Monday Musings: Totes and Travel Planning
Happy Monday, ladies. We had a fabulous weekend and spent lots of quality time with our grandsons. I’m trying to get as many hugs in as I can before we go on our trip, leaving out of Svalbard. I’ll say it again: this is so far out of my comfort zone, and I have no clue what to expect.
I’ve ordered waterproof pants, several pairs of long johns, and gloves, which are supposed to be super warm. The cruise line will supply a parka and boots because they probably want to ensure no one’s toes freeze off. I still have lots to put together, but I’ve made a dent in what I need to organize.
In regular fashion news…I’ve been on the hunt for a lightweight woven leather tote to carry this summer and am thrilled with this handwoven one from Madewell. I was tempted by all three colors it comes in, but this alabaster color stole my heart. It’s a lovely soft white that has no warmth in it, and is a very versatile color for me.
It’s super lightweight and soft but roomy enough to carry a ton of stuff. I find many tote bags heavy all on their own, which makes them brutal when you load them up. It has a small, zippered inside zipper pocket you could use for your keys and phone.
Three Ways to Wear
This week’s multiple-ways-to-wear item is these washable crepe pants. I own them in several colors, and they’ve been a staple in my wardrobe for over 18 years. In fact, I’m pretty sure I still wear a black pair that’s at least 15 years old. They are perfect for travel because they never wrinkle, and they pack like a dream.
They come out of my dryer ready to wear and are perfect for travel. They’ve been a core basic in Eileen Fisher’s brand for as long as I can remember. The leg is slim, so I prefer to wear mine with a slightly longer top to cover my backside…but that’s personal preference.
OUTFIT #1
This look features an aqua linen shirt worn as a third layer over a linen tank in the same aqua shade. Pretty blue earrings pick up the color of the top and bring draw attention to the face. It’s finished with cognac-colored sandals and a woven cross body with white straps that tie back to the pants.
OUTFIT #2
Outfit number two has an organic cotton tee in a bright fushia, topped with a natural-colored linen cardigan. I’d call this a vest not a cardigan…but I’m not the brand 😉. The outfit is accessorized with gold-toned hoops, comfy white tennies, and a woven straw crossbody with tan accents that tie back to the cardigan.
OUTFIT #3
Outfit number three features a linen tank top topped with a blue and white linen shirt and gold toned crescent earrings with a white stone. The woven mini bucket bag is a warm cinnamon that coordinates with the low wedge sandals.
These outfits could also be duplicated with your favorite white chinos, white jeans, or other slim white pants. Do any of these outfits speak to your style recipe?
TRAVEL PLANS
What do you use for sea sickness or motion sickness? I’m not asking for a friend. One of the things that concerns me about my upcoming cruise into the Arctic Ocean is that I tend to get seasick very easily. Have you tried the wristbands? Ginger? What works for you?
I’ve decided I will have fewer blog posts go out while I’m gone. I will have some already scheduled and a few popular posts that have been updated will go out as well because we have so many new readers. I expect to be off the grid for several days in a row but Amy is going to help out by publishing your comments and I will answer when I can. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement about my taking time off for this trip. I plan to take you up on it!
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I love seeing your outfit suggestions. However, the prices are way out of my budget. I would love to see a similar option for each item at a much lower price point. I can’t afford $500-1000 for an outfit!
The looks can be duplicated at all price points and also out of what you currently own. These are suggestions for pairing.
I’ve been on over 24 cruises, and I always begin my motion sickness regime before I even get on the ship. I take both non-drowsy and regular 24-hour Dramamine. I take the 24-hour regular formula before I go, 2 or 3 days before we leave for the trip, before bed. It makes me drowsy, but that’s fine for the night. If I end up needing to take more during the day, I use the non-drowsy version. For a regular cruise (not too rocky) I stop taking this 2-3 days into the cruise and am typically fine. For your situation, I’d probably just keep it in my system the entire trip.
Have a wonderful trip!
Thanks Susan!
Hi Jennifer,
It sounds like a wonderful cruise! We’re going on one around Iceland in June. Last summer we crossed from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland on the worst crossing in years. 16 hours of unrelenting rolling. My husband took Gravol (dramamine) and lots of it, and spent a lot of time lying down. I can’t take many drugs, so I made do with wrist bands and I’m happy to say that I did better than he did. I bought the drugstore ones and am definitely planning to take them to Iceland.
That’s a great recommendation. Thanks so much
My pharmacist father in law gave me Bonine. It worked quickly, even when I was already feeling very nauseous and didn’t make me drowsy. Also, a ship’s waiter said he always eats a slice of green apple before he even lifts his head off the pillow in the morning when experiencing rough seas and to always have a little something in your stomach.
