A March Recap
The rise of AI + Influencers, Spring Break, and Recent Finds
The original title of this post was “What I Packed for Spring Break”. I was planning and packing for a long trip where we did not check any bags, and so I thought, maybe it would be interesting to share how we packed for a 10 day trip for a family of four.
While sitting on the floor of my bedroom, dresses and bathing suits and all the things strewn about my room…I felt overwhelmed. How was this all going to fit? Did I really need to pack all of this?
I pulled up Chat GPT, and asked it to send me a packing list.
ME: “can you send me a packing list for a casual beach vacation for ten days, with two young children, no checked bags…”
Chat GPT proceeded to send back a concise, perfect packing list. Down to the medications needed for children: allergy, tummy, fever meds. It reminded me not to forget leave-in conditioner because of the saltwater. It mentioned water shoes for the kids, rash guards, travel sunscreen and after bug bite treatment. There were inspiration pictures of what women wear on beach vacations, as well as outfit ideas, and a kids packing list as well….goggles! Chat did not forget to mention goggles for the children.
Yes, these are things I will always (try to remember to) pack as a mom, I have previous packing lists from other trips…but this trip is unique in that we are not checking bags and it is a very long trip. I had to get creative, and Chat GPT was there to help.
As I started to roll up my cover-ups and dresses, and narrow down my shoe choice (only flip flops, flat sandals and I wore my sneakers on the plane, the espadrilles were left behind)…I began to think: do we need actual influencers or bloggers anymore? Or anyone online offering unsolicited advice on the internet? Is AI going to take all of that over?
Is Chat GPT my new go-to influencer? We discussed this on a recent podcast episode, too.
Well, it might. But the difference is…Chat and AI cannot live a real life. Sadly, Chat cannot travel like we can!
All jokes aside, I do think the AI takeover for a lot of industries, jobs and daily life tasks is (very scarily) happening sooner than we think. On our podcast episode mentioned above, we tried to look at it positively, under a different lens, to discuss how it might create jobs, too. But alas, only time will tell.
And so for the first week of March, I found myself packing my Chat GPT packing list tightly in my Away carry-on (the best). I also carried on my oversized Squeze de Citron tote that doubled as my beach bag. And it all fit. If I can do it, you can too.
Before our trip, March came in like a lion with multiple snow days, super busy work days, content shoots, fittings, production and marketing meetings, important budget to-do’s.
And then…I had a true vacation in St. Barth’s…completely checking out and enjoying, feeling very present. Our friends lead the charge with our itinerary—and it was incredible.
To summarize the trip: it’s an incredible island, with the most beautiful beaches, the best food, a relaxed and careless vibe…it’s so many things on such a small island…it’s casual, but can be fancy, too. We went out and danced until 2am one night, and other nights we were in bed by 8pm. It is the perfect mix of relaxation and fun, with lots of activity when and if you want it.
I wore our new Dudley beach cover-up, our Palm Court…this was a photoshoot sample, the delivery is due in early May. It is so great. I hope this becomes a core Dudley style we continue to launch every summer. Fingers crossed you all love it as much as I do.
And so we are back, fully in end of school-year mode…April, May and June are some of the busiest times for us moms! For Dudley Stephens, we have been working on budgeting for 2026, our site-wide sale going on (40% off, highly recommend, see my picks below), and designing for Spring 2027 (woah). We are also working on our inventory buy for our Winter ‘26 Collection which will deliver from October-December.
I’ve been working on this list over the course of the month to share. Below are my Dudley sale picks, how I’ve been using Chat GPT, recent gifts we’ve been sent via ShopMy that I love, and other fun new things I’ve discovered along the way!
Dudley Sale picks —
All are on sale through next Tuesday, 3/31, using code REFRESH for 40% off:
P'Town Pullover - in waffle…preppy, cute, best fabric…perfect Spring and Summer sweatshirt.
My favorite Catalina Jacket in Vello Fleece - wear over Easter dress, Mother’s Day Brunch or Baby Shower brunch…chic, warm layer.
When in doubt, go with a Dudley Classic — Park Slope Turtleneck in Cream Terry Fleece. My go-to for all things New England Spring, Summer and for all travel. Perfect over shoulders of any outfit for an extra layer. I even brought this one to St. Barth’s and wore it over my shoulders for breezy nights and it was perfect to have on the plane.
Dudley Pullover — the most stylish Sherpa pullover, gold zipper dresses it up to wear to any lunch or meeting or to drop-off on busy, chilly mornings.
Chat GPT Go-To Prompts + Questions:
Packing lists — Already discussed at too much length above…so good for packing lists.
Itineraries — Will send the best ideas for hidden gems while traveling.
Medical questions — Has correctly diagnosed skin conditions for both of my kids.
Design ideas — Chat has helped me sketch out design ideas I have in my brain, which has given me this sense of freedom. Not having formal technical design skills limits what I can do by myself with our designer. I am typically stuck with picturing things in my head…and now I can prompt Chat with my ideas, and it is so liberating! I love this picture, designed with Chat GPT, for our Spring 2027 Beach Collection…colorful beach cover-ups in our French Terry fabric. Yes please!!
Other discoveries this month:
Podcasts — “The Rest is History”, “The Toast”, “Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald” … and don’t forget our podcast… “Two Sisters in Business” !
Books read in March —
Jeddah Bride — Couldn’t put this one down. A memoir of an American woman falling in love and marrying a Saudi Prince.
Strangers — Beautifully written, an eye-opening tale of divorce. Loved it.
You With the Sad Eyes — Apparently, I’m into moving memoirs this month! Another memoir…just WOW. So insanely good, so sad, so intense…please read this. I was crying large, heavy tears in bed while finishing.
Beauty + Fashion Finds —
Sweed Beauty — Mascara!! Sweed sent us some to try and I am obsessed. It is a different type of mascara applicator that I am used to, but my lashes look so long after applying! Love.
Lemme Gummies — The sleepy ones, sooo good. Lemme also sent us these to try and the sleepy ones are incredible. Such a great night sleep!!
Love Wellness Supplements — The Bloat ones. Does that trick every time. I have been taking these for years now and love them.
AYR Jeans — The Bud style and Secret Sauce. My new favorite jeans. Love these so much, more than any jeans I’ve had on in the last few years.
Spanx — These Leggings!! So good.
Sequin Jewelry — Use code DUDLEY20 to shop on their site, I love their jewelry so much. Such gorgeous pieces.
Somersault Bathing Suits — I love this style for when I know I’m going to be active, and have it in two colors.
We’re not regular moms…we’re the cool moms!! Erin and I with our girls on paddle boards in St. Barth’s.