Amsterdam: The Trip

I can only apologies for the long pause in blog posts!

Amsterdam seems so long ago but it was only two weekends ago. I had a wonderful first weekend in Europe.

We got to the bus station and sat down for a three and a half hour bus ride. I got to see Rotterdam along the way.

 Here is what our hostel looked like. The bathroom was just a floor with a toilet and the shower came out of the wall. We had a great view of the canal and we were about a block from the hopping area of town.

 This was our staircase of doom. Three flights of death.

 Our group in front of the Can Gogh Museum. Which was amazing!  It liked it because for like 5 euros you got in and also got an audio guide. My favorite was one of Van Goghs paintings that he did for his nephew and was this deep blue color. 

 Me in a clog. It took a lot to not buy a large clog to take home...

After we took pictures we went to the Anne Frank house which was very moving. 

Sitting outside the Rijksmuseum. It was supper nice there. Lots of Vermeer and Rembrand. My favorit was this painting called Old Woman at Prayer.

Oh yeah. We also did a two hour tour of Heineken and got to drink three beers for 15 euros. Good deal.

Saturday we went on a pub crawl and made friends. All and all an exhausting weekend filled with lots of touristy activities.

In Bruges

We went to Bruges as a class on Saturday. It is one of the best preserved pre-motorised cities in Europe.

Bruges used to be a MAJOR port city during the 13-15th centuries. It was blessed with a natural harbor and a connection to every river in Europe. This allowed for almost all of the commerce coming into Europe to go through Bruges and because trade=money the city flourished.

But by the 1500's the river to the North Sea was silting up and ships could no longer pass though. The end of commerce caused the city to stop building and tearing down old buildings.

Here is a photo of me with the Belfort.

One of the many cannals in the city. Most homes have a little door that is right next to the water.

Lace is a big deal in Belgium. Bruges has a lace making school that attracts people from all over the world.

The Belfort is right on the town square and they had a beer festive there this weekend and it was packed!

The Flight

I may be alone in this-but I long for the days when this is what air travel looked like:


And not this:



It would be hypocritical for me to suggest that you need to dress in a suit and heels to fly because, lets face it, times have changed and that is just not practical. Now that does not mean that one has to look like the just came from rugby practice.

Here is my suggestion for a good trans-Atlantic crossing outfit that does not look like you are going to a cocktail party or yoga.

The keys for this look are ease, comfort, and style:

First-say it with me Jersey Wrap Dress.



This should be in a dark color because it is forgiving- both because it will be hard to notice if you spill something and two it will hide anything you need hidden.

Next-a wrap/large scarf. Because do you really want to use the airplane blanket? No.



Pick a bright color that you like. It will give your outfit some pop and keep you warm of an arctic airplane.


Shoes- your itinerary will dictate how many airports you need to hike through but no matter what remember flats are your friend. You will have to take your shoes of at security and those caged heels that take you ten minutes to get on and off won't earn you any friends at TSA.

This is another chance to have fun with your basic black dress. No need to match to scarf but pick a fun pair of flats.

Keep jewelry limited. Especially if you have a long flight a head of you. Those chandelier earrings may rock now but in 10 hours you will not be happy.

A simple necklaces and a watch will do.





And last but not least-the bag.

My favorite topic.

With rules limiting you to two carry-on's the best way to get around it is have a bag within a bag. You need your computer, cell, book, ipod, wallet, magazine, makeup case, glasses case, sunglasses case- the list goes on. But you really do not need any of that from the point you are dropped off 'till you check in.

Keep the necessities, passport, secondary ID, a credit card, some cash and your ticket in a clutch that you can grab easily.

Here is the big bag.


And here is the clutch.



I love this clutch more than anything else.

Try not to draw TOO much attention to yourself- flashy jewelry, clothing, or accesories. Otherwise you will be a target for thieves at the airport.

I may have a little over a week left until I leave and a bag to pack but I am already thinking about what to wear on the plane. What do you wear to fly?

Packing pt. 2 The Pain of Packing

So I have been procrastinating packing for Europe... I do not want to think about taking so few bags for such a long time.

But tonight I finally started to pack. And by pack I mean that I stared at my closet and decided to try again when all my clothes were clean. That way I should have a clear look at what I really have at my disposal.

I am also waiting till my suit comes in to start.

And I have clothes at the dry cleaner.

It will happen...really....

And that ladies and gentlemen is how one rationalizes procrastination.

UPDATE: I still have not started to pack for the trip I leave for in 48 hours.

Packing pt. 1

Anyone who I have had even the most limited travel experience with will know three things:

1) I cannot pack well and I hate to pack
2) I over-pack
3) I never pack the right clothing

Because of this-as you can imagine-I have been stressing out about packing for Brussels for, oh, seven months.

I know that the first day I will want to wear all the clothing I don't have the first day. Alas, I shall just have suffer through.

I am limiting myself to two bags going and three coming home.

I have also decided that I will take pictures of all the outfits that the clothing I do plan to take will make, shoes, jewelry, everything. That way I know I have outfits for every occasion and it will be easy to get ready in the morning.

My mother on hearing this asked why I needed photos. I said it was because I need input from people(mom, sister, friend, roommate ect.). She still thinks I am a little delusional for taking pictures to be able to get dressed in the morning. Has she met me? I need a little help in the morning whether it be coffee, a splash of cold water, or just pictures of acceptable outfits so I have one less thing to think about.

How do you pack? Are you a careful packer or do you throw things in and hope for the best?