Online Shopping for Summer Travel & What's in My Tote
Working from home has contributed to many things this year. Pounds to start with (…just me? surely not?!) Amazon certainly hasn’t suffered while many other small businesses struggled to stay alive (I hope everyone also tried to support their favorites like The Clothing Bar when they could!) I’m definitely guilty of a few (okay, more than a few) online purchases myself as a result, of which I argue contributed to my spring/summer style refresh and was the self care route I chose. Here are some of the new pretty things that I have procured over the last few months as we prepare to (cautiously) travel to Denver this summer for IVF. We got the green light from our doctor and are extremely confident in our team. Yay!! We’ve already started a cocktail of healthy vitamins and supplements per doctor’s orders and will begin meds and injections very soon. Colorado, here we come.
So here’s what I’ve been buying to prepare for travel and what I’ll have stashed in my bag this summer…
One of my favorite online purchases was this woven tote from Anthropologie to hold all that 2020 requires like a mask and hand sanitizer plus some of my standards and summer essentials. It was time to upgrade from my wallet bag I’ve been religious to since last fall and the need for real estate was evident with all the new health must-haves 2020 so generously brought us. It will be great for travel and I loved the circle shape, woven texture, nice roomy interior, and the removable zipper pouch which is the perfect spot for all the little things. I got the white but there are so many other pretty colors; the Neutral was my second choice which is a fresh peachy color (pictured in the cover photo).
Masks are of course the new fashion statement. Although I can’t wait for this fad to die. Hard. Like a bug on a windshield (cheesy travel analogy here). But seriously I can’t believe, and totally can believe at the same time, how masks have made their way into the world of fashion and you can find them on any of your favorite retail sites you visit. Because I love all things textile…they got me. Total sucker. I shared my embroidered mask in this post that I got on etsy here. These are made in the USA and the shipping was so fast. We love to monogram everything in the south. Even our COVID masks. I haven’t bought this one yet from Anthropologie but am considering it. I also love these from Banana Republic Factory and they come in a 3 pack.
I always carry my prenatal vitamins with me in case I forget to take them in the morning before leaving the house #notamorningperson. I’ve had a monthly subscription to Ritual for about 6 months now and love them. They are gluten and allergen free, non-gmo, and have zero synthetic dyes or fillers. They are also formulated to be gentle on sensitive tummies and guts (moi’) and are packed with 12 CLEAN nutrients. Plus they have a citrus tab in the bottle so they smell lemony-essential-oil ah-mazing and I love the little perk I get just from opening the bottle to take them.
I’m falling in love with all things Beautycounter and am so happy to find my new bag sunscreen to keep with me throughout the day. If you are TTC or even just clean product aware you know all the crap that can be found in sunscreen. All Beautycounter products are EWG certified so you don’t have to worry or read all of the super tiny print to make sure it’s safe. I got the small Countersun Mineral Sunscreen lotion for my tote and got the Sunscreen stick for Derick’s backpack he carries everyday. With an invisible side of nag to make sure he wears it. And guess what, he loves the convenience of the stick! My job is done here.
I have been buying easy summer dresses (partly due to my COVID waistband hiatus and partly because dresses are my go-to in the summertime) and have bought more than one color of this dress at Target. They are cool and comfy and make doctor appointments a breeze; no need to completely strip down! These dresses are a must on the packing list for our clinic in Denver this summer. I also got a super soft floral one on Jane that reminds me of the babydoll dresses I wore in the 90’s. I don’t see it for sale from the shop anymore but they have tons of other cute ones on their website. I also got this Gal Meets Glam Collection on sale at Nordstrom that will be the perfect day to night piece and easy to pack as well. It’s the most beautiful shade of green and the material is satiny cool. I’m so sad to see Julia’s line come to an end but you can still purchase at shop.galmeetsglam.com through August.
My love for summer woven whites didn’t stop at the tote. I also purchased these sweet slip on Island Mules by Coconuts early in the season when I was still strictly working from home (our office has since re-opened in phases) and were a nice change from house shoes but will also be great for kicking on and off in the car for the road trip. I love this brand and it always tends to run a little narrow, which for me is a jackpot. They are so comfortable and soft. I really do feel like I’m wearing a house shoe! I know these will be my go-tos every time the warmer weather hits for years to come. Which in Oklahoma means March. I seriously can’t wait for white every spring and can’t get enough throughout the summer.
Next stop, Colorado!
That’s it! I feel pretty prepared for travel soon to CCRM and to face our next IVF. Although a little anxious it will be here before we know it I’m sure. We are staying hopeful and focused in the meantime and are looking forward to the trip. If anyone has suggestions for other great summer travel essentials I would love to hear them! Be well - xoxo
