My Favorite Fall Travel Packing Tips

The weather is turning and it's making me think about packing for fall travel. So if you're going on a fall/winter road trip or you're just looking ahead to when traveling is a thing again. Even when you have to pack larger pieces than for your summer trips, you can still pack light. I'm a big proponent of layering when I travel, since you never know if the weather will be unseasonably warm or colder than you expect. Don't fret though, because you can still pack light and bring everything you need for any kind of weather.

When we traveled to Edinburgh and London last year, the weather ranged from cool, crisp fall air to super cold windy days. It could have been miserable, but learning from our previous trips to the UK, the first of which all we had packed were winter clothes. The first 3-4 days were so warm out that I didn't need a coat and seriously wondered if I'd have to buy some short sleeve tops in order to not get heat stroke. Needless to say, the next trip nobody wanted a repeat of that. So, taking all my knowledge into account when packing, I chose several lightweight sweaters that I could layer other things with and went from there. 

So, if the weather tends toward cold, cold, cold, your pictures are basically all going to be you bundled up in your coat and you aren't going to see anything you've got on underneath anyway (see title photo). With this in mind, it makes even more sense to bring as little as possible. You'll just need enough to keep you from getting bored and to go between laundry - think of it an excuse to take a break and relax a few times on your trip. Watch a movie, catch up on email or play a game. I bring the same thing for one week as I do for two. Three lightweight sweaters, a cardigan, two tanks and two tees that match your sweaters. Throw in a dress, two pair of stretchy jeans or other comfortable pantsm and two pair of shoes. 

Keep in mind your travel outfit. I usually wear my favorite pair of jeans (with stretch), a tee and a cardigan, one pair of the shoes I'm planning to wear throughout my trip and keep my jacket and a scarf within easy reach. This way if it's cold, I can put more layers on, and if it's hot, I can remove my cardigan.

jeans | dress | cardigan | l/s shirt | t-shirts | tights

A pair of black jeans can double as nice pants for a night out, but a breathable dress can also work. Make sure to pack a pair of heavy tights in case it's really cold and you need some extra protection. Tights are multitaskers. When the weather is colder than expected, like a freak snowstorm, you can throw them on under your pants. I tend toward thinner skinny jeans, because the stretchy ones are comfortable, but may not be as warm as traditional jeans. For this reason, that extra layer might be necessary.

Make sure your tops all mix and match, so you don't have items that only go with some things in your bag. I like neutrals, like black and gray that I can add a pop of color to. You may end up like me and have to wear three layers at once, so if you bring three different color sweaters and three different color/patterns of tanks and tees, you're going to look like a bag lady. I like to go with solids for one layer and some patterns for the other. Above you have 3 long sleeve options and two patterned t-shirts. If you have to layer, these will all work together. The dress is also reversible (from Columbia), so you can make a total of 22 outfits with these pieces. You also have the added warmth of your cardigan and/or jacket.

yup, lots of photos of us just wearing coats and hats or scarves.

Look for shoes that will go with everything. I went to Europe with a pair of flats and tall packable boots, but I love the look of a short boot and a loafer. Make sure you have enough room for your foot to breathe in your boot and that both pair are comfortable to walk in all day long. I loved the boots I took, but they were a smidge too tight, or I overdid myself on the 478965322 stairs in Paris, because I left with a stress fracture in one of my feet. Boo. But at least I didn't notice the pain until the night before we were going back home. Maybe suck it up and wear your flats when hiking up 40 jillion steps, just in case. This last trip I took my Arcopedico booties and had plenty of room for my feet, great insteps, and my feet never hurt. This was extra great, because Edinburgh was basically all uphill cobblestone streets and 45 million stairs. At least I got a lot of exercise.

jacket | booties | wrap | ballet flats

Look at the weather before you leave, to be sure you're dressed for your destination. A pair of gloves and a hat are always good companions, because you'll be thrilled if you have them and need them, or miserable if you leave them at home and have to shell out money for them. We actually had to purchase another hat and scarf for Eric on one trip, who didn't think he would need them. We didn't make the same mistake this last time, though we didn't really need them. Unless you're hoping for a lame souvenir, throw some in for everyone traveling. It'll make your life easier.

What is your best winter packing advice?

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Our Halloween & Day of the Dead Celebration

This year has been unconventional, to say the least, so we didn't dress up and go around with our friend's kids for trick-or-treating, or threw a party, or even handed out candy. Instead, we watched a live stream of Rocky Horror Picture Show benefiting the Wisconsin Democrat efforts and had take-out. Here's how we, officially, celebrated Halloween.

I've been wanting to do something around the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration, called Dia de los Muertos. We didn't do traditional foods, but instead, we had a theme of skulls and then learned a bit more about the holiday and how people remember their dead. Please don't @ me telling me that these two holidays are not similar and we didn't do either of them right. 

We had this great backdrop with a skeleton mariachi band and banners that I added a traditional marigold swag. It gave a really jovial feel.

