Summer Vacation

The Olympos Beach in Turkey

Rather it be a weekend at the lake or a week on the Mediterranean, I hope everyone gets a chance to relax, read a book, and soak up the vitamin D that we've so desperately missed.  To support the summer festivities we have in store caftans,  hats, woven straw beach bags, colorful beach towels and of course linen.  All of these are my essentials for summer and our yearly trip to Turkey.  I love to pack for trips, rather it be a weekend or a month.   Everything has to go together so I can mix and match for several outfits. My goal is to fit everything into a 22 inch bag.  The first essential is shoes.  If your shoes are uncomfortable the trip will be miserable.  I always take two pairs for good measure, one that doesn't have to be particularly cute but good for walking. The other comfortable but stylish, something I can wear to a nice dinner or an occasion.  I take a pair of our OTBT or Nicole shoes every trip.  They are stylish with supportive soles.  

OTBT Fairfield

Nicole Ackard

After I've decided on shoes I can start planning my clothing.  

I personally love to travel in Linen for summer; it is cool, naturally wrinkled and dries very quickly.  Also, linen is popular around the world so I feel I stand out less when wearing it. 

Bryn Walker White Linen Dress and Chalet Jumper

Echo Design Kaftan

For summer,I travel in White, Black and whatever color I fancy for the season.  I usually have a couple of dresses or Caftans,  a couple pairs of pants and 3-4 tops.  For maximum room I roll them and put them in our Eagle Creek packing cubes.  These are great for compressing and organizing.  

Packing Cubes for the packing system

Large Quick Dry Travel Towel 

I then do the same in a smaller cube for undergarments, swim suit and towel.  If I’m not traveling by air a big bright beach towel is wonderful.  If traveling overseas nothing is worse than lugging around a partially dry beach towel.  I take our Eagle Creek quick dry towels. They dry in an hour and take up little room in your bag. 

Lastly I choose my hat and bag.  A sun hat is very important and extremely stylish.  We have two brands in store.  One is Wallaroo Hats, and the other a company out of Madagascar  Onigo.  Both brands are UPF approved and packable   

Wallaroo Sun Hat

Onigo Sun Hat

For my bags, if it’s a weekend trip I like to take a bright gigantic beach bag.  If I’m traveling by air I have to be more practical.  I always travel with a Baggallini bag for my carry on that can also act as a beach bag.  Then I have a smaller Baggallini bag inside that I can use for walking around the city.  

Baggallini Madrid Bag

Baggallini Globetrotter

Baggallini 2 inch Rolling Tote

For domestic trips we use our Baggallini rolling tote and for international we have Eagle Creek Luggage that has plenty of extra room for rugs, clothing and jewelry that we can bring back to share with you.  

Eagle Creek 25 inch Road Warrior