This summer, I’m taking the Get Your Pretty On Summer Style Challenge.
So far, I’m loving this challenge and can’t believe how much it’s encouraging me to get dressed in a cute outfit every day, try some new outfit pairings, and just enjoy putting together looks. Plus, I LOVE the Facebook Group where women share their own variation of each day’s outfit.
This week, we’re on our 14-day East Coast Road Trip, so I am working with a very limited wardrobe and it’s all items that can pack in a suitcase, travel well, and work for lots and lots of walking and different temperatures.
Since I went to Italy and Israel for 10 days and packed in just a carry-on, it’s not too daunting for me to think of packing minimally for a 14-day trip. I drew inspiration from this 10-Day Summer Vacation Packing List and then looked in my closet to come up with what I would pack.
I decided to bring:
- 5 tops
- 4 pairs of shorts
- 1 dress
- 1 pair of jeans
- 2 workout outfits + tennis shoes
- PJs
- jewelry
- 4 pairs of shoes (I know this might seem excessive, but since we were going to do a lot of walking, I wanted to change up my shoes almost every day because I’ve found that’s easier on my feet if I don’t always wear the same pair of shoes.)
We’re using this 5-Day Packing System and so far it is working really well. I’m just mixing and matching outfits when I repack them into outfits on Laundry Day to add a little variety.
Here’s what I wore so far on vacation:
I just realized that everything I have on in this picture is from Amazon! I know I’m so weird that I order so much of my wardrobe from there, but it means I don’t have to shop. Which makes me very happy! 
Oh and Kaitlynn (our 10-year-old) did my makeup today!! I think I should let her do my makeup every day since she did a great job and it kind of felt like I was doing a fancy photoshoot to have her doing my makeup!
I love this outfit! It’s kind of a staple in my wardrobe. 🙂
Shirt: Cents of Style
Earrings: Kohl’s Clearance Rack
Shorts: Stitch Fix
Shoes: Amazon
Also, Kaitlynn did my make up again today! She went for a different look and did a great job. I feel completely spoiled!
Taken at the wax museum in DC, just for fun!
I was trying to go for a somewhat patriotic look on July 4 while using the very minimalist wardrobe I brought with me on this 14-day road trip. I borrowed Kaitlynn’s head band that she got from Dollar Tree to add some red to this outfit.
I’m not digging this outfit and don’t know that I think I can pull off the headband look without looking like Rosie the Riveter, but hey, my husband told me it looked cute. So that’s that! 😉
(White shorts would have gone better with this outfit, but I need to wash them and considering that it rained and we walked through a lot of rain and puddles, I’m glad I didn’t wear white today! See my formerly white shoes for evidence of why white shorts would have been a bad idea!)
Shirt: Cents of Style
Shorts: Stitch Fix
Shoes: Amazon
We were mostly driving this day, so I went for a really comfy casual look and paired it with flip-flops! I can’t decide whether the earrings are way too much, or whether they make the outfit look a little more put together?
Shirt: Zulily?
Jeans: Stitch Fix? (I’ve had these for forever and wear them all. the. time!)
Hat: Cents of Style
Earrings: Amazon
Yes, I wore my Be Still shirt for our day in Times Square/New York City. Because, even when it might be crazy all around you, you can still have peace in your soul and reminders to take time to savor and breathe and be grateful. I’m especially grateful for this wonderful man I get to do life with!
Shirt: Cents of Style
Shorts: Zulily
Shoes: Amazon
Earrings: Kohl’s Clearance Rack
(Want to see more outfits? See last week’s What I Wore post.)
Two weeks with five tops! Wow! You inspire me! My husband and I go on our ten year anniversary trip this year, and you have my wheels turning about what to pack already…
Thank you Crystal for this post. I’m older and past the stage of travel with “littles” (although looking at your photos sure makes me miss that sweet stage), but it makes me think of being more intentional with my wardrobe not just on vacation, but at all times. I’m semi-retired and fallen into a lazy mode….since I’m not working with the public as much now. I purchase most of my clothes at Goodwill or garage sales. I need to remember that being intentional with what I buy and being familiar with what looks good on me takes the stress and anxiety out of dressing…Freedom!!!!
I’m so glad that it inspires you! Thank you for sharing!
Love the cute, casual look (especially the yellow sandals!) So fun! Isn’t it amazing how a cute outfit can help set the tone for the day?
Yes! It makes SUCH a difference, doesn’t it?!
I think you look GREAT in all of the pictures!! I have been following your blog for many years now and I feel like I have watched you and your family evolve. I think it’s amazing what you have done and we all evolve in some way as we progress in life. No one stays the same and that’s a good thing!
I have learned a lot from your blog and you encourage so many woman on a daily basis, especially me, to have courage. Enjoy your trip and I LOVE LOVE the adorable faces of you and your daughter when you post funny pictures.
Have fun and be safe!
Aw, thank you so much for your kind encouragement!! Your comment really blessed me!
I love the blue jeans and blue shirt with the hat look. Those jeans look great on you!
Thanks so much! I wear them all. the. time!
I love the earrings! These posts are so fun.
Aw, thanks so much!
The pic of you and Jesse in NY wearing similar colors is terrific. You look like you’re having a ton of fun.
Do you put any planning into wearing similar colors? I have never packed this way. I wouldn’t do it for a camping trip, but maybe for this kind of trip where you know you’ll be taking lots of pictures for memories. Has anyone tried to do this with a family? Is this over-the-top?
We definitely didn’t plan similar colors or outfits. I let the kids pick out their outfits pretty much all the time… which is probably evident in how they dress! 😉 But it’s just something that I feel like gives them the ability to express themselves and dress in a way that suits them.
(I used to have the girls match/coordinate most of them time. And then they grew up and have completely different tastes and styles!)
Crystal, you are definitely looking younger. Your healthy eating is surely paying off. 🙂
What a blessing that you and your family could take a vacation together. It looks like you are having a great time (except for getting soaked, that is 🙂 ).
Aw, thank you so much!!
Comfy but put together! You are showing us that shorts and tees don’t have to be sloppy! Very cute! And yes to the earrings ?
Aw, thank you so much for your kind words!
The earrings are great! They’re the best part of the outfit.
Thanks so much! They are one of my favorites!