February 15, 2011Vacation Bound: Packing Smart for a Beach Destination

How many times have you found yourself trying to cram things into your suitcase just hours or minutes before you head to the airport?  Have you ever stood there anxiously waiting to see if your suitcase goes over the weight limit?  Vacations are supposed to be fun, but many of us spend our time worrying about what to pack when we should be getting into vacation mode early with a relaxing pedicure.  If you’re thinking of escaping somewhere warm and sunny to shake the winter blues, avoid the last minute frenzied packing and airport luggage weigh-in stress with the following tips for packing like a pro.

1. Friend or Foe: Shoes are not your friend.  They take up a lot of valuable real estate in your suitcase, and as hard as it may be to leave behind those fabulous stilettos, you only need a couple of pairs that you can wear multiple times.  Resorts in sunny locales tend to be pretty casual—another good reason to leave the extra heels behind.  Flats or sandals with gems, bows, or straps are dressy yet lightweight and take up less room in your bag.
2. Don’t Delay:  Don’t procrastinate when it comes to packing.  It is infinitely harder to practice restraint when you only have an hour left until you have to catch your flight.  Pack a few days before your trip, and then take a hard look at what you’ve packed the night before you leave.  Most likely you will find that you overpacked on the first go around and can remove a few things to help lighten your load.  If you need more incentive to avoid expensive airport fees, remember you’ll need the extra room for all of your souvenirs and vacation shopping.
3. Reduce, reuse, recycle: Make this your motto when you travel.  Bring floaty summer dresses that look chic with flats or sandals during the day but that can be paired with a belt, clutch and great heels (the only pair you brought!) for dinner out.  Stick with one color palette so that you can cut back on shoes.  Bring one skirt and one pair of shorts and change up the look with different tops.  Or bring a tunic that can be a cover up/short dress during the day and dressed up with white pants at night.
4. Downsize: Put your bath & body products (don’t forget sunscreen!) in small, reuseable travel-size bottles.  Cut down on the amount of makeup you bring—your tan will give you great color!  Plan to use the hairdryer at the resort or let your hair air dry and use some product to create beachy waves.
5. Carry On: Always keep one outfit in your carry on.  A sundress, swimsuit, bra & panties should stay with you at all times.  Make sure the shoes you are traveling in and the cardigan you are wearing on the plane match in case your luggage goes missing.  This will ensure you head straight to the pool bar for a much needed drink when you arrive rather than that overpriced hotel boutique full of clothes you wouldn’t dream of wearing.