As most of you know, today is the busiest travel day of the year! (So glad my flight leaves tomorrow morning instead of today!) I'm sure you've had that awful moment while sitting on the airplane about to take off and you remember that you left something EXTREMELY important on your bathroom counter. And by extremely I mean medication, underwear, camera battery or even bathing suit. You never know when you'll have a can't-pass-up hot tub experience!
Just thinking about my trip tomorrow gives me anxiety. So to battle the travel panic attack, I thought I would give you some tips I use to ensure I don't have that pre-take off moment of shock when I realize I forgot my charger and now I will have NO. PHONE....FOR 10 DAYS.
1. Decide on the SIZE of you bag. Are you sure this is absolutely a checking-your-bag type of situation? Or could you get away with a carry-on? Depending on the airline as I'm sure a lot of you know, you may have to pay to check your bag. If you are comfortable carrying-on, it can save LOTS of time and one less line you have to stand in.
2. Know the SECURITY procedure. If you are traveling by plane and are unfamiliar with the security procedure, look it up. If you are carrying-on liquids, gel makeup, etc. THERE ARE LIMITS!! There was a time when I did not know the rules. I was returning from a Christmas vacation with a carry-on. This bag was full of expensive perfume gifts and lotions etc. I went through a VERY long security line only to have my bag checked at the end. To make a long story short, ALL my expensive perfumes, lotions and oils were confiscated. As I was already late for my flight, their offer to box it up and ship it home was impossible as I would have to go back through security again. I ended up losing ALL of these gifts because of my ignorance.
3. Make a LIST. A list can be your best friend. You will, no doubt, sometime in life forget something important if you do not make a packing list. Your brain is overloaded during the holidays and it is very easy to forget something important to you... or your gift for Grandma...I am making my list at this very moment and I can feel the stress melting away.
4. Pack NEUTRALS. Are you an over-packer? I used to be until I picked my professional packer of a sister's brain. She's been living in Hong Kong for over 7 years. She travels several times a year to come to the US or to travel to Asia or Europe. She has mastered the art of what to pack. Some people say to pack outfits you put together for each day. Well, I would respectfully disagree. You have NO idea if the weather will change or if you'll change your mind and decide you don't want to wear that outfit. Pack items that ALL go together. Example: skinny jeans, black or tan pants, leggings, black turtleneck, a neutral button-up, a chambray shirt, tank tops for layering, and a neutral colored sweater, a jacket...You get the picture NEUTRAL colors go together and outfit creation becomes VERY easy. Also, I'll say scarves can be your best friend. They are a great accessory that can quickly turn into a blanket if you get cold on those long plane rides.
5. ADULT entertainment. Not in the way you're thinking, dirty mind! Books, mags or e-readers are necessary. Delays can definitely be anticipated during the holidays. Bring some of your own entertainment to keep you from fidgeting :).
5.
Remember to RELAX. It's the holidays. You do them every year and have survived. Worst case scenario...you leave someone's gift at home and have to ship it to them at a later date. You leave your medication on you counter and have to contact your doctor to call in an extra prescription at the closest pharmacy. Or you have to swing by a department store to buy a couple of pairs of underwear. Inconvenient? Yes, but not the end of the world.
Oh, and P.S. If you feel like accessorizing on your travel day, choose a red lip instead of jewelry or you'll be setting off security metal detectors left and right!
Happy traveling my friends! I hope this helps a little bit!
XOXO
Alexandra Fiorentina
