Packing for NYC in October (For Your Average OCD Organizer)

Destination: NYC     When: October 2016     Goal: Only Carry On Bags Only

Outcome: Curled up in a ball in the corner questioning all my life choices.

JUST KIDDING!

I hate doing puzzles.  I hate how anticlimactic it is, and how disorganized it is in general.  I would rather go to the dentist truthfully.  But packing creatively and light is my kind of puzzle.  It feels productive, and I see the reason for it.  (If you like puzzles, I’m sorry.  More for you!)  Let’s get started with this puzzle. (Insert dance party here!)

Kona likes to lay out in the area directly on anything I am trying to accomplish, when I am going on a trip.  It seems she thinks it will keep me here.  I consider this part of the challenge, so if you are a novice packer: keep your pets out.  If you are advanced, for added challenge: allow a needy pet into the room.

The weather is supposed to be pretty nice, and last year was beautiful! (Average High: Upper 60’s, Average Low: Mid to Lower 50’s, Mostly sunny and just a couple times of rain.)  I can be burning up one minute and freezing the next without any relation to the weather.  My random hot and cold flashes must be factored in, and all the walking must be factored in as well.  Nothing worse than having to figure out how to carry your cute but ginormous scarf, because the 20 block walk (which seemed like such a fun idea at the time) has now turned into your own personal Saharan nightmare.  I am being super dramatic, but you catch my drift.

What I use:

Gear:

Here is some of my favorite packing “gear.”

Samsonite aka: My baby!

Target Weekender

• Suitcase: Samsonite hard shell with soft top which I bought at Marshalls.  I love it so much.  I have always wanted a hard shell carry on with 4 rollers.  I shopped around and found the one above.  It fits perfectly in the overhead bins, and is easy to move around an airport/ airplane.  I LOVE the fact that the top front portion is the only part that is not a hardshell.  It gives the suitcase flexibility.  I looked and couldn’t find anything similar… Sad.
• Large Weekender Bag: Mine is no longer sold but these new ones at Target are close.  The size is perfect to fit under the seat of an airplane (even when shoved SO full of items you have to not make eye contact with the flight attendant walking by wondering “will she, won’t she, get it under the seat in front of her?”)
• Packing cubes:  I bought mine, again, at Marshall’s. (I love that store.)  EagleCreek has some awesome options, as does Sharper Image.  I decided to take the plunge and purchase last year after reading over and over again how amazing they are.  BUT it is true.  I have used them too many times to count since purchasing.   They are awesome to pack for a weekend away or weeks away.
• Packing envelope: Eagle Creek Large Packing Envelope is something I really am glad I have on had for packing.  I actually have the medium size, to fit perfectly in my carry on suitcase.  It keeps the folded items organized, but also pretty wrinkle free.  I don’t think it is perfect, but for the most part the clothes look the same as when I out them in.  I do believe it helps to keep my suitcase organized, and helps me to fit a lot of clothes in 1 envelope.
• Compression Bags:  Dustin and I own 4 of these Sharper Image Compression Bags.  We really only use these if we are going away for long trips.  I won’t use them on this trip.
• Miscellaneous Bags:  I use zippered makeup bags I have collected over the years to sort out jewelry, hair accessories, medicine, and other small items.  To me the key is organizing with smaller bags in the larger suitcases.
• Gallon size ziplock bags:  I love these for loose items I don’t want just flying around.
• Lunch size ziplock bags:  These are amazing for separating necklaces, earrings, charging cords, etc.  I never have a plan for these but they always come in handy!

What I Pack:

Clothing:

I love to use Pinterest to find travel outfit ideas, until I realize I am not a 5’9″ size 2 model.  While I think all those ideas are wonderful, like I said before, I can be burning up one minute and freezing the next without any relation to the weather.  I also wear size 10 shoes. So all those cute girls wearing converse to walk in when traveling… Well, that is precious but I look like a clown with skinny jeans and converse on.  (Don’t feel sorry for me, it is just my truth.  We all have them.)  To conclude: I use it with the idea that it is really to get me started, but I end up no where near it most of the time.

I create lists of what specifically to pack and what outfits to wear. Otherwise, I will pack 6 jackets, 20 shirts, and 6 pants for a week.  Do your prep work and make lists.  I write them in my books that I wrote about in this post here, but you can do it on your phone, on  the back of a bill you don’t want to pay, or whatever floats your boat.  However you choose, just do it.  Saves you time in the end, and also helps to make sure your favorite top you wear 5 times a week is clean and ready to pack.

