Vacation Tips for Women! :)

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Just have to share my find this summer. Lands End Comfort Waist Chino shorts (now on sale). They have a hidden section of elastic that stretches out near the pockets, gives you 2 more inches! Even if I am bloated my shorts don't feel tight! They also have cropped pants.

 

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

What is the style numbers of these Lane Bryant bras? As I said in my post, I'm loving the JC Penney Underscore bras I'm wearing, but am always on the lookout for a new style to try! They closed the LB store in my nearest mall, but would love to check it out a a neighboring one.

 

[Lisa S.]

What is the style numbers of these Lane Bryant bras? As I said in my post, I'm loving the JC Penney Underscore bras I'm wearing, but am always on the lookout for a new style to try! They closed the LB store in my nearest mall, but would love to check it out a a neighboring one.

I'm not sure of the style number, but they're the only poly/cotton/spandex (or poly/cotton/lycra), non-underwire, non-padded bras they carry. You can't miss them!

Wait - I just checked the tags in mine - they have 2 numbers on them - RN118641 and BE11040546. The numbers are the same in all of my bras, so hopefully that will help.

 

[solar]

2 or 3 summers ago, I was on low-dose BC bill's to try to help regulate the flow...

apparently, the pills make some people more sensitive to the sun...

and I found out I was one of those "some people"...I ended up with a HEAD TO TOE BODY RASH!!! I was mortified, because it looked like i had chicken pocks or something, and it was a reaction to the medication...here i am in the park, looking contagious or something -- and it's just these tiny pink specs ALL over my body...OMG!

It happened once before at the beach before our trip and by that point, I hadn't put it "together"...so here we are in Disney...and i finally realize it's the pills!

I stopped the pills, and never had that issue again!

 

[solar]

makeup / skincare

makeup- Bare Escentuals for face, waterproof mascara..that's it for vacation, chapstick with an SPF

skincare - my rosacea acts up, blah....dermaware pure and gentle cleanser (2x a day), oil free coppertone faces only sunblock...super fair skinned, so this is a must


How do you choose clothing to wear / shoes?

Crocs Athens flip-flops 1/2 the trip, comfortable broken in sneakers the other half -- dark shorts/comfy tops...style goes out the window, skip the jewelry except for a watch - comfort is the name of the game for me

What are your *essentials* when packing for WDW?

besides the "basics" of shampoo/conditioner, etc...small purse with lots of pockets, sunglasses, sun hat, an index card with any reservations or confirmation #'s, immodium (ha), Stop Pain (menthol stuff)- great for knees after long day, ipod loaded with music and audiobooks for lines, since my son is absorbed in his nintendo DS for lines

How do you manage your hair?

keratin process this year - LOVED IT - first time in my life i could airdry

prior - flat iron, then few drops of biosilk - and a new product for me "twist and lock gel" in ethnic section...worked incredible, one small nickel sized dollop

What are your tips for dealing with the heat?

enjoy mornings and evenings when it's cooler, and "suck it up" when it's hot...extra deodorant, sometimes under the girls too, and a small travel size mist spray bottle is great for cooling off your face....easy to refill, tiny, fits in purse (maybe 3 ounce size? - travel section at walmart/target) use this at the beach too!

How do you deal when "that time of the month" surprises you?

I always pack a spare 2 pads/and a tampon - just in case...until i can get supplies - I'm a woman, and know better-- it ALWAYS comes at bad times!

Note on the DIVAcup-- have it, tried it many times, still not a huge fan, but haven't given up yet, and side note..first few times, I looked like a crazed criminal after removing it because it was MESSY until I figured it out - so if i was in a public park, i'd feel self-conscious walking to the sink with my hands umm...MESSY - I have friends who love it. for me...not there yet

How do you plan for your trip?

I do a commando-research mission for 2-3 days straight, pull all the details and main ideas of what i want to do, then keep a list on my computer, updating if i come up with different thoughts or ideas - the first trip took longer, but i've been a lot of times, so now it's easier and pretty fast

**this year getting an "owner's locker" to make planning even easier from now on! (3 trips planned in next 12 months)

How do you save money on your vacation?

counter service meals, eat breakfast in rooms, refillable mugs (we get a lot of use out of them), limit souvies to 1 or 2 reasonably priced things

what are your strategies for the parks?

get there early, single rider lanes for some rides, and go off-season (non-peak) when we can

what resorts do you choose and why?

