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Strategic Packing for International Travel

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Strategic Packing Made Perfect

 

Happy Monday!

Let’s address something we all likely struggle with… Strategic packing for International Travel! How many of you have loaded down four bags for a week-long trip only to arrive with nothing to wear? Even worse is when you pack just a carry on and then freeze/burn your booty off your entire trip because you were ill-prepared.

Packing can be TOUGH, this is no secret. But packing with purpose can give you peace of mind and zero stress when you are on your trip, but you must make a plan! For a few logistical packing strategies, here is a link to a blog I did several months ago.

Here are also some visual aids to make the physical aspect of packing easier: VIDEO ONE   |   VIDEO TWO

My goal for today’s post is to give you specific tips on actually WHAT TO PACK for a 7 day trip even up to a month’s worth of outfits {if you have access to a washing machine} with a few simple essentials from your wardrobe!

The inspiration for this post came from a recent client session who is taking a seven-day trip to Israel in October. My advice to her was simple, pack with sense and with items that make you already feel confident. Let me expand….

Pack with sense: I cannot stress enough how important paying attention to the weather and the culture is. Knowing the background on the places you plan to go is one of the most helpful things for not only packing right, but also feeling right in your temporary environment. Is it going to be cold? Pack a coat. Does it seem like the weather is warm or seasonably unpredictable? Still bring a light jacket or a simple sweater for layering.

Don’t overdo the shoes {even if you are a collector/addict like me} since they are your heaviest items; also avoid acting like it’s your time to wear everything in your closet. There is no shame in re-wearing outfits in a fresh way every day. This is  not only smart, but no one is going to be judging you in photos if they see a “repeater.” They will be too busy thinking how you were awesome enough to get everything in one bag without paying those overage fees. Keep in mind that there is a 50 pound weight limit even for international travel.

And when it comes to packing what makes you feel confident, do just that: Don’t leave home without your favorite jeans. On the flip side, don’t make your trip the time to “try out” that funky outfit you’ve been looking at for weeks and never actually pulled out of your closet. Packing for a trip is a time to play it safe, because that is what will help you play it smart!

Let’s talk specifics on accessories: think minimalistic. You don’t need to pack every scarf and necklace you own, but you do need to pack your accessories with intention. Wear heavier items on the plane including jackets and shoes, and if you plan to pack a hat, wear it on the plane or pack upside down in the center of your bag. Stuff with knits. Bring a pashmina wrap which can also serve as a scarf later.

With re-used basics, and pops of jewelry we were able to make this trip one of stand-out outfits and save her major room for SHOPPING while in Israel.

Feel free to print out this list of essentials we came up with and share with friends.

 

Here is the gallery of examples of how we mixed and matched for the perfect outcome:

 

In case you need some items off our Packing List to complete your look:

So as you start to get ready for your next trip, take time to make a plan, and then enjoy your time away as a result!

But if you start to fret, Contact me and we can tackle this packing thing together!

 

Bon Voyage,

 

Jen Young

 

Stress Free Moving

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Hi Friends!

I have been knee deep in moving boxes for the last two days and just remembered that I had a blog to write. EEK. Let’s do this.

Holy cow moving is SOOOO stressful. Can I get an, “Amen?” I had been in my previous home for 6 years and thought I did a good job of purging and sorting since that is like… MY JOB! But I will confess, I still have way too much stuff like any average person even is culling is my middle name.

So I empathize with any of you attempting to go through this insanity right before the holidays. Once the “crazy” calms down, I will eventually get a Christmas tree decorated {many thanks to my friends and clients, the incredible Russell Family, for buying my tree this year BTW}, but today I am focused on stress free moving and taking many deep breaths… and maybe a few Xanax. Wink.

Since “Closet Nip and Tucks” are my specialty, I will be offering a 10% discount from December 5-15th on those services. Check out those details HERE and connect with me directly to schedule a free phone consult HERE to discern if and how I can best assist you. Reference this discount in your in-take form, and I will happily honor this incentive.

I will also be blogging about my own experience during my move in the coming weeks so stay tuned for those details. Here is a teaser pic of my empty closet to let you in on the journey.

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A few things to consider during your move:

1.} Hire a moving company you trust if you aren’t packing/moving yourself! Interview several crews and get many bids ahead of time. I used Square Cow Movers and adore the crew who loaded and unpacked me. Reward your crew with a tip and lunch and they will bend over backwards for you…literally.

2.} Make sure to be present during the packing process as my boxes got very jumbled since I scheduled my house closing date right in the middle of the packing process and couldn’t direct the team to my expectations.

312f40ca-e7b2-45e2-a847-5100aeb6fab9d491ce2f-41a0-4b6e-92f7-658c376116533.} If you plan to have your TV’s connected right after your move in date, make sure to gather all the chords and old satellite boxes with you. Finding those in the middle of the wake of your move can be overwhelming.

4.} Purge your closet{s} before the packing process even begins. There is no reason to transport unnecessary items with you and pay for the extra weight. Unboxing only your lovelies will make the moving process more peaceful. Admittedly, I have already sent an additional 5 car loads to Goodwill even after my initial purge. Less is More….always. Read this blog on how to reduce the overwhelm in your closet with these simple tips to ultimate save you time and money.

5.} If people offer to assist you, say YES! I ate humble pie and accepted all the help I could get. Thank you to my incredible mother, Cindy, Melanie, Mikaela, Becki and Gregg for your tenacity through it all. The meals you provided and your extra set of hands were so amazing.

6.} Don’t expect to have everything perfect overnight. Be patient with yourself and know that it is better to take time to place things in your new home back in an orderly fashion. Don’t rush to get it all done. Organize with intension. If you need an amazing resource for Home Organization, I highly recommend Imagine Gurus for their amazing expertise.

Stay tuned for more tips as I archive moving from the old home to the new….

Feeling blessed and encouraged.

Stylishly Yours,

Jen Young

 

Packing for Travel

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Howdy Friends!

Packing for travel is a task many of us might dread. Even if it’s taking a short business trip or a long vacation with the family, packing can be stressful and a hassle.

To aid in that burden, check out Forever Styled’s packing for travel consulting HERE! We will help you hand pick your wardrobe according to your destination, weather forecast, and the events that you have scheduled so you can look fabulous every day of your trip!

And you won’t incur that dreaded overweight bag fee because we will be strategic with the items you take– giving you the flexibility to make several outfits out of a few items.

Packing Tips for Travel:

1.) Pack shoes first and place on the perimeter of your suitcase facing outwards. Stuff shoes with socks or other intimates to save space.

2.) Ziplock all liquids in several small bags to prevent spillage in your suitcase. This also makes packing easier instead of taking one large bag full of your makeup bag essentials.

3.) Sushi roll larger intimates, t-shirts, and other cotton items. Place on top of and in between shoes to create a solid base.

4.) Fold collard shirts and place on top of rolled cottons. Layer them with tissue to prevent wrinkling. Sometimes I re-purpose dry cleaner bags as well.

5.) Wrap belts around the outside of the shoes instead of curled up in a ball.

6.) Pants, dresses and skirts can be flat folded opposite each other and then tucked in like a present. Check out this amazing video here for more visual instruction: http://youtu.be/LIk8v__Osm8

Once you learn how to pack correctly, you will have a valuable life skill. Hope your upcoming trip is filled with peace and happiness.

What other tips do you have? We’d love to hear.

Stylishly Yours,

Jen Young