Mini Vacation Packing Tips

I am all for a mini vacation. Don't get me wrong, I love my full on vacations too... but a mini vacation just speaks to me. Pack up for a few days. Head out of town. Most likely there is no need to take PTO or prepare the office for while you are away. Just jump in the car or on the plane for a little breather. The hard thing about a mini vacation for me is the packing... I am a habitual over-packer. Three day trip? Seven shirts. Whoops... and when you are taking a road trip, that is no big deal. But on an airplane? That is a big deal. Especially because I hate checking bags. I try to avoid it at ALL costs. So I have been working really hard on packing light and packing right. And this last weekend when I went to California I finally nailed it. Three days of vacation in one backpack! I know, I didn't believe it either. But now I am here, living proof, to give you my mini vacation packing tips for carry on luggage.

Find the right bag. A bag is everything. I used to always use my smaller rolling bag, which is what often led to me over packing. I could always fit "just one more" shirt... and then that would turn into four more since the bag was roomy. While it was nice having the extra clothing, it wasn't nice having the extra laundry when I came home. I just got a new Cotopaxi bag that I am loving. The bag is great because it is small enough to use just for a day out hiking or something, but it is big enough for trips - I was able to fit my makeup, toiletries, straightener, a pair of shoes, a sweatshirt, three shirts, and three bottoms in it with room to spare.

It also doesn't hurt that Cotopaxi is a brand with a cause. They like to call it "Gear for Good". They are a brand new outdoor gear brand, with a social mission to eradicate poverty. I got the Cusco bag which benefits a school in Peru. They've got a ton of different sizes and styles of bags, so if you are looking for a good bag that is durable and has a bigger picture - I would start out there for sure. You can use the code "LOVETHESKINNYS" to get 10% off of your purchase.

Think of where you are traveling before you pack. I really love my hair dryer and I hate using other ones, so I always try to pack it. But lately I have realized that saving that space and just using a hotel hair dryer makes room for other items that I can't just use wherever I travel. Are you staying in a hotel? What items do they have that you wont need to pack? Things like hair dryers, a way to iron clothing, shampoo, conditioner. Are you going to visit a friend? What items do they have that you wont need to pack? Things like hair dryers, straightener, curling iron, shampoo, conditioner.. check with them before you pack too much.

Pack what you need. Like I said. I am the queen of over packing. And then when I get on vacation I tend to worry more about my clothing than about what I am actually doing that day. It could be the plague of social media everywhere, but I have come to terms with the fact that my followers will be my followers no matter what I wear. So now I only pack what I need. A shirt for every day of the trip + one spare. Underwear for every day of the trip + one spare. Bottoms are a little trickier... I don't know if I am the only one that re-uses pants/shorts, but that is they key to packing light. I tend to take the amount of days on the trip and divide it in half, then round up if needs be. So a 3 day trip divided in half is 1.5, rounded up is 2, so I would take two bottoms in addition to what I wear to travel in. As far as shoes and sweaters I try to take one of each. Sometimes I will take two pairs of shoes - one comfy pair and one pair of flats that are neutral and trendy if I want to look a little fancier.

Consolidate and downsize. Toiletries and makeup are always my downfall. Because of course I need every shade of lipstick I own no matter where I am, right? Wrong. For makeup I only take the things I wear every day - things like foundation, concealer, bronzer, mascara, blush, eyeliner, and eye shadow. For toiletries, I try to get travel size of everything. Target and Sally's have great options for both of those. Usually at Target I get face wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, contact solution, and deodorant. At Sally's I get hair spray and root pump.

When packing up my toiletries and makeup I get out my small travel bag and a ziplock bag. All the liquids like hair spray, root pump, contact solution, lotion, toothpaste, face wash go in the ziplock bag - this makes it easier for carry on luggage and for less messes in case one of the bottles opens during travel. Everything else goes in the travel bag. Once all the every day must have items are in I fill in the rest of the bag with lipsticks and other fun makeup items as a bonus.

Roll your clothes. This is an old trick that so many forget. Roll each clothing item up like a burrito as you go to pack it in your bag. It is a space saver and can give you a ton more room.

I have a few more travel tips that I will share as I go on the rest of my trips this summer, but my packing tips needed to come first since I am finally mastering it! This last weekend I kept telling Adam that I must have forgotten something since I had everything in such a small space, but at the end of my trip there wasn't one time that I thought, "I wish I would have packed that!" My best piece of advice is to start with a good bag. One that is easy to pack, one that is easy to lug around, and one that is durable. Don't forget you can get 10% off at Cotopaxi with the code "LOVETHESKINNYS". Do you like to take mini vacations? What sort of travel tips could you share? What makes packing easy for you?

Travel Tips || Pin Your Style Contest

It's time for another pin your style contest - but this time is all about travel.