Caribbean Beach- we fell in love and keep going back...love the tropical feel, the lushness of the landscaping, the cay/with bridge...just feels like a "vacation" spot...love the bright colors and theme. We tried Coronado last year and switched after a day, because we missed Caribbean and just didn't "feel" like it was the same for us...as soon as we got to Caribbean Beach, it felt like home!

AND AWESOME THREAD!!!! LOVE IT, thanks to everyone for great tips

 

[hsmamato2]

note for diva cups.....I've had mine for about a year- when it's most useful IMO is when you KNOW 'it's' coming,you can easily pop it in ,go for the whole day,and know if it shows up while you're out,it's taken care of,with no checking/mess,etc. Then when you are back in your private bathroom at night,you can remove,check to see if 'it' has arrived,and go from there. I've used it a couple of times just for this,and it's the best!
But then I tend to use some other products for the duration,depending on circumstances. It also works well for those of us who also don't get an 'all clear!" from our bodies at the end of the cycle,kind of like insurance just in case it drags on longer.....KWIM? and since it can be put in,and left for like 12 hours,you really don't have to think about it during the day.....
The diva cup definitely made life easier on my last 2 camping trips.....

 

[jessrose18]

Is skipping placebo pills two months in a row ok?? I hope so, I went to my dr on mon and asked if I could skip placebos on vacation so I didn't get my period the last few days we are there, she said thats fine. Then she started me on a new lower dose pill and wants me to finish my old pack and then skip placebo and immediately start new pack, oh I hope its ok that I skip twice, cause that would make my period the first 5 days of vacation boo! Thanks for advice, I of course will ask her too have a follow up appt, but just want to know what other ppl do.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

Is skipping placebo pills two months in a row ok?? I hope so, I went to my dr on mon and asked if I could skip placebos on vacation so I didn't get my period the last few days we are there, she said thats fine. Then she started me on a new lower dose pill and wants me to finish my old pack and then skip placebo and immediately start new pack, oh I hope its ok that I skip twice, cause that would make my period the first 5 days of vacation boo! Thanks for advice, I of course will ask her too have a follow up appt, but just want to know what other ppl do.

yes you can skip....you could actually skip forever if you wanted to-ok maybe not forever, altho most docs woulnd't say that....but considering the shot normally eliminates the period altogether i can't see the pill being any different. i think there is one pill out there that only lets you have it once every three months.

 

[MickQuinn]

I take one aspirin a day for 7 -10 days before the trip and during. It helps thin the blood a bit for us northerners not accustomed to the heat.


Yes, I was the crazy lady wearing shorts and a t-shirt at the Hoop Dee Doo last Christmas when it was 58 degrees.

 

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

LisaS- thanks for the style numbers on the Lane Bryant bras. And you are talking about Lane Bryant "brand",correct? As I know I"ve bought Cacique bras in Lane Bryant stores.

 

[Missytara]

This is a good one!

1. I used to pack two shirts for each day; one daytime and one nighttime. Way too much. I discovered one year, I wear the fresh shirt at night; then hang it on a hanger and wear it another day in the park. That way I don't care if I get all sweaty and wet, etc. since the shirt has already been worn once. I went from 15 shirts down to 9.

2. I pack travel sized stuff; and throw away the containers as I use them up. Hairspray, deodarant, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.

3. I take hydration to go and crystal lite to go....for the parks. But I also purchase the 1.5 liter bottles of water when I check into my room. I use one for regular water, and make up one for tea and one for juice/lemonade in the fridge, so I don't have to go to the food court all the time. They fit neatly into the door of the fridge.

4. I pack several small ziploc bags; one with neosporin to go and misc. sized bandaids, one with a nail care kit, one with cotton swabs, q-tips, and puffs-to-go, etc.

5. I put a double coat of self-tanning lotion before I go. It looks a bit dark at first, but lasts all week. There is nothing worse than standing around for a half hour waiting for it to dry.

6. I also have my legs waxed before I go; nothing worse than cutting yourself and waiting a half hour for that too!

7. I take shorts for the day and capris for night. I take a navy colored cardigan that matches almost everything I own and it makes me feel somewhat dressed up for the evening, especially if it is chilly. I wear my sneakers down there (always wear your heaviest pair of shoes) and I take a pair of topsiders and one pair of sandals for the evening. That is it!

8. I make up an itinerary for my boss and my parents before I go, with all my flights, resort numbers, and my cell number. If I take a few friends, I add their cell phone numbers and contact numbers for all of us and distribute it to their families. I tape a copy of it to the mirror in my room; in case something happens to me or my friends and Disney needs to call someone.

