Packing light

I am finally headed to Italy! This has been a trip that I've been looking forward to for more than a year. My sister and I are joining friends for Gail's Great Escape in Montisi. I am going by way of London, then on to Pisa. We will spend a couple of days in Florence... where we can hit the leather markets and pig out on 'cinghiale'.

We will spend a Slow week in Montisi, using our villa as a home base to see Tuscany. I will do my best to post, but with dial-up it might be a challenge. Luckily I am traveling with two other bloggers. Jerry and Palma will also be blogging from Italy. You can get your fill of gelato and vino without getting on a plane!

Now back to the packing... I am the queen of black. It mixes and matches well, doesn't show dirt, and wrinkles just disappear. Besides~ wearing black makes me feel very Italian! I am getting 2 weeks worth into one suitcase. Especially since I am the one schlepping this bag on and off the train. It can be done.

Here are some 'professional' packing tips

* wrinkle free and mix and match are the key

* tiny t-shirts to long sleeves- layers make it flexible

* 2 pairs of comfortable shoes- and one on my feet

* use all sizes of ziploc bags for squishing things down

* no need to carry the whole beauty cabinet- just the essentials
* one light weight jacket that can fold into its own pocket

* pashmina shawls in bright colors for those chilly Tuscan evenings

* one camera with extra memory cards and lots of batteries

* I am leaving the laptop at home... I will be on the look out for internet cafe's!

* Most Important- an extra duffel bag the fold up into a tiny square. On the way home it will hold all the dirties and make room for olive oil, wine, limoncello and any other things that might sneak into my suitcase.

I'll have a carry on with my tiny purse tucked inside. That will meet that one bag rule.

Luckily I am meeting Holly in London! If I forget anything I will just borrow hers... just like when we were kids.

4 more sleeps and then I'm off y'all.

Sandi