Packing Light for Big Impact

I am a believer in packing light. I have packed all sorts of ways and I've decided that packing less leaves me less stressed, I have less to carry and fewer things to deal with. I almost never come home with items that were never worn, because I pack carefully and with intention, so everything goes with everything else and I can mix and match each piece I bring along.

If you are worried that not packing outfits per day and matching shoes for each one is going to be your downfall, think of how much happier you'll be when you aren't lugging that 58 lb bag that you also have to check and waste $25+ each way on. I like making my life easier and only having a handful of items in my bag definitely makes it simple to find something to wear each morning and gets me out of the door faster. I make a list before I start packing of what I will need and then choose a few of my favorite pieces and go from there.

We live in Oregon, so we tend to own quite a bit of Columbia clothing. It's long-lasting, feels great and is perfect for packing, because it's lightweight and moisture-wicking. I have several key pieces that work for most climates. 

Columbia can be spendy, but I recommend buying on sale. You may also want to check out REI, Backcountry, ExOfficio, Lucy (for women) or Anatomie (also for women). Items made with soy or bamboo are great for warmer climates, because they are odor resistant. You might also like linen for the breathability. There are lots of great travel brands out there and many don't even look like they are, so you don't stick out as a tourist, but are still comfortable in the heat (or the cold, depending on when you travel).

I also am a layer-er. I always travel with a scarf/wrap a lightweight jacket and a cardigan or two. This way I'm covered if it gets cooler at our destination and for the chills on the plane. It may seem silly, but on the plane I wear a pair of stretchy jeans, comfortable slip-on shoes, a t-shirt, a cardigan and a scarf. If it gets warm, I can shed some layers, but if it's cold, I'm set. I have this awesome HappyLuxe wrap that I can also use as a blanket. In fact, I can wear it as a scarf while also covering my lap if my legs are cold.

Layering also gives you the ability to wear part of your travel outfit at your destination, so I always dress with that in mind. I work with three bottoms and four-five tops total. When they all go together, you have 12-15 different outfits. You can see how I've made different looks with each of these tops and bottom combinations.

I usually toss in an easy dress  that can work for day and night, then go with just two pair of shoes. Both should be great for walking and at least one of them should work for your dress. These are the shoes I took on our trip to New Orleans: a pair of ballet flats and a pair of walking sandals. Both pair went with everything I packed, so I mixed it up each day depending on how I was feeling. 

I try not to pack shoes that might be too constrictive, because then if my feet swell, I'm SOL and uncomfortable. Of course, I bring a pair of compression socks to wear while I'm hanging out in my room, but that doesn't do me any good if it's hot and my shoes don't work with socks.

Throw some accessories in your bag to give you some other options. This sunhat works for when I'm somewhere with a lot of sun and I'd like to keep my face from turning into a lobster (even with sunscreen this can happen pretty easily). A good piece of jewelry can literally turn a day dress into a nighttime one, especially if it's a cute little black dress, which is what I take with me everywhere. It's a wrap dress my Lucy Activewear, so it's breathable and sporty feeling, but can be dressed up a bit for a nice dinner. Easy! 

Now all your clothes fit in a carry-on. You know where all your things are. You don't have to wait at the carousel for your luggage. You don't have to pay baggage fees. You don't have to break your back trying to get your bag up stairs. Now, you just need to get working on making your toiletries lighter.

What are your biggest issues with packing light?

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What's In My Carry-On (UK Edition)

Everyone who knows me jokes about how early I pack. I have panic dreams about traveling with two mismatched shoes, a pair of shorts (in the winter) a pajama top and no money or phone chargers. I will pack a month - sometimes more - before I leave, even with a packing list.

Well, this works in your favor, because as I pack, I also take pics along the way. I pack a bit differently when I go on am overseas trip than I do if I'm, say, going to Vegas. I have enough experience to know what I definitely need and what can be bought (or what can, but will cost a stupid amount of money). So, let's take a look at what's going on my carry-on personal item, because clothes are a whole different ball of wax and a post of their own. I'll also be sharing these things on Instagram, but going into more depth here.

Snacks

I never go anywhere without snacks. Not on the plane. Not in the car. Not to a theme park. Not to work. Not to the store. You never know when hunger can strike and I'm a demon when I get hungry, so snacks galore. You'd look in my purse and think I had kids. I do not.

Some of my favorite things I'll be bringing along: (huckleberry) banana bread, beet chips, chocolate covered espresso beans, Wheat Thins, granola bars, salami, grapes, Laughing Cow and Babybel cheese. I have a cute thermos for the cold things and I have an expandable food container for the big stuff, and Stasher bags for chips and beans. All of these can be reused on my trip and on my return home, either for more snacks or for loose items that I don't want broken.

Laptop

I can't travel without my laptop. I use it to keep up on emails, upload pics, write posts and look up directions.

Cardigan

No matter how you prepare, the plane is never what you expect. It's either too hot or too cold and there's never enough legroom. I lawyer on the plane and generally wear a thin t-shirt, possibly a long-sleeve top over that, and a cardigan. That way I'm prepared for everything.

