10 Packing Tips for Female Travelers

Photo via Creative Commons

Whether you are preparing for a weekend trip with the girls, or a solo adventure around the world, packing in an efficient way is key. While most packing tips are universal and common sense, this guide will give strategies for women to pack light and avoid unnecessary stress while still looking and feeling their best because over or under packing can be the worst!

  1. Choose proper luggage

Before you start to sort through piles of clothes and narrow down what shoes to bring, it’s important to make sure you have the right type of luggage. If you will be staying in a hotel and plan to use a taxi or car service at your destination, a typical suitcase is appropriate. However, if you are going to an undeveloped country and/or intend on using public transport, a backpack or travel pack is more the right choice. Trust me— you don’t want to get stuck dragging a 50lb suitcase through the mud or up 15 flights of stairs. We suggest checking out LiveOnceLiveWild.com’s guide about travel backpacks for more info.

  1. Pack essentials in your carry-on bag

Even though luggage is rarely lost these days, there is still the possibility that your checked baggage gets lost or delayed. As a result, always pack your wallet, passport, an extra outfit, a toothbrush, deodorant, facial cleanser and basic makeup in your carry on. Before you go, identify what items are your “essentials,” put them in a bag, and be sure to keep them with you while in transit!

  1. Pack clothing with complimentary colors

When choosing what clothes to bring (yes, it’s tough sometimes!), consider the color palette of each item, ensuring that everything you bring can be mixed and matched. Sure, maybe there is a bright pink cardigan that you love, but will it match with every shirt you brought? Personally, I opt for black, grey and white clothing, but it’s up to you!

  1. LAYERS 

This may be the oldest travel hack in the book, but it’s crucial. Depending on what weather you will encounter, bring layers that reach the appropriate warmth (e.g. top layer being a hoodie for tropical destinations, a parka for temperate climates in winter). I always pack 1 top layer, 1 of the next level layer, and more of each layer as I get closer to my body. Basically, pack lots of underwear, a few shirts, but only 1 heavy jacket!

  1. Avoid jeans (unless wearing on the plane or day of traveling!)

Yes, jeans may be comfortable and stylish, but they are heavy, take a long time to dry, and are uncomfortable in humid climates. If you are going to SE Asia, for example, just don’t bring them. If you are going to Europe, however, limit yourself to 1 or 2 pairs— and re-wear them many times before a wash.  For conservative destinations or tropical locations, bring a long, lightweight skirt instead of jeans.

  1. Focus on accessories

If you are the type of person that likes to dress nice (and differently) every day, pack different types of accessories rather than clothes. Necklaces, glasses, scarves, bracelets, rings, and hats typically take up less space than clothing, and provide more variety to your wardrobe. Beware of bringing nice jewelry, however— you don’t want to get targeted for a robbery!

  1. PACK HALF RULE

With the previous advice being said, lay out everything you want to bring on a flat surface in an organized fashion. Then, cut this pile in HALF! Considering the typical traveler over packs, this rule of thumb is useful and essential for optimizing space and increasing the utility of each item you bring. If you ever find yourself in need of more clothes, you can buy some.

  1. Utilize packing cubes (or stuff/dry sacks)

Once you’ve narrowed down all of the items you are going to pack, organize them into packing cubes. These cubes act as individual compartments within your luggage, and keep everything organized and easy to find. Stuff sacks (AKA dry sacks), on the other hand, are my go-to for dirty laundry since you can squeeze all of the air out of them (vacuum effect), and they are often waterproof, making your clothing compact and protected. The stuff sacks I have can be bought here, and some packing cubes here!

  1. Roll your clothes

When placing items into the packing cubes, roll them. This practice prevents wrinkles and optimizes space, making for a smaller and more compact piece of luggage.

  1. Limit 3 pairs of shoes (or less)

The rule of thumb is one pair of daily shoes or boots, one pair of athletic shoes, and sandals or flip-flops. Pack shoes (and other bulky items) first and at the bottom of your luggage. Also, always put your packed shoes into bags in order to prevent getting things dirty.

