Pack This, Not This: 20 Travel Tips for the Jet-Set Woman

These tips are mostly for women, but I know a few men who could stand to pack a lot lighter. The trick is prior planning. Usually it helps if you lay everything out on the floor so you can see every item and then ask yourself, "If I have this item, do I really need this one?"

1. DO pack hotel shampoos, conditioners, soap, etc. DON'T pack store-bought travel size amenities.

The reason: Hotel amenities are generally smaller and you easily can throw them away if you need to. This may sound cheap, but if you spend a night in a hotel, ask the front desk for any of those extra things they have on hand. Usually, you can stock up on travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, etc. (Fun Fact: Hotel shampoo is mild enough to double as facewash and laundry soap for your undies.)


2. DO wear only one basic color. DON'T mix black and brown or gold and silver.

The reason: If you stick to one color scheme, you will cut down on the amount of shoes you have to bring to match. Shoes take up way too much room in a carry on. I even limit myself to one or two basic colors for all my clothes so I can mix and match with fewer pieces.


3. DO wear your heaviest stuff on the plane. DON'T even wear/pack jeans.

The reason: Roll up a pair of jeans and put it inside your carry on. See how much room they take up? Even if you wear your jeans on the plane (which is super uncomfortable), you are going to have to put them somewhere during the trip eventually. You could pack two pairs of Capri tights and three short jersey dresses in the same space as a pair of jeans. You can get away with skinny jeans if they are very thin, but regular jeans are a dead give away that you don't travel very often.

Wearing your heaviest stuff on the plane means wearing your bulkiest shoes and a light cardigan or jacket tied around your waist. Planes get cold and wearing your jacket means less in your carry on.


4. DO pack simple hiking pants with zipper pockets. DON'T pack hiking pants with those cargo pockets on them, elastic pulls, or too many embellishments.

The reason: If a pair of pants has cargo pockets on them, you automatically limit what you can wear on top to simply hiking/casual. If you wear a basic pair of micro fiber hiking pants with zipper pockets at the hip and no other embellishments, you can wear not only a T-shirt for a day hike, but also a dressier top for a night out. I say "hiking pants" because they are generally lightweight, have zipper hip pockets, and are very durable for years to come. A good investment. Check Goodwill and ebay before you go to REI.


5. DO pack flip flops (black or brown to your color scheme). DON'T pack funky colored flip-flops.

The reason: Flip flops are one of the best things to pack because they come in handy every day. They protect your feet from gross hotel floors as well as being alternative (and highly packable) outdoor foot wear that you can wear not only with a casual pair of pants and shirt, but also with a cute dress. Don't pack funky colored or patterned flip flops because you won't be able to use them as much.


6. DO pack "broken in" shoes. DON'T EVER pack new shoes.

The reason: Even if you hate your "old stand-bys," the difference between a good trip and a bad trip is a blister away. When most people travel, they do more walking than usual. If you wear new shoes, you WILL get a blister, and this makes the trip not only bad for you, but also for all your travel companions.


7. DO pack mini electric hair tools or none at all. DON'T pack regular sized hair tools.

The reason: Put your full-size hair dryer and styling iron in your carry on. Look how big they are. Either bring little ones or don't bring them at all. An even better idea is to experiment with "travel hair" a few days/weeks in advance. I normally have bangs that I have to straighten, but when I travel, I just pin them back with bobby pins. Guess the difference in size of a bobby pin compared to a hair dryer!

If you do pack travel styling tools, makes sure they can convert 110-240 volts. A super great item that I found recently is a travel-sized wet/dry flat iron that converts 110-240 volts by ConAir. I don't even need a hair dryer with this little gem!


8. DO pack an international plug adapter kit. DON'T pack a voltage converter.

The reason: A crappy voltage converter doesn't take up much room, but a decent one is pretty big. Every small converter I've ever bought has gotten blown the first time I plugged it in, so I stopped buying them. Instead, just check the plugs on your electrical appliances and see if they read "110-240 volts." If they do, then your voltage will automatically convert anywhere in the world, and all you really need is the correct plug for whatever country you are visiting. Look up the plug before you get there and bring only that plug--not the whole kit. That way, you won't risk losing your whole kit and you can save a little more room.


