Style From Your Stars

I hope that I am not alone when I say that sometimes I read my horoscope, and sometimes I take it seriously. I mean, how else am I supposed to know when to spend money and when to worry about work and when to fall in love.



Really.



And now, your horoscope can even tell you how to dress! Read on to learn how you can follow the stars for perfect fashion in 2010! (This enlightening feature is brought to you straight from OK! Weekly Magazine. Which means it has to be true, right?)



Capricorn (Dec. 22- Jan. 20)

You're the zodiac's Queen of Couture, sparing no expense on luxe fabrics and high-end pieces. Stick to toned-down hues-- you look perfectly regal in grays, blacks, silvers and whites.

Your Star Style Star: Kate Bosworth (01/02/83)





Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)

Edgy and adventurous, think of yourself as a rock goddess on a 10-city tour. A roughed-up leather jacket is your style staple. Sling it over embellished leggings or a mini dress.

Your Star Style Star: Mischa Barton (01/24/86)





Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20)

As the zodiac's flower child, you're as sweet as a freshly picked blossom. Creative and nostalgic, channel the princess of your childhood dreams in frothy fabrics and girly accents.

Your Star Style Star: Eva Longoria Parker (03/15/75)






Aries (March 21-April 20)

A daring fashionista, you turn heads in sky-high heels, body-skimming clothes and bold accessories. You're a master of layering who can skillfully blend clashing patterns into a runway-worthy ensemble.

Your Star Style Star: Kristen Stewart (04/09/90)





Taurus (April 21-May 21)

Understated elegance defines your style. Like a prep school siren, flowy chiffon blouses, crisply cut blazers and classic pearls are your style weapons. Splurge on luxe fabrics and innovative tailoring.

Your Star Style Star: Penelope Cruz (04/28/74)





Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Bright, eye-catching and electrifying, you wear your personality on your sleeve. Embellishments and accessories are never in short order with you. Mix and match vintage treasures with trendy separates.

Your Star Style Star: Mary-Kate Olsen (06/13/86)





Cancer (June 22-July 23)

Femme to the core, you breathe new life into tailored pieces and borrowed-from-the-boys styles. Always accentuate your womanly figure with a nipped-in waistline and try lowering necklines a touch as well.


Your Star Style Star: Diane Kruger (07/15/76)




Leo (July 24-Aug. 23)

You're the fiercest of them all in animal prints, fire-hot hues and cuts that spotlight your dangerous curves. Feed your appetite for luxury with standout accessories.

Your Star Style Star: Jennifer Lopez (07/24/69)





Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23)

Your schoolgirl charm is sweetly sexy. Button up a classic cardigan. Stick to black, white and soft neutrals, with only the occasional hint of bright color.

Your Star Style Star: Rachel Bilson (08/25/81)





Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)

Equal parts vixen and disco queen, you can pull off evening-wear in broad daylight. From silky fabrics to beadwork to glitter-infused makeup, you live to shimmer and sparkle.

Your Star Style Star: Hilary Duff (09/28/87)





Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Vintage allure with a punk rock twist spells Scorpio style. A splash of diamonds, a sprinkling of marabou... your brand of glamour is classy, not flashy. Smoldering black is your signature hue.

Your Star Style Star: Anne Hathaway (11/12/82)




Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Active and energetic, your look is peppered with sporty spice. Flat-heeled boots and designer demin are wardrobe must-haves that are worth splurging on. Brighten things up with punchy tees and a bold necklace.

Your Star Style Star: Miley Cyrus (11/23/92)




So, what say ye?
Does your style match your stars?

Are You Having A Cute Day?

It was a little slow at work today (can I get a Hallelujah Chorus on that one?!?) so I spent some quality time with my friend, the Internet, and stumbled across this little gem: Have A Cute Day.

I love the premise of this site. Two (cute) sisters putting up pictures of the (cute) things they wear every day, and sprinkling in some advice and giveaways and how-tos on top. I have always thought it might be kind of fun to photograph what I wear every day, just to see how my own taste and style emerges. And I love seeing how other people put their favorite pieces together.

