Black, White and Shades of Gray - Relocation Abroad

Travel Wardrobe Capsule – Black and white and shades of gray

Been really busy working to narrow down the clothes for my upcoming trip. Been Mixing and matching outfits to wear for 15 glorious days in the tropics. 

Each of us has agreed to travel with only ONE carry on. So gotta make everything fit! That's the plan.

As we were fine tuning our itinerary I also attempted to fine tune my wardrobe selections. However, so far, no wardrobe plan has worked to meet all of my specifications. 

　

With time running out, I'm posting my most recent and hopefully my final attempt. 

I chose these pieces based on several factors and with a focus on total comfort dressing. No tight, clinging, digging pants. I'm not even taking a pair of jean (they are heavy and can also be very hot) We have a long flight and once we arrive we will be spending a great deal of time riding long distances on hot buses, which I also assume will probably a bit cramped. 

I don't anticipate that we will attend any dressy functions but I bought along 1 dress that can pass for dressy and I have a pair of trusty black pants. 

Four dresses

Six tops

All tops are inter changeable

five pairs of pants

 navy, black and gray pants are all made of tencel

Batik long dress from Molly b

 2 swim suits

1 swim suit cover ups

1 Net King Tunic (also comes in black)

the tunic is not an "official" swim suit cover up. I'm just using it as one. 

It is very versatile. I have a million things I can wear under it. 

Also packing: 2 pairs of knee length shorts (khaki and pink) and 3 linen Tshirts (navy, black and olive green) 1 wrap, 1 pj, undies (I love the ExOfficio Quick-Dry Full Brief $20 /pr) 2 pairs of Toms (black and ?? (a pair not  purchased yet)

So far everything fits. We'll see how many "must haves" I will have to add to the bag.

I'll take a photo each day of the outfit I wear once we get to Costa Rica

Time to pack - Or at least start a plan to avoid over packing

This is a packing list I got from a cool blog called the Ramblin Traveler. You'll also find a lot of other helpful info especially about Puerto Viejo, if that's your destination. She moves around so you can also follow her other travels.  My packing list items are in blue.

I have already started to angst over what to bring on our trip and it's 6 months out. The trip is 14 days but since we are going to be moving around quite a bit (and frankly the crime problem has gotten me a little worried - the one that says NEVER LET ANYTHING OUT OF YOUR SIGHT). So since we will have our luggage with us I don't want to travel with anything more than I have to. Hence my plan is one bag and a carry on. My one bag is even carry on size,  so if I get lucky maybe I won't have to check a bag (f I can pull it off, this will be a first.!)  I generally travel with a large spinner, plus the carry on I mentioned and another bag filled to the brim with laptop, cosmetics, etc.

  Shorts and T-shirts
         I'm thinking 5 pairs of shorts should do it (for the beach areas only I hear)

 Nice casual outfit for evenings out (aka dressing’ to impression’!!)

        Not exactly sure about his one yet. Probably a long dress and nice pair of black slacks

  Sweater (yes, sweater) and long pants

       Ok sweater and 5 pairs of light weight long pants and a pair of jeans (which I will travel in) I try to travel in the heaviest pair of pants and shoes to save on space in the suitcase.  Plus jeans are sturdy and will be good for the cooler temperature on the plane and the weather in San Francisco which will be our city of origin. 

 Underwear and bras of course (men, you can skip the bras unless you are into some crazy kinky stuff I don’t know about and frankly don’t want to know about;))

  Shoe variety (I brought 2 sets of flip-flops and a pair of keens which have been invaluable throughout the trip!!  They serve as my hiking/general exercise “boots” and even my riding “boots”!  And they aren’t that bulky so they don’t take an excessive amount of space up in my bag.)

Tom's Tom's Tom's!! They are my go to shoe for traveling. They are light and comfy. So 2 pairs of Tom's. I have some hiking boots that I bought for my trip to Africa (I never wore them) They are kind of heavy so may settle for another pair of shoes I have that are walking shoes (wear them to travel in). Served me well on past trips to Paris. Also 1 pair of flats (you can wear for casual or dress). 1 pair flip flops and a pair of sandals. 

   Poncho (thanks mom!!)
            Rain can happen anytime

   Bathing suits (more than one as it takes 2-3 days for anything to dry around here and slipping into a wet and cold bathing suit isn’t all that great!!)

Check!

