You Too Can Do: Packing for a Trip

You Too Can Do: Packing for a Trip

So, like I said in my previous post- I was in Florida for 4 Days. I haven't done a flight/long trip in awhile, and I forgot how ridiculous packing can be.

So here's some tips and tricks I wrote down for you guys.

1. Make lists. I can't stress how important this is. Oh, and don't make you list the night before when you're all freaked out about travelling. I started my list a week ahead of time and added stuff through the week. Whenever you remember something, write it down. 

2. Pick luggage that is brightly colored and can be easily identified. Look I get you, black luggage is sleek and sexy and makes you feel like Victoria Beckham, but it is the dumbest idea in history. A couple of the girls who went brought black luggage and didn't put anything on it to be able to identify it quickly- I don't even think they put a luggage tag on it. The mother in me was like, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" 

My bag in case you can't tell, it blue and grey with a yellow luggage tag. No one even remotely had the same color as me and baggage claim took 5 seconds.

3. Pack in quadrants. Some people roll their clothes to make more space, I usually don't. What I do is pack in corners of the luggage in specific themes. Example: the bottom left side is warmer clothes and nicer outfits, the bottom right is clothes I'll wear to the show, or cooler clothes. The top right ended up being swimsuits and shoes, the left was pjs and the pocket on the inside was underwear. 

When I pack in an organized way it makes finding things so much easier and I'm not the guy who's suitcase explodes on site because I had to dig around for something at the bottom.

4. Try not to get distracted like I did.

5. Pack wet stuff in a zip-lock. You will be so happy with yourself when something explodes but doesn't get all over your clothes.

6. Makeup goes in one bag, but is separated into smaller bags. Example: one bag for eyes, one for lips, etc. When I only had 5 minutes to do my makeup one morning, it made my life so much easier.

And make sure when you get the hotel you and your room-mate designate areas. I always claim the table, and leave the bathroom for my room-mate's stuff.

7. Hair stuff goes in another bag. Obviously you might not need as much as I brought, but I'm a hairstylist and that's where my luggage space goes. Deal with it. If I were you, I would consolodate your items for space. Either bring travel sized items or fill up those mini empty bottles they sell at the drugstore.

8. Be smart with your carry-on. Don't pack a crazy amount- remember you're carrying that around an airport all day. Here's what was in my carry-on:

-a change of clothes (leggings and a t-shirt that way I had either pjs for that night or I could mix and match with what I had on to make another outfit. I was scared my luggage would get lost with all the layovers.)

-Bag with my jewelry, aspirin, pens, etc.

-CASH, it's so much faster than messing around with a card and you only have 5 minutes til your next flight boards.

-Book and magazines.

-Clear TSA approved bag with all my liquids, which include toothbrush and toothpaste, moisturiser, lip balms, rollerball perfume, travel sized Awapuhi Styling Oil, concealer, eye cream, and lotion.

9. Get smart with your space. Altoid tins are so amazing for dumb stuff- iPod cords, bobby pins, rubber bands, headphones, ANYTHING.

10. Don't dress dumb for the airport. Now, I didn't take a picture of what I ACTUALLY wore, but it was pretty much this.

Except I wore leggings, different colored shoes, and no jewelry. 

My goal for the airport is always to not block the way for other people. So wear flats or flip flops, don't wear your jewelry, don't carry anything in your pockets, and always remember less is more. You don't have to wear the overcoat, the heels, and all your rings. Those are things for your carry on. Don't be a jerk at the airport, you're just going to make people like me angry.

Enjoy your trip, if you're taking one soon,

-SamanthaK