I'm heading to Florida this week and pretty pumped. I know I mentioned it before, but I sent a suitcase (a big suitcase) down with my parent's who drive to Florida every year (it's a 24 hour drive). This will save me from lugging a suitcase through airports and also paying to check my luggage (woohoo!). Additionally, I'm not packing at the last minute, like I normally would be.
Whenever I travel, I style and pack outfits, versus just throwing everything into a suitcase (like I used to do). This helps ensure I have (almost) everything I need, makes it easy to get dressed while on vacation and (sort of) eliminates over packing. Sort of.
I definitley packed many favourites this year (which means I have to live without many favourites in my closet for a month) and aimed to pack lots of colour. Also, you never know what kind of weather you're going to get in Coco Beach this time of year and since it's right on the ocean, the winds are breezy and the nights can be cool. Layers, pashminas and light-weight jackets are a must.
I still have to pack my jewelery (going to aim for just silver this year, to make things easy), gym shoes, leather jacket (for motorcycle rides with my parents), pashminas, toiletries and my favourite black skinny pants (which I refused to pack at the time as I wear them at least once a week).
While the itinerary will be laid back, my mom has already texted me asking me if I wanted to get $8 pedicures ($8?! What?!). On top of that I will be celebrating my birthday in FLA on Thursday (exciting!), hopefully spending lots of time on the beach (thank you for all your book recommendations) and get some shopping in as well (Ross, Target, TJ Maxx & the outlets).
Are you going away this year? Did you already? How do you pack wisely?
Freshly painted, ready for the beach, mon.
Related posts:
* Florida 2011: what I packed.
* Weekend trip to Toronto: what I packed.
5 comments
1. Friday night I celebrated my birthday with some girlfriends and one of my besties got me this cake! More on the celebration to come.
2. Newly thrifted necklace.
3. & 4. New neon polishes. Love love love.
5. Home made pasta (chicken, shrimp, asparagus, red pep & a rose-style sauce). Or you could try spaghetti.
6. Greek apps (not home made).
7. Making the home made pasta.
8. My 'laundry' purse (I used this everytime I do laundry; fits my SmartCard, my phone & keys, plus it's cross-body and small so it's perfect).
9. My front foyer is tiny but my dining room is tinier (since it's half a walk-in closet as well), so I found a place for two of the four chairs and made a make-shift bench by my front door.
10. My new shoe rack (I know, it's not full but that's because there are shoes in various places around my apartment, not just this rack).
11. Pretty Sunday night sunset (yay Daylight Savings!).
12. Hung this above my linen/make-up/accessories closet (a gift from my sis).
13. Sunday shopping day outfit.
14. New F21 shorts.
Dynamite blazer, H&M dress (worn as a top & last seen here), Stitches skirt, unknown tights, Aldo booties (last seen here), Suzy necklace, Pandora, Dynamite & F21 bracelets
First off, thank you all so much for the amazing comments, yet again, on yesterday's post. You all brought a big smile to my face; your compassion and empathy, your kindness and sweet words all mean so much. Thank you.
So in other news, I am so excited: I just booked my flight to Florida! Ya! I wasn't planning on going down this year (financially it just wasn't feasible) but things have changed and I am going! Yipee! I'm so excited to spend a week and a day on the beach, wearing sandals, eating at my favourite US restaurant (Chili's) and spending some QT with my parents (they go every year and rent the same condo).
I packed a couple weeks ago and sent a suitcase down with my parents (they drive) so I wouldn't have to (a) lug a big suitcase through the airports (simply a carry-on now), and (b) have to pay additional fees to check my baggage. Not having to think about packing in itself is a stress reliever (more on what I packed later).
However, the one thing I am 'stressed' (if you can even call it that) about is reading material. I love to read (especially on the beach) and am currently reading a book, but not obsessed with it (obsessed in the I-will-finish-this-in-a-few-
I packed a couple weeks ago and sent a suitcase down with my parents (they drive) so I wouldn't have to (a) lug a big suitcase through the airports (simply a carry-on now), and (b) have to pay additional fees to check my baggage. Not having to think about packing in itself is a stress reliever (more on what I packed later).
However, the one thing I am 'stressed' (if you can even call it that) about is reading material. I love to read (especially on the beach) and am currently reading a book, but not obsessed with it (obsessed in the I-will-finish-this-in-a-few-
I wanted to share this photo to give you guys a sneak peak into my new apartment (finding space for my shoes is a work in progress!), plus I kinda liked the photo.
Related posts:
Me in my old bathroom | Stairs
The house I have lived in for the past five years was for sale. It is now sold. Today is the closing date.
Trying to sell the house ourselves has been really tough. Not only is the situation difficult, obviously, but having to work together and coordinate schedules to host open houses, ensure the house is clean and pay the bills doesn't make it easier. Fortunately it's been as smooth as likely possible, considering the circumstances.
It's with mixed emotions that we finally sold the house. After being on the market since August, I didn't think we would sell in the dead of winter, but we did, and to a super sweet couple. It seriously makes the deal even sweeter to sell to people like them. Knowing your home is going to people who love it and are excited? The best.
Last night I went to the house for the last time. It was an evening filled with emotion. Excitement because finally after many months this is a step forward, some form of closure and, let's be honest, more money in my pocket each month (no more paying a mortgage and rent). However, on the flip side, sadness and old memories of what that house used to be.
