GO AHEAD, TAP THAT CLASS
GO AHEAD, TAP THAT CLASS
I am the first to acknowledge my need to be extremely organized and planful when taking a trip. Which for some of you who know me, wouldn’t be able to tell I am organized by looking at my office, my car, or many other aspects of my life. However, when it comes to traveling, I like to be organized and start setting stuff aside for WEEKS before I actually get out my suitcase.
While I am not perfect at packing and over pack ALL. THE. TIME. I have a few tips and tricks I thought you might enjoy learning – and hopefully you will share your tips below in the comments section.
For starters, I try to place all the stuff I am wanting to take on the trip in one area. Sometimes I use a guest room to do that, other times I just pick a place in the house to start the pile. Recently I added a garment rack to my pre-packing routine and I love it!
The garment rack includes a hanging section, as well as, two baskets at the bottom that are 20″ wide and 11.5″ deep. I think the two baskets at the bottom are what makes this rack perfect for pre-packing.
While the garment rack is smaller in size than I anticipated, I think it is perfect for travel planning. The garment rack is 60″ tall and 24″ wide. It is on four rolling wheels so it can be easily moved to what ever location is best for you. The wheels also lock so you don’t have to worry about it moving unexpectedly.
So, what am I putting on the garment rack the weeks leading up to a trip? Clothes is the easy answer. I like to set aside clothes at least a week in advance so I ensure what I want to wear is clean and ready to go.
The two baskets provide space to place a variety of stuff. I usually use the space for non-clothes, such as my passport, books I want to read on the trip, Clorox wipes, etc.
When I am not planning for a trip, I place the packing cubes in the bottom basket, as well as my Louis Vuitton duffle bag that I often use as one of my carry-on bags.
TRAVEL TIP: I often travel with $2 USD bills as tip money. Two dollar bills hold a special place in my heart as my Grandma use to gift us with $2 USD bills for Christmas and birthdays. I have 40 first cousins on one side of my family, so we didn’t receive big gifts from them. In fact, each Christmas we would get a brown lunch bag with an apple or an orange, a homemade popcorn ball, and a $2 USD bill.
Also, in some cultures, $2 USD bills are considered lucky – if you possess a $2 bill, then more money will come to you – which is why some people carry them in their purse or wallet.
The garment rack is sold in three colors: white, black, and pink. The garment rack has greatly expedited my packing and I feel so much more organized as I prepare for a trip.
Truthfully, packing cubes is somewhat new to me. Does it save space? I think so. I am an over packer so I utilize any space available and then I pray I am not over the bag weight restriction at the airport!
TIP: Did you know that when you reach the Premier Gold level with United Airlines, the checked luggage weight restriction moves from 50 lbs to 70 lbs? YEAH! That extra 20 lbs has been a life saver multiple times!
While saving space is a benefit of utilizing the packing cubes, I think I prefer the organization it provides me the best. The cube set I use comes in a variety of sizes, which helps me be organized. For example, when going on a beach vacation, I place all my swimsuits in one cube, casual clothing in another cube, and dinner outfits in another cube. Then, all my bathroom stuff goes in another packing cube.
When I reach my destination, finding items in my suitcase is easy as stuff is packed in their appropriate packing cube.
TIP: If packing multiple people in one suitcase, I would suggest using a different colored packing cube for each person. Then, when you arrive at your destination, it is easy to separate items by each person.
LeAnn is a mentor and the ultimate BOUJEE glamour gal. When she left daily drudgery behind in favor of following her own personal path to joy, she made a promise to herself that she would help others do the same. All she’s ever wanted is to do is stay healthy, live her best life, and give back to others by introducing them to their inner BOUJEE.
