How To Get Everything You Need For Your Mission In Less Than A Week
Saturday, November 15, 2014
To begin here is a link to the PDF file of my entire packing list (click here), hope you find this helpful!
I live in Panama Right now...
Which you might have noticed is VERY far away from Switzerland, where I will be serving my mission.
The temperature this MORNING when I woke up was in the low 80's (thats high 20's for those of you out there that don't speak Amurican). *but I'm not complaining.
So it's safe to say that there is NOT a lot of cold weather clothing options.
There is however a lot of clothes like this:
mmmm, $2.99 zebra leggings, not exactly the style I'm going for.
MISSION. ACCOMPLISHED. (pun intended)
Here's everything I'm bringing with me all packed up.
25" (50lb size) luggage number 1
(clothes, winter boots, and winter coats)
luggage number 2
(toiletries, study materials, flats, sleeping stuff)
duffel carry-on and purse
Each large size under-carry luggage weighs under 50 lbs with everything packed in it, the carry-on duffel is empty, and the purse has only a few things in it. (tip: they almost never weigh your carry-on, so if you are having weight troubles, put all your books in your carry-on!) I have enough space to add the books I'll receive in the MTC, plus the blow dryer and curler I'll buy when I get to Germany, AND whatever other things I want to bring home... like swiss chocolate.
Here was my strategy (for a cold-climate mission), plus some things I wish I would have known before I started.
1. DECIDE ON A COLOR SCHEME
There are obviously a million different color schemes you can choose from, but for a very functional mix-and-match wardrobe, pick a base color that all your shoes will be in (black, brown, navy blue, and grey are good examples). If EVERY shoe you have matches EVERY outfit, you have fewer limitations, and you need a lot less shoes.
I chose black as my base color (it's chic, always in style, and most importantly easy to shop for), and burgundy is my favorite color. Then I added pale blue, cream, and even a bright red so that my very fall-colored-wardrobe can work in all seasons. (see pictures of my whole wardrobe by clicking here)
2. BUY ALL THE SKIRTS AND SHOES FIRST
Good quality skirts are hard to find, especially missionary appropriate ones. So, get the skirts first, and worry about shirts and jackets and accessories later. I got 6 out of 10 skirts at Mikarose in the Provo City Mall (click here), I highly recommend them. It's Okay to buy more than you need, then, when you have more of your wardrobe put together, return the skirts and things that just don't go with all your other stuff (I returned 2 skirts and 3 cardigans).
3. BUY TOPS, JACKETS, AND COATS SECOND
Shirts are the fun and easy part. Keep in mind layering for seasons. Add cardigans, and a few nicer jackets so that when you need to dress up a little, you can. Remember, only get stuff that works with your base color.
4. GET YOUR ACCESSORIES!
Scarves, gloves, jewelry, socks, all the fun stuff. And a good quality missionary purse that is the right size for you. I was going to get black (and I recommend getting your purse in your base color) but since I already had a lot of black in my wardrobe, I decided on getting a purse in an accent color, to contrast all the dark colors in my wardrobe.
STUDY SUPPLIES, LUGGAGE, AND TOILETRIES
These you can get whenever. Walmart is open 24 hours ;) Go wild.
...a note about patterns
everybody loves patterns, but they are a lot harder to mix and match than solids are. A few possible solutions:
-Get only a few. (what I did)
-Get solid skirts and shirts, but patterned accessories (like scarves, a purse, and a coat).
-Get patterned skirts and solids everything else. Or vise versa.
-Get a few patterns and carefully mix and match. If you are mixing patterns, make sure one is much larger than the other.
-Become a fashion genius and rock a mixed print outfit like AWESOME Sister Bagley did (click here).
I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment! What would you add to the packing list? Do you have any great tips for setting up a sister missionary wardrobe? Do you know of any sister who have a great wardrobe and have posted pictures anywhere? Any questions for me?
Hopes this helps,
Love,
Sister Flick
Sister Missionary Complete Packing List - With Pictures (Part 2)
Friday, November 14, 2014
Hey beautiful readers! Here is the link for part 1 of my sister missionary complete packing list with pictures (click here) if you haven't already seen it. Part 2 covers all the clothes I will be bringing. I had a lot of fun making it and hope you can find it helpful!
