The Perils of Packing

I'm leaving for the lovely Adriatic seaside in a week and I'm feeling that requisite pre-trip stress because there's so much to do. Clean my apartment, find someone to look after my cat (Tarah? :-) pre-pay all my bills...the list goes on. But what I hate the most is deciding what to pack. I usually end up not deciding at all and packing too much of everything from toiletries to clothing. I need to avoid that this time around since I'll be hulking my pack everywhere (there's no wheels on this baby!). Thus, the packing predicament begins.

First off, there's always the weather issue, which entails a coat conundrum. Which cute little jacket should I bring for sunny and warm weather? And a chance of foul weather means bringing a raincoat and possibly some standard Seattle fleece, two types of clothing that don't really make a woman feel her most attractive.

Then there's the shorts, shirts, pants and skirts dilemma. How many do I bring? And theymust mix and match. Do I pack that cute sundress even though it is cotton and prone to wrinkling? Do I just go buy a new one made out of a polyester blend? I'm already overwhelmed just thinking about it. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not going there to impress people with my threads, but to experience a new culture and most of all relax. But I want to look good while I get my R& R!

It's the shoe decision that perplexes me the most. Rick Steves, the local travel guru, says you should bring just two pairs, a comfy walking shoe and a closed-toe shoe for more formal occasions. That's it? What if I want to hit a club? This petite girl needs her heels! So the search begins for a comfy shoe I can walk for miles in that can also be paired with a sassy sundress. Does such a wedge exist? I'll find out this weekend!

Why So High?

What is with all the high-waisted pants showing up in stores lately? First we curvy women had to deal with the skinny jean phenomenon that only looked good on thin gals and now this? Why are designers moving to the other end of the spectrum? Is there some conspiracy to make the average woman look as unflattering as possible, 'cause no one looks good with her pants perched right beneath her breasts.

Even Jessica Simpson, a woman with one of the best bodies in Hollywood, can't pull off this look. It doesn't flatter thin and lanky body types either. (Take a peek at Mischa Barton and you'll see what I mean.) And is it just me, or does something about the high waist create such a crease around the crotch that it gives the appearance of camel toe? No thank you!

Ladies, we need to kick this trend to the curb. Just say no to the high waist because it will only lead to designers trying to cram us into some other fad that's just as ridiculous like, say, stirrup pants or the asymetrical foldover button-down flap that was so popular in the late '80s. (Don't laugh! Did leggings not make a recent return? And I actually saw a girl walking across the street in an acid wash mini skirt the other day.) Some fashion styles should be left in the past, and in my opinion, high-waisted pants are one of them.

Libertine Line at Target

Target's new limited-edition line, Libertine, is a funky mix of classic items with a trendy twist. The collection is part of the innovative GO™ program which aims to bring reasonably priced fashion created by world-renowned designers to women everywhere. Every three months a new designer is chosen, so if you like what you see, get thee to a Target ASAP, 'cause these items will only be available through September 15th.

Sundresses on sale!

There's only one month left of summer which in itself is so depressing, but I have found a bright side to the shorter days. Walk into any store or boutique and you'll find a sea of sundresses clogging up the sales racks. So stock up for next year, because a fun, flirty dress never goes out of style.