Beth goes to Europe {a packing post}

This is my friend, Beth. 

Beth recently traveled to Europe with her husband on a 10 day train tour (to Prague, Vienna, & Budapest), and while I secretly cried to the heavens because I didn't get to do a train tour of Europe, I still offered to help her pack because if one can't travel, one can live vicariously by picking out what their friend will wear while traveling. What I mean is that the challenge of packing for 10 days in one single carry-on suitcase (internationally sized at that) is something I embrace. I may have clapped, in fact. 

The small silver carry-on above is what fit the shoes and clothes we carefully picked out, and the blue tote carried Beth's toiletries, kindle, and misc. travel items. 

I helped Beth pick out items that could be mixed and matched easily and transition from day to night, covering everything from cool morning walks to a concert or play to dinner out. Then we worked on whittling the list down, getting rid of pieces that didn't work with at least 3 different outfits.

{Our initial list (background) and our final list after cutting 5 more items.} 

Here's what made the final cut: 

3 pairs of shoes (tennies, birks, & pretty sandals)

3 pants (blue jeans, colored jeans, and black capris)

1 skirt

1 dress

1 jacket

2 cardigans

1 denim shirt

5 tops

3 layering camis (in the zipper pouch with some sleeping pants and underwear)

= 20 items

(plus a scarf & belt)

And now for the fun part! 

With those 20 items here's what I came up with... 16 versatile outfits! 

I sent these pics to Beth's phone before she left so she could easily refer to them and get dressed quickly every day. 

And then I cried some more when I saw pictures like this (secretly of course, yaaaaay Beth!)

{Beth & Andy in Budapest}

{Be still, my palace-loving heart}

I truly had so much fun doing this! Seriously... going on a trip soon? Please let me pack for you! ;)