Chic at 60ish!

As we hit mid-February, those of us who’ve been in the northeast all winter begin to feel a bit restless. Though at 60ish we all spend big bucks on serums & creams for our face, a little “sunshine on our shoulders” still feels great. Just enough to have the tiniest glow! With that in mind, I am heading to a dear friend’s gorgeous home in Boca Raton for a few days.

A major over-packer, I like options. What if it’s cold, rainy, windy? I need the right outfit. That said, no matter the locale, there are certain items that go with me wherever I go. What are your must-haves? Here’s my top-10 list of I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…

1. My makeup bag
2. A lightweight cashmere sweater to wear or throw over my shoulders
3. A leather jacket, jean jacket or blazer
4. Jeans (white if going south)
5. Ballet flats, sneakers or comfortable shoes
6. A large handbag that holds everything & a smaller neutral evening bag
7. A great skirt or dress—just in case I get invited somewhere fabulous!
8. Hoop earrings that go great with everything
9. Velcro rollers
10. A shawl or wrap—a must-have for cool nights & as a blanket in over-air-conditioned hotel rooms (Have you ever stayed in a hotel room & just could not figure out how to turn off the a/c?)

AN ALL-TIME FAVORITE (AND A BEAUTIFUL GIFT): Make-up & toiletry bags from themomogramshops.com

LOVE A LEATHER JACKET OR BLUE BLAZER: My camel lightweight jacket that I throw over everything–I also like a navy blazer for travel, I like pockets! Both from ralphlauren.com

DRESS THEM UP OR DOWN: I love L’Agence “Ruth” high-waisted jeans at Boyds Phila & Wayne or neimanmarcus.com

GOT TO HAVE A PAIR OF COMFORTABLE SHOES: Jimmy Choo red ballet flats, from neimanmarcus.com

THIS HANDBAG HAS TRAVELED THE WORLD WITH ME! (I have no idea what happened to this photo but I thought is was cool!) My favorite navy Ricky bag–the inside is red!–holds all my stuff without being too heavy, from ralphlauren.com

A PRETTY SKIRT OR DRESS–IN CASE YOU GET INVITED SOMEPLACE NICE: Several times when I’ve been traveling, plans change at the last minute & I need something dressy–for me, a great skirt I can “juzdge” up is a must, “Chloe” skirt f rom marielle stokkelaar.com

HOOP OR DANGLY EARRINGS: An easy way to make to your outfit sparkle, hoop earrings at ippolita.com

TALK ABOUT A MUST-HAVE! My red velcro rollers are the first thing I throw into every suitcase–put them in, put on my make-up, hit them with the blow dryer for aded volume & I’m fluffed up & out the door! Available at your favorite drug store or amazon.com

THE LAST THING I PACK–I LAY IT ACROSS MY SUITCASE LIKE A BLANKET: I truly never leave home without a wrap or pashmina–I’m always freezing in over-air conditioned restaurants & have even used it as a blanket in hotel rooms, when I can’t figure out the thermostat! Sofia cashmere wrap from neimanmarcus.com

I am well aware that many of you throw a few things in a carry-on bag & have everything you need wherever you go. I wish I could do that, but I’m betting that’s never going to happen! What are your personal travel must-haves? Handbags to cashmere wraps to rollers, whatever your style, travel safe & enjoy every exciting moment–and of course, Happy Valentine’s Day, I love my readers!~ Ellyn Golder Saft