The Good Girl Gone Blog

G3B's pro guide to (stylish and comfy) travel

Good Girl Gone Blog — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:15:10 -0400

I don't think you have to sacrifice comfort for style...or style for comfort, when traveling. After four years of traveling for holidays, family events, work trips and gallavanting around Europe, I think I've got this travel thing figured out. Here are my tips for stylish and comfortable travel...plus some photos of my outfit for today's flight to Boston. Enjoy:

Tip 1: When possible, leave the luggage at home. For short trips, travel sans-heavy luggage and fill up a nice sized carry on. I love my Betseyville Wheelie Suitcase, it's a great conversation starter and people are always more than happy to help lift it into the overhead bin. Plus, you don't have to worry about luggage getting lost, waiting in line at baggage claim, or extra fees. Oh, and I look ridiculous trying to lug a big suitcase on public transportation- it's no easy feat, trust me.

Tip 2: Choose the right shoes. Although not all airports require you to take off your shoes at security, many do. As a result, you need to wear shoes that are easy to pull off and put on quickly. No one likes that person in line that's spending 20 minutes lacing their shoes...or the person who can't get their baby stuff figured out, but that's another story. I don't recommend wearing flip flops, only because your toes might get cold on the flight. Personally, I like wearing pull-on boots like Uggs (sorry!) in the winter, but today, I'm wearing heels. Why? I find flats uncomfortable, and I like looking nice when I travel. This pair has a pretty thick heel and a platform for extra support- I'd call them "comfy heels."

Tip 3: Dress for a cold plane. No matter what the weather is outside, airplanes always seem to be about -50 degrees. As a result, I've learned not to travel with bare legs (think dresses) and ALWAYS bring some sort of sweater or jacket in case I get cold. Bonus: if you're not cold, you can use that sweater/jacket as a pillow.

Tip 4: Leave most of your toiletries at home. Because I typically carry on my luggage, I always run into the issue of liquid toiletries going over the 1 oz limit (although to be honest, I don't always separate my liquids or stay under the limit and have never gotten in trouble). Think about it this way- if you're going to a hotel, they'll have shampoo, conditioner and soap...and if you're visiting friends or family, they'll have all of that plus toothpaste. I really hate having to go into my stuff to pull out a clear plastic bag of toiletries- it takes too much time in line, and I sort of resent the slow people who waste time doing it.

Tip 5: Choose a seat in the front. I'm sure many of you have been doing this for a while, but it's a new concept for me. Not having to wait in your seat for everyone else to board? Great! Deplaning before you have time to get antsy? Fabulous!

Tip 6: Don't travel in jeans. I don't care what anyone says, jeans are not comfortable unless they're stretchy. Yes, I'm going there. I don't particularly enjoy wearing jeans, especially when I have to be sitting for a long period of time. Go for leggings or a pair of stretchy (but not frumpy) pants...or better yet, wear a dress and tights!

A strategic breakdown of my travel outfit:

Jacket: tailored and fun, but made out of comfy sweatshirt material. PERFECT for keeping warm and acting as a substitute pillow.

Headband: great for keeping hair out of your eyes when putting your hair up isn't an option (because it's uncomfortable in airplane chairs).

Soft, stretchy pants: see my rant on jeans.

Sleeveless top: because it's hot outside

Comfy heels: easy to remove in the security line or on the plane.

I need a little luck this weekend, so cross your fingers for me. Hopefully Hurricane Earl won't affect my travel plans. Boston, here I come! Expect some FABULOUS photos and a big giveaway announcement!

Outfit details: Jacket,shoes and pants- Loehmann's, tank- Target, belt- H&M, necklace- gift from Megan, headband- c/o Embelle Boutique

OTK Riding Boot, I think I love you

Good Girl Gone Blog — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:47:49 -0400

via www.anntaylorloft.com

Sigh. I want these. They're gorgeous and brown, have cute buckles and are extremely sexy without looking promiscuous.

I've wanted to rock a pair of over-the-knee boots for a while now, but I don't know if that's even possible.

So, here's my question- petite ladies, can we wear OTK boots, or will we look stupid? This girl needs your advice!

Candy stripes

Good Girl Gone Blog — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:35:54 -0400

Does anyone remember making friendship bracelets at summer camp? The easiest types were Chinese Staircase and Candy Stripe! Oddly enough, the Candy Stripe bracelets looked extremely similar to this dress. I thought it was a good outfit to wear to represent the end of summer.

