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Live Laugh Rowe

A lifestyle blog that shares crafts, recipes, tutorials and life's moments.

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My thoughts on the art of packing…

12/10/2014 · Kelly Rowe · 26 Comments

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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My thoughts on the art of packing…

As many of you may know, 2014 was packed full of travel for me!  From a cruise to Bermuda, blog conferences, weekend trips, and a recent trip to Italy I’ve had lots of opportunities to master the art of packing.  Guess what?  I still stink at it.  HaHa!  There are two areas that I’ve had the most improvement — toiletries, and accessories (i.e. jewelry).  One of my favorite places to buy my essentials is The Container Store®. (Confession, The Container Store® is one of my all-time favorite places).

This summer, my parents flew in for a visit and we took an overnight trip to Springfield, MO.  They’ll be retiring there soon and, well, that couldn’t get here soon enough.  3-1/2 hours will seem like a breeze next to the current 18 hours between all of us.  Anywho, I booked the hotel and since there were 5 of us I decided on a suite. It was a brand new location and I was tickled silly to see that they had the elfa® closet system in them.  Apparently, TownePlace Suites® and The Container Store® had a partnership.  Who knew?

This is perfect to help travelers stay organized for longer stays! There are currently 11 locations with the elfa closet® system.  Pretty cool, right?  While we weren’t there for an extended stay, they offer so many amenities to help their guests from a fully-equipped full-size kitchen, in-room workspace, free breakfast, and MORE!  It’s a sweet deal…

Sorry, I got a little sidetracked there…  back to the art of packing.  Since I’ve yet to master it… I thought I would talk about the areas where I’ve learned a few lessons:  Toiletries and Jewelry.

the art of packingThe travel must-haves that I purchased from The Container Store® include (but are not limited to) the following:

1.) Travel Lint Brush.  A. Must. Have!

2.) Reusable/Washable Zippered Travel Pouch.  I’m usually the queen of plastic baggies, but this is a great bag that will hold up and can store all of my 3 ozs. bottles so I can keep them in my carry-on.

3.) Soap Dish.  I can’t use hotel soap due to sensitive skin — so this is a must {smile}.

4.) 3 oz. plastic storage bottle for shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, and pills!  Confession. I used to be the queen of packing all of my toiletries in full-size.  Hairsprays, Mousse, Leave-In Conditioners — you name it, I had it and it weighed a TON! I’ve come a long way.  I learned that a 3oz. bottle of shampoo and conditioner can last two weeks!  Boom.

5.)  Umm, this pack list is perfection!  I don’t think you can forget anything with this handy-dandy notepad.  I wouldn’t say it’s essential, but it sure does come in handy!

6.) Stackers Folding Jewelry Tray.  This box is awesome sauce!  I’ve learned to minimize packing so much jewelry and this seems to be a great size.  It can hold bracelets and bangles too!

Folding Travel Travel Tray from The Container Store® is perfect for jewelry!
All of these essential consolidate nicely too!

Consolidating the toiletry and jewelry essentials!
So, there you have it!  If I had to leave you with one tip:
Bring HALF of what you think you need!

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Hugs and Blessings!xo Kelly

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A DIY fanatic, Kelly shares her journey through her blog, Live Laugh Rowe, where she showcases her recipes, tutorials, crafts, home projects, and all things DIY. This East Coast Girl at heart believes family is number one as she finds the perfect balance of being a daughter, wife, sister, entrepreneur, writer and woman of God. Be sure to follow along as she shares her passion for life, love and family! Read more...

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Comments

  1. Holly Ferrero says

    12/11/2014 at 6:24 am

    You have to bring a bag for dirty clothes or they end up everywhere. And I unpack into the drawers if we’re staying more than 2 days. hmhurst@yahoo.com

    Reply
  2. Sandi S says

    12/11/2014 at 7:24 am

    My daughter just spent the last two months at a Town Place Suites in Middleburg Hgts. Near Cleveland Ohio. She as a patient at the Cleveland Clinic. Town Place Suites was wonderful, very friendly and helpful staff. We had a 2 bedroom apt. And we were very comfortable. I would highly recommend them to everyone. Hugs, szil949@yahoo.com

    Reply
  3. Elise Burkhead says

    12/11/2014 at 10:19 am

    I stay organized by using several smaller bags to fit different items – grouping shoes together, belts, necklaces, etc. It’s super helpful, plus I just love bags! elise.burkhead@yahoo.com

    Reply
  4. Condo Blues says

    12/11/2014 at 2:56 pm

    I pack mix and match clothing for extended trips. I also bring travel size laundry detergent and a stain stick so I can hand wash socks, underwear, dirty clothes (I’m always dropping food on myself) in the hotel room sink and wear them later during my trip. It cuts down on the amount of clean clothes I have to pack and the size of my suitcase. My husband and I spent over a week in England with nothing but carry on luggage that way. condoblues@gmail.com

    Reply
  5. Stacy Risnemay says

    12/11/2014 at 7:10 pm

    I am not very organized. I throw everything in ziplock baggies and call it good. But I would love to get some things that would function better! notjustahousewife@yahoo.com

    Reply
  6. Christy @ Our Southern Home says

    12/11/2014 at 7:50 pm

    Great tips! Love that packing check list! oursouthernhomesc@gmail.com

    Reply
  7. Angela Saver says

    12/12/2014 at 4:30 am

    To stay organized, everyone has their own suitcase & I always pack hangers to hang our clothes, & also pack bags for dirty clothes so I can keep them separated.