No matter when you leave or where you are headed, packing in an organized and light way is an important art form to master. The more effort you put into choosing what items to bring and how to pack them, the less stress you’ll feel during your travels.

*Sponsored post by LiveOnceLiveWild.

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The Toughest Parts of Every Animal You Eat (Thrillist)

CLAIRE MCCRACKEN/THRILLIST

When the going gets tough, the tough get delicious.

Tough cuts may take a lot longer to break down than the less-complicated ground meat and softer muscle we’re used to in our fast food sandwiches, but that extra time pays off. If you know what you’re doing (read: don’t dry it out), the tough cut will be the tastiest decision in your grocery basket — and often the cheapest.

So which tasty trains go to Flavortown? Here’s a breakdown of some of the toughest parts of every animal you eat, along with noteworthy tips from some of the top butchers and BBQ chefs in the country.

To read this entire article on tough cuts of meat, visit Thrillist.

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Microblading – My First Tattoo

Houston Microblading

Ok, so it’s not really a tattoo, but it’s close and I’m not sure I could be more in love. I recently was turned on to the trend of microblading, which is a form of semi-permanent (can last up to 18months) tattooing that involves tiny needles (instead of a regular tattoo gun) that make up a small blade to help deposit pigment under your skin. Basically a beauty miracle. 

Still confused? Don’t worry – I was too.

Luckily I was introduced to Ashley at Beautopia Skin Studio and she answered all my questions and even performed microblading on yours truly!

I’m not very good with makeup, lets face it. That’s why I rely heavily on Andrea at FaceForward to help me with my makeup and giving my eyebrows some definition and making them look put together is what I struggle most with. So obviously, if someone (like Ashley) could help me create the exact look I want so I don’t have to get on the struggle bus everyday when it comes to my eyebrows, I’m all in!

I took a few minutes to interview Ashley and check out what she says below

Houston Microblading

(spoiler alert: she’s offering 15% off any services when you mention The Blonde Side!):

The Blonde Side: How long have you been in the beauty industry?

Ashley: In the industry for 6 years and Microblading for 1 1/2 years.

TBS: What’s the main question or misconception you get about microblading?

Ashley: The most common question I often get asked “Is Microblading permanent”. This is a form of tattooing, however, we are only entering the top layer of the skin (epidermis) so no it is not permanent. Microblading can last up to 18 months if properly cared for.

TBS: What’s your style of brows? (more natural, etc.)

Ashley: I tend to err on the side of caution and stick to a more natural looking brow versus bold. If clients ask for bolder brows I’m more than happy to adhere to their request.

TBS: Do you have a beauty mantra or anything you truly believe in?

Ashley: External beauty is something that helps boost our confidence and allows us to put our best foot forward amongst strangers and friends. However, it’s no substitute for the beauty within.

DISCOUNT ALERT: Anyone who mentions the Blonde Side receives 15% off!

Follow Ashley and Beautopia on social media here: Instagram: beautopiahtx and Facebook: thebeautopiahtx

 

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Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind

Photo: Sunshine Winters Photography

My dog (Denali), is no spring chicken anymore. Actually, he’s not a chicken at all, he’s a teacup (haha) chihuahua that is now 14 years old.

For starters, I don’t know how I’ve kept something alive for 14 years, but that’s besides the point.

The point is, Denali is my buddy, and it’s a sad fact of life that he’s aging, so it’s more important than ever to take better care of him. The first thing is making sure he’s eating a healthy diet, and one that is catered specifically to his breed and his age, that’s why he is on Purina® Pro Plan® Bright Mind® Adult 7+, which is specifically for dogs over 7 years of age.

Kind of like human nutrition labels, the ingredients you read first are the ones more prevalent in the food and Bright Mind is high-quality protein, including chicken as the very first ingredient. No difficult words that are hard to pronounce or bad for the little guy.

I’ll be fully transparent here – sometimes I get lazy (or cheap) and buy Denali whatever’s at the closest grocery store or what’s on sale, but this is the second time I’ve had him on this diet and his mental alertness, sharpness and all around energy is just through the roof. Having seen him react so well to this just within 30 days, has me committed to keeping him on this plan moving forward.

