As you know, we went to Orlando last weekend for a little getaway to celebrate Amelia’s 1st week of VPK.  I do not how you all go about packing for a trip, but, I have a specific routine.  I have to plan out outfits and make a list of everything I could possibly need.  I bring my list in the bathroom so that as I am doing my morning and night routine, I can confirm that I have everything I am using on my list.  I will put the list next to my bed in case I think of something while trying to go to sleep or in the middle of the night (OCD, much?). This is my tried and true process for packing.

First, a list.  If I am going away for the weekend, I typically plan out my outfits because I have a better understanding of what I will be doing everyday. However, if I am going away for longer than a weekend, then I usually list out categories and then the specific items I want to bring for that category, rather than list outfits by day.

For example, when I pack for Boca Grande (longer than a weekend), my list looks like this:

But, for this past weekend, my list looked like this:

Next, I start gathering the stuff on my list.  My Mom turned our spare bedroom into my closet – it is awesome!

But, most of the time, it does not look like this, and, instead, serves as the catch all room for the entire house.  Therefore, I am typically finding things on my list on the floor, in laundry baskets, and, if I am lucky, actually hanging in my closet.  Once I find the items, I hang them up in one area in my closet.  Something that I like to do is hang any accessories that go with a particular outfit on the hanger so I will not forget it when I am packing. 

Then I move my clothes to the bed and start packing them up from there.  I packed a floppy beach hat in my suitcase and I turned it upside  and stuffed it with jewelry and other items to keep it from getting smashed.

As for handbags, typically I will carry my work bag, pool bag, and one other bag to use during the day/night.  I love my Tory Burch cross body bag because it holds my cash, credit cards, phone, and a lip gloss and the neutral color goes with everything.  If we are taking a family trip, typically we are at the pool during the day. So, I bring a separate pool bag and pack what I need for the pool in that bag (i.e., sunscreen, goggles, magazines, etc.). This is helpful because the bag is already set to go and I do not have to spend time putting it together before we head down to the pool.

For toiletries, I typically start gathering them as I get ready in the morning and put in piles.  I will then transfer the piles into different bags depending on the type of product (i.e,. make-up in one bag, skin care in another, etc.).

I always do one last sweep throughout the house to pick up cell phone chargers, tablet chargers, etc. Also, if Amelia is coming with us, I will bring snacks for her for the trip and these gallon size reusable bags work perfectly for this.

Oh, one last thing, this mini steamer is a life saver! I steam all of my clothes – I have not used an iron in years.  This steamer is perfect to travel with and works just as good as the stand alone one I use at home.

Ok, there it is, how I pack.  Hopefully, you picked up a tip or two.  Let me know what you do to get ready for a trip.

Finally, in case you do not follow me on Instagram, here are pictures of outfits that I took for the weekend.  I do really enjoy having the outfits planned out because it is one less thing to think about.  Vacations are supposed to be about relaxation, right? #saidnoonewithatoddlerever.