Travel Carry-on Only with Style

For the past 3.5 years, I've been travelling carry-on only. Before that, I was a regular TSA negotiator. 

4week capsule wardrobe - Europe

I literally didn't even own a piece of carry-on luggage - that's how much I didn't think it was possible. So I know how you may feel. Back then, I would have called myself a good packer (I made detailed lists of every outfit I was going to wear for every day) but I was nowhere near the strategic packer I am today.

There are lots of travel packing tips I could share but I'm going to start with the capsule wardrobe because the very first thing you need to do to stop overpacking is master the art of creating a capsule wardrobe.

The main factors to consider when planning a capsule wardrobe for travel are:

*Each piece can be worn in various settings
*All items must mix n match
*All colors should work well together
*Shoes should be neutral and suitable for all outfits
*Weather should be taken into consideration

A bit of background... A lot of my travel is 10+ days and I pretty much have that length of time down to a science. Note: That doesn't mean I snap my fingers and I'm packed - it takes me time, but I enjoy the creative process and order naturally reduces my anxiety so it's all good. But last year I took a monthlong trip to Asia and tomorrow I leave for another 4week adventure. That's triple the number of days I am used to but in the end, it's the same capsule wardrobe strategy. My process is multi-phased and I start prepping anywhere from a week to a few weeks out. That works for me because I'm a slow-paced strategizer but do what works for you and your lifestyle.


1. Check the Weather
Sounds obvious. So many people don't do it. I'm not saying know the exact degrees and wind mph for every single day because well, you can't, but look at the 10-day forecast and if you have extended travel past that time search the monthly weather trends. If it's the rainy season, that will dictate some of your wardrobe choices.

2. Choose your Favorites
I recommend at least a week out to check the weather and then go through your closet and pick out those pieces you know you want on the trip. Choose those pieces you love, that you never ever think twice about. Shoes, hats, bras, earrings, everything included.  Weather, activities, and location should play a factor in your choices. Put all of it in a special place for the time being. This should include clothes, shoes, bags, accessories. Don't worry about if you have too much or too little and don't fuss if you're on the fence about a few things. This is where the multi-step process plays an important factor. *Also, if possible I highly suggest putting these items somewhere visible so you can literally see how you feel about your selections over the coming days.

3. Time for a Try On
This step. I don't know how people skip this step, but they do. This is a time to get creative with your wardrobe and figure out versatile clothing that you can wear in several outfits. Especially for those weeklong+ trips - if you want a carryon only you are going to have to get creative! Turn on some tunes, get your full-length mirror out, and start playing dress up. A second opinion is always helpful. If you don't have someone nearby take pictures and assess later. Similar to my tip for buying new clothes: unless it's a definite YES! it's a no. You want to wear what you love and wear those pieces you never ever think twice about. Shoes, hats, bras, earrings, everything included.

4. Consolidate
Now that you've tried on your clothes, you should have a much better idea of the outfits you absolutely cannot wait to wear and those pieces that you can wear in *multiple* outfits. Now lay out all the pieces you intend to take and remove those maybes. Shoes, bags, accessories included. Depending on what you're doing, where you're going, and how long you're going, try to get your wardrobe to feature between six to eighteen items. You won't believe how many outfits you can make with just ten pieces of clothes!

My rule of thumb: for a 5-10day trip I have to wear everything at least twice / for a 10+day trip I have to wear everything at least 3x. If not, you're out. (Special occasion outfits aside - obviously that bridesmaid dress won't be layered under a sweater on Tuesday)

Function over Fashion. On most trips, there is much more walking than in everyday life SO MAKE SURE YOUR FEET (&BODY) ARE COMFORTABLE!

5. Pre-Pack
A few days before the trip actually, pack your suitcase. A couple of pro-packing strategies for this: roll your clothes and use packing organizers. Packing cubes are a game changer. Between the roll and the cubes, your belongings are compressed so much more than any fold. At this step, again, remove those maybes. You won't regret it. I always say, If I need it I'll buy it. And what happens? I never need it and I'm happy I have the extra room for whatever it is that I do buy.


