How to Pack Your Bags!

How to Pack Your Bags SO when flying you never pay for checking luggage.

I refuse to check luggage when I have to pay. It's silly. I pay enough for the ticket.



But how do you pack correctly to make sure you get everything you need in that carry on?



Read on.



And remember these are just my tips (everyone has their own!)



1. Brown or Black rule, if traveling for 4 days or less chose a color. That's right all your outfits either are in the black or brown family. That means one purse, one pair of shoes, one belt, one set of accessories. If you can keep your outfits all in the same family; you'll pack a lot less.



2. Know your outfits. DO NOT dump your entire closest in a suitcase, pay $100 to fly it, and then wear 2 things out of it. Seriously. DO NOT. Lay out your outfits completely. Know what the proper undergarments you need are, what the accessories are, what socks or shoes will go with. Then once they are all layed out - pack.



3. Twice is Nice. If you are traveling for 7 days or more - don't pack it unless you can wear twice. Seven pair of jeans for seven days. Puh-lease. Every thing should be in the complimentary family so you can mix and match.



4. Keep the colors in the same family so you can mix and match and be spontaneous on site. The more you can mix and match the better. BUT of course you want to be fabulous....so read on to number 5.



5. ACCESSORIZE!!!!! Scarves, Earrings, Necklaces, bright colorful pieces will add tons to your outfits and not add to your precious suitcase space.



6. Know the climate. Is it 80 or 40? Snow or Sand? Don't bring unnecessary items but don't have to make emergency runs to target and then have to figure out how to get it all home. (God forbid buy another suitcase for that emergency parka purchase.)



7. Travel Size. I love the amenities from any hotel, I keep them for my next trip. I have honestly tipped and just said "need toiletries, bed is fine". It's true! I also save makeup, deodorant, and lotions when I get to the end for the next trip, this way I use the rest of the trip and then throw it away there. That means I have just enough foundation left, I put it in the travel bag for the next vacation. You can also ask any makeup counter for trial sizes....(trust me they want you to buy their product, they'll give you a tester.) This goes for perfume as well. Any free samples you might get? Save them for your next travel! My travel bag of toiletries is impressive and probably a prize possession.



8. Rules. Lots of people think "Well I can't do a carry-on because I have to bring....xyz." Not true. Razors....fine in carry on. Shampoos....get the right size. Phone Chargers....fine in carry on. Besides the biggies, most items can be carry-on. Just ask for samples and save the small sizes for traveling. Don't go raid the travel size section of any store, please. They are just too expensive. Just call me. :)



9. Save room. No matter where you go you'll end up with some souvenir. So please don't waste money on shipping it home, just leave a little extra room in the suitcase.



10. Pack ahead of time and leave the suitcase open. Edit Edit Edit. If you pack ahead time; you'll always come up with one or two things you can remove, and one or two things you forgot.





Seriously, I follow these rules every time. I LOVE TO PACK, but only by my rules. It's stressing me to see others pack.....on a mission for the perfect carry on pack!



***Disclaimer...I am going to Europe for 2 weeks and get a free checked bag up to 55 lbs so I will check a bag (GASP!) but only cause it's free and I'll be there so long....but trust me the outfits are already layed out.



Want me to pack for you? Just call. I would love to hear anyone's tips! I love to pack!