Good idea!
Hope you enjoy your trip. You have gotten sound advice but listen to your doctor on the nausea medication. OTC meds and wristbands could give you problems with any medication that you take. So be informed and take the RX from your doctor to be safe and healthy on your cruise. I will be watching for your cruise pictures when you get back. I read all of your blogs even if I don’t post. I love your sense of style and color.
Thank you so much Sydney!!
Have fun on your Arctic cruise! Please share with us your outfits and excursions! This is something my husband wants to do from his bucket list!!!
For me on a cruise I have learned to hydrate the whole time! Drink lots of water…water…water!! The wrist bands did not work for me but Bonine motion sickness pills did. I ended up taking them everyday just to prevent sea sickness.
Have fun and enjoy!
My daughter likes Bonine too.
Your trip sounds wonderful! I’m sure we will all miss your posts but we all agree you need to take some time off and enjoy the beautiful scenery! Looking forward to seeing some of your pictures afterwards. I hope you can avoid seasickness. Thanks again for all your style sense and time spent keeping us looking good!
Hi Jennifer,
I am so thrilled you are feeling it’s all coming together now regarding your trip. Have a wonderful time and enjoy all the sights and sounds and truly have an adventure together.
I like Patagonia and Fjallraven for warm gear myself. Sending happy thoughts!! Xo
Your upcoming cruise sounds amazing. As a fellow motion sickness sufferer (I actually started getting seasick in a wave pool once😆), I have had great success with non-drowsy formula Dramamine if there are specific excursions you’re worried about. On my last whale watching trip in the Dominican Republic. We spent hours in a small boat in rolling seas. Sometimes we were rolling side to side, sometimes forward to back. The tour operator distributed seasick bands and soda crackers but the motion sickness bags were still in demand. Miraculously, I was fine! Also, my husband got relief during chemo from ginger candies. More portable than drinking ginger ale and more potent. We ordered them from Amazon.
Wow, my stomack turned just reading about your experience. I will pick some up
I used to get REALLY car sick as a kid and then when my children were little in the back set, when I turned to help them. I used what was then called “Morning Guard/Motion Guard”. They use an acupressure point on your wrist that works really well. It’s also important to put they on before you feel sick, otherwise they will make you feel sicker than before you put them on.
Enjoy your trip!
Thanks Mary
Have wonderful time on your adventure cruise!
We had some rough seas on a sailing cruise in Tahiti,the ship served ginger carrot soup!
One of our friend wore “pressure point bands” which worked for her.
You will be so glad finally be on board then you can no longer worry!,
I agree. Once I board the ship, I will be able to relax.
Have a wonderful trip. I’ve only heard of Dramamine for sea sickness. love all the outfits.
Also if alittle queasy open and inhale the scent of alcohol wipes…I keep them w me at all times
Fascinating!! Thanks
Bonine will make you less sleepy than Dramamine. Ginger mints or ginger chews. Fresh air. If you’re really concerned, get your doc to prescribe Scopolamine patches (behind your ear, change every 3 day). Those may make you a bit sleepy, but better than feeling seasick.
I love it when the ship is really “sailing”!
I’d rather be sleep than sick too
Meclazine is a great medication for motion sickness.
I agree. I’s the generic for Antivert. I take it occasionally for vertigo. Usually works well and fast.
I have used the wristbands and they helped also going out on the deck for fresh air and space. All he outfits are great I have my Eileen Fischer black crepe pants and I love them.
I love mine too. Hopefully it will be warm enough to stand on the deck! Face buff here I come 🙂
Bon Voyage! It sounds like a real bucket list cruise. May I ask what cruise line you are using? I too use the rx patches they are magic for me.
All 3 of your outfits are ones I would try. I just bought some Spanx white pants. I paired them with a white crochet shell and aqua linen blazer both from Talbots, for a fund raiser at Montage Healdsburg. I felt very stylish. Love your style sense. Thank you.
We are going on Quark
Get scopolamine patches from your doctor. We had zero seasickness on our Antarctica trip.
I just emailed her to see if I can get them. Thanks
Would you be willing to share the name of the cruise line?
We are going on Quark
The hope the above comments are all very helpful, but just in case I recommend packing a few “sick bags” like they use in some hospitals. They are very compact and lightweight, so you can always have one tucked in your purse or tote. I purchased a pack on Amazon. So much better than using a zip lock bag as I had to on a trip up the Napali coast!
Now that is a very smart idea!! Thanks Susan
Hi – enjoy your cruise! How sheer are the white crepe EF pants?
With nude undies, they’re great. I stil like to cover my backside in them because they’re slim, and I’m modest