This was a silly pose I did with a friend in mind who seems to get a kick out of my dramatic poses. It's my "woe is me, it's hot outside" pose.

Oh! I straightened my hair for the last day of work. I believe it's only the 2nd time all summer that I haven't worn my hair curly, so you know I did it for a reason. To be honest, I spent a good 20 minutes standing in front of my closet, looking for the perfect outfit to wear. I couldn't find anything that I loved (aside from a dress I'd worn to a wedding- so NOT work appropriate), so I had to settle for extra special hair.

Two days until Boston, people. I am VERY excited. If you're up there, send me a message and we can try to hang out :)

Outfit Details: Tank- H&M, Dress- Target, Shoes- Vintage stand at Brick Lane, sunglasses- gift from Armani London Press Office.

My boss is cooler than your boss

Good Girl Gone Blog — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:16:05 -0400

About a month ago, I told my boss that if I achieved a certain goal, she needed to award me a prize. I was joking, but apparently she wasn't. Look what she brought me on my last day of work:

My boss, Sara, wears many hats. She's a head of PR, a shopper, a mother, a teacher, a boss, a traveler, a writer, a dog lover, a foodie, a wife, a cheerleader, a mentor and a friend. She's never shy about her opinions and I truly respect her for that.

So Sara, thanks for wearing so many fabulous hats. I think after today, I might add "fairy godmother." Oh, and thanks for my Betsey Johnsons! Can't wait to wear them :)

Sunday Confessional: the train ride of shame

Good Girl Gone Blog — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:56:17 -0400

I imagine I must have looked pretty silly riding the Amtrak back to Baltimore this past Saturday morning. Why? Because while most people were traveling in their comfy weekend clothes, I was wearing a black silk blend dress and ankle strap heels. I truly looked like I was wearing clothes from either a work function or a date, both of which would have happened the day before. To be honest, it looked like I was doing the "train ride of shame."

Now, before you get too excited, I really don't have that interesting a story to tell you. I went down to DC on Friday for a meeting...and then decided to spend the rest of the day there. I grabbed lunch with my best friend Becca, tried to make plans with my brother and sat in the sun reading Glamour on a bench outside of the Portrait Gallery.

I ended up staying in DC at Becca's, where we had an adorable Shabbat dinner, drank too much cactus wine and reminisced about high school. I ended up falling asleep around 8 with a stomach ache, only to wake up at 11, too tired to go out and then falling back asleep. What a crazy night!

So, while I may have looked like a tramp on the train ride home, I was really just a sleepy girl without the foresight to bring a change of clothes!

But seriously, has anyone every done an actual "train ride of shame," or do we think it's just a term I made up that only applies to fake situations like mine?

Autumn on my mind

Good Girl Gone Blog — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:20:27 -0400

I don't know what it's like in your city, but it's been a bit chilly over here in Baltimore. Seriously, I was considering wearing tights to work the other day. TIGHTS...in August.
Again, look at how Zooey and I are both looking down. She literally is my shadow...

Seriously, I whipped out some "wintery" heels, a 3/4 sleeve top (who would have thought!) and a wool sweatery-thing. Am I getting excited about fall? Maybe just a little. I love the idea of wearing my favorite boots again, jumping in a pile of leaves with a Zooey and maybe even a cute boy and taking photos around Boston!
I always get excited right before September because I miss my Autumn wardrobe during the summer. Then Autumn comes around with winter right behind it, bringing cold hands, chapped lips and pink noses. It's then that I miss the summer again.

All clothing should have pockets, just saying.

Outfit Details: Top- H&M, Sweater- boutique in Utah, Shoes- DSW?, Necklace- Primark, Headband- c/o Embelle Boutique

An announcement...and a request

Good Girl Gone Blog — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:08:23 -0400

No, I'm not pregnant. Don't get any ideas. (I feel like I made this joke the last time I had a big announcement. Hmm. Note to self: learn new jokes.)

Anyway- I have a bit of an announcement to make: guys, I'm moving back to Boston. I've been thinking a lot recently about my life, my future, what I want to be doing, etc. The more I think about it, the more I know I need to go back. Sure, when I left Boston, I couldn't wait to come home. I was dealing with the aftermath of a breakup, major changes at work and a big blizzard. I was homesick. I needed my parents.

But now, after living in Baltimore for the past 4 months, I know I have to go back. I miss living in a city, being able to go out and do fun things whenever I want without having to worry about finding parking or a designated driver. I'll be closer to my friends and hopefully will be a lot less lonely. I'll be in a city that offers many more of the job opportunities I want. In short, there's no reason why I shouldn't be back in Boston.