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

    Reply
  8. Yvonne b says

    12/12/2014 at 5:26 pm

    I have that list pad too! I use it as a starting point. I too used to travel with full size, now I use the travel containers…I found mine at Target. I also carry a bag to keep my dirty clothes in and a stain stick, sewing kit. Must have those…can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost a button. Great article. Enjoyed reading! Thanks for sharing! yblair1@gmail.com

    Reply
  9. Kristine K says

    12/13/2014 at 10:41 am

    I always like to unpack my hang up clothes — so that’s what I would take advantage of in the elfa closet 🙂 kristine_lk@yahoo.com

    Reply
  10. Sharon Kuert says

    12/13/2014 at 10:43 am

    I love the idea of the drawer in the closet — that would definitely be put to good use. s_kuert7@yahoo.com

    Reply
  11. ELIZABETH P says

    12/13/2014 at 7:24 pm

    I use ebags so that my clothes are separated by days and I have everything I need right at my finger tips – I also use ziploc bags to make sure nothing leaks! I love the elfa closet – looks great! truckredford(at)gmail(Dot)com

    Reply
  12. JenniferAnne says

    12/14/2014 at 3:18 am

    The shoe rack would be useful, but I think I would most utilize the gliding drawer for folded items. I like to unpack my clothes and keep certain items together if I am going to be somewhere for more than one night. The extra hangars are great, too.
    JenniferAnne74 AT aol.com

    Reply
  13. Kristen says

    12/14/2014 at 5:29 am

    I’d use the shoe shelf…so much nicer that having your shoes laying around the room or heaped on the closet floor!

    Reply
  14. Carolyn G says

    12/14/2014 at 7:12 pm

    I am a firm believer in using Ziploc bags or travel bags to organize my items.

    Reply
  15. alaine says

    12/14/2014 at 8:58 pm

    I would be most thrilled about the shoe rack:)

    Reply
  16. Nicole D says

    12/16/2014 at 11:49 am

    I stay organized by packing my bags light and really nice, I roll my clothes to save room and time, I also unpack as soon as I arrive to the hotel to keep it all together.

    Reply
  17. Janice R. says

    12/16/2014 at 12:47 pm

    I stay organized by making lists of everything I need to pack and am packing and then using that same list to pack back up when it’s time to leave. I don’t have to worry about missing anything since I have a detailed list of exactly what I initially packed.

    Reply
  18. Carolsue says

    12/18/2014 at 5:32 pm

    A laundry bag is essential if you don’t want dirty clothes mixed up with clean ones! I use a hanging organizer also keep things together and accessible. I also keep essential items packed together, clothes I will need the first night get packed on top, etc. Shoes get wrapped in plastic grocery bags, but the shoe rack in the closet would sure come in handy!

    Reply
  19. natasha says

    12/22/2014 at 12:29 am

    I make lists of all needed item for the trip. Then I pack any small items in baggies and any big items get rolled into my suitcase. I check the lists at least 3 times to make sure I have everything I need. dythia_99(at)yahoo.com

    Reply
  20. Krissie says

    12/22/2014 at 2:41 am

    I find a hanging organizer where I keep my makeup, hair products, etc. to really help stay organizsed.
    I would utilize both the glide-out drawers and the shoe rack. They are both great concepts which would make staying organized much easier.

    Reply
  21. Krissie says

    12/22/2014 at 2:43 am

    I would utilize both the glide-out drawers and the shoe rack. They are both great ideas which would make staying organized so much easier. To help stay organized, I utilize a hanging makeup bag to keep my makeup, hair products, medicine, etc. all visible and handy.

    Reply
  22. Linda F. says

    12/23/2014 at 11:10 am

    I like to make lists of what I need to pack and then pack that list with me so I know that I don’t leave anything behind when it is time to leave.
    cbythesea5@gmail dot com

    Reply
  23. nadya kotik says

    12/23/2014 at 10:31 pm

    I don’t travel often but i always keep personal hygiene items in a separate bag and clothes organized by events/days. I bring extra things depending on weather.

    Reply
  24. Marcia Goss says

    12/28/2014 at 3:31 pm

    I love the shelves and drawer in the closet. I like having all my things in one place instead of in dresser drawers and a separate small closet.

    Reply
  25. angela lazo says

    12/30/2014 at 12:08 am

    I would use the closet rods to keep my clothes from getting wrinkled. sweetangela26(@)yahoo.com

    Reply
  26. Shelly says

    03/18/2015 at 11:46 am

    Roll out toiletry bag and packing cubes are a must! Keeps everything in its place for easy access and clean up! Shelly.bergman13(at)gmail.com

    Reply

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