Packing Tips & Secrets to Pack for Two Weeks
Some people can learn through gentle leading and teaching, and some have to learn the hard way, and then a few have to learn things in the “trial by fire” method. I fell into the last category when it came to packing – trial by fire. Let’s rewind the clock a bit, back to 2013. Jim and I lived in a big, beautiful 4000 square foot home in Virginia. We entertained a lot for business and pleasure. We entertained so much, that I had become a really good event planner, able to pull a dinner party together with about four hours notice, which often happened when Jim would have a business meeting up in DC and then on the way home call me and say, “some of guys from the meeting today want to come down for the weekend. Can you put a dinner together tonight? They’ll go golfing tomorrow, but figure out something for dinner too. We’ll be there in about 3 1/2 hours.” And I did pull the entire weekend together, including making beds and getting the rooms ready.
And then….we decided that we wanted to downsize. Not smaller downsize, but tiny downsize, as in selling our house and moving full time onto our 47′ sailing catamaran! That my friends, is like moving into a tiny house but smaller. So, we listed our house, and began to pack. Only this time, I couldn’t keep all my clothes on the boat; I was FORCED to go through them all, and decide which pieces I would keep in a temperature controlled storage unit, which pieces I would give away, and which pieces would go on the boat. Now granted, the boat did have lots storage, but we had to have my clothes, Jim’s clothes, laundry supplies, wine (don’t laugh – that is a necessity!) pots, pans, dishes, and of course tools.
I had lots of clothes and lots of shoes (probably at least 100 pair!), so this was a massive undertaking. And that is how I came to create my unique packing system, that has been honed by an additional 8 more moves. And I use that same system today when I pack for pleasure travel.
This endeavor led to my creating lists….so many lists! But as those lists became sheets of marked through lists, I got a light bulb moment, and voilá I made a master travel packing list, that I use over and over again. This travel packing list has taken me on countless boating adventures through the Bahamas, to Spain, to Florida, to Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Barbados, Jamaica….I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve used my travel list!
The more I sorted and packed the more I fell in love with the thought of downsizing. I fully embraced the sorting into three piles – keep, give away, throw away. My soul felt lighter at the thought of blessing someone else with some of my treasures. Today that chronic overpacker has been reformed into a gal who lives by packing tips and lists, always up for a travel adventure. And those packing cubes I mentioned? I now have two sets of them, and don’t think I could live without them!
So grab a cup of coffee and I’ll share my packing tips and secrets!
So grab a cup of coffee and I’ll share my packing tips and secrets! It is all about the packing process when you are trying to maximize space, especially when you have carry on size restrictions. When you are done reading how to pack a suitcase packing tips, be sure to print the packing list checklist to make your suitcase packing that much easier.
Packing Tips To Pack Efficiently
Packing for Warm, Tropical Climates
For a two week trip to a warm climate, like Mexico,  I typically pack 4 short dresses, 1 or 2 maxi dresses, 2 pair of capris, 2 pair of shorts or skorts, 2 lightweight tunic tops, 3 t-shirts, 2 bathing suits, a large scarf that can double as a shawl and a sarong to cover my bathing suit and a jacket or sweater I can wear on the plane if it is chilly. Shoes are easy – a dressy pair of sandals (if needed), as well as a pair of day-to-night sandals, and light-weight tennis shoes, with socks tucked in. A good pair of walking shoes are always essential.
Warm Or Tropical Weather
- 4 Short Dresses
- 1 or 2 Maxi Dresses
- 2 Pair of Capris
- 2 pair of Shorts or Skorts
- 2 lightweight Tunic Tops
- 3 t-shirts
- 2 Bathing Suits
- 1 Large Scarf or Sweater
- Dress Shoes/Sandals/light-weight tennis shoes
When I pack my accessories, I carry a large tote bag that can double as a beach bag, and toss in a small cross-body purse that doubles as a wallet, a pair of sunglasses, my reading glasses, a statement necklace, 2 cuff bracelets and 2 pair of earrings along with my cosmetics in a toiletry bag.
Accessories
- Large tote bag
- cross-body purse that doubles as wallet
- sunglasses
- reading glasses
- statement necklace
- 2cuff bracelets
- 2 earrings
- cosmetics in toiletry bag
If you are planning a trip to Disney, you will want to include these essentials: portable battery charger, your magic bands, a backpack for navigating the parks, sunscreen, water bottles, fans with water, rain ponchos and a hat.
If you are looking for other updates and tips about traveling to Disney World during this time, check out everything you need to know here.
Disney Packing
- Portable Battery Charger
- Magic Bands
- Backpack For Navigating the Parks
- Sunscreen
- Hats
- Water bottles
- Fans with water
- Rain Poncho
Packing for Cold Winter Climates
For a trip to a colder climate, I typically pack 4 pairs of thermal leggings, 2 medium weight tunic tops, 1 medium weight longer length jacket to layer, 3 tank tops, 2 sweaters, and three pairs of jeans (I wear one pair on the plane). For shoes, flat, comfortable, knee-high boots in suede that can be folded in thirds and packed on the bottom of your suitcase (along with 2 pair of knee-high hosiery socks tucked in the folds), light-weight tennis shoes and a pair of neutral-colored flats that I wear on the plane, along with an all-weather lined raincoat.
Packing For Cold Winter Climates
- 4 pair of thermal leggings
- 2 medium weight tunic tops
- 1 medium weight longer length jacket to layer
- 3 tank tops
- 2 sweaters
- 3 pairs of jeans (1 pair on the plane)
- Shoes – flat, comfortable, knee-high boots in suede
- knee-high hosiery socks tucked in the folds
- light weight tennis shoes and flats
- all-weather lined rain coat
My accessories remain the same as for warm weather climates and are placed in a large tote bag along with my cosmetics, and a cross-body purse.
Top Packing Tips & Secrets
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