WHAT I AM PACKING: TEXAS IN MARCH

I have an upcoming trip to visit a friend in Texas and honestly I do not know how people wait last minute to pack. I am really focusing on just having a carry on, and if I did not pack ahead of time, I would have A MILLION THINGS THAT WOULD NOT FIT IN A CARRY ON! I am always on the lookout for deals and affordable fashion, so it makes packing and shopping that much better. I also have way more clothes than I actually need, and will most likely bring a few new pieces back to me, but I am thankful for compression bags so I can feel fine with bringing extra items!

Items In My Carry On

OFF THE SHOULDER BLOUSE

I bought this Puff Sleeve Off the Shoulder Top from Nordstrom last Spring, and honestly may have only worn it once. I just never had the right setting for this GORGEOUS off the shoulder top. Like I having been LOVING puff sleeve over the last year and a half, and red is ALWAYS a great color for me! Unfortunately since I bought it last year, it is no longer available, but similar tops can be found here, and here.

BASIC TEE (WHITE & BLACK)

I packed Madewell’s Northside Vintage White Tee and Black Tee. I have been looking a good tee to bring to Europe for a capsule wardrobe and decided on this tee. So soft and comfy! Obviously had to test them out prior to Europe. I have been wearing them in outfits and plan tees are great for packing on a carry on because they can be layered for multiple looks.

BASIC TEE (LIGHT PINK)

So I packed this H&M light pink T-shirt with Lipstick Motfit for my lounging tee. If I happen to wear this out and about, I will not be mad. I LOVE red lipstick, and when I saw this tee a few months ago I had to buy it. Passionnée is french for passionate, and I do have a passion for red lipstick. My current favorite red lips is Beautycounter’s Color Intense Lipstick in Girls’ Night. I also love Beautycounter’s Color Intense Lipstick in Gala. Unfortunately it is not sold separately at this time. It was in a holiday mini collection, and is no longer available.

BASIC CROPPED TEE (WHITE)

This JKY® by Jockey Women’s Retro Vibes Cropped T-shirt from Target is THE ultimate lounge tee AND able to dress up. I love high waisted joggers, sweat pants, etc., so this tee is always perfectly paired with them. This exact tee is out of stock, but similar cropped tee’s can be found here, and here.

BALLOON SLEEVE SWEATER

I am not expecting 70 degree weather, more like 50’s and 60’s so I threw in a sweater into the mix of my carry on. I grabbed my new Topshop Pointelle Ball Sleeve Sweater I recently purchased from Nordstrom. This purple/pink Topshop sweater had been in my Nordstrom cart since the Fall, but I had been eyeing a sale before plunging to purchase it. I looked one day and it was over half off. Since I bought it on sale it is unfortunately no longer on sale. Similar sweaters can be found here, and here.

FLORAL BODYSUIT

I packed my Red Ditsy Nora Thong Bodysuit from AFRM. I purchased this bodysuit through Nordstrom, but is no longer available through Nordstrom. I do safety pin the bodysuit if I do not want the neckline too low, otherwise you will certainly need a cute lace bralette or tape.

CROPPED JEAN JACKET

I have had my jean jacket for probably seven years, so my exact jean jacket is not available. My jean jacket that I plan on brining is from American Eagle. A very similar jean jacket (cropped, color, style) is this Old Navy New Medium Authentic Denim Jacket. Jean jackets should be in everyone’s closet. I specifically like a cropped jean jacket because I am a fan of high waisted items, and I like the way it looks with dresses. I potentially want an oversized jean jacket, but have not made the plunge yet. Another similar jean jacket can be found here.

UTILITY JACKET

I LOVE this utility jacket from Target! I have had it for a few years now. Jackets are a great way to make more diverse outfits, or a nice addition for a Spring outfit (or Fall). Since this particular utility jacket is a few years old, it is no longer available, but similar utility jackets can be found here, and here. A utility jacket is a great addition to anyone’s closet for a comfortable and stylish look.

RAIN JACKET

I bought a compact rain jacket for my upcoming trip to Europe, and honestly is probably a great investment for life, not just Europe. I bought Eddie Bauer’s Cloud Cap Lightweight Rain Jacket in black. I do love my red and tan trench coats, but practically, this lightweight rain jacket is space saving in a carry on.

STRIPED MAXI DRESS

I bought this Striped Maxi Dress from Amazon close to two years ago, and honestly, it is one of my favorite Amazon purchases EVER! This maxi is very comfortable, and I love how the sides of dress come up. It pairs perfectly with a jean jacket or utility jacket, or on its own. With booties or sandals. With a statement necklace or statement earrings.

