Hello friends! Guess what? Tomorrow is my birthday & I am officially going to be twenty-one twenty-fun!! I feel old. A few weeks ago, my mom called me & surprised me with a birthday trip to.. you guessed it.. Vegas! This afternoon, my grandma (aka my bestie!), my mom, and I will be jetting off to the ever so fabulous, Las Vegas! After a stressful few weeks of school, I am beyond ready for a girl’s trip to the ‘City of Lights’ with my favorite people. My fingers are crossed that we win big & make some good memories!

I’m going to be honest, I have a total love/hate relationship with packing. As an avid procrastinator, sometimes packing just gets put off until the very last minute. Here are some of my go-to tips for packing:

1. Check the weather

The first thing I do before last-minute packing is checking the weather for the week on my phone. If it’s going to be chillier than anticipated, I pack long sleeves and sweaters. If it’s suppose to rain all week, I make sure that my rain jacket pullover goes into my suitcase as well. Knowing the weather for the trip will definitely help you pack!

2. Plan accordingly for each day

The second thing I do when I begin to pack is to figure out what my specific plans for the trip are. Two nights = two dinner outfits. One day at the pool = one bathing suit. Know how many nights you will be staying and what you will be doing each day so that you can pack & be prepared. It can be helpful to make a list of the things you need to pack: one bathing suit, two dinner dresses, one pair of wedges, one pair of sandals, one pair of denim shorts, etc. 

3. Pack layers + things you can mix and match

Layers, layers, layers. Layers are a huge lifesaver when it comes to packing, especially if you are cold all the time like I am. I usually pack a few things I can layer up like a chunky cardigan or a soft pullover. It’s always good to be prepared. Also, bring pieces you can mix-and-match. It will save room in your suitcase and give you tons of outfit options for the trip.

4. Be frugal with shoes

We all know by know that my shoe obsession is slightly out of hand, it just is. I love shoes more than anything (okay, except for maybe Chipotle). However, they take up a ton of room in your bag and can make things extra-heavy. I’ve learned that less is more when it comes to packing shoes. Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane, and try to keep it down to 2-3 (max) pairs of shoes for the trip. It’s fun to have options, but it’s important to try to pack lightly when it comes to shoes. [tip: if you’re packing boots, fill them with pairs of socks, bras, etc. to help fill even more space].

5. Keep important things in your carry on

I learned this gem the hard way this past summer! Make sure you always carry your most important belongings with you on your carry on, just to be safe. Medications and toiletries included!

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I also wanted to share with you guys some of the things I packed for my trip to Vegas. A few weeks ago, I texted my sister, asking for her help to find the perfect b-day outfit. I finally decided on this gorgeous two piece from Show Me Your Mumu. I love this set because it can easily be mixed-and-matched all season (picturing the crop top with denim shorts + sandals for summer concerts & that midi skirt with a chambray button down for church + work). Here are some of the things I packed for Vegas:

Hope you guys are having a wonderful week!

xoxo,

Mackenzie