OOTD | Day 4

Second day in Berlin and we are supposed to be eating at the TV tower which I hear has a nice restaurant in it, so I want to dress nice for the occasion even if I am going to be shopping for most of the day. If the weather keeps up, I am going to have to buy something before the 17th because chattering teeth is not only NOT cute, but crazy looking.

Tommy Hilfiger sweater
Cotton On blouse
OPP Swap Shop
Pocket Watch from Antique Mall

OOTD | Day 2

Cable knit- Tommy Hilfiger
Dockers Anchor Button up- Salvation Army

 Layers are a big hit here apparently. Thankfully, that's all my wardrope consists of. This look, very casual with my rainboots. Casual chic is all I saw in Bielefeld so I felt right at home!

OOTD | Day 1

Day 1
Sheer cream blouse-Cotton On (sister's closet)
Hat-Target
Military jacket-Gap
Purple wool coat- Sears.
Scarf-Walmart
Black jeans-Forever 21
Boot Wedges (from Christmas party) -Bongo via Sears

 This outfit I wore for my flight and the first day I was in Bielefeld, mostly because of the 6 hour time change. Note:: if you are going to wear wedges of any kind in the airport, wear Dr. Scholl's. Glad I did. My feet were very happy I did!

TRAVEL | How I Pack

Last year, I took a mission trip to Nicaragua. My flight in Orlando was delayed because Obama was flying through Miami and of course he would be in my section so I missed my connecting flight from Miami to Nicaragua. A lot of people missed their flights. Anyway, I arrived in Nicaragua and my check in luggage was not there. The only items in my carry on were 2 pairs of underwear, a pair of shoes, and one outfit change. I was in Nicaragua for a week and a half. My luggage didn't get to me until 2 days before I was supposed to leave. Thankfully I was at an orphanage so I borrowed some clothes from the workers there, but it was still inconvenient.

This time around I didn't want to take that chance and wanted to at least get 3 outfits in my carry on that could be interchanged and last me at least the first week. My carryon luggage is 19" so its somewhat small, but I was determined. I set aside the outfit I would wear on the plane. This would be worn for two days since I would be flying for that amount of time. Then I grouped my outfits together and rolled them together like so:

I then placed a pair of rain boots at the bottom of the suitcase, and then started placing each little log on top and then another pair of shoes on the side of my clothes. All my socks and underwear will go in the other section of the suitcase, and I will put my cameras in the corner of the suitcase. Voila! The remaining clothes will go in the checkin suitcase along with whatever gifts I am bringing.

TRAVEL | Packing for 3 weeks

Extra luggage fees are an eye sore. Because Florida never sells real winter garments, I am forced pack a lot more clothes for layering. But when checking an extra piece of luggage is $75, I cannot afford to take as many clothes and I have to get  creative with my outfits. Plus, I decided to lay off of buying any clothes for the next 3 weeks so I really needed to get creative.

Thank God for Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge.

In a nutshell (if you have never heard of it) you are allowed to only use 30 pieces for 30 days. That could be a mixture of things from shirts to shoes with no outfit repeats. 30 pieces...for 2.5 weeks....in winter...German winter...hmmm. I might as well try. My first practice run of packing without these constraints and my luggage didn't quite make the cut. I would still need to make room for cameras and toiletries and my bags were bulging.

So I began to purge.

What I thought would not be enough clothes turned into more than enough combinations for me to always look my best when I am out and about. 28 pieces later, I have 18 non repeating outfits. HUZZAH! And I still have room enough for gifts and other things.

1 week and counting!