I love to pack. It builds the hype for the trip, you get to plan out that perfect wardrobe, and if well done you have absolutely everything you need for a perfect trip saving you from buying that $30 bottle of sunscreen at the hotel gift shop, or searching a foreign country for a bottle of ibuprofen you can read the label on and feel fairly certain won't cause more harm. I get made fun of because I will be packed weeks in advance and couldn't even fathom packing for any trip over a weekend long a few days before. I have this whole system down to a science.
1. The listing
By now I have a pretty good master list saved to my documents. While it's technically for a beach vacation, we usually travel in the summer and can be quickly modified for a trip home, etc. The Las Vegas trip is opening a whole new door as our days will not be centered around the beach and pool and will require more dressing up. Not to mention I have no idea what the weather will actually be like, it's March, but the desert, I have no idea what to expect. A lot of research needs to be done, which is great fun. I've found lots of great websites out there and have started a list of items that I might not have thought of. Stuff like nasal spray and eye drops to combat how dry it is, comfy shoes as you do a ton of walking, a watch because there are no clocks in vegas and you want to make your reservations for shows, dinners and trips, and powder because with all that heat and walking Tinea cruris can be an issue. Don't google image that. Seriously. DON'T. Suffice to say I feel at this point I am well researched, have added to the master list and am ready for the next step.
2. The pre pack clothing pile
Luckily my daily life revolves around a selection of stained and grubby work clothes. This way I can easily start the pre pack pile well in advance. This pile is of anything I might consider wearing on the trip pulled out of my wardrobe and piled into the spare room. Once laundry is done for the week I will pull even more items for the pile, and this way I know every possibility is there, clean, and ready to be packed. Of course this pile will be ridiculously large but it is a great way to get ready for the next step in the process.
3. Choosing the outfits
In this stage everything gets tried on. Right there some things will get removed from the pile if they don't fit or actually aren't vacation appropriate. Then items get paired with other items to make outfits. The things that go with the most other things are the ones you want to pack, giving you the greatest amount of wardrobe flexibility from a suitcase. Then it can be pared down to how many days and how many outfits are needed to clothe yourself for this particular vacation.
4. Shoes and accessories
For this trip I require the comfiest shoes possible, the Vegas strip is huge! Walking just from your room to the street can be quite a hike. I also bought a pair of Dr Scholl's fast flats, because lets face it, I will be packing one pair of strappy heels. For now I have it narrowed down to sneakers, black strappy heels, brown flats, and two pairs of sandals. Five pairs of shoes is pretty good for me! Also because it's Vegas accessories will be big! I can go as flashy as I want. I'm bringing the silver handbag, the bangley bracelets and the wow factor earrings. Luckily none of this stuff takes up much space in the suitcase.
5. Buying new stuff
By this point I realize when I consult the master list there are some items I just don't have. Mainly I will want to hit the travel size aisle to stock up on all those cute miniature bottles and packages in the health and beauty department. I might also get a black handbag that's vegas worthy, a nice long sleeve cover up style shirt in case it's cold at night, and a few gallons of sunscreen.
5. Personal products,entertainment, etc
The list this trip is getting cut down quite a bit because it's the states and there will undoubtedly be access to a 24 hour Walgreens in case of any emergency. My suitcase won't have to be a traveling pharmacy! So I can focus on the daily stuff, in miniature form. I also don't need beach books and our flight is super short so the stuff I need to bring for entertainment is minimal. Las Vegas is there to entertain me! eReader, cell chargers, iPod and maybe a magazine; job done.
6. How many bags?
Flying Westjet I get one checked bag, 2 carry ons and a purse. I want to leave a little room in case I do some shopping so I'll go with only one carry on. Also my purse will be huge. I have a great travel purse that is obnoxiously large and I could never use in real life, but they never weigh your purse so it is great for heavy stuff like books.
7. Cram it all in
Self explanatory... sometimes requires creative zippering, you know, you work it from one end, give up, try the zipper on the other end until you successfully get the suitcase closed.
8. Weigh and purge
Thanks to my parents for the Christmas gift of a handy dandy luggage scale! No more balancing bags on the normal scale. Hmm, it's hard to lift. Maybe I need less shoes? At last success, I am 10 pounds underweight. Plenty of room for shopping while we are away.
9. Finding more things you forgot
Summery tank tops I forgot I owned, one jacket just in case. Maybe I should repack those strappy sandals I just took out...
10. Last minute and beyond
Realize I need something to wear on the trip down and on the flight... Which will have to come from the good clothes I've already packed. Derek needs decongestant for on the plane to keep his sinuses clear. I need gum for my ear popping. Somehow with all the prep I am always packing right up until the airport. But Unlike Derek I am completely covered. He needs to buy headphones on the plane. Silly boy throwing stuff in a bag the night before we leave.
