PACKING BASICS

SOOOOO... the biggest stress for many people when it comes to traveling is deciding what clothes to pack. You want to make sure you have stuff that is comfortable and fits well, but you also want to look nice in case you do something fancy. Brian likes to spring things on me last minute (which is super fun but can send my anxious mind into a whirl!), so I TOTALLY get it.

PACKING RULES
My packing rules are as follows:

• Re-wear pants and bras
• Always bring 1 outfit for the other season because the weather can be crazy.
• Limit the number of bags you bring

These basic rules save me so much time and hassle! I swear! 

METHOD:

Before we leave on a trip, I usually start by making a list of what days we will be gone with a basic itinerary of what we plan to do each day. For example, this trip would be:
Saturday - Drive

Sunday - Chill

Monday - Chill, Dinner at Arnold Palmer
Tuesday - Chill, Dinner at Yachtsman

Wednesday - 4th of July! 

Thursday - Chill

Friday - Chill
Saturday - Drive 

I then make a basic outfit guide. I know that on days we drive I like to wear leggings and a t-shirt, that on chill days in Florida I will want leggings or shorts, and that I need 2 nice outfits for going out to dinner. I also know that I want to stick with a basic color palette so I can mix and match. (For this trip, it's grey, black, maroon, mustard, and white.)

MY PACKING LIST BREAKDOWN:
The breakdown looks like this:

• Sundglasses - these are a must for me. I usually bring 2 or 3 pairs, but only 1 this trip
• Shirts - 1 for each day, plus 2 extra
• Shorts/Pants - 1 for each day, plus 2 extra
• Nice Outfits - 1-2 dresses, 1 white button up, 1 pair nice pants, 1 dress tank
• Socks/Undies - 1 for each day, plus extra undies
• Bras - 1 nice black, 1 nice tan, 1 bralette, 1 sports bra
• Shoes - 1 pair black flip flops, 1 pair black flats, 1 pair black tennis shoes or chucks
• Pajamas - 1 pair for every 3 days 
• Jewelry - 1 gold necklace, 1 silver necklace, ring, pearl earings
• Hair Supplies - hairbrush, hair ties, 2 headwrap/scarves, shampoo, conditioner, straightener, bobby pins
• Body Supplies - soap (I just share Brian's), lotion, razor, sunscreen, deodorant
• Face Supplies - face wash, moisturizer, make-up* (*I'll do a travel makeup post later)
• Teeth - toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash (I steal Brian's or use tabs from LUSH)
• Electronics - phone, iPad, chargers
• Entertainment - books (2 if going somewhere like Disney or Vegas, 6 or more if "chill" is a daily activity), bujo, Happy Planner (I bring Happy Planner supplies if "chill" is a daily activity), pen set, stamps, envelopes
• Emergency Supplies - pads, tampons, Dramamine, Pepto, Immodium, Advil, band-aids, wallet, car charger
• Comfies - our personal pillows, a travel blanket for me, a jacket for me

That's pretty much it...

SPECIFIC DAILY BREAKDOWN FOR FLORIDA TRIP:
Saturday - galaxy leggings, white Make a Wish t-shirt, black flip flops, pink sports bra, undies, grey headband

Sunday - jean shorts, Florida tourist t-shirt, black flip flops, tan bra, undies

Monday - black capri leggings, cute printed flowy tank, black flip flops, tan bra, undies
Monday Dinner - khaki capris, black dress tank with gold studs, black flats, gold necklace, ring, pearl earrings, black bra, undies

Tuesday - black capri leggings, grey u-neck tee, black flats (I've misplaced my flip flops somewhere...), black bra, undies
Tuesday Dinner - black capri leggings, olive v-neck pocket tee, silver necklace, ring, black flats, black bra, undies

Wednesday - black shorts, grey v-neck pocket tee, socks, black Nike's, tan bra, undies, grey headband

Thursday - black shorts, grey slouchy tank, socks, black Nike's tan bra, undies

Friday - jean shorts, mustard tank, white v-neck tee, black flats, tan bra, undies

Saturday - black joggers, maroon tank, black flip flops (if I find them), tan bra, undies

I'm hella minimalist with how I dress on vacation. I try to look nice, but also be comfortable. I'm working on paring down my wardrobe at home to be as easy as my travel wardrobe. I LOVE how I dress when I'm traveling. I didn't wear everything I packed, but it sure is nice to have the options! 

Also, for BRIAN:
Shirts - 1 t-shirt per day, plus 3 extras
Shorts - 1 pair per day, plus 2 extras
Undies and socks - every pair he owns
Nice Outfits - 1 pair dress pants, 1 pair dress shorts, 2 polo shirts

Shoes - 1 single pair of sneakers that he will wear until they are vapor...

BAG BREAKDOWN

We usually road trip when we travel because it's cheaper and easier for just the two of us. Plus, we both get motion sickness, but if we drive it only affects one of us. (Me, because Brian drives)

Suitcase - We pack all our clothes in 1 medium sized suitcase. I roll all our everyday shirts, shorts, and pants into tight little rolls. Then I place all our nice clothes folded on the top. Next, I shove all our undergarments in the inside pocket of the suitcase (it has two sections - 1 for him and 1 for me). Finally, I zip that shit up and put my flats in the outside pocket.

Toiletries - We are super classy. Anything that leaks get wrapped in a plastic shopping bag (#recycling), then thrown in a crappy backpack I got for $10 at Academy during back to school sales 4 years ago. Everything else gets thrown in on top. My makeup goes in here in its own Ziploc baggie.

Backpacks/Purse - We each carry a backpack with our own personal items in it (laptops, books, etc) and I carry a purse with a smaller purse, my wallet, my pens, my bujo, and my planner inside. 

Overnight Bag - We always pack an overnight bag, even if we don't plan to stop on the road. It has 1 outfit for each of us per day on the road just in case. Right now, it has the leggings I wore on the way here, a pair of shorts for Brian, a t-shirt for each of us, and appropriate underwear/socks for each of us. It's great to stop at a Motel 6 or whatever and only have to bring in our overnight bag and the backpack of toiletries. 

Well... I hope this helps someone pack! Feel free to send me any tips you have! <3