9. DO bring a wi-fi smart phone or small tablet. DON'T bring a regular cell phone, laptop, book, or external speaker.

The reason: Leave your cell phone in your car at the airport, because you won't get reception out of the country. (Even third-world countries have wi-fi hotspots, so why not Skype on your Nook or Kindle if you absolutely have to talk to someone?)  A laptop takes up way too much room and you have to fumble with it to get through security. Instead of bringing paper books, you can download ebooks onto your tablet or smart phone. (If you don't want to pay for books, find a library app and borrow the books for free.) Extra speakers are just another thing to worry about and most tablets and smart phones have external speakers now. Remember to pack your USB charging cord and a USB/wall plug (110-240v) to charge your tablet or smartphone.


10. DO wear layers if you are traveling from a hot place to a cold place or vice versa. DON'T bring a winter coat or long sleeved shirts.

The reason: What are you going to do with your coat when you don't need it? You will have to lug it to the airport or else you will have to lug it on your trip. Neither of those is fun. Instead of a coat, layer a nice wool cardigan (you never know if you will eat a nice dinner in a place where they crank the a.c.), one or two fleece hoodies (Fleece is lightweight and warm. The hood will cover your head in lieu of a hat.), a rain/windbreaker jacket on the outside (offers snow and rain protection), and a sarong as a scarf (can also be a swim suit cover up, a clean sheet/pillow case in a scary hotel situation, a laundry bag, etc!). Make sure all these layers are in colors that go with the rest of your clothes. Make sure every layer is something you could wear by itself in a given situation. Also, make sure every layer is relatively thin and pack-able  Also, pack the thinnest, warmest gloves you can find. Only pack a fold-able, warm hat if the hoods of your hoodies are insufficient.

**If you are traveling to a cold place to a cold place, a winter coat makes sense. However, even if you are traveling from hot to hot, you should still bring lightweight layers because. . .you never know. For instance, even though most deserts are quite hot during the day, the nights are quite chilly. Seriously, leave long-sleeved shirts at home unless you are in a cold place the entire time. Nothing is more uncomfortable than having a layer you can't remove during a sudden heatwave--long-sleeved shirts put you in this position.


11. If you travel to a cold place: DO pack a rain jacket. DON'T pack an umbrella.

If you travel to a hot place: DO pack an umbrella. DON'T pack a raincoat.

The cold reason: The jacket will keep you warmer and you will have your hands free. When I say "rain jacket," I'm talking about one of those really thin outer shells. Don't bring anything lined, because it takes up too much room in your luggage. If you are really cold, wear another layer underneath.

The hot reason: Bring an umbrella with SPF in it and it will double as a sun guard as well as a rain guard. Get as small a one as you can find that will fit into a purse or daypack.


12. DO pack a few pairs of underwear. DON'T pack too many.

The reason: Pack two clean pairs in addition to the ones you are wearing. When you are done with your current pair, you can wash them in a sink (with a bit of shampoo) and hang them to dry while you wear the second pair, and the third one can be ready for the next day (and in case you have a day when you can't wash one). Don't pack cotton underwear because they take forever to dry. Companies make travel underwear, but they are usually really expensive. Simple polyester or mesh ones dry super fast. It may sound gross to wash them out in the sink, but I think it's super gross to have 20 pairs of dirty underwear in your luggage to take home, so there! Plus, I know underwear is small, but stack 20 next to 3 and you will see the difference. Do the same with socks--polyester ankle socks work best.


13. DO pack a microfiber bra. DON'T pack underwire.

The reason: Underwire bras are super uncomfortable when you are traveling. Also, they get smashed and bent out of shape in tightly packed luggage. Furthermore, they take up tons of room. Fortunately, there is a great solution: microfiber bras.

