However, Megan asked me / I bullied her into letting me help her plan what she should pack for her trip and I gladly agreed. Megan is going to Ireland, Amsterdam, Brussels & Cologne. Even though it's technically Summer there, it's a lot cooler than our Summer so she had to pack accordingly. Temperatures ranged from about high 50s to high 60s. Like me, she gets cold easily. So we'll call it Spring, shall we?
I think a lot of us are 'over packers' meaning that we just want to be prepared for everything and look different each day. I mean, you could bring a pair of jeans, leggings and a few tshirts and they'd easily last you a week or more with handwashing and alternating. But where is the fun in that? My kind of packing is when you can still 'over pack' and not have to reuse things over if you don't have to, thus looking different enough each day but still fitting it all into a carry on. It's the best of both worlds, isn't it? That's what we tried to do for Megan's trip.
Here's what she decided on packing:
// Grey tunic // Striped top // Black
Tunic // White
long sleeve //
// Black top // Pink tee // Polka dot top // Sleeveless floral blouse //
// Blue jeans // Leggings // Polka dot leggings // Floral dress //
// Black cardigan // Denim hoodie // Black coat
// Beige coat //
// Black scarf // Red scarf // Floral scarf // Polka dot scarf // USA scarf
// USA headband //
// Black boots // Grey boots //
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She's there for 10 days (not including travel days) so we came up with 10 outfits. Some have different jackets options depending on weather / activities.
Meanwhile how adorable is that sleeveless floral blouse? I'm totally borrowing it.
She packed everything into her carry on - a small suitcase and a large backpack. Then she changed her mind and got a slightly bigger carry on, so she'd have more room for toiletries and shopping. Not pictured below is the usual - underwear, toiletries etc but she included the outfits she's wearing on the plane so it evens out. She also didn't use any packing cubes or anything fancy. She also has an adorable striped backpack in there that she's going to use as her purse that I'm also very tempted to borrow.
So there you have it, another packing post - this time it's more about getting the most out of that carry on that you can! Megan was pretty set against only using a carry on, I didn't want to push her because each to their own right? Her and her husband are probably going to check a bag between them. But I at least wanted to show her that it can be done even with a bit of over packing - don't you agree?
Anyway - make sure you follow Megan's instagram, hopefully she'll post some pictures of her adventures so we can all be jealous!
Aww you're such a good friend helping Megan pack! Totally loving that floral sleeveless blouse! And the dress with the tights is so perfect for Europe!
ReplyDelete<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
I really want to go on a trip right now so you can help me pack!
ReplyDeleteCan you just come pack for me before I go on trips?? You've got this thing nailed down!
ReplyDeletelove it! she's got some awesome clothes, dang!
ReplyDeleteI think you need to start charging for this service!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDelete^^^ I have to agree with Biana!! You should start advertising your services because you are great at this and maybe the only person I know who enjoys putting this much planning and effort into packing. Fun post and I love Megan's scarf for the soccer game. U-S-A! U-S-A!
ReplyDeleteEveryone is going on such fun trips this summer! I'm going to live vicariously through y'all. And... I'm one of those notorious under-packers. I hate un packing and I hate laundry, so damnit, two pairs of jeans and four t-shirts will work for two weeks!!! Ha
ReplyDeleteYou're a freaking packing pro. Next trip I take, I'm making you pack for me.
ReplyDeletei agree with biana!! ha you can be a professional packer :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you helped her pack! I also love that she got a bigger carry on because she plans on shopping.
ReplyDeleteI said it on your post with your clothes and I'll say it again. I need to have a mix and match wardrobe just for daily life because this is basically the best idea ever.
This is fantastic!! I totally wish I brought more than one coat with me to Europe. It drives me batty that I look like I wore the same thing everyday because I have the same coat on. You so should be a professional packer.
ReplyDeleteI am always in awe of these posts. Its like a magic trick to me. I fill up my suitcase & STILL have nothing to wear that matches. I'm a failure at this. I need to make notes from your posts!
