Summer Essentials: How To Pack

As we continue into sweet summer time (can you hear the Will Smith song in your head now? Or how about the Kenny Chesney one?) we are all planning and dreaming of the beach. Even with mini trips on the weekend the biggest dilemma is always, how do I pack...what should I wear? 


Let us start with the hardest question (in my opinion): How do I pack for a trip? I found this great resource on Pinterest that led me a blog called A Pair and A Spare. The author of this blog talks about packing light and we all know we want to pack light going to the beach. That is the hardest thing for me because when I try to pack light I always end up forgetting something. What is great about this infographic it gives you a break down even to your shoes. 

So here is the breakdown of how you should pack according to this inforgraphic and I hope you find it as helpful as I do. I am so grateful to have stumbled across it. 

Step 1: Check the climate & culture Obviously a big factor in your packing is going to be your destination. 

Step 2: Gather basics As in everyday life, good basics are the foundation of a versatile travel wardrobe.

Step 3: Add key color palette items Choose a color palette for a few additional pieces. This reduces the likelihood of having mismatched outfits. Depending on what I have in my wardrobe I usually add a maxi skirt (great for travelling), long sleeved shirt, a few mini skirts and a pair of shorts in my chosen color palette. You can of course choose a couple of colors for your palette, just try to make sure they are all compatible.

Step 4: Rationalize Shoes Shoes are the most bulky part of your luggage and if you can restrict the number of shoes you take with you, life will be much easier. But you don’t want to feel like you lack shoes either – I usually take one pair of classic black patent heels (maybe a second pair if I am going somewhere dressy), a pair of ballet flats, ankle boots, a pair of comfortable shoes like converse and a pair of gladiator sandals.

Step 5: Complete with Accessories Pick accessories that you can use with multiple outfits and occasions with will cut down on how much you need to pack.

Hope this helps when it comes with packing your bags and jet-setting to your summer vacation. Next week I will post on the best items to take with you to the beach. And of course if you don't have these summer packing essentials I suggest you head to Fifi's immediately! This way you are getting fabulous designer pieces for a faction of the price and you won't be cutting into your vacation piggy bank. 

Summer Essentials: Fun in the Sun

I missed blogging for you all last week. I hope you all had a really fabulous Memorial Day and were able to look great while enjoying your long weekend.Have you picked up any summer essentials from Fifi's mentioned in the last post? Please post them and share. I am back with some summer essentials for your wardrobe be sure to hit up Fifi's this week to add to your closet.

Flat Sandal
Flip-flops are great and so are wedges but sometimes you need a bit more dressy than a pair of Rainbows and well sometimes you need a pair flats to wear...especially when that summer dress is already the perfect length and you don't want it any shorter.

Sunglasses
This is a no-brainer, as I mentioned in an earlier post Fifi's carries designer sunglasses. So ladies ditch those generic superstore sunglasses for a that designer pair you've been eying for a fraction of the price. You will not regret it.

Juicy Couture $60 per pair

White Pants
Who remembers the White Hot post? It was all about what else but wearing white this summer, easy enough. Well if you don't want to wear all white at least wear a pair of great white pants (or shorts) and pair it with a brilliantly bright top.

Okay ladies I want to see your summer looks! Tell us what you bought at Fifi's and how you wore it for that perfect day in the sun. We want to see you in that great find!

Summer Essentials: Kick Off

If you don't know already this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Yay for a long weekend! Along with the Memorial Day weekend comes the kick-off of summer. I am sure most of you have time by the pool planned, along with cookouts and if you are a race fan the big race as well. I am personally hosting a cookout at my home, so along with creating a menu I'm thinking about what to wear. I'm a fashionista, what do expect?

Let's talk about some great ways to kick-off your summer with pieces you won't regret buying.

The Maxi Dress
You want to be cool and breezy but don't want to have to worry about the hassle of a short dress at an outdoor party. I usually have a hard time finding a maxi dress that will fit my short frame but I found last year, and I love it. It is such an easy thing to just throw on and run out the door.

Summer Hat
So, I realize that this may not be at the top of the must have list but it really is a great investment. I bought a white floppy hat last year and I am not looking for another to add to my summer hat collection. It is great for laying out or heading to the beach...it just tops off your look with an effortless look. Plus it is a great way to protect your scalp from sunburn without putting any product on your glamorous beach hair.

Classic Pair of Shorts
What a great way to show of your legs than in a pair of shorts and wedges...show off that tan you are working on. Or in my case, the tan I will never have. It doesn't matter tan or not a guy cannot resist a great pair of legs...or legs...so show them off in a really cute pair of shorts. And when I say cute I don't mean those denim shorts you've been toting around for the last several years.

Summer Dress
We all need a summer dress. Something short. Easy. Cute. Perfect to go run errands (like to Fifi's to do more shopping) or to be outdoors enjoying a drink and burger with friends. The perfect summer dress will take you from all that to even dinner out on a patio.

Those are the summer essentials I am going to cover for your Memorial Day weekend. I hope you all have a great long weekend and you kick-off summer with a bang. Next week I will cover a few more essentials...

If you are wondering what to pair with your shorts because you don't feel like wearing a dress this weekend think thin tees or flowing tanks. And if you are going to wear colored shorts - try colorblocking - or you can just wear a neutral. It is summer time enjoy the bright colors of the season!

Line Up!

Did you hear the news? That Fifi's will be moving into a bigger location in August! I am just thrilled, and I am sure you are as well.

This week's trend we are going to explore is stripes. I know that stripes can tend to be a bit of gray area for some since it can lean towards making one look wider on certain body types...and plus no one wants to look like they are an escaped convict. So let's see how we can take a scary trend and make it look chic.

I think the important thing about stripes to remember is try not to look too patriotic. You don't want to walk around looking like a relic of the American flag. Not a good everyday look, nautical is great (take the red striped top in the left hand corner) but no one wants to look as though they are celebrating the 4th of July everyday. The great thing about a striped top it is not an all over graphic look and you can control how and where it hits your body. Keep that in mind when purchasing your next striped item.

I am going to repeat myself a lot in this post. Especially when it comes to body types and how to wear the stripes. The thing to keep in mind with stripes and dresses is the width of the stripe and trying ton dresses in which the stripes go in different directions so your eyes do not go to one section of the body (ie the hips). Also, choosing a dress that has just one strip of stripes will still incorporate the trend without it being overwhelming. If you like the dress don't fear the stripes just try it on! You may end up loving it on!

And for those of you not ready to line up, here are a few great accessories you can wear instead. This way you can be bold with your stripes and colors and work up the courage to wear a fabulous striped item by the end of the season. You won't regret it!