Packing for Short Trips

Do you overpack for every trip? With careful planning, you can wear everything you bring and look great.

Today I’ll share what I packed and how I wore it on a two-day getaway at the Grove Park Inn. We planned to take outfit photos at the resort. However, the fires in Canada, and an incoming cold front, brought dark smokey skies. As you may know, good lighting is imperative when taking photos, so I recreated the looks for you in my makeshift home studio. I hope this post helps you with wardrobe planning for your next trip.

The first travel day look included a white tank and jeans, with a blue and white striped tunic shirt worn open with sand-colored platforms. We arrived dressed to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the Sunset Terrace. The same striped top could be pajamas or a swimsuit cover-up.

Careful planning means you can take a minimum amount of clothing but be well-dressed for any activity. I’m a fan of less stress, so I create an agenda for every trip, no matter how short. If we don’t do everything on the list, that’s fine, but I will have researched a few options. Knowing the predicted weather for the timeframe of your visit is also very helpful with packing.

Agenda
Brunch twice
Drinks in the great hall once
Travel twice

Weather – Smokey air, cloudy skies, and cool temperatures in the sixties.

On the evening of Mr. Mickey’s birthday, we sat in the Great Hall and toasted with champagne while listening to a live band play oldies music. Even though the resort is casual, I wanted to dress up my black jeans with a black wrap-style top and silver jewelry. The top has ruching on the sides which camouflages the tummy area.

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My packing list included: Black tank – White tank – White jeans – Black jeans – Denim jacket – Striped shirt and also here – Black wrap top.

Accessories included: Two pairs of earrings – One watch – some bracelets – One belt – One tote – Two clutches, similar here and here – One pair of shoes – Two bras (one black, one beige) –Three pairs of underwear.

I placed the extra jewelry inside the smaller clutch and put all my skincare products and makeup in this travel pouch. The accessories, skincare, and underwear, as well as the camera, easily fit into the large tote.

I always wake by 4 am, so I also packed my Nike running shoes and hiking socks into the tote and a long tank and leggings in the garment bag.

The following morning, I walked for more than an hour up and down stairs and the empty corridors of the expansive resort and conference center to avoid the smoke outside.

On the second day, we again enjoyed a lovely lunch on the Sunset Terrace before the long drive home. I wore the black tank, black jeans, and the denim jacket. How many additional outfit combinations could you build using the same basic pieces? I thought of eight more possibilities.

The closeup above shows the shoes, clutches, and my favorite pearl bracelet. (Use the code SAS10 for $10 off one item at Beauty in Stone Jewelry.)

Mr. Mickey’s second-day look and my clothing fit into the garment bag below. The extra pockets are great for chargers, magazines, books, etc. A garment bag protects your clothes, keeps them neat, and helps you avoid losing items. You will never see me arrive with an armload of clothes on hangers. My garment bag is here.

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The food served on the Sunset Terrace is always beautiful, so we took a few photos to share with you.

Above is the lobster salad (hold the bacon), and the delightful seafood bisque is below from the first day.

On the second day, we enjoyed the crabcake sandwiches with crunchy fries. So delicious!

Pictured below is a decadent dessert we shared.

When we ordered champagne in the Great Hall, the server asked if we were celebrating something special. When we told her it was Mr. M’s birthday, she also brought a tasty dessert. He loved being spoiled for a whole week and still enjoys your greetings. Thank you for being part of the fun.

Shopping links may be for similar items since many of mine are more than two years old. As always, there is no cost to you for any commission those links may allow me to earn.