Packing for Ireland

If you’ve been following me on Snapchat since this summer, then you may have seen the snap of my spontaneous Groupon purchase to Ireland! If not, here’s the deal.

I have an incredible group of girl friends who I’ve experienced some amazing things with. It started with our ‘Say Yes To The Dress’ episode when my friend Natalie was selected to appear on the show. We flew to New York City and had one of the best trips I’ve ever experienced. The next was celebrating Natalie’s bachelorette at Stagecoach last year, where I…once again, had one of the best trips to date. Rewind to this past July when Natalie, Liz, Ellie and I were all in a group chat discussing whether or not to purchase these incredible tickets. It took about 48 hours for us to decide, and next thing I knew it I was finalizing rental car details with the travel agent and sending a mass email of details. Since then, I’ve been acquiring the necessities to get me through the cold weather because, well, we’re going in January. AKA the height of WINTER. It wasn’t until I started gathering items that I realized Packing for Ireland is going to be a little more out of my norm than usual.

This California girl literally knows nothing about winter. Like, my “winter” coat apparently get me through an East Coast Fall season. So…I knew I was in trouble.

According to various websites I’ve researched…the chances of snow are semi-rare, but the freezing temperatures are a for sure thing. I am planning for worst so that it can only go uphill! Rain + snow, bring it on.

Luckily I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to NYC this past year, meaning I’ve seen it at its worst…so I would like to think I’m pretty prepared on what I’ll need to pack. Here is my check list of must-haves below!

1. Snow boots // not just any snow boots. These beautiful Sorel boots. They are in the cutest color, and are so durable! When I was looking into boots, I really didn’t find anything that I loved. Everything seemed so masculine; until I found these beauties! It’s taken everything for me not to wear them around the house just because of how cute I think they are.
   
2. Rain boots // though it may be snowy, I also wanted an option for rain that were a little smaller than my Sorel boots. These Hunter boots were the perfect option. It gives me the opportunity to wear darker outfits, all while still beating the harsh weather conditions! I wore these in New York last week during the rain and I felt like I could conquer the world. I stepped in every puddle I came across (I blame my inner 7 year old). SIZE INFO: I sized down thinking it would be a good idea, and it was not! Luckily LUISAVIAROMA offers free express shipping and free returns, so I had a new size in a matter of days! Order up, not down.
   
3. Neutral beanie // this adorable knit beanie from prAna is so versatile! The neutral coloring will allow me to wear it with most, if not all, of my outfits throughout the trip. It will also help in the rain when I don’t want to carry an umbrella, but still don’t want my hair to get too wet.
   
4. Sweaters for layering // this cute asymmetrical sweater is so cute for under my coats! The neutral coloring will be helpful when incorporating it into multiple outfits. // other sweaters in stack here: 1, 2, 3
   
5. Basics // again, layering is SO important! I am bringing three basic tops (white, grey, black) that I can wear under coats, sweaters, and to bed if need be.
   
6. COATS // obviously I will need some all-weather coats. This coat by Laundry is made for arctic exploration, I swear to you. The hood is going to be a life saver, and the insulation is going to keep me toasty from morning until night. 
   
   
7. Comfortable, cute jackets // okay…again, if you follow me on snapchat you may have seen this wooly mammoth already. It’s the furriest, most cozy jacket I think I’ve ever owned. The hood is attached to the scarf, which is attached to the little pockets to keep my hands cozy. How cute is that? I’m thinking of wearing this on the plane so that I can use it as a blanket/pillow/mattress. It’s fabulous in so many ways; way to go Dawn Levy.
   
   
8. Gloves // gloves that will be weather resistant are best! I’m all for a comfy mitten, but nobody wants wet gloves after a necessary jaunt in the snow.
   
9. Cross-body Purse // ever since studying abroad, I’ve always used a cross-body bag when traveling. It is one less thing for me to think about when going from location to location. Knowing that it’s secure around my body, with zippers keeping everything inside (and pick pocketing hands outside) makes me feel that much better when exploring a foreign territory. This Henri Bendel cross-body is great because the fabric is also weather-resistant, which is huge when traveling.
   
10. Luggage // It wasn’t until I got my job in the fashion industry that I realized how important it was to have luggage that could roll sideways. It is so much more convenient, and allows for you to stack things up on top of your luggage that you can roll through the airport if you need to. This full size luggage (Free monogramming this week with the code THANKSGRAM) and carry-on from Kipling is SO ideal. I love the black fabric with gold zipper details, the multiple compartments, and the smooth wheels. Who knew Kipling had the best luggage brand ever *heart eyes emoji*
    
11. Passport cover // I don’t have to go into detail on this one. This Henri Bendel passport cover is so classic; I know I will have it for a long time (it was hard to say goodbye to my hot pink bedazzled passport cover from study abroad…but it was time).
    
12. Smart travel cases // It’s so easy to put everything you need to bring in one pile or one bag and call it a day, but you will always regret the “easy way” when you get to your destination and can’t remember where you put anything! This jewelry case from Henri Bendel is such a good addition to your luggage compartments. It has a space for rings, earrings, and necklaces. The best part is that it zips, so your jewelry isn’t going anywhere in that unexpected turbulence, or slightly terrifying cab ride.
    
    
13. Warm Scarf // scarves that add some flare to your outfit are great and all…that is until the wind chill drops below 30 degrees and the wind is a cool 35 mph. You need a neutral scarf that can be worn with every outfit that is long, thick, and durable. This cashmere scarf from Moon Cats is perfect for wrapping around my neck, tucking into a jacket for added warmth, or using to completely covering my face while walking from attraction to attraction (yes, I would be that girl if it meant saving myself from the cold)
    
14. Leggings // my Zella leggings have seen a lot of travel time, and they haven’t failed me yet. I’m planning on bringing them to layer under jeans if need be, or just wear them tucked into my boots like normal. They’re also great to sleep in for those extra cold nights!
15. Technology // camera, headphones (can we take a second to admire these Faux Fur Wireless Headphones? So great for cold trips!), chargers, ADAPTERS (Universal Adapter is a great option if you plan to travel a lot more in the future!
16. Portable charger // you don’t know where your adventures will take you, and having a fully charged battery to make your way back home is extremely important! This one is 50% off and it lasts me such a long time!
    

And there you have it! All of your necessities, ready to be mixed and matched throughout your trip. Can’t wait to take you guys with me in January via Snapchat and Instagram! Stay tuned, and follow along so you don’t miss my crazy adventues! xx