Haute on the Ranch: Ryley's Recs For Simplifying Your Summer Travel Style
There is something about summer that just feels slower. The warm days have you wanting to relax a little more – rocking on the front porch, swinging aimlessly in a hammock or floating in a pool, drink in hand. You savor the nights under the stars, never wanting to go inside. And those country drives get even longer because it feels like you’ve got nothing but time.
Summer is also synonymous with travel. While the vacation to-do list can grow a mile long, the top priority is always finding ways to slow down, unwind and soak up as many moments with your loved ones as possible. Savannah Sevens owner Ryley Wimer has been on her fair share of family trips over the years and is offering up time-saving tips she’s discovered when it comes to packing, products and putting together your travel style.
These shortcuts and savvy solutions will simplify your vacation preparation as well as what to wear when you get there – saving you money, unloading the stress, and ultimately giving you more time to spend with your family. Here are Ryley’s recommendations…
Hair & Makeup Hacks
Generally when I travel, I like to keep it simple with hair, makeup and accessories. Often times, my family and I are going somewhere where water and sunshine are involved, so there is no need for complicated or detailed styling. There are ways to look polished and put together with a minimal time investment.
Items I Swear By
🧢Western Ball Caps – Hats are a must on every trip! They are so easy to throw on when the summer breezes take hold; when you don’t feel like washing your hair; and when you’ve spent all day on the lake or at the pool. But I also like to sport a hat outside of a lazy day – grab a hair clip too and together, they are an easy way to elevate a casual look. My favorite is leaving hair pieces down in the front to frame my face, adding the hat, and then pulling up half or all of my hair into a decorative clip.
💍Simple Jewelry – Statement jewelry can be very outfit specific, so I like to bring petite, subtle jewelry that travels light and matches everything that I’ve packed. My favorites are our continuous gold hoops called the Galletin Earrings, Petite Diamond Necklace by Devereux Gold and The Peralta anklet.
💄Tinted Sunscreen + Waterproof Mascara – I never travel without this duo! Unless we’ve booked a fancy dinner on vacation, there isn’t a need to spend a bunch of time on my makeup. I love tinted sunscreen because it gives me the coverage of a light foundation while protecting me from the sun. Waterproof mascara provides that small pop around my eyes that I don’t have to touch up throughout the day. Both produce a natural look with a gentle glow up.
🕶️Inexpensive Sunnies – I always need sunglasses when I travel, but it seems inevitable that I’ll lose a pair in the lake or leave a pair behind at the hotel. So I opt for inexpensive Amazon finds that have a stylish shape but won’t leave me stressed if I can’t find them. There is a $20 pair with a classic yet vintage style that has been one of my favorites.
Space Saving Style
With free checked bags now a thing of the past, airline travelers are motivated more than ever to pack light. And I don’t know about you, but when I’m on vacation, I like to streamline my outfit choices so I spend less time debating myself in front of a mirror and more time enjoying the trip.
So how do you generate more space in your suitcase? The best way is to mix and match your wardrobe!
- First, I lay everything out on my bed that I’m thinking of taking so I can see it all in front of me.
- Then, I select items that can be worn for multiple occasions and pieces that pair easily with each other to create a variety of outfits.
- Finally, I try everything on before packing so I can weed out what I know I won’t wear, and I can visualize each final look, making getting ready in real time a breeze.
Items I Swear By
☀️T-shirt Dress or Oversized White Button Up Shirt – Either of these pieces can double as a swimsuit cover up, so I can appropriately go from the pool, lake or beach straight to lunch or sightseeing.
☀️Leather Sandals and Comfortable Sneakers – Because shoes can be bulky, they take up a lot of space in your bag. I’ve found that a flat leather sandal and sneakers pair seamlessly with most of my travel style and are always comfortable to walk in. Less shoes = more room!
☀️Denim – I live in jean shorts on vacation, but I don’t bring my whole collection. I just grab a couple of pairs because I know I can wear them multiple times on my trip and they will match any top I pack.
☀️Quick Drying Towels – Inevitably on your trip you’ll be around water and these beach towels are amazing. They soak up moisture super quick so they dry in no time. They also repel sand and fold up snugly. Dock & Bay on Amazon is my go-to brand.
Bag & Suitcase Suggestions
Functional. Efficient. Portable. These are the qualities I want in my suitcases and travel bags.
I’ve been to the airport when my luggage went over the weight limit and I had to pay additional fees or frantically shove items in my husband’s or kids’ bags to balance everything out. I’ve driven the SUV that has a mountain of suitcases stacked so high I can’t see out my rear view. And I’ve spent way too much time rummaging through pockets and compartments trying to find lost jewelry.
Whether it be family trips or business trips, over the years I’ve put several travel bags to the test and I’ve discovered my must-haves when I’m hitting the road or skies.
Items I Swear By
✈️Ida Mae Quilted Bags – Made in Texas, these soft travel bags feature whimsical western prints, their signature quilted design and a variety of sizes. What I love best is their ability to be collapsable so the shape doesn’t take up much room in the SUV or luggage carrier.
✈️Ergonomic Carry-on – This is my go-to suitcase when I travel! The size keeps me from overpacking but still has enough room for all my essentials. Found on Amazon, it comes in several colors, has a 360 degree swivel and is lightweight.
✈️Mini Jewelry Boxes – These tooled leather cases have just the right amount of storage to keep me from bringing my whole jewelry collection. There are ring slots, necklace holders and other compartments. I love that the pieces I bring on a trip are all in one place and are protected.
✈️S7s Clear Clothing Bags – Whenever you place an order at Savannah 7s, you receive the apparel in a clothing bag. I love to use these when packing to keep my items folded, clean and organized. Plus, they work perfectly for holding your wet swimsuit!
On The Road Organization
If you have kids like I do, then you understand one of the biggest tasks of a road trip is keeping them entertained – and also organizing all the ways they’re being entertained. Additionally, the longer the adventure, the more drinks and snacks are involved. After racking up a lot of miles, I have found some smart solutions for in-car activities and storage.
Items I Swear By
🚗S7s Custom Reusable Bags – I use these for everything! They are the perfect size to hold snacks and toys; essential items like sunscreen and a book when heading to the pool or beach; and dirty clothes at the end of a trip.
🚗S7s Koozies – There’s nothing like a cold drink on a hot summer day. I love throwing a few koozies in my purse or the console to have on hand when we’re traveling long distances, stopping at a campsite or participating in outdoor activities.
🚗Bogg Bag – I love the size of a Bogg bag – I actually take several of the custom S7s reusable bags and place them inside to separate out the kids’ toys. It’s waterproof, easy to wipe down when cleaning, and is available on Amazon in many colors.
🚗All the Gadgets – My kids can’t get enough of the Toniebox audio player, where they can listen to almost an hour of music per Tonie {album} character. I’ve found some Tonies characters for older kids that Blayke & Bronson can’t get enough of like Wow in the World and National Geographic. And I appreciate that they’re enjoying screenfree entertainment. I also like to bring along headphones, a headphones splitter, fidget toys and physical & audio books. All of these items come in handy both inside and outside of the car. Rounding it out with a few other miscellaneous must haves with: Bluetooth speaker, portable charger and my favorite smell good Leather Car Coasters.
Explore My Complete "Summer Travel Style Simplified" Collection
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