If you are larger, go to www.ahhbra.com to see what I'm talking about. If you are smaller, go to www.shopcoobie.com. (Money Saver: They sell knock offs of both kinds on ebay, at Dollar General, and at Walmart.) Both versions kinda resemble sports bras only are far more comfortable. Some of them have removable straps and padding to go with a range of outfits. They also wash out in a sink quite easily and dry within a day. You could pack three of them in the same amount of space as one underwire, and they will never get smooshed out of shape!


14. DO pack your toiletries in one clear plastic baggie in your purse. DON'T stuff it way down in your carry on.

The reason: Your purse is easier to open than your carry on. Ostensibly this baggie should be the only thing you have to put in the plastic bin except your shoes and jacket, because remember how you aren't packing your laptop? People hate getting behind other people who aren't prepared to go through security. Why make enemies if you don't have to?

Another useful tip: I find that a plastic baggie isn't the best shape or size when I'm on a trip over a week long. Listen, I can pack light, but I'm still a girl, and girls require a lot of liquids and gels to stay looking nice. If you go to the makeup section of Big Lots or Walmart, you should be able to find a reusable, clear zipper cosmetic travel bag with a sticker that says, "Airline Approved" on it. I've had the same one for years.

15. DO pack your clothes by rolling them. DON'T fold them.

The reason: For some reason, rolling your clothes takes up less room than folding. I usually line the bottom of my carry on with all my clothes (thin jersey dresses/big T-shirts and thin pants/capri tights) and then pack the other stuff on top. I can pack up to 20 outfits with three layers and still have room for the rest of my stuff and any souvenirs I might buy. You HAVE to think "thin," to do this. Don't pack anything bulky.


16. DO pack an eye mask and ear plugs and keep them in your purse. DON'T pack them in your luggage.

The reason: Even if you are a heavy sleeper, slumber on a plane is a whole different ball game from your bed at home. Especially on a long flight, you never know if a random baby is going to start screaming or if a random adult won't know how to control the volume of his/her voice. Keeping these in your purse gives you quick and easy access to a restful flight.


17. DO pack a backpack style purse. DON'T pack a super expensive shoulder bag.

The reason: Shoulder bags are really easy to steal. Expensive ones are major targets. Also, backpack bags distribute weight better for a longer period of time and keep your back from hurting. (Longchamp makes some really cute, fashionable ones). In a sketchy situation, you can wear the backpack on your front and still distribute the weight evenly on your shoulders.

**If you are traveling anywhere third-worldish, do NOT use fashionable luggage/purses! Duck tape only helps in this type of situation.


18. DO pack vitamins and drugs. DON'T pack your whole medicine cabinet.

The reason: Too many pills taken on a plane makes you a target for inspection. My travel first-aid arsenal includes: ibuprofen (doesn't have caffeine, so you can take it at any time of day), melatonin (a regulator of jet-lag without being habit-forming), a multi-vitamin (your immune system hates travel), and anti-bacterial fabric bandaids (fabric ones last longer than plastic). Only pack a few of these in either a travel pill pack or clear plastic baggy. Don't pack all of them in one actual pill bottle. If you are on other pills, talk to your doctor about how to transport them.

19. DO use a travel wallet. DON'T use your regular wallet.

The reason: Only bring one credit card and one debit/ATM card (call the numbers on the backs and explain when and where you will be traveling before you leave). I used to get out cash and change it in the airport, but nowadays ATMs are everywhere--even in developing countries--so don't bring any cash unless you have to. (You actually get a better transfer rate from an ATM as opposed to in the airport, anyway.) Only bring your drivers' license if you will be driving. Keep a copy of all these documents (front and back) and your passport (picture page) in your luggage. I actually keep copy inside the zipper lining of my carry on. The less you have for others to steal, the less you have to worry about.


20. DO use the smallest rolling, expandable carry-on size case you can possibly stand. DON'T use a huge backpack or duffle that you have to carry, and DON'T check any luggage unless you absolutely have to.

