It is definitely vacation season! With that comes vacation packing and from the frustrated Facebook posts and #pinterestfails I can tell help is needed in this area lol. Below are all the items you need for a seven day (or more!) vacation that will more than likely all fit into just one carry on.

Before we do that like me give you a few quick tips- don't purchase all new everything- you want to stick to what you already know works! It's ok to buy some new items but make sure you give them a thorough test run to be sure that they will work for you cause maybe that maxi dress has annoying straps that won't stay up, or you didn't realize how thin that shirt was and you know that you will be a hot sweat stained mess by the time you walk from point A to B, and don't even get me started on shoes! Make sure you are ROLLING, not folding your clothes so you take up less space, you can put your shoes into plastic bags and lay them flat so they won't get your clothes dirty and most importantly- wear your bulky items to travel in. So wear your t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes and throw on your denim jacket or blazer. Now on to the real tips:

1. Tops: Bring four tops with you, a tank top, a t-shirt, a blouse and a fun trendy shirt. Stick to neutrals and solid colors so you can mix and match and re-wear if you need to. Don't bring too many prints or patterns or graphic tees because they are harder to disguise, avoid too many light colors because they show dirt and stains easier than dark colors. You can't go wrong with black, white or denim tops and florals, stripes and dots can easily be paired with different items
2. Bottoms: All you need are *three bottoms- a skirt, a pair of jean shorts or capris, and a pair black leggings. Make sure your bottoms can each go with at least four of your five tops *not including the jeans you will travel in*
3. Dresses: Bring two dresses with you, a day dress that you can walk, shop, go to the beach in and then a nicer, fancy or flashier dress to go out dancing, clubbing or to dinner in. Don't forget your skirt can be used for that same purpose!
4. Coverups: Hot days can easily turn into cold nights depending on where you are staying so be prepared with the jean jacket (that you traveled with) and a kimono, large scarf, or pashmina that can double as a swim cover up
5. Shoes: Wear your bulky tennis shoes, bring a pair of black flats or sandals, a pair of metallic flats or sandals and a metallic or black pair of heels. Gold, silver, copper, bronze and black  go with everything and if you need color then add a brightly colored or printed flat shoe that will still go with everything. These should fit in your bag with no problem!
6. Extras: Obviously don't forget your underwear, socks, work out clothes pajamas and bathing suit! All these items are small enough and can be rolled into clothes to take up less space. I would advise you to keep jewelry to a minimum and wear most of the pieces you want as a part of your travel outfit: gold hoops, faux diamond studs, one cocktail ring, gold or silver chain/pendant and a few bangles. Again stick with metallics to make it easier on yourself. Wear a crossbody bag for hands free traveling and bring a clutch that can do double duty as a makeup bag...  Um ladies, speaking of makeup- if you are going on vacay leave your face at home lol! At least some of it- bring the basics- foundation, waterproof mascara, liner, ONE eye shadow palette and a gloss or lip balm. Full on contouring and strobing and highlighting on vacation?! Ain't nobody got time for that lol! As far as lotions, body washes, perfumes and things like that, make sure you decant them or better yet- do some shopping while at your destination and make us all jealous of the beauty products you purchased while away. Put those items in plastic bags and bring a few extra bags for dirty and/or wet clothes.

There you have it! A short but sweet list of packing essentials that will help you avoid baggage fees, luggage check in lines, stolen bags and allow you to get around quicker and easier! This also will give you more opportunity to shop and bring back more items and still take up less space. Cause we all know how important it is to shop while on vacay... Did I leave anything out? Do you agree with my list? Let me know in the comments below!

                                                                                        Quick Facts:

• Squad Up Models First Annual Fashion Show produced and hosted by runway and print model Donnella Swanson
• Held  June 12, 2016, at 5:30 pm  inside the ultra chic Loft 65 located  at 6603 Detroit Ave. in Cleveland, Ohio
• The House of Fly by Lady Silk LLC styled three scenes inspired by TlC's Crazy, Sexy, Cool concept- specifically their fun, perfect for the  summer cookout in the park flirtin' jam, 'Diggin on You'. Models were styled using their own wardrobe with extra pieces and accessories thrown in by me. There were trendy ripped jeans, clean all white outfits, vibrant bright patterns and colors including print mixing, casual day looks and dresses made for summer nights on the town!
• Models walked to the sexy upbeat 'Long Heels' by Trina , the laid back swagger rap 'Fashion Killa' by ASAP Rocky and closed our scenes with the high energy braggadocios 'Grammy' by Drake and Future.

