On Monday, I wrote about five things I was really glad I brought along with me this summer.
Now, let’s talk what I lugged all the way across the country…only to have sit unused in my closet, making me crazy (because when I look at the items listed below, all I can see is the potential for Overweight Luggage fees coming my way upon our return trip).
Fancy Anything. I didn’t pack cocktail dresses, obviously, but seriously: anything more dressed-up than jean shorts feels a little ridiculous out here (and especially given our summer agenda, which involves things like petting zoos and strawberry fields, not late-night parties at cool bars). Even something as barely-fancy as a structured day dress feels…I don’t know, like too much. And metallic pumps? I don’t think so. (I actually put the ones pictured above on for dinner in Saratoga last night just because I was so annoyed that I’d lugged them out here…and then had them off and my fringe booties back on five seconds later.)
AppleTV. How smart of us was it to think of bringing our AppleTV out here?! Smart. Less smart, however: not bringing the remote, which is the only way to make the thing function.
Books. Making our son feel a sense of stability was my number-one priority when we arrived, so I made sure to pack a bunch of his favorite toys and books from home. One trip to the local library later, I realized we could have completely skipped this; I stocked our place with twenty or so children’s books (both old favorites and new finds)…plus two books for me (Mr. Mercedes and The Mists of Avalon, which I’ve read six or seven times but still feel like reading again). I didn’t grow up going to libraries much – they never felt as accessible in the city as they do now that we’re in a small town – but I’m such a convert. Library books are the best.
A Flat Iron. I had forgotten this from my L.A. days: my hair is DELICIOUS in California. The low humidity means that all I need is a quick blow-dry, and I’m good all day long – no bangs running off in weird directions thanks to the frizz. I love this so much.
Fussy Makeup. At home, I’m a big play-with-products person; I like trying out a weird eye shadow color, or a different blush, or a bright lipstick. Here, not so much: I’ve been sticking to my basic routine (MAC Studio Fix powder, a little blush and bronzer, Sephora liquid eyeliner, mascara, and Smith’s Rosebud Salve) pretty much every day. Except now I’ve added one more product to the Everyday Roster: eyebrow powder (I’m lazy, and this feels easier to apply than liner). I’ve always heard people saying what a big difference it makes, and so I started wearing it as an experiment, and now I feel totally naked without it. Who knew?!