   Compact caboodle to put in all toiletries (I found a fabric caboodle that came with many storage areas and even little travel bottles that I filled with hydrogen peroxide, shampoo, lotion and tea tree oil bug spray.  Mind you this was in my backpack and not in my carry-on so there were no airport security issues)

  Compact sleep travel kit (as mentioned before I happened to purchase mine on the flight over and it’s come in handy many times!!  Pack included blanket, air pillow, eye mask and ear plugs)

Not needed as we have hotel reservations at every stop

   Towel (not all hostels provide you with a towel, and even if they do, sometimes it’s just a better idea to use your own!! Also, I have a second towel that my sister gave to me a while back.  I believe it is from Japan but it is very small yet acts like one of those sham wow towels while actually still having the feel of a towel)

 I plan to take a hand towel and washcloth (just in case). These items should be provided at out hotels

   BUG SPRAY!!!!!  (ok, now I really didn’t have any need for bug spray until I reached the Osa Peninsula, but in general this is a good idea!!)

Gonna try Avon Skin So Soft  some swear by it, others don't but I'm also taking my Repel (it is Deet free). It worked in Africa, but we'll see. 

•  Water bottle (my mom and I found this great water bottle called vapur: it’s a eco-friendly reusable plastic water bottle that is also BPA-free and the best thing about it is that when it’s empty, it’s as flat as a few sheets of paper, but when filled it simply expands and allows up to, if memory serves right, a half a liter of water!  It also comes with a carabiner for easy clipping to your body or pack!)

•  Hands-free headlight (I got one with three modes of lighting and it has come in great handy!!  Whether used for a night tour, light to get home after late-night fiestas, during blackouts that actually occur more often than not or simply in my own home when the 3 of the 4 light bulbs suddenly decide to burn out all within the same hour!)

           I have a headlight from my Africa trip will take it 

I 

•  Plastic bags (these are really essential too!!  They are great for stuffing still wet clothing into or dirty clothes into to separate them from the rest of the dry and clean clothes while traveling from one place to the next)

•  First Aid Kit (I bought one from Bass Pro Shop that is quite compact and has a lot of handy stuff including a syringe and gloves.  I’ve added to it extra bandaids, Neosporen and tea tree oil for bug bites)

          A must plus any other medications you might need (Tylenol etc)

         P.S I am also taking a roll of travel toilet tissue. Took some to Africa, You just never know!

Happy Packing

How Cuenca hats are made

Cuenca Ecuador

Since we have some time before we make our trip to Central America I will research and share with you information that I discover about people, places and things outside of Costa Rica.

My most recent research has taken me to Ecuador in search of information on the trendy Panama hat.

I bought a couple of Panama hats at a local boutique in San Francisco and loved them so much that I became very interested in the history of the Panama hat.  I have to admit that one of the fascinating things about the Panama hat is that the genuine hats are hand-made ONLY in Ecuador.  One of the cities famous for its hats is Cuenca.  Also originally one of the cities on our top 10 list for retirement. Cuenca elevation 9,0000, is on the AARP list of the most affordable locations for retirement.

Can't wait to go there and buy myself a Panama hat!

Boomer Retirement Abroad - I will not be retiring in Saudi Arabia

Since I've been making my plans  to escape  from the U.S, oops I mean relocate, I've been following a lot of expat blogs.  I have even contacted some of the bloggers.

One of the blogs I follow is Black Chick on Tour. I have not contacted her (yet) but find her posts and her videos to be very funny and always informative.

Now, under NO circumstances do I plan to move to Saudi Arabia, but I thought it was very interesting to hear about her experiences as an expat in Saudi Arabia and I especially enjoyed her change of attitude regarding the abaya.

You know, I never really gave it much thought that there was any diversity in choosing one of these garnents. (c'mon and you didn't either) I figured they were just black garments that the women wrapped up in.

Right?

Wrong!

Just goes to show you - women are women, everywhere!

Here are a couple of things you might want to know if you plan to go to Saudi Arabia

What is an abaya anyway?

The abaya sometimes also called an aba, is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the Muslim world including in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

 Traditional abayat are black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long caftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands. It can be worn with the niqāb, a face veil covering all but the eyes. Some women choose to wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well.

Abayat are known by various names but serve the same purpose, which is to cover. Contemporary models are usually caftans, cut from light, flowing fabrics like crepe, georgette, and chiffon. Other known abaya styles are front open and front closed abaya. Styles differ from region to region: some abayat have embroidery on black fabric while others are brightly coloured and have different forms of artwork across them.

What is the difference between an abaya and a burka?

A burka and abaya are different. Both are undergarments worn by Muslim women to maintain modesty in public.

A burka is a head to toe covering worn by women. Their face is concealed by fabric that you can not see into but they can see out of. This style of Islamic dress is common in Afghanistan. They can come in different colors but black and blue (afgani) are the most common.

