Pack like a European | A general guide to sanity

Since I first met Lauren Dixon in college, she has become a globe trotting fashionista. Born in the States, she now lives in Rome with her British husband. Lauren writes a lovely blog about the simple, beautiful, and inspiring things in life, simplysemplicita.com.

In this post, Lauren shares some tips on traveling with style and effectiveness! The girl has got it down. (This is definitely a post I will be referencing again...you know for all my future Euro-travels!)

Lauren thanks so much for sharing your wisdom! Be sure to check out more from Lauren on her blog (Note, she has a giveaway going on right now!)

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ThisIsGlamous.com

Everyone has a packing personality. But there still is a universal and collective exhale after hauling that clunky large suitcase and flopping it on the bed to start the packing process. For some, this is a long and meticulous process which revolves around phone stalking a family member or close friend to get advice on every. single. thing. Others wait until the last minute, throw everything in, and say a quick prayer that they have enough nickers for the entire 2 week vacation abroad. (These people always make me chuckle going through security when they open up their bags for investigation.)

If you're planning a trip abroad or just want to sharpen your packing skills, my hope is that these quick tips will make the packing process easier to navigate. (Or maybe you're one of those poor souls on the receiving end of said "packing panic-ers". In that case, I'm sorry.)

A side note: This guide really is for Western Europe. Each culture (or set of cultures) has its own set of best practices, so I'm focussing on where I travel the most.

First, to get you in the mood, watch this clip on how to dress like a Parisian. (Oh how I love this clip. Particularly how annoyed my British husband gets when I repeat the words "uhh.. men's blay-zur" in a thick french accent over. and over. and over.)

Just as Inès de la Fressange says in this clip, "brilliant basics are key to a great look" and great packing. What the "basics" are depend on the season you'll be travelling to Europe, but here are a few guidelines:

• No matter how long your trip is, only pack clothing for 7 days. This is a huge miss for a lot of Americans travelling in Europe. Europeans wear the same thing over and over, just reinventing the basics. They know what looks good on them and just keep rockin' it out. This is great because you can pick your best or favorite things to take along and won't break your back carrying your suitcase in the process.
• Great accessorizing is the weapon against wardrobe boredom. If you're planning on wearing the same two blazers the week you're there, bring several different chunky necklaces, hats, or scarves to change things up. Going heavy on accessories and light on clothes makes everything lighter anyway.
• Pack a small bottle of detergent. I've just started doing this and haven't regretted it. This means I can give a quick hand wash to a basic and have it ready for the next day. You can buy refillable bottles and bring it along.
• Leave your jogging shoes at home. Nothing says "American" like a good pair of white tennies. If you'd like a more casual and comfortable feel, bring some Converse sneakers or other street shoes.
• Bring a handbag that zips. Unfortunately pick pocketing does happen. And not matter how hard you try, you will most likely still be a target. Be smart but leave any sort of "clip around your waist or hang around your neck apparatus at home." After all, this is just Europe, people.
• Bring something to go out on the town. I always travel on a tight budget, but still am a firm believer that food is essential to toursim.  If you're also in this camp, skimp on lunch by buying food from a supermarket or farmers market and save up for a nice meal out. No matter if you're a splurge-one-night or out-every-night-type of traveller, make meals part of your experiences. Return to your room and freshen up before your 8pm (or later) meal. Get chic! Bring something fabulous to wander the streets in at night. You won't be overdressed, trust me.

As you can tell, my mantra really is pack light and simple. You'll be glad you did and you'll be more like a European anyway!

I hope you've enjoyed this quick set of suggestions. Read more travel guides and general celebrations of all things simple on my blog, www.simplysemplicita.com!

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Shopping? No, Auctioning!

I am always on the hunt for something worth having at a steal. Designer sample sales, secret thrift stores my sister knows, Home Goods....Now consignment and auctions have also been on my mind thanks to a creative friend who just opened a fabulous consignment store in Pittsburg, PA. Jordan Deane of Redesignation is sharing her expertise on shopping at auctions. It's a great way to make a creative and personal home, affordably. Clearly she's got it down and has great taste; check out her store here!

Jordan thanks so much for sharing! Soooo...who wants to go auction shopping with me soon?

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Jordan Deane of Redesignation :
I must admit that when Lisa first asked me to blog about my business, I was a little intimidated. I've read and thoroughly enjoyed some of her previous guest bloggers, and really had no idea [initially] what to write about. Now that I've been officially open for a month and a half, I feel like I can more confidently write to you about all things consignment.

First off, hi, my name's Jordan and I opened Redesignation--a furniture and home decor consignment shop in Pittsburgh, PA. When guests pay us a compliment on something in our home, I take such pride in being able to tell them where we found it and what a great deal we got on it. Now I'm able to offer others a way to experience this. Oh, I love my job!