Most of all, I love the attitude of these sisters that fashion is for every day. High powered business meetings days, grocery store days, playing with your kids all day days. We can look cute on all of them!

Here are some of my favorites from the ladies of Have A Cute Day.










How about you, dear readers?
What are your go-to cute items?

All Treat and No Trick

The opinion I am about to share usually makes me pretty unpopular, but I am going to share it anyway. Ready?

I don't like Halloween.

I like candy (I really like candy), but I don't like knocking on people's doors and asking for it, and I do not like dressing up and going to crowded parties where I have to dance awkwardly with some guy dressed as a shark or one of the cops from "Reno 911," and I do not like being scared, and I do not like fake blood, and I do not like Halloween.

Around this time of year I usually find myself in the minority, though, and I am guessing there are some Halloween lovers out there. So here are a few last-minute, cheap and easy costume ideas for those of you who love to celebrate but haven't had the time yet to pull something together.

(I also hate thinking of costumes. Maybe I should read this post?)

Blown Away

You don't need a real windy thunderstorm to look like you've been caught in one, and this costume will win you major points for creativity. Plus, you can definitely put it together with things you already have lying around. Start with business casual clothes (slacks, dress shirt, belt) and add a quirky tie. Tie the tie as you normally would, then loosen it and slip it off. Undo a wire hanger and feed one end down the back sleeve of the front part of the tie. Bend the excess wire so it can be inserted into the skinny sleeve of the tie, then put the tie back on and twist the hanging pieces so they look like they just got blasted with a gust of wind. Turn an old umbrella inside out, gel your hair to stick up in the same direction as your tie and you'll be ready to blow everyone else away, too.

Day of the Dead



For a slightly creepier look, go with white face paint and and black lipstick. Use eyeliner to draw vertical lines around your mouth and eyes, and darken the area around your nose for that extra-dead look. Your box of Christmas decorations can be an unexpected place to find some costume accessories; keep your eyes peeled especially for brightly colored plastic flowers. Tinsel and other sparkly garlands can also be incorporated. Sponges, paper plates and every day craft paint are all you need to make stamps or stencils of skulls and other patterns for your clothes, and tempera paint will wash out if you are planning on wearing the items later. Vintage pieces, either from your own closet or a thrift store, add the finishing "from another time" touch.

Spooky Punk



This offers a slightly lighter take on the same ghoulish theme. For this outfit, grab a black dress or a similar trustworthy favorite and embellish with fishnets, gothic-inspired jewelry and funky boots. For the shredded scarf, tear some old clothes, tablecloths or sheets in gray or black and attach the pieces using safety pins for a back-from-the-dead punk rock look that won't permanently alter clothes you love. Experiment with different shapes and types of fabric to achieve your favorite look. This do-it-yourself scarf can also be added to a black T-shirt and dark jeans for a male version of the same costume. And, for a little bit of fake blood that doubles as a tasty treat, add some red food coloring to one-sixth of a cup of chocolate syrup, plus a dash of corn syrup to thin it out. Yum!

So, even though I will be sitting home, pouting and eating the candy I should be passing out to adorable children, I hope you have a wonderful time this Halloween!

And, if you decide to try out one of these great costume ideas, let us know how it goes!

The White Album

With my new grown-up job, where everyone wears grown-up, professional clothes, I sometimes feel like I am swimming in a sea of white collared shirts.

I, myself, have never quite mastered the white collared shirt. For one, I think they are boring. And for two, I can never make them look quite right. (Which I blame on them being boring.)

But today I came across this picture of Brana Wolf, Editor-at-Large at Harper's Bazaar, and Nina Garcia, fashion director of Marie Claire, both wearing white collared shirts and I thought to myself, "If it's hip enough for them, I must be able to make it work for me."





The subtle details on Brana's shirt-- the ruffle at the bottom hem and the high, triangle-topped pocket on the left breast-- take it past basic, and allow the shirt to stand on it's own.

And I love how Nina has taken a more casual approach to the usually stuffy white button-up, with the sleeves rolled up and the top buttons undone. Oo-la-la! I also like how she has paired the formal item with hip cargo pants.