                                                                                  
                                                               Backstage Shenanigans: 
Fashion shows always start off so calm and promising: models and designers start to trickle in one after the other several hours before  the show, makeup and/or hair is getting done (this time by talented face czar Dmeechi) clothes are being fitted, there are quick practice  runs and a nervous buzz of anticipation starts to build up the closer it gets to the show. Models dress for their first scenes, careful not to disturb their meticulously applied makeup, lineups and last minute changes are being hollered out as models put their game faces on. Then it's showtime...

Models hit the runway walking for the GAWDS and giving the audience everything they need! As soon as they hit the curtains to the backstage area they are literally ripping off clothes and accessories, T&A is everywhere as models frantically fumble around with one impossibly high heel on while trying to remove an earring and step out of or into a skirt or dress all while  trying to avoid collision as everybody looks for their misplaced necklace, shirt, or shoe before lining back up just in time for the beat to drop for the next scene. 

It's crazy but fun. Adrenaline and tensions are high, people get cursed out, models get mad, personal items become misplaced but it's all confined to backstage and hopefully never spills out into the runway for the audience to see. Which is what happens behind the scenes of any production whether it's put on by a church group or a small collection of strippers lol.

The show was great and showcased some of Cleveland's hottest designers and boutiques including Vaughn Glover, He Loves Curves, Stylez by Toy and Darla Foxx. A big thanks to Donnella and all the models for letting me participate!

90's nostalgia is everywhere today and within the last decade or so streetwear has become a very well respected fashion subculture and taken so seriously that it's hard to remember a time when it was laughed at or looked down on. Now we see designers like Alexander Wang and others sending down runway looks that were exclusively "inspired" by the hip hop culture and all the ghetto fabulousness that comes with it.

Rapper, actor and street philosopher, Tupac Shakur- who would have been 45 years old today- was a trendsetter who brought street wear and high fashion together in a way that only he could. Just like his music balanced and blurred the lines of political statements, hood reports, materialism, education and all round wildin out- he did the same for high fashion and street wear. Made it for us but understood by everybody with an open mind. This is why we didn't bat an eye when Eminem wore his bandannas or when Yeezy declared himself "the Louis Vuitton Don". We don't mind that our R&B singers who grew up in the nineties are more tatted up with thug life running through their veins than some of the most popular rappers out now. For better or worse, leather joggers are a thing because of 'Pac and here are a few other trends that he started...

They tried to kill him back in 1996, but the spirit of Tupac Shakur will forever live on through his music, his quotes, his movies, his dedicated fans and his trendsetting style. What is your favorite Tupac trend? Let me know in the comments below!

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Awards was held last night recognizing designers, journalists, creative visionaries and industry insiders for their contributions to fashion. The ceremony was founded in 1962, another creation of Eleanor Lambert, legendary fashion publicist and promoter of American fashion (see New York Fashion Week, the Battle of Versailles, the Best Dressed List, the Coty Awards and the original Met Gala).

The event is sort of like the Fashion Grammy's where nominees and winners are chosen by their peers that include an invitation only network consisting of the top retail stores, stylists, journalists, influencers and the 450+ member designers of the CFDA. This year Marc Jacobs walked away with Womenswear Designer of the Year, Thom Browne received Menswear Designer of the Year, Gucci's Alessandro Michele won the International Award and more (see the complete list here). But the most talked about award of the night- the Fashion Icon Award was given to none other than Beyonce' Knowles Carter!

There was a collective amount of shade being thrown Bey's way via Fashion Twitter and with good reason: how on Earth did she win this prestigious industry award whose past recipients have included last year's winner, Pharrell Williams, 2014's Rihanna, (who showed up and out clad in a Swarovski crystal embellished naked dress and head wrap) Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, and Sarah Jessica Parker among others?

Well the award is given to the person who has had the biggest impact on the fashion industry over the last year, and love her or hate her- you cannot deny Beyonce's impact! The visuals and immediate aftermath for the 2016 Lemonade album alone was enough to solidify her clean sweep as a winner. The outfits were distinctively in your face  drama that served as a sartorial soundtrack to the emotional journey the pop singer took us on. We allowed Beyonce to pour us a deliciously chilled Mason jar of lemonade while  taking in her perfect mix of RL situations, girl anthems and pure unadulterated fashion! Bey rocked every thing from a Cavalli gown and floral Gucci suit, to Yeezy Season 2 body suits and sports bras. Your fave has never and could neva eva...

Now mark my words when I say Kim Kardashian West is next in line to receive Style Icon of the Year; it was lightly whispered about earlier this year and because clearly- as stated on Twitter by commentor @fashionunfold - "She created a uniform for half the girls on IG!" 

Do you think Beyonce's win was justified? Take the poll below and tell me how you really feel! Read Beyonce's full speech acceptance speech here...
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