Packing Lightly

What I Would & Wouldn’t Pack for Another Trip to Arizona

Hello, lovely,

I know it has been a few months since the last time I actually posted a blog post.

In a summary of what has happened the last few months, I’ve been between rounds of survival mode, dealing with personal medical things, and planning my trip to see a friend in Arizona. Which is what sparked this blog post for me.

None of that is an excuse to not write, but honestly I also did not have any inspiration that drove me to write a blog post until now.

So with that summary of life for the last few months, I apologize for disappearing. But I am back and ready to hang with y’all and share all the fun.

To give some context, I did this all in a two bag packing situation. I had my favorite new backpack that I got from Amazon (and saw multiple times at both airports). It’s the Lovevook Laptop Backpack which I have linked. It’s become my go to back for any trip with my laptop because of all the space it has. In addition to that bag, I also had the smaller size of my large luggage by I.T. Luggage and it is their Helixian 21 inch. Between these two I was able to get everything out there, but it was a squeeze.

This post is based on what I packed in my carry on, not my personal bag.

The Woulds

Clothes & Shoes

Part of me feels like a list would definitely help here, but I’m going to try to round this up with out that.

I packed at least six pairs of shorts for this trip. Considering I was staying with a friend and had access to a washer, I don’t think the next time I go out I will pack that many. However, that is not to say that I would not pack shorts at all. It is part of what kept me cool for the most part because the weather was much warmer than what we were dealing with here in Tennessee.

Light colored/white tops are definitely ones that I will 100 percent pack again for this trip or any trip that is southern west coast way. It was much easier to keep cool especially when you understand that darker colors hold on to heat more than what light colored and white clothes do. Will it be hard to say goodbye to my signature color for a week or so? Sure. Worth it? Most definitely.

Tennis shoes were worn a majority of the trip because the weather was wreaking havoc on my poor feet. I am still due a sleep with aloe socks on after I’ve coated my feet in Aquafore, but that’s hasn’t happened yet. While flip-flops did allow for some level of cool off, I was much more comfortable in the tennis shoes.

Tools & Travel Liquids

I did splurge on finally getting myself a Shark Flex Styler (that review will be coming soon as well) which was very much worth the splurge on it. Instead of packing both a blowdryer and curling iron, this thing allowed me to downsize on what tools I took. And my curls from that lasted for a week after sooooo yeah. It’s now my go to hair tool and I might just get rid of my curling irons because of it.

My Overnight Blowout Rollers were also life savers on this trip. I wore them on the flight out to preserve may hair style that I already had at the time. I wore them again when we went out to one of the mountains to get holiday photos done. I wore them on the trip back to keep my hair preserved as well. I literally have started sleeping in them regularly and now I understand why they have so much hype.

My satin bonnet. Yes you read that right. I have a satin bonnet that I travel with because your girl does not want to buy a travel satin or silk pillow case. That thing help my hair stay hydrated and styled. No frizz issues. I also sleep in one at home, so invest in at least two. One for home and one for travel.

Travel sized liquids are a must and I wish the sunscreen I used for my arms came in a smaller size, but I’ll live. With a carry on you can only pack one bag of liquids and I was fighting to get all of mine in the one bag you are allowed. While I enjoyed the hassle of not having to go to baggage claim it may be worth it to check a bag next time but we’ll see.

The Wouldn’ts

So like I said in the last section, I definitely would pack less shorts. I also would not pack any dark tops.

Flipflops were fine for flying but I definitely will not pack them just to wear around.

I originally packed my makeup because we were going to do holiday photos and I didn’t even end up using ti because my skin was thriving out there because of me staying on top of my skin routine. So makeup was definitely not something I needed on this trip. So that would definitely begin staying at home. And by make up I mean like foundation, blush, and highlighter. The mascara will forever travel with me.

And if the make up is staying at home, then I am leaving the Magic Eraser for my make up at home. I can use my normal facial cleanser to clean it off so I’m not worried about missing this in my packing. This definitely will allow me a little extra room on my next trip.

What I Didn’t Pack or Buy But Should Have

The first thing I should have bought was either Compacting Packing Cubes or Vacuum Packing Bags. Both have their merits and considering I’m planning on some more long distance traveling over the next year – with another potential trip to Arizona – I will probably get some of both to try out.

The second thing I would have definitely packed: a couple more dresses. I only packed my holiday dress when I went this time because we were doing holiday pictures in front of one of the mountains. However, I definitely will be looking into a summer-ish dress to wear the next time so I’m not dying in the heat. I love dresses and prefer them to shorts.

And that’s it!

You might think that this was a short list, but to be honest it was my first trip that I wasn’t driving for. I haven’t been on a plane since I was three months old so I was working on nerves and what everyone else was telling me to do with the packing. I’m sure the next trip will go smoother now that I know what to expect and who knows. Maybe I’ll splurge for a checked bag and a seat further towards the front so I can get off the plane faster.

My love,