I am also seeing white collared shirts under trendy flyaway cardigans and cozy wraps and feeling pretty good about that. With the weather turning colder, a white button-up can layer under all kinds of things, taking the place of neutral tanks and camis that might not make the cut for winter. Pair a white collared shirt with a comfy tie-waist sweater and a pair of distressed jeans and I'd say you've got it made. And you'll be right on trend.

What say ye?
Any favorite tips for rocking the white collar?

Not Your Boyfriend's Blazer

{My apologies in advance for the lack of pictures in this post. There seems to be a little glitch in uploading photos that I am now working day and night to solve. Well, not day and night but, you know. In lieu of photographic evidence, I've embedded some links. Click on them to see examples of what I am talking about. Oh, what's that you say? You want to know what I am talking about? Well, keep reading!}

Now that I work at a real-life grown-up job, I can tell you one thing: blazers are boring.

Lucky for us, though, the traditional blazer is getting all kinds of funky spins these days. It's not just broad shoulders and boxy cuts anymore. And blazers aren't just prep school or day-time office wear anymore either. Less formal cuts, like the currently ubiquitous boyfriend blazer, are perfect for days at the office, nights out on the town and lazy Saturdays, especially as the weather starts to turn a little crisp.

Looking to get into the boyfriend blazer trend yourself? (Because you should be, you know. All the cool kids are doing it.) Here are some tips to help you do it right.

Office Romance

The boyfriend blazer has a slouchy, voluminous cut, so balance it out with slimmer elements. For a day at the office, consider pairing your boyfriend blazer with a pencil skirt, tight shift dress or skinny trousers. To round out the top, experiment with layers, like a well-tailored feminine shirt or a peek-a-boo lace camisole.

Another great alternative for the office is a boyfriend cardigan. This will fit more slimly because of the fabric (try a luxe cashmere or thin cotton). The boyfriend cardigan is another good complement to a shift dress. You can also try pairing it with wide-leg trousers, if the fit is slim enough. Instead of always using the buttons, experiment with belts of all different widths to hold the cardigan closed, or use a colorful brooch.

Tu-nic, Too Nice

If your blazer is long enough (I would say skimming your bum and beyond qualifies), and if you are feeling particularly bold, you might consider wearing your blazer like a tunic over leggings. And if you are really having one of those extra-special, daredevil days, you might even consider wearing your boyfriend blazer over leather leggings. (One thing's for sure, your boyfriend would love it!) If leggings are a step too far, stick with a skinny trouser or jean.

Catch Me Casual

To take this style from work-day to weekend, and to really ramp up the 1980s vibe, layer your boyfriend blazer over your favorite faded band T-shirt and distressed jeans.

Or, throw on a boyfriend blazer instead of your favorite cardigan.

Or, mix styles and eras in perfect combination by layering a boyfriend blazer over a short, flirty dress. Just make sure the dress is longer than the blazer. For a more sultry, night-on-the-town look, pair your boyfriend blazer with a slinky cocktail dress and gladiator heels. Ooo-la-la!

Roll up the sleeves on your blazer to achieve the ultimate laid-back look.

If I do say so myself (and I do, of course), with looks like these you'll have all the help you need putting "boyfriend" in the boyfriend blazer.

Catch my drift?

Busty Move

As one of the most flat-chested people you know (and proud of it! (sometimes)), it never occured to me how tricky it is for the bustier among us to dress for appropriately for work without feeling like we're dressing for a trip to a Muslim country.

But, after having this very discussion with my voluptuous co-worker a few days ago, I decided to get some advice. For you. Because again. Flat-chested over here. I could wear a shirt cut down to my belly button and no one would blink an eye.

Moving on.

For the rest of you, here are 10 tips for keeping your girls covered and your sense of style in tact.

1. Know your bra size. If you are getting the multiple boob effect, or if your bra straps are digging deeper into your shoulders as the day goes on, something is wrong. The quickest solution is a quick bra fitting, which you can get at any high-end department store or lingerie shop.