An Abaya is a body cover, often black in color (especially in the Gulf Region), that covers a women from neck to toe. There are many different styles of abayas, and they usually are paired with a matching shayla (oblong) style hijabs.

Check out Terri as she chooses her new abaya

Oprah finale show pink bracelet - The Answer Has Arrived

Pink Tassel Bracelet - July Featured Special 

Just about everyone has fallen in love with Oprah's pink diamond bracelet from her final show.  Now you can have the look without the price tag (reported to be around a million dollars). This is a tribute to that bracelet, not a copy, and it is made with two shades of pink Swarovski crystals and has a slide lock clasp and 1 3/4" crystal tassel.

I had the pleasure  of speaking with the designer of this beautiful bracelet. Her name is Paula Huckabay. 

My interview with Paula is below

~~~~~~~~~~~~

what is the name of your business and do you have a studio or is it an online business?

Pacific Jewelry Designs, Fresno CA

My jewelry is sold online at http://www.pacificjewelrydesigns.com

how long have you had your business?

I have been designing and making jewelry for about 10 years and have been selling it since almost the beginning.

why did you decide to work with jewelry?

My love for jewelry has always been apparent, I don’t feel dressed without at least my earrings and a bracelet whether I am shopping for groceries or dressing for an evening out. I live mostly in blue jeans but ladies, my jewelry will always make a statement! I have been an artist most of my life, specializing in oil paintings and portraits, so I have always had a sense of color and design. My paintings and prints are in the US, Canada and Europe and at one point I designed the t-shirts for the Leon Russell and Edgar Winter tour. When the beading scene began to reemerge several years ago it was an easy decision to start designing and making my own jewelry and it has grown from there.

how would you describe your style? 

My style is eclectic, there are so many different things I love to incorporate in my designs. I can get excited over a new piece of chunky turquoise or a set of gorgeous handmade lampwork beads. I love working with Swarovski crystals and one of my favorite things is freeform peyote, a great example of which is the “Rivoli Peyote” bracelet which began with a Swarovski crystal rivoli and turned into a lovely bracelet incorporating freeform and structured peyote. My inspiration comes from many different things, sometimes a color or combination of colors, sometimes nature and sometimes the beads themselves are all the inspiration I need.

what kind of jewelry do you make? 

I focus on mostly bracelets, earrings and necklaces although recently I designed an original Swarovski crystal ring and I now wear one of those just about every day.

what types of materials do you use? 

I use a lot of lampwork, Swarovski crystals, gemstones and glass beads and I love working with wire. I like to use the best quality materials I possibly can while keeping my pieces affordable.

who is your target market?

My target market is the woman who appreciates high quality handcrafted jewelry and who doesn’t want to be wearing the same jewelry as can be purchased at most retail stores by other women. There is a lot to be said for being individual and that is why I do a lot of custom designing, I love to work with a client to make exactly what she has in mind.

do you have a blog or a newsletter? do you have sales or specials on any of your collections? If so how do you let people know?

At this time I don’t blog or have a scheduled newsletter but I do send emails to alert my customers when there is a sale or a special of any kind (usually four to six times a year). My goal is not to flood the inboxes but to let you know when there is a really good special or a large selection of brand new jewelry so it is really important to sign up for the mailing list on the home page of my website. You know when you receive an email from me it is for a really good reason.

what gives you the most pleasure as a jewelry designer?

As a jewelry designer my greatest pleasure is being able to be creative and to do what I love doing every day. Customer service is my number one priority, I believe in great communication, high quality and total customer satisfaction as well as beautiful designs. Added to that, making jewelry is just fun!

what was the inspiration for your "tribute to Oprah pink bracelet"?

My inspiration for the Pink Tassel Bracelet (tribute to Oprah’s pink diamond bracelet) was very simple. Oprah has inspired so many millions of people in her long and remarkable career and she has a very devoted following. The idea was to provide a beautiful bracelet that would pay tribute to the lovely bracelet that Oprah wore in her final episode and yet have it be at an affordable price for everyone ( I don’t personally know anyone who can afford a cool million or so for a bracelet). The bracelet I designed has incredible sparkle and a lovely tassel and I would like to think that wearing this bracelet will remind you of the inspiration that Oprah has been in your life.

I want you to love your jewelry and wear it with joy! Many thanks to Devon for the opportunity to do this interview, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and I hope you will love wearing your new Pink Tassel Bracelet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you Paula. I'm a glass artist and jewelry designer myself and I am very impressed with your work. I am sure I'm going to love my bracelet! It actually arrived today but I was not home so it is now at the post office. I will pick it up tomorrow! Can't wait!

