women and packing for vacations

Okay so I have started to pack for my trip to get married to my dear Joel, and I was thinking to try something new... NOT overpack and actually realize that I'm only gonna be away for one week.
So I was hoping to get everything into a medium size pack pack, but I'm already in trouble.... Joel is laughing at me cause when he was here in easter he did just bring a back pack and he had thick clothing with him and I'm only bringing summer clothing... but you know I like always to be on the safe side.. and who can live with only one pair of shoes for a week :eek: and the makeup and the lotions and, and, and....lol

So girls how do you pack? In a huge suitcase and four bags or do you manage to fit everything into a back pack?
And if you do, please give me some pointers on how!!!!! :confused:

-Aina

I'm probably not the best person to advise you because I completely overpacked for my trip to Romania last year. Of course, it was at the end of March and the weather was so variable, I had to take both warm and cool clothing, including my winter coat, just to be safe. Plus, I was there for two weeks, too.

I ended up with three suitcases and one carry on bag.

One small suitcase contained all my toiletries (makeup, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)

Because I was going to be there for two weeks, and not really knowing where I could do any laundry, I had to take loads of clothes. They took up a large sized suitcase.

Miscellaneous stuff I took that took up a third suitcase:

A cd player and several cd's so that Remi and I would have some music to listen to while we were there. That took up a lot of space in the luggage, too.

I also took a travel iron and electrical adapter, both of which ended up malfunctioning anyway. And I took my hair dryer. And then found out I had an iron and hair dryer in the apartment I rented anyway. :rolleyes:

In the carry on bag, I took a couple of books and my journal.

So, as you can see, I'm not the right person to advise you, Aina. :) I am looking forward to seeing what kinds of responses you receive so I can better organize myself for my next trip.

But, you know, when you are travelling a far distance to be with the man you love, you have to be prepared, right? ;)

When I went to Cancun I used a medium size duffle bag (which was a wee bit too big to take as "carry on.") and packed it FULL. LOL. But, yes, I had to bring 2 extra pairs of shoes, shampoo, conditioner, soap, all the other toiletries, three bathing suits, four dresses, and at least 9 days of underwear (you never know!! LOL) and outfits I would wear during the day for 7 full days. It was a LOT of stuff, BUT I knew I wouldn't have access to laundry and I DID leave a section free to pack full of whatever I felt like buying there.

But, it all managed to fit into a medium sized duffle... just about 1" too big to carry on the airplane. Going to Niagra, I used a small duffle bag which did fit in carry on, cuz we didn't feel like waiting around for checked baggage. But, that was 3 days, not 7.

I'm EXCITED for you!!! You WILL post pictures, right?? :D
~phos

Okay so I have started to pack for my trip to get married to my dear Joel, and I was thinking to try something new... NOT overpack and actually realize that I'm only gonna be away for one week.
So I was hoping to get everything into a medium size pack pack, but I'm already in trouble.... Joel is laughing at me cause when he was here in easter he did just bring a back pack and he had thick clothing with him and I'm only bringing summer clothing... but you know I like always to be on the safe side.. and who can live with only one pair of shoes for a week :eek: and the makeup and the lotions and, and, and....lol

So girls how do you pack? In a huge suitcase and four bags or do you manage to fit everything into a back pack?
And if you do, please give me some pointers on how!!!!! :confused:

-Aina

Aina...if you "roll" tshirts and any other non bulky items..you can fit more in there!! Hope you guys have a great time..and please do post pictures!

Well Aina, you are coming to Washington state. You can't just bring summer clothes, not even for a weeks stay because it could suddenly get downright chilly. And it rains a lot. Our hot season should've started by now, but it hasn't yet. It's still rainy, and there is often a sudden chilly breeze that makes you grab for a sweater with a hood. LOL

So go ahead and pack your 2 big bags. Bring a huge supersized purse onboard with all those 'xtra's' you might need.