2. Wear bras that are appropriate for work. Seamless bras with maximum coverage are the best. Bras with a lot of lace or other details might be sexy, but they can also show through shirts and sweaters, bringing more attention to your ladies instead of less. Bras without the right support will leave you, ahem, bouncing all day long.

3. When all else fails, minimize. If you are wearing the right size and style of bra and still feel too busty, you might consider a minimizer. Keep in mind though, from what I hear, that might not be the most comfortable option if you are going to be putting in a lot of long hours.

4. Know your neckline. Thanks to Ashley Harris' recent post, we all know how to choose the best neckline for our face. Now, make sure you are choosing the best neckline for your breasts. A button-down shirt, open at the collar, gives the illusion if a V-neck with a little more coverage. A boat neck is also a flattering choice and a cowl neck is great on its own, or dressed up with a suit jacket.

5. Draw the eye upwards. You busty ladies are probably no strangers to the "My face is up here, stupid" syndrome, and work is no exception. The more you can do to keep people's eyeline high, the better. If you're wearing a lower cut V-neck, for example, consider putting a simple camisole underneath. Steer clear of anything lacy or detailed that will pull the eye down. You can also use accessories to your advantage-- a brooch on your shoulder, for example, or a strand of pearls that ends just below your clavicle. Avoid long pendants or necklaces that end right where you don't want people to be looking.

6. No buttons, no problems. Shirts without buttons have less of a tendency to gape open, so try T-shirt style blouses or sweaters. If you feel like your top fits a little too snugly for office comfort, try a silky camisole underneath to help it lay more smoothly. (A cotton cami will only stick to the sweater and make it worse.)

7. Buy for your bust. A button down shirt that gapes at the bust is never going to look right, no matter what you do. Buy a few sizes larger, for a good fit in the bust, and then have the rest of the shirt tailored to fit your other narrower curves.

8. Know your proportions. For an hourglass figure, a pencil skirt is probably best, while an A-line skirt is just the ticket for someone larger on top with a narrow waist and bottom half. Dressing in a monochromatic theme can also help minimize what needs to be minimized and maximize the best. Try a few different styles and see what looks and feels best.

9. Suit Up, Button Up. Suits with two or three buttons mean a higher closure, which means your bust is more covered. Avoid suits with a single button in the middle. A double-breasted suit shouldn't even cross your mind. (Remember, we are going for less breast, not double breast.)

10. Follow the leader. Look around your office or office building for a similarly built woman and see what she wears. It will either give you some good ideas, or show you how not to do it.

That should probably keep you out of trouble, when it comes to your office dress code, at least.

Any other ideas from our busty sisters out there?

Image This

I have a very special treat for you, my lovelies. New York City-based image consultant Ashley Harris is guest-posting today, answering some of your burning questions and teaching you how to look your best.

So what are you waiting for?

Read on!


Hello Shabby Apple fans! And greetings from the Big Apple!

Ashley Harris here, and I’ve come to help solve some of your shopping and “this just doesn’t look good on me,” problems. I am an Image Consultant here in New York, as well as Boston and want to share with you a few rules of thumb you can follow when deciding on your clothes. This can start today in your own closet and follow you to the dressing rooms, or better yet, allow you to skip the dressing rooms by giving you more confidence to shop online because you’ll know what things work for you and what things to avoid. So let’s get to it.

1. Color. I put this as number one because it is. Make sure you’re not buying a color that you don’t look great in. Just because it’s a fabulous color on Heidi Klum or that girl you saw in the restaurant the other day does not mean it’s going to do you the same favor. Wear colors that bring out a glow in your skin. Stay away from the ones that bring out the grey in your undertone. This can make you look older, more tired, and less healthy. If your skin’s undertone is warm, meaning more yellows, oranges, reds, then choose colors that have warmer temperatures. If your undertone is cooler, choose colors that have more blue to them.

2. Pay attention to contrast. By this I mean if you have a high contrast between the color of your skin, hair and eyes, you can wear higher contrasting colors. If you have really dark hair and very fair skin this would be high contrast. If there is not much difference between your hair and skin this would be a low contrast and you will look better in colors that are of that same low contrast level. Because this model has a fairly high contrast she can pull off a black and white striped sweater without her face getting lost.




