Thank you all who responded to my earlier post on what to pack. I had plenty time to shop before the trip (all online) and am happy to report this was a nearly perfect travel capsule for me!

Trip length: 7 days/6 nights

Starting with shoes: Allbirds, Teva's, Jcrew thongs, and the black sandals (American Rag). I nixed taking any heels.

What I wore on the plane (pic 1): We were traveling in the early AM from polar vortex frigid temps to tropical temps. I went with layers, wearing my ON 24/7 skinnies, Allbirds with warm socks, ON gauze top, ON sweatshirt, and ON white puffer. (yep pretty much head-to-toe ON!) I peeled off the puffer first, then the sweatshirt, then the shoes and socks as I switched into sandals and cuffed my jeans when we were nearly there and the plane warmed up. When we got to the resort we had lunch while we waited for our hotel room to be ready. That's when I switched out of the jeans and into the shorts. Going home I wore the same outfit, but in reverse order.

The beach bag: Jcrew and I've had it forever; rolls up nice and packs well. I had it in my carry on and as I peeled off layers I put them inside.

The other bags: One is a sporty nylon crossbody that works great for carrying passports (I have to carry my hubby's for him as he once nearly lost his in the airport). The blue canvas pouch in pic 1 is what I use inside the Jcrew beach bag for my wallet and such. The cork clutch in pic 2 I brought for evenings.

The sunglasses: Are new! I got them from Warby Parker. I love them. So fun.

The sun hat: Jcrew packable. Got it last summer. Rolls up nice and tight and packs small. Also took a baseball cap as that stays on my tiny head better in the wind.

What I wore on the beach/boat (pic 1): Taking three bathing suits and three cover-ups was just right for the week. As you may recall, our last trip to Hawaii I only took two of each and that was less than desirable as things took forever to dry. Bathing suits are all La Blanca. I fear they are discontinuing this suit, so I bought a new one from Amazon for the trip. Yes I took two black, and one turquoise. The coverups from left to right: Amazon, La Blanca, Tommy Bahama. Then there's the sun shirt (Tommy Bahama) and the shorts which I wore on the boat trip and a few times on the beach when I was feeling scorched.

What I wore at night (pic 2): I brought along a couple of long sleeve shirts that could go with the denim shorts. I also brought along all these dresses: the blue and burgundy tee shirt maxi's are from Macy's (Style&Co), the striped dress is Vince Camuto, the olive maxi is Anthropologie, the tie-dye is an inexpensive Amazon find. All are new -- as I really needed to refresh my summer dress collection. I wore all except the VC dress as I felt like repeating the others. With denim jacket as topper.

What did not get worn (pic 2): the VC striped midi dress and the two blouses. That's it. Everything else got worn at least once, most got worn at least twice. Lesson: it cools down at night, there are insects that bite ankles, and I want my legs covered. The midi length wasn't enough, nor were the shorts. I guess the tops could have been paired with the jeans but it wasn't that cold. I am glad I had these extras so no big deal.

Happiness factor: HIGH. I liked everything I packed. At no point did I find myself thinking, "oh, I wish I had brought... x..."

Favorites: Hard to choose! I really love the olive Anthro dress. I feel the two tee shirt maxis from Macy's are going to be workhorses this summer and may duplicate in other colors. The tie-dye dress is probably not going to last long (cheaply made) but I felt good in it and it can be repurposed as a beach cover-up eventually. I liked all the cover ups for various different reasons. This was the first time I've tried anything from Tommy Bahama (that's what happens when you go on a beach trip before all the resort wear items are on the market), and I would try it again. The sun shirt is much nicer made and better fitting than the Athleta one that I am replacing it with. The TB cover-up (blue one) fits just a tad too long length wise on me but not that bad (and it was my hubby's favorite of all the cover-ups). The La Blanca meanwhile is a bit too big all over even though it was an XS. I kind of liked that though as it was easy and breezy. Might duplicate someday in a brighter color. The Amazon cover up made me feel like a pool-side resort goddess: truth is I will get the least wear out of this one as our summer beach trips need a cover up with more cover up. But it's a keeper, it's well made, and will last a long time.

Hair: I had it cut short again with lots of layers. (For those who know me for years, as short as I used to wear it before I decided to try to grow it a few years back). I didn't wash it the whole week and just air-dried it and let it curl like crazy. I don't think I'm growing my hair out again anytime soon -- as I have had more compliments on the hair cut than I have in a long time. Not just while we were on vacation but the week before, when I was on a work trip and saw a lot of my colleagues.

Added bonus: I feel fully refreshed for summer -- though it is still months away.... so we may have to go on another beach trip in the meantime....