HOW TO PACK FOR A TRIP

The first step is being organized and using individual bags so you don’t have to dig through everything to find one small item. When you have things separated it just makes it easier. Here are the different bags I take and what goes in them…

AIRPLANE TOTE

Get a good airplane bag. I recently purchased this Lo and Sons bag that I use for all my airplane tote needs. It was a bit expensive for me even though I got it on sale, but I absolutely love it. The back slides right over the handle of my carry-on luggage and it has SO many pockets. I’ve also been using it as my gym bag, weekender bag, and for work. Here’s everything that goes in there (also in the photo above)…

• Empty water bottle
  • Travel Hack – put tea bags or the Starbucks VIA instant coffee packs in your water bottle. When at the airport, ask for hot water (usually free) and make your own drink. This will save you money here and there which will add up.
• iPad and iPhone
• Journal and pen
• Magazine/book
• Adult coloring book & markers (don’t knock it til you try it)
• Sunglasses (in a hard shell case)
• Wireless Headphones
• A blanket scarf
  • This Lululemon one is my favorite for traveling (I’m always cold so this is a life saver for me. You can wear it SO many ways and it even folds out to be like a mini-blanket)
• Wallet, passport, and any travel docs
• Keys

• ELECTRONICS KIT
  • Charging cords for iPhone and iPad
    • Travel Hack – use cord tacos to keep all the cords for your tech devices together. Organization is key.
  • Moment photography lens
  • Backup battery

• SMALL “random things” BAG
  • Hand sanitizer spray  (get the spray not the gel kind. The gel will spill and nobody has time for that.)
  • Blotting papers
  • Wet ones travel pack
  • Chapstick
  • Eye drops
  • Contact case with solution already in there in case I need to take them out for a moment
  • Tide pen
  • Tweezers (these surprisingly come in handy for other things than touching up my eyebrows)
  • Lotion
  • Gum
  • Rollerball perfume
  • Makeup Mist  (refreshing after a long day of travel)

*Neck pillow: I attach this to my carry-on bag so it doesn’t go inside my airplane tote but I do take it on the plane with me.

TOILETRY BAG

Travel Hack – get a toiletry bag that is waterproof, has separate compartments, and has a hook to hang on the back of a door. This is the one I use.

I pack the travel size of most items. If you need more you can usually pick it up and at a local store wherever you are. Also, in my bag with clothes I pack a travel size hair dryer and my normal straightener.

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste (I just bring the normal size, not travel kind)
• Daily face moisturizer
• Evening moisturizer
• Makeup remover wipes
• Face wash
• Hand soap
• Baby powder (this has several uses, check it out)
• Surf Spray for hair
• Dry shampoo
• Hair spray
• Hair brush
• Headband and bobby pins
• Safety pins (these can come in handy and better to have them than not)
• Lady products
• Qtips
• Contact solution, case, an extra pair of contacts (I put my glasses in the case in my bag between clothes)

BEAUTY BAG

• Makeup and makeup brushes
  • Blinc mascara – The greatest mascara esp. for travel
  • Travel Hack – Put cotton pads between your foundation compact so it doesn’t break the makeup
• Travel mirror

FIRST AID KIT

Travel Hack – Pack medicine in small containers like this and label them. That way you don’t wind up tossing them all in a ziplock bag and playing pill roulette. That’s never a good idea.

• Allergy pills
• Ibuprofen
• Insect repellent (Wondercide is my favorite)
• Band aids of various sizes (helps blisters)
• Neosporin
• Essential oils (Peppermint and lavender for me)

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

All of these things are dependent on your location, so you may or may not need them depending on where you’re headed. Also, I put all my miscellaneous items in a small cinch bag (like the Tom’s one pictured).

• Packable day-pack/backpack that folds up small
• Small travel towel
• Travel detergent
• Luggage locks
  • Get the combination style, not the key ones
• Mini flashlight (don’t rely on your phone light)
• Steripen to purify water
  • FYI – water purification tablets do not remove viruses from water, only bacteria. An ultraviolet light like this one removes both.
• Solar charger
• Sunscreen
• Electrical all-in-one adapter

JEWELRY BAG

Travel Hacks:

• Use press 'n seal wrap for necklaces to keep them protected and from getting tangled.
• Use pill containers for rings and earrings.