What I’m Packing for Alaska (and lots of giveaway’s)

It’s here! It’s finally time to pack for our Alaskan Cruise. We’re cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line this week and can’t wait to hop on board again. Norwegian is such a great cruise line for so many reasons – here are a few of our favorite reasons.

I love to pack. Unpack, eh, not so much. That’s why I’m not sharing tips on how to unpack because I hate it that much and I’m sure I have others joining me in that.

Here’s what I’m packing for Alaska. {Make sure you see all the giveaways in this post. There are LOTS!}

1. Jeans/Long Pants

2. Long Sleeve & Short Sleeve T-Shirts (will be warm enough for short sleeves sometimes as well as chilly enough or cold enough I might say, for long sleeve)

3. Fleece and Jackets (both rain jacket and normal windbreaker).

4. Gloves and Hats

5. Sunglasses

6. Camera and Binoculars

7. Walking Shoes

8. Flats for Dinner and Sightseeing. (you’ll want to make sure they’re super comfortable). I’m packing my Tieks. Woah, are these things so comfortable! The price tag may be a shocker to you, but they are worth every penny. These are great for all day wear or for dinner. They definitely are the most versatile designer flats in the world. Learn more about Tieks.

I love how the Tieks come packaged. Isn’t it adorable? Look at that flower!And look at how compact they are! Yes, they’re that easy to pack or stick in your purse.

Aren’t they just adorable? Which ones are your favorite?

Follow Tieks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

9. A good carryon or bag to carry around the ship. I’m taking a No.41 bag. Have you heard of No.41?

They are about empowering young women and their goal is not to give them the world, but to show them that God has already given them everything they need to go out there and take it. When you join with them, you are truly changing the world FOR ONE. They employ 20 women from the orphanage in Rwanda, as well as 10 from the surrounding village. They have 8 mamas better caring for their 12 children and 19 of their young women are now enrolled in university. In February 2013, No.41 opened our first feeding program, providing a hot, healthy lunch to 900+ students and teachers, daily. Isn’t that amazing? I love fair-trade companies like this.

I love how my bag turned out. I’ll be using it around the ship to carry jackets, items we purchase, as well as off the ship on port days.

And….I’m so excited to be giving one away! Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below to win The Valentine Signature Bag (value of $75). Adorable, huh?

a Rafflecopter giveaway
10. I love sandals and flip flops. They go everywhere with me. Yes, even to Alaska. I’ll be taking these adorable Sseko Sandals with me on the trip. They are so comfortable and adorable.  Like other fair-trade organizations, Sseko has an amazing story. They are an ethical fashion brand that hires high potential women in Uganda to make sandals to enable them to earn money through dignified employment that will go directly towards their college educations and ensure they will continue pursuing their dreams. How awesome is that?  These T-Strap sandals are so great because you can change the strap out and you have a brand new pair of sandals. How cool! The accents range from $15.99 and up. Here are mine – they’re pretty great. I’ve worn them so much already and have gotten lots of compliments on them.  They have so many cute sandals and shoes to choose from. Which ones are your favorite? Make sure to follow Sseko on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, just for my readers, between now and September 17th, receive FREE SHIPPING on your order with Sseko by using code MTFREESHIP. 11. Sweaters and Cardigans. These are great to throw on when you want to layer on your trip. 12. Sashka Bracelets – I’m loving these accessories and they’re also another great fair-trade, ethical fashion organization!  Sashka Co. glass beaded bracelets are handcrafted by artisans in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal with love. Their bracelets roll over any hand and are crocheted with the world’s finest glass beads. Proceeds from your purchase empower Nepalese artisans to rise above poverty through fair trade. Each bracelet is carefully handmade bead by bead. Skill, passion, and some of the world’s finest glass and sterling silver beads go into each one.  Which one is your favorite? Hurry up and pick because your favorite may be one that I’m giving away! Yes, that’s right, I’m giving away 3 of these adorable Sashka Co bracelets. All you have to do is enter using the widget below and one lucky winner will win all 3 ($36 value).   a Rafflecopter giveaway

13. You never can have enough jewelry for a trip. I’m loving my Orange and Bronze Mamani Necklace by Greenola Style from Set & Style.

It definitely puts me in the mood for Fall and it goes with almost everything! It’s made from repurposed acai and bombona seeds, a natural material indigenous to the South American Rainforests. The dried out seed is dyed using a low-impact dye, hand washed, and laid in the sun to seal the vibrant color. This is seed to style and is handmade in Bolivia. GREENOLA STYLE is a Fair Trade Federation Member that employs artisan entrepreneurs in Bolivia and Kenya, each unique and talented in their own way. I love everything about fair-trade organizations.

