Living Magazine Summer 2016 | Page 14

10 SMART TIPS FOR

Summer is a popular time for vacations and traveling . For a stress-free packing experience , just remember these 10 tips :
1 . Plan Ahead Don ’ t wait until the last minute to pack . Create a list of everything you ’ ll need for your upcoming vacation . Make sure to check the weather and plan accordingly .
2 . Lay It All Out Lay everything out that you think you need for your trip , then get rid of about half of it . It ’ s always helpful to think back to your last trip and what you packed . How much of that stuff did you actually use ?
3 . Roll , Don ’ t Fold Rolling your clothes takes less space and helps to keep everything
less wrinkly . Lay your shirts , pants , and skirts face down , fold back the sleeves , then roll from the bottom up .
4 . Think Small Slim down your luggage , toiletries , and wardrobe . Take a carry-on instead of checking luggage to save time and money , and , most importantly , to avoid the hassle of dealing with extra baggage . You ’ ll be quite surprised how much stuff you can fit in your carry-on , and you ’ ll be much happier in the long run . “ He who would travel happily must travel light .” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
5 . Pack Layers Keep your wardrobe simple and interchangeable . Bring versatile clothing that you can reuse in several outfits . Mix and match tops and bottoms to get more use out of your wardrobe . Also , packing dresses is a good way to save space . You can always bring a couple light accessory items such as a scarf or tie to polish off your look .
6 . Prep Offline Mode Long journeys are great for catching up on some entertainment . Download reading materials , your favorite TV shows , movies , or games . Audio books and podcasts make time fly during a road trip . Keep a portable charger on hand to make sure your gadgets never run out of power .
7 . Bag It Use plastic bags in various sizes to store toiletries , essential oils , or clothing items . Bring an extra bag or two for dirty laundry or a wet swimsuit . Pack your daily supplements and vitamins in small zip-lock bags or a dōTERRA ® Vitamin Pouch to reduce bottle bulk .
8 . Go Easy on the Shoes Shoes take up the most room . Wear the heaviest pair , and pack the other lighter pairs . Pack rolled socks into your shoes to save space and keep shoes shaped . Separate shoes in bags and line them along the sides of the suitcase .
9 . Pack Snacks This is especially important when travelling with kids . Packing your own healthy snacks will also help you resist the temptation to buy something unhealthy along the way . Dry or fresh fruit , healthy granola bars , and trail mix make excellent snack options whether you are flying or driving .
10 . Keep It Fresh Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a used dryer sheet , then put the dryer sheet inside the luggage or individual clothing compartments to help your clothes smell fresh .
Traveling around the world has made me re-think my carry-on ! The key to surviving those long
international flights is preparing that precious packed stuff under your seat . I like to pre-pack my snacks so I don ’ t have to rely on peanuts and pretzels . Dried fruit ( mandarin oranges are my favorite ), nuts , and some fresh fruit go a long way to landing happy . In many cities , it will be hours before I have time to get a meal , so I like to save some snacks for my
destination as well . I always pack Lemon to add to my water – staying hydrated is my # 1 travel tip . Keeping your carry-on organized ensures