The reason: First of all, using the smallest size means you are always going to be compliant with airline luggage standards that are continually diminishing in size. Second, luggage on wheels is always easier to deal with than something you have to lug. Third, an expandable case will allow you some room for souvenirs on the way back. Fourth, most of these cases have a hard shell which helps protect your belongings, whereas a duffle is soft and smashy. Fifth, a rolling case doubles as a foot rest during a long layover! Sixth, anytime you check a bag you are eating into your vacation time with customs, baggage claim, and the awkward maneuvering till you get to your destination. Being jet-set is a liberating feeling!

**Another tip for maximizing small luggage: Bring a large, foldable bag/purse in your carry on. Airlines allow you to have one carry on and one personal item. If you have a large purse stowed in your carry on on the way to your destination, you can always pull it out and put your regular purse, souvenirs, and purchases in it on the way back. This is an especially good idea if your carry on doesn't expand.

Make Your Own Dish Washer Soap

Why this is a good idea:

1. Cost Effective - In fact, if you have all the stuff from Making Your Own Laundry Detergent, then you only have to buy table salt, white vinegar, and lemon juice! (About $1.00 each, but you should have them already, because they are staples.)

2. Health Conscious - Think of all the dish soap you've consumed over the years. Companies fill soaps and detergents with supposed filler "inert ingredients" that doctors and scientists are constantly finding cause cancer and crap like that. With this recipe, the only ingredients you are accidentally ingesting are salts, vinegar, and lemon juice. 

3. Really Works! - It does. Basically, you make two mixtures: a powder one and a liquid one. 

Let's get started.

The Powder - Use equal parts Borax, Baking Soda, and Table Salt. You also need a small container to mix them in. I use a little fruit snack cup I got from Chick-fila one time.

(Some people on other websites combine all the ingredients and store them like that, but I have read a bunch of accounts that these ingredients harden together when left to their own devices. 

Mixing them each time isn't hard, so I do it. Do as the Spirit leads.)

**UPDATE** Since posting this, I have been using this detergent for a few months now, and have combined all three ingredients into one storage box. I haven't had them congeal yet, and I'm not sure why people have ever had this problem. Anyways, combining them is way easier than making this mixture every time.

The Liquid - Some bloggers claim that the powder mixture is enough to clean their dishes, but most sites have commentators freaking out because of this film all over their dishes. To alleviate the film issue, you need only two more ingredients: white vinegar and citric acid. Pour them in equal amounts into the rinse well of your machine. (One lady on one website used lemonade packets for the citric acid, but many readers complained that the lemonade turned everything yellow. 

Just use lemon juice, people!!!)

You can store these two liquids in one bottle and keep that bottle under the sink.

Your two mixtures go into your machine as follows:

The end. Your dishes come out like this:

I don't rinse my dishes particularly well or anything and have had just as much success, if not more, as I used to with Cascade. 

So there, "The Man"!!!

Costs of Things and Where to Buy Them:

1. Borax - $4.00 - Dollar General

2. Baking Soda - $0.50 - Aldi or Dollar General

3. Table Salt - $1.00ish - Aldi

4. White Vinegar - $1.00ish - Aldi

5. Lemon Juice - $1.00ish - Aldi

6. Small Container - Free - Chick-fila

Total: $7.50ish for months of detergent. 

Not swallowing harmful chemicals: Priceless.

Make Bug-Repelling Laundry Detergent!

Let's make our own laundry detergent and stick it to the man!

**UPDATE**(for an even faster and easier recipe, scroll to the bottom!)

Things that you already have:

1. Baking Soda

2. Bar Soap

3. 1/2 cup measure

4. Plastic Bottles/Containers (enough to hold 6 quarts).

5. Cheese grate

Things you might not have (but should):

1. Stainless steel stock pot (at least 12 quarts) with a lid.

2. Essential (or Skin So Soft) oil of your choice.

3. Box of Borax 

Directions:

Step 1: Grate 1/2 cup of bar soap.

Step 2: Pour 1 quart of hot tap water into your pot and heat on stove.

Step 3: Pour in the bar soap shavings and stir till they dissolve.

Step 4: Remove pot from heat.

Step 5: Pour 5 more quarts of hot tap water into the pot.

