MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
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- Oct 22, 2008
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Back to the Med Greece/Turkey in 2013! Complete!
- Thread starter MinnieDiva
- Start date
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
I've been unable to sit in front of the computer and do an update here for the past 2 days, and the topic of clothing has been on my mind.
I am not, by any means, a clothes horse. Period, end of story. I wear scrubs to work, and jeans at home. Whenever I have to dress up, like for a job interview I had last Friday, I look at my wardrobe and mournfully try to figure out something that would work. And I always swear that I'll invest in some more dressy, businesslike clothing. Clearly, that hasn't happened. If it were warm, I'd do better, but it's not warm enough for clothes that will show my legs
.
Clothing for a cruise, however, is an entirely different can of worms. I was so prepared for any eventuality that may have occurred in the Med last go-around. I had the obligatory little sweater that everyone on the boards swore I'd need (didn't, though I wore it with the cute strappy sundress the 1st nite at dinner in anticipation of being cold). I had short-shorts for sea days, I had longer shorts that would work in churches. I had skirts and skorts. And......I pretty much wore everything I brought! I had full outfits laid out on my spare room bed. For all 3 of us. I (correctly) figured that with as hot it was, that we'd go thru 2 outfits per day. No re-wearing the excursion clothes to the dining room after being all sweaty and sun screened. I figured I might get duplicate wearings of some of my dresses as long as I didn't spill anything on them. Yeah right. I think we did laundry 3 times. :laundry: Definitely twice, but I think 3 is the correct answer!
I even made Ashleigh a few really cute dresses and cover-ups:
And while none of this following photo's items are homemade, please note the meticulous complimentary matching colors???!!!
I was even prepared for pirate night! While the shorts Sean and I are wearing are not by me, everything else is!!::
Ok, you get it. I'm INSANE!!!
Or really, really bored. Not sure which. I think I started in on the clothing in February before our August cruise. I piecemealed it out until a last minute dress I ended up making for myself (I'll show you in a minute...there's a point here....). Why? Because I needed to color coordinate a picture for the white-backgrounded portraits on semi-formal night! We had less than a week before we had to leave...might have been only like 4 days...and I knew that I had to either go shopping 
scared1
or go to the fabric store. Here's the outfit and the coordinated picture:
Ashleigh's dress was made far before mine, so you'd think I would have clued in on this sooner, right? Anyway, the sad part was that while my dress was very cute, it made me feel pregnant. And in order to make me look not pregnant, I had to shorten it. A LOT. I ended up feeling very uncomfortable walking the stairs on the ship and after the pictures were taken I went and changed into something else. Lesson learned. Plan outfits sooner, right? Obsess sooner?
So, with all those really cute outfits, I did have one planning bomb, and I'll keep regretting it for a long time. Yes, the dress is cute, and Ashleigh looks adorable, but man, does that dress clash with Sean and I.
That fabric spoke to me every time I saw it. And this was over the course of a month or two. I finally decided that I had to do something with it, and that's what the result was.
So, in Alaska, I made sure it all worked together:
The tie should have been red, but still...
And for this one I made both our dresses:
Ashleigh ended up getting lemonade on hers the night she wore it and the dry cleaner wasn't able to get it out
. Not that she has anywhere to wear it to this year...
So, formal/semi-formal wear now discussed, what about all the other stuff? Well, I started shopping the year before for some of it. We don't live in a warm climate, so I lacked summer wear. I looked for stuff on sale, and that were functional. Shorts that had zippered back pockets or buttoned side cargo pockets (to keep out pickpocketers, right??). Tank tops that had built in bras so as not to have to worry about straps showing. And shoes!!! Sandals that could be dressed up. Flip-flops and a coverup to wear while walking to the pool on deck. Sandals (Tevas) to hike in. Tennis shoes to swap out the Tevas in case they started to hurt my feet and to work out in. Get the idea? Pretty well thought out.
So other than the matching issue, would I pack any lighter? Nope. This is where Rick Steves and I part ways. If I have a change of mind, or if I'm feeling fat, or find out that some outfit doesn't work, I want other options!! We were able to pack 3 large suitcases and 2 carryons and paid no luggage fees. I'm good with that.
