My Top Tip for Efficient Packing - Packing Cubes!

There are all kinds of tips out there for becoming an efficient packer - maybe I'll recap some of those next week - but today, I wanted to talk about my absolute favorite packing tip: PACKING CUBES! If you haven't heard of them, they are exactly what they sound like. They are little mini suitcases to go inside of your big suitcase.

I know some people like to bring a trash bag for dirty clothes (which totally works) but I personally like to have a packing cube or two designated for dirty clothes. And honestly, if you're like me and are too cheap to buy real packing cubes, you can use 2 gallon ziplock bags. I used those for YEARS until I recently found some real packing cubes on sale at TJ Maxx. By putting dirty clothes in a cube or bag, it keep the rest of your clothes fresh and keeps the dirty clothes nice and compact.

Being able to compartmentalize your clothes is a game changer, especially if you are hotel hopping on your trip. Digging around in the same bag for two weeks can lead to a chaos of clothes, cords and dirty socks - definitely not ideal. By keeping everything separated, you'll be able to keep your clothes and electronics folded, compact and easily-found. This is especially true if you are living out of a backpack. 

Additionally, needing to fit your outfits into a specific cube will help keep you from throwing crumpled clothes back into the main compartment of your suitcase. I've found that loose, unfolded clothes can lead to straining zippers and an epic struggle to close your suitcase. The last thing you want is to bust a seam because your clothes weren't quite compact enough for the flight home. 

I absolutely love my new cubes, but I think I will probably still throw in a few giant zip locks as well. Find what works for you!

If you'd like some help getting organized for your next trip, visit MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com. 

When Should You Start Packing for Your Trip?

The final countdown to a big, epic adventure can be agonizing (see my last post for tips on how to survive it!). I had an interesting conversation with my travel companions for my upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand - when is too early to pack for a big trip?

My answer is: it's never too early! Well - at least for the most part. If it makes you happy and excited, I say go for it. Start packing now! I know people who have an entire bag packed and ready for a trip at all times. I don't quite go that far, but I am a fan of packing early. Here's my logic (take it or leave it!)

You Have Time To Change Your Mind

This is very important. I am forever fine-tuning my travel wardrobe. Keep in mind, I often work in yoga pants a hoodie - I'm not a fashionista. But when it comes to travel, I want my outfits to be cute AND functional! My travel pictures are my favorite pictures, and I often display them in my house. Therefore, I'm a big fan of cute, travel-friendly outfits. Because I am so out of practice with putting together outfits (is that even the right phrase?), I need time to fine-tune my travel wardrobe. Kind of like writing a paper - the first round of packing is my rough draft. Does that make any sense? Am I alone on this way of thinking? Maybe. 

All Your Favorite Clothes Will Be Clean

This is a tragedy I have encountered a time or two before I began packing weeks in advance. I used to wait to pack until the night before a trip, but I inevitably found my most comfy travel bra/underwear/socks/sweatpants etc. were dirty! I mean it makes sense. You're going to wear your most comfortable clothes fairly often. I now have taken to setting aside my favorite clothes (especially for the plane!! Those 12-hour plane rides are brutal), so I can rest assured those bad boys are ready to go. The down side is obviously you can't wear those clothes leading up to the trip but for me, it's totally worth it.

You Have Time to Remember Often-Forgotten Items

Inevitably, you will realize that you've forgotten something while on the way to the airport. Just accept that fact. BUT by packing early, you cut down on the likelihood that the forgotten item is something crucial, like say your passport. Maybe you will have forgotten something easily-replaceable like a toothbrush instead. By beginning the packing process early, I find myself snapping my fingers and dashing around my house to grab something for weeks leading up to my trip. Then come the day of the trip, I am ready!!! 

I know this was an odd blog post, but thanks for hanging in there. Check out my other posts for some actually-helpful tips and tricks. If you'd like some help planning your next big adventure, visit MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com.

