Huge thank you to Kristen for guest posting for me today!! I have to say – her packing skills are hands down some of the best out there – so keep reading for her tips!
HiB Loved Bostonreaders! A huge thank you to the wonderful Biana for having me over at her place today while she’s off on an amazing vacation. For those of you I haven’t met before, my name is Kristen and I blog over atSee You In A Porridge(unrelated to goldilocks) about a whole lot of nothing and everything;books, cats,travel,expat life(I’m from Australia) etc etc.
One of the things I love to post – and read – about is packing. I’m one of those people who love to squish everything in a carry on. Mainly because I’ve been the unfortunate person who has had her luggage stolen / lost / damaged / delayed and I was just sick of it. When I first started looking into carry on only packing, I thought there was no way I could do it. I’m the girl who brought 2 full size suitcases on a 2 week trip. It was always the same though, because I brought so much it was so overwhelming that I would end up wearing the same few things and buying new stuff on holiday (I have a wee bit of a shopping problem). So I read basically every post on the entire internet on how to do it, and I’ve done it successfully several times. And so can you!
I have been able to pack using just a carry on for every trip I have been on in the last couple of years; Australia for 2 weeks, NYC in winter, 2 weeks in Europe and our most recent trip to Disney World / Universal (and a couple other times I haven’t blogged about!). I’ll never go back to checking a bag.
I’ve never been to the places Biana is going, but today I wanted to share a basic packing list with 15 items that easily make 20+ outfits. You could change it around to suit your needs, tastes or location.
striped top / baseball tee / grey tee / sleeveless blouse / black tank top / white tee /
wrap cardigan / chambray shirt
black jeans / shorts / skirt/ black dress
converse / wedge booties / flats
The thing is – this is super basic. This wouldn’t even fill half of my carry on. Which is great, because then I can throw in some accessories like scarves, belts or necklaces, and maybe an extra top or two. Not to mention pajamas, makeup and toiletries etc. Here are the outfits I put together with these items:
yeah I snuck a belt in on the dress, so technically 16 items.
I know these aren’t the world’s most exciting outfits, but at the end of the day if you’re travelling, that’s the exciting part. When I look back through my travel photos I don’t even see my outfit (as long as I don’t look like a slob!). I see the place I went and am reminded of how much fun I had, and that’s what matters! Do I look like I care about my outfits in any of these photos?
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| Paris / Universal / Australia / Rome / Versailles / Disney / Dublin / Vegas |
Honestly, my rule of thumb is stick with what you’re comfortable in. Simple enough, right?
If you don’t want to pack using only a carry on, you don’t have to. But if you do, you absolutely can. Don’t be discouraged, it’s really not that hard. Read my tips on how to pack less here. My thing is – I’m still an overpacker at heart. I want all the options, I want to be prepared for all the things. You can still do that using just a carry on, I promise. We use the ebags motherlode bags and love them, they make my overpacking heart happy.
Thanks again for having me, B!
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Today also happens to be my mom’s birthday!! So from halfway across the world – Happy Birthday Mama!!
To the woman who has given me the greatest gift of all, life – I wish you a year filled with all the blessings in the world! There will never be enough words to describe just how much she means to me – so happy birthday to the sweetest most amazing mama I could have ever dreamed of!
I'm super impressed with how many outfits you were able to put together! Also, happy birthday to Bianas mom!!
Christina :: Simple and Delish
You know I have all your packing posts saved!!! Great post!
Happy birthday Mama!
I am loving this post! I am definitely an overpacker and this is something I want to work on! Happy birthday to your beautiful mom! Such a great picture of you three.
Happy birthday to your mom!! I'd love to not check a bag but hen flying back to Poland for three weeks that it sadly impossible!
Kristen really does have the best packing posts and they are always so practical and realistic! This makes me want to get a pair of converse shoes even more after seeing how many ways they are paired and have to be more comfortable than anything else for days of walking around cities!!!!
thanks again for having me B! hope you're having a blast 🙂 happy birthday to your mom!
I'm always impressed by your packing abilities. That's on my to do list within the next week- 2 weeks in a backpack (I hope)
Happy birthday to your Mom!
Kristen! I need packing help. I went for a weekend and barely fit all of my crap in the motherlode. Helllp. LOL
This list is perfect! I scoured packing lists for hours and hours before I went to Europe last summer and I did the exact thing you suggested! I mixed and matched everything so I didn't have to worry about bring a ton of items. I even took pictures of everything on my phone and planned what I would be wearing each day so I didn't have to think about it the day of. Worked like a charm! 🙂
Can you just come pack for me every time that I need to go on a trip? I have the packing list thing down but I always pack more than I actually needed!
Happy birthday to your mom!!! Love these packing tips! I always try and make mix and match outfits to make the most use out of each item I'm bringing. Love this list!
What a cute skirt!! I want that scallop one asap!
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
Happy birthday to your mama!! These packing tips are great, I never like the hassle of checking in a bag unless absolutely necessary! Carrying basics and adding different and fun accessories is the best way to go when traveling!