Step 6: Pour in 1/2 cup of Baking Soda and 1/2 cup of Borax.

Step 7: Drop in several drops of oil and stir.

(I used 2 capfuls of Skin So Soft to keep bugs from biting me!!!)

Step 8: Let it stand overnight.

The End.

It took about 10 minutes total (not counting the night part).

Costs of Things and Where To Buy Them:

1. Baking Soda - $0.50 - Aldi or Dollar General

2. Bar Soap - . . .I HOPE you already have this. . .

3. 1/2 cup measure - Free - Stolen from your mom's house.

4. Plastic containers - Free - If you use old detergent bottles.

(Mine, in the picture below, are from Dollar Tree.)

5. 12-quart Stock Pot - $9.00 - Walmart.com 

(Probably cheaper at Big Lots)

6. (Optional) Essential Oil - Varies in price 

(You don't need anything over $10.00. . .

no matter what the person at Whole Foods told you.)

7. (Optional) Skin So Soft - $16 (I got mine on sale for $10)

- Your neighborhood Avon Lady

8. Borax - $4.00 - Dollar General

Total Price: $13.50 - $41.50 for literally tens of gallons of detergent!

Me, I already had everything but the Borax, so I'm out $4.00!

Feel free to play around with the measurements. My concoction is a bit potent compared to others' online, but that's 'cause I wanted to use the cap from an old bottle of detergent to measure.
**NOTE: The liquid turns almost Jello-like after a few hours, but a simple shake before pouring alleviates this problem.**


**UPDATE** The above recipe is super easy and only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to make, but letting it stand overnight is kind of a pain. Since posting this blog, I've figured out an even simpler, faster, more immediate recipe! Double this recipe to make 6 quarts of detergent in under 5 minutes!

To make 3 quarts of detergent:
1. Pour 1/4c of borax, 1/4c of baking soda, and 1/4c of table salt into a 3 quart container.
2. Pour hot tap water over the mixture leaving a little space at the top.
3. Stir until the powders dissolve.
4. Stir in 1/4c of Dr. Bronner's castile soap ($12 for 32oz. at Food Lion) and scented oil.
(Don't shake!)

Whenever you are ready to use it, simply tip it upside down and back upright to get all the sediment to disperse and then pour the same amount into your washer as before. Don't shake it, because that wastes the lather. This mixture is far more liquid than the other mixture.

**Another note: Neither of these recipes give a very lasting fragrance to laundry, so don't waste too much scented oil. Also, you will get better results if you pour your laundry soap into the washer, turn the washer on, wait for the water to rise a bit, and then add your clothes.

A Doable Exercise Plan

Most of us get burnt out doing exercise because we watch something like The Biggest Loser or read an inspirational magazine article and think, "I'm going to start waking up at 6:00 and run for an hour!". . .Yeah, like that happens. Or, "I'm going to join a gym!". . .All it takes is one rainy day, and that idea is dead in the water!

Most people then use the age-old excuse, "Exercise? Who has that kind of time?" And yet. . .these same people watch at least five different T.V. shows per week. . .hmmmmmm. . .(Am I judging? Yes, but only because I was totally there six months ago.)

So here is a completely doable routine. It's absolutely free, you don't need any special equipment (unless you want to drag that elliptical or treadmill out of the closet), you don't need a lot of space, and you get to watch your favorite T.V. shows in the comfort (and non-judgmental confines) of your own home!

A FEW THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE STARTING:

1. Do it at your own pace. Start working in one to two minute intervals, catch your breath, and then pick back up. Just vow to stick with it for a whole hour of T.V. watching a day.

2. Do it every day, Monday through Friday. If you like to wake up early, then do it early. If you like to do it after work, do it after work, but make sure to do it at the same time every day. This helps your body understand that it's getting into fat-burning mode. Think about it: You know how you get hungry three times a day? Well, your body will naturally start craving exercise during "that" time of day. Your body will actually miss it when it doesn't get it! I know I sound crazy, but . . . it's true! This is coming from a person who hated P.E. class in high school. Like hated hated. Like would have rather studied for a test! I'm not kidding!!!