Who would like to win one? I’m excited to be giving away this exact necklace to one of you (value of $49.00). All you have to do is use the widget below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

14. I’ve posted about Noonday Collection a lot on my blog as well as social media outlets. It’s no secret how much I love everything they have. Do you know about them? Here’s a little about who they are. 

Noonday Collection’s first trunk show was hosted by founder, Jessica Honegger, in her home as a means to raise money to adopt her son and third child from Rwanda. The style and purpose of the products drew an overwhelming response, and the business quickly grew beyond a fundraiser {and her head is still spinning}.  n the summer of 2011, we launched the ambassador opportunity. The desire for women in the US to earn an income while creating pathways out of poverty for the vulnerable was overwhelming. Jessica needed help! She soon partnered up with another socially minded friend, Travis Wilson, to enable her to grow the business beyond what she could do alone. Both Travis and Jessica spent years living in resource poor areas of the world and both dreamed of starting a business that would alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship.

Everything from their jewelry to accessories is just absolutely amazing. I have several Noonday pieces and get compliments each time I wear them. This time, I decided to venture beyond a necklace or scarf and wanted to try one of their bags, and again, I’m in love! I love my new Lines and Stripes Catch All bag.  The size is perfect, and it’s so functional! There are several big pockets inside and the crossbody feature is my favorite. This purse is going with me to Alaska and I’m using it as my purse for traveling as well as on day trips on and off the cruise ship.  Who would like to own this bag? Yes, I’m giving away this bag (value of $142) to one of you lucky folks! Just use the widget below to enter.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

15. When was the last time you bought a new wallet? If you’re like me, you use the same one for years and years until it literally falls apart. Recently, I got my hands on a wallet from Everlane and fell in love. I thought “a wallet is a wallet” until I touched and saw this one. This one is great for traveling too. You can place all your cards and ID’s that you’ll need but it doesn’t take up much room in your bag or carryon. Don’t you just love it? You can get one too from Everlane. Make sure you follow Everlane on Facebook and Twitter.

16. Fashionable creates sustainable businesses for Africans so they aren’t dependent upon charity, but instead earn the dignity of a job. They offer opportunity to everyone, with a primary focus on empowering women. When they invest in a woman, statistics demonstrate that she will have a life-changing impact on her family and community… and herself. Through your purchase, you are ABLE to provide opportunity, and a woman is ABLE to have a new choice.

I have several scarves from Fashionable and love them! My most recent scarf is the Feleku and I love it! It’s perfect for this Fall/Winter. Handmade in Ethiopia and is medium weight. I hate it when scarves are so heavy and make you hot, don’t you? Well, this one doesn’t and it’s ridiculously soft! Isn’t it lovely?

I’m excited to give you a great discount code for something from Fashionable. Who wants it? What are you planning on getting with this discount? Use code MEGHANSFRIENDS to receive 10% off your purchase. I can’t wait to see what you choose. 

17. This Jimani Collection Necklace is beautiful. No other word can describe it. Every time I wear it I get so many compliments on it.

The Ava Swahili Multi-Strand Beaded Necklace is draped in strands of African seed beads and thin matte brass chain. There are small golden beads throughout as well as a beaded pattern and a small piece of hammered brass near each chain. This necklace truly is a beautiful piece that adds style to any outfit.

 

I’m so excited to be giving this necklace (value at $37) to one of you today! Who wants to win it? All you have to do is enter by using this widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

18. Spartina 449 is one of those brands you have to have in your collection. I have the Pender Carry All Tote and it’s going to be used as my carryon for our trip. It can hold a TON and I’m excited that I can take my laptop with me in this bag and it not be awkward or heavy to carry. I also have the Pender Viscose Scarf and it is adorable. I love that it matches. So soft, so warm, and so luxurious. I’m packing this in my suitcase for Alaska. This is probably one of my favorite patterns from Spartina 449 – Pender. Which of these is your favorite? Today, I’m excited to be giving away a Spartina 449 Mary Lavinia Wrist Wallet (value $47) This new fall print is adorable isn’t it? Larger than a standard wallet, features include surround zipper, wristlet strap, outside pocket, pen holder, inside zipper pocket, I.D. pocket and 15 card slots. The Spartina Mermaid charm is included on the signature linen exterior. Wallet is trimmed with leather.

All you have to do to enter this giveaway is use the widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bon Voyage! I’m headed to Alaska with Norwegian Cruise Line and won’t be posting for the next week or so here on the blog. But you can keep up with the trip on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. I’ll announce the winners from the giveaways once I return.

 

 

Enter your Email Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz