I am counting the days before we head out of town for our annual trip to Wisconsin.
It's a slice of heaven and the biggest decision of the day is whether we should have white or rose wine.

I am starting a packing list and here are some things I won't leave home without!

This Duluth Pack Tote is the bomb, you can turn it into a cooler, you can cram all your carry on stuff inside it, sturdy, with a lifetime warranty. It's the best. If there is a rainy day we will drive an hour into Duluth and hit the store.

My favorite pant of late is Current Elliott's “The Buddy Trouser" in Army Camo. I love the tapered leg and the Chino style. The cotton is so soft and light weight that they work in the heat and keep me covered at night when the mosquitos come out to feast on my ankles.

Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I am a sucker for some stripes.

My old and dearly loved St. James Sailor Shirt will be coming along again this year.
It's old, a bit frayed, and gets better with each wash.
Perfect to throw on with shorts, jeans, skirts, sweats or over a swimming suit.
I've been known to wear it for days.....thank god we are amongst family.

Muriel Brandolini is a major style crush for me.

Her interiors and personal style are divine and I've been following her for years.

So a while back when I heard she was making hats, I had to run out and get one. It shades the whole face which I love. Personally I love a little tan, but I hate wrinkles more so it's sun block city and the hat helps.

I can't find them in the stores anymore, but they pop up on Ebay every now and again.

I bring a bunch of long Cover Up's, my adult version of a onesie. I sleep in them, canoe, cook and cocktail in my cover up's.
Here's a super cute one I just got from J Crew.

When I was last in Nantucket I bought a pair of these clogs from Brooke Boothe's Nantucket Monogram. My clogs are black with a hot pink monogram. I can walk for miles in them they are so comfy, I throw them on like slippers. They are already in my suitcase.

Make up usually does not come out of the case (unless we are doing a family Christmas Card) while I am in Wisconsin. I do however, throw on some Rodin Lip Balm. It provides a hint of tint and a great, long-lasting sheen. It's moisturizing too.

A good read is a must, so I am taking my Book Group pick “The Interestings” on this trip. I like to read printed hardcover books even though they take up packing space, it's a must. I like to read on the big porch swing, air breezing through the screened in porch. It's great, after a long day of swimming especially before dusk.

We love to take long daily nature hikes through the forest and we'll stop to eat wild blueberries, search for animal tracks (and occasionally run into some animals), look at all the beautiful wild flowers. It's fun to do a little amateur birding on the walks and there happens to be an abundance of Bald Eagles. Seeing one up close with binoculars is a sight to behold. It's also pretty cool to be lay down on the dock and watch them circle above.

I also like to bring some of my favorite recipes. One of the most fun things about the trip is cooking with my sisters. We sip (or chug if the kids are making us batty) wine, crank the music and grab some cooking utensils which we use as microphones while we prepare the evening meal.

I will be bringing recipes from my worn and torn Barefoot Contessa, Zuni Cafe, Mozza, and Sunday Suppers at Luques cookbooks.

And board games!

Scrabble and a deck of cards are coming in my bag. Jenny is bringing Mastermind and my Mom is bringing some oldies but goodies. I also like a big, complicated jigsaw puzzle that we can work on all week long.

I am so looking forward to unplugging in one of the country's most beautiful places. Where nature thrives, firefly's glow and my family reunites every year and creates memories for the next generation.

Northwoods Here we Come!

xoxo Carrie

Photos: www.123rf.com, National Geographic, www.scrabble.com, all the others are from me.

Packing for the North Woods

Gordon, Wisconsin Population 176

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