Q: With all this talk about weekend trips to various cities, taking vacations, etc., do you have any packing advice for these trips? I always tend to pack too much, and would love to know how to pack better. 
A: Ugh! How I dread packing for trips! Love taking vacations, hate packing for them. This has taken me years to perfect, and sometimes I still don’t get it right. It seems there’s always something I wish I had brought. I have some tips below, but probably the most important one is to learn from your mistakes. If you keep bringing black pants on your trips, and you never wear them, stop bringing them! If everywhere you go, you need a sweater because you get cold easily; bring a sweater! This may sound silly, but it’s true. One thing I’ve learned is to bring multiple swimwear pieces because they seem to always “wardrobe malfunction” for me. Either I realize I’m getting a weird tan line, or things start shifting around (you know what I’m talking about)…something always makes me wish I brought more, so now I do. Here’s a couple tips:
1) Check the weather. Seems like a no-brainer, and yet in the midst of running around shoving everything into my suitcase(s), I totally forget to do this. If the weather is going to the same every day, it makes life easier; but if the temperature is going to vary, it might rain, it might not — you’ll need to be prepared. Thus bring items that can convert (like those pants that can be worn cropped or full length) or be layered.
2) Take essentials with you. Don’t assume they have them wherever you are going. For some reason, certain hotels do not give you conditioner, which to me is weird, but I guess must work as far as cost cutting is concerned. Sometimes they’ll have some stashed at the front desk if you call, but if they don’t, be prepared and have your own.
3) Cut corners where possible. Point 2 being said, you need to save as much room as possible. Thus do yourself a favor, and either buy travel sizes (you can find them at Target, CVS, etc.) or buy one of those travel bottle kits and fill them up with your products if you cannot live without your exact brand. You do not need an entire bottle of shampoo for 2 days or even 2 weeks. I have friends that no matter where they go, bring their entire bathroom with them, carry way too much luggage, and go over the weight limits every time. Do not do this. It is a waste of space and makes it tougher on you to lug all this heavy stuff everywhere.
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Wed, Jul 21, 2010
Ask Violet Q & A