So, why, I'm sure you might be wondering, do I care so much about why these pictures look so good? Growing up, my family never took family pictures. Ever. We gave my parents a portrait session for Christmas one year, and my mom really wasn't sure why I wanted to take a family picture. They ended up great, and now that my mom is gone, they sure are a great momento. As I'm sure many of you can attest to, she (or he) that commands the camera rarely gets in front of it. So, family pictures, for me, are a way to ensure that all 3 of us are present and accounted for. They get hung on my wall soon after getting home. They float around on my computer screen. They get emailed to family. I may be obsessed, but for me, it's worth the effort!!
I am not, by any means, a clothes horse. Period, end of story. I wear scrubs to work, and jeans at home. Whenever I have to dress up, like for a job interview I had last Friday, I look at my wardrobe and mournfully try to figure out something that would work. And I always swear that I'll invest in some more dressy, businesslike clothing. Clearly, that hasn't happened. If it were warm, I'd do better, but it's not warm enough for clothes that will show my legs
. Clothing for a cruise, however, is an entirely different can of worms. I was so prepared for any eventuality that may have occurred in the Med last go-around. I had the obligatory little sweater that everyone on the boards swore I'd need (didn't, though I wore it with the cute strappy sundress the 1st nite at dinner in anticipation of being cold). I had short-shorts for sea days, I had longer shorts that would work in churches. I had skirts and skorts. And......I pretty much wore everything I brought! I had full outfits laid out on my spare room bed. For all 3 of us. I (correctly) figured that with as hot it was, that we'd go thru 2 outfits per day. No re-wearing the excursion clothes to the dining room after being all sweaty and sun screened. I figured I might get duplicate wearings of some of my dresses as long as I didn't spill anything on them. Yeah right. I think we did laundry 3 times. :laundry: Definitely twice, but I think 3 is the correct answer!
I even made Ashleigh a few really cute dresses and cover-ups:
And while none of this following photo's items are homemade, please note the meticulous complimentary matching colors???!!!
I was even prepared for pirate night! While the shorts Sean and I are wearing are not by me, everything else is!!::
Ok, you get it. I'm INSANE!!!
Or really, really bored. Not sure which. I think I started in on the clothing in February before our August cruise. I piecemealed it out until a last minute dress I ended up making for myself (I'll show you in a minute...there's a point here....). Why? Because I needed to color coordinate a picture for the white-backgrounded portraits on semi-formal night! We had less than a week before we had to leave...might have been only like 4 days...and I knew that I had to either go shopping scared1 or go to the fabric store. Here's the outfit and the coordinated picture:
Ashleigh's dress was made far before mine, so you'd think I would have clued in on this sooner, right? Anyway, the sad part was that while my dress was very cute, it made me feel pregnant. And in order to make me look not pregnant, I had to shorten it. A LOT. I ended up feeling very uncomfortable walking the stairs on the ship and after the pictures were taken I went and changed into something else. Lesson learned. Plan outfits sooner, right? Obsess sooner?
So, with all those really cute outfits, I did have one planning bomb, and I'll keep regretting it for a long time. Yes, the dress is cute, and Ashleigh looks adorable, but man, does that dress clash with Sean and I.
That fabric spoke to me every time I saw it. And this was over the course of a month or two. I finally decided that I had to do something with it, and that's what the result was.
So, in Alaska, I made sure it all worked together:
The tie should have been red, but still...
And for this one I made both our dresses:
Ashleigh ended up getting lemonade on hers the night she wore it and the dry cleaner wasn't able to get it out
. Not that she has anywhere to wear it to this year...So, formal/semi-formal wear now discussed, what about all the other stuff? Well, I started shopping the year before for some of it. We don't live in a warm climate, so I lacked summer wear. I looked for stuff on sale, and that were functional. Shorts that had zippered back pockets or buttoned side cargo pockets (to keep out pickpocketers, right??). Tank tops that had built in bras so as not to have to worry about straps showing. And shoes!!! Sandals that could be dressed up. Flip-flops and a coverup to wear while walking to the pool on deck. Sandals (Tevas) to hike in. Tennis shoes to swap out the Tevas in case they started to hurt my feet and to work out in. Get the idea? Pretty well thought out.