I know it's going to be hard- my rent will go up significantly, I won't have my parents as a direct support system (I spend at least 2 evenings a week with them- I go to my dad's for dinner and dog playdates and my mom's for dinner, laundry, Wheel of Fortune and...dog playdates) and I have to find a job.

I'm slightly terrified, but I've been getting a lot of help from family, friends and coworkers. The fact that they all believe in me makes everything a little easier.

So here's my request- guys, I need your help. You all know me pretty darn well at this point. I've been trying very hard to do everything I can to make this Boston move work. I've been applying to jobs, looking at apartments online...things are going well, but I can still use all the help I can get.

Here we go:

If you're from Boston- do you know of anyone looking to hire a savvy PR girl/fashion blogger with an eye for detail and great communication skills?

If you're not from Boston- do you have any friends in Boston who are looking to hire a savvy PR girl/fashion blogger with an eye for detail and great communication skills?

Also, does anyone know of someone looking for a clean, fun, roommate with an adorable, lovable pooch?

If you can't help with any of those requests, that's totally fine. But in that case, I could definitely use some moral support!

Thanks in advance guys. I know I have some of the best readers out there, and just having your support means so much to me.

* Thanks Dad for the picture. It's good to know I can steal pictures from you when I can't find anything of mine that fits.

...we have a winner!

Good Girl Gone Blog — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:49:52 -0400

Zooey = always a winner

Thanks everyone for participating in my Lucky Brand Earrings giveaway from Designer Apparel and for sending so many sweet blogoversary comments. Unfortunately, I could only choose 1 winner:

Congratulations to the lovely Neira from missneira.com!

Neira is such a sweetheart! I can't wait to hang out with her on my next trip to Boston. I'll be in touch to get your contact info :)

Didn't win? Have no fear, I have another giveaway in the works for early September!

*Special thanks to Stephanie for her AMAZING random number choosing skills.

Soon that dress is going to be a collector's item

Good Girl Gone Blog — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:05:00 -0400

Ok seriously, I need to stop stealing title ideas from songs, movies, and in this case, my friends. Thank you Mr. Fields, you do have a way with words.

Can we just note how Zooey is yet again mimicking my pose? Seriously- her ears, the back of my dress-- identical!

If you haven't already recognized this dress, it's one of the ubiquitous American Apparel dresses that comes in a million colors and can be worn in...a million ways! I got it a while ago in black, figuring I'd be able to wear it all the time (come on, it's black, it can be worn a million ways, etc), but rarely put it on.

Still, I decided to wear it today because I wanted to test out my new headband from Embelle Boutique, an extremely affordable shop I discovered recently on Twitter. (More about Embelle in the coming weeks. Hint: There's an AMAZING giveaway in your future.)

Oh, and if you're still confused by the title- read this.

Outfit Details: Dress- American Apparel, Headband- c/o Embelle Boutique, Shoes- Primark.

Sunday Confessional: my life in boxes

Good Girl Gone Blog — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:00:00 -0400

I save stuff...like, a lot of stuff. I'm not a packrat or a hoarder, but I do like to keep the important things, like papers I was proud of from high school, photographs of times I want to remember and special birthday cards. I even have a sash created by my best friend that says "sweet sixteen"- I still remember wearing it around school on my birthday and feeling special.

In addition to my regular boxes (the two above with the pearl accents were made by mom- aren't they pretty?), I also have my boy box. Ah...the boy box. The boy box has "artifacts" that date back to high school- the one photo I have with my first boyfriend, driving directions to my first date, angry letters I wrote but never delivered to boys that hurt me in the past. Most recently, I've accumulated notes that went with flowers, goodbye letters, ticket stubs and a cork from a bottle of wine I shared with someone. These memories wouldn't mean much to anyone else, but they mean a lot ot me.

You see, I think you can learn a lot from past relationships- about yourself, about your significant other and about how you want and need to act in the future. You learn about the mistakes you made and how you want to be treated in the future. You also get to remember the good times, something that is often difficult when you look back on a failed relationship. Saving things helps you remember.

I'm not writing this post because I'm sad or because I need to mope about the past. On the contrary, I just wanted to share my boxes with you.

Does anyone else keep a "boy box," or even just a box of memories?

Update: I just went ot look through one of my boxes and found little bugs crawling in it. EWWWW. Maybe I shouldn't have saved that chocolate rose. Throwing the box out now and looking for a new home for its contents. Eww, eww, eww!!