These items && outfits are all so cute, I love it! Thanks for sharing! Packing is always a real struggle for me so this was helpful for future ideas.
Elainea
toast the girl almighty
This is amazing – I don't think I've ever packed in carry on for more than 4-5 days and I'd love to get to the point to use one for an entire trip!!
Happy Birthday to your Mama, Biana!!
I always say this, but I'm terrible at packing, and this makes me want to go through my closet and try and make outfits out of the same items, haha. Loving that wrap caridgan and scallop skirt!
Wow! This is amazing! I'm a terrible packer, props to you Kristen!
& Happy Birthday to your Mama, Biana!
Aw, happy birthday to your mom! Great tips Kristen. 🙂 I'm definitely thinking about packing for future trips right now… biggest thing being all of the souvenirs I want to bring back! hehe We usually pack a fold-able bag in one case so if necessary we can carry it on on the way back! (we usually share a small suitcase. 🙂 ) XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Happy birthday to your mom!! I love this post! My next travel post is sharing how I'm going to mix and match all of my clothes for our trip. Just a little capsule wardrobe, haha!
Love these tips. I'm a chronic overpacker and I need to change my ways! You've inspired me Kristen! Happy birthday, Momma S!! Make today work, Rachel -CubicleCouture
Yes!! If I have to check a bag then it will get lost. Always. I always pack in a carry on for this same reason! Love this post!
Oh gosh I really need to use this advice! Great tips Kristen! I'm an expert in overpacking by a lot and it's getting old. I supposed you're right in that it takes some planning ahead of time.
Love these ideas! I always overpack, especially with shoes! I need to learn to downsize the things I pack.
Happy Birthday Momma! I love this, I am an overpacker. I took two full sized suitcases when I went to Europe. Granted I was going for three months but I wish I would have packed more efficiently! Will remember this next time!
Great post, Kristen! I love, love, love the color scheme here for your packing. I continue to be a horrible packer but I always like reading more and more about how to be a better one in the vain hope.
Happy birthday to your mom! And thanks for the packing tips, Kristen! I always over pack, so I need to take some advice from you for sure!
must have oh I must have that wrap sweater and scalloped skirt! Great staples, Kristen!
Happy birthday, to your mom! Hope you are having a blast!!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I think I can pack in a carry on for Europe, I think I can pack in a carry on for Europe! I'm going to take a look at those eBags right now, and I'm going to start thinking about a few pieces that will make multiple options, and I'm going to keep your post close while I'm packing too!
This is a great post, I always overpack, love how you styled each outfit.
artadorned.com/
I'm all about packing simply when I'm traveling! I usually use jewelry to dress up my outfits!
thecourtneydiaries.com
Once again, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, but your packing advice is so on point. Always good for saving and reading later!
I totally agree! Comfortable! Love all of the outfits that you created out of those pieces. And Kristen, you definitely look cute in all of those travel photos 🙂
When I was younger I used to try to pack the most amazing outfits which meant I had to pack several pairs of shoes. Only to discover, once I got there, I didn't even wear them all. Same with the outfits. Not to mention my bags were always stuffed and more than necessary. I love condensing and you picked some great ideas.
I'm definitely impressed with your skills!! I used to be able to travel with just a carry on, but I don't know if my wardrobe could do a couple of weeks in a carry on!! Definitely a goal.
Such a fun guest post! Pinning this one for future vacations!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Kristen is my favorite packing guru! Girlfriend knows how to efficiently fit it all in a carry on, and still look amazing throughout her whole trip! I too have been that poor soul waiting at baggage claim with nothing coming out, so I try to carry on as much as possible too.
And a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your sweet mama <3
Green Fashionista
I love a good packing list! So many cute outfit ideas!
Such a great post, Biana! I struggle with packing efficiently sometimes and this provided some great solutions and inspiration. Thank you! Have a wonderful weekend!
laurenfarrellny.com/blog
Oh I love this post, Kristen has the best packing lists. I think all those outfits are fab. Happy Birthday to your Momma. Hope she has a wonderful day. Hope you are having a blast on your trip.
Kristen, your packing list is to die for. Clearly I need to take pointers from you…or get more staples in my wardrobe to do so! haha
Love Kristen!!!! I may have to challenge myself the next time I'll be flying by using just a carry on!!!! I love the challenge.
I hope she is enjoying herself and great tips here, I so hope to do some traveling myself in the near future.
Allie of ALLIENYC
allienyc.com
This post was amazing and so encouraging. She packed many versatile, classic and classy neutral pieces (AND JUST 3 PAIRS OF SHOES!) and created 3 weeks worth of outfits with them. Plus like she said she can throw in a few colorful accessories for a color pop: a bright solid scarf, a plaid blanket scarf, a colorful floral scarf, a couple of statement necklace (one neon, one crystal silver) and maybe even a pair of bright tights like in red, emerald or burgundy and she is good to go. I need to check out her blog ASAP. And OMG she has truly traveled the world. Amazing!