I did learn one trick to transitioning your dog to new food, which is actually explained on the back of the package, and that’s to slowly transition the new food over a course of 7-10 days, and not just all of a sudden. I think that was what I did wrong last time, but he isn’t a big fan of immediate change, so this definitely helped him adjust and keep eating regular portions.

The other thing I make sure is that he remains as active as possible. I always say for myself that a body in motion stays in motion, and that’s also true with our animals. That’s actually one of the benefits of living The Millennium Kirby because there is a huge pet park right at our complex that he can run around in. (Granted, he’s pretty old, so he doesn’t do a lot of actual running, but he loves the space and the sunlight, so it’s perfect.)

Anyone else out there have an aging dog that is a huge member of your family?

*This post was part of The Blonde Side’s involvement with being a Women’s Health Magazine Action Hero, but the content is true and my opinions only.*

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Homemade FROSÉ Recipe

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock and don’t know about FROSÉ – which is frozen rosé, like an adult slushy, I’m here to educate you on it. Not only tell you about how obsessed I am, but share an easy-to-make recipe at home.

The fine folks at Eight Row Flint, located in Houston Heights is my absolute favorite place to get this delicious drink. Actually, just watch the video:

But in case you want to make it at home, my new friends at Eight Row shared a great recipe for your to make frosé on your own:

3/4-cup of ice
4-ounces of your favorite rose’
1-ounce Aperol
1-ounce heavy simple syrup (1-part water, 2-parts sugar)
blend until frozen, garnish with fresh basil (they use Thai, but you can buy a basil plant)
Of course frosé is my personal favorite, but they also have frozen gin and tonics and so much more, plus the food menu is definitely a must while there. Happy hour is decent (note frosé isn’t on it, but lots of other great drinks are!).
Special thanks to Uproar.Design for the video work and hair and makeup for this video courtesy of the super talented Andrea Simmons with FaceForward.
Just one reason I love living at The Millennium Kirby is because there are so many fun and unique spots to where I live like Eight Row. Be sure to check it out – and if you’re looking for a Houston apartment, The Millennium Kirby is running some insane specials – drop my name to get $500 from yours truly! 
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Super Easy Baked Burrito Casserole

Photo: WrittenReality.com

You guys, I recently made this Super Easy Baked Burrito Casserole and it was way better than I had expected.

I got the recipe from WrittenReality.com (you definitely need to check out all her recipes she shares!) and wanted to share the recipe with you below (note, this is her recipe, I am just sharing it for you enjoyment):

BAKED BURRITO CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS

1 pound of ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1 pack of taco seasoning

1 can refried beans

1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1/2 cup sour cream

1 pack large flour tortillas

2 1/2 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is no longer pink and drain.

Add the taco seasoning and refried beans and heat through.

In a separate bowl, blend the mushroom soup with the sour cream. Then spread half of the soup mixture in the bottom of a baking dish.

Add a layer of 3 flour tortillas to the top of the soup mixture. You will need to cut or tear the tortillas and overlap them.

Spread on a layer of the ground beef mixture and top with about a cup of cheese.

Repeat all of these layers and top with the remaining cheese.

Bake in a 9 x 13 baking dish for about 20 minutes until cheese is nicely melted. Enjoy!

The baked burrito casserole comes out nice and creamy and I like to serve it with chips and salsa to give the feel of the Tex Mex restaurant around our own dinner table. This one is such a super easy casserole recipe that is sure to be one of your family favorites, too.

I love living at The Millennium Kirby thanks to the massive kitchen and space to entertain friends – because cooking for one is never fun. Thanks to Written Reality for this great recipe I came across via Pinterest. I love her stuff! 

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Houston’s SpindleTap Brewery

I am sucker for good beer and when it’s a local brew, it’s exponentially better. That’s why I recently shot a video over at SpindleTap Brewery to share with Houstonians (and those visiting) why it’s one of the coolest spots around – and it’s just outside the loop, so relax.