So other than the matching issue, would I pack any lighter? Nope. This is where Rick Steves and I part ways. If I have a change of mind, or if I'm feeling fat, or find out that some outfit doesn't work, I want other options!! We were able to pack 3 large suitcases and 2 carryons and paid no luggage fees. I'm good with that.
So, why, I'm sure you might be wondering, do I care so much about why these pictures look so good? Growing up, my family never took family pictures. Ever. We gave my parents a portrait session for Christmas one year, and my mom really wasn't sure why I wanted to take a family picture. They ended up great, and now that my mom is gone, they sure are a great momento. As I'm sure many of you can attest to, she (or he) that commands the camera rarely gets in front of it. So, family pictures, for me, are a way to ensure that all 3 of us are present and accounted for. They get hung on my wall soon after getting home. They float around on my computer screen. They get emailed to family. I may be obsessed, but for me, it's worth the effort!!
luvslikepi
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2010
- Messages
- 566
I love that you're writing your PTR so early. I have until May 4, 2013 and am already driving my entire family crazy and it's only hubs and me on the trip. Can't wait to catch up and read more.
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
I'm sorry I didn't post this earlier today, but REI outlet's deal of the day is:
Pacsafe Citysafe 200 Secure Handbag - Women's - 2011 Closeout
http://www.rei.com/outlet/deal-of-the-day
Great deal! I just ordered one, not for me, but for Ashleigh...she can carry her own stuff, right? And, as she's "the weakest link", she's be an easy target for theft!
Pacsafe Citysafe 200 Secure Handbag - Women's - 2011 Closeout
http://www.rei.com/outlet/deal-of-the-day
Great deal! I just ordered one, not for me, but for Ashleigh...she can carry her own stuff, right? And, as she's "the weakest link", she's be an easy target for theft!
Disney9.9.10
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2010
- Messages
- 2,753
All of your family photos look beautiful, and I love the personal story behind why they are so important to you! And my, are you a talented seamstress or what? Wow! I would never have guessed those were home made, they all look beautiful.
I completely agree with you about clothes packing though. I don't live in a warm climate either, so I usually have to buy a few pieces before I go on vacation. And I cannot under any circumstances pick out what I am going to wear each day. I need to wake up and wear whatever I feel I need to wear on that particular day (George on Seinfeld anyone? lol)
Great report so far, I am loving it
I completely agree with you about clothes packing though. I don't live in a warm climate either, so I usually have to buy a few pieces before I go on vacation. And I cannot under any circumstances pick out what I am going to wear each day. I need to wake up and wear whatever I feel I need to wear on that particular day (George on Seinfeld anyone? lol)
Great report so far, I am loving it
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
All of your family photos look beautiful, and I love the personal story behind why they are so important to you! And my, are you a talented seamstress or what? Wow! I would never have guessed those were home made, they all look beautiful.
Thank you!!
I completely agree with you about clothes packing though. I don't live in a warm climate either, so I usually have to buy a few pieces before I go on vacation. And I cannot under any circumstances pick out what I am going to wear each day. I need to wake up and wear whatever I feel I need to wear on that particular day (George on Seinfeld anyone? lol)
Great report so far, I am loving it
A few pieces? I'm probably going to have issues re-using some of the same tops and shorts again. Can't have any repeat outfits in repeat ports, right? I've told Sean that as well. I'm not sure he's bought any new clothes since then, and never plans ahead to find them on sale....