WIDE LEG PALAZZO PANTS

There are a few items from this packing list that will also be on my Europe packing list, and one of those items are these pants. These olive American Eagle High-Waisted Palazzo Pants are extremely comfortable and stylish, and will be useful for travel days, eating, and more eating.

LINEN JOGGERS

Another great Amazon find are these pair of black Linen Joggers. Similarly to the palazzo pants, these joggers are great for travel days, eating, and eating. I bought my size in petite, to give the pants a more cropped look. In addition to traveling these will make great every day or work pants.

JEGGINGS

If I need jeans, I again am trying to go for comfort. I packed a pair of Super Skinny High Jeggings from H&M. They are so stretchy that they make them one of my favorite pair of jeans ever! I also enjoy H&M’s Skinny High Ankle Jeans that are only $9.99!

LEGGINGS

If you are not convinced yet that I love comfortable clothing, hopefully these next few leggings will. I bought black Patagonia Centered Crop Legging’s from Backcountry. My sister highly recommended these leggings after she bought them for her trip to New Zealand. I have worn these a few times now and they are VERY comfortable. I loved cropped leggings, or 7/8 leggings since I have shorter legs that they make the PERFECT length.

These black Fabletics Petal Capri Leggings were my first pair of Fabletics leggings. I would say that the material is similar to the Patagonia Centered Crop Leggings, maybe a little thinner. They are over two years old, and are in great condition still. I love the leg detail, and that was the reason why I bought them. Either these leggings, or the Patagonia Centered Crop Leggings above will make great travel or lounge pants for my trip. Similar Fabletics leggings can be found here.

I have been wanting to try Spanx leggings for a while now. I recently came across QVC’s deal for “As Is” Spanx Seamless Side Zip Leggings. Anything with “As Is,” which is:

This product may be a customer return, vendor sample, discontinued inventory, or on-air display and is not in its originally manufactured condition. It may not be new. In some instances, these items are repackaged by QVC. Accordingly, the manufacturer may not honor any original warranty. However, QVC’s standard return policy still applies. A card will be included in your package explaining these points in greater detail.

will have a discount for them. Spanx leggings can be pricey, so this is a great option if you are interested.

SNEAKERS

No matter where you go on your travels, walking is always something that is going to happen. I bought a pair of Allbirds Wool Runners in Natural White, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM! If anyone is looking for a pair of comfortable walking shoes, let’s be real I do not run, these are great! I am super interested in the Wool Loungers and Tree Skippers, as well, so one of these days I will get those too.

BOOTIES

In addition to comfortable sneakers, I wanted a pair of comfortable booties. I have done a lot of research and finally purchased these Sam Edelman Petty Suede Ankle Boots. I have read reviews on a lot of websites and loved the low heel and look of these booties. I recently just sprayed these since they are suede and could come across rain. Make sure to always spray your suede shoes for protection.

STRAPPY SANDALS

I have worn these Mossimo Ankle Strap Sandals all over the place, most recently to Nashville. They were the only pair of sandals I bought because they were perfect for any outfit I brought. They do not have the best support, and still researching for cute and supportive sandals for Europe, but these are good enough. They are at least three or four years old, so no longer available online, but similar strappy sandals can be found here, and here.

LEATHER EARRINGS

I obviously LOVE leather earrings. I mean, they are pretty much shown in every single one of my blog posts, so how could I not grab a few pairs for my outfits. Since I am going to wear my utility jacket and the olive palazzo pants, it was fitting to continue the olive theme with these large Nickel & Suede Olive Grove Leather Earrings.

I also packed these large Nickel & Suede White Cork Leather Earrings.

OVAL HOOPS

I have been all about hoops lately, and they can go great with numerous outfits, which is always a plus for me! These gold Boohoo Oval Hoop Earrings are no longer in stock, but similar earrings can be found here, and here.

LAYERED NECKLACE

Layered necklaces are all the rage right now and have been for over a year (I mean my grandma always wore layered necklaces at least ever since I was born). I love the pendant layered necklaces, and when I came across these Target Chain Link with Coin Charms Layered Necklace I couldn’t pass them up.

LIPSTICK

I truly feel like a red lip is always a must, so you should never leave for a trip without red lipstick. I have been using Beautycounter’s Color Intense Lipstick and their matte red is Girls’ Night.

An every day lipstick is also a must. If I had unlimited space I probably would have a million lipsticks, but a red and more neutral color will cover all the bases. Beautycounter’s Color Intense Lipstick in 9 to 5 is perfect for that neutral color. It is a perfect shade of Mauve.

Look out for another post after my trip to Texas!

xoxo,

Jess