A note about sister missionary clothes first. I know that your wardrobe is NOT the most important thing when it comes to preparing for your mission, and like Sister Stucki says (click here for her awesome blog), you will worry about your clothes for about 2 and a half weeks... and then REAL missionary work/worries set in.
THE MOST IMPORTANT way to prepare for a mission is to prepare SPIRITUALLY. (Go on splits with sisters, pray, A LOT, read your scriptures, read Preach My Gospel...)
BUT...
Right now, clothes and what to pack is one of the few things I have a lot of control over at the moment. I couldn't choose where I am going or what language I will be speaking, or when I'm leaving etc. I don't know who my companions will be or a lot about what to expect or how to be a missionary or how to teach the gospel or how to explain the Plan of Salvation. Its nerve racking, and very exciting. But, what I CAN do right now, is make sure that I make a good first impression by looking my best.
I can handle that.
Plus its fun.
(I don't have photoshop or anything fancy... so this is my best shot at trying to edit together pictures of the clothes that I packed, excuse the random grey backgrounds.)
Here is the link to Part 1 of my packing list, and here is the link to my packing list as a pdf file.
I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment :) Hope this helps,
Love,
Sister Flick
A note about sister missionary clothes first. I know that your wardrobe is NOT the most important thing when it comes to preparing for your mission, and like Sister Stucki says (click here for her awesome blog), you will worry about your clothes for about 2 and a half weeks... and then REAL missionary work/worries set in.
THE MOST IMPORTANT way to prepare for a mission is to prepare SPIRITUALLY. (Go on splits with sisters, pray, A LOT, read your scriptures, read Preach My Gospel...)
BUT...
Right now, clothes and what to pack is one of the few things I have a lot of control over at the moment. I couldn't choose where I am going or what language I will be speaking, or when I'm leaving etc. I don't know who my companions will be or a lot about what to expect or how to be a missionary or how to teach the gospel or how to explain the Plan of Salvation. Its nerve racking, and very exciting. But, what I CAN do right now, is make sure that I make a good first impression by looking my best.
I can handle that.
Plus its fun.
(I don't have photoshop or anything fancy... so this is my best shot at trying to edit together pictures of the clothes that I packed, excuse the random grey backgrounds.)
Skirts (10)
one is not pictured here, it is a midi length black pencil skirt with pockets similar to the one in the picture, but more structured (the one in the picture is jersey).
I got 6 skirts at Mikarose (click here), I highly recommend them!
I aimed at getting 8, (and got 10), and all of them do not wrinkle badly, are pretty sturdy, not see-through, and are good for various types of weather.
Sweaters (3)
all from old navy
Long Sleeve Shirts (3)
Since I'm going to a colder mission, you'd think that I would have more of these than short sleeve, but I like to layer with jackets, so I only choose three, plus I am a really warm person, and like the option of layers so that I can adjust from outside to inside temperatures. All three were on sale at The Loft Outlet.
Chiffon Shirts (4)
I love these! I got a wonder tee from DownEast in burgundy that goes well under all four of these semi-see through shirts.
The shirts are from Banana Republic, Old Navy, and DownEast.
Short Sleeve Shirts (9)
Most are from Banana Republic Outlet and Target. I choose colors that would compliment the skirts I bought. And all shirts had to match with at least 6 skirts. Not all of these shirts I bought new.
Jackets (5)
2 cardigans
2 nicer structured jackets
I love these because they make any t-shirt and skirt combo
into a put-together outfit
Extra Shirts (3)
A thin athletic shirt, a DownEast wonder tee, and a BYU tee.
Scarves (4)
They layer well and make any outfit look more put together. I am bringing 4 with me, all are good for different types of weather. Scarves are fun and easy to shop for, so bring less than you want, so that you have something fun to shop for on your mission. They make a great souvenir.
(from H&M, Target, and BlueNotes)
Cold Weather Accessories
Took
Gloves
Tights (thin ones, thick ones, fleece lined ones. I will need more I'm sure)
Leggings
(H&M and Target)
Items not photographed
Pj bottoms
Jeans
Socks
2 pairs of lounge around/athletic pants
Here is the link to Part 1 of my packing list, and here is the link to my packing list as a pdf file.
