Look Out! Kathleen's Packing.

I haven't been to Romance Writers of America's national annual conference in four or five years, but I used to attend faithfully, was once quite active. But I'm going this year, even though Dallas isn't my favorite destination in July. Part of the ritual for me is packing exactly the number of outfits I need--no more, no less--replenishing the makeup kit, finding multi-purpose shoes, and making sure I don't forget the essential creature comforts, like the small Swedish whatever-that-dense-foam-is pillow.

Okay, start with the makeup. This zippered case is small, and it's like a book with see-through net zipper pouches for pages. I've had it forever, don't remember where I got it, but it's a gem. Went to Sephora last week wanting new eye stuff. It has to fit in one case. Don't want to open a bunch if pallets when I'm doing war paint. I use dark powder and a brush for eyeliner--hate fooling with a pencil so close to my eye--a highlight (pearl white this time) and 2 colors. So the silver square you see holds 4 round thingies, and they're seated with magnets. It was spendy, but I can easily change the thingies. Got that and asked for something to keep the lipstick from feathering. The recommendation? Reverse lip liner. That's a new one. It's very light in color. Tried it, and it seems to work. Mascara--Maybeline XX whatever with conditioning on one end. Cheap and good stuff. Models swear by Maybeline mascara. New brow pencil has a round brush on one end. I've recently realized that eyebrows need a bit of color. I've ignored them most of my life, poor things. (Mind you, the makeup regimen is not a daily thing for me. Far from it. Mama would be horrified, but the cleaning and moisturizing is generally all I do.)

On to the shoes. I live in Crocs in the summer, but I need something not rubber. I'll take 2 pairs of plain dress heels (medium high but spiky)--black and cream--but I need cute slides. What do you think of these? They have to be comfy and versatile. These are kind of copperish color, wedge heel. (Will have foot spa, fresh pedicure before I fly.) I've been breaking them in, and they seem to do the trick. I'll take one other pair--well-broken in--in case shoes turn cruel. Probably the Crocs. As for the outfits, suffice it to say that the one good thing about having the conference in July is that summer stuff is On Sale. And I love it that full skirts are in. I love to swish.

Finally, the away-from-my-nest necessities. Here are a few. I've come to use earplugs regularly, but started out as a hotel thing. (Then found that they helped block out snoring at home, but that's another story.) Sleep mask--you never know when you'll need a quick snooze. The "blister block" product is untried. Found it when I was looking for Band-aids. It's a paint-on thing that's supposed to prevent blisters from cruel shoes. Has anyone tried it? And, finally, the Desitin. No, I'm not wearing diapers again. Not yet. But having grandchildren around brought the Desitin back into the carry-on, and lo and behold, a dab of the stuff before you go to bed on what threatens to become a facial blemish by morning actually dries the thing out. It works better than toothpaste, which, according to some fashion mag encounter at the hair dresser long ago, is what models use. And Desitin is meant for baby bottoms, so it has to be gentle. (This was actually dh's discovery. Give credit where due.)

Now...What's in your travel kit?