A Dozen Tips for Traveling Light

 Everyone wants to travel light, in one carry-on bag, but sometimes it just doesn’t seem possible. At one point in my career I was gone 40 weeks a year. I was a road warrior and learned how to travel light and efficient and somewhat fashionably.

The questions start with outerwear; warm coat, rain coat, jacket or sweater? Then there is the question about the number of shoes one should bring. Pants, shirts, skirts, or dresses depending on the season and where you are going and what you are doing. What if you are traveling to various climate zones? What about your electronics and beauty supplies? A basic rule is keep to one color scheme, and if you are like me, and coffee somehow misses your mouth, go with darker tones. Overdress rather than wear trendy casual or you may find yourself sticking out like a fashion don’t.

Here are some suggestions to get your travel plans packed up:

1. You can shop for clothing or shoes wherever you are for whatever you did not bring

2. I f you are bringing new shoes, wear them prior to leaving to make sure they are not going to give you any problems

3. Pack a pashima. It can dress up an out-fit or keep you warm or wrap around your waist for a cover-up, or over a blazer or jacket for extra style and warmth

4. Bring layers like T-shirts that you can wear as a first layer or alone

5. Pack a few pieces of underwear and socks, you can always wash-out

6. Bring just a few favorite pieces of jewelry that can add quick style

7. A sleepwear item that packs easily and affords modesty, like pajamas from Haralee.Com

8. Small size beauty and personal products that you use every day

9. A light-weight reusable bag for shopping, the beach etc.

10. Battery chargers, cords, and headsets for phone and other electronics including your camera

11. Empty zip lock plastic bags

12. Copies of plane tickets, reservations and important phone numbers found on your mobile phone (in case that gets lost or goes dead or is unusable)

If you have a light weight half empty bag, tip #1 is a fun activity for bargains or local interest items. If you find some things you are dying to buy but know it cannot fit into your bag, mail it to yourself. A large shipping box from the Post Office is often much less expensive than checking your bag, or paying for an over- weight bag.

Any other tips to add?

Off Brand Using

   Many products are made for one use but end up being used for another. Many of these uses are good and some are very interesting. Some well known drugs started out for one use and ended up exceptional in another use, like Coumadin and Viagra.

Books are written on how to use household products for various uses from cleaning to blowing up things. Cookbooks often include substitution ingredient guides. Using household common items to foil enemies has made MacGyver not only a movie star and a comedy spoof but a verb!

For over a decade I worked for a pharmaceutical company specializing in laxatives. Yes, it was a glamorous job. At one time if an enema in the Western United States including Alaska and Hawaii was used by a consumer, hospital, or health care facility, I was responsible for its distribution. Yes, unbelievable glamour I know!

So one day I was chatting with a pharmacist and I mentioned we had put in a brick deck. He told me to use mineral oil on the bricks and it will shine them up like new. We used ‘used’ bricks for the patio so making them bright and shiny was appealing. 20 years later I am still using mineral oil on the patio at the start of the summer season. I apply it on my hands and knees and I have to say the job is dreaded more every year. After it is done there is immediate gratification and I thank that tip from the pharmacist.

Haralee.Com Sleepwear can be used not only for night sweats but is ideal for travel. Have you seen our LifeStyle Tops? Perfect wicking tops for vacations. All our garments pack into almost nothing, weigh almost nothing and wrinkles if any shake out. The pajamas can be used for lounging, working out, and afford modesty. Why wouldn’t any woman want to pack Haralee Sleepwear for vacation? Come on, the pajamas won’t make you into MacGyver but almost. http://www.haralee.com/ Spread the coolness!

Do you use something off brand? Have you repurposed something? Have you a MacGyver experience?