Disclosure: Thank you to Nordstrom and ShopStyle for sponsoring today’s post. All products were selected, purchased and worn by yours truly.

I’ve got vacay on the brain – anyone else? The sand between my toes and the sound of waves crashing on the beach has never sounded so good! I could seriously go for laying on the beach with a good book with a side of salty air for a week [or two].

However, getting set for your vacation isn’t all piñas and dolphins [ya know, the vacay equivalent of rainbows and butterflies]! There are some hard parts too! A] deciding where to go, B] convincing your husband the trip is actually necessary for your health, and C] figuring out what to pack!

Whenever I’m packing for a trip, I try to be as efficient as I can with what I bring, especially if I don’t know what the week’s plans will bring! Dresses that double as coverups, sandals I can wear with any outfit, and a few fun tops tends to cover all my bases!

And when my mind starts down the vacation rabbit hole, it usually ends with shopping at Nordstrom for an item [or three]. I mean, have you checked out their vacation section?! Get this girl on an airplane stat! From swimsuits and coverups to all the flowy dresses, Nordstrom has vacation covered. Plus, with their free shipping and free returns it makes shopping a [tropical, sunny] breeze. And if you’re lucky enough to live close enough to a Nordstrom store, take advantage of their buy online pickup in store feature! Don’t forget, Nordy Club members earn points to use for future shopping trips, and membership is free [sign up here!]!

What I’m Packing

Don’t forget about additional essentials like a swimsuit, but this list will have your outfits covered for several days!

• Tory Burch Miller Sandal [size up .5]
• BP. Giana Platform Wedge Sandal [true to size]
• Liverpool Los Angeles Drawstring Crop Utility Pants [size down if in between, wearing size 2]
• Chelsea28 Farrah Smocked Cover-Up Maxi Dress [true to size, wearing size small]
• Rip Curl Golden Days Stripe Maxi Dress [true to size, wearing size small]
• Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra [true to size]
• Kut from the Kloth Connie High Waist Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans [true to size]
• CeCe Puff Sleeve Square Neck Blouse [true to size, wearing size small]
• 1 State V-Neck Ruffle Sleeve Top [true to size, wearing size small]
• Tory Burch Perry Bombe Color Block Leather Crossbody Bag
• Caslon Rolled Denim Boyfriend Shorts [size down one]
• Caslon French Terry Pullover Hoodie [size down one, wearing size XS]

A Comfy Travel Look

Liverpool Los Angeles Drawstring Crop Utility Pants [size down if in between, wearing size 2] // Similar Top // Tory Burch Miller Sandal [size up .5]

Just because it’s a travel day doesn’t mean you can’t still look put together! Comfort meets cute with these pants that I truly feel like every woman needs to own! You’ll never want to take them off, travel day or not! Pair them with a simple white tee and the sandals you’ll be wearing on repeat throughout the trip, and you’ve got yourself a travel day look!

Dresses That Double as Swim Cover-Ups

Chelsea28 Farrah Smocked Cover-Up Maxi Dress [true to size, wearing size small] // Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra [true to size]

I fell in love with this coverup over a year ago when I wore it in St. Kitts, and here I am, one year later, still preaching the goodness of the two-for one dress! Wear it to the beach, wear it to dinner, the world is your oyster with this lil crochet number!

Rip Curl Golden Days Stripe Maxi Dress [true to size, wearing size small] // Tory Burch Miller Sandal [size up .5] // Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra [true to size]

Is it a dress? Is it a coverup? Yes, and yes. This linen cutie is perfect for all-day wear, from breakfast by the beach to scoping out the perfect beach-reading spot. Throw it on over your swimsuit or wear it as your one-and-done ensemble for an evening out! Don’t forget about a strapless bra if you’re choosing the latter [this one is my go-to!]! Keep the girls supported, and no all-day tugging!

Shop more swim favorites from Nordstrom below

Bold, Colorful Tops

1 State V-Neck Ruffle Sleeve Top [true to size, wearing size small] // Kut from the Kloth Connie High Waist Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans [true to size] // Tory Burch Perry Bombe Color Block Leather Crossbody Bag // BP. Giana Platform Wedge Sandal [true to size]

There’s a reason it’s called Living In Yellow! No color brings me more joy than, you guessed it, yellow! So you better believe there’s going to be some yellow brights in my suitcase! Swap out a day of sunshine with wearable sunshine in the form of a fun yellow top [and might I suggest a great yellow bag to keep your hands free all vacation-week long?]!

CeCe Puff Sleeve Square Neck Blouse [true to size, wearing size small] // Kut from the Kloth Connie High Waist Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans [true to size] // Tory Burch Miller Sandal [size up .5]

Nothing pops better on fresh sunkissed skin than a bit of hot pink! I love pairing these brighter tops with classic white denim for a simple, put together vacation look! And if you’re in the market for a new pair of white denim, I can’t recommend this pair enough!

Comfy Sweatshirt & Go-To Shorts

Caslon French Terry Pullover Hoodie [size down one, wearing size XS] // Caslon Rolled Denim Boyfriend Shorts [size down one] // Tory Burch Miller Sandal [size up .5]

Some of my favorite vacation nights have been the ones with no plans, having a drink on the balcony, in my comfiest [but cute] clothes. That’s where an outfit like this sweatshirt and these go-to shorts come into play! Nice and lightweight, but perfect for the cool salty breeze!

More must-have travel items here!