Hope these strategies helped! I have more tips and tricks I can share. But for now, I have to get some sleep because tomorrow I'm off to Europe.


XO

Lookback to 2018

"Hike my Backyard"
Photo by me, February 2018

Hi! I’m finally back. It's been a while.

Frankly, 2017 was my most difficult year to date and as I made my way through 2018 I was still stunted in expressing myself through my writing. So let me take us back.

January 2018

The first year of my life where I was living alone, and through all those complex and lonely emotions
I was trying not to feel, I did feel this freedom to follow my heart without any inhibition.
So I asked myself, What do I want to do?

Without hesitation, my heart answered: Travel. I wanted to see the world. Specifically Bali. Yes, for all those wondering,
I’m an Eat, Pray, Lover if ya didn’t know. I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book back in 2008ish.
I called it my bible, perhaps a bit strong of evaluation but as I walked into 2018, faced with
this new chapter in my life, I knew I wanted to do those things that I’d been wanting to do
for over a decade. And if I learned one thing from my sister in law’s death
it’s that time is the most unforgiving.

So, Bali. Got it. I knew intuitively I’d do it, but damn Asia. That’s a world away.
And as a solo female traveler, it gave me some travel anxiety.
For whatever the reason, mostly the courage to build up to such a big trip, the month
of November came to me as the opportune time to take this journey.
Still, though, solo travel to another country where the language is VASTLY different is a feat,
and it felt like there was a piece missing...a link that would make it all come together and
make me feel more at ease. So I sat with it, much like I do with anything that I am working
out and at some point, I stepped away from social media to process.  

February-March 2018

What came to me during that time? A few things.

1. The belief that I would find a retreat in Bali to be my stepping stone into Asia. That felt more

doable. Kick start the trip with a retreat with some other humans and then go off on a solo adventure.

I could handle that with my eyes closed.

2. A more narrow view of #1... Not just any retreat but ideally one led by a San Diegan with the

subgoal to build my local community.

<If you’re new here, I moved to San Diego in 2011 with my boyfriend and have always worked

remotely for a company in the bay area. When not on the road, I work from home and being an

empath and homebody I need a lot of my own space to unwind and recharge. All that said,

because as I read it back it sounds kinda lonely, let me just say I have incredible fam & friends
back east and around the world who mean everything to me. But they don’t live near and as a

lifelong connector who wants to live in San Diego for the foreseeable future, my goal

was/is to build a deeper community here.>

3. The opportunity to facilitate both a customer advisory board meeting (CAB) in NYC come April

and then a roadshow of CABS in Europe at the end of June. I hadn’t been back to Europe since

studying abroad and knew this would be the perfect experience to get my international travel gears

going (at a minimal out-of-pocket cost to me too, which is a big factor).

4. And I kid you not, I logged onto Instagram for the first time after my hiatus and the opening post

I saw was from a woman who owned a local dance studio in Solana Beach (where I had lived the

past year and passed many times on my walks with Grizzly) marketing a retreat to Bali in late

November. This makes me teary-eyed just typing.

::takes a minute to compose myself::

Ask and you shall receive. By now, since I’ve been more vocal about it, you may know that I am a
deeply spiritual person who believes in manifestation. I always have, but what I’ve realized over the
past couple years is that I don't really share this side of me as much as I do in my own head. Maybe
I was nervous y'all would think I was crazy. (Spoiler alert: We all are) So think what you will, my dears.
What I will say is these manifestations have helped me follow my dreams. They have led me to live
in Florence for a semester in college. They have led me to move to San Diego (8 years ago this
month!). And ultimately they led me to my 2018 year of travel which brought me to my bucket-list
destination of Bali. And now that I have my voice back, it is my intention to share with you tidbits from the 7 countries I explored.

Can’t wait to revisit them with you!

London, England

Frankfurt, Germany

Milan, Italy

Paris, France

Bali, Indonesia

Hanoi | Ha Long Bay | Hoi An, Vietnam

Singapore