5 Quick and Easy Travel Tips

Traveling is one of life's greatest adventures. I love to travel and dream of getting to know this big wonderful world of ours. Although I must admit to not being the world travel I dreamed of being as a child. I have done my fair share of domestic travel, and planning to do much more in the coming years. There is something magical about traveling, visiting new and unknown destinations that excites me. In the last couple years, my travels have expanded and so has my knowledge of traveling. I am no travel expert or guru by any means, but have learned a few tips and tricks along the way. I have a trip coming up soon with my girlfriends to Boston. This trip will mark the second time I take a girls weekend trip, having gone to NYC 2 yrs ago with the same group. For some reason I did not document or blog about my NYC trip (which was amazing!) except for posting pics on instagram. This time around, I want to make sure and include more of my travel adventures on the blog and of course lots of fun pics on instagram, make sure you follow me @CidStyleFile so see my adventures.

Me and the girls on top of the Rockefeller Center Observation Deck

Being a world traveler means knowing how to pack and travel light. Packing light a concept that has taken me awhile to grasp, not yet mastering but improving with each trip. I found packing light essential on my trip to NYC, which I did not do! It was my first time in New York City and I wanted to be chic and stylish. Of course I over packed and took way too many clothes and shoes, as expected only half of my clothing was used, the other half never saw the light of day in NYC. It was my introduction NYC and the "fashionista" in me wanted to impress and look stylish. The entire extra "just in case" items I packed were a waste of space. Being the first time in NYC for all of us, we wanted to see and do it all in the short time we had. There was no time to be cute with multiple outfit changes for different attractions and occasions. It was cold in NYC and this California girl was not use to the weather, plus I was a tourist so really no one cared! The lesson learned is when traveling, no one really cares who you are or what you wear so no need for all those extra “what if” items in your luggage.

This time around for Boston I plan to be more prepared and travel light making the most of my wardrobe. For the sake of time we are planning to only take carry-on luggage, which means limited space.

Here are five quick and easy tips I have learned from my past travels and reading other blogs about travel.

Creating Frida Kahlo Costume From Your Own Closet

Halloween has come and gone, another year and another costume to add to my collection.  I truly do enjoy Halloween, dressing up and coming up with new costume ideas every year.  I've had some costumes better than others, some maybe a little lame and others were winners.  This years costume is some where in the middle.  I didn't have a party to attend, but still enjoy dressing up for work and being creative with my costume.  For the past 8-10 yrs I haven't really worn store bought costumes, since most are quite expensive and cheap looking in my opinion. For one night it doesn't seem sensible to spend tons of money when I have a closet full of clothes.  I rather create my own costume using what ever items can be found in my closet.   This Halloween I was inspired by one of my favorite female painter/artist from the 20th century...Frida Kahlo

I just want to share a quick post of my costume and how I created this look with clothing already in my closet.  The total cost to put together this costume was only $7.00, since I only purchased the flower head band and chunky necklace from H & M. 

The teal dress worn is from SWAK's Fureza by Rosie Mercado collection, and the black embroidered top is from Old Navy, which actually a swimsuit cover-up. The "rebozo" shawl is an over sized floral scarf, and wore some yellow and tan sandals also from my closet.  Finished off the look with another scarf braided into my hair to create Frida's signature hairstyle.  Added a flower crown, big necklace, earrings and finished off with Frida's other signature look...Unibrow!

This was a quick and easy costume for me to create this year.  What do you think, did I do Frida justice?  Did you dress up this Halloween? What was your costume?