How to Pack for Your Next Vacation

As I have traveled more and more over the last couple of years, I’ve learned some effective tools for packing at the drop of a hat. Packing for vacations has become more complicated because of all of the new technology and products available that enhance experiences. These simple tools and travel hacks will help you pack efficiently for the duration of your next trip. Experience travel in a fun new way!

Disclaimer: The advice I have may be more helpful to the traveler who is experience driven and always looking to get a great photo! I have come to appreciate good photography as it captures so much more than just a moment of your trip, good photos can help you relive those amazing adventures as well as share those stories with others.

1. Plan Your Outfits for Photo-Ops!

Being fashionably prepared can be overwhelming, at least for me. I can’t stress enough how much the following tools and tips have helped me pack both efficiently and effectively.

• Use Amazon’s Echo Look to take pictures of your outfits. Decide on one outfit or give yourself a variety of looks with a few statement pieces.
• Check out #hashtags of the places you’re visiting, see if there are any MUST have photos and if those require any special items to pack. 
• Roll outfits tightly and put them in ziplock bags to keep them together.

2. Invest in Mini-Essentials

I’ve learned that there are some things worth living without on a trip, such as body wash, shampoo, conditioner, maybe even lotion. Hotels provide that for you and it is so much easier to use what they have for a few nights. That being said, there are some things that you should certainly not go without.

• Quip  – I was given the Quip toothbrush and toothpaste combo recently and fell in love with it. The electric toothbrush that I use on the daily is just too big to pack efficiently, but the Quip is an excellent alternative to the electric toothbrush. And it is modern, cute, and environmental.

• BaBylissPRO Tourmaline Titanium Travel Dryer – While it is true that the hotel supplies one, as a former hairstylist, I cannot stress enough how much a good blow-dry does for the quality of a hairstyle. Shampoos and conditioners are far secondary to a blowdry. Most hairdryers provided at the hotels do not have high wattage, so they take forever and a day to get the job done and more importantly, they typically do not have a nozzle. The nozzle is essential to smoothing out the cuticles because it allows you to focus on an area while concentrating the air to blow more powerfully, therefore speeding up dry time. BaBylissPro was by far my favorite blowdryer both in the salon and at home.

• Mini Straightener  – Let’s face it, hair is the frame for your face. We want it to look good at all times! This mini straightener is not only easy to pack, but it also is capable of both straightening and creating beachy waves and curls. Using a straightener to curl is just as easy as curling a ribbon, it is the same technique. I encourage you to give it a try.

3. Technology and Travel Gear

Leave your beloved purse at home and take just a small clutch, etc that can be packed into your backpack along with tech necessities: phone charger, headphones, battery pack, selfie stick, laptop/charger, ringlight, books, journal etc.

Backpacks are easy, more secure, and ergonomic to carry around on travels than is a tote. And they definitely fit more than a purse.

1. 1. 1. ibagbar backpack
      2. External battery
      3. Laptop
      4. Selfie stick
      5. Portable ring light

4. Global Entry/ TSA Pre-Check

If you travel more than twice a year, consider getting global entry to save hours in airport lines in domestic and nondomestic travels. Some of the perks:

• You don’t have to take off shoes or light jackets.
• You don’t have to take out laptopWALK thru security in a breeze.
  • Tip: Don’t wear thick heels, most have metal which will get detected and then you have to take your shoes off.