Aida ~

18 Comments

• Mo replied 13 years ago

  I *always* pack more than I wear, yet seem to miss a key piece that could pull stuff together better. So it looks good to me, but I'm no expert at all in this area! One thing I think I do that makes it harder is bringing too many color palettes that don't work together (warm/cool black/brown etc) I do think with the climate you can get away with limited footwear as you chose.

• Katja replied 13 years ago

  If all top layers (jackets, cardigans) can work with all top/bottom combos and the dress, you're in great shape.

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  As far as I can tell in my head they all go together, but maybe I should lay it all out to see them next to each other... Noted to do once I'm home from work.

• Carole replied 13 years ago

  Do you have any sun dresses, Aida? I might throw in a couple extra tanks, they don't take up too much room. Other than that, looks good to me. We were in Maui last May stayed in the Napili Bay area, what part of the island will you be visiting?

  have a fabulous time!

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  I have one sun dress, most of my other dresses are lined or heavier (I have a hard hard time finding sun dresses I like :( ). I'll add it to the list, it won't take much room in the bag either. I think you're right about a couple more tanks, I'll have to see what I have that's in good shape (I'm tossing nearly all of my tanks out since they're pretty old). Thanks!

  We're staying just north of Lahaina on this trip; the other time we went we stayed in Makena. I think the whole island is pretty darn beautiful!

• Ornella replied 13 years ago

  If I pack light, I try to make sure there's no particular item that can be worn in one combination only. Everything must work in multiple ways. This approach works for me.

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Thanks guys, I think I have my list sorted out.

  I do have another question though. I'd love to pick up a straw tote to carry instead of a purse (all of mine are leather and will look silly paired with beachy wear!). Preferably under $30, and somewhere I can drive to as we leave on Wed; I'm near Seattle and it's fall so I've a feeling I'm going to be out of luck on this one. I checked Target's site but didn't see anything. Any suggestions?

  EDIT: Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Spiegel-.....B0039J3SC6

• taylor replied 13 years ago

  You can always buy a straw tote there!
  Pack light. Sundresses and shorts, tanks and tee's. Maui is very casual and relaxed so I wouldn't worry too much...remember you will pretty much have sand under your feet most of the time...even many restaurants are on the beach and even the people in the mall and many boutiques show up to work in shorts! ENJOY

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Taylor, good thought! I completely forgot that I could get something there. I think that's what I'll do, then I can actually pick up something unique. Thanks!!

• Steph replied 13 years ago

  Aida, I was just in Maui (Kapalua, just north of Lahaina), so I'm jealous!

  I didn't see you listing swimsuits, sunhat, or beach cover-ups. Maybe you left those off on purpose, but just in case, I wanted to mention it!

  The only thing I can think of is a pair of closed-toed sneakers or similar shoe if you are planning on going ziplining. I know that closed-toed shoes that can't flop off was a requirement for all the ziplining. Similarly, if you're going to do any hiking, nature trail walks, etc., sneakers might be helpful.

  When I go on a beach vacation, I tend to take one of those flat drawstring gym bags. They don't take up any space when packing, and they are easy to take to the beach, and easy to clean the sand out of (or cheap enough to toss when the vacation is through). It's not the most fashionable choice, but when I'm toting stuff to the beach it's more about what's practical.

• Steph replied 13 years ago

  Oh, and if you need restaurant recommendations, I was there for nine nights and we went to a different nice restaurant every night, so I have feedback on nine places if you need it!

• replied 13 years ago

  I tend to overpack. With that said, for a week, at the minimum, I would add/modify the following from your list.
  At least 1 tops per day. I'd include cotton tees, sleeveless tops etc. I seem to change clothes quite often when I'm in hot climates.
  I add another sundress for a total of 2. Also, 1 beach dress or cover up.
  I would add another pair of shorts or capris, for a total of 2.
  At least two swimsuits. It sucks to wear a wet suit the next day.
  Flip flops.

• bj1111 replied 13 years ago

  get a roomy straw tote there...go native. useful in the summer even in seattle.

  2 swimsuits and cover-ups (i like my husbands button down oxfords in as an advanced state of disrepair as possible or a tunic). you can use the cover-up as a pants/skirt topper/dress if it's a tunic. again, you can get this there. tory burch has many tdf. resort collections should be out now.

  i would skip the jeans unless you're hiking haleakala or something equally strenous. swap for dressier pants if you need more bottoms. also skip the leather jacket unless you're wearing it for warmth on the seattle side to/from sea-tac.

  i heart maui.

