DON's Deal: Packing Perfectionist

I travel.  Constantly. 

It took me awhile to figure out how to make it work so I didn't fidget on the plane wondering if I left a window open or my prescriptions at home. It's an ever improving process, but here is a peek into my packing system that has helped me relax and pack with relative ease.

Ready for a big reveal? This is kind of a deep, dark, crazy person secret...I have dozens of plastic drawers like this where I obsessively organize things. I am no minimalist. I have a lot of stuff and it has to be well-organized for me to find anything. Here's part of my "travel" section, which I keep in my closet for easy access when packing my suitcase.  Yes, I have an entire drawer devoted to free drink tickets on Southwest. See, I can be fun!

That bottom drawer is for my laptop charger which I was constantly leaving behind until I gave it a place in my travel section. Problem solved, relationship with IT salvaged!

Below are packing tools of the trade. The more I sub-organize, the easier it is to see if I have everything and unpack when I arrive on location.  I will delve into the three toiletries kits in a later post, but I have just about everything you could ever need in travel size - examples would be double stick tape, stain remover, Febreeze, and First Aid, including bug spray.  Jewelry I always keep in separate containers, with big necklaces in plastic bags, earrings/rings in pouches, and rings/bracelets in a travel jewelry box.  Shoe bags and cases for sunglasses keep everything scratch free and clean.

Inside my purse essentials. Moisturizing is a must; hand and face cream, lip balm, and I carry a reusable water bottle.  A broadband card so I can get Internet wherever I go. Hand sanitizer and Advil to say healthy (I always have EmergenC and a separate pill organizer as well).  Earplugs for napping. Medical and dental cards because I'm accident prone. Yeah, last time I was in Mexico I had to have a doctor come to the resort. Fun time! Credit cards, ID and passport, obvio.  Gum for landing and long flights (this is great to have when a stinky breather is chatting you up).  My beyond amazing travel speaker so I can rock out everywhere I go - link for it in my Amazon shop on the right.

Notepad and pens for ideas and lists. A fat stack of dollar bills so I always have tip money readily available. Especially in NY, have cash to tip the hotel staff helps get you everything you need.  Finally, chargers, headphones, and my little travel power cord. This thing has been genius.  In airports, I often find one electrical socket available - now I can charge more than one item at a time. At many hotels, finding easily accessible power, especially near the nightstands, can be impossible. No longer an issue!

So you can see I mean business with my packing and am a little crazy about having absolutely everything I might need on hand.  If this doesn't scare you off, I'll do a follow-up post regarding my packing lists and how I get out the door with a clean house on time. It took forever to figure out so I'm happy to share my little tips!

Fly Fashionably,

D.O.N.

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