How To Pack For A Long Weekend

Packing is not an exact science and packing for a weekend can sometimes be harder than packing for a two week vacation.  I am not going to list exactly what you should include because a trip to the cottage will include VERY different items than a weekend to Vegas.  I would hate to see those bags get mixed.  Your husband and mosquitos might be very excited to see you sitting in a black leather mini skirt at the camp fire.

Here ten tips to help you pack for your next weekend get-a-way.

1.  Check the weather 
Knowing the weather can help you eliminate some unnecessary pieces for your bag.  I like to bring pieces I can layer.  My favorite piece for a weekend get-a-way is my Luved sweatshirt.  It can be dressed up or down and is a perfect layering piece for spring and fall.

2.   Know your "events"
If you are going to a wedding you will need a little cocktail dress, a garment bag and such.  Whereas if you are going to the lake some sweats, relaxing jeans and TOMS will do.
Even if your hubbie, BF, BFF or whoever planned the trip - try to find out where you will be going and plan your outfits in advance.

3.  Get the perfect sized Bag
Okay - well this may be a bit of plug but the truth is that the Melissa Beth Jetsetter weekend bag is the BEST weekend bag.  It is the perfect size!  Try it - you will LOVE it.

4.  All purpose shoes 
For a weekend trip you need to cut down on shoes.  Try to bring only 2 pairs of shoes.  This may feel impossible but it is definitely possible.   You need one pair that you will wear when traveling and for daytime wear.  For example a pair of TOMS which go with many outfits.  Your second pair is for evening wear.  This could be a great pair of heels or a fabulous pair of boots.  In my books, flip flops don't count as shoes, so you can sneak in 2.5 pairs.

5. Undergarments and PJs
You only need one pair of PJs for the entire weekend.  Unless of course you are packing something fancy/sexy in that ooh la la lingerie bag.  But then of course it is teeny tiny and you can pack it small inside your bag.  Don't forget socks/undies etc.  These pack small but you only need 1 per day!

6.  Mini Cosmetics
I am clearly stating the obvious but for a weekend vacation you do not need your full sized beauty products.  Buy the small travel sized containers for shampoos, lotions and body wash so you can bring your favorite products without losing all that space.

7. Devices
Most of us can agree that without our magic chargers/ipads/kindles/iphones whatever we would be lost. Unless you are going to totally unplug don't forget to save room to pack the electronics.

8. Re-wear and layer
Try to pack clothing pieces that are versatile and you can re-wear.   Jeans, leggings and layered sweaters are perfect examples of garments you can wear more than once on the same long weekend.

9. Accessorize
Jewelry and scarves pack small and can help dress up or down any outfit.  Pack a few and stretch your staple pieces a little further with bling-bling.

10.  When all else fails....
When all else fails and your bag will barely close here is an excellent tip! Hide your things that don't fit in your bag in children's or husbands bag.  If you are like me, than you did EVERYONE's packing and no one will be the wiser :)

Travel Pic of the Day

Here is one of my own travel pics for the pic of the day.

These are my two munchkins @Sapadilla Bay in Turks and Caicos.

Travel Checklist

Sometimes packing can be stressful (even if you are traveling with our pretty Melissa Beth bags!)

Here is a great checklist from pinqueblog.com I found to help you get organized.  
Although I always say if you have your passport and a credit card its all you REALLY need.

How to entertain yourself on a plane

If you are frequent flyer then you are no stranger to daunting task of keeping yourself busy on the plane.   Assuming you are not traveling with little monsters (aka - your children) here are some great ideas to keep you busy on your next flight.

1. Read
2. Listen to Music
3. Watch a movie
4. Play games on your ipad
5. Listen to Audio Books
6. Socialize (note to self - do not start socializing with the stranger next to you! You may get stuck talking for hours.  Maybe wait to attempt to talk to strangers until you are landing.)
7. Sudoko
8. Write in your journal
9. Design something
10.  Catch on emails
11. Clean and organize files on your computer
12. Sleep
13. Take pictures
14. Get drunk (is anyone still reading this?!)
15. Eat

Okay some of these are pretty obvious - but if you are lucky enough to get some time to yourself and you are actually super bored I am sure any parent traveling with children would love for you to help entertain their child.  Just sayin'

WanderLust

Does this describe you?

Lupita Nyong'o Knows How to Travel in Style

Leave it to Lupita Nyong'o to give us the latest head-turning look. The Oscar winner was spotted in LAX in a simple and chic tshirt look, which she finished with a classic heather gray jacket. Knowing the value of a bold accessory, Lupita added a pop of color thanks to her red bag by Miu Miu (who also made her stunning Oscars afterparty dress)!

To see more celebrity traveling pics click here. 

What do an Ostrich and Sleep have in common?

Pre-kids I used to be able to sleep anywhere- a plane, train, car - you name it.   Now, if I am lucky enough to quiet my brain, kids or the stranger next to me who keeps talking, the challenge then becomes getting comfy!

Well, why not use the Ostrich Pillow!!   They even have a whole family pack I might have to try on our next vacation.  Even if i am not sleeping - they can't see my eyes or pull them open!!

Stylish or Style Faux-Pas?   What do you think?

Travel Pic of the Day

CNN's travel picture of the day is quite amazing.  Although you may not be rushing there immediately yourself if you've had enough of winter...

Along the shores of Lake Superior in Lusten, Minnesota, this is a picture of frozen ice.  It crackles as the frozen waves cracks on the shores.  I am not sure I would pack up bags and trek there myself right now.   I am dreaming of a warmer place where I can pull my flip flops out of my cute shoe bags and show off my pedicure.

How to travel lightly

Pack smart!  Easier said than done.  This article includes some great tips to make pieces into outfits.    I should keep this in mind the next time I do some packing.  Although our last vacation I had to pack during a 4 day black out in -30C weather.  So I was lucky i even remembered my passport!
To read full article click here!

http://frugalfirstclasstravel.com/2013/03/09/chic-one-bag-travel-my-interview-with-travel-fashion-girls-alex-jimenez/

100 trips you MUST take your lifetime

With spring break just a few weeks away, our minds are starting to drift towards vacation.

If you're stuck in front of a computer all day, then yours probably is, too.  Here is a great list of 100 trips you MUST take in your lifetime.  How many have you visited?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/100-trips-to-take-in-your-lifetime-2013-2?op=1#ixzz2ud2SggsE