If someone with a lighter colored hair wore this same sweater we would notice the sweater before we noticed the person.

And here is an example of very low contrast. The stripes in the design at contrast, but you’ll notice that the contrast in the blouse and the model is very low.




3. Patterns. A good way to choose patterns in the fabric is to look at your face. What kinds of patterns do you see on your own face? If you have a small face and not a lot of skin showing in between your features you would look great in a pattern similar- with less background in between the print.




And similarly, if you have a lot of “face” in between your features your prints can be farther apart from each other.




Another tip is to pay attention to any texture in your face. If you find that you have more texture (acne, wrinkles, moles, etc.) choose fabric that has more texture. A smooth silk on a high textured face will only make the texture in the face more obvious.

4. Necklines and collars. This is another time to pay attention to your face. If you choose a neckline that follows the same shape as your jaw line it will be more flattering on you. For example, those with heart or diamond shaped faces look great in V-neck blouses.




While those with oblong or square jaw lines are better suited for a square neckline.




Notice how their necklines are the same shape as their jaw lines. This helps bring harmony to you and what you’re wearing.

Once you have figured a few simple things out about what shapes, colors and styles look good on your unique body and face, choosing your clothes and accessories will become a much simpler task. And, most importantly, will make you look simply smashing!

Pic-Nic, Pic-Chic

It is the season of picnics. (I happen to have one later this week.)





Here are some things I love about picnics:





Lemonade!


Sunshine!


Croquet!


Lots of dessert!


Outside, outside!


Checkered table cloths!


Potato salad!


Bare feet in the grass!





Here are some things I don't love about picnics:


Mosquitoes!


Ants!


Any and all bugs!


The possibility of being a bird poop target!


Flimsy paper plates!


I can't keep my different foods from touching each other!





And, of course, what to wear?!? You need something that will keep you cool while still looking cool. Something that is not schlumpy (yes, I made up that word. And I bet you know exactly what I mean, too) but that can still get a little messy (that croquet can really get out of hand). Something cute and summery and light that you can still wear while sitting on the ground without giving away the farm.





Ah, the dilemma.





Never fear, my picnicking posse! Here are some solutions.





Bermuda Traingle


Bermuda shorts or walking shorts are a great answer to the question: What will keep me cool, comfortable and covered up? Instead of a heavy denim, go with khaki or a fun seer sucker fabric. Pair your shorts with a light-weight top and you'll look and feel cool until the cows come home.



A not-too-revealing sundress, especially one with a longer skirt, is also a good option.





Top It Off


A hat or visor is a perfect accessory for your outdoor ensemble. It's a great way to add a little picnic pizzazz, and will also keep you safe from too much sun. Go with a wide brim for the maximum coverage and style.








Avoid Accessories Overload


A casual picnic is not the place for your fancy jewelry. Besides the fact that it might get lost, it will also be sorely out of place you might wish that you could lose it. Instead of glittery baubles, stick with a simple watch and maybe a small pair of earrings or an understated necklace. Anything more will be too much.





Take a Tote


A tote can fit everything you need-- a camera, cell phone, sunscreen and even a sweater for the cooler evening hours-- and gives you a chance to add both style and function. (Oh, how I love efficiency!) Consider sticking with a darker color that doesn't show outside dirt so easily.








Canvassed


As is often the case, footwear can be the biggest challenge to your picnic duds. You won't be running a half marathon around the back door, so sneakers seem like overkill, but if you'll be playing frisbee or volleyball sandals don't quite cut it either. The answer lies somewhere in between. Go with a low canvas skimmer or another sporty slip-on. It will be just right.

And now, off you go!

Just save some lemonade for me!



{Like what you see? Shorts and visor from Nordstrom, tote from ebags and skimmers from Nordstrom. Loving style advice from me.}

An Interview With Style

I had a job interview a week or so ago. (It went very well, thankyouverymuch, and I got the job. So, hurrah!) The biggest challenge wasn't the interview itself, though. It was figuring out what in the heck I should wear. How to be professional but not stodgy? Stylish but not over-the-top? How to express my own personal style but still be appropriate?

