MAUI MEMORIES + LO & SONS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Though we've been back in LA for a little over a week now, I am still dreaming of our Hawaiian adventures! To say that Maui is beautiful, is to say nothing at all! Pretty as a post card, everything about Maui is absolutely perfect! I mean it! The weather, the beaches, the food and of course the atmosphere, which somehow feels easy and welcoming at the same time!

Though I have to admit that we spent quite a bit of time working on our tans by the pool, I am very glad that found the time to go exploring! One of the things we ended up enjoying the most was simply driving along the coastline, making stops along the way to explore various beaches, all of which were very different and breathtakingly beautiful in their own unique way. My personal favorite was definitely the Kapalua Bay beach which had crystal clear water, white-sand shore line and vibrant marine life below. So, if you happen to enjoy snorkeling, I definitely recommend checking it out! Another favorite, was the D.T. Fleming beach! In stark contrast to Kapalua Bay beach, D.T. Fleming was somehow less polished and manicured, but had this ruggedly beautiful appeal that kept us coming back again and again. On one of those occasions, we ended up getting there just in time to watch a beautiful lavender-hued sunset, the likes of which I have never experienced anywhere outside of Hawaii!

Another definite recommendation is The Feast at Lele! I've talked quite a bit about what a complete and total foodie I am, so when we came across an opportunity to enjoy a culinary adventure through Polynesian islands just steps away from the beach, we quickly decided that this was not something we wanted to miss! Well, I am very glad we didn't because the food was delicious, the pink sunset was so picturesque, the entire restaurant got up to snap pictures, and live Polynesian music and dancing made this evening completely unforgettable!

Another favorite aspect of this trip was taking just my weekender bag with me! Now, you may laugh about this, but since I am still working on conquering my packing demons, traveling with a carry-on versus my usual 30 suitcases was a very proud moment for me! Aside from zipping through the airport in a matter of minutes, being able to find things in my bag instead of digging though a few trying to remember where I put my curling iron was a welcome change indeed. And yes, I did take my curling iron with me. Perhaps someday I will leave my hair gadgets at home when I go on vacations, but for now it's curling iron and a hair straightener! Baby steps, right? That's what it's all about! Though packing light is still a bit of a learning process for me, what I find works best when it comes to packing sensibly, is taking items that I can wear in a multitude of ways and dress up or down with accessories depending on occasion. The one item that ended up being my absolute go-to for just about everything, was my Lo & Sons cross body bag which doubles as a clutch. Aside from the fact that I love a white bag for summer because it goes with absolutely everything, what I really appreciate about this cross body is the fact that it has really nifty pockets which are super convenient for organizing travel and everyday essentials, a feature that is literally life saving for a messy bag winner of the year like me! Basically, if I can fit all my lipsticks, hair brushes, phone, mini-iPad or a tablet in my bag in a neat way, I am a happy girl indeed! Also, and I don't know if it's just me, but I really prefer cross-body bags for day and clutches for night. Super convenient, cross-body bags leave your hands free and also you don't have to worry about leaving your bag behind somewhere! By the way, been there and done that! So, lesson learned, cross body is definitely the style for me!:) And as far as clutches are concerned, I feel that they immediately dress up even the simplest of looks and make them a lot more night time appropriate!

What about you guys, what are your tips for packing light?

LO & SONS The Pearl leather crossbody bag and clutch & The Catalina deluxe large canvas weekender | CHICWISH Chic check off the shoulder top | L'AGENCE Zoe perfect fit shorts | AQUAZZURA Belgravia espadrilles { more sizes here } | NOCTURNE bracelets | MLM LABEL Maison dress | SOLUDOS Gladiator lace up sandals | CHLOE Jayme cat-eye gold tone sunglasses | SHASHI Swirl midi ring, Rebecca ring & Ava ring | VivaLuxury x Gold Philosophy Trilliant Earrings