My Top Packing Tips

Packing is always my least favorite part of any trip. Unfortunately, it's absolutely necessary! I've been on my fair share of trips, and these are my best packing tips:

Pack Staples
I personally am a big fan of relying on basics. That means instead of bringing 6 pairs of shoes, bring just a few pairs that will work with multiple outfits. The same goes with accessories! Bring neutral shoes and accessories and keep the color focused on shirts or dresses. I personally like to bring a good old pair of jeans that I can wear multiple times with different tops. You'll get a lot diverse looks with minimal items! This will help keep your bags light and manageable, while keeping your instagram photos fresh and fun!


Don't Overpack
You may think you are doing yourself a favor by packing extra t-shirts and extra outfits, but generally I find too many choices lead to feeling overwhelmed. You will wind up with a bag that is insanely heavy and your bag will quickly descend into chaos as you rifle through trying to find the perfect top. If you pack specific outfits, you'll save time getting ready for the day and leave more space for souvenirs. Try writing out a packing list and checking each item off as it packs. You'll feel confident knowing you have amazing outfits and everything you'll need!


Don't Panic
Finally, don't worry if you forget something! Honestly, if you have your medications, passport, ID and some money, everything else can be bought once you arrive - unless your destination is somewhere remote. I once lost my entire toiletry kit in Italy and had to replace EVERYTHING. It was actually a bit fun wandering through the store and picking out new shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush and more. You just have to make the best of your situation and remember that you can always buy what you need when you get there!

Different techniques work for different people, and I personally find that having each outfit laid out and packed together makes for an easy, efficient trip! If you'd like help planning for your trip (and even a comprehensive packing list!), I'd love to help. Visit my website at MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com.

Prepping and Packing For My First Cruise

I have been lucky enough to travel the world and see some pretty amazing sites, but never form the deck of a cruise ship! This weekend I am so excited to be headed to the Bahamas with my sisters and best friend! All that's left to do is pack!

I may or may not be stalling just a little by writing this blog post, but I'm mostly packed anyway - here's what I'm bringing!

Clothing - I'm bringing a combination of sun dresses, bikinis and comfy clothes! I'll be sporting my usual airport attire - yoga pants and a hoodie (which can double as workout clothes). Then the rest of the time I plan to be in a bikini or a fun, bright and colorful dress. I'll probably also throw in one or two nicer dress to wear if we decide to go to a fancy dinner or clubbing while on board. That's the fun part about cruises! You get to spend your time being super comfortable and relaxing by the pool. My kind of attire.

Shoes - I'm only bringing 3 pairs of shoes - sandals, flip flops and running shoes. Keeping it simple so I can fit everything in a carry-on.

Toiletries - I'll be bringing the my usual line-up. Plenty of mini products and of course, my trusty shampoo bar. I absolutely love my lush shampoo bar for travel because a) they work great b) it's one less liquid I have to bring!

Accessories - I'll be rocking some top-notch Target sunglasses and floppy hat. Total I think I spent like $15 on the pair so if I lose one or both, no big deal! Other than that, I'll be keeping things pretty simple - my usual stud earrings, my class ring and of course, my engagement ring!  I might throw in a baseball hat in case it gets windy and my sunhat isn't cutting it.

Extras - I'm bringing ALL the sunscreen! AKA my giant bottle of SPF 70. My entire goal is to just not come home burnt to a crisp. Other than that, I've made sure to bring all of my chargers, my kindle, plenty of books, my camera, my GoPro, my boarding documents and most importantly my passport!! 

I'm so excited for this trip! It's a new experience for me - I'm letting someone else plan for once! Ordinarily, I'm the one who coordinates everything, and I'd love to help you out on your next trip. Check out my travel company at MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com.

How To Pack Carry-On Only

With airlines charging more and more for checked-baggage, many travelers, myself included, have opted to just pack in carry-on luggage whenever possible. I've had years of practice and have legitimately packed for a month-long trip doing carry-on only. Here are my top tips for avoiding those baggage fees and packing light!

1) Try to minimize the number of shoes you bring. I know it's tempting to bring a different shoe for every outfit, but instead try to pick just a few shoes that are more versatile. My go-to shoe packing tends to be one pair of running shoes, my Sperrys and a pair of flip flops that can get wet - for the shower, pool, walking in the rain. etc I also shy away from boots or other bulky shoes as they take up quite a bit of space in your luggage. If you do need to bring a pair of boots, I recommend wearing them on the plane. They may be a bit of a hassle going through security, but they will save you weight and space in your luggage.