• bj1111 replied 13 years ago

  check this straw tote at the rack...

  http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....ltback=600

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Thanks everyone, I'm planning to bring 2 swimsuits, 2 cover-ups, and a straw hat; I'll try to find a good straw tote while there unless I can find time tomorrow to hit the Rack for the tote that bj1111 suggested as it's just the type I was looking for. Added an additional tank and sun dress, and likely a pair of walking/tennis shoes though I generally dislike wearing them. I really appreciate all the suggestions, they were all very helpful!

  Steph - Always good to have restaurant recommendations, can't guarantee that we'll hit them all but I'd definitely be interested in your recommendations.

• Kari replied 13 years ago

  Wonderful - I hope that you have a great time! Last time I was in Maui - in 2003 - we stayed half of the time near Lahaina (Kaanapali) and then the rest of the time in Kihei. I am so, so envious that you are going to be there! What a blast.

  I'd recommend bringing a straw hat or something to shade your face (as you mentioned in your comment above), and also a wrap to keep yourself warm when it cools down at night. You can always stop into Hilo Hattie's to get a cheap printed pareo too (I use these for beach cover-ups pre & post swimming), but I also like to have wraps to pack in my carry-on while on the plane.
  If it were me, I'd also bring lightweight sleeveless dresses that could either be worn on their own or with leggings. I'd probably forego walking shoes and just bring a very comfortable pair of sandals, like the Clarks Smooch or Brulee gladiators. I'd also bring many sleeveless knit tops, and a denim or cotton jacket if possible rather than leather.

  Happy anniversary, and travel safely!

• Katiepea replied 13 years ago

  Can I make a very daggy (but I think practical) suggestion of a pair of flip-flops (we call them thongs in Aus!)? They are cheap, bendy, incredibly light and really are good for wearing when you are actually at the beach or by the pool or in any instance where you need to use a public shower.

  My experience has been that sand can really get in the crevices of sandals and it can be quite difficult to get it out. (Sand can also get incredibly hot if you are walking on the beach in bare feet in the heat of the day which I have learnt the hard way!)

  Oh, and I'm sure you've already packed it, but sunscreen really is a must have accessory too - sunburnt shoulders is not a good look in holiday photos (and is incredibly painful).

  I hope you have a wonderful time!

• Steph replied 13 years ago

  Aida, here are my restaurant recommendations. We really loved:
  Mama's Fish House (I'm a vegetarian, so it wasn't *quite* as exciting for me, but my boyfriend said he would have gone there every day if we could have--it is located in Pai'a, which is near the airport and on the way to Hana, if you end up driving there)
  Merriman's (my favorite restaurant of the bunch, it is located on Kapalua Bay beach and had absolutely fantastic service and really great food; the waiters even took photos of us on the beach at sunset)
  Plantation House (in Kapalua)
  Sansei (in Kapalua)
  Banyan Tree (in Kapalua, at the Ritz)
  Mala Ocean Tavern (beachfront in Lahaina, a little more casual than the others on this list--not that anything in Maui is very formal!)
  Pacific'O (beachfront in Lahaina, really good food; one of the nice things about this restaurant is that it is next door to a sister restaurant, I'O, which had a luau, so we got to watch the luau for free because we sat outside)

  Restaurants to skip:
  Gerard's. Honestly, I can't say enough negative things about this place. After assuring me that they would make me a fantastic vegetarian meal I got a plate of steamed broccoli and cauliflower. When I expressed my displeasure they didn't do anything, and even though I didn't eat the meal they charged me $30 (for a plate of steamed broccoli and cauliflower!). My appetizer and soup were also disappointing, and my (non-vegetarian) boyfriend didn't like his meal either--it was small, poorly cooked, and overpriced. The service was slow and not helpful. By far the worst meal I had in Maui.

  Roy's. This was generally mediocre, which puts it in the "skip" category, just because we had seven really great meals. It's in a strip mall, which also means no ocean view. I did love my dessert there, however.

  Finally, we went to the Terrace Lounge at the Ritz for brunch the day we left and it was fantastic. The servers were so nice that they encouraged us to take bagels and other pastries from the buffet back with us for the flight home.

  Have a great time!