There are 2 extremes of travelers in this world; Over packers, and Under packers. Today's message is geared more for the over-packing women of the world, but I think you under packers will appreciate and maybe even air-high-five us when you get to the end of this how-to-guide.

Generally speaking, women and men alike over-pack when they don't have set travel plans or a loose daily agenda for their trip - making it extremely difficult to decide what to pack. So our first tip to avoid over packing is:

1. Establish The Daily Itinerary
   Now, we know this is much easier said than done, especially if you're traveling with large groups and/or children. We aren't recommending that you turn into the excel-wielding tour guide. Just get a general idea of what the day-to-day will look like; will you be going to fancy brunches or having low-key breakfast at the airBB? Swimming at the beach all day? Fancy dinners at night? Here's an example of a loose daily agenda:
   
   Day 1
   Morning: Chill breakfast at hotel - no stress
   Afternoon: Beach day & no fuss lunch
   Night: Fancy dinner at the Ace Hotel
   
   Day 2
   Morning: Brunch with the girls at boho chic restaurant
   Afternoon: Rent bikes to ride around town & window shop
   Night: Low-Key dinner at dive bar
   
   Day 3
   Morning: Chill breakfast at hotel - no stress
   Afternoon: Museum & Lunch at nice restaurant
   Night: Have dinner delivered in hotel & chill
   
   You get the picture!
   
   
2. Make a General List of What You'll Need for Each Day (in calendar format!)
   This one sounds ridiculous but I promise, it's going to save you a ton of stress (and space) on your next trip. The idea is, once you've listed exactly what you'll need for each day, you can start plotting your dual-use outfits and accessories. Here's an example of what I mean by "List in Calendar Format":
   
   Day 1:
   Morning: Chill breakfast at hotel - no stress
   - Pajamas
   - Hair-tie
   
   Afternoon: Chill Beach Day & no fuss lunch
   - Bathing suit
   - Sunglasses
   - Beach cover up/dress
   - oversize beach bag
   - beach blanket/towels
   - sun screen
   - sun umbrella
   - magazine/book
   - headphones
   - portable phone/iPad charger
   
   Night: Fancy Dinner
   - Curling Iron
   - Eye shadow pallet 
   - Black midi wrap dress
   - Gold earrings
   - Black heels
   - Gold bracelet 
   - Light jacket/kimono
   
   Day 2
   
   Morning: Brunch with the girls at boho chic restaurant
   - Cute Jumpsuit
   - Sandals 
   - Layering necklace
   - Sunglasses
   
   Afternoon: Rent bikes to ride around town & window shop
   - No need to change, keep rocking your brunch attire!
   
   Night: Low-Key dinner at dive bar
   - No need to change, keep rocking your brunch attire!
   
   
3. List What You'll Need EVERYDAY 
   Seems simple enough but this is where a lot of over-packers end up forgetting the basics! You've already listed the general daily outfits and accessories you'll need based on the daily itinerary. Now you need to list out the absolute daily necessities. Here's a good start for you to work with:
   - Toothbrush
   - Toothpaste
   - Hair brush
   - Hair product
   - Hair ties
   - Toiletries (face wash, toner, lotion, shampoo, conditioner)
   - Makeup Bag (Don't bring your entire collection, think "minimal")
   - Sunscreen
   - Phone/iPad Chargers
   - Medications/Inhalers/Vitamins
   - Socks
   - Underwear
   - Flip Flops
   
   
4. Make Your Master Packing List
   This is the final, most important, and probably the easiest step! All you need to do is compile a master list based on all of the other lists. Lists on lists on lists. Seems like a lot but it's the most efficient way to ensure that you don't over pack, or under pack. So here is my master list:
   
   - Toothbrush
   - Toothpaste
   - Hair brush/Comb
   - Hair product
   - Hair ties
   - Toiletries (face wash, toner, lotion, shampoo, conditioner)
   - Makeup Bag
   - Sunscreen
   - Phone/iPad Chargers
   - Medications/Inhalers/Vitamins
   - Socks
   - Underwear
   - Flip Flops
   - Pajamas
   - Bathing suit
   - Beach cover up/dress
   - oversize beach bag
   - beach blanket/towels
   - sun screen
   - beach umbrella
   - magazine/book
   - headphones
   - portable phone/iPad charger
   - Curling Iron
   - Eye shadow pallet 
   - Black midi wrap dress
   - Gold earrings
   - Black heels
   - Gold bracelet 
   - Light jacket/kimono
   - Cute Jumpsuit
   - Sandals
   - Layering necklace
   - Sunglasses
   

Now you have your list, all you need to do is lay everything out, and check things off as you pack them into your suitcase.

At the end of the day, packing doesn't need to be stressful! Lists, along with a general agenda for each day will really save you a lot of unnecessary stress and angst when packing. Next time you're going away for a long weekend trip, try our technique & let us know how it goes!