VV-1-23-edition

Packing Tips
By: Lisa Kemmerling /
The Fashionable Traveler
As we roll into the New Year, many people
(myself included) are preparing for their 2023
travel schedule. With that come decisions on what to pack and how
many suitcases are necessary.
I’m often asked, “How do I condense my clothes so that I only have
to pack 1 bag.” This is the million-dollar question!
As a Fashionista, I tend to over pack and find myself bringing home
too many clothes that were unnecessary. To that end, it starts with
finding the right bag.
One Thing or Another
By: Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker /
Out & About
awoke with a head of steam this morning.
I There was so much to do.
My husband, Ray, and I were in the midst of renovating our house,
and almost everything was ready for the workmen to begin. In fact, as
the photo shows, the carpenters had already stripped the doors from
every cabinet.
Yes, we were ready to begin our renewal project, but there was a
problem. I couldn’t get out of bed or even lift my head off my pillow.
Just 48 hours earlier we had been enjoying a family dinner, when one
of the guests remarked something about Covid rearing its ugly head
again. She casually mentioned she might have been exposed, but we
were up to date on all of our shots, so we thought we were safe.
One that you can carry on, to avoid the airline fees that can be up to
$75 per bag. If you’re traveling internationally often, they’ll allow 1-2
free bags depending on the airlines.
Many companies make luggage that’ll fit under the seat or
comfortably overhead. My previous line of work put me on a plane
every other week, and I learned quickly that a different outfit each day
was a waste of space.
Mixing and matching is the key! Pack only the essentials and use
the 2x2x2x2 concept: meaning 2 pairs of pants, 2 blouses or shirts
for a man, 2 pairs of shoes, (e.g., tennis shoes and dress shoes) and 2
overlays, e.g., jacket/sweater. This will leave room for other essentials,
such as toiletries, makeup, etc.
On a recent trip to Portugal last year, I still packed only 1 bag. In lieu
of the jacket/sweater I replaced it with a dress and skirt to intermix with
my blouses and tops.
It’s also a good idea when traveling to pack a foldable bag inside
your larger bag, for those treasures you find along the way.
After 11 trips in 2022 consisting of 92 days and 3 countries you would
think I have it down to a science by taking the bare minimums. Yet I
still find myself over packing and purchasing new styles while on my
travels.
I’ll close with one of my favorite quotes from Theodore Roosevelt:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. I’m still
learning and one day I’ll master the art of packing.
May your travels in 2023 take you places that make your heart soar.
Lisa Kemmerling is the owner of Clean Lines Fashion Consulting,
helping individuals with their packing needs for travel, as
well as finding current styles for both men & women. You can
contact her at: lisa@cleanlinesfashion.com or 925/518-4950.
38 January 2023
I could hardly believe it when two days later, Ray and I both woke
up with a modern version of the plague and on the very day our house
renovation was to start!
Thankfully the workmen we had reserved from Home Depot
were pros and they quickly assessed the situation, removed all their
equipment, and stored our new wood shelving in our garage. They
suggested we select a date later in December when we had regained
our health.
The really good news, though, was within a couple of days our
fevers started to drop. Initially, we’d called our doctor to see if he had
something magical in his office, and amazingly he said “yes!”
So, if you start running a fever, feeling faint, coughing, etc., there
are new products that can help you determine if you have Covid. The
first item is readily available and is called Flowflex, Covid-19 Antigen
Home Test. Their ads claim it’s “Easy to Use”, “Accurate”, and “Has
Quick Results.”
If you’re sure you’ve got Covid, you’ll need a doctor’s prescription
for the most effective drugs like Benzonatate. But the new prescription
star is Pfizer’s Paxlovid. Their packaging is complete, with thorough
instructions.
On the downside, some patients complain that Paxlovid has a
metallic aftertaste, but in a few days with any luck you may feel much
better. And by the way…Happy 2023!
Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker is an award winning writer &
travel agent. She can be reached at Merryman2@aol.com.