It all starts with a list. I divide a page in half writing AM and PM as the top headers then put a list of the days I'm away at the side. I list the clothes and shoes I'm going to take. This helps you to see where you can double up on shoes and pieces of clothing, ensuring you don't take too much. I write what I'm going to wear when I'm travelling (to and from), then an extras list which includes things like sunhat, underwear, gym kits, evening bag and so on.
I get everything together and lay it out in piles such as shoes, daytime and evening. I also skim through my wardrobe to see if there's something I've forgotten about which I really should pack. I rummage through my jewellery draw and match up a few pieces that will work with my outfits. Shoes get put in fabric bags and I group things like underwear, jewellery and gym kits and put them in individual fabric bags (I use duster bags I've received with my handbags over the years).
Next up, I write a hand luggage list which includes items such as a book, playing cards, travel documents, money, headphones, iPad, beauty bits for the plane, large scarf. As we are taking a long flight on this trip I've packed a change of clothes for the plane. Again I lay all of this out ready to be packed. Next up is my list of beauty products. I am a beauty junkie and can get quite carried away taking various lotions and potions. After I've pulled out everything I need I put anything that could possibly leak into plastic bags (I've found oils and serums, no matter how tightly you screw the lid always leak). I group together things like make up, hair products, sun creams and put them in individual cases so they are easier to unpack when I arrive.
Then I'm ready to pack. Suitcase first, clothes are laid flat, I tesselate the things in bags, then beauty products. Finally I pack my hand luggage and triple check I have the vital documents and passport. Bon voyage!
