Wednesday Randoms & Next Week's L-O-V-E Link-Up!

This post may be a little here, there, everywhere ... Wednesday randoms!

{1} Tart Convertible Dresses
First of all, I was waxing poetic yesterday about my Tart convertible dress, and lo and behold, shortly thereafter I received an email saying that Tart would be on Rue La La today.  I can't wait to log on at 11am (Eastern) and see if there is another convertible dress that I can pick up.  I have my heart on a convertible maxi dress!

If you've never shopped with Rue La La before, it's simple.  Joining the invite-only site is free with no obligation to purchase (but with their incredible deals, it's hard not to).  Plus you are given a referral link which you can share to earn credits to shop on the site ... aka, the potential for free clothes, accessories, home decor!  Need an invitation?  Click here.

{2} Packing Love
I was so happy to see that yesterday's post about how I packed for two weeks in Europe helped some of you gals out who also have long travels ahead of you.  A few gals asked some questions about the other things I packed besides the clothes.  Here's the rundown:

Toiletries, beauty products, hairdryer: In my backpack (that I checked), I put in toiletries that I knew I would not need during our overnight flight.  Also, toiletries that would not necessarily be handy on a deserted island in the event of a plane crash ... chalk that up to too many Lost episodes in my early 20s.  Those essentials came with me in a tote bag on the plane.  Example of checked toiletries: large round brush, hairspray, self-tanner towlettes, travel size lotion (no hotel rooms we stayed in provided lotion -- bring some!).  Example of carry-on toiletries: glasses/contact case/contact solution, makeup, toothbrush/toothpaste, comb, basic medications like aspirin.  All five of the hotels that we stayed at provided hairdryers which ranged from a really awesome Babyliss in Paris to an archaic monstrosity in Florence.  I think my hair would have dried at the same rate if Ian just blew on it.  Lots of easy updos for me!

Purchases, souvenirs:  In general, Ian and I aren't big purchasers of souvenirs.  I'd rather spend money on good food and experiences.  We did bring back some items, though -- one print which is currently being framed, some limoncello, some olive oil, et cetera.  Being that our packs weren't full to start with, we had plenty of room for packing.  If I would have been super-duper organized, I think throwing in some bubble wrap when packing would have been a great idea although we experienced no breakage whatsover.

Carry-on bag and clothes for plane: We had fairly long flights (8 hours there, and returning we had a 2 hour connecting flight and then a 9.5 hour flight) so I knew it would be important to pack smartly and comfortably.  Our carry-on bags had necessary toiletries, noise-cancelling headphones, earbuds, iPads, magazines which I didn't read, gummy bears, crackers.  We also had blow-up neck pillows which were great.  I wore my yoga pants so that I could curl up in the seat or sit Indian-style if I wanted.  I also wore a tank, a cardi-wrap, and a black pashmina.  Pashminas on planes are so multi-functional and therefore, essential!

{3} Link Up: Next Week!
Okay gals, let's do this.  The Spill About Your L-O-V-E linkup will go live next Wednesday morning.  So, start planning your posts!  Here are the questions that you'll answer.  You don't have to answer them all!

{1} Describe your dating life prior to finding your husband/boyfriend/fiance.
{2} Describe your husband/boyfriend/fiance in one word. How would he describe you in one word?
{3} You had a really silly fight. Embarrassing silly. What was it about?
{4} In three sentences (and only three!), describe where you both hope to be in 5 years.
{5} Tell us something about your husband/boyfriend/fiance we wouldn't know from reading your blog.

{6} What's one thing you never thought you'd do in front of your husband/boyfriend/fiance, but you did?

   
So, I hope you will play along next Wednesday - post your responses to those questions on your blog, insert a few photos that you think sum up your relationship, and then insert the logo below with a link back to my blog.  You can come over to my blog post at that point and insert your post in the link-up!  Email me or leave a comment if you have any questions :)

 

Almost time for the Rue La La sale ... I've got my "add to cart" clicker finger ready!