)



• large silver carryon



• caramel wedge boots



• black flip flops for hotel room floor and poolside



• caramel purse



• grey travel clutch/wallet

once i selected my accessories, i then packed basics/necessities that coordinated

• 2 pairs of jeans



• 6 long-sleeved/ 3/4-sleeved tops



• black trench



• silver pashmina

i then considered my extras

• black pants



• black skirt ( I typically travel with my go-to black matte jersey knit dress but on this trip I felt it was played out)



• pool wear: 1 and 2-piece suits and black cover-up



• gym clothes: 2 vintage looking nike tees that can double as travel/game wear if necessary



• black sweats for lounging/travel



• black trench

this packing experience was a particular triumph because i had everything i needed for all our excursions, my gear was weather appropriate and culture appropriate (argentinians in mendoza have a grunge Euro-chic thing going...i felt i fit in clothingwise) and it was fun to mix and match my clothing/accessories on the ground as opposed to pre-planning all my outfits.

travel must-haves

• caudelie travel sized toner/moisterizing sprays: they kept my face supple and me feeling slightly more awake and content



• colgate wisp mini brush: total travel time to mendoza, argentia = 24 hours, need i say more.



• carla bruni "quelqu'un m'a dit"" album: her voice envelops you like the warmest of blankets



• visine: it gets the red out.