ReplyDeleteAw you are such a good bestie helping Megan pack! You're so good at this. I'm so bad at planning outfits ahead if I'm going away and I just end up being like oh, I like this shirt, oh I like these pants, I guess maybe they'll work together, whatever. I need a lesson from you!
ReplyDeletei'm super impressed! I just had some friends out to visit for 4 days and one of them packed TWO suitcases! I was like girrrrrrl what did you bring?! she could take a lesson from you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great job getting it all into a carry on. She looks awesome in each outfit. Love all the scarves too.
ReplyDeletehehe, I never plan this much for my packing, but I'm a packing procrastinator! lol. I do think it's a good idea to fit as much into a carry on as possible, especially because Europe tends to have insane checked baggage fees (although, I guess the US has adopted this too).
ReplyDeleteI need a link to the bag (or similar) that she packed in if you have one. Size-wise specifically!
ReplyDeleteI have packable coats ready to go for upcoming trips...the kind that fold in on themselves to a zippered pouch.
How in the heck is everyone able to go to Europe for many days with only a carry-on? I go visit my gf for like a 4 day weekend and my car is packed like I am literally MOVING IN. I dont understand. I need you guys to come tutor me on the ways to not need two big suitcases for a few nights.
ReplyDeleteLove the outfits you came up with for her! So perfect for Europe! Love that you are both using carry ons-so much easier to deal with!
ReplyDeleteSuper jealous of both of your trips and loving all of the outfits. I really need some of your amazing packing tips to rub off on me because I totally over packed for a 2 night stay in Boca over Memorial Day Weekend :-P
ReplyDeletei love all the outfits! i prefer to pack all of my stuff in a carryon so that i don't have to check my luggage/wait for baggage!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good friend! Great job on the packing. These are great pieces for those countries!
ReplyDeleteLove all her outfits!! You gonna come help me pack on my next trip? Not that I really go anywhere extravagant or anything. Mainly just for company :)
ReplyDeleteThis would have been a great versatile wardrobe for my college days, too!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you/she can fit all that in those tiny bags. I'm coming to you for packing advice for my California trip, for real!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Love all of the outfits you guys chose! You need to come pack for me next time I go somewhere, lol!
ReplyDeleteI am on the edge of my seat for your post when you get back, haha, I don't know why I love these types of posts so much! I did what I thought was my best packing job for our last trip, but it ended up that a shirt I brought to wear with a pair of pants didn't work out and I didn't have any other shirt options sooo I couldn't wear the pants and I was so annoyed I hadn't packed a few more things! I guess that's why you should try everything on at home first, haha... anyway, I love all of her outfits, I can't wait to follow along with her trip on instagram!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was half as good at packing as you all are!! I am taking notes!!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
wow, A+ with the packing. This is really great and all of the outfits are cute.
ReplyDeleteI love this post!! You are a total ace with the packing - you've got it down! Love all of Megan's outfits - they are so versatile and mix and match perfectly and will be great for the cooler weather temps summer! Carly xx
ReplyDeleteThis makes me want to go shopping. So many cute clothes! You are a packing pro. I usually have less clothes and somehow they take up more room. Obviously I'm doing something wrong.
ReplyDeleteAMAZING!!!!!!!!! So talented! I suck at packing.
ReplyDeleteI seriously think it's impressive how you pack these multi outfits into a carry on for that long of a trip! Someday if I go somewhere, your packing for me! Ha!
ReplyDeleteI just want you to come dress me every day. Deal???
ReplyDeleteOkay...I've made my mind up. I'm gonna bring my whole closet to you in September and get your help packing for Rwanda! I can't believe your ability to get so many cute outfits in such small bags!
ReplyDeleteYou are seriously a sweetie you know that!! I love that you helped her pack. I am still learning the art of getting everything into a carry on. One day.
ReplyDelete