Fall Getaways

I am almost Blacksburg-bound people! I am so excited to spend a couple of days with amazing friends and my brothers and of course Hokie Football. Weekend getaways are the best, but I always struggle to pack for them. What if the weather changes? What if we go (insert activity here) and I don't have (crucial item)? There are endless struggles with packing and I certainly get my overpacking gene from my Momma. I'm not kidding the woman brought a full suitcase for Parents Formal last weekend.

My trip this weekend is less than 48 hours, but the list I am giving would be perfect for a Friday afternoon-Sunday evening trip. Also, I tried to include as many suggestions as I could from J. Crew Factory because again, it is 50% off today...yeah, crazy amazing. You would be hard pressed to find this quality at this price elsewhere. Enjoy!

The Packing List:
Good Overnight Bag: I absolutely love the Carry-On bag Lesportsac gave me. If anyone is looking for the perfect weekender, this is it! (Lesportsac)

Sweater: it might get chilly (especially in Blacksburg) (JCF sweater)

Button-Ups: regular and Chambray...they go with everything (JCF Camp Shirt)

Riding boots/Duck boots: Change this up based on the weather and what you're doing, but I can say that I have never regretted bringing my Duck Boots anywhere

Ponte Pants: I may never wear real pants again (JCF Gigi Pant)

Jeans or Cords: Real pants are always a good idea too

Skirt: It's the perfect item to dress up or down. Bring one in a neutral color and mix and match it with other items you bring for the perfect outfit for any activity (JCF accordion pleat mini)

Field Jacket: I am loving my new J. Crew coat, it is perfect for this weather and so cute. (JCF Field Jacket)

Vest: Puffer vests are one of my favorite things about fall that I left off of my list. I wear mine all the time, also, Eddie Bauer has them on sale sometimes for amazing prices so keep an eye out! (Eddie Bauer Vest)

Necklace and/or Scarf: Bring a fun piece of jewelry with you. Just one that can add a little flare to your outfits, shockingly enough my tortoise flower necklace is my neutral travel go-to ;) (JCF necklace)

Flats: This should go without saying. A neutral flat will get you far in life. (Steve Madden)

Comfy Stuff: Relax, wear something comfortable, I know you'll want to on the drive back!

Toiletries: self-explanatory...I hope
Game Day Attire: I will be rocking some serious Orange and Maroon tomorrow

What are your weekend getaway essentials this fall?

xoxo,
SSP

What's In my Bag and Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Marian for winning the Lesportsac Suitcase!

Use it in good health, doll! Thank you to everyone who entered. I realize the rafflecopter was a bit messed up, luckily I got the entries exported to Excel and was able to add any emailed entries that way, as well as all the Instagram entries! In case anyone was worried about whether or not this was valid, not only did she win my excel/random number generator version, but she won according to Rafflecopter too!
I love getting to share awesome stuff with y'all, so on that note...if you don't already follow me on Instagram, do it. When I get to 1500 followers, I will be doing another giveaway, this time of one of my favorite things!

On the note of Lesportsac, I am absolutely enamored with my signature tote they sent me. I have people asking me all the time where I got it and they're shocked to know it's Lesportsac (also, disappointed they can't get one yet). It is the perfect tote for school and work. Seriously, I have been hauling it from place to place this summer, job to job. As I have mentioned before, I work 70 hours a week...so yeah, I carry quite a bit of stuff. The bag is absolutely big enough to carry it all. An even bigger perk is that it is super cute and the material is practical for cleaning purposes. There are just enough pockets for convenience, but it is still open enough so that things don't disappear!
Okay, so here is my list of "Work Bag Goodies"

Wallet: Obviously this is a necessity. I have a zip-around Michael Kors that I love because when I just want to run into a store without my tote, I can put my phone in this. Of course, I have been and still am totally swooning over the Kate Spade wallets...just love all the colors!

Lunch and Snacks: Pack a lunch and snacks. It is so easy to walk down to the vending machine and get cheetos, but that hurts your wallet and figure. When you sit at a desk all day, you need to be more concious of what you eat, simple as that. I bring healthy food to munch on while working and make sure there is some good protein and carbs to keep me energized. 

Tervis or Camelbak: Hydrate people! Seriously, it is so important and it keeps your skin clear and body healthy. I bring my Tervis because I can fill it with coffee, juice, or water and keep refilling it. I also love my Camelbak though because I always seem to drink 10x the amount of water I otherwise do. There is just something addicting about that bottle!

Paper and Pen: As I have mentioned before, I am a straight OCD lady when it comes to to-do lists. I love making them and crossing items off. When I don't have this with me, I get so lost and confused!

Agenda: I keep a really tiny one in my work bag because basically all I write in it are my hours. I know it is important to keep track of your schedule, and like with a to-do list, tangibly writing it seems to make me remember it more!

Chargers: Having a phone or tablet die is the worst. Designate a charger and pair of headphones for this bag so that you never leave them behind ensuring a less painful 8 hour shift.

iPad: I love writing blog posts and lists in the notes section. It is so handy to have this since it acts as an eReader, game host, and notepad all in one.

Gum or Candy: Just bring a couple little things to pop in throughout the day in case you get a bad taste in your mouth or need a quick sugar jolt at 2:15.

Makeup Bag: This keeps deodorant, an extra necklace, perfume, and a face lotion for me. Since I work 2 jobs, I like washing my face and cleaning up a bit in between jobs. 

What is in your work bag? Any secrets or good ideas you've learned this summer?

xoxo,
SSP

Lesportsac Giveaway!

Is there any better feeling than finishing the work week and knowing it's Friday? Probably not, unless you get the chance to win something on top of that! Well, how about I help make this a great Friday and give you the chance to win a brand new Lesportsac rolling suitcase? Yes, we have teamed up to give one away and the giveaway will run from today through 12am next Friday, and the winner will be announced then.

Recently my cousin, and fellow chi omega, who is interning with Lesportsac in New York City (lucky duck!) sent me a couple of bags to try out. Guess what? I am in love. Seriously, I may never put my new signature tote down. They are such well made bags and their new prints are fun and sophisticated. I am so excited to test out my weekender and purse as well!
I know that at school I always want to be able to leave for the weekend to visit my friends, cousins, and now my brothers, at their schools. The problem had always been finding a bag that stored well in my dorm room, but was also practical for the amount of stuff I take on a typical weekend excursion. Lesportsac sent me the perfect weekender in their Lacey Lana print that I am planning on getting a lot of use out of this upcoming year.
Of course, I can't just keep all this great stuff to myself, so Lesportsac and I have teamed up to give you a 22" rolling suitcase in Aberdeen Stripe, one of their fall prints that has yet to be released! This suitcase is a great size and the nylon is so easy to clean. Plus, the soft exterior means there is plenty of room to cram all of your travel needs in it, with extra storage in the 3 exterior pockets! There is even a pouch that snaps into the bag which is perfect for toiletries you don't want to spill onto anything else. This perfect bag retails for $275, but one of you lucky readers is going to get it absolutely free! 
a Rafflecopter giveawayAlso, my Instagram followers can gain extra entries by following the directions on this post! Feel free to post it up to once a day to maximize your chance of winning!

good luck!

xoxo,
SSP