I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment :) Hope this helps,
Love,
Sister Flick
Sister Missionary Complete Packing List - With Pictures (Part 1)
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Click here for part 2!
I've got a week before I leave on my mission and waaay too much time to nervously pace around the house. So, since I've got a white table and enough time to line up a bunch of things, here is what I'm packing, visually deconstructed.
Desk
mini quad set (english)
full quad scripture set (in english, with holy tabs)
gel highlighters (don't bleed through! science.)
pale sticky notes
mini sticky notes
mechanical pencils
tape
colored fine line pens
scissors
seminary cards (with scripture mastery on the back)
scripture marking crayons
folder for all documents
Desk 2
pictures
small picture book (pics of family and friends and pedigree chart)
stickers (because... I mean... yes)
journal (I already wrote a lot of my favorite quotes in here)
blank cards (last minute birthday cards or whatever)
address book
German grammer book
another journal
Tschüss book (a mini scrap book thing)
(I'm not taking a large PMG and other missionary books
because I know they will give them to me in the MTC, in German)
Purse
Book of Mormon (German)
kleenex
sunglasses (only to be used while driving, I know)
mini German-English dictionary
sticky notes to leave on doors
hand sanitizer
water bottle (that fits outside pocket)
flash light
hello kitty tin (full of Altoids)
mini preach my gospel
hand lotion
mini note pad
coin purse for American money
Wallet
canon power shot
three memory cards: two 16 gig, one 32 gig
memory card reader (flash drive)
cards (debit card, driver licenses, school ID, credit card, temple recommend)
swiss passport
american passport
money
last tithing slips (to keep track of when I've paid tithing)
flash drives (16 gig each)
coins
Mini Makeup Bag For Purse
extra contacts
makeup remover towelette
bandaid
body lotion
lip gloss
mascara
chapstick
perfume
tampons
eye shadow (also works as highlighter and bronzer and brow powder)
vaseline
bobby pin
hair tie
Toiletries
2 large towels (they are very thin though)
1 hand cloth, 2 small wash cloths
lotion (just a small amount left, I prefer the kind in Germany)
makeup remover cloths
foot exfoliater
razor and replacements
shampoo and conditioner
travel shampoo and conditioner containers
Toiletries 2
medications (Ibuprofen, melatonin, etc.)
alarm clock
jewelry dish (a gift from my brother that always reminds me of home, and makes a new place FEEL like home too)
keepsake box
contact solution
travel contact solution
tooth paste
tooth brush
glasses
contact case
mini sewing kit
Hair
comb
mini dual-wattage flat iron
(I will buy a curler and hair dryer when I get to Germany)
brush
bobby pins
gold bobby pins
hair ties
Nails
nail clipper
nail file
white glitter nail polish
french tip nail polish set
white nail polish pen (LOVE THIS)
Jewelry
watch
bracelets
earrings
rings
necklaces
Makeup
head bands
deodorant
tiger balm
Neosporin
mirror
powder
bronzer
eye shadow pallets
foundation
face primer
blending ball
concealer
lotion
brushes
lip sticks and glosses (more than I will take)
cream eye liner color pot
perfume
eyelash curler
mascara
liquid gray eyeliner
Sleeping
white soft blanket
bed sheets
fluffy socks
pajama bottoms
Panama mola pillow (that weird shape is a toucan)
Gifts/Decoration
banners for birthdays
hello kitty chapstick
small washcloths in various colors
ribbon
washi tape
face masks
(Christmas is almost as soon as I arrive, so instead
of stressing about mini gifts for the other sisters, I already
got some ahead of time. Also birthdays are a big deal,
and even little things (like banners) always cheers people up!)
Things I forgot to photograph
nail polish remover
large tub of vasaline
tampons (the ones in Germany are OK, but not my favorite,
so I only packed a few month supply)
converter for camera
camera charger
18 month supply of contacts
glasses case
floss
language and scripture study journals
(and I'm sure a few other things too)
Here is the link to Part 2 of my packing list with pictures. And here is the link to my packing list as a pdf file.
Hope this helps,
Love,
Sister Flick
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