2) Wear bulkier layers on the plane. Planes tend to be cold anyway, so if you are bringing a big sweater and a puffy jacket, wear them! Packing them will take up valuable space. Not to mention, they'll keep you nice and warm during the flight and can even double as a pillow. You can always take them off and stuff them in the overhead bins if you get hot.

3) Bring re-wearable items go together. I highly recommend packing a pair of durable jeans and a favorite hoodie or sweater. These items can be worn multiple times and re-worn with different outfits. By color-coordinating majority of your clothing items, you'll be able to mix and match and save yourself quite a bit of space as a result! Same goes with accessories - I recommend picking jewelry that goes well together and that you don't mind wearing multiple times.

4) Bring "small" items of clothing. By bringing items such as dresses (which are an outfit all by themselves), leggings and t-shirts, you'll save room! If you bring several pairs of pants and a sweater for each day, you'll run out of space quite quickly.

5) Pack travel-size toiletries. You'll be limited on space an
d will have to keep your liquids to a minimum. I recommend little things like using a powder foundation and bringing a shampoo bar, because those things will add up and save you quite a bit of space!

It may not be the most luxurious way to travel, but I personally prefer packing light. I like knowing that my luggage is going to make it to my destination and that I won't have to wait at baggage claim. It also makes me really think through my packing. I tend to forget less things and have more coordinated outfits than when I just throw things into a bag.

Here I am on my backpacking trip through Holland and Germany. It was amazing to be able to just pick up my things and move on to the next town so easily. All in all, I highly recommend packing light!

If you're up for some adventure  I'd love to help you plan - MilesIntoMemoriesTravel.com

New Adventures!

Hello again everyone!

I know I haven't been updating this lately, but that's because I have had so much going on! Not the best excuse, I know, but there it is.

Anyway, back to the point of this post - I am going on an adventure! I will be taking a very last minute work trip to Europe for 5 weeks! 5 weeks. Dude, I know. 

I will fly out Wednesday evening, stop in Copenhagen Thursday morning before making my way to Manchester. I have some business there, then I'm off to Dublin to meet up with the team! The first part will be training, so I'm only around for half a tour. I will be with the team in Dublin, Manchester and London but then I'm off to Barcelona. 

I did not think I would be back in Barca so soon, but hey! I'm not complaining. From there I'm off to Lake Como, Venice and Milan in Italy. 

I close out my trip bopping back and forth between Barca and Madrid. Craziness.

This trip is coming up so fast and I still have a lot I need to do. I worked a ton at the radio station this weekend and its my last weekend with my boyfriend for a good long while so I've been trying to find a balance. Ah! Oh well. I know it will all come together soon. 

I am currently trying to figure out if I want to pack in carry-on only or if I should just bite the bullet and bring a bigger bag. It is 5 weeks after all.  My plan is to just figure out what I need to bring and then pick a bag based on that. I want to be comfortable, but not overloaded because goodness knows I won't be in one spot for any length of time.

Malena

Packing for Germany/London

Hello everyone!

I am only days away from embarking on my next adventure! I will be flying from DC to Chicago to Dusseldorf, Germany. From there we go to Hennef. I am taking a mini vacation after the work portion of the trip to head to London, England!

Right now I am in the final packing phase and I am trying to learn from my last trip. Namely, I need a new day pack. I used these bag for my trip to Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

The green bag is my main pack and I will be using that again this time, however the black bag, while super cute, was much too inconvenient. One of the straps is partially torn and it didn't have great strap support so by the end of the trip my shoulders HURT.

I was shopping around for a small day pack when I came across this beauty in the sale section!

(Sorry for the low quality selfie)

I know it is a little big for a traditional "day pack" BUT it has AMAZING support! Everything I need will obviously fit really easily inside and I will have plenty of room to put my jacket and scarf inside it as well. I typically carry my iPad mini, DSLR + Lens, Med Kit (I work with kids who play soccer), miscellaneous pouch, and my purse (with important documents such as my passport inside). This pack was actually cheaper than any small versions that I found (apparently its last years model... like I care! Ha!) AND as a bonus it has lime green detailing - always a plus in my book!

