My biggest problem is typically what to wear? Packing is so much easier for those of us in the snow belt come April thru well early November but still. If you are going to four different cities in one week, you need to work out, and have a variety of appropriate attire for each meeting .. what does the fashionista that loves shoes and bags do? (oh... remember, you have to perform typically at least once the OJ Simpson routine at the airport... and CHECKING BAGGAGE.. is a no no for any road warrior) ... Yes, I try to channel George Clooney in "UP in the Air"..
1) Check the weather forecast for each city. Plan accordingly. Do you need a jacket, sweater, umbrella, or boots!
2) Plan ONE Primary color as a Foundation. Black, brown, blue and perhaps ONE accent color like pale green, red, or pink. Pick no more than two pairs of shoes (flats if you can stand them & heels). Think about this when you shop. I love this dress / suit / skirt but how will I work it into my existing wardrobe. Pick out jewelry you can wear for the entire trip with perhaps one change up...
3) Speaking of Foundation - Take a hard look at your makeup bag. By planning one colour, you can scale down the bag. Take out your liquids and do a review on the items that are really necessary. I use zip lock bags to pull hair cream things and if I am hopping every night. My travel sized shampoo of my brand stays home. Seriously, you can make it with your foundation (I tried the powder and can't deal with it), toothpaste, and hair spray. In another bag that fits in my brief case is the following:
- press powder
- ONE lipstick
- mascara
- liner
- tweezers
- bronzer that doubles as shadow
- metal pill box with tums, aleve, gas pills, and a dose of a prescription that I occaisonally need. Others swear by a dose of the sleeping pills like benedryl or Advil PM etc.
5) Make your non work clothes double. Can you sleep in your workout clothes? Can you use a slip for that dress for a nightgown? Can you wear that suit more days if you take it off in the airport and change into jeans? Pack your socks and underwear into your sneakers .. Does the hotel have a pool.. swim suits are the most space effective exercise gear... I do advise bringing the swim goggles to avoid looking like you were on a bender the night before with chlorine eyes.
6) Electronics - I remember my Dad packing to to back to his ship for 6 months. Granted, he had most of what he needed on board.. uniforms etc. His suitcase was always full of the latest gagdets and plugs. Think about your electronics. Lately, I have been leaving my laptop at home and focusing on bringing my iPad with the apps for presentations, pdfs, excel, and word. The last time I opted to go the traditional way... It was a flop because we couldn't connect the laptop to the internet to get the webex going .. my iPad with 3G worked. I also include in my briefcase a multi plug to make friends at the airport when I need to charge things.
7) Change in the airport. Get comfy or get professional even if it is just slipping into flats, sneakers, or flip flops.
8) Staying healthy... take multi vitamins, use hand sanitizer all the time, go to the gym, download a treadmill app to count the miles you walk in airports, pack single serving packs of nuts or I love the Kashi bars. Always stop in the airport and get a huge bottle of water for your hotel room. Hotel rooms are dry ... Flying also dehydrates you... staying hydrated is the first step in great travel.
9) Make your wallet double as a small purse for dinners .. something that holds your cash, room key, credit cards, lipstick and cell phone.. and that is it
10) Sweater or wrap - they sell the wraps for $10 in many airports. It keeps you warm on the plane and serves as a bib!
I haven't packed in more than a carry-on since a vacation for more than a week in years... and that was because I afforded myself the luxury of wanting space to bring back stuff... BTW.. Delta lost my luggage on this trip! Murphy loves the airlines.
