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We feature an original illustration by the wonderful Mari Andrew every Friday morning. Here’s today’s.
P.S. When to get to the airport, and everyday playlists.
What Not to Bring on Vacation
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31 Comments
I actually love running on vacation! It is a great way to sneak in a little solo time and get a totally different perspective of a city or town. It also makes that obligatory afternoon glass of chardonnay ever so much sweeter and more deserved.
I’m just back from a two weeks trip to Spain and I had all those items in my suitcase. Of course I didn’t use them. On my way back I hated myself because I didn’t have enough space for all the food and olive oil I wanted to bring back with me! Ugh!
xx,
E.
http://www.theslowpace.com
So great! Just don’t forget the jacket when you travel to San Francisco– any time of the year, but especially in the summer.
My amazing husband bought me a pair of classic black Louboutins for my thirtieth birthday, and when I was packing for our trip to Paris three months later he said, “You’re not bringing your new shoes?!” He was so disappointed that I ended up packing them… Ironic that Parisian streets are in no way made for beautiful Parisian heels. I wore them once to a dinner near our Airbnb and never again.
The just in case dress is a classic!
Wooooooo many times have I done this. I learned my lesson though. I only travel with carry on luggage now. Its a little annoying to have to take it with you everywhere but it’s so worth not getting luggage lost or for it to come through in baggage collection.
I, um, actually LOVE bringing a giant novel on vacation…preferably Russian! I always feel like it’s my chance to really burrow into a book.
I agree with all of these (I packed four books for a recent backpacking trip… barely even finished 1) BUT I got to say… i brought a “just in case” dress that was red and short and showed some (ok a lot) of cleavage AND GUESS WHAT?! I ended up having one magical night in Byron Bay, Australia in that dress that included a reggae concert, dancing on a beach under a full moon, and a cute boy from England… so ladies I am team just in case dress :)
Always bring the big camera! My husband and I have had this conversation recently. We are travelling with only a carry on to Paris and suggested a smaller camera. No way! I need it! However I quickly took a dress off my packing list. I agree with you on that one!
I once packed a pair of rollerblades for a trip to Barcelona. They didn’t even make it out of the bag. Paid extra for hold luggage too…
Love Mari so much! Thanks for introducing me to her!
LOL i always take waaay too much clothes and end up using the same four things over and over again.
Too funny!! I always pack a camera that’s too big to carry around, an old book (or two) that I’m never going to read, and my running shoes. It’s time I learned these lessons!
LOL to the cute “light” jacket and running shoes (no truer words). However, I never regret bringing the DSLR with me!! No matter how good phone cameras get, there’s nothing like a photo out of a real camera. ;)
Except, I am always using my big camera. The photo quality difference between it and my iphone make it totally worth it. But I would also add, the just in case shoes, any clothing that’s not comfortable and a blow dryer (every place has them these days).
I have always been guilty of overpacking until last week. My family and I went to Ireland where we stayed in an Airbnd with a washer and dryer. So, we packed (very!) light with the intention of using the washer and dryer to freshen up our dirty clothing. Well, we encountered our first ever Washer/Dryer combination machine with no instructions. I had no idea such a machine existed but I love the space saving concept. Anyway, something went terribly wrong (user error!) and we ended up with shrunken, unwearable clothing! Packing light totally backfired….but we had a great trip and had a good laugh.
? Having lived abroad for 4 years with a combo machine, I can say that you basically should not dry any clothes in them. They use steam instead of air to dry and it shrinks the crap out of clothes. Sorry that happened to you, but glad you could laugh about it.
Exception: If going to Disneyland DO bring athletic shoes. Walked 15 miles in VANS! Did not feel good!
so true! I am going to the beach next week and am vowing to NOT pack running shoes.
Went to Ecuador for a week with my 19 month old this past January and managed to pack both my things and her things in a backpack (!!!) with her strapped to me on the front! It worked out but I was so ready for different clothes when I got home! ha
If she is visiting Portland she could use the jacket! I remember when I first came here I was like OOOOOH this is the place where you need a jacket for summer evenings (not in Nashville, where I am from!)!
Yes. Especially the serious book. Dan Brown, Jilly Cooper, piles of magazines every time. Ever since I took Seneca on holiday to a Greek island. Thinking it would give me perspective. As if…
The jacket made me LOL. Love this.
This is perfect as I’m leaving for a beach trip tomorrow morning. What’s funny is that when I had my camera you are exactly right–never got used. However, I am taking my running shoes (I always bring with me a stubborn insistence that, yes, I WILL run on the beach this year), an armload of books (reading on the beach with a glass of wine under a large umbrella is my fave), and a cute maxi dress (hello, seafood buffet). Happy vacationing everyone! And Happy Friday! :)
If I ever use my running shoes while on holiday I will know I am truly an adult.
omg…this is all so true! especially the running shoes!
These illustrations make me chuckle with recognition every week. Delightful.
Or in my case, 5 “just in case” dresses and 3 “just in case” pair of heels…for a trip to Disney World. Le sigh.
I loved this! The illustration is really cute too. The camera one made me laugh because I always end up using my phone!
Cyber Mermaids | Alternative beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog
So true! It’s so funny, in day-to-day life I’m comfortable wearing the same grey V-neck three days out of the week. I go on vacation and I pack every top I own.
Right?! I think I may have used them once last summer. Actually, I could be thinking about the morning my mom and I decided to run barefoot on the beach? In which case, the shoes still weren’t utilized and our feet hurt terribly the rest of the day. Alas…
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