now boarding all rows

i travel a lot.

in 2012, i think i traveled more than any other year. 

and as much as i hate unpacking after a trip (isn't it awful?), i actually love packing (psst: roll your clothes instead of folding them to maximize suitcase space). 

i haven't done a 'very necessary' post in a while, so i thought i'd share my carry-on essentials.

starting from up top:

scarf: i like to bring a lightweight scarf for chilly airplanes and drafty airports. you never know what the temps are going to be and i hate feeling cold.

comfortable clothes: for me, dresses offer the most comfort when sitting down for a long period of time. you can always find me in a dress when traveling.

socks: if i'm wearing flats or sandals, i always throw a pair of socks in my purse when i'm heading to the airport. there's nothing worse than having to remove your shoes in the security line and walk around that nasty airport floor barefoot. not happening.

a large purse with some structure: something big enough to hold all your essentials. for me, this includes travel reading material, something to snack on, a travel wallet, my precious mascara (can't buy it at CVS if luggage gets lost), toilet seat covers for airplane/airport bathrooms and a jewelry roll that holds all the accessories i'm bringing. i take no chances with my luggage being misplaced and potentially losing these forever.

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what are your travel necessities?

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check out my other 'very necessary' posts on tailgating, road trips, dressing for extreme heat and wet weather, and my office and outerwear essentials.

go team

i was never a true football fan until college.

my whole family was always pretty into sports, and when football season came around, my st. louis-born parents always cheered for (first) the cardinals and then the rams after the cardinals moved to arizona.

i could watch the games with a mild interest, but i didn't really care that much who won or lost. that all changed in college.

to give you an idea, my dad likes to tell (and re-tell) this story about the summer before my freshmen year: i got something in the mail from UF about student season tickets. i wasn't sure if i wanted them, so i didn't pull the trigger. and my dad swore up and down "you'll change your mind when you get there." 

um, ok, old man.

he was 100% right. 

once in gainesville, football fever hit hard and immediately. i'll never forget that first saturday home game. the electricity, the excitement, the way the whole town came to a stand-still to tailgate until kickoff. i saw how wrong i'd been. 

it was easy enough to get tickets to most of the games that year, but every year after that, i was a season ticket holder. there was no question. and as the years progressed, i started to understand the game, to follow college football nationally, to hate teams from baton rouge, tuscaloosa,  and tallahassee more than i ever thought possible.

i lost my voice, amassed an impressive collection of orange and blue clothing,  sweated to death in that steamy 88,000-capacity swamp, and loved every minute of it.

and in the south, getting dressed for a football game is an art in itself. you don't just toss on a jersey and head out; you wear an outfit and likely that outfit is a dress. and i grew to appreciate that. 

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when i moved up here in 2004, i got my first taste of a land where pro football was king. 

the ap poll? college game day?

pssh. just ways to pass the time to get to the main event on sunday.

my husband's family puts mine to shame in terms of die-hard fandom. TO SHAME. i experienced my first NFL game with them, and it was quite a different experience to say the least, right down to the game day clothing choices i saw around me. 

i don't need to get into the merits of college versus pro: they've both got their strong points and less desirable aspects.

but i stil wanted to look cute at the games, dammit. and since it's been a while since i've done a very necessary post, i thought i'd share with you my must-haves for game days, no matter who your team is.

polyvore set here

on the left side, we have the look: comfortable, layered clothing that should get you through the day. a light jacket, a shirt that shows your team spirit, and some coordinating accessories. this outfit is perfect for fall game days. i'd definitely check the weather before deciding on shoes though: there really is nothing worse than wet feet.

now, on the right side, we have the things that really matter. the stuff that makes you prepared for anything, even porta-potties. 

starting from the top, we have blankets. because although it's not too chilly now, once october and november hit, it can get cold in those metal bleachers. so if the stadium policies allow it, bring a blanket. 

i also never bring a purse with me. unless you're in a suite of some sort, there's absolutely no where to stash it once you get to your seats. on the floor beneath you? ok, but watch out for falling beer and peanut shells from above. i prefer some sort of credit card wallet that will hold ONLY my essentials: ID, credit cards, cash. there's less to lose and less to worry about that way.

now, a flask isn't absolutely necessary, but if you're a whiskey snob, you may want to bring some of your own. completely optional. but it looks cute, doesn't it?

lastly, i'm offering the same advice as i did for road trips: bring your own toilet paper and seat covers. even if you avoid the horror that is porta-potties, those stadium bathrooms are usually disgusting. being prepared always helps. i also threw in a tide pen since tailgate food tends to be messy. and you don't want those stains to set in.

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so there you have it. my tips for a no-fail good time at the tailgate.

who do you root for?