How exciting all of this is. I'll be thinking of you 2 on your wedding day!

Just thinking of packing gives me anxiety!!!!! I will have to deal with this soon as we are going to Europe for 3 weeks!! Aaaaaa.......my honey keeps telling me to pack simple. YA RIGHT!!! I need help..........
A week I can do....maybe a week and a half......but 3 weeks??!! Holy cow......
I'm not much help here...lol :rolleyes:

just give up...its hopeless...pack it all! if you don't need it good, but if you leave it home, ya needed it.

case closed ;)

and yes!!!!!! pictures!!!! right away!!! the day of!!!!!

hehe...well...I'm a light packer

As a general rule, I just use the amount of toiletries I need in small containers I bought at a camping outfitter's store.

I also pack a couple of pairs of pants and skirts, and make sure that most of the few shirts that I pack can be interchangeable with all of the bottoms.

I pack a small purse in my suitcase and I bring a small backpack for the flight with just a sweater, some toiletries and a book, and my wallet has a strap to use it as a purse so I can wear it and tuck it under my sweater on the flight (it gets so darned cold up there).

As for shoes I try to bring only two pairs, one that goes with all dresses and one that goes with all pants.

I asked in advance about a hairdryer...he has one so no need to pack that.

Dunno what to tell you. Just imagine interchangeable outfits instead of a complete outfit for every day.

GOOD LUCK!!

i'm trying to pack for a 3 week vacation and I am just camping-.....just cannot get it ineven a medium size bag...gotta have two med and a large...just never know what the weather will be!!

I think a lot of it has to do with how much you travel, how many places you are travelling to, and your personality. You have to make a decision: show off all your great clothes or travel light. I always choose traveling light. My packing tip, light-weight polyester: doesn't wrinkle and it can be hand washed and dried overnight. One pair of black pants, one black skirt, several everyday tops, and some sequenced tops for evening wear. One pair each: walking shoes, medium kind of shoes, dressy shoes. One sweater. One unopened rain poncho in a little package. Carry on: Yes, a big pocketbook! One book. One blow-up neck pillow. Depending on the anticipated weather, one shawl or one coat carried with me and a warm pair of socks: all come in handy when the plane is FREEZING.

My problem is bathroom stuff/cosmetics: I just believe that I will use ALL the things I NEVER use at home and I can't stop myself from throwing it all into my suitcase!!! It's a real problem and makes for a very heavy suitcase!!! [Note to self: throw it out and it won't be there to pack!!!]

Even if you go the diva-multi-suitcase route, I strongly suggest buying costume jewelry, cubic zirconia, etc. instead of your real jewelry. Even if the hotel has a safe, it's a pain to use it, and I have made the mistake of believing I could hide my jewelry from the housecleaning-staff. Also, even though I am very careful to carry my jewelry with me when I begin my travels, after extensive traveling, I have been known to get tired and sloppy and "hidden" my jewelry in a check-in bag on the way home, making easy pickings for the baggage handlers.

Okay so I have started to pack for my trip to get married to my dear Joel, and I was thinking to try something new... NOT overpack and actually realize that I'm only gonna be away for one week.
So I was hoping to get everything into a medium size pack pack, but I'm already in trouble.... Joel is laughing at me cause when he was here in easter he did just bring a back pack and he had thick clothing with him and I'm only bringing summer clothing... but you know I like always to be on the safe side.. and who can live with only one pair of shoes for a week :eek: and the makeup and the lotions and, and, and....lol

So girls how do you pack? In a huge suitcase and four bags or do you manage to fit everything into a back pack?
And if you do, please give me some pointers on how!!!!! :confused:

-Aina


here i was thinking you'd get married one day and have your hunny moon for the next 6 days. if that's the case all you need is toothbrush, tooth paste and the clothes on your back :D

You don't want to know !! If you do you'll Pack everything you own!!! LOL

Although i wish you both Luck and HAVE FUN!!!!