Thursday, September 26, 2013

When in Doubt - Take it Out

Posted by CheapRunnerMichelle

Well friends we've made it past hump day this week! The other day I mentioned that I should "think" about packing...well for anyone that actually knows me it will be no surprise that I actually have not thought at all about it yet...I mean after all I'm not leaving until 6:30am tomorrow :)

I am fortunate that with my job sometimes I get to travel - and although it's certainly not a vacation - I do get to go to a few of my favourite cities a few times a year. Tomorrow morning bright and early I am heading to Chicago for 5 days.
If you have never been to Chicago before you need to put it on your travel bucket list - it is such a great clean city full of culture and the shopping isn't too shabby either.

Before I leave tomorrow though, I need to make sure that I am pretty organized before I go, because upon my return next week I am only home for a day and a half before us 3cheaprunners head to Disney for our first race there!!!!!! (We are beyond excited)

So I thought today I would go over a few travel packing tips with ya'll.

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1. The first thing I always start with is checking the weather for the duration/destination of my trip. This helps cut down on your urge to over pack. You'll know what type of clothing is going to be most important to pack

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2. Make a list. I like to make a list of things that I can't pack until last minute - such as phone charger, iPad, passport, any toiletries I want to take etc. This will help ensure that you don't forget something that you are going to need on your trip.

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3. Lay outfits out before you pack. Count out the # of days you will be gone and plan for that only! Again this will help you not over pack - you really do not need to have your entire closet at your disposal while you are away

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4. Pick pieces to pack that you are able to mix and match. This may be a shocker - but it's totally fine to re-wear a piece on your trip! Also pick items that can be multi-functional like a scarf or a blazer.

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5. Make sure to take some sort of bag that you can place all your "wash me" delicates like your socks and underwear. This should eliminate you having to do the sniff test to see if what you have left in your suitcase is clean or dirty ;)

6. And finally...when in doubt - take it out. No point in packing things for those "just in case" situations. Wouldn't you rather have a little room to bring back some items from your trip?!?

And I just couldn't resist this little gem:

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What's one of your favourite cities to visit?


Any other tips we should add to this list?

7 comments:

  1. Have a great trip!!!! Great packing trips, big ones are weather and being prepared for a little of everything! :)

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  2. Very true...also going to a "big city" also means that if I wasn't prepared for the "unknown" I can always go buy it!

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  3. Sadly I have not traveled much!! Lucky you to have a job where you get to travel. Love all the packing tips!!

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  4. Thanks Teresa...and congrats on your win form Katie's blog!

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  5. Haha - love the cameltoe auto correct!!
    I think one of my all time favorite cities is Baltimore (or maybe Austin).
    And, I'm a chronic over-packer. I like to have choices and I would rather overpack than wish I had brought something.

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  6. Olivia @ Liv Lives LifeSeptember 26, 2013 at 9:16 PM

    Ooh have fun in Chicago! That's one of my favorite cities in the U.S. I live only 3 hours away from it, so I don't know why I don't go there more often... ;-) Have a great time, and good luck packing!

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  7. Sugar Coated SheridanSeptember 26, 2013 at 9:53 PM

    I LOVE Chicago! I've only been once, but I would love to go back and do so many other things!

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