Cruise Like a Rosen: The Week I Accidentally Became a Fashion Minimalist Against My Will

You know those inspirational quotes like
“Travel light, live light, be light”?

Yeah. No.
I lived the unhinged version of that last week.

So here’s what happened:
I boarded Virgin Voyages feeling great… only to realize I had left TWO-THIRDS of my wardrobe hanging peacefully in the Marriott closet like they were on their own vacation.

If you're wondering whether I screamed internally:
Yes.
Yes I did.

For someone who is militant about carry-on-only packing, this was the universe saying,
“Sweetie… let’s see what you’re really made of.”

So I spent an entire week surviving on:

• 2 pairs of shorts (rotation: hot & hotter)

• 1 single pair of jeans (aka my emotional support pants)

• 3 tops (which I tried to convince people were “intentional capsule wardrobe selections”)

• 2 pairs of shoes

• And a prayer

But did I crumble?
NO.
I thrived like a chaotic, sparkly MacGyver.

✨ Virgin Voyages gave me free daily express laundry — which at this point felt like a personality trait.
✨ I leaned on accessories harder than a toddler leans on an iPad.
✨ And the women traveling with me actually thought I had MORE outfits than anyone.

Ma’am… that was the SAME shirt… in a different mood.

But the true hero — the Beyoncé of this journey —
my red sparkle shoes.

These shoes put in WORK. They carried the team. They were the team. They were giving:

🔥 Distract them with shine
🔥 Nobody will notice you wore that shirt yesterday
🔥 Glitter is a strategy

👉 Insert the red sparkle shoe photo here — front, center, with the confidence they deserve.

So yes, I basically spent the week as a fashion minimalist by accident…
but with maximalist energy and unapologetic sparkle.

Moral of the story:
Check the closet.
Pack the accessories.
And never underestimate a woman armed with glitter and a laundry perk.