Disney9.9.10
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2010
- Messages
- 2,753
lol okay, maybe more than a few pieces
But I definitely agree that you cannot have repeat outfits in repeat ports
or repeat ships
or repeat DCL trips
luvslikepi
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2010
- Messages
- 566
I've cruised Carnival before but not Disney, looking forward to it.
mindelmouse
Rabid Disnoid's Spouse
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 2,137
I never realized you obsessed so about the matching clothing....wow...I was lucky we had clothes to wear and if you'll remember I didn't on formal night...LOL
I think Sam's suit jacket, the sleeves were too short and that was after making sure he had one...so what if they last time he tried it on was 3 months before - do kids grow that fast
As much as I'd love to do all that, it's just not in me....DH is the clothes horse and as you well know he forces me to buy clothes and actually buys them for me....so I can't tell you what I'll be wearing, I'll just be lucky to have anything to wear. My kids...that's another story entirely...the day they wear what I want them to without giving me a hard time I think I'll fall to the floor
I think Sam's suit jacket, the sleeves were too short and that was after making sure he had one...so what if they last time he tried it on was 3 months before - do kids grow that fast
As much as I'd love to do all that, it's just not in me....DH is the clothes horse and as you well know he forces me to buy clothes and actually buys them for me....so I can't tell you what I'll be wearing, I'll just be lucky to have anything to wear. My kids...that's another story entirely...the day they wear what I want them to without giving me a hard time I think I'll fall to the floor
tinkerbelltwins
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2010
- Messages
- 1,476
Hi Kim,
I created a section on our 7/13/13 meet group's first page that has some good threads and trip reports by various Dispeople. It is a work in progress. Hope this helps your readers!
DISthread Links: (Trip Reports, Threads on the Main Cruise Board, etc)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2870617 [Thread: Barcelona Hotels Precruise]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2868221 [Thread: If you have done the Med Cruise before with Disney]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2868499 [Thread: Questions for past Med cruisers]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663068 [Thread: Med planning in 2011]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2288346 [Thread: lots of great planning links]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2653459 [Thread: Villefranche on your own]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2653459 [Thread: Cinque Terre on your own]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663068 [Thread: Med Ports on your own]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2485312 [Trip Report: DisneyFalcon's First Med Cruise - Our Excellent Adventure]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2435876 [Trip Report: Magic in the Med: Dicecatt and Dicedawg's April 24th Voyage]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2487593 [Trip Report: Sayhello's ABD Trip Report for the Med 2011]
http://thewhitehouseblog.weebly.com/index.html [Trip Blog: Anal Annie's trip report/blog of Med cruise and trip beforehand to Paris]
http://thefairygodblogger.blogspot.com/ [Trip Blog: Bibbidibobbidibecky's DCL blog which has her Med cruise in it]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread....&highlight=med [Video Trip Report: Phil, Emma and Ben's Med Cruise]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2746104 [Trip Report: Janey2000's Magical Med Cuise June 2011]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2761025 [Trip Report: Lornak's Med Cruise 2011]
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise...iterranean.htm [Magic in the Med: Disunplugged in the Med 2010]
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
I was asked to post when i updated the map I created...so here you go....I updated it!
I added 2 hotels, the AC Diplomatic (I think) and the Diagonal Mar. I was asked to specifically do the Mar because there is a shopping mall across the street that may be helpful. Also, I added several McDonalds locations. Ack! Why would I add such a thing? Three reasons: Bathrooms, free wi-fi, and Diet Coke!
PM me if you need the link.
I added 2 hotels, the AC Diplomatic (I think) and the Diagonal Mar. I was asked to specifically do the Mar because there is a shopping mall across the street that may be helpful. Also, I added several McDonalds locations. Ack! Why would I add such a thing? Three reasons: Bathrooms, free wi-fi, and Diet Coke!
PM me if you need the link.
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
I never realized you obsessed so about the matching clothing....wow...I was lucky we had clothes to wear and if you'll remember I didn't on formal night...LOL
I think Sam's suit jacket, the sleeves were too short and that was after making sure he had one...so what if they last time he tried it on was 3 months before - do kids grow that fast
As much as I'd love to do all that, it's just not in me....DH is the clothes horse and as you well know he forces me to buy clothes and actually buys them for me....so I can't tell you what I'll be wearing, I'll just be lucky to have anything to wear. My kids...that's another story entirely...the day they wear what I want them to without giving me a hard time I think I'll fall to the floor
hehhehheh...didn't want to scare you off....
I'll sick Ashleigh on Haylee to get some dressy clothes in the mix, but Sam's another issue. Sean, maybe, might be able to manipulate that one?