9. I take a binder clip and a small calculator to keep track of my spending. Each night, I add up all the purchases for the day, and then carry the total from the day(s) before to the top receipt, to keep a running tab.

I think that is about it! That was fun.....

 

[Lisa S.]

LisaS- thanks for the style numbers on the Lane Bryant bras. And you are talking about Lane Bryant "brand",correct? As I know I"ve bought Cacique bras in Lane Bryant stores.

Glad you asked - actually they are Cacique! I'm not sure that they're making the LB bras anymore - I seem to remember that everything I've gotten in the last year has been Cacique (I am known to be a bit oblivious, though, so I could be wrong). But you're definitely looking for Cacique with those numbers.

 

[sshudson99]

Finally read all entries and made lots of notes, thanks. I would like to add one little item that I don't think I saw, and that is alcohol (not the kind you drink either ) but rubbing alcohol. It is great for cuts, itches, and also removing sticky stuff off of things! Other than that, I do believe you all have it all covered

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Thank you everyone for all of the awesome tips!!! I only read through 26 of the pages and apologize if this was already asked. Like a lot of the other ladies I have thick curly/ wavy hair that I ussually flat iron. However, that takes a lot of time and only lasts so long in huimdity, rain, and on wet rides. I know a pony tail is the most practical option ( I can't braid my own hair ) but would like the option of wearing it down some of the time. My hairdressers always rec products with shine additives but my sensitive skin always breaks out as a result (otherwise I am not prone to acne). I have also made the mistake of overconditioning my hair which weighs it down too much and makes it feel greasy. Does anyone know of any products that might work well with my hair but be ok with sensitive skin? Thanks so much!!!

 

[lindsey clare]

awww i love this thread! go ladies!

 

[lindsey clare]

ok i just thought of a tip i could share (sorry if this has already been mentioned). if you are prone to getting blisters on your feet, buy some Thorlo socks. they are sport socks which are specifically made for running or walking, and they are SO comfy. i wore these when i did an 80km hike and i didn't get one blister!

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

backup to the pill skipping- i foudn out the hard way that if youre on tricyclen- this will not work as its three differnt hormone levels, one each week. so i skipped for my friends wedding, then got it two weeks early. still good i figured i wont have it for disney!

um yeah wrong!!! i went ot the doc and she placed me on cyclen two a day, which made me ill. so i went down to one, and sure enough midair to orlando aunt flo arrived...worse yet...my cup was in checked luggage!!!! thank god there was another mom on board to give me a tampon! and tampons at disney are not cheap! i was very relieved when my bags arrived.

 

[marielynn724]

i'm so glad i found this thread! i'm going to be on my . during my vacation next week (not fun!) so i'm trying to decide if i should pack tampons or pads for the theme parks. i'm thinking i might be more comfortable in tampons.

generally, when i'm on vacation i don't bother with makeup. i get sweaty and it just sort of melts of my face anyway. i like to use spf on my face that is different than normal sunblock - neutrogena has a nice one that's not greasy. also i have a small free sample of clinique spf that i plan to put in my purse for the theme parks.

i know some other people on this thread have mentioned skirts - i also love wearing them in the warm weather, but never would on vacation. it's just too akward. what if the only available seat for a parade is on the curb? i like bermuda shorts because they don't ride up in the crotch like short shorts lol.

also i wear sneakers with nice plush socks, i love flip flops but my feet would kill me with all of that walking!

any other girls out there with this particular problem - i am well endowed and sometimes in the heat i tend to get sweaty, shall we say, underneath my endowment area and then my bra rubs and irritates my skin. would babypowder help this? i think i might try it for this trip.

 

[Kennywife]

Here's my strategy:

I pack comfy clothes; jeans, loose pants, nice blouses. I have some great bras that I just love and I will be using for my next trip.

I pack all my girlie things in a little baggie. These include lotions, shampoos, make-up, perfume, etc. I pack it in my carry-on bag so I don't lose it.

I checked the calendar and Aunt Flo will miss my trip by a week adn a half! Good thing...I have fibroids. But just in case, I am taking along back-up.

I always leave my number of where I'm staying with the family so they'll know where I am. And I always make sure I get trip insurance!

Anna

 

[snarlingcoyote]

i'm so glad i found this thread!

any other girls out there with this particular problem - i am well endowed and sometimes in the heat i tend to get sweaty, shall we say, underneath my endowment area and then my bra rubs and irritates my skin. would babypowder help this? i think i might try it for this trip.

Rub mennen speed stick under 'em or use blister block or baby powder with corn starch.

If you have room, pack a sports bra that can be shoved into the bottom of a bag and change.