3. Set one goal. That goal is to try it every day for a month. Just a month. At the beginning of the month, step on a scale and remember the number. Let that number haunt you. Don't step on the scale again for at least a week after starting this if not the entire month. If you don't weigh less at the end of a complete month of trying this, I'll give you your money back! . . . Wait a second. . . Seriously though, I'm already excited about your results!

4. If you are a Christian and can't find the time for Bible reading and prayer, do this routine while you listen to the Bible on CD or mp3 for 30 minutes and then pray for 30 minutes. The first few times, it's going to be hard to focus because you are so out of breath, but after a few days, you will find you can actually focus deeper and pray harder than ever before! There is a reason the Israelites danced when they worshiped God. Physical movement aids focus and creativity.

5. The ENTIRE time during your hour, remember two things: Keep your belly button sucked into your spine and when you bend your knees, never let them go past your toes.

THE ROUTINE:

1. Start the first week or so simply marching with high knees whenever your show is on. When it goes to a commercial, spend the first commercial catching your breath and taking a water break. Then do pushups, situps, and stretches while sitting on the couch for the remainder of commercials. When the show comes back on start marching again! Do this for an hour.

2. By the second week start a different move every time the show comes back on. Pick the ones you like and add others as you grow stronger. (During commercials, you still do a water break, then pushups, situps, and stretches.)
 
     a. March in place with high knees, exploding off the floor and swinging your arms. (Upgrade: Run in place with high knees)

     b. Stand wider than hip distance with feet turned out--knees pointed same direction as feet at all times. Bend your knees and sit back with arms extended forward. Then straighten back up. Focus your movement in your core by sucking your belly button into your spine and squeezing your butt. Knees never go past the toes. (Upgrade: Jump as you straighten.)

     c. March in place kicking your butt as you march. (Upgrade 2: Run in place, kicking your butt.)

     d. Lunge back and forth. Start with a small bend in alternating knees. Bob a little bit as you do this move to engage your core. Again, pull your belly button into your spine and squeeze those butt muscles! Knees are always pointed toward toes and never go past them. (Upgrade: Stand wide apart and make the lunges deeper while alternately lifting your feet off the floor.)

     e. Step side-to-side. (Upgrade 1: Alternate lifting your legs to the side squeezing your side abs as you lift. Upgrade 2: Jump from side to side.)

     f. Step one of your legs out to the side, but don't put weight on it. Using the resistance of the floor, slide your foot back in targeting your inner thighs. Alternate back and forth.

     g. Jump rope in place. Don't use a real jump rope in the house (DANGER! DANGER!).  Just pretend you have an imaginary one and do the same motions. (**FUN FACT: Jump roping burns 13 calories a minute! That's 195 calories for 15 minutes!)

     h. Do front kicks. Stand with feet hip distance apart. Step one foot forward and bend both knees slightly. Keeping your shoulders relaxed and in the same place the whole time, contract your abs as you snap your back leg forward and back down into the same starting spot. Do the same amount of kicks on the other side. Start with low kicks, and as your strength increases, kick higher. (Upgrade: Bounce in between kicks.)

     i. Do Roundhouse kicks and Axe kicks. (Look these up on YouTube as they are a bit hard to describe. Keep the same form, though.)

     j. Throw some punches. Stand in the same kicking stance with both feet hip distance apart, then step one foot forward. Whatever foot is forward, start a jab with the same hand, then jab with the other hand. That's one rep. Make sure you are not using your shoulders to do this, but instead powering the movement with your abs and the turn of your hips. Change from jabs to crosses and then do some uppercuts. (Upgrade: Bounce in between punches.)

     k. Upgrade any of these moves by holding hand weights and swinging your arms.



You can pick and choose whatever you want from that list, and if you can come up with new ones, do them! Just make sure you are moving for one whole hour!

Chanel Inspired: The Split Sleeve Shirt/Dress

I used the shirts below (and Chanel's Spring/Summer 2013 RTW fashion show, of course) as my inspiration.

