IT'S BLUEBERRY SEASON!

Blueberries are in season! This WONDER-fruit is sweet-tart and bursting with flavor. They have consistently been ranked among the top fruits and vegetables tested for antioxidant activity and several studies indicate that they are good for memory. Enjoy them now when they have the best flavor and are the least expensive!

Flower Garden Essentials

I. LOVE. CHARLOTTE. MOSS. She is my go-to style guru. From the soap in the bathroom, the flowers in the garden, the book on the bedside table, her attention to detail is unsurpassed. All are strong symbols of a life in progress. You look at these details and a beautiful world unfolds. Even though it is planned, Charlotte makes it look effortless.

Dark Chocolate and Sour Cherry Scones

I am Ka-razy about Cherries! Always have been. Some of my earliest memories are of Cherry Pie. That explains a lot doesn't it?

I love all forms of cherries. Fresh, juicy Summer ones, stewed, baked and most certainly dried cherries. Something happens to fruit when it has been dried. It concentrates and intensifies the flavor into one small bite.

Successfully Mailing Christmas Cookies

Nothing says MERRY CHRISTMAS like a batch of freshly baked cookies. Follow these simple steps for a successful delivery every time.

Pick the right kind of cookie.

Cookies that have a crunchy or hard texture such as biscotti, spritz and Mexican wedding cakes are excellent choices for mail delivery. They tend to be sturdy, so breakage is less of an issue. Cookies that have a slightly chewy texture, like Snickerdoodles and chocolate chip also ship well. However, cookies having ingredients like baking bits or caramel should not be sent to warm climates as they may melt.

The Savvy Traveler: Packing On The Go

 We have a few rules we stick to when traveling. Some of them born from common sense and others learned by years of sheer stupidity. SO.....Let's talk luggage. My knowledge of packing a carry-on has come from years of traveling with TOO MUCH luggage. When we arrive at our destination I ALWAYS find without fail that I have over-packed. Not only is this a major pain to haul through an airport but now it's costing extra MONEY to check a bag when you fly. I'm not a fan of over spending....and I'm not too hip on carrying heavy objects either. 

You have to ask yourself, 'Would I rather stand here waiting on my luggage'

OR

'Would I rather hop off the plane with my luggage, ready to go'?

SO RULE #1: Only pack what you can easily carry all by yourself AND carry it onto the plane for free. Check NOTHING! Saving money, space, time and unnecessary aggravation {you never know when the airlines might lose your luggage}, it's really the only way to travel. As Mr.P and I walk past all of those poor individuals who are waiting at the luggage carousel, I secretly take a measure of pleasure in knowing we can be two of the first out the door....or four if the kids are traveling with us. A huge misnomer some have about packing light is that you will not have the right clothes for every occasion. Not true. You can pack a standard carry on bag with 10 days worth of functional clothing and come away looking stylish ready to meet every situation with confidence.....you just have to know HOW to go about it. Follow these Step-by-Step instructions and you too can be a Savvy Traveler.

STEP ONE: Folded clothing takes up too much space. Instead, tightly roll everything, which also minimizes wrinkling. A standard regulation size carry-on will hold three pairs of shorts, three pairs of dress pants, one skirt, two pairs of casual pants or jeans, three nightgowns, three bathing suits, one sarong, two lightweight sweaters, four dresses, 9 casual shirts, six dress shirts, a clutch, toiletries and two pairs of shoes. You'll be wearing your third pair of shoes, as well as a third pair of jeans, a tenth shirt and a third lightweight sweater.

  

STEP TWO: Continue rolling your clothes and set them aside.

STEP THREE: Shoes go in first. Pack them along the edges of the bag, then begin putting in jeans and pants to form the bottom layer of clothing.

STEP FOUR: Continuing packing with lighter clothes, forming more layers, packing garments tightly.

STEP FIVE: The lightest items are last and make up the top layer of clothing.

STEP SIX: Toiletries and purse go on top. In the top mesh part of the suitcase, I place in my underwear, bras, and belts....smaller items that might get lost elsewhere. The bag closes easily, no need to sit on it, and you're ready to go!

Check it out! Here’s the same bag packed with the same items, but folded in the traditional manner. Amazing isn't it?

Don’t forget to utilize the outside pockets!

I ALWAYS ALWAYS, well since 2006, carry anything liquid, such as toiletries, in the OUTSIDE zipper pocket of my carry on. Making it convenient and quick to whip out for the security screening and quick to put away without disturbing the rest of my bag.

And there you have my 100% packed carry-on!

So what's in your bag?

Learn to carry less and you will become a more contented traveler...  

believe me on this.....you'll be glad ya did!

Happy Travels!

ENJOY!

the Domestic Curator 
Ronda