Check out our latest Houston hot spot and watch this video (thanks to Uproar.Design for the amazing video and edits, as always!):

I love living at The Millennium Kirby because of all the close spots, like SpindleTap Brewery. It’s located just outside the loop (like 10mins from downtown Houston), so be sure to use a designated driver or call an Uber and enjoy your time! 

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April Video: 5 Things

Here’s our latest YouTube 5 Things Houston series – be sure to subscribe to The Blonde Side’s YouTube Channel to stay up to date!

Here are the 5 Things we think you should check out in April – there’s so much to explore in the great city of Houston, but these 5 places/events go our vote.

Check out the video below and thanks to Uproar.Design for the video work!

#1 Of course, we gotta get some workouts in this month with all the brunches, booze and summer around the corner. I realize Orangetheory Fitness isn’t new, but I personally have never checked it out. They have a ton of locations – something like 10 in Houston – and even Erin Andrews hit up a class during Super Bowl week. And guess what – your first class is free. So I’ll be doing at least one of these classes this month – hopefully I’ll get hooked. I’m sure my abs would welcome that change with big open, bulging arms.

#2: Astros Baseball – DUH. For those who don’t know, a job with the Astros back in 2006 is what actually brought me to Houston. I used to think air-conditioned baseball was the devil disguised in a sport’s uniform, but I totally get it now. But what I love about Astros baseball in April is that the season is just starting off, so the excitement is definitely there, plus, there’s a chance you may catch a game with the roof open and that is just a glorious Houston day – TRUST ME.

#3: Visit to Lost Pines – So technically this isn’t in Houston, but it’s a quick and beautiful 2-hour drive from Houston and well worth making our Top 5 list for April for many reasons. But if I only have time to give you one reason to visit Lost Pines, it’s for the golf.

I went here last month and have always driven right past it on my many trips to Austin, but I won’t be skipping this spot anymore.

#4: Eight Row Flint: Frose – Filming on location at Eight Row Flint, the obsession with frose is still alive and well in Houston, thankfully. 

#5: 4-Person Golf Scramble at Pearland Golf Club – I’m taking my golfing talents (haha) to Pearland on April 18th for a 4-person scramble benefiting the Women’s Center of Brazoria County. It’s $50 person, you can buy mulligans (the only way I participate in golf tournaments these days) and there is cold beer for purchase to help drown your backswing problems. It’s super fun and for a good cause and this is where I take my lessons, so come hang out with me. It’s a weekday, so just call in sick, you have my permission!

I love living at The Millennium Kirby because of all there is to do in Houston and all so close. These are just five of our top things to check out – stay tuned for much more! (Hair and makeup for this video courtesy of the super talented Andrea Simmons with FaceForward.)

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MA1 Fitness Studio, Q&A with former NFL Player Jonathan Holland

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Jonathan Holland of MA1 Fitness Studio in Memorial City

It seems every corner you turn, there is a new gym (or studio or box or whatever they are called these days) in Houston, but one of the latest (and greatest) I’ve found is MA1 Fitness Studio, located in the Memorial City area. (You can check them out via their FB page.)

I had the chance to speak with one of the gym-owners and trainers (and good friend of mine) Jonathan Holland, and his list of credentials are about as big as his biceps. (Seriously, both are impressive.)

Holland is a Retired NFL player for the Oakland Raiders, but he’s also a health and wellness coach/trainer, NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer, he is CPR certified, and is currently studying to receive his nutritionist certification. He’s kind of an all around badass, and if I had to describe my perfect trainer, Holland would pretty much fit the bill.

Here’s a look at The Blonde Side’s exclusive interview with Holland: 

The Blonde Side: Does being a former NFL player scare off some clients (do you think you’re all about meaty and hardcore work or are your clients pleasantly surprised?):

Jonathan Holland: I honestly think being a former NFL player has been one of the major benefits to my success thus far as a trainer. It actually tends to attract more potential clients rather than run them off. I think they see it as a plus to have a former professional athlete train them due to the versatility of different methods of training.

