Tag: packing

Off to Vegas!

by Mackenzie

The Strip at night, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America - getty creative

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!

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

Packing for London

by Mackenzie

I only have a few more days before I head off for my summer abroad adventures, and I couldn’t be more excited. Packing for two weeks in Tanzania wasn’t too difficult, but seven weeks in London was no easy task. As a chronic over-packer, it’s hard not to try to shove my entire wardrobe into one suitcase.  Here are some packing tips I have learned over the years:

  1. Check out the weather for the trip. Look at the monthly averages for the country, and then pack accordingly. London weather can be all over the place, so I packed things I could layer. I packed a fleece, a sweater, a kimono, and a denim jacket that can all be easily worn over any outfit I packed if it gets chilly.
  2. Type a list. Before I begin packing, I always type a list of exactly what I want to pack. I put things in categories like clothes, toiletries, etc. This really helps me know exactly what I need for the trip and ensures I won’t forget anything important.
  3. Pick outfits that you can mix and match. Dresses are always easy to put in your suitcase and make for an easy outfit. I also pack shorts/skirts first, and then I select two tops for each bottom. Before packing a certain piece, think about what it would actually go with and how you could stye it.
  4. Roll things! I always roll my clothes in my suitcase because it does actually save more room than folding!
  5. Don’t overpack when it comes to shoes- they really add lots of weight to your bag and take up tons of space. Be realistic and pick comfortable shoes that you will actually end up wearing during the trip. Always wear your heaviest shoes on the plane to save space in your bag. When I study abroad in Europe, I always wear my rain boots on the flights because they are quite large.
  6. For packing, I always bring a large suitcase and a duffle bag for my carry on. Always go for a suitcase with wheels. The duffle bag is awesome because if I decide to take a weekend trip to another country, I can bring that big instead of my huge suitcase. I always bring a crossbody purse to Europe for everyday use as well!
  7. Really think about what you actually need. I am a huge overpacker, but I try to think realistically. “When am I really going to wear these heels? Where would I actually wear this maxi dress”. If you really think about each piece you are packing and being realistic, you will not overpack as much!
  8. It’s always good to make sure you leave a little extra room in your suitcase in case you decide to shop there or bring gifts home!

I posted some pictures of the clothes I packed. I will probably add a few more things (like socks, a rain jacket, etc.), but this is a general basis for the outfits I am bringing with me for the London School of Economics.

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In summary, here is what I packed (clothes-related)-

  • 4 rompers
  • 5 dresses
  • 4 shorts
  • 2 skirts
  • 1 pants (going to pack another white pair soon)
  • 12 tops
  • denim jacket
  • sweater
  • kimono
  • fleece
  • sandals
  • wedges
  • converse
  • rain boots
  • crossbody purse

Thank you all so much for checking out my packing post! I head off to Tanzania later this week, and then I go straight to London two weeks later! I can’t wait to share my adventures with y’all!

Safe Travels!

xoxo