The biggest question I get from customers is where do I find all my goodies. I love being able to tell them stories about the items they like. Generally, my answer goes a little something like this: about 10% comes from people consigning with me (hopefully more as my reputation grows), and then the rest comes from a combination of estate sales, flea markets, and auctions. Being that I now do this for a living, it enables me to walk in and walk out of an auction with some awesome pieces for a fraction of the cost. But I want you to know that auctions aren't just for furniture store owners. You, too, can go to one and score BIG, and I'm going to share how and why you should. 

I remember my first auction (especially since it was only four months ago). I was such a freshmen. I walked in nervously, with no idea where to start or what to do, until I located the sign in desk. Embarrassed by not knowing the drill, I asked this lady how to get a number and she snapped back at me about having an i.d. and registering first. Oh, boy. Once we got situated it was pretty much all fun and games from there. Like a chess match, there's a lot of strategy that can go into bidding. A couple thousand dollars later, my husband and I were surrounded by a circle of our successful bids that would originally cost upwards of $25k (see what I mean about finding some steals?). This was a very good start for our soon-to-be consignment shop, and the beginning of my love for auctions in general.

So how do you do it?  First of all, locate an auction you want to go to. There's an amazing website called auctionzip.com. Go to it, plug in your zip code, and viola, all the auctions within a 30 mile radius. You can browse through pictures of the items they're selling and sometimes descriptions. Make sure you read about their terms. Typically, there's a 10-15% buyers' premium. This means that you're paying that percentage on top of what you buy, so be sure to factor that in when you go to bid on something. Sometimes the percentage they take is less when you pay in cash. There's an auction out there for just about anything. Kitchens, lighting, vintage jewelery, furniture, art. You name it, you'll find it at an auction, and I guarantee you'll never want to walk into a home depot or furniture store and pay full price again.

Ok, next, bring your id, sign in and get your number (this is what you raise in order to bid on something). Then walk around and write down notes on anything you see that catches your eye. You never want to seem too eager for any given item, or someone will surely bid it up. Although it is illegal, I've seen it happen where people are planted to bid an item up so it goes for a higher price. Just make sure you're not telling people what you like. Always play it cool.

Second, never jump on the starting bid. Wait till the auctioneer goes to a lower number. If no one jumps on it still, shout out an even lower bid. If it's at $20, casually say you'll give them $15. They'll either accept it or say no, but most likely they'll allow it. You'll be amazed at the amount of people that were previously "uninterested" who are now bidding all over it.

Third, set a price in your head before you get into a bidding war. The auctioneers are good at what they do, and can sometimes bully you into going higher than you really want. Prevent this from happening by backing off of a bid, and let it go if it gets too high. They'll get to know you mean business, and hopefully not pressure you. Keep track of anything you win by writing down the lot number and price. At the end of the auction, you can collect your items and check out by paying. Hang on to your receipt and check it thoroughly for any mistakes. They usually check your receipt and items at the door to make sure you're walking out with the right stuff.

So that's my secret. I hope it makes going to an auction a little less daunting and encourages you to get out there and find some deals for yourself. Because let's face it, even though our economy's tanking, we still don't want our homes to reflect that. If auctions still aren't for you, maybe it means visiting your local consignment or thrift store. You never know what you're going to find, and that, my friends, is the beauty of it all.

Happy Hunting, everybody. 

Love,

Jordan

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Writing! For Adults?

GUEST POST ALERT!!! IT'S A GREAT DAY!

I am fortunate in having a creative family and creative friends. They challenge me to new ideas, as well as give freedom and grace to experiment, create, and mess up. Some adults may not have the freedom, motivation, or encouragement to be creative. Maybe structured lives, rigorous schedules, or social expectations squeeeeeeze it out? Unfortunate I say! Surely brain-stretching, expression, and innovation are just as relevant in adulthood as childhood?

So I asked one of my creative friends to share some encouragement in her area of expertise : writing. Amy Sheets is a 4th grade language arts teacher, as well as a MA, lecturer, and college professor off...Writing! Of course! Writing can be done anytime, by anyone (aka, no drawing skills required :), so it is the perfect course for building creative adulthood muscles.

Thanks for sharing this with us Amy!!!

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My Red Umbrella by Carambatack

“One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, to go places

and explore. Another is that writing motivates you to look closely at life, at life as it

lurches and tramps around.”

-Ann Lamott

Writing is a troublesome thing. It always sounds like a great—romantic, even—thing in which to take part. But then there’s the fact that at some point along the way of being a “writer,” one has to actually sit down and write at some point. For me, writing has been a fickle friend, but once I became a teacher of writing, I realized that I actually needed to be a writer. Otherwise, I would be like being a swim coach who seldom getsin the water. To do it well, I needed to dive in.

Retro Design - Car by Carambatack

But writing, once it gets going, can really be a wonderful activity. It can help you remember the details of a special moment. It can help to process difficult emotions or decisions. It can bring clarity to experiences from your past. It can also allow a complete divergence from reality. Writing even has a myriad of health benefits. Did you know that researchers have found that people who write about their deepest thoughts and feelings surrounding upsetting events have stronger immunity and visit their doctors half as often as those who write only about trivial events, let alone those who do not write regularly? The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that writing even reduces physical symptoms in patients with chronic illnesses.

