Packing Like a Pro: A 3-Part Post

Quick Link: Overseas Packing: What Else Besides Clothes
Quick Link: Overseas Packing: The Homestretch

If you had to pack up your whole life in 6 suitcases, what would you take?

Before Husband and I moved overseas we had an entire apartment filled with furniture, clothes, framed pictures, book collections, art, kitchen supplies, candles galore. Many of these things, too, had already seen a lifetime with me. Picture frames I bought when I was a teenager. Beautiful clay mirrors that I had made with my own two hands. A Paulo Coelho hardback book collection that, to me, is beyond priceless. How would I part with these items? How would I leave them behind? The anxiety was enough to make me want to cancel our abroad plans and buy a home in NJ just so that I wouldn't have to part with my "things" and have a place to keep them.

There we were. My lifetime of things plus two years of memories in that apartment that we were supposed to neatly pack away and squeeze into boxes and decide whether or not they'd be making the cut to travel abroad with us or not. It wasn't easy. I began packing a month before our move and we were still packing at midnight the night before our flight. I just wasn't sure what I'd need and what I could leave.

To try and help some of you lost (packing) souls that are in the same predicament, I shared some packing tips for Expat Village this last week; a 3-part post on packing like a pro in 6 suitcases since that was the space we were given to neatly pack up our lives. It was an eye-opening experience realizing how many things I could let go of.

To start at the beginning of helpful tips when packing for a large move or overseas move start at Phase 1 or feel free to jump ahead to Phase 2 or Phase 3.

I'd love to hear about your packing experiences or tips to share!

Lip Sync Drive By: Hurt So Good

Click here to get the full story on Lip Sync Drive By

This week's inspiration hit us on the way home from a July 4th themed BBQ. It seemed like the perfect fit for a celebration of the Good ol' US of A. From the man that brought you Jack and Diane... Hurt So Good.

Disclaimer: No driving laws were broken in the making of this video. Safety precautions such as seat belts, eyes on road at all times, volume moderation, and no right on red were followed. 

Preparation and Packing for an Overseas Move: Phase 1

Quick Link: Pack like a Pro for Overseas: Phase 1

Today at Drinking the Whole Bottle, I'm writing for Expat Village at Wanderlust and Lipstick.

The summer for me signals barbecues, sun, and as of late) lots and lots (and lots) of Cider Beer but a few years ago the lax days of summer were anything but. For me, as for others who will be moving abroad in the fall, the summer can signal packing, notarizing, and check lists about check lists you need to make. So, fear not world traveler, I'm here to help ease your pain and answer some of your questions with today's focus on packing. Unfortunately, I cannot come to your house and pack for you (unless you'd like to fly me out) but I can do the next best thing to help guide you through packing for life overseas. This kind of packing is TOTES different from packing for a week vacation and can be frustrating and overwhelming so here are a couple of tips of what you need to know to prepare packing for such a big trip and what you might want to bring with you.

Click to continue reading Pack like a Pro for Overseas: Phase 1

Calling all expats: What advice would packing advice would you give someone moving overseas? 

Don't Mean to Be Coy, Roy

Quick Link: Me & My Island Need a Break

Paul Simon wrote a song about all the ways to leave your lover. In fact, he argued there must be 50 ways. If you asked me in June what he was talking about I'd swear he was talking about a place and not an actual person.

I love the island rock my family calls home but come the end of a school year I want nothing more than to hop on that beautiful, pot-bellied hog of a plane and fly back to our native New Jersey. It's like the closer the departure date gets, the badder I want it, the more I can taste it. Literally, I can taste it. I can taste sushi and Starbucks and Tony's pizza, and specialty cider beers... on tap.

I'm writing today at the fabulous Women Who Live on Rocks about needing an island break. "I don't mean to be coy, Roy" but many people think that the sun and the surf and the sand are a recipe for good living but sometimes the sun is just bloody hot and sometimes I just want it to rain. Hey, just cause I live on an island doesn't mean it is always paradise.

Click here to read about Needing an Island Break