As I walked around the empty rooms, I remembered the good times I spent there, the nice features and various projects and hobbies I started in that house; I learned how to sew, I started a blog, I had a walk-in closet (and two other closets for overflow, and a room dedicated to all my shoes), I started painting canvases, and more. I tried to absorb the last views I would take of each room, hoping to hold onto the memory of how it looked, every nook and cranny. I took photos of each room (although I have photos of it furnished) just to have, then loaded up my car with any remaining items I had to take. Then I said my good byes, locked the door and walked out of that house for the last time ever. It was a definitive moment, and a bittersweet one at that. It's hard to say good bye to your first home but it's exciting to say hello to what's ahead.
I wrote the following post last month, but never posted it:
February 10th
Today is such a good day!
Last night we got an offer on our home, and we accepted!. The first paper (ahem, official and not just verbal) offer. I am too excited. It's been a while since I've felt a high like this. I've spent this morning faxing paperwork to the lawyer, getting advice, scheduling an inspection, sharing the exciting news with friends and drinking a large tea in under three minutes flat. Woot, caffeine!
It's been such a long winded road trying to sell our home. We listed it in August 2011 ourselves and hoped for the best. After a month on the market, and not much activity, we decided to drop our price. We started holding open houses every weekend and we got a lot more visits. Still though, no offers. We pushed through the fall and there was interest, but nothing serious or worth settling for.
In December an offer slipped through our fingers and I kicked myself afterwards. In January an offer was ridiculous and we turned it down. All the while continuing to pay the mortgage and for me, also rent (expensive!) on top of that.
When we got a (verbal) offer this week from someone immediately after seeing the house, we negotiated and accepted. While waiting for the paper work, the deal fell through and it was pretty heart breaking (and frustrating). However, we had a 'back-up plan', that being another couple traveling from out of city (and province) to come see our place (and a few others). Fortunately they loved ours the most and made an offer within 24 hours of seeing it. After going over the details, making a couple changes, we accepted and are supposed to close in just over three weeks! Excitement ensues!
Selling the house is totally bitter sweet. It's the end of something huge; our first home, my place of residence for the last (almost) five years, the house I made a home, the last piece of joint material item in our marriage, and more. It is the materialistic item that officially symbolizes our split and it's kind of strange. The first offer we ever got had me jumping in excitement and immediately after, in tears! It was such a bittersweet moment. That offer fell through, among a few others, and I've had time to adjust to really selling the home and letting it go. This time around felt a bit different, almost like I'm more ready to let it go. The people that are buying the house are so sweet too, and I think that really helps. It's so nice to sell your home to a couple you connect with, like, and are genuinely nice people. Sounds kind of cheesy but it's true!
So, pending the inspection goes well, I will be moving the last of my stuff out in a few short weeks, which also means some major packing needs to get done over the coming weeks. Eep! I feel happy!
Today is such a good day!
Last night we got an offer on our home, and we accepted!. The first paper (ahem, official and not just verbal) offer. I am too excited. It's been a while since I've felt a high like this. I've spent this morning faxing paperwork to the lawyer, getting advice, scheduling an inspection, sharing the exciting news with friends and drinking a large tea in under three minutes flat. Woot, caffeine!
It's been such a long winded road trying to sell our home. We listed it in August 2011 ourselves and hoped for the best. After a month on the market, and not much activity, we decided to drop our price. We started holding open houses every weekend and we got a lot more visits. Still though, no offers. We pushed through the fall and there was interest, but nothing serious or worth settling for.
In December an offer slipped through our fingers and I kicked myself afterwards. In January an offer was ridiculous and we turned it down. All the while continuing to pay the mortgage and for me, also rent (expensive!) on top of that.
When we got a (verbal) offer this week from someone immediately after seeing the house, we negotiated and accepted. While waiting for the paper work, the deal fell through and it was pretty heart breaking (and frustrating). However, we had a 'back-up plan', that being another couple traveling from out of city (and province) to come see our place (and a few others). Fortunately they loved ours the most and made an offer within 24 hours of seeing it. After going over the details, making a couple changes, we accepted and are supposed to close in just over three weeks! Excitement ensues!
Selling the house is totally bitter sweet. It's the end of something huge; our first home, my place of residence for the last (almost) five years, the house I made a home, the last piece of joint material item in our marriage, and more. It is the materialistic item that officially symbolizes our split and it's kind of strange. The first offer we ever got had me jumping in excitement and immediately after, in tears! It was such a bittersweet moment. That offer fell through, among a few others, and I've had time to adjust to really selling the home and letting it go. This time around felt a bit different, almost like I'm more ready to let it go. The people that are buying the house are so sweet too, and I think that really helps. It's so nice to sell your home to a couple you connect with, like, and are genuinely nice people. Sounds kind of cheesy but it's true!
So, pending the inspection goes well, I will be moving the last of my stuff out in a few short weeks, which also means some major packing needs to get done over the coming weeks. Eep! I feel happy!
1. Friday night dinner: Shawarma.
2. Saturday afternoon.
3. Cottage country.
4. Sat by this and read all weekend long.
5. Saturday night fondue dinner.
6. Sunday morning big breakfast.
7. Temperatures went above zero degrees Celcius (!).
8. China Glaze magnetix nail polish (review to come).
9. Casual Friday at the office.
10. Driving home Sunday night.
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