By the time most of you read this I’ll be wheels up beginning day 1 of my 12 day wine county adventure with Ma(i)sonry and Orison Wines.  If you’re a regular reader of the blog then you’d know I’m a big (BIG) lover of wine so I couldn’t have been more thrilled when Orison and Maisonry wanted to collaborate on a best of Napa Valley piece.  I’ve been to Napa a few times, but I don’t think anything can rival what we have planned.  And while I can’t divulge too much as I’ll be sharing all of my thoughts when I get back I wanted to at least share a few what-to/how-to pack tips with y’all.  So without further ado, and before I’m 3 cabernets deep, my 5 favorite packing tips.  And fair warning…my Instagram feed will be nothing but California sunshine and grapes as far as the eye can see the next 2 weeks.  Cheers!  truly, MKR

** Saint James striped tee via Ann Mashburn also available HERE  ||  Rifle Paper passport mini notebooks  ||   Alexander McQueen studded sunglasses

**  Celine sunglasses  ||  Ray-Ban High Street sunglasses  ||  Red’s Whitner sunglasses  ||  Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses  ||  Alexander McQueen studded sunglasses  ||  Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses

No. 1 –  Garment racks are  your friends.  When I began styling I purchased a few rolling garment racks and now I could not imagine packing (or my every day) without them.  They’re great for planning outfits and corralling all of your items in one place.

** Clare Vivier fanny pack  ||  Sole Society Jill backpack

No. 2 – It’s all about the mini.  When regulations changed and didn’t allow anything over 3.4 oz. carried on it made all of beauty begin creating products in a smaller/travel size which saves a TON of room when packing.  I mean nothing takes up more suitcase space than my every day 20+ oz. can of hairspray or hair volumizer!  So I now buy everything you can in the smaller size and keep them in my beauty bag so all I have to do is grab and go.  I even got my tanning lotion in a mini…how convenient is that?!  And if you’re only carrying on might I suggest storing everything in one of these to make security a breeze.

** Chair, Restoration Hardware  ||  Pillow (available via WOM, email for details)  ||  kate spade new york fine feather purse c/o  ||  Moroccan gold pouf  ||  Alexander McQueen sunglasses  ||  Saint James striped shirts blue, red, navy, green  ||  Jack Rogers Vachetta neon sandals  ||  Jack Rogers Palm Beach Navajo sandals  ||  Marni double jewel sandals  ||  Tory Burch Kira sandals  ||  Stubbs and Wootton slippers  ||  Yosi Samra slippers c/o  ||  Proenza Schouler heels

No. 3 – Expect the unexpected.  When traveling anything can happen; delays, lost luggage, bumps, etc., so best to be prepared.  If you’re checking luggage always carry on your must have beauty products, change of under garments, 1 change of clothing, a bathing suit (if you’re going somewhere beach like all you need is a bathing suit), a back up charger, and a comfortable pair of shoes (I travel everywhere with these in my purse).

** kate spade new york fine feather purse c/o  ||  Pillow (available via WOM, email for details) 

No. 4 – Create an itinerary.  Wether it be in your Google calendar, printed out and in your purse, or set up in Outlook have an itinerary with all pertinent addresses and phone numbers (hotels, rental cars, restaurants, etc.) easily accessible.  And make sure any travel companions have a copy, as well as anyone back home that may need to get in touch with you in case of emergency.

** Zara nude heels  ||  Proenza Schouler heels  ||  Yosi Samra Preslie c/0  ||  Yosi Samra Corey sandal c/o  ||  kate spade new york toucan sandals  ||  Tory Burch Kira bow sandals  ||  Jack Rogers Napa Valley Navajo sandals c/o  ||  Jack Rogers Vachetta neon sandals ||  Jack Rogers Palm Beach Navajo sandals

** Rifle Paper + Garance Dore phone case  ||  F. Scott Fitzgerald Tales of the Jazz Age  ||  Rifle Paper travel journal

No. 5 – Be in the moment.  I’ve lost a lot of peace, a lot of moments to trying to capture them or freeze them in time.  To being stuck to a plan.  To not being willing to take the unchartered path.  No more my Loves.  Traveling is all about the adventure.  And while yes you have to be planned, you have to be ready, you have to pose for those pics so you can record them forever you also have to be willing to throw it all away and go on the grand journey.  Because every day, wether it be on vacation or during your daily commute to work, is a day you’ll never get back so you might as well enjoy the ride.  

** Chair, Restoration Hardware  ||  Haute Hippie “Drinks Well With Others” tee

All images original to Waiting On Martha

Last week I had the grand opportunity to escape to paradise…literally.  I hoped on a jet plane out of Atlanta and a short hour and a half later I found myself greeted by the sounds of a tin drum band in Nassau, Bahamas.  Thirty minutes after that I was crossing the crystal clear turquoise waters to Paradise Island (see literally paradise) where Atlantis Bahamas was waiting with open arms. 

I’d of course heard of Atlantis before.  I mean who hasn’t seen the iconic pictures of their giant pink-coral Royal Towers sitting tall on the sand?  But truly I wasn’t prepared for just how large, and well grand, the resort is.  And trust me I know as we went on 2 mile walking tour of the entire property.  A property that includes 6 different places to call home (The Cove, Royal, Beach, Reef, Coral, and Harbourside), a casino, 21 different restaurants, a 141- acre waterpark complete with 9 water slides, 11 pools and 2 lazy rivers, an aquarium, dolphins rescued from Hurricane Katrina, sea lions, a night club, full spa, a brand new oceanside wedding chapel, white sand beaches…I mean at this point I’m just getting redundant.  Bottom line, it’s a playground for both the young and the old and if you stayed for a month I don’t think you could fit in all that Atlantis offers.    

For me it also provided the much needed opportunity to unplug and re-focus.  Other than a few (okay a lot) of pics posted on Instagram I left WOM and reality behind and just immersed myself in the moment and this place.  I chatted with the locals, I ran and mediated on the beach, I made new friends, I drank lots of Bahamian sky juice (oh my gosh, recipe coming soon), and most importantly I rested.  And that my Loves is one of the best things about staying at Atlantis.  Because of it’s size and vast array of activities everyone leaves happy.  The guys can golf, the kids can waterslide, the gamblers can gamble, the bachelorette parties can go crazy, the couples can get married (more on Ocean’s Edge soon), and the me’s can lay in a chair on the sand and do absolutely nothing.  The President of Atlantis really did put it perfectly, “…it’s the only place three generations can go together and it can be a completely different and distinct vacation for each.”  

So thank you Atlantis.  Thank you for being a breath of fresh air and the perfect vacation.  I promise I will be back, and maybe next time I’ll bring the Mr.  Maybe.  truly, MKR  

All images original to Waiting On Martha.  My time at The Cove was sponsored by Atlantis Resorts, but my opinions and love for the Bahamas and The Cove Atlantis are 100% my own.