Coat

Now, I'm probably not going to wear my coat on the plane, unless it's really cold, but they always take up too much of my large carry-on, do I either stuff it next to me in my seat or, probably in this case, put it under my laptop for extra padding. 

Please, whatever you do, don't use up extra bin space with your big puffy coat until everyone has put their bags away. I will call you out and/or smash it up there with my bag for you being inconsiderate.

Neck pillow

Now, I know everyone is different, as I've been told that my choice of neck pillow is "the worst" and "nobody should ever buy it", but my opinion is my opinion, just as they are entitled to theirs. Eric and I adore the FaceCradle and FaceCradle Lite, because it doesn't go around your neck in the traditional sense. It hangs on the seat back behind you and then you adjust it so it's comfortable for you to just lean forward into it. This alleviates neck pain and also back pain. It's really good for taller people as well, because leaning forward gives you a bit more space. 

If this doesn't sound like the neck pillow for you, I highly suggest the Cabeau Evolution Cool - which is made of memory foam and a mesh overlay to avoid sweating - or the Hoodie Pillow - which is more affordable and also has a soft hoodie that can cover your eyes to block out light.

Water bottle

I like to stay hydrated, but those little cups they give you on the plane are just that. Little. I bring along a reusable insulated thermos that I fill with cold water before we board the plane and then it stays cold until we arrive at our destination or until it's empty. Whichever comes first. When I get to my destination, I use it for coffee and water to save money while out and about.

iPad mini

I love my Mini. It has enough juice to last hours and hours, plus I can play games, watch movies/shows, read, listen to podcasts and make notes. It's lightweight, so it doesn't take up that much room, and it fits in my purse. If you don't bring along a laptop, you can use it to get on the internet too, so you can check/send email, look up directions, etc.

Phone charger

I use my phone a lot when I travel, even on the plane, because I have a few games on there I like and I enjoy bogging on it sometimes. Most long-haul flights are on planes that have outlets in the seats for your electronics, so I can make sure it's charged before we arrive.

Battery backup

For flights that don't have outlets, I bring along my battery backup. Not just for the plane, but also when I get to my destination, because running out of power sucks.

This is not the entire list of things I'll be packing, but I'll definitely be posting a series of items that can be found in my bag while I'm traveling. Also, please follow me on Instagram for more posts like this one. 

What are your go-to items for long flights (or even short ones)?

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Shereen Travels Cheap Turns 9

My little blog is turning NINE years old today! I can't believe it's been that long, and also it feels much longer at the same time. As always, I like to reflect on the past year and the coming year (and beyond).

Photo by Vladas Kalnys on Unsplash

This past year has been a pretty good one. We took a wonderful, history-filled trip to Philadelphia and a short trip to Vegas this summer. I hit up Vegas for the Travel Goods Show earlier this year and this time last year I was on a girls' trip to Los Angeles. So, let's look at this coming year:

September 2019 will see us in the UK. We'll be headed to Edinburgh for a family wedding, where I will also be working with Visit Scotland to bring you all the awesome stuff in the city on my 4 days not spent doing family stuff (and possibly while doing family stuff, like going falconing at a castle!). I'll also be working with The Cauldron Edinburgh to show you the awesomeness that is the literal magic of creating cocktails with a wand. This place originated in London and has been growing fairly quickly. The Edinburgh location just opened last month. 

After that, we'll jump on a plane for a return trip to London, where we have a schedule packed with free activities, but I'll also be working with London Pass to show you how it can save you money on your trip, while also allowing you to do more than you thought. 

Next year I'll be headed to the Travel Goods Show in New Orleans in March, which I'm super excited about. My mom will join me on the non-work part of that trip, so I hope to show her some of the cool places we hit up last time, and also see some other places as well. 

July we will make our annual return to Vegas for NBA Summer League and for me to do some solo travel around the city to explore new places that I haven't had the chance to see yet.

Beyond this next year, here's what I have planned:

September 2020 we're returning to Orlando for a week and a half to hit up the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Universal to return to Hogwarts. My friend, Melisa, who joined me in LA last year has plans to come out and meet us.

December 2020 might see me on a girls' trip to NYC, though that really depends on timing and finances. We'll cross our fingers and hope for the best. It'll be short and sweet if we can swing it. My friend will be there for a conference and her daughter and I will entertain ourselves doing touristy things while she's doing that.

In February/March 2021 my mom and I will be in Vegas again for the Travel Goods Show, and food, because food is awesome. And then in July 2021, Eric and I will be back.

Fall 2021 we're planning a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. Past that we have a list of want-to-visit places:

Boston

Minneapolis St Paul

Toronto, ON

Branson, MO

Tokyo - this is our ten-year destination, so 2029!

I'm really looking forward to a great, new destination each year, while also planning a few visits to Disney parks probably, because we can't really stay away. 

Are there places you've been or are looking forward to going that you think I should put on my list?