Things Every Girl Must Pack for the Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

The main character in My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, Cat Crawford, is a modern-day girl who finds herself sent via gypsy magic back to Renaissance Firenze. Lucky for her, she gets to bring a backpack filled with contraband items from the future.

This was one of my favorite elements of the book because it not only brought about some fun moments within the story, but I had a ton of fun imagining what sorts of things I would bring with me if I had a chance to travel to the past. So, with that in mind, I thought it’d be fun to list my Top 16 things that I think would be essential for any time-traveling chica.

Here’s my list…and I’d LOVE to know what your list would include!

My Top 16 List of “Things Every Girl Must Pack for the Sixteenth Century”

Toothpaste. Our brands are much better than the homemade sour mixture they concocted, trust me.
Makeup. There the look is pasty white faces with bright crimson cheeks. Not really feeling it.
Bubble bath. You have to have some indulgences, and since they didn’t do showers…and didn’t even bathe that often…you’re gonna wanna enjoy bath time when you can.
Deodorant. Not really something they used. Plus, see bath above.
iPhone/iPad/iPod. A link to sanity plus it could prove amusing if you choose to share it with any Renaissance folk. Trust me on this.
Digital camera. You’re gonna want to take pictures of everything to remember it and prove you aren’t crazy once you get back.
Tons of batteries. Unfortunately, there aren’t going to be any outlets to recharge, or stores to buy more.
Comfortable shoes. Sixteenth-century footwear? Not so stellar.
Modern-day fat-suckers to bypass (or so you hope) the horrid corset. Those things are just evil.
(While we’re on this topic) Clean underwear. Yeah, they didn’t really wear any back in the day. Either embrace the commando or bring some with you.
Gallon size bag of peanut M&Ms. Snackage is essential, and they tended to have an interesting menu back then. One such item, roasted peacock. No thank you.
Hand-held motorized fan. No A/C and a bazillion layers isn’t an awesome mix. (see tons of batteries above)
Ahistory book so you can know what’s happening around you and sound really, really smart
Bottled water (turns out, they couldn’t drink theirs).
A couple Cokes, while you’re at it. A girl’s gotta have her caffeine.
And finally, a tub of Breath mints so you can have minty fresh breath for all the Renaissance hotties running around.

Get My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris for just 99¢!

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits…right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing. An admitted bookaholic and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!