In the past year I have challenged my students to think about the reasons we write. At first they looked at me like, “Uh…because you make us?” But once we started thinking

of reasons, they came up with some really beautiful ideas. One student said that you should write because maybe it will become a book you’ve always wanted to read.

Tree Print by Carambatack

Another said that it can be as exciting as being at bat with all the bases loaded (I don’t know that I ever got him to write about a topic other than baseball if you couldn’t guess).

I also worked to find the words of writers and teachers to add to our collection of reasons. One of my favorite quotes on this is from fellow writing teacher Ralph Fletcher, who says of keeping a writing notebook, “[It] can be a clearing in the forest of your life, a place where you can be alone and content as you play with outrage and wonder, details and gossip, language and dreams, plots and subplots, perceptions and small epiphanies.”

So, I challenge you to write today. Wonder at the world. Notice something about the world and the people around you. Allow yourself a “clearing in the forest of your life.”

And, just for a bonus quote:

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to

do it, and the imagination to improvise.  The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

~Sylvia Plath

---Amy Sheets

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To contact Amy with questions or for writing sources, email makinghomehomemade@gmail. 

The Theory of Cost Per Wear Shopping

I do not like shopping. Don't get me wrong; I love wearing new clothes and I love love love feeling awesome in whatever I'm wearing. But every single time I spend more than 20 minutes at the mall I fantasize about having a personal shopper/stylist. Someone that would wisely select on-trend items based on my body type and personality and make sure they arrive at my doorstep at the beginning of each season.

My sister would be that someone. Annie has always had not only an eye for trends, but also the ability to make clothes express a personality and the ability to find those clothes at awesome prices. She can create complete, fashionable, classy wardrobes from discount and thrift stores efficiently. But sometimes there are other options to consider.

Annie recently told me her theory on what to buy and where. Annie is the guest blogger today, and she is going to share her expertise! Thanks Annie! You can see more of her style on her awesome blog Anne Charlotte Pumpkin Scarlet.

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Anne Charlotte Pumpkin Scarlet :

I get a little over-excited by clothes.

I get extremely over-excited by good deals on clothes.

 My favorite word is SALE and my favorite past-time is wandering through endless thrift store racks in pursuit of the next sequin marvel.  Shopping "thrifty" is not just about the thrill of the deal- it's a necessity for me financially.

Because of my thrifty ways, I shop often.  I buy lots, but at a low cost.  My closet has the propensity to take the form of an actual clearance rack; all ruffles and lace with tags covered in red stickers...tags that are still on the dresses months later.  I find myself purchasing clothes simply because they are a steal,  not because the item suits my wardrobe or fits like a dream.  i'll buy something just because it's six dollars, and who knows?  maybe someday I'll wish i had something made of yellow polyester bows that may or may not be three sizes too small.

Truthfully though, what am I going to do with ten party dresses that cost $10 each?  That's $100 closet-dollars that may never see the light.   With this in mind, I'm learning to base my decisions on other criteria.  I'm trying to focus on function, color, and wear-ability when i shop.  Every piece should flow into my existing wardrobe and present looks and alternatives to outfits currently in my lineup.  I want to consider those things before the price.
 

So basically, I'm using the principle of CPW.

CPW, or, cost-per-wear, is a tool that determines the worth of a purchase over time.  Simply divide the price of the garment by the amount of times you wear (or think you will wear) the item.

So often, we try to skimp on buying basics in order to afford dazzling one-off pieces.  However, the CPW suggests the opposite approach.  For example, Havainas flip-flops are $18 (verses the $3.50 old navy or target versions), yet they will last through many summers and end up costing mere pennies per wear.   The CPW suggests that designer jeans are a worthwhile investment for those women who spend their lives in, well, jeans.   $150 for trouser-jeans from Emersonmade?  That seems like a lot of money at first glance.  But, they happen to be the most lovely jeans on the planet.  Versatile enough to wear to work and for play.  can be worn with heels or flippies.  A multi-seasonal staple.  I will wear them upwards of 30 times- that's $5 per wear.  chump change!    Comparatively, what is the investment payoff for a $300 dress that I'll wear one time?  That's 300 divided by 1; three hundred dollars per wear. 

So, I've started entering stores with an open mind; keen to find items that work in my wardrobe, bring freshness to a look, and speak to my personality.  I might end up finding some incredibly versatile staples that can be worn time after time- items that I'd never purchased without the CPW point of view.
In the end, I think I'll end up saving money.  If anything, my daily outfit costs will be in the neighborhood of $5  because I'll get so much more out of thorough purchases and cost analysis before I buy.  That's a good feeling!  Plus, there's nothing better than finding the occasional item that qualifies as "low CPW"...on the clearance rack.   It's the challenge of shopping smart - not just thrifty.

happy hunting!

ACPS 

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