The Charleston Connection

I'm loving our New England adventure, but I'll be honest: Sometimes I miss Charleston. The little Southern city that was our home for seven years is known for getting into people's bones, and I don't think I escaped its reach. I'll have to start planning another visit to the Lowcountry soon. {Photos by me.}

Cram It In: Eurotrip in One Bag

To save money on our upcoming trip to Europe, we bought tickets that only allow for one carry-on. The entire trip spans 10 days, but I'm not worried about fitting everything into a small, easy-to-carry bag. (This one pictured, by the way, I just got from Forever 21 for $35.) It doesn't hurt that we'll be staying in apartments with laundry facilities (through Airbnb).

Without further ado, my tips for fitting everything you need for Europe in one bag:

• Wear your heftiest items on the plane: Your jeans, a trench coat (for any chilly/drizzly days), and your heaviest shoes.
• Think black for bottoms. One pair of skinny black jeans and a skirt can get you through the entire trip. Bonus: Black camouflages dirt.
• Clothes should be in neutral colors that are easy to mix and match. Not only will you fit in with the chic locals, but you'll have a lot more outfit options.
• Find a pair of cute, classic shoes that you can walk in for miles. Make sure they're broken in. Wear them everywhere. Bring a lightweight pair of sandals for dressier occasions. 
• Scarves double as blankets on airplanes and trains, they perk up even the most basic outfit, and they take up almost no room in your bag.
• Leave your big everyday purse at home and carry a small cross-body bag with only the essentials. For me, that's money, my camera, my phone, and lip balm.
• Undies: Bring a lot. More than you think you'd need. You really don't want to run out of these. 
•  I hoard toiletry samples (the ones that come in little packets, not bottles) throughout the year because they're so light and easy to pack. I also use the makeup remover wipes to avoid spillage/liquid restrictions on flights.

What you should leave at home:

• Heavy guidebooks (bring your phone instead)
• Impractical shoes (you'll only wear them once or twice anyway)
• Your laptop (if you can help it)

P.S. Rick Steves' guide to the most useful travel apps. 

Don't get S.A.D.

Winter has always depressed me a little, even when I lived in Charleston, where the winter months are sprinkled with beautiful 70-degree days. So it's a little shocking that (knock on wood) I have yet to feel those winter blues here in Boston, where I'm trudging through the most brutal winter of my life. What gives? I guess I've finally figured out a few ways to make the most of it. Here are my tips.

1. Get outside. Yes, it's cold, but bundle up and head out for some fresh air and vitamin D at least once a day. I'm convinced that my 15-minute walks to and from work are a big part of my improved mood.

2. Get cookin'. Pour yourself a glass of wine, turn on some music, and work your way through a favorite cookbook or all those recipes you've been pinning. I've discovered a treasure trove of cookbooks at my library, and I've been downloading them on my Kindle, too. Currently reading Gwyneth's new one.

3. Escape reality. Catch up on your magazines, read a book (I'm in the midst of reviewing this one), and binge watch your favorite TV shows. We've been watching True Blood, Justified, and Downton Abbey.

4. Plan a trip. Give yourself something to look forward to, whether it be a mid-winter weekend escape or a you-survived-the-season reward.

5. Dress for it. You may look like the Michelin Man with all those puffy layers, but you'll be warm and happy whether you're lounging in slippers and sweatpants or traipsing around in snow boots.

P.S. I was in the middle of writing this post when I noticed Cup of Jo's post on the same topic. Great minds.

guessing game.

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I've been taking on a lot of freelance projects to save up for an exciting trip. Can anyone guess where I'm going?

Wanderlust: Top 5.

If you're anything like me, you're always planning your next adventure. I constantly have a list of a few places I'm planning to go at some point in the future, whether a month from now or a few years. Here are my top 5.

1. Bruges, Belgium. And Europe in general. When Todd and I went to Europe after I graduated from college, we naively promised we'd return every year. Then the reality of 10 vacation days per year and $1000 plane tickets hit, making us choose vacations closer to home. We're definitely due for a return trip.

2. New Orleans. I've always been obsessed with this city despite never having been there. I even wanted to move there, but chose Charleston instead. Dixieland jazz, Gulf shrimp, and drinking French 75s in the bar where they were invented... sounds pretty perfect to me.

3. Montreal. Another French-flavored city, Montreal is now a very doable six-hour-drive away. I'll wait until the ground thaws, but then I can't wait to head up there and pretend I'm in Paris.

4. New York. I've driven past NYC several times already on trips south, but I have yet to visit the city since I moved to Boston. Only four hours away, it's perfect for a weekend trip, but I have to admit to being completely overwhelmed by all of the possibilities. I hardly know where to begin planning.

5. Mexico. Yes, I went less than a year ago. But between our oceanfront room, infinity pools, unlimited rum runners, Mayan ruins, and fish tacos, it was hands down the best, most relaxing vacation of my life. And though I wouldn't mind checking out some other Caribbean islands, you just can't beat Mexico for value.

What's on your top 5 list?

Gown Envy.

Isn't it a bit tragic that a girl only gets to wear something as fabulous as a wedding dress once in her lifetime? That is, if she even chooses to have a wedding. Here's to making wedding gowns acceptable as everyday attire.

*This post inspired by a very exciting new bridal project I'm working on. Stay tuned.

Weathering Winter.

I may still be a New England newbie, but I've already picked up a thing or two about surviving frigid temperatures. I've got a 15-minute walk from the bus stop to my office each morning, and I've learned that with the proper attire, even single-digit temperatures can be bearable. It's funny how we adapt, isn't it? 

1. I live in leggings lately, wearing them under my jeans on cold days then sleeping in them at night. The fleece-lined ones are the absolute best, and they even make wearing skirts an option (though my rule is it has to be above freezing for skirts).

2. Socks, duh. But they've got to be good, thick socks. 

3. In Charleston, I wore cardigans all winter (often without a coat), but here they just don't feel warm enough. On the coldest days, I wear a chunky crew-neck with a thermal underneath.

4. Thick, touchscreen-friendly gloves are a must. I've heard that it works to double up with mittens. I haven't gone that far yet. 

5. Leather boots just don't cut it in the snow and slush. My rubber-soled, shearling-lined Sperrys were the best gift I got this Christmas (I got the red). 

6. I always wore scarves as decoration, but here they'll protect your face from the cold, not to mention sick people on public transportation. I prefer super long, chunky scarves — if you don't look like you're wearing a neck brace, you're doing something wrong.