I have a plan

As I mentioned, I have an Obsession or Addiction; however in this case I think it will work to my benefit.  My packing plan is as follows:

If I pack several interchangeable tops and bottoms I can make these pieces work for almost any occasion.  Provided Beau doesn't have any black tie events planned I should be ready to go.  This challenge is similar to fashion blogger Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 remix.  Kendi uses 30 items for 30 days - do you think I can get away with 10 items for 10 days?

The fun part is getting to accesorize:

How would you pack for 10 days?

I lust for...

I've been lusting after some more modest bathing suits.
I'm thinking I'd love to invest in a couple of retro one piece suits.

Something to provide a little more coverage around the family while still feeling a little sexy for myself.

{wit+delight via pinterest}

{flourish.design+style}

{taza.and.husband}

{pink.lemonade.design}

I'm literally OBSESSED with this yellow suit.
Do you have a one piece suit or conservative bikini you love?
Where should I shop for one?

I'm not going on vacation

I may not be going on vacation; however, I am working from Florida next week.
I will be in there for a total of 10 days. I could not be more excited; however, packing will be a real challenge.  I have no idea what we are doing while I'm there so I'm winging it.

I am going to need:

• Lots and lots of bathing suits
• A couple pairs of sunglasses
• Bathing Suit cover ups
• Hats
• Clothes for dinner out
• Clothes to shop in
• Clothes to relax in

AHHHHHH....what to pack, what to pack?
Here's what I've started with.

Beach Baby by gkreuer featuring lightweight sunglasses

But that's the easy part.

Kids Rules to Live By

Remember when you were young and you couldn't wait to be older?
Anyone remember what the rush was?

My mom sent me a picture of my niece getting dressed this morning.  I learned this was her fourth pair of shoes because they were easier to walk in.

Sorry for the grainy picture - silly cell phones.

While I'm sure she is emulating her mom, aunts, and grandmother wishing she was older, I see the added exuberance that a child's spirit brings to everyday tasks.

Here are my rules on living your adult life with childhood exuberance!

Don't be afraid to take on BIG responsibilities, but be sure to do it with a smile.

{what.anna.loves}

Be confident and comfortable with yourself & remember to WORK IT! 

{pinterest}

Start with your favorite pieces and build from there - whether it's friends or accessories. 

{parents.com}

Things are better with friends & your family is built in friends.

{the.Steward}

Read, study, and learn as much as you can.  I've never heard someone say that man/woman is just too smart.

{my.fetch.4.you}

Surround yourself with those you love, and remember to tell them & show them how much you love them.

{metadiary}

Follow and chase your dreams, no matter how ridiculous others may think they are.

{lekza.sociology}

Most importantly - Live with PASSION!

{malis.photography}

Obsession or Addiction

I have a problem.  Regardless of obsession or addiction, it's probably unhealthy.

{jenny.y.furr}

{decor8}

I am drawn to everything NAVY.  Navy & White, Navy & Pink, Navy & Yellow, Navy & Green.  Nautical, classical, contemporary - no matter how you spin it I just can't get enough.

My next home, I want to decorate every room with navy as the unifying color.  Remember my bedrooom inspiration board?  I've already started working navy into my living room, but it certainly could use some inspiration and adjustments.

{everything.fabulos}

When it comes to clothes, I could douse myself in navy, everyday!
Navy stripes, solids, patterns, dots, formal, casual, at the beach, or at dinner.

{atlantic-pacific}

{weardrobe}

{pink.persimmon}

I love it, I love it, I love it.
Would you judge me if I wore navy every day - starting NOW?

Can you tell?

I clearly have not been getting enough sleep.

I've been stalking Zara waiting to put in my Fall order.  I couldn't understand why the e-commerce site was not up and running.

Well, NEWS FLASH G - It's August not September.  Just a few short weeks and this post will actually be true.

Zara, here, today?

Zara is supposed to launch it's US e-commerce store today according to Fashionista.  I have been lusting over some key pieces this evening and it does not seem to be active quite yet; however, when it happens I am prepared.

When I lived in NY for an internship in college, I LOVED Zara.  An economical, fashion-forward alternative to the everyday apparel.

Look at what some of my favorite fashion bloggers have done with Zara pieces.

{Atlantic.Pacific}

I die for these pants.

{Atlantic.Pacific}

If this dress doesn't scream my name, I don't know what does.

{9.to.5.chic}

Both the shirt and pants are from Zara in this one.  I've really been lusting off some brightly colored pants and skirts recently.  Can you tell?

{This.Time.Tomorrow}

A Hokie lady can never have enough orange dresses.

So what will I buy first?  hmmmmm....maybe one of these beauts.

Or maybe some of this...

 
Top it off with a little of this....

Happy ZARA Shopping!

Moving & Shaking Tips: Part 2

Now that you have a plan, a budget, and a team - let's give you an idea of what you're doing.

START PROGRAMMATICALLY:

{deviant.art}

Go through your house one room at a time.  Start in the least used room of your house and work your way through to the most used room in the house (often the kitchen or bedroom).  Pack EVERY LAST THING in each room.  If there is something you feel you will need before moving day set it aside for a special set of boxes.  It seems very counter intuitive; however, pack heavy items in smaller boxes.  Keep each box within a manageable weight and stack in the corner of the room.

