I’m pretty excited today.

Not only is it International Women’s Day and I’m more proud than EVER to be a woman, but today, I join some amazing women over the weekend in one of my favorite cities.

I’m currently en route via air to Austin, TX to meet my Chicago besties of over 20 years for a little reunion. We do a pretty awesome job of keeping in touch (we group chat every day) and seeing each other (I’ll be in Chicago next month and they’ll be in Seattle in June), which I’m super thankful for.

When my family relocated from the Chicago suburbs to the tiniest town in Northeastern Washington however, I thought my life was over. No joke. I was one distraught 18 year old who couldn’t stop listening to Yellowcard and Dave Matthews and crying over the fact that I would lose my best friends.

Luckily, I was able to go straight to college after the move which allowed me to meet an entire state of new friends. So life did not end. And my best friends from back home? We actually become closer — and stronger.

The Importance of Girls Trips

So yeah — girls trips.

Every girl needs a little weekend away with the ladies every now and then — am I right?

In this instance, my long distance friends and I are in need of a fun weekend together.

Because catching up over text doesn’t always cut it. Because sometimes I just want to drink wine and reminisce to back when we were in grade school. And because sometimes I just want to silly drunk and dance with somebody I love.

But there’s so much more…

#1 : Because girls.

If you’re in a relationship, you’re probably around your significant other at all times. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this! I mean, Trevor is my best friend. But sometimes — it’s nice to be around of group of ladies and pretend like you’re in college again. Getting ready together, giggling, gossiping, dancing.

Yeah — girls. They’re necessary.

#2 : Boy Talk.

Whether you’re single, in a relationship or married — how fun is boy talk? Maybe you talk about how awful the pool of men is in your city. Maybe you talk about a jerk who recently screwed you over and your babes end up making you feel better. Maybe you had an amazing one night stand you can’t stop thinking about that actually made you feel like a badass. Maybe you are dying to talk about the V-Day stunt your husband pulled in the bedroom. DOH.

Boy talk — it’s fun.

#3 : Honesty. 

When you excel in your career and you’re constantly trying to be a better person at home and in life, sometimes you can put on a front without even knowing it. Like — ‘I’m a professional who doesn’t swear’. Or ‘I’m an amazing housewife who does all the laundry without complaining’. Or like, ‘I’m naturally beautiful with very little makeup and have never had any work done’. But when you get around a group of girlfriends? You get to be real. With makeup off and zero filters on, you get to let loose and talk and be honest. You can tell your ladies about your last botox experience. Or the other night when you decided to eat cheese and drink wine in bed naked.

Honesty. It’s always a good thing.

#4 : Sharing clothes.

Ya know, call me a sorority girl who kinda misses the whole getting ready together thing in a house full of girls so you can shop each other’s closets — but that shit’s fun. When girls pack, they usually bring extra outfits. And extra outfits means more for the rest of us. Plus you can try things on and get feedback right on the spot instead of asking your dog, your husband or sending pics via texts in hopes you get a semi-quick response.

So yeah, sharing clothes — it’s the best.

#5 : To be reminded who you are.

To bring it back to the whole “being a woman in 2018 thing” — it’s a really amazing time right now for us. We’re driving change, we’re not afraid to be bold, we’re using our voice and we’re empowering each other. In order to continue on this beautiful trajectory we’re on, we need to surround ourselves with other like-minded women. Women who encourage us. Women who remind us that we are strong, we are capable and we can do anything we set our mind to.

So surround yourself with those women, and remember — you are a beautiful badass.

What to Pack for a Girls Trip

So now that we are all aligned on why we need to take a vacay with the ladies — here’s what you should pack.

I’m just gonna throw it out there and say you should be going somewhere warm. Because sunshine and ladies sounds sooo nice right now (remember, I’m a Seattleite).

I’m talking hot spots like Austin (obvs), Palm Springs, Miami, Charleston, Scottsdale. They sound good, ya?!

Here’s what you should pack:

For the Day

For Eve

To Accessorize

To Wear on Your Feet

Can’t wait to share the fun that is had in one of the coolest cities in the US via my upcoming Austin travel guide.

Let me know in the comments below what next girls trip you’re headed on!

// cb ✌????