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check out my other 'very necessary' posts here, here, here, and here.

the open road

aren't road trips fun?

there's also something to be said about the people who you're down to sit in a car with for an entire day. road trips aren't built for people you sorta know. 

nope. 

you pretty much only commit to gas station food and long stretches of bad radio with your closest friends. and who better to sit in silence with at the end of the trip after you're totally sick of being in the car?

i'm sure many of you will be packing up your things soon for a fourth of july getaway.

but before you head out and settle into that seat for who knows how long, let's make sure you've got everything you need.

polyvore set here

1. a silk scarf/head wrap. for long streches in a confined space, i like to just forget about my hair. but i don't want to look like a mess. this is where a ponytail or sock bun plus a tied scarf comes in. you'll look so put together. and no one will know you've been up since six in the morning to beat traffic.

2. sunglasses. always. squinting is not cute.

3. your iphone/ipod. or some other device that plays music and can be hooked up to the car. because if you're headed down 95 south, there's only so much bad radio you can take.

4. simple accessories. this goes back to making an attempt to look somewhat put together. it's easy to feel gross in a car after eating fast food on the road twice in one day. (what? is that just me?) so i like to pretty myself up with at least some earrings/a ring/necklace. whatever you're in the mood for.

5. a larger-sized tote. preferably a sturdy, structured one with compartments that can sit on the floor of the car without flopping over. it'll be perfect for storing magazines, your nook or kindle, snacks, and everything else. you don't need that stuff cluttering up the car.

6. a comfortable dress. i always travel in dresses. especially for road trips (or flights) when i'm sitting for a long while. nothing too tight, nothing too fancy, just something that looks cute but feels as comfortable as a giant t-shirt. that's what you want.

7. shoes. if it's in the summertime, and you like to wear sandals like me, i'd recommend one with a slight wedge. the more space you can get between you and those gas station bathroom floors, the better.

8. face/hand wipes. to keep yourself feeling fresh. these are especially good if you're taking on a superlong trip. just makes you feel refreshed.

9. hair ties. goes with #1. the silk scarf. i just like to have my hair out of the way.

10. a pillow/blanket. it's not always necessary, but sometimes, you need a cat nap. provided the driver doesn't mind. this handy one is a pillow and blanket in one. would be great for airplanes too. anything to avoid using that cotton ball pillow they offer you.

11. protection. i'm talking germ protection. i never go on a road trip without a small supply of toilet paper, some hand sanitizer and perhaps the most crucial element: toilet seat covers. i carry these in my purse at all times actually. it has come in handy more times than i can tell you. as much as i love the romance of hitting the road with your best friend, there's nothing sexy about gas station toilet seats.

12.  a GPS system of some kind. this is also know as a relationship saver.

13. a camera! i love taking pics on the road. make sure you have something to capture all those fun times you had.

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i think this is the first fourth in a while that i haven't traveled. when i first moved to dc in 2004, i always stayed in town for the holiday. i loved being here while everyone was out of town. no lines at whole foods! then, around 2008, i started the tradition of always taking that week off at work.

but not this year. 

i'll be here watching the city while you guys hit the road.

be safe out there! and enjoy the fireworks!

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check out my other 'very necessary' posts here, here, and here.

no matter what

if you've lived in the district for longer than a millisecond, you'll know it's an understatement to say that we have some pretty bi-polar weather here. 

50 degrees one day and 80 the next? 

psssh.

whatever.

that's a standard dc spring. or fall. and sometimes winter.

luckily, there's a few easy tricks to looking your best. even if may and june throw us some climatic curveballs.

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let's start with a rainy day, acknowledging the fact that, most likely, it's not just rain we're dealing with but also the stifling humidity.

here's how to fight it:

via couldawouldapica on polyvore

1. an umbrella. easy.

2. anti-frizz styling cream. any brand will do. just find one you like.

3. waterproof shoes. when the weather gets warmer, i tend to avoid my knee-high wellies and look for something shorter. less chance of your legs suffocating.

4. socks! wellies without socks makes feet very sad. and hot. and blistery.

5. a brush or comb. to fix yourself back up once you're out of the weather.

6. a light jacket. preferably one with a hood. if it's hot and rainy (a dc springtime special!), skip the extra layer here.

7. a lightweight scarf. to wear with the jacket if it's a cool morning.

8. waterproof mascara. just in case. humidity has a way of making some less tough mascaras evaporate.

9. hair ties. because sometimes rain likes to ruin hair.

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now let's talk about how to stay fresh and cool on one of those crazy hot dc days.

via couldawouldapica on polyvore

1. a hat. to keep the sun off that pretty little face.

2. sunglasses.

3. hair ties. because i'm one of those people who just can't leave their hair down when it's 98.

4. lip balm with spf. because lips can burn too. ouch.

5. facial towelettes. not always required, but they provide a quick refresh if you really need it.

