Now is the time to apply all the things that you thought about and considered well ahead of time, right?  Here are some guidelines that may help you decide:

To read part one of Nancy Pipal's examination of travel and fashion, click here.

1. For a one-week's stay, bring just enough clothing for three days and three nights and plan to wear everything at least twice.  Try to choose items that can easily go from daytime to evening with a quick change of shoes, jewelry or handbag.
2. Stick with neutrals in the same color palette.  And if you should decide to take some colorful pieces, make sure you can wear them as part of more than just one ensemble.  Think layers and separates, and bring at least one sweater or jacket.  Even places like L.A. get some unexpected cold weather upon occasion, as my good friend recently found out the hard way!  It’s one thing to purchase the toothpaste you forgot to bring, but it’s quite another to purchase a new jacket! Cha-ching.
3. Pack very little jewelry and just a few well-chosen accessories—and of course, don’t bring jewelry that is highly valuable or meaningful to you.  Unless you wear it 24/7, traveling with the crown jewels is pretty risky business.  A tote bag that serves as a daytime purse is always a good idea too.  You can use it if you do some shopping, but it will also be a great help on travel days.  Include a smaller evening bag and you are ready for any and all nighttime adventures! 
4. Keep makeup, hair and skin products to a minimum.  Those little three-ounce containers may look small, but they add up in a hurry. This is the perfect time to think of yourself as low maintenance!
5. Limit your shoes [difficult but not impossible]. Three pairs should do it.  Pack two and wear one. And since flip-flops are exclusively for the pool or shower, they don't count! 
6. Wear something comfy on travel days, but please remember that you are a well-dressed person who saves exercise clothes for exercise, right?  Right.  And as Tim Gunn, author of Tim Gunn’s Guide to Quality Taste and Style, likes to say, sweats are comfortable, sure.  But, so are your pajamas and you wouldn’t wear those out in public, now would you?  [Please say no!]

And last, but certainly not least, try to relax, enjoy, and go with the flow.  Seriously.  Who cares if it rains?  You can dodge those cloudbursts with style and grace.  Just don’t forget to bring your umbrella! 

Please let us know any suggestions you might have that will help all of us weary travelers!  Just note yours in the comment box and submit!

Looking for a more hands on opportunity to get help with you packing? Columnist Nancy Pipal will be hosting a demonstration at the La Grange Public Library next Tuesday, June 21 beginning at 7 p.m. and going until 8:30 p.m. Click here for more information.