Lightweight Carry-on Roller Options for Petites

With the high checked bag charges,  I've become more creative in avoiding these charges by using only carry-on bags. I could do so much with $50 from checked bag charges on a round trip! As a petite young gal, I've also had my troubles with putting my carry on in the overhead bin, so it's important for me pack light and to find a light weight carry-on options. I wanted to share some tips on finding the perfect lightweight carry-on.

Tips on Finding a Lightweight Carry-on Roller:

• Go to Macy's, Marshall's, Luggage store...etc and actually lift the bags to see how heavy they are without anything inside of them.
• Use Ebags.com to find out the weight of the carry-on. Unfortunately, you can't filter through the options by weight. 
• Usually, the "cheap" luggage brands (i.e. American Tourist) weigh the most out of the "lightweight" category. 
• In my opinion, any roller bag less than 7 lbs is a good lightweight option. 

Lightweight Carry On Roller Options

Tumi Tech Icon Morrison Super Leger

Tumi is a classic and popular brand. It's one of the brands that I would splurge on if I won the lottery. Tumi Tech is the lower price, but still expensive, option. 

Tumi Tech Icon Morrison Super Leger

Size: 21

Weight: 6lbs, 7oz

Heys USA
My cousin used a roller from the Heys USA brand when we traveled to Italy in September. I never heard of the brand before. Her boyfriend's mother weighed and confirmed that this brand had the lightest weight option in the mid-price range. My cousin definitely looked like she was effortlessly rolling her luggage as she rolled her spinner through the tight streets of Venice. I was jealous.

 Heys USA EZ Computer Case

Size: 21

Weight: 6lbs, 8oz

Colors: Blue, Yellow, Black, Lime, Red, & Silver

Bonus: It has a computer case, and the 4 wheel spinner makes it super easy to roll in the airport! 

 Heys USA XCase

Size: 20

Weight: 5lbs, 4oz

International Traveller World's Lightest Carry-On
My mother-in-law found this brand at Marshalls/T.J.Maxx, and she can definitely validated that it is the lightest luggage that she has used. Marshalls/T.JMaxx also has these luggages various fun and color patterns and different sizes.

International Traveller World's Lightest Carry-On

Size: 19

Weight: 3lbs, 11oz

Colors: Red & Black

What is your favorite lightweight carry-on rollers?

Old San Juan on the Day After Christmas

My husband and I made last minute plans to spend the afternoon in Old San Juan. We are hitting our Puerto Rico Restaurant Bucket List since we're officially leaving on Friday. We've ate out almost every single day for the past couple of weeks. Yesterday, we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, St Germain, and then walked around the city soaking in the beautiful weather. This is the best time of the year to walk around Old San Juan!

Top: Forever 21 Lace Tie Neck Blouse Size S (similar)

Shorts: Urban Outfitters Pins & Needles High Rise Shorts  Size S (Similar)

Shoes: TOMS Size 5

Watch: MICHAEL Michael Kors Runway 33mm

Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs MJ 119 Aviators in Brown Frame/Brown Gradient

Purse: Coach Madison Lindsey Handbag

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas definitely does not feel the same without the cold wintery weather, but blasting the A/C can almost make it feel like a "wintery" Christmas. I saved my one and only red (long sleeve) blouse for my Christmas festivities. I'm spending all weekend with my husband's family, and boy, are we feasting a lot! I even had to remove my belt in the middle of the day. =/

Top: ASOS Petite Bib Front Smock Top in Rust Size 4P (Similar in Green)

Belt: H&M Skinny Belt in Mustard Size S (Similar) 

Jeans: GAP Low Rise Straight Leg (hemmed) Size 24/0 (Similar)

Shoes: Nine West Delos Flats in Yellow Size 5 (Similar)

Earrings: Tinley Roads Gold Crystal Flower Studs (Similar) 

Watch: MICHAEL Michael Kors Runway 33mm

I hope that everyone has been having an enjoyable holiday season so far! 

M E R R Y  
 C H R I S T M A S ! ! !

Dancing in Flats

I'm the type of girl that loves to dance and leap, whenever I walk into a wide open space. Wearing flats also liberates me to dance and leap...and also allows me to speed walk to catch up to my longer legged friends.

     

Top: Polka Dot Blouse Size 0P

Jeans: GAP Low Rise Straight Leg (hemmed and folded) Size 24/0 (Similar)

Shoes: Nine West Delos Flats in Yellow Size 5 (Similar)

Earrings: Tinley Roads Gold Crystal Flower Studs (Similar) 

Watch: MICHAEL Michael Kors Runway 33mm

Small Shoe Find: Cute Flats!

My adult shoe size is borderline a kid/youth shoe size...aka an adult size 5 or a youth size 3. My adult shoe size is probably closer to a 4.5 since a lot of size 5 shoes do not actually fit me. =| My sisters and mom have even smaller feet! To determine your youth shoe size, just subtract 1.5 from your adult shoe size. Most youth shoe sizes only go up to a size 5 (or an adult size 6.5).

I've been scooping out kids shoes for the longest time, and I have definitely seen the options evolving to become more adult-ish/style-ish. Youth boots don't usually work for me because I have soccer/runners calves, but I still have a chance with youth flats. And of course, the chances of finding a cute youth size heels are highly doubtful...unless they are like Suri Cruise's heels.