Denim Button Up, Black/ White Check Button Up, Tan Blazer, Leather Jacket, Rain Coat, Cape

Sweaters, Piko, T-shirts

Leather Leggings, Black Pants, Jeans, Long Black Skirt, Gray Silk Skirt

Leather Shirt, Gray Shirt, Lace Top

Toiletries/Misc:

I understand some people love using the refillable bottles for traveling.  I am just a fan of buying the travel sizes of the things I need.  I love the small loofa’s that you can find.  They are 2 for $1 at Walmart so I can toss it when the trip is over.  (Win!!)  I also love to bring travel size perfumes.  Ulta and Anthropologie are great places to stock up for your trip.  Everything else I pack are your typical toiletries, and meds.

I pack for the trip I am going on, but a lot of the miscellaneous items repeat themselves: portable cell phone charger (Not pictured), glasses (could not find the ones I have, but close), sunglasses (Francesca’s), collapsible duffel(Similar on Amazon), umbrella, power cords, luggage locks, gum, credit card RFID covers, small purse or clutch for the evenings, wallet/ money/ ID, travel book, dirty laundry bag, and a larger cross body bag (I want to be honest, I never do color but when I do, this blue is it!  The blue is no longer online )

Hair Accessories are chosen by the weather and destination.  This trip includes: hair ties, bobby pins (lots!!), comb, hair clips, cute headbands, and a boring headband to wash my face.  I keep it pretty simple when my hair is short in the fall.

How I pack:

Lay it out-

I lay everything out that I need to pack.  Look at it and really decide if you needed the 12 shirts you laid out.  It seems like a common theme from people giving advice for packing is get rid of half of it.  I almost agree.  My prep work really helps me to avoid having to do that.  But there is always that one extra outfit, pair of shoes, or bulky jacket that I believe in the moment is a must pack.  I always end up regretting it.

Packing Envelope-

I pack all these things first.  The packing envelope is one of my favorite inventions.  It really keeps things from wrinkling.  It also compresses things really well.  I have folded all kinds of things into this (leather jackets, silk shirts, jeans, Kona.  Well she tries to get in while I am packing so almost Kona.)  In my packing cube this time: Jeans, all jackets, all button ups.  IT WAS FULL!! But it works!

Packing Cubes/ Ziplock Bags-

I save little things to roll and put in between the supports on the bottom of my suitcase.  Everything else I try to roll into packing cubes or ziplock bags.  Push and shove method is the only one that works for this.  The amount of rolled clothing I can fit into either option is astonishing.

I also use ziplock bags for separating jewelry, toiletries, cords, etc.  While there are so many cool things you can buy to separate out these things already, ziplock seem to be the best bet for me.  When I try to use those store bought travel bags, they are just too big for my suitcase or are too bulky.  If I am bringing extra purses I use those to pack in too.  NO SPACE LEFT BEHIND!

It all comes together:

Roll, Fold, and Stuff-

Now you play Tetris and just try to get the most amount of items into your packing cubes, packing envelope, and ziplock bags.  Push, shove, fold and roll people.  Sounds like a great new wedding choreographed dance.

Line Supports-

I roll and shove in the small things like tank tops in the supports of the suitcase.  Do what you can, if this possible.  No space left empty.

Add packing cubes, packing envelope, small bags-

Again, its all about your Tetris skills.  In every step of packing, I try to keep like items together as much as possible.  Sleep wear is all together, jackets all together, T-shirts all together, etc.  I like to grab a packing cube and know exactly what is in there.

Cover shoes & Pack-

I wrap any shoes I bring in grocery bags and pack them.  I also add dryer sheets to all the compartments of my suitcases and weekend bags.  They make everything packed smell so fresh, which is important when traveling!

Find any empty space and make sure to pack all the remaining small items-

In my weekender duffel I fit all of the remaining items I had:

Makeup, Toiletries (Liquid Cary On Bag), Toiletries (All Non Liquid Things), Book, Medicine, Wallet, Shoes (Wrapped in Apple Bags), Packing Cube 1: (Misc Unmentionables, Collapsible duffel, Gum,Glasses) Packing Cube 2: (Clothing. This cube doesn’t fit in the suitcase, so I always put it in my carryon bag), Small Wallet, Sunglasses, Cross-Body Purse, Jewelry, Book to Read, iPad, Chargers for Stuff, Portable Charger.

IT ALL FITS! PROMISE!  The key to having so much in 1 bag is organizing using a lot of little bags.  While the weekender is full, I can find things quick, due to my “bag within a bag”  packing technique!

While I am over here packing, I dream of the place I am going  thinking little elves have finished packing for me.  Then I snap back to reality and realize that I only have 6 hours until my flight and sill have to get everything into the suitcases.  But seriously, I hope something has helped or at least given you a chuckle!

Cat