Now I know what you're thinking - isn't that too big to carry on along with your green pack? You might be right. I'm not sure if I would be able to get away with this being my "purse like item." So instead (mainly to avoid the hassle of airlines and for carrying convenience) I will actually be traveling with this bag INSIDE of my green pack. It fits inside just fine - even when my pack is "Full." I never actually pack my pack full in case I want to buy some awesome souvenirs and decide to stuff my bag and check it on the way home rather than carry it on.

Now, the only problem I run into is that larger items that go in my "day pack" won't fit in my green pack and keep it in an airlines carry-on friendly size. Instead I will carry my Purse, iPad mini and camera in a little sling backpack. That way when I arrive in Germany I can simply roll the sling bag up and slide it in my day pack and re pack my day pack with my med kit etc. I know that seems confusing but I think it will work for me! I will get a nice comfy day pack with plenty of room to spare AND I can still carry everything on! No problemo.

I'm so excited! Expect a lot more posts as my adventure kicks off!

Malena

Tips for Prolonged Traveling in a Carry-On

For my recent trip to Europe I went on 5 planes, 7 trains (not including subway trains) and multiple buses. I was so glad that I decided to pack for carry-on only.  In the past I have been rather unlucky with my baggage and if the airline were to lose my bag, getting it back would be almost impossible because I moved around so much. Here are the things that I discovered worked the best for me.

1. Only bring 2 pairs of shoes. No more, no less. I brought a pair of Sperry Topsiders that I bought back in August specifically for this trip. I can't tell you how much of a great idea that was. They were the perfect walking shoes.

My Sperrys looking well-loved

I loved the purple soles

Now I specifically think that two pairs of shoes are a good idea because it helps to prevent blisters by switching up your walking shoes. For my second pair of shoes I chose a pair of seriously comfortable combat boots. They are flannel- lined and I water-proofed them to boot (sorry for the pun). These were perfect for those inevitable cold, rainy days.

These beautiful boots

I actually wore a hole in the heel, I've worn these so much

The only thing I would have done differently with these boots would be to add some insoles to give my arches a little more support. The only additional shoe that I thought about bringing was a pair of flip-flops for the shower at the hostel, however I only stayed one night in a hostel on my last trip so I opted to leave those behind.

2. Pack Light! I only brought clothing items that I thought I could wear multiple times and stayed within a basic color scheme. I folded everything up very small and put my clothes in giant zip lock bags. I flattened the air out and carefully filled my 60L pack. This also added extra insurance that my clothes would stay dry. I once had a bag that was checked at the plane and sat on the runway in the rain actually fall over and lay in a puddle for about 20 minutes. I had to spend a week in Canada with soggy clothes. Not ideal.

Now, the trick to being able to carry the pack on the plane, is to not fill it completely. This leaves room for souvenirs or to combine your day pack and main pack if you don't want to carry two bags at any point. The only item I brought but didn't wear was my fancy party dress. I ended up taking it easy for New Years and I was fine with that!

My 60L pack

My clothes in zip lock bags

3. Bring a shampoo bar. I discovered this shampoo bar at Lush and it was a great idea! It meant less liquid to carry around - always a plus when dealing with airlines. Also, it turns out that the shampoo bar works fantastically! It really helped control the oil that is naturally in my hair. My only complaint is that if you don't completely dry the bar, it will get mushy in the tin. The trick is to take the bar out of the tin and dry it that way after use.

Lush Shampoo Bar

Slightly Dented Lush Tin

Melted bottom of my shampoo bar

4. Bring a tablet instead of a laptop. I brought an iPad mini and a bluetooth mini keyboard instead of my expensive laptop and it worked perfectly! I was able to keep up with my work documents, post blogs, and keep in touch with home all through the use of my iPad mini. It was light, portable and no where near as expensive as my laptop, thus it was cheaper to insure.

 Hope this helps!

Malena