Nine West Josselyn Flats

Found at DSW

Colors Available: Purple, Pewter, Black

2 Lips Kylie Flats

Found at DSW

Color Available: Beige

Jessica Simpson Level Flats

Found at Macy's

Color Available: Black

The adult version runs large, so this is a good option if the size 5 is too large for you! Plus, this youth size is $27 less than the adult size.

Jessica Simpson Bubella Flats

Found at Endless.com

Colors Available: Black & Brown

Online Returns... Just Kidding!

I woke up today with the plan to take pictures of a couple items that I had purchased during the Thanksgiving/Black Friday sale weeks to review on this blog and then send them to the post office to return them. However, 2 things happened. 

1) I realized that I had missed the deadline to return my AG Adriano Goldschmeid Sateen Stilt from Piperlime. 
2) I made myself believe that I could make my new Kelsi by Kelsi Dagger Flice Wedge Booties work for me, even though they are a tad too big. 

Blouse: Zara Boat Neck Blouse Size XS

Pants: AG Adriano Goldschmeid Sateen Stilt Size 26 (Similar)

Heels:  Kelsi by Kelsi Dagger Flice Wedge Booties in Cogac Size 5

Earrings: Amrita Singh Ashanti Hoops

AG Adriano Goldschmeid Sateen Stilt 

Too Tight

I wanted to return these pants because, honestly, I usually do not wear pants this tight! I guess when I see them in the pictures, they don't seem to be absurdly tight. So after finding out that Piperlime has a 30 day return policy, I had no choice but to keep them. I do love the color and the material. I'm sure they will end up being one of my staple casual pants. I just need to hem them (they have an 31 inseam, and my perfect inseam is 28), and then maybe stretch them out a little bit...

 Kelsi by Kelsi Dagger Flice Wedge Booties 

Runs large

Without socks, these booties are definitely too big for me. I could fit two fingers behind my heel. With running socks, the fit was a little better. I was only able to fit one finger behind my heel. I also had no support around my ankles. However, after I put my legging pants inside the booties, these boots fit almost perfectly! So I decided that these booties were worthwhile to keep. The toe area was perfectly comfortable and these shoes were totally easy to walk around in. We'll see how I do when I walk out and about outside. 

Office Meeting...Plus a Parranda!

We had an year end office meeting this week, so I was back to wearing business casual after a short period of wearing jeans. Wahoo! The meeting started with some presentations, lunch, and then a surprised mini Parranda (Puerto Rican Christmas Caroling) from a Plenero band!  I love Christmas in Puerto Rico.

Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft Woven Strips Overlay Top  Size XS (Similar)

Skirt: BR Pencil Skirt (old) Size 0P (Similar)

Belt: Ann Taylor Exotic Perfect Skinny Belt in Black Size XS (Similar) 

Heels: Maria Sharapova Cole Haan Slingback in Black Size 5 (Similar)

Necklace: Tiffany Elsa Peretti Open Heart Lariat
Watch: Citizen Watch Stainless Steel Bangle Bracelet Watch

Jeans Month

As a way to celebrate the holidays, my office has allowed us to wear jeans until the end of December. I didn't really plan this when I packed, but I guess I can make it work. Honestly, I would be happy wearing business casual outfits. I've been trying to find new ways to wear the clothes that I packed, and I guess this is my chance to switch it up. Today, I was inspired to wear a belt with this top. Last time, I just wore a blazer over it.

What to do next time?

Top: Banana Republic Houndstooth Cotton Cowneck Top  Size XS (Similar)

Belt: Ann Taylor Exotic Perfect Skinny Belt in Black Size XS (Similar) 
Jeans: GAP Low Rise Straight Leg (hemmed) Size 24/0 (Similar)
Heels: Maria Sharapova Cole Haan Slingback in Black Size 5 (Similar)
Earrings: Brighton Twinkle Post Earrings
Watch: Citizen Watch Stainless Steel Bangle Bracelet Watch

Petite Bracelet Find: Express Enamel Hinge Bracelets

I walked into Express the other day and discovered that their a couple of their hinge bracelets actually fit my small wrist! I think that the hinge structure makes it easy to fit over most wrists. The bracelets can be found in zebra (with a white or black base color) and in leopard (with a base color of red, brown, or blue). They would go great with bangles! I added these bracelets to my Elfster wish list. =)

Zebra Enamel Hinge Bracelet

Leopard Enamel Hinge Bracelet

T & J Designs Style Challenge: Statement Jewelry

http://www.tplusjdesigns.com/

I am Style-ish T&J Designs Style Challenge: 

Use statement jewelry to accessorize an outfit.

Dress: Susi Chin One Shoulder Drape Dress in Bronze Size 2 (Similar)

Heels: Maria Sharapova Cole Haan Slingback in Black Size 5 

Bracelet: Faceted Stretched Bracelet in Lapis (Similar)

Earrings: Napeague Earrings in Blue Lapis

Clutch:  La Fegale Gathered Clutch in Black (Similar)   

This weekend, I attend my cousin-in-law's wedding. The last wedding of the year! 

I ordered Amrita Singh earrings and Amrita Singh bracelet from Gilt to add a pop of color to my gold dress. Usually, I use less subtle gold/silver tones or sparkly stones for formal events, but I decided to follow the statement jewelry trend and add more color and bigger jewelry to my outfit. I loved my earrings, but the bracelet felt a little big but manageable. I wouldn't recommend the bracelet for anyone with small wrists though. 

For my next wedding event, I plan on pulling a Kate Middleton repeat move by wearing the same dress and just changing either the jewelry, hair, and/or purse. We'll see!