Out of Office: What to Pack for a Trip to Tulum

1. The Pleated Skirt

Big sigh... I'm 5'2" with a short torso, long legs, and a curvier backside, so shopping can be tricky. But I somehow thought buying a mini pleated skirt was a great idea. Similar to one of the other fashion trends I'm not a fan of, my skirt gave me 50 shades of 'never again' when I attempted to wear it.

From the wind having a field day with it to feeling my butt on my car's seat every time I sat down, I quickly understood that this was a waste of money for me.

2. The Barrel Jean

Barrel jeans are another buy I wanted to love, but didn't because of how it fit on my body. I don't know if I should try something that's tailored for petite women, but I'm still scarred from being excited to try them on...only to face disappointment.

I looked like I'd purposely blown air in my jeans to achieve this trend which made me feel silly. However, I've seen content creators like Karen Goodbrand wearing them and they look amazing! However, I'm willing to table them for now and stick to my straight or traditional wide leg jeans.

3. Corset Belt

Let's have a long moment of silence for my lack of judgement with this purchase. I don't know what the goal was when I purchased a corset belt, but it swallowed my tiny torso.

I'm not even kidding. I looked like I stuffed myself into it which made me promptly return it for a refund. Sometimes I've been known to do an exchange for store credit, but I wanted this to go back to the sender so I'd never have to think about it again.

4. Colorful Tights

Before you question my sanity, I want to explain why this made my "overrated" list. I purchased a pair of burgundy tights at the last minute and wore them on Christmas Eve. They got a lot of positive attention, but I was so itchy in them lol. Also, they reminded me of a time when it was mandatory to wear them with dresses to church.

I literally couldn't wait to pull them off when I got home and haven't seen them since December 24, 2024.

5. The Faux Crocodile Print Vinyl Coat

I actually loved this coat, but what makes it overrated is how much noise it made whenever I wore it. It sounded like rubbing two water hoses together, meaning it was insufferable. It could be a personal thing, but I couldn't get past that sound no matter how cool I thought it made my outfits look.

The worst part about it is I spent more than I should've for it and haven't seen it since last summer, so all the rubber sounds were for nothing.

1. Tall boots

Tall boots are just that girl when it comes to winter outfits. They truly wear well alone, but for wintertime, they look especially stunning when you layer ‘em up with leggings or tights.

There are quite a few variations in design when it comes to tall boots, so you could snag them in a moto, cowboy boot, or sleek style.

Whatever tall boot style speaks to you the most and will be most practical for your needs will be perfect!

2. Snow boots

Snow boots are honestly non-negotiable if you live somewhere, well, snowy.

Snow boots are designed with the cold in mind, so they’re often expertly insulated and boast reliable textured soles that won’t fail you on slippery ice.

Sorel, UGG, Hunter, and Blundstone make some of my favorite snow boots since they still look effortlessly stylish, all while keeping your feet safe and warm!

3. Clogs

Where would I be without my clogs?! Seriously – they’re super helpful if I need to run a quick errand or take my dog for a brief walk outside. The best part about clogs is they’re extremely easy to put on and take off – no time for traditional laces over here!

I thoroughly enjoy this gardening-inspired pair from SeaVees because the soles are fitted with a good amount of traction to keep me from slip-sliding when I have to go out in the snow. They’re also waterproof, keeping my feet dry with every step.

Puffer styles like these are especially great if more warmth is what you’re seeking this season.

I also can’t recommend these Chacos clogs enough, since they’re remarkably durable and perfect for year-round wear.

4. Reliable sneakers

Sneakers are a must no matter the season, but having a pair for winter can really depend on your season-specific needs. Whether it’s a running sneaker that’s primed for the gym’s treadmills or a more fashion-forward design that you want to rock with all of your ‘going out’ outfits, there’s a winter sneaker for everyone.

I tend to shop sneakers for winter in more toned-down color palettes, since I typically wear more monochromatic ‘fits when the weather’s gloomy. I really adore my New Balance 530's since I can easily take them from a workout to a night out.

5. Cozy house shoes

Finally, cozy house shoes should be a given when it comes to winter. I surely spend more time at home around this time of year, and when I’m hibernating, my toes get annoyingly cold! I know I'm not the only one, too.

That’s where a good slipper or house shoe comes in – they exist to protect your feet from the elements, ensuring you stay cozy all season long.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt joined Good Morning Americaon January 15, 2025 to talk about how the L.A. fires continue to impact them. The couple shared what it was like having to quickly leave their home in a moment's notice. Heidi explained that Spencer told her to grab anything she wanted to keep, so she ended up grabbing her kids' teddy bears because she was so flustered.

When their $2.5 million home actually caught fire, Spencer got choked up talking about watching their kids' rooms burn on their cameras. He said, "Our son’s bed started just burning in the shape of a heart. The fire started in the shape of a heart. I was like, ‘This is like, out of body insane.’"

Outside of that, the couple detailed the loss beyond the material items of it all. Spencer opened up about the memories lost throughout it all, too. He said, “I feel like a ghost. I don’t have a single photo now from before an iPhone existed. I don’t have any of the dumb little things that are on your shelves in your parents’ they’re all gone. Not a single nothing.”

And to Heidi, their home was more than a physical place to live. She shared, “It’s a place that you love that you live, it’s a refuge from the world. And to have that be gone, it’s a really difficult concept to continue to daily deal with."

In the midst of the devastation, fans and friends have banded together to support Heidi and Spencer in a really unique way. After Spencer posted on TikTok that people should stream Heidi's 2010 album Superficial, so they can generate revenue to rebuild their lives with, people took that and ran with it. The song eventually hit #1 on iTunes, and Spencer even shared that there's potential for it to hit Billboard's Hot 100 Dance Chart, too.

And it's not just fans blasting this throwback song. Friends and fellow celebrities like Paris Hilton and Flava Flav both posted the song on TikTok. Plus, former The Hills co-stars shared the song as well, including Brody Jenner, Kristin Cavallari, and Audrina Patridge.

Heidi said, “The fan support has been such a light in such a darkness for us. It’s life-changing.”

We're sending love to Heidi and Spencer — and all the families impacted by the terrible L.A. fires this year.