Spring Break Roundup

My daughter came home from college briefly to re-group and prep for her spring break trip to Panama City with 29 of her BFFs. We decided the best strategy for packing was to plan each outfit, including bathing suits/cover-ups, etc. for the beach. In the past we just threw stuff in the bag and hoped we remembered socks and underwear. Thankfully, we have evolved after regrettably not having the bathing suit bottom or strapless bra needed for a specific dress. Planning ahead makes her life easier as I imagined her suitcase on the floor in between blow-up mattresses and wet towels. Additionally, there are no surprises when something goes wrong like a broken clasp or a spot.

Getting her ready for the first spring break since Covid hit, I felt inspired and excited to get ready for my own trip to Florida in a few weeks. Could I too, plan out each outfit, including swimsuits and cover ups? Digging through my closet, I discovered that I needed a few things. Blowing the dust off of flip flops from two years ago just wasn’t going to cut it. The bathing suits, well, they just don’t fit the same thanks to Covid, wine and eating takeout food too many days over the past year. Not to mention, I now have a new scar on my chest that needs coverage … unless I  say a shark attacked me, which would make for a better story. Cover ups, well, I tend to stay in them a bit longer around the pool compared to when I did prior to having three babies. I just feel more comfortable. 

The apparel and footwear companies must be feeling inspired too. There are some great options to choose from, and I’m having a hard time deciding what are “must have” purchases and what can wait. I continue to mainly shop online. The inventory in the bigger stores like Nordstrom is still not what it used to be but getting better. The smaller boutiques are getting it all in a bit sooner thankfully. As we put options together, we looked at oversized linen blouses and older oversized scarves to wear as sarongs. We dug up old beaded necklaces and found inexpensive necklaces to throw on as a fun add-on for the beach but to be taken off when she went into the water. My daughter picked a colorful baseball hat and a straw hat to finish out her look. I opted for a couple of different straw hats and visors. Target has so many choices! If you are like me, they’ll get smashed, wet and tossed about, so I’m going cheap with my hats. As for shoes, I would wear many from my Spring Shoe Edit. But I am also a big Haviana fan and just ordered a gold flip flop which I know I’ll wear all the time. Lemon Jelly is making a cute little plastic wedge type that I ordered in pink, with a pretty navy sole. Tkees always delivers on a simple, nude slide that goes from beach to evening for me a lot. I’m also going to look at my old sundresses/tunics/blouses. So often, I get tired of them as part of my daily mix but am not quite ready to give them away. When I can, I wear them instead as a coverup. 

So, this is your challenge ladies … let’s plan ahead. Then, let’s figure out if we can re-wear certain shoes and coverups. Try on your outfits before packing – including your bathing suits and dresses. Next, add jewelry and shoes and take notice of spots, loose buttons and general wear and tear. Splurge on a few new items, like a swimsuit, outfit and maybe a flop or two. This way, we aren’t showing up and discovering we don’t have what we need … like our underwear!

Oh by the Way, here is my roundup of things I’m considering for my spring break trip.

I included a couple of recommendations from friends as well! We all need people who inspire us from a fashion standpoint!