We're headed to the Windy City!

My sissy S, is getting married! I can't believe it's here already. Seems like yesterday we were just kids planning operation HoHoHo which was a high tech 'catch Santa in the act' mission.  

The wedding is in my favorite city-Chicago! For those of you who don't know, I spent a year and a half in the Windy City launching my journalism career. I can't wait to get on the road and show the hubs around town.

I had every intention of packing light. After trying to re-arrange luggage at the airport during our cruise vacay, I was determined to be efficient. Like one of those people who writes articles about how to pack for a 2 week trip with just a carry on. But then we decided to drive. And somehow, my vision of us cooly walking into the Intercontinental hotel

(fancy, right?) has become weighted down with our huge rolling suitcase, my rolling carry-on(best drugstore purchase ever) a garment bag, AND our bagged wedding attire. 

I envisioned packing like this...

We achieved something more like this. 

Can I just say that I felt really good about my packing? I am completely OCD about my packing(think Jack Nicholas' character in As Good As It Gets) and had everything listed out, cleaned and laid out by Sunday night. I took up less than half the big suitcase(thinking surely we'd be able to fit both of our belongings in a suitcase big enough that I can curl up in) so I was ready to roll but then we started working on Mac's stuff. 

Man decided he had to bring 5 pairs of shoes. Because he simply couldn't wear the brown boots he was wearing on Thursday with khakis again on Saturday with jeans(the horror of me suggesting such a thing). This man and his boots. It is true that you can take the man out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the man. I can't be angry because I brought the equivalent number of pairs of shoes, but I wear a size 5, and some of my shoes were flats! Anyways, we(and by that I mean I) were able to strategically pack his shoes in our big rolling bag. This did mean completely changing the layout and removing all toiletries to be placed in another bag. This brings me to my question, wives-is it easier for you to pack for your husband or does he go it alone. Do you find sharing luggage space a good idea, bad idea? Why? 

I guess I could write an article about it. It would be called, How To Have A Nervous Breakdown While Packing Your Suitcase, A woman's battle against her husbands shoes

Lots of details to come on the wedding and the Windy City but here is a quick wish list Weds. 

Saw this on FB yesterday, isn't it cute? 

http://www.vancaro.com/lovely-exquisite-cutout-love-letter-ring-pendant-cubic-zirconia-alloy-plated-18k-gold-women-s-necklace.html 

I'm totes ordering this skirt from Alloy! 

And lastly, I'm in the market for a new purse. I HATE buying bags. I don't care for the price of a brand, and I am very specific about my everyday bags. Here's a few that have caught my eye. 

Favorite purse brands, good places to find deals? Help!