Spring break looks different for everyone...

🇲🇽 Maybe you're heading to Mexico with your girlfriends for a long-overdue trip.

🌴 Maybe it's a family week in Florida or the Bahamas, navigating the beach with kids in tow.

🛳️ Maybe you booked a cruise and you're genuinely not sure how to pack for something that's half resort, half adventure.

😎 Or maybe it's a 4-day long weekend somewhere warm and sunny because honestly? You need it.

Whatever your version of spring break looks like, Gordon (the hubs) and I spend most of our time in exactly these kinds of places.

Warm weather destinations, beach towns, tropical cities, mix-and-match itineraries where one day you're at the pool and the next you're exploring a market or grabbing dinner somewhere nice.

So whether your spring break is 4 days or 10, with kids or without, on a ship or on the sand, these tips work.

And the best part? They'll help you pack less and enjoy more!

1️⃣ Pack neutrals first, then add 2–3 fun pieces

This is the most impactful thing you can do before you even start packing.

>>> Here's what it means in practice: lay everything out on your bed first (yes, everything. It helps you actually see what goes with what). Then make sure the bulk of your pieces (your shorts, pants, tanks, basics) are in neutral colors like white, olive green, beige, navy, black, brown, etc.

Why? Because neutral pieces mix and match with each other, giving you far more outfit combinations with fewer items.

Then you add 2–3 printed or colorful pieces on top for personality (this is optional of course, you can just stick to neutrals).

👉🏼 For example: 5 tops x 4 bottoms = 20 outfits if they all mix & match! You don't need to pack two outfits per day to make it work.

2️⃣ Prep for beach days the right way

Beach days are actually simple to pack for, but it's easy to overdo it.

What you actually need:

✅ Two swimsuits you love. I'm a big fan of a one-piece that doubles as a bodysuit — pair it with your linen shorts or a skirt and suddenly it's a top too. I do this all the time!

✅ One great cover-up. My personal go-to is a linen button-down shirt — it goes straight from beach to café without missing a beat. You can also do this with a linen shirt dress.​

✅ A straw hat to protect your face. Plus, they're super stylish.

✅ Stylish sunnies ​

✅ And a tinted mineral sunscreen.

That's really it. You don't need five swimsuits for a week. Two is plenty if you let them dry overnight.

3️⃣ You only need three pairs of shoes (max)

I know it feels wrong. But trust me on this one.

• ​White leather sneakers for travel days and exploring. (if it's super hot where you're heading, you can skip them)
• ​Comfortable sandals for the beach, pool, and casual days out.
• And flat leather sandals for evenings — dinner, drinks, a stroll around town.

That combination handles literally everything a spring break trip throws at you. You'll wear one of these for travel days, so you only have to pack two pairs inside your carry-on.

Also, skip the heels. Heat plus long walks plus cobblestone or sandy streets is genuinely not the moment. Sandals like these are a great comfy alternative!

>> If you do have a special occasion and really really reaaaaally want to wear heels, consider these convertible ones. At least you'll have flat sandals + heels all in one.

4️⃣ Plan your evening outfits at home (as you pack)

This sounds like extra work, but it actually prevents overpacking.

It's easy to pack 4–5 "just in case" going-out options that never get worn. Instead, sit down before your trip and think about how many evenings you'll actually go out and what you'll realistically be doing. A nice dinner? A beach bar? A casual night on the cruise deck? Then pack just for those moments.

⭐️ A trick I love: pack a matching set — a top and bottom that go together. You can wear them as a set for a dressed-up evening, or split them up and pair each piece with other basics. (Quince has super cute DIY linen matching sets right now! A lot of cute linen tops and cute linen bottoms *skirts, shorts & pants* so you can mix and match as you wish)

One matching set, three completely different outfits.That's the carry-on mindset right there!

This is how I'm currently doing it with a linen DIY matching set in navy ⬇️

And another way to think outside the box here is to play with the colors. This is how I mix & match some of my linen pieces together to get the most out of every piece ⬇️

5️⃣ Accessories do the heavy lifting

This tip feels small but makes the biggest visible difference.

A few dainty gold pieces (earrings, a necklace, a simple bracelet) take up zero suitcase space and instantly make even the most basic outfit look intentional and put-together. Pack them in a travel jewelry case so nothing gets tangled.

You could also bring one crossbody bag (a raffia one is perfect for warm weather) that works with every outfit, day and night.

One bag. That's the move.

If you want to go even deeper with actual packing lists, I've got you:

🧳 What to Pack for Mexico: 9 Days, 15 Outfits, 1 Carry-On​

For you if: you're heading to Mexico (or any warm tropical destination) and want a complete, tried-and-tested list of exactly what to bring. Clothes, shoes, accessories — everything fits in a carry-on, and I show you 15 actual outfits you can recreate. Perfect if you like having a specific, take-the-guesswork-out-of-it list to follow.

🧳 5 Genius Spring Break Packing Tips​

For you if: you want to go deeper on the strategy side — with photos, outfit examples, and more detail on applying each tip to your specific trip. Great if you're headed somewhere warm but want principles that work no matter the destination.

🧳 What to Pack for a 4-Day Weekend in Florida​

For you if: your spring break is shorter — a long weekend, 3–4 days, a quick warm getaway. I tested this one myself in St. Augustine: 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes. Everything fit in a weekender bag, nothing went unworn. If you're a short-trip girlie this spring, this one's for you.

And before you close this email and go stress about your packing list...

Spring break is supposed to be fun. It's supposed to feel like a reward. And the packing? It's just a small thing you do before the fun starts.

I hope this email helps you pack better and faster.

Safe travels and thanks so much for being here 💞

XO,

Aimara

>>> PS: expect to receive this newsletter on Sundays instead of Fridays moving forward 😉 see you then!