Packing for California- With a Carry On!

Hi Loves! I’m Back!!

I took a small little break from blogging to breathe and  focus on my career (everyone forgets I work a 9-5). This summer has already started off crazy!

Not only am I preparing to celebrate the nuptials of my friend in August. I also have a bachelorette party in June, a beach trip in July, and then Costa Rica in October. I need to sit down somewhere. (LOL)

While preparing for Paris’s BacheLArette trip in Los Angeles California, I was torn with the idea of taking a carry-on, or over packing per usual. I am the queen of over packing, but I learned my lesson in Cabo. For Cabo, I brought two large suitcases full of clothes and bathing suits…I did not wear half of my packed items.  I was soooo upset with myself because not only did I spend some coins on all those outfits, but I had to make Jay carry that suitcase throughout the airports.  Just too much.

For this trip to California, I challenged myself to pack everything in a carry-on. And when I mean everything, I mean everything!  I was able to fit 2 pairs of heels, 3 club outfits, 2 day party outfits, 3 swim suits, 1 beach towel, and my makeup/face essentials all in a carry-on. Whewww.

Here are some of my necessary essentials/tips and tricks for a carry-on:

• Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are my new best friends. You can purchase your own here from Amazon! I squeezed everything possible in these cubes, which left so much space in my carry-on bag. While packing I thought, “How did I ever survive without these little cubes?”. For this trip I only used 3 packing cubes. The largest size available, and  2 mid size cubes. In my large cube I was able to fit all my essential outfits (club clothes and day party outfits). In my first midsize cube I packed two pairs of heels, and my last midsize cube I squeezed 2 wash cloths, 3 bathing suits, 2 pajama sets, and some women essentials. I was set for life with these cubes! I will update you guys on how I pack with these packing cubes for larger trips.

• Minimize My Make-Up Usage

I know this is going to be hard, and I’ll probably receive some backlash for this- but for makeup I only brought the things I KNEW I would use. Sometimes, as women, we pack so much stuff, and we don’t even use it. Transparency moment: While in LA I shared a house with 10 other women (only 3 bathrooms), and we were pressed for time every single event we attended. Who is beating a face with only three bathrooms. Not I.

For my makeup I kept it very simple: foundation, under eye concealer, 1 small 5-7 shade eye shadow palette, mascara, eyelashes, eyeliner pencil, 2 lip sticks, 1 lip gloss, and blush. That’s. It. All of these items fit in one sandwich baggie. I’m not the bomb.com on makeup- but if you ever want me to post on my favorite makeup products…please let me know!

• Skin Care

So- I am struggling with my skin care routine. Before leaving on my trip, my face decided it wanted to revisit my 2004 teenage skincare days. My breakouts were so severe, I almost thought I was having an allergic reaction to everything. I knew it was probably time to invest in some decent skincare products, and revamp on a more healthier lifestyle.  Since coming to this conclusion, I am way more consistent in the gym, I eat a tad bit better (I dropped the cheese fries), and I upgraded my skin products. Before I left I purchased travel-size skin care products, not only for my carry-on experience, but also so I could test out product before really investing money. Currently I am using the Mamonde Rose Travel Kit which includes:

1. Petal Spa Oil to Foam
2. Rose Water Toner
3. Rose Gel Cream

So far….this skin care line has saved my life!! For all of my combination skin girls, if you have an products that you are absolutely obsessed with, leave your suggestions in the comments 🙂 Even though right now, I feel that I am hooked on Mamonde Rose…I am always open.

• Less is More

While packing for this trip, I really thought to myself…what will I actually wear? I repacked my luggage 3-4 times just to make sure I am only taking the “Needs” instead of the “Wants”. For example: Instead of packing a swim cover up for every single outfit, I only packed one universal cover-up. I know it sounds basic, but it cut down on wasted space and a heavy bag (which I was extremely thankful for, because I had to run across terminals to make my flight back to North Carolina).

 

I hope my small tips + tricks help you with your next weekend adventure! If you have any suggestions on how you organize your carry-on bag, please let me know in the comments. My next goal is to pack ONLY  a carry on bag to an international trip. (Wish me luck!)

 

Infamously Yours,

Joi

/ Filled Under: Tips + Tricks