Disassemble the furniture or move aside. Wrap pictures in bubble wrap and lean against a wall.  Your sense of accomplishment will grow as each room becomes an empty shell with a pile of boxes to be moved.  As your sense of accomplishment grows, so will your motivation.


PURGE:
One of the best yet most difficult parts of moving is the opportunity to clean house.  You should purge approximately 1/3 of your belongs (clothing, furniture, dishes, knick-knacks).  This is especially true if you are downsizing.  Tackle this as you tackle each room.

Often times interior design enthusiasts will say "Do not keep anything in your house you do not know to be useful or love."

PICK & PILE:
If you're still having a hard time purging follow this simple method.

For each item you pick up ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you love it?
2. Is it useful?
   
3. No you need it for tax or legal reason? 
4. Can it easily be replaced if necessary?
5. If you were free from guilt, would you still keep it?
6. Have you used it in the last 6 months?  12 months?  24 months?

After answering these questions you should be able to place the item in one of 3 piles/boxes; Pack, Donate, Trash.  If you answered "No" to any of the previous questions carefully consider if it's worth keeping.  Items that you are keeping for solely sentimental reason or because you feel like you "have to" can often times be repurposed to display the true meaning and intent.  Don't keep all your sons trophies shoved in boxes in the back of the closet; peel off each the name plates to frame in a shadow box with ribbons and other memorabilia.  Frame a piece of your grandmother's quilt.    Many items can be donated.

DONATE:
Donate, Donate, Donate!  I can't encourage it enough.  Many programs will even offer free furniture pick-up.  Call 1-800-SATRUCK to schedule an appointment with your Salvation Army.  Many added bonuses - you don't have to move it, it's out of the house, no guilt about throwing away good items, you're doing something good for society/environment, and tax write-off.

SUPPLIES:
Necessary packing supplied include, but are not limited to:

• Trash Bags - self explanitory
• Moving Boxes - our Costco had a wonderful little "starter" package with varying box sizes, bubble wrap, tape, and a marker.
• Bubble Wrap - For pictures and more delicate items
• Newsprint - When purchased from a moving store you can get it blank so the ink doesn't rub off on your dishes
• Packing Tape - I recommend the paper packing tape.  You can rip it easily on your own and it seemed to be more adhesive than the traditional tape that came in our "starter" pack
• Large Dark Marker - To inventory each box as you pack it.  I suggest writing the room name & general contents of each box.  This especially comes in handy if you have others helping you move-in.  Just from looking at the room name they can take the boxes to an appropriate location. When I moved into my townhouse I color coded the boxes with post it notes.  Each color denoted a different floor - then on each post it was the room name.  I may have gone over board but like I said, I'm anal retentive.

Once you've complete packing each room you should only have the items left that you deemed you would need before moving day.  These items you have left can be packed on moving day into a box labeled OPEN ME FIRST.  These items should only be your essentials, therefore they will be the things you need once you get to your new home.

Best of luck!  Let me know if you have additional hints, or tips I can share.

Moving & Shaking Tips: Part 1

I have been one.busy. lady!  As promised, here is Part 1: Tips for Moving & Shaking.  What to do before the boxes.

PLAN:
Most people don't allow themselves enough time to pack an entire house.  It is estimated to take approximately one month.  One month sounds like a lot of time; however, you would be surprised how many of those hours are eaten up by other necessities:

{pinterest}

720 total hours in one month
-160 for work
-240 for sleep
-135 for misc. (shower, cook, family, etc)
 185 remaining hours
 


Those 185 hours would be the equivalent to working 16 hours every Saturday and Sunday, in addition to 2.5 hours each night.  We all know how unreasonable that is.  This estimate also does not account for those of us that work more than 40 hours in a week or have any semblance of a social life on the weekends.  Now you can see how quickly our hours become depleted. 

ASSESS YOUR NEEDS:
Are you selling a house, moving out of an apartment, leaving your parents basement?  Assess what needs to be done to get out.  Do you need to paint, re-carpet, repair, or simply clean?

Create and prioritize a list of everything that needs to be done (beyond packing boxes, and moving out).  Once your list is prioritized, determine the amount of time and resources (i.e. budget) required.  Can you reasonably tackle everything on your own or do you need outside help?  All of these assessments will effect your plan, timing, and who you get to help.

PEOPLE:
Don't try to do it all on your own.  Pick the right people to help you: friends, family, or professionals.  Sure, your sister may be available and willing but is she going to spend the entire time gabbing about her most recent break-up.  Remember you only have 185 hours, most of which you'd prefer to be doing something else.  Choose reliable, trustworthy, and hardworking people.

{brown.dress.with.white.dots}

Start with you plan and budget.  Chose your contractors for the most important & possibly time consuming jobs.  I don't know how to install carpet; however, I can round up a mean group of women that will paint for wine.  As long as you stick to a consistent neutral it's hard to mess it up.  Just be sure to invest in some nice drop clothes OR re-carpet after the wine, I mean paint.

Stay tuned for Part 2