I'm Going To Turks and Caicos With These 11 Must-Haves
Tina, here.
Dolls, I'm going on a little vacation. A short jaunt to the beach. What started as a quick trip to the Florida Panhandle has turned into a 5 day fantasy vacay to Turks and Caicos. I can't even believe it. But I'm not missing out on this opportunity, so I'm all in. And here's what I'm packing.
We're totally doing this, and my horse will be white, natch. Photo source.
Five days, four nights. On the agenda? Beach time. Riding horses on the beach. Reading. Good eating. So not much is required of my wardrobe. I will pack everything in a tote and one carry-on that I won't check. Don't believe me? I recently packed a client for a 12-day trip to Europe with 10 outfits in a carry-on and a tote, no checked luggage. It's what we do. We know how to make clothes work for you. No "travel clothes," either. We never buy new clothes for a trip. You want to look and feel like yourself, not like an easily spotted tourist.
Here's my carry-on and tote all packed and ready to go with me on the plane. No checking required. I feel so accomplished right now. I chose 2 neutrals for my base wardrobe, white and black, and made sure everything else would pair well. You can see my toiletries and jammies also fit nicely, and I've packed a plastic bag for my wet swimsuit on the day we depart.
Here's what's in my carry-on:
1. white ankle pants
(available in April Style Vault)
2. white denim skirt
(similar style available for purchase in May Style Notes for Vault Insiders)
3. coral tie-dye sundress
4. white t-shirt
(available in April Style Vault)
5. black t-shirt
6. pale mint green off-the shoulder blouse
(similar style available for purchase in May Style Notes for Vault Insiders)
7. brown linen blazer
8. brown wedges
(similar styles available in May Style Vault and Special Bonus Issue: Dresses For Every Occasion)
9. caramel leather flip-flops
(available in May Style Vault)
10. white swimsuit & coral cover-up & packable beach hat
11. pearl necklace on leather cord that can be worn in the water
(from our featured May Style Vault jeweler, Water's Edge Jewelry, Vault Insiders receive 20% off!), turquoise cuff and silver hoop earrings
Here's how I'll wear everything.
Day one, on the plane to and fro:
What I wear on the plane is very strategic. I wear the bulkiest shoes I'm taking and any jacket or sweater I need. I usually stow the jacket overhead with my carry-on and use the pashmina for my wrap on the plane. I also take off my wedges and wear socks. The only jewelry I take is the jewelry I'm wearing on the plane.
Night one:
It will feel great to get out of those jeans and throw on a dress for our first night. I always am prepared for cool restaurants or windy patios with a pashmina.
Days 2, 3, 4 on the beach:
We plan to be on the beach ALL day and even for sunset. I am big on protecting my skin so I wear 30 SPF all day, and a big hat. A cover-up is essential for walking to and from the bathrooms, to lunch and if you want to walk the beach in a cover-up instead of your underwear, I mean bikini. I am just taking one swimsuit because I plan on buying a second one there. I left room in my carry-on to bring it home.
For daytime exploring:
I'll wear my t-shirts with the denim skirt and flip-flops when we venture out and about the town. This pearl on a leather cord necklace was made for me by Water's Edge Jewelry, and you can get 20% off a similar one by being a Vault insider.
I'll also wear my cotton dress with flip-flops for daytime, too. But I really don't think we'll be wearing anything but our swimsuits during daylight hours.
Night 2:
I have two options for my off-the-shoulder blouse, either white skinny jeans or the white skirt. (Similar styles available for purchase in May Style Notes for Vault Insiders.)
Night 3:
If we are going to a really nice restaurant, I'll wear black and white for a chic look, and add the cropped blazer. And my wedges for sure will dress it up as well.
Night 4:
I love the packing hack of wearing your beach cover-up over white skinny jeans. Plenty of cover-ups and tunics available in a Special Bonus Issue of the Style Vault, Swimsuits & Cover-ups.
Day 5: (same travel outfit as before)
Here's what's in my tote bag:
-
pashmina
-
socks for the plane and hotel room
-
medicines
-
make-up
-
sunglasses
-
travel size stain remover (the BEST I have ever used, truly. It's from Roux Maison)
-
book
-
earbuds and chargers
-
ipad
-
water bottle
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clutch to carry for evenings, which also functions as my wallet for my tote
Carry with you in your tote anything of value and what you certainly wouldn't want to be lost, like your meds. I also take my make-up with me on the plane because I have travel sizes or at least compact sizes of most everything. Socks and a pashmina are important for travel comfort, and don't forget your earbuds so you can block out all the noise. My clutch/wallet goes in my tote, and is what I use as my handbag once I arrive.
I'm sorry but I don't have room for you. I'm saving room for any fab finds I hunt down while there. I'm hoping for a swimsuit, some sandals and maybe some unique, inexpensive jewelry. I will take pics for you, dolls. And don't worry, blogs will keep coming. I worked ahead, because I don't want to lose touch with you or leave you stranded with bad taste for even 5 days.
Yep, that's all I'm taking. My cat is not happy about it.
In the meantime, you can shop most of what I packed in the May Style Vault. Including several darling dresses, a packable beach hat, perfect leather flip-flops, a great blazer, beautiful pashminas (enjoy exclusive 20% savings with a discount code accessible to Vault Insiders), and some shorts and jeans. Done and done. You'll be ready for your next trip. That way you can keep me in your back pocket.
You can also hire us to pack you, Nashville folks. In addition to being Nashville wardrobe consultants, we've got a great record of packing people for trips whose marriages may have been saved as a result. Let Amy, Barbara or myself cut in half what you pack and still have you looking the most stylish of your group.
All the best,
Tina