Oh, and since I haven't talked to you in a bit.....you're going to hate this....Sean and dad are going to do the tux thing.
You know what that means, right? Besides, you need a do-over on the formal night picture. Right?
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
Hi Kim,
I created a section on our 7/13/13 meet group's first page that has some good threads and trip reports by various Dispeople. It is a work in progress. Hope this helps your readers!
DISthread Links: (Trip Reports, Threads on the Main Cruise Board, etc)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2870617 [Thread: Barcelona Hotels Precruise]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2868221 [Thread: If you have done the Med Cruise before with Disney]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2868499 [Thread: Questions for past Med cruisers]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663068 [Thread: Med planning in 2011]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2288346 [Thread: lots of great planning links]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2653459 [Thread: Villefranche on your own]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2653459 [Thread: Cinque Terre on your own]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663068 [Thread: Med Ports on your own]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2485312 [Trip Report: DisneyFalcon's First Med Cruise - Our Excellent Adventure]
This was the thread that got me to rent a lens...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2435876 [Trip Report: Magic in the Med: Dicecatt and Dicedawg's April 24th Voyage]
Loved this one!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2487593 [Trip Report: Sayhello's ABD Trip Report for the Med 2011]
Awesome, but makes me sad I can't afford the ABD portion...
http://thewhitehouseblog.weebly.com/index.html [Trip Blog: Anal Annie's trip report/blog of Med cruise and trip beforehand to Paris]
I need to read this...I saw a great deal of her posts on the boards and I gather that her name might indicate her detail in planning!
http://thefairygodblogger.blogspot.com/ [Trip Blog: Bibbidibobbidibecky's DCL blog which has her Med cruise in it]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread....&highlight=med [Video Trip Report: Phil, Emma and Ben's Med Cruise]
THIS SERIES OF VIDEOS IS OUTSTANDING!!! I would pull these up and all 3 of us would watch and learn...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2746104 [Trip Report: Janey2000's Magical Med Cuise June 2011]
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2761025 [Trip Report: Lornak's Med Cruise 2011]
LOVED this one...this is the one I just finished reading last week!
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise...iterranean.htm [Magic in the Med: Disunplugged in the Med 2010]
I've put some commentary above in different colors...And Tinkerbelltwins, have you approached a Mod to see if they'll start a sticky on this?? And may I please copy and paste your fine work to put it on my 1st page??
tinkerbelltwins
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2010
- Messages
- 1,476
Hi Kim,
Feel free to copy and paste -- I'm all about sharing! Don't know anything about asking a mod to create a sticky -- I've just been putting things I've found in a front page post on next July's meet thread.
Beth
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
Thank you! And I'll PM one to see if this can be done. I figure that if we're that OCD with planning, there's other lurkers out there like us!! Right?
tinkerbelltwins
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2010
- Messages
- 1,476
Yup.
mindelmouse
Rabid Disnoid's Spouse
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 2,137
Oh, and since I haven't talked to you in a bit.....you're going to hate this....Sean and dad are going to do the tux thing.
OMG...that means Jim is going to want a tux as well...but this time we don't have to pay extra for a larger size...yea....and we might as well get Sam one as well...it will save me from having to buy him a suit that he probably will only wear once. I have to buy him a suit in 2014 for his bar mitzvah....remember, you're coming back to NJ in May 2014, so we can finish all the sight seeing we didn't finish in August...
MinnieDiva
Obsessive Trip Planner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,669
OMG...that means Jim is going to want a tux as well...but this time we don't have to pay extra for a larger size...yea....and we might as well get Sam one as well...it will save me from having to buy him a suit that he probably will only wear once. I have to buy him a suit in 2014 for his bar mitzvah....remember, you're coming back to NJ in May 2014, so we can finish all the sight seeing we didn't finish in August...
Wow! That went over waaaayyyy easier than I thought it would! And I know....the date is floating in my brain....
mindelmouse
Rabid Disnoid's Spouse
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 2,137
Wow! That went over waaaayyyy easier than I thought it would! And I know....the date is floating in my brain....
Why did you think the tux would bother me...the Alaska cruise was the first cruise he didn't rent one...that's pretty much standard for him...
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