I bought the striped shirt from South Korea years ago and the pink shirt from a Chinese website. The pink shirt looks horrible on me, but I love the split sleeve idea, so I fused that idea together with the balloon bottom and full long sleeves of the striped shirt. When I get frustrated because I can't find an article of clothing in stores or online that I want, I start thinking of how to make it!

This is what I came up with. Originally, I wanted to make the entire thing out of the fuzzy grey jersey, but there wasn't enough material left (I had used some of it to make the top part of The Flashdance Dress), so I used the black jersey from The Coco Dress to make the arms and the band along the bottom. I think this shirt looks a little more Fendi than Chanel with the color blocking.

I actually used the striped shirt sleeves as the pattern for these sleeves, but wanted the shirt to look more cohesive, so I ballooned the bottoms of the sleeves to match the bottom of the dress.

I had a few tiny scraps of metallic from The Nude Shimmer Dress, so I put that along the capped part of the sleeve to draw attention to the shoulders.

Here's my "Cheap Walmart Knockoff" short cut to my earlier dresses: Instead of piecing the collar together the way I did for The Flashdance Dress, I just sewed a line through the top layer and inner facing to look like a mock collar. I think it looks just as good and helps with cohesion to the "Chanel Inspired" collection with less work. 

The back.

When you wear the shirt, it's not as obnoxiously split at the sleeves as when it's on a hangar or dress form.

Being silly.

The End.

Downton Abbey Inspired: The Lady Grantham Dress

Lady Grantham has two dresses that I really like. The first one is a red dress that looks like it's been hand painted on the bodice. The other one is the cream and black one pictured below:

Here is another view of it. Notice the lacy detail. I just really like the contrast of the stark black against the soft cream:

So I decided to make my own version. Unlike my other dresses that usually take between 5-8 hours to do, this one took about 15 hours.

My challenge was to make something that hinted at the original dress, but didn't look "costume-y." I used the same basic pattern as the other two Lady Mary dresses. I got the idea after seeing Lady Grantham's dress and realizing that I had off-white material (remnants of an unused Ralph Lauren bed sheet) and about a yard and a half of black lace fabric. I actually cut out shapes in the lace that I felt looked like trim. I added patent leather trim to give the whole thing an edge.

I pouffed the sleeves again. If you look closely, the lace doesn't have a finished edge. I did that on purpose, because I just liked the look. I think it looks modern.

In the original, the lace at the bottom sort of creeps up the sides of Lady Grantham's coat, so I hinted at that same "creepidge." This little detail here took me about 2 hours alone and trying to keep it all straight took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.

You can see the patent leather in this picture. I sewed the bodice to the skirt and sewed the leather over it. This method is unlike The Sound of Music Curtain Dress in which I had used the belt part to actually drop the waist. I figured that sewing the belt on top of this dress would help with durability as the cream material is rather thin (I actually double-layered the material everywhere but the sleeves) and the leather was very thick. 

I'm not super happy with this side zipper as the leather is kind of bulky, but oh well. I am happy with my Huskvarna Viking sewing machine because it was able to sew through all this thickness with no problems!

The original dress had some lacey details on the sleeves, but I didn't want to overpower the whole thing with lace, so I just added this little detail to the small of the back.

This little charmer took about an hour. This is the only one I did by hand.

A close-up of the back neckline.

Someone point me to the nearest garden party!

Two Steps to Making an Awesome Salad Every Time

Let's be honest. Just because something is labeled "Salad" does not mean it's healthy. Most restaurants load the exact same unhealthy ingredients as on a hamburger, but since these ingredients are on a bed of gross lettuce, somehow that is supposed to make them healthy.

No.

So to make an actually healthy salad, follow these two simple rules:

1. Put on only things that you like eating. In other words, don't put on anything you want to pick off.

2. Make sure those things are 90-100% plants and 10-0% meat, cheese, dressing, and croutons. 

This may sound hard, because we Americans go to fast food restaurants to learn what "salads" are. (Think about the irony there.) However, if you just change your thinking a little bit, you can lose weight, feel clean inside, and not get sick so much. "But I only like one vegetable!" Then start with only that one vegetable. . .but try experimenting a little bit--you become a more interesting person if you can branch out.