In this bummer of an economy (have you heard?), I bet I am not the only one heading to interviews and hoping for the best. Here are some tips on putting your best foot, and fashion, forward.

Before you even go to the interview, do a little reconnaissance.


Call the office's receptionist, explain that you have an interview and want to look your best, and ask what most people in the company wear to work. If you have a friend working in the organization, pick her brain for ideas, too.

Also, take into consideration the location and type of job. A rec center and a corporate office have vastly different office cultures and dress codes. Dress for the job you want.

For traditional office jobs, suits are usually best and conservative colors such as navy, gray and black are your safest bet. If you go with a skirt suit, make sure the skirt is long enough that you can sit comfortably without showing too much leg. Nylons are also a must with skirt suits (sorry ladies) and you should stick with neutral colors.

The cut of your suit, however, does give you a little bit of creative freedom. Of course, everything you wear to an interview should fit well. Make sure your suit jacket, especially, has a flattering and well-fitting cut. To add a little spice, look for suits with subtle unique details, such as a narrower lapel, non-traditional buttons, scalloped cuffs or a more trendy cut. Tasteful stripes or other subtle patterns can also kick it up a notch. Suits do not have to look and feel like you dressed in a refrigerator box.

Once you have the perfect suit picked out, a coordinated blouse is the next step, and you have a little freedom here, as well. As with the suit, more conservative colors are best, but don't be afraid of a little flair like tuxedo ruffles on the front of your blouse, a peter pan collar, or even a lace or silk camisole under your suit jacket instead.

For your fancy feet, stick with closed-toe shoes, pumps or loafers. Leave the stiletoes at home (unless you are going to that kind of job interview). Depending on the season, a simple pair of boots might also be appropriate. Add some edge with a low-heeled patent shoe or a subtly two-toned heel. Sandals are out. Unless it's an interview with "Baywatch," of course.

{Stella McCartney shoes on StopStyle.com}

As a general rule, jewelry should be minimal, and no jewelry is better than obviously cheap jewelry. But, you have a chance to make a statement here as well. Add some color to your suit with a tasteful brooch, or spice up your blouse with a colorful necklace. I have one with pearls and lightly-colored rhinestones that works perfectly for this type of occasion. As with all interview attire, keep it on the subtle side (that means take out your nose ring and don't wear a whole armful of bangles) but don't be afraid to express your personal style. A silk scarf is also a great accessory option.

{www.vivaterra.com}

Keep make-up and perfume light (that means save the cat-eye eyeliner for later), and make sure your nails are clean and well-manicured. If you like having polish on your nails, go for a light, simple color. Make sure your hair looks neat and professional. Cover tattoos, and leave your gum behind. Instead, pop a breath mint just before you walk into the building.

Finally, put your resume and all the other paperwork you need into a nice briefcase or portfolio. An interview for the job of your dreams is not the place for your tiny clubbing purse or your over-stuffed handbag. (Plus, you just never know what is going to fall out of those massive purses. Am I right?)

{www.allbriefcases.com}

Try on your ideal interview ensemble a few days in advance, to make sure everything fits and looks just right. Check all your clothes for tears, wrinkles, holes and scuffs. Lay out your outfit the night before your interview so you're not stressed trying to pull it together the morning of.

And then get in there and knock 'em dead! I know you can.

Are you on the interview circuit?

What ensemble helps you hit it out of the park?

Pack Pro

I just booked a plane ticket, which fills me with no end of glee because there is nothing I love more than taking a trip. Truly. Except for maybe a really warm, delicious cookie. And Jim Halpert from "The Office." And three-day weekends. And, of course, my mom.

But, I also really, really love taking trips. The only downside being that every trip requires a suitcase and every suitcase requires packing and packing is not something I do well. I am, among other packing flaws, a chronic over-packer (we're talking hair dryer on a Lake Powell houseboat), which is both cumbersome and embarrassing. Not to mention that wearing smashed, wrinkled clothes for a whole vacation is, well, less than ideal.

