City Travel...what YOU should pack:

My family and I just returned from 6 fun filled days in San Francisco. Visiting the city involves a completely different list of things to pack then say, Las Vegas (see blog a week back,) which is kind of a make-believe city....and on the other side of the travel spectrum, the beaches of Mexico, which only really calls for three swimsuits, a few cover-ups, sunscreen, and some comfortable sandals.

Here's a quick list of essentials that I fortunately had packed with me, or was forced to purchase, while in SF:

First and foremost, one needs a stylish yet funtional carry-on bag.....It MUST be a carry-on bag because the airlines charge you up the wha-wha to check a bag. But how do you pack the 7 shoes that you can't live without? You cram it. I've seen it done, it IS possible (See LA Shoe blog from March....!) They WILL fit, if you have the right bag, like this Burton Weekender bag from Edge of the World. Stretchy and roomy and tough looking all-in-one! Jake, Danielle and Bacon can find you the perfect Burton bag just across the street from Betty's!

Going anywhere in the Springtime can be tough when it comes to packing because in most places the weather can be very questionable. Since we were going to California, my brain told me to pack for sunshine and warm weather...so I threw in my IT! cutoffs and my dark grey Insight shorts. But Alas, SF is breezy, wet and quite mild in temperature. Fortunately, I packed some black opaque tights from HUE, which saved my life. I think I wore them everyday under shorts or dresses. That one little garment, which packs up so small, took all my warm weather outfits and made them wearable in the cold!

A big plus too is that the shorts/tights style is popular in SF, so I looked like a local!


Speaking of SF residents, a former Betty's employee is now rockin' the Bay Area with her line of clothing...First Rite Clothing! Nikki Garcia was one of our first and favorite around here, and it was lovely hanging out with her in her neighborhood, The Mission. Here's a link to a great article about her and her line:
http://vhcle.com/VhcleMagazine001

Those plaid dresses on the cover of their first issue are her's! What a Gem and a rockstar!

Also of great importance are comfortable shoes for all the walking getting around a city requires. My Tom's not only met my needs but looked cool and effortless as well!

All that walking would have inevitably led to smelly, sweaty, slick feet if I didn't pack my HUE shoe liners (3 pairs for $15.)...the look of no socks with all the benefit of socks! Key for any Spring or Summertime shoes!

In addition, a lightweight jacket came in great use! It was warm temperature-wise, but windy and drizzly at times. In Montana, you really only have a small window of usage for such jackets...we normally go from Winter Coats right into a hoodie! But for traveling, they are quite useful! They fold up small, and can be layered if it gets cold, then shoved into a bag if the sun starts shining!

I definitley noticed lots of cute trench coats and windbreakers being worn by the ladies of SF...the ones pictured are good options from Tulle. They are affordable and easy to justify for the month of wearing you'll get out of it here, and priceless for your travels to nearby cities.

Speaking of shoving things into bags, my amazing Lucky Brand leather purse was a lifesaver! It held everything from snacks and water, to gum and a map! Plus, adjustable straps make the bag work in any number of situations!


A first aid kit can come in handy...this one is a lil over-the-top, but you catch my drift.....

I saw so many stylish rainboots there! If you trek around a city on foot or by using public transportation, your feet will get SOAKED unless your sporting some cool boots. Apparently, all the Hipster girls at The Sasquatch Festival last weekend were sporting rainboots with cutoffs, despite the hot sunshine.

And finally....umbrellas....not much of a regular need for them here in Missoula, so of course I didn't even have one to pack and was forced to buy a couple of cute ones from H & M.

If you're living in a city, minus a car, this is a main accessory! Whether you go with chic black or a fun floral print, let your fashion taste shine through with a stylish umbrella!