Travel Time: Packing Tips That No One Talks About

Have you noticed that a lot of people have nice, neat comments and tips on how to pack for summer vacations but leave out a whole chunk of information, like bathroom essential, jewelry packaging, makeup bags, etc? I think if I read one more post about "rolling my clothes" or "packing neutrals" I'll go crazy--obviously they are helpful tips but they just seem open-ended. Let's finish their lists and get our packing completed so we can start our excitement for our trips without worries!

Bathroom & Makeup Essentials 

You will have some specific items that won't be on everyone's list, and that's fine. But there are some major players that you will need to remember, so here's the checklist (print it out for easy checking off and feeling of accomplishment, plus a great excuse to get a cute clipboard from Target):

(email me if you have trouble printing this out or want the document to tweak/customize for yourself)

Remember:

-You will forget something. Just roll with the punches, ask to borrow from your friends, or go without for a night and grab your supplies in the morning while out getting a cup of coffee. Without fail my boo always forgets his toothbrush. I've just started packing ours together. Thankfully you can usually find toothbrushes while traveling, so it's not that big of an issue (unless he remembers at night, after everything is closed...).

-Your luggage will be inspected and opened at the airport. Snap everything down and just be ready for a few things out of place. Maybe don't put your party panties in plain site though.

-Restock your travel bathroom bag after you come home. You know what's low, and you aren't in a rush to get it, so put it on your shopping list and grab your essentials the next time you go to Target/Rite Aid/wherever. That way when it comes time to pack, it's one less thing you need to worry about, and you can almost grab it and go, minus a few things. Easy-peasy!

-Stay organized. Don't just throw things back into your bag, take an extra second to put it back right. It's easier to find things later, and saves time in the long run.

-Makeup--check the weather first. Some places will be harder to wear makeup in than others, but that's usually okay. When I studied in Hawaii, I ended up skipping makeup all together, and I was much happier with that decision. It was just too humid and we were outside most of the day too, so nothing would stay on. Plus we were always getting dirty in some way or swimming, and eventually I think everyone pretty much skipped wearing makeup.

Hawaii, no makeup!

(Kind of blurry, sorry boos!)

Good luck packing and have fun wherever you go this summer!!