Hopefully I am not the only one with a getaway in my future, so here are some tips to easy, breezy packing success.

1. Before you fold one single thing, determine what kind of clothing you'll need for your trip, and how much of it. Will you be gone for a week or a month? Are you going to the beach or the Arctic Circle? Is laundry an option where you're going?

2. Go light on the toiletries. Depending on how long you'll be gone, you probably don't need every single personal care item you own, or even every single thing you use on a daily basis. To keep things condensed and organized, and to protect everything else in your suitcase from a possible spill, pack toiletries in sealable plastic bags.

3. Also before you take anything out of your closet or drawers, make a list of all the things you think you are going to want on your trip. Then go through the list and start crossing off non-essential or repetitive items. Also remember: if you forget something, or get to your destination and realize you actually do need something you left behind, chances are you can buy it there.

Once you've gone through those steps, you're ready to pull out what you need and start packing it in. I find it helpful to spread out everything I want to take on my bed or the floor so I am sure not to forget anything. There is nothing worse that trying to cram a final, unwieldy item into an already perfectly-packed bag. And how to pack a bag perfectly, you ask? Here are some methods that might help.

The Rolling Method

• Lay each item of clothing you'll be packing out on the floor. Partially fold each item. (For example, fold pants in half lengthwise, and fold shirt arms neatly to the back.

• Starting from the bottom of the item of clothing, roll tightly until you reach the end. You should end up with a collection of clothes-cylinders that can then be arranged in your suitcase. All the Tetris finally pays off!

• Place heavier items, such as pants and jackets at the bottom of your suitcase and layer lighter shirts and skirts on top.

• Roll up socks and underwear as well, and place them inside shoes, which can go on the sides or at the bottom of your suitcase.

• Delicate or unrollable items, such as blazers or ball gowns, can be placed flat at the top of the suitcase, or packed in a separate garment bag.

• To prevent crushing bras, place softer items inside the cups and nestle the bra in the corner of your suitcase.

• Leave room at the center of your suitcase for your bag, or bags, of toiletries. Placing toiletry items snugly between cylinders of clothes should prevent squashing and spilling.

The Stacking Combo

• Start with your shirts. Stack unfolded items on top of each other, starting with the most easily wrinkled and moving up. 

• Fold all the sleeves together towards the body of the shirts.

• Now take all the bottoms of the shirts and fold them together towards the top. You should end up with a large rectangle of shirts that fits easily in the bottom of your suitcase.

• If you're packing dresses, lay them down in the suitcase over your rectangle of shirts. For now, let the dress bottoms hang over the edge of your suitcase. (Don't worry. We'll get to the bottoms later!)

• Take pants and skirts fold them in half lengthwise, individually.

• Now stack your pants and skirts in the same wrinkly to not-so-wrinkly order.

• Fold the entire skirt-pants stack in half lengthwise again. Set that large rectangle of bottoms on top of your rectangle of tops. If you packed dresses, now is the time to fold the bottoms over the pants-and-skirts-rectangle. (See? Told you we would get to it!)

• Shoes, which should be stuffed with socks and underwears, as well as toiletries, should then be nestled in any open spaces.

One A Day

• If you prefer to pack in ensembles (I find that this works better for shorter trips than longer ones when it's better to mix-and-match), decide on a full outfit for every day that you'll be traveling.

• Pack each outfit in its own re-sealable plastic bag. The rolling method usually works best for this packing style.

• Place each plastic bag in your suitcase, followed by shoes, toiletries and accessories.

And then, my dears, you will be ready for the trip of a lifetime! One other things that helps me is to keep my packed clothes as organized as possible while I am traveling. If you'll be unpacking and packing several times while you're away, it's definitely worth it in the long run to pack carefully every time.

Finally, a word of caution. I have a dear friend who packed oh-so-carefully and conscientiously for a Mexican beach vacation and then departed for the airport in a rush, leaving her suitcase behind. That's right. She forgot her suitcase. And didn't realize it until she arrived south of the border. So, once you've put in all that packing work, just remember to take it with you. M'kay?