Pack Like A Professional

I pride myself on being a great packer!

I do slightly overpack as you just never know what might come your way, but I do have a routine I use for every trip I pack for both big and small! I do a lot of travelling - overseas and within Australia so being organised and planning ahead with the weather is a must.

I have a clothes rack that neatly stores away in my dressing room that I drag out to hang everything I need for my trip. This is a great way for me to make sure I have the right shoes, underwear and jewellery for the travelling outfits. If I have a special event that we are going to while away, I make sure I have everything the outfit needs plus a wrap or jacket if it gets cold, different shoes just in case my first options get uncomfortable, you have to be prepared! I then look at all my other clothes and see what can be mixed and matched. The items that don’t work so well together get put away, and I start eliminating - tops, pants, bathers - everything! I think you are getting the drift of my routine….If it doesn’t all work together, it doesn’t get packed! Simple. If space is limited a great pair of jeans, ballet flats and a blazer look great as the look can be changed with a different scarf or a pair of heels. I always give myself time to look and re-look at what I have packed so I can add or delete.

Jewellery is always laid out, and I use smaller zip lock bags to keep them from tangling. I like to keep all my accessories together so when I arrive I can hang each piece with the clothes in the cupboard. I carry another bag for all of those different chargers you need - especially if travelling overseas plus camera cords! Nothing worse than realising you have a charger at home and your camera has run out of batteries. The list goes on, and if I keep all these items together, I know I will be able to find just what I need.

Tricks I have learnt along the way….

I make sure all bras are packed separately to bathers and gym wear so they are easy to find.
Always pack your first outfit on the top. A must do if your first port of call is only a quick stop over. You don’t want to unpack everything.
Place shoes around the edge of the bag and fill the gaps with things like scarfs and socks.
I always roll my clothes as I feel it gives you more room.
I always pack in my carry on another outfit and toiletries, just in case my bags go missing, or I can’t get straight into our hotel room.
Wear the heavier items like jackets and boots.
Space bags are ideal for transporting bulky coats and maximising space; they are also great to squash down ugg boots.
A good jewellery roll is essential if you don’t want your jewels to get tangled and mixed up, and they can wedge in a pair of sneakers at the bottom of your bag.
A sarong is as useful as a towel, a wrap or a picnic rug!
Dressy sandals can go from day to night as a killer pair of heels is no good if you are walking on the beach.
You may not be able to wash your hair, but a spray bottle with water and conditioner in it can do the trick - spray and comb and at least you’ll feel a little less ratty!
Baby wipes can be used as makeup removers, napkins, band aids, stain blotters and toilet paper.

Last but not least I have my toiletries bag always ready to go. Whenever I come home from a trip, the first thing I do is replenish it as you never know when you might have to dash off plus I’m obsessed with looking after my skin so would not be happy if I didn't have the right cleanser or toner. Always take a medical kit of things you may need. It is better to have your medicines than trying to find what you need overseas. I always pack another bag with antibiotics, panadol, band aids, antiseptic, earplugs and sun lotion - sounds like I’m a travelling supermarket!

Get those passports out!