order your bracelet today (it will also make a perfect gift) - to get your special "reader" discount - Click here and type in the code PINK10

I'm Just Sayin!

Oprah finale show pink bracelet

I loved Oprah's final 3 shows. I'm keeping them on my DVR for now, using the save setting "I delete."  This will insure that they don't get deleted for any capacity issues.

Anyway, as I was watching the finale I was mesmerized by the beautiful pink bracelet Oprah was wearing. Did any of you notice? (Sorry I couldn't find a close up of the bracelet).

If you're interested, I did a little research on the subject. I'll share it with you so that you don't have to waste time searching on your own (oh c'mon now I saw your to-do list and I know you were going to look this up next).

I was very interested because, I (want one) thought the bracelet may have been the work of a new jewelry designer (I hoped maybe an affordable one).

At first I read that it was the creation of Ivanka Trump but finally learned that the bracelet is the design of Lorraine Schwartz "jeweler to the stars."

I'm not sure how much the one Oprah was wearing cost, but the average price I saw for many of the others was around $900,000.

Guess I won't be buying one anytime soon. However...I have my fingers crossed that someone will Please, Please come up with a knock-off!

*********UPDATE 7/1/11********The Answer has Arrived************

Just about everyone has fallen in love with Oprah's pink diamond bracelet from her final show.  Now you can have the look without the price tag (reported to be around a million dollars). This is a tribute to that bracelet, not a copy, and it is made with two shades of pink Swarovski crystals and has a slide lock clasp and 1 3/4" crystal tassel. 

To order your very own custom Pink Tassel Bracelet and get your special "reader" discount Click here and enter the code: PINK10

and Don't forget to check out my interview with the Designer!

 

Pink Tassel Bracelet

*******************

Lorraine Schwartz Collection

I'm Just Sayin

Let your hair go gray

Bag-a-licious

Longchamp Paris was established 60 years ago and is a well-known, top fashion brand in Paris. It has been very popular with Hollywood stars and other rich and famous people. The Longchamp brand is famous for their making of quality handbags which is why more and more celebrities are supporting the brand.

These handbags are also a celebrity favorite because of their luxurious French style. But the most distinguishing characteristic of Longchamp handbags is found in their horse logo. Why a horse you ask? The famous Longchamp Horse logo was inspired by a notable Parisian race horse track called Longchamp (French translation: long field).

The collection comprises a range of styles, from party clutches to shoppers and travel bags, all in red and black leather as well as zebra print.

              

Longchamp will collaborate with Kate Moss on two collections per year. The first lot went to the brand's boutiques and a few department stores (Galleries Lafayette in Paris, Selfridges in London) and worldwide on February 11th.

Since I plan to buy a handbag while in Paris I will check out the Longchamp.


I'm Just Sayin

Tie One On - Parisian Style

How to Tie a Scarf

Paris Style

One of the things I have noticed over and over in my research about Paris, is that if you're in Paris, you're going to need to have a great scarf. At least, if you want to look like you belong. Parisian women wear scarves come rain or come shine. The interesting thing is that it seems to be only a symbol of style in Paris, as once you leave the city, women in the rest of France dress completely different. Scarves are a great way to put your own spin on an outfit and create your own style statement.

That is.....if you know HOW to tie a scarf.

Fear not. It isn't that difficult. Here are some tips from Girls Guide to Paris along with a video to help you pull off a stylist new scarf look with a touch of Paris. 

European Style:
Fold your scarf in half, holding the loop end in your left hand and the two loose ends in your right. Slip the scarf over your head and thread the ends through the loop

Basic Style:
Keep the scarf short at one end, and then wrapping it behind the neck, around the front and back behind until there are two ends dangling in the front.

The Bundle Wrap Style:

Drape the scarf around your neck, tucking one end into your coat. Take the long end and bring it around your neck and and wrap it around as many times as you can.

Italian Twist Style:

With the scarf behind your neck, take one end in your right hand, holding it at the breast. With your left hand, loosely loop the scarf in front, then behind you. This will form a U shape over the right end that is being held firmly. Take the left end of the scarf and thread it over the first branch of the loop but under the bit you are holding, and then back over the last branch of the loop.


The popular Hermes scarves are the most beautiful and luxurious silk scarves you can get. I've heard that the Paris store does an awesome demonstration of how to wear their scarves. I also know that they cost somewhere close to $300. So, I plan to stop in to check it out, whether I actually end up buying one there is another story. However, I will return from Paris WITH a new scarf!

In the meantime check out the video below

Now, go and Practice, Practice, Practice!!!
I'm Just Sayin