I like to think of myself as a world traveler. Growing up I was lucky to come from a family that loved to go on trips and vacations to anywhere and everywhere. But traveling by yourself is a lot different than traveling with family. And learning how to pack and be efficient when flying is tricky. Over the last couple years I have learned a few tricks to make flying that much easier. And so today. I want to share my travel tips with you!

24 Hours Before Flight
Every airline has early check in available. USE that resource. If you have access to the internet you can check in early. I am a big fan of checking in right away and then printing by boarding pass from my home printer, sometimes if I know I will have time I will use the kiosk to print my boarding pass.

What to Wear When Flying
This is more girl specific than anything. But my advice? BE comfortable. Who knows what layovers you might have, what flights might get cancelled, or what other plans might get changed. And are you really going to be sitting there wishing you were in your skinny jeans and leopard pumps? Nope. You are going to be wishing for some sweats and flip flops. And comfortable can still be fashionable. Throw in some of the current trends through patterns and colors and you will fit in with the best fashionistas.

This is my typical travel outfit.

• Shoes | TOMS {Nordstrom}: Something easy to slip off; all airports require you to take off your shoes and put them through the machine with your carry ons
• Pants | Target: I am a big spandex fan.... but that is just me
• Shirt | Cotton On {similar}: I always wear something loose so I am not constantly tugging and pulling to make sure it looks good
• Scarf: | Soel Boutique {similar} A lot of people don't like travel accesories but a big scarf is a triple threat for my travel plans, first, it looks good, second, it can be bunched to be a head rest, and third, it can be a little extra warmth when the plane temperature drops in the air.
• Hair: Always throw a hairband on your wrist and wear your hair down until you get through security. If you wear it up your hair will be searched. And that is NOT a joke.

Packing

I am big on carrying everything on. I usually pack two bags. Sometimes I will have my camera bag for a third, but I just make sure it will fit with bag one under the seat in front of me. Always make sure ONE if a roller. Those bags can get heavy after a little. And if you can place a shoulder bag on top of the roller it makes walking around the airport easier.

• Bag one: This bag goes below my seat with a water bottle, my computer, my phone, both chargers, a book, and anything else that might entertain me in between flights or while in the air. Usually it is just my Prima Miche bag packed full with the items listed previously and my regular purse items. Then once I get to wherever I am staying I empty out the extras to the table/dresser. You can travel light and chic with an Envy TouchSmart Ultrabook.
• Bag two: This is my clothes, toiletries, shoes, and anything else I will need during the week. For a three day trip I will usually pack two pairs of shoes, two bottoms, one dress/skirt, 4 shirts, and 4 pairs  of underwear.Then my miniature hair dryer, one curling iron, travel size face wash, toothpaste lotion, deodorant, and hair spray, an Intuition razor (I use Intuition because the shaving lotion is attached to the razor, making one less thing to pack), and minimal makeup. 
• Rolling clothes makes things a lot easier. I put bottoms in first, then shirts, underwear in the top zipper (or fit in around other things), and then I line the side with my shoes.
• I always buy my travel size things from Target (Target has a ton of travel stuff in a dollar isle) and Sally's Beauty supply . Make sure you have one ziplock bag to put all the liquid travel items in and when packing place it on the TOP of everything else you packed so it is easy to pull out while going through security.
• For bag two I always put all things clothes, shoes, and accessories on one half and everything makeup and toiletries on the other half.

Those are generally the two bags I pack. For bag two I use my polka dot Roxy bag because if I do end up needing to check it, it sticks out. I don't have to wonder, "Is that my black rolling suitcase?" So if you are buying new luggage look into something different or if you can tape something on the handle of your generic suitcase, that might help. Also, sometimes there is an option to put your luggage under

A few more travel outfit ideas.

the plane at the gate with a special (for Delta it is pink) tag. I suggest always doing that. It is one less thing to carry through the already cramped airplane and it will for sure be waiting for you at the gate when you get off the plane.

Remember that Ultrabook? Well you have a chance to win your own! The HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ by HP + Intel + Project Runway Pin Your Style Contest. Want to participate? Pin a photo of the HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ via the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Then, build a board that represents that week's theme. Check out the weekly Pinsetter images on the site for inspiration. Submit your board's URL into the site to enter. Then, share your board with friends to earn the most votes! Win prizes like an HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ and a gift card to bring your style to life by getting the top votes for your board.

While Flying

Always say thank you to your stewardess and always be polite to the people around you on the plane. Do not constantly bump the chair in front of you and don't keep pushing back so you chair hits the person behind you. And enjoy your flight. I recommend the pretzels!

Dont forget to Vote in the contest between April 29 - May 12 by viewing the Pinterest board submissions on the Pin Your Style contest page and vote for their favorites based on the theme.

Love,

Deidre

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.