vegas packing plan.

Hello everyone!

I've been working on my packing plan for Las Vegas, where I will be going with DH next week on a much needed (and well-deserved, if I do say so myself!) vacation. We will actually be heading out of town to a wedding this coming weekend, then back home, then off to Vegas for the rest of the week. My parents will have our munchkin for 10 days!! So quite a long time away and on our own. I'll have a different packing plan for the wedding weekend, but the Vegas one is the most fun to think about, no?

I haven't been to Vegas in many years. I think maybe 7ish? My first job out of school was with a vacation company, so I was able to travel quite a bit, including many times to Vegas. I'm no longer in my 20's, so we'll be skipping the club scene. I'd likely have to drag my husband into one anyway.  So the outfits are more for day time (shopping, slots/blackjack, leisurely lunches, pool time) and simple evening (nice dinners and cocktail lounges/bars). 

Vegas being an amalgamation of people from all parts of the country and world, anything pretty much goes methinks, dress-wise. (The exception being formal dinner situations and dress code-enforced clubs.) However, I rarely get to do the dressing up thing these days, so I'll be doing my overdressed-rather-than-underdressed thing.

Taking a cue from master packer and color storyteller extraordinaire, DaniBP (see her recent gorgeous navy/coral color story here), I am trying to stick to a group of colors. My base color is going to be navy, paired with bright pinks, poppy and a touch of green/mint. Most of the items are J.Crew, b/c they just play together so well, that it makes packing a bit effortless.

For traveling, I'll be wearing striped maxi dresses, b/c they are comfy like pjs, cute, and offer a bit more coverage in an overly-air conditioned plane. The bag is the J.Crew Tillary Tote in canvas, with a Talbots Ikat Clutch tossed in so I can grab it out if I want to wander around a bit while waiting in the airport. I wear flip flops on the plane, b/c it's easy (although I do pop on some sock going through security!).  These have a bit of sparkle to them. I'm going to Vegas after all.

Next, we'll take a look at the casual day-wear. I'm bringing my City Mini in linen, in the neon azalea, and the Scalloped Sateen skirt in navy (though I'd prefer the city mini in navy, as a better traveling piece). I'll be bringing an assortment of tees and tanks in prints, stripes and solids in the pink, navy and poppy families. Since they don't take up a ton of room, I can add in several more than I'd need. I like to have options. I also like to be able to change out of something for the afternoon after being out in 99-degree heat! 

Bonne Chance tee -- perfect for Vegas! ;)

And of course we have the dresses! I'll be bringing a number of these of course. Are you surprised? I like to have options, especially different levels of dressiness.

The apple dress looks so pretty with turquoise and gold, don't you think?

Two Blouson dresses -- one black/white polka dots, one navy striped (it's packaged nicely for packing, so I'm leaving it as is). The dresses look cute belted and paired with gold. I can't decide on which to bring, so I'm bringing them both. They will pack up the size of a piece of tissue, so I'm not stressing. I'm also stuffing in the jersey Tiered Ruffle Dress that's perfect out and about, or as a quick cover-up.

Even though I loooove it, I never really reached for this dress. I didn't know how to make it work. Until a lightbulb went off and I belted it (It's very empire-waisted). Perfect in the heat and has pockets.

Some frocks will be for dinner and cocktails only. The first pic is of the old-school Ava dress in navy and pink (I can't decide!), and old-school peep-toe mary jane heels. I love them with the giant pink crystal necklace.

The Ella Dress has come down to a very low and reasonable price (much cheaper in store!), and I love the bright colors and pockets. (Review here.) I'm bringing along a little sweater (purple J.Crew Jenna cardi -- perfect with dresses).

I'm bringing a lot of color, so feel the need to include some neutrals as well. The first dress from Anthro from last year is perfect -- can go day to night, is super comfortable and perfect for super hot weather. The second is a dress from Kohls that I reviewed here, which looks adorable belted and glammed up a bit with the Choos.

We're definitely planning some pool time every day. It's going to be hot, hot, hot. I'll be wearing my SPF 50 and a hat, as I don't tan (and wouldn't do it anyway). I'll be indulging in an airbrush tan before I leave. (They really do work! The first day is a little scary, I won't lie, but after a shower, it's all good. It makes for a bit of confidence in the bikini-wearing department.)  Speaking of bikinis, I love this pretty watercolor-y print from last year J.Crew (1st pic). It's nice to have a detachable strap.  The second is Pink from Victoria's Secret. I appreciate that it is sized by cup size, so is a perfect fit. In the third pic, you can also peek at the festival green padded string bikini (and tipped bottoms, navy/green) from J.Crew. I also like it in polka dot. The padding offers a bit of modesty if  you KWIM. I'm on the final stretch for wearing a bikini I fear, so I might as well go for it, right? 

Also, I love a little cover-up dress that I can wear through the hotel to the pool and not feel silly. The above pink and white Tory Burch tunic dress is lovely and airy. The second one is from Boden and is just so fun. I scored it on super clearance this past winter and have been waiting patiently to pull it out! Love the Ibiza Tunic this year. And this Old Navy one is really cute (see it on Gigi).

Ooh, I have to plug using those packing cubes up above. They are brilliant and make it so organized. They also help with preventing smushing and wrinkling. Zappos carries some here.

Shoes! I always overpack. I like to go with neutrals for the most part. The Seville espadrilles are very comfortable, but I'm a little nervous about all the walking on un-tested shoes. So I'll have the uber-comfy Talbots gold wedge sandals and Stuart Weitzman gold flat sandals as options. I might be leaving the glitter flats at home, since I'll have the glitter flip-flops. But they're still pretty to look at, no? I'm bringing the black rattan clutch (JC last year, similar), as I do have a couple non-navy outfits thrown in.

Here's the Polyvore (can't fit everything in there b/c of their limits):

packing plan for Vegas! by shopwithm

Hooray for vacations! Do you have any coming up?