I had a cool spread that I planned and not all the things I had on my list even made it onto this platter or the other. Some of the things you'll see here:

• Skull deviled eggs - I used my own recipe, but I also want to tell you that this is not as easy to cut out faces and mine were very sad, but I tried. 
• Beet tahini dip (the pink) - I used cooked beets available in the salad section at Trader Joe's. 
• Cinnamon sugar snakes - I used Hawaiian crescent rolls for these. 
• Humbolt Fog goat cheese - this is the white cheese that has an edible layer of vegetable ash.
• Purple Moon cheese - Clearly, this is the purple coffin-shaped cheese. It gets this color by being soaked in red wine. 
• Cucumber skulls
• Salami
• Cornichon/gerkin pickles
• Pumpkin gouda (the bone-shaped and cubed cheese) - It has flecks of peppers and pumpkin seeds in it. It doesn't taste much different than regular gouda.
• Sweety drop peppers - These are hard to find, but they have them right now at New Seasons. 
• Kalamata olives
• Blackberries
• Seedless black grapes
• Avocado dip (see below)

This was my skull board with hot items. The large skulls are just pizza crust from a can filled with cheese and chili. I love this fun pan I used though.

Here's a closer pic of these two fun food items: 

• Shrunken potato heads - These are just little potatoes baked with faces cut into them. These go with the avocado dip above. 
• Bread of the dead - This flatbread features little mushroom skulls. I happened to do my own thing here by using canned pizza dough that I brushed with black food coloring and olive oil. I also didn't find any pesto gouda, so instead I used pepper gouda I found at Trader Joe's that is white, orange and green. I substituted baby bella mushrooms for white mushrooms, so they weren't as easily recognizable, but I think it came out well anyway.

Here's our whole spread with our Mexico Mayan pyramid backdrop. I also picked up these two little pumpkin dip bowls at Michaels, along with the little Catrina skull, and this sugar skull votive luminary at Target. 

You gotta toast with something, too, so I made this Spiced Cider (minus the marigold petals, because, no thanks, and I was too lazy to look for it). I pulled out some Halloween sprinkles I had and rimmed my mugs using honey as a "glue". Hint: use more honey than you expect to need. 

There's plenty more you can do to enjoy a cool Mexico Day of the Dead celebration, including creating an ofrenda to remember each of your lost family members and friends, watch Coco on Disney+, watch some things about traditional celebrations (here's my YouTube list with a bonus Halloween house in New Orleans), and a fun backdrop or two. I bought this Dia de los Muertos one and this Mayan pyramid one, which will make another appearance.

How did you spend this past weekend? Did you celebrate either Halloween or Day of the Dead? 

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I may be compensated should you choose to make any purchases through them. This allows me to keep this blog running for you. Thanks in advance!

Enjoying Florida Like a Pro

Sometimes, the best vacations can be somewhere in between an exotic getaway and a cozy staycation - like visiting a different state, for example! Domestic holidays are a cost-effective way to change your environment and have an adventure, and one of the most popular destinations in the entire US is Florida. It’s no surprise - ‘the sunshine state’ has it all, from beautiful scenery to beaches, to nightlife and shopping, and all with a healthy dose of sun and heat. But if you have limited time, the options can be overwhelming! Here’s a list of the highlights to help you narrow down your activities and make the most of your vacation.

Image credit Pexels

Beautiful Nature

One of the most famous parts of Florida is the Everglades National Park, and for good reason. The Everglades is the second biggest national park in the country, only beaten by Yellowstone, and it can be pretty spectacular. A boat trip out on the water is a fundamental part of any Florida vacation, where you can see some of the incredible wildlife, including both alligators and crocodiles!

Beaches

It isn’t the land of sunshine for nothing, and Florida is full of beautiful beaches for you to enjoy. Miami beach is perfectly located if you want to enjoy the sand and sea with easy access to amenities and the rest of the state, but you can also get off the beaten track a little and find some wonderful gems. Whatever you decide to do, you absolutely can’t make a trip to Florida without sampling at least one of the beaches.

Nightlife!

When you’re not out on the water or lounging under a sunshade, you’ll want to enjoy the incredible nightlife Florida has to offer. Warm, clear nights contribute to a thriving cultural scene, with Duval Street in Key West boasting a particularly brilliant atmosphere with its Caribbean vibes. Don’t worry about hitting the bars too hard either; in Florida you can order a Reset IV, available 24/7, to cure hangovers and make you feel your best for the rest of your vacation.

Museums

Once your hangover is cured, you might be interested in exploring the cultural side of Florida. Though you might not think it at first, the state has plenty of fascinating museums and galleries to keep you occupied, not least the fabulous Salvador Dali museum in St Petersburg, which is a must-not-miss for art fans.

Shopping

Florida wouldn’t be Florida without its shopping experiences, and your vacation is the time to treat yourself. Every big city in the state has a bustling center and marketplaces, so a trip to Florida is definitely an excuse to whip out your purse and have a look around.

Family Attractions

For a family holiday, you can’t get much better than Walt Disney World. It’s a hugely popular amusement park, world-famous, full of legendary rides and experiences including Space mountain. Whilst Florida is stuffed full of amusement parks, including Universal Studios, this one really can’t be missed by anyone, even if you don’t have kids!

Eventually, we'll be able to travel safely, and when we can, Florida can be a great destination, even if you don't want to go to the theme parks. In fact, that makes it much more affordable.