The minds (and bodies) behind MA1 Fitness Studio

TBS: Do your consider your gym a “gym?” Some are not studios or crossfit, etc, what does yours fall under?

JH: It’s definitely not a corporate styled gym, nor is it a crossfit or box as the crossfitters like to call it. I would describe our gym as a training facility for those who are looking to get serious about their overall health and wellness while training like an athlete.

TBS: Why did you decide to open up your own gym?

JH: It’s always been a dream of mine to one day open up a gym so when the opportunity arose I hopped on it without hesitation! The opportunity presented itself while I was training at another location. The owner came to me and two of my best friends who were also trainers at the gym, with the idea of opening up another location in the Memorial City area. What’s funny is that my business partners (Anthony James and Lamar Vaughn) and myself had already been thinking about our next move. So when the gym owner told us his vision and what he wanted to do, we automatically hopped on board. Not to take anything away from the trainers that we were working with at the previous gym, but we just had different visions. Our vision was to create an atmosphere where we could train and coach individuals with a more diverse and unique athletic training style no matter what their level of fitness experience would be. I think what sets us apart from other locations is that we treat everyone who walks through our door just like they’re family. It’s one thing to offer your services to people, but it means so much more when you can help to brighter up their day by doing the little things.

TBS: Do you personally have a mantra that you use to stay motivated?

JH: We have a sign that hangs up in the clients changing room that states: “I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” I think that says a lot!

TBS: What type of clientele are you trying to attract?

Don’t let the smiles fool you – these guys mean business!

JH (laughing): It’s like my pastor used to say: “The doors of the church are open!!” The meaning is we welcome all to our gym family. Whether you’re someone who has no experience in the fitness world but you’re looking to get started, someone who may have stopped and needs to hit the restart button, someone who may have health issues and needs help towards getting better, or even if you’re a former or current athletes!!

TBS: Do you offer any first-time free classes?

JH: First-time sessions are always free! We love seeing new faces walk through the door. We recently had our Saturday morning boot campers give us some feedback on the group session and they absolutely love it! “Sucka Free” Saturday boot camps go down each and every Saturday morning @9:30a.m.

As a late note: group training sessions are on Mondays and Wednesdays evening at 6p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday mornings at 6a.m. and as mentioned before on Saturday mornings at 9:30a.m.

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Shell Houston Open – Fan Enhancements

The Blonde Side at the 2016 Shell Houston Open

This weekend marks one of my favorite Houston events each year – the Shell Houston Open.

Aside from my favorite part of the event – the caddy races on hole #16, there are obviously a lot of other cool things about SHO, and even some new things, like the fan enhancements.

Here are just a few additions fans can expect to see at the 2017 SHO, the ones I think are the best, obviously!

Shell Houston Open 9-Hole Social Media Challenge: Patrons can participate in a fun social media challenge by completing a scorecard of different social media activations, like selfies, twitter questions and other fun photo opportunities located around holes 18, 17 and 16. Completed and returned scorecards result in free prizes Thursday through Sunday.

 

Regions Bank Greenskeeper Venue: Now presented by Regions Bank, the Greenskeeper located on No. 17 green features an open-air skybox. Food and beverages are included with ticket purchase.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Hole-in-One Challenge: Open throughout the tournament, fans are welcome to attempt a 50-yard chip shot for exciting prizes on The First Tee® of Greater Houston short course.

Hendrick’s Party Deck at 16: Get close to the action and excitement on 16. Guest will enjoy a cash bar, tables, and excellent views. Presented by William Grants & Sons, the deck is attached to public grandstands that offer additional seating options on the course’s famous par 3 hole.

Craft Beer Corner: Located by the No. 17 green, visitors can enjoy a wide selection of local Houston beers.

Click here to see the full list of fan enhancements for this year.

SHO is just another Houston event I’ve come to know and love and it’s one reason I have stayed committed to living in Houston at The Millennium Kirby.

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FREELANCE + SPORTS + TRAVEL + FITNESS
COPYRIGHT 2019, THE BLONDE SIDE
CREATED BY JAYME LAMM