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The last two packing picture.

And yes I managed to fit all my stuff into those two suitcases and my messenger bag.

and yes that big suitcase is under 50 pounds so, I’m flying with my baggage for free - gotta love jet blue 

My packing - Everything I’m bringing from Provo to Moscow -Important; detailed!

Shoes: When moving somewhere for a year make sure you have shoes that address ALL the seasons; panda slippers (I got them for christmas); black mid-calf 3 in heeled boots (for church); my dawgs (like uggs but less expensive); my black cowboy boots (since I couldn’t bear to part with them; blue suede two inch oxfords (for church and site seeing - they are comfy); gold oxfords (for work); flip flops (they are like 6 years old, I should probably get some new ones…); and my black pumas (for work and working out)

Pjs: Comfy but not risqué especially if you are living in an au pair room and not an au pair house like me (I have their guest house out back to myself, lucky I know) M&Ms nightgown; 2 pairs of soffees; (I took out the longjohns after I took this picture - I realized my fleece lined leggings would do the trick just as nicely); 2 pairs of sweats (one is waterproof that I use as snowpants because I don’t actually have any…); and my favorite pair of PINK yoga pants :)

Sweaters: These will not only be great for layering in Russia for me but  also in my ‘family’s’ house - different families like to live at different temperatures and I’ve found (between all the roommates I’ve lived with) that I like a warmer house than most; overlarge cream grandpa sweater (perfect for working with the kids or going to the park in the spring); blue form fitting sweater; red chunky sweater (works great as a lightweight coat - fancy enough for church/functions but relaxed enough to wear to work too); Aero workout sweater (also for around my house); a green day sweater; dark green cardi; (I took out the last green sweater, I decided I had too much green); blue cashmere sweater; not pictured: pink/black polka dot card; argyle black and purple sweater

Shirts: For Au Pairs it is imperative that you can move in your shirts and that they don’t show to much skin when you move around. grey short sleeved hoodie (perfect for site seeing); longsleeved overlarge creme shirt 4 tee-shirts for doing service of getting dirty; Smiley face tank! (my favorite shirt); basic black long sleeve and short sleeve shirts; a flowy butterfly shirt; longsleeved goofy tee; long underwear shirt

Button Downs: These are perfect and easy to wear, you do have to be careful though because a lot of times moving around a lot can unbutton a button but, they move easily and they look nice enough to show you are working but relaxed enough to play with kids; flower-patterned; basic blue pinstriped; flowy white with crocheted detailing on the sleeves and the bottom; chambray; fruit print! (its quirky and fun!); classic flannel; and a beautiful red and black shirt (not for work)

Dresses: You should have at least one dress that is formal enough to wear to events (like the ballet or a nice school function) BUT you also need to be able to move with the kids; also make sure any of the dresses you wear to work are long enough that you can kneel down in them and not flash anyone; 2 dresses that are cocktail wearable yet still moveable enough to watch the kids (in case I have to take them somewhere nice); a knee length summer dress from Hawaii (that doubles as the most comfortable nightgown ever); 4 mid thigh dresses - they look cute with tights/leggings during the winter and are perfect for playing with kids

Skirts: Some people are skirt people - I am not; but you cannot go wrong with the basic pencil skirt and a maxi skirt that can be worn for a thousand different reasons and with a little creativity a thousand different ways; a patterned maxi - they can seriously be worn so many different ways; and a black/grey pencil skirt - a staple of any wardrobe

Jeans: Jeans - the staple of the nanny wardrobe in my opinion; I really love Levi’s because they can take a beating yet still look good; also dark wash jeans hide dirt and grime better; Flared Levi Dark wash jeans; I replaced the jeans pictured with a new pair of darkwash skinnies (the ones pictured were old and ripped); burgundy skinnies (theyre darker than they look in the picture); grey skinnies; two pairs of shorts

Media: I’m moving halfway across the world; It’s okay to be homesick. Plan for it! My quote book (I started this either in middle school or early high school, I can’t remember. I love it though. It is perfect for reading on a bad day and I love to add to it!); DVDs (jI got these for Christmas - Brave will be perfect to watch with the girls and I just love HP - I’ll probably have a marathon on one of my days off)); my diary; Pictures of my sister and I; my best friend and I; and my mom my brother and I (note: my mom sent me a book later with pictures of all the family); A folder of my stationary and important papers; Eugene Onegin! Such a wonderful Russian classic; an extra notebook (for the girl that hates buying journals); 2 Suess books for the little girls I’m going to be watching (everyone loves presents - a simple gift to start the relationship will be good); Not Pictured: Bathroom Reader: Unstoppable (for the plane. These books are full of the most useless stories and facts but I love them. Each one of my siblings got a different one for Christmas :))

Accessories (Picture in the next post): Accessories can make the plainest outfit fabulous. They also make some good impromptu toys (seriously - lets see how many ways you can figure out how to wear a scarf - its just like dress up!) Green Tank, Yellow Tank (not pictured because I’m wearing it); white cami, black cami (not pictured… I don’t remember why); Winter hat; (I unpacked the sunhat… I don’t really wear it anyway, I just wear my sunglasses); 3 slips (2 mid thigh length [nude and black] and a dress spanx slip); 2 cashmere scarves (red/black and yellow); swimsuit and swimskirt; 7 pairs of tights (yeah… maybe a bit of an overkill? I like to wear my summershorts with tights though and my summer dresses too); 2 pairs of gloves (white - for day and black for nice occasions); 2 ribbons; 6 belts (I was wearing my black belt); 4 pairs of leggings (fleece lined navy blue, basic white, lace patterned, and my favorite leopard print black)

Toiletries: Keep up your looks - little kids like prettier people more, not in the model pretty kind of way but in the kind of way were you look like they can trust you - you need to smell good, look clean and look put together… I’m picky about my toiletries so I have extras from my favorite american brands just in case I don’t find a brand I like in Russia; Makeup case; medicine and razor case; mirror; face wash case; jewelry case; sewing kit (sooooo helpful); hair kit (straightener, 2 different sized curlers, headbands, ponytails, bobby pins, clips); lotion/deodorant bag; suede care bag; perfume and hair products bag

I won’t pretend I packed light. I didn’t, I could do fine without so much of this but, I’m nervous and if I want to use my clothes as a security blanket I will. 

Working on my Visa… So… I have to get an HIV/AIDS test… you have to regardless to get your visa… Planned Parenthood here I come!

It is here! My invitation letter to Russia! I’ll be going to Anosino, Moscow Region, Russia to be an English speaking nanny! Starting Visa work after Christmas.