Here is an example of what kind of salad I make for my husband and myself on a daily basis:

This one has red onions, avocado, carrots, cucumber, and tomato; all on a bed of spinach. These are ingredients that we actually like. I don't even buy lettuce anymore because even the nice green and purple stuff isn't as vitamin-rich as spinach. Plus, spinach is cheaper and more versatile for other dishes.

When they are in season, I put pomegranate seeds on which adds a delightful tart sweetness and tons of antioxidants. Other great ideas are artichokes, portabella mushrooms, colored peppers, sweet potato, cilantro, and asparagus.  You can even put on fruit, but make sure it is fresh and not canned, salted, or candied--same with nuts. Non-canned beans are also a great addition to a salad.

Whatever you put on it, make sure the salad fills up a big portion of your plate. Then add your "main course" to the plate after. I put "main course" in quotation marks because that is the American way of thinking. (Your main course should actually be the plants!) Changing these proportions, is key to losing weight and living healthier. 

I have been making these types of salads for my husband and me for over a year now and my good cholesterol is super high (even before I lost 20 lbs.), so it really works.

Awesome Pasta Alternative

I have met people who hate chocolate and coffee, and while I just cannot fathom that feeling, I have yet to meet anyone who hates pasta. Pasta is just so yummy, but we all know it's loaded with starchy carbs, and most of us are not Michael Phelps, so bad carbs are not our friends.

Yes, you can buy whole wheat pasta and organic pasta, and while that's all well and good, you can't get around the fact that it has still got refined stuff in it. I mean, you have to refine the ingredients to some extent to get them to stick together to make a noodle, you know? Another fact of life is simply that if you are serious about losing weight, eating pasta is NOT going to help without a tremendous amount of exercise--no matter what the organic, whole wheat pasta company is telling you.

Have you ever heard of spaghetti squash? While that is a great alternative, it is not always easy to find at the grocery store, hard to cut in half (although, I hear clerks at grocery stores will cut them for you if you ask nice), and take awhile to bake. It is also not quite as cost-effective as pasta tends to be. Still, it's a super great, healthy alternative. If you have time to bake it (face down, about 30-40 minutes at 375), all you have to do is halve it, bake it, discard the seeds, and scoop out the stringy, fleshy part with a fork.

However, I just learned another really great one. It's easier, faster, and perhaps more cost-effective.

I came across this simple pasta alternative in a magazine where this girl who had formerly weighed over 200 lbs., lost almost half her body weight by exercising and changing her diet! One thing that she did to change her diet was to buy zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, and/or any long, substantial veggie. She simply cut the veggies into long, thin strips and parboiled them till they were soft. I tried this with a zucchini, but the taste was a little weirdly bitter, coupled with spaghetti sauce. Instead of boiling the second time, I sautéd onions and garlic and then added the zucchini strips once the garlic started to brown. (The onions and garlic toned the "zucchini-ness" down.) Then I added low sodium sauce with a very small portion of browned ground turkey in it. The whole thing took about 10 minutes. Yay for fiber, protein, vitamins, good carbs, losing weight, and saving money!

 

Other Helpful Hints:
 

**Is cutting the veggies into long strips slowing you down? Why not try just slicing the veggie into 1/4 inch slices and calling it "ravioli"!

**Alternate the type of veggie you use, or combine several types at once. That way you are sure to get all the nutrients that these plants can provide.

**I hear that boiling veggies robs them of vitamins that sautéing actually locks in. . .so you can kill two birds with one stone by sautéing!

**Always sauté in a cast iron skillet. It adds taste and iron.

**To lose even more weight (and especially if your doctor wants you to limit fat of all kinds), try sautéing in white wine rather than olive oil. For even fewer calories (suggested to patients recovering from a stroke or heart attack), you can sauté in water; however, you really have to monitor because water evaporates very quickly.