The Oversized Baggage Syndrome

I have always had a tendency to over pack for a trip no matter where we are going or no matter how long I’ll be gone. Even for a weekend trips in college to go back home, I would have a full medium-size suitcase with multiple outfits that wouldn’t even wear. My fear was that I would be somewhere unprepared. All of the things that I had how could I not make sure that I was prepared. These days I am doing much more traveling with my husband and he has inspired me to approach packing in a more minimalistic sense by packing only the things that I need and not the things that I THINK I need.

Now that I’m a Mama, I have to be more conscientious about how much I pack for myself and my daughter. And with her being a little one - her essentials expand a little more in the event of accidents or just pure toddler behavior. So I thought why not take you through the process and share the triumphs and struggles of packing for two - in just one suitcase.

Expanding on some of the tips and guidelines I gave on my Insta post, I want to share with you from the beginning to the end of my process to show just how rewarding a well packed bag can be:

1. Roll, Don’t Fold

By rolling garments instead of holding down the traditional way that most of us do, and allows for more space or more items. Folding legs your luggage bag he in if you are trying to maximize your space you want to minimize the amount of space your clothes take.

2. Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry on luggage 🧳

Personally, I have been a victim of this tragic but extremely necessary rule (RIP my brand new bath and body works lotion that was my absolute favorite scent😣). But I have also fallen in love with miniature toiletries. Even when A product I am using does not come in a miniature version, I always scout the aisles of Walmart, target, or my favorite dollar tree To get the travel size clear bottles and compartments to utilize.

3. Use your personal item wisely (purse, backpack, tote)

Thinking of keeping it cute and wearing a fanny pack as your personal item? Well you may Want to rethink that if you are sitting on your suitcase trying to stuff everything inside and make it fit. Utilizing a nice backpack or a tote For some of the heavier items that you have to pack are great idea. For example packing your shoes heavy jackets or maybe large towels that you are wanting to take with you may lighten the load for your checked bag.

4. Never check your essentials (passport, credit cards, expensive jewelry)

I actually did this last year on our trip to Cuba and almost lost my mind because I thought I lost my passport. I was so upset at myself and my husband wasn’t too pleased either. However, somehow someway the travel gods shined on us !! I put the passport in the pocket of my checked bag. Luckily, It was on the way back to our final destination of the PHX and I didn’t need it. On one hand, thank goodness I still had it and didn’t officially lose it, and on the other, I knew just how important it was to keep your personal items on you at all times while traveling to and from your destination

5. Wear layers and pack in layers

This is truly art art form for folks like me that try to take half of their closet with them. And the big difference is sorting out what I would like to wear and narrowing it down to what I actually can wear while I am out exploring new environments. within this task you want to make sure you pay attention to the current weather of your destination, but also your personal body temperature (if you get cold often, you may want to pack some nice thick tights, if your hot body you may want to layer in thin garments so that you can shed as you go throughout your day).

Here is a photo of my and my little ones checked. I did a gangsta Marie Kondo fold and packed shoes in our carry on:

Packing One Suitcase for Mommy and Baby Bear

If you love idea of being organized and confident when you step up to the luggage scale, but don’t want to do any of the brain child work of putting together those stellar vaca fits, I am your gal! I love pulling together pieces for specific excursion and can do it all with what’s in your closet already !

Want to find out how ?

Contact me to schedule your free virtual consultation and I’ll share a few Costco size bites of travel wardrobe knowledge.