6. deodorant. of course. and i'm not ashamed to admit that i keep at stick at my desk. i'm a sweaty kind of girl and it gets hot here. and no one wants to smell at the office.

7. sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.

8. perfume roller. in a fresh and light scent like this grapefruit one. 

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so go ahead and bring the crazy, weather gods.

we're ready for anything.

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check out some other very necessary posts here and here.

werk it

before i joined the workforce and had to drag myself into an office every day, i had two kinds of outfits: casual clothes for going to class and 'going out' clothes.

i had some fancier things reserved for formals or a relative's occasional wedding. but i didn't really have any reason to get super dressed up.

and about a month before graduating, when i was still searching for a job, it hit me: i have no professional clothes. 

i did eventually land my first job (three weeks before graduating omg!) but besides the interview suit my parents thankfully purchased for me, i had nothing to wear to this new job. unless they wanted to see me in some variation of my lone suit every day.

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accumulating a professional wardrobe can feel like a huge challenge, especially when you're used to shopping to for whatever looks fun. 

 but i've found that dressing for work can also be fun. and with the right pieces, you can really make your clothes work for you. it can even take you all the way into casual friday if you do it right.

check it out:

here's the breakdown.

1. three blouses/tops - one long sleeved, one with sleeves, one sleeveless. if you like, you could swap out the long-sleeved blouses for a nice turtleneck. i also think you could do a button-up here but to me, blouses are a hair more professional and aren't as expected.

2. one shift dress - preferably in a non-basic color. green's just a little more fun and you'll feel just a little more fun wearing something colorful. if green's not your scene, try navy, deep purple or ivory.

3. three shoes - one flat, one heel, one boot. these are the bare bones basics to get you through all four seasons. 

4. a pencil skirt + a suiting dress - i dig pencil skirts, but they're certainly not for every woman. try a full skirt or flare skirt for a different cut. also, i tend to wear pants infrequently. but if your preference is pants, i'd add another pair here in a different color. navy or charcoal perhaps.

5. basic black wide leg pants - done and done.

6. four belts - three skinny, one thick. i included so many here because i find that belts are an easy and really cheap way to dress up or add interest to an outfit. pop one over your pencil skirt, on top of a dress, over a cardigan. boom. outfit is more awesome.

7. four pieces of jewelry - three statement pieces and some basic post/stud earrings.

8. two cardigans - one solid color, one patterned. good for cold office buildings and chilly weather. having something with a pattern is always nice, too.

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each of these pieces is under $100, with the exception of the shoes*, which should last you multiple seasons. 

i don't have a suit here, mostly because i've never had a job where i was required to wear one on a daily basis. but if you work somewhere more formal, i'd certainly include suits as a workwear staple in charcoal, light grey or navy.

(also, i kinda see blazers as outerwear, even though i guess they're technically not.)

my basic rule of thumb for young professionals is to choose classic pieces with a little bit of spunk. find something that's a classic shape but has a little extra something to make it different. like the pleating on that green shift dress.


i always think: what color will everyone else get?


then, i buy the opposite. 

this way, your lovely unique self will stand out among the rest of the pack. in the best way possible.

lastly, i always choose things i can easily mix + match and dress up or down. for this example, you could pair any of the tops with any of the bottoms (even the dress if you're feelin frisky!), wear the cardigans as a cover up or a standalone item, and incorporate blazers as appropriate. 


like this:

couldawouldapica on polyvore 

and that's just eight outfits. 
there's tons more in there.


oh and pssst: 

all those silk tops? 

they go with jeans, too. 

hello, casual friday.

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i mean, you're already awesome. 

now your work clothes are too.

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*you can probably find things even cheaper if you carefully look through stores like h&m, kohls, forever21, and target.

bare necessities

moving up here after college, i found myself a little overwhelmed with outerwear options.

what do you really need in a four-season climate? and what's just for fun?

as a young professional, i found this a little tricky to figure out. especially with a limited budget.

here in dc, we've been having this oddly warm late winter/early spring. and who knows what the rest of march will bring. 

i've been in the professional workforce since 2004. and during that time, i think i've developed a pretty good idea of the basics. the essential pieces to keep you warm, dry, and chic all year.

let's dive in: 

by couldawouldapica on polyvore

for me, this covers the basics: three lightweight jackets for spring and fall (including one that's waterproof and has a hood), two coats for winter (one that's waterproof and extra warm), and two basic-but-not-boring blazers for work.

now if you live somewhere warmer, you probably won't need or want the puffer, but you get the idea.

i was also toying with the idea of adding a faux leather jacket and a car coat/topper. but to me, those are more for fun and not as essential. 

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i'm planning to a 'very necessary' post somewhat regularly on here. 

next time? 

we'll talk office wear essentials.