I have never traveled this much in my entire life. Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I was home for longer than 2 weeks. I do love to travel but I also HATE getting out of my routine. The one thing traveling so much has taught me this year, is that you have to travel smarter and figure out a routine that works for you so it doesn’t become such an energy suck.
Tip #1 Mixing and Matching Is Your Friend
The night before my trip, I completely clean my room, make my bed, turn on Bravo and start planning outfits. The whole situation has actually become pretty fun! I plan out all of my outfits from my jewelry, to shoes, to the bra. I make sure to pack pieces that I can restyle throughout my trip so I don’t overpack. For example, for a recent trip to New York, I packed a gingham skort that I knew I could style with multiple outfits (I know DUH but it’s good to think through these things!) If I know I have to shoot certain items or have a particular outfit in mind for a certain location, I will take pictures of everything so I can reference back to it when I am traveling.
Tip #2 – Invest in Your Luggage
I can’t stress this enough. No you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on trendy luggage, but you do need to spend money on pieces that are functional and going to last. My company gifted me an Away Suitcase last year and it has been my saving grace. It is the perfect size, super light and I also just love the way it looks! But the REAL MVP is my Caraa Travel Bag. It is basically a backpack, satchel and crossbody all in one and has pockets for everything I need (passport, laptop, water bottle.) After I finish packing my Away suitcase, I pack all of my “extras” in my Caraa bag, like my electronics and skincare, and my everyday purse (usually a small satchel) that I will use during my trip. After my trip, I don’t really unpack my Caraa bag because I really only use it when I am traveling. I keep in things like hand sanitizer, headphones and tampons so I don’t have to repack each time.
Tip #3 Stop Wearing Your Hat on Your Head
When I learned that I didn’t need to travel on the plane with my hats on my head, my whole world changed (lol). I pack my hat in my Away suitcase and roll up clothes to go on the inside of the brim so it keeps its’ form. Then I pack clothes around it so it stays secure in the suitcase. If you need the extra space in your bag though, I recommend getting a Hat Clip. Basically, it clips onto the outside of your suitcase and holds your hat.
Tip #4 Make the Airport Your Office
Look, I know it sounds weird but if you can swing it, I like to get to the airport as early as possible in the day. Once I get there, I just set up my little office at one of the work stations and take all of my calls and get through work at the airport. I much rather get there 4 hours early and work form the airport instead of working from home/office anxiously waiting to leave. I get really bad travel anxiety – not about actually flying but just making sure I am on time. Especially with airports like LAX and JFK you truly NEVER know what the traffic is going to be like and I have had too many close calls where it has taken me over an hour and a half just to get to the airport. Add on the torture of LAX – where you can physically see the airport but it takes another 45 minutes just to get through the line – and you’ve got a full blown panic attack on your hands.
Tip #5 Save Money at the Airport
Bring an empty water bottle! Literally I never did this until this year because I thought I wouldn’t be able to bring it through security. Then the light bulb went off of just bringing an empty bottle (duh!) I love my Glass Water Bottle that also measures how much water I am drinking throughout the day. Instead of filling up my water bottle at a water fountain, I search for a soda machine and use that water (IDK water fountains freak me out). I also shop for all of my snacks at Trader Joes the night before so I’m not spending $8 on a bag of Trail Mix at the airport. Simple hacks that end up saving a ton of money!
Tip #6 Be The Last One to Board
I truly will never, ever understand the people who wait in line at the gate just anxiously waiting for their group to be called. I use the extra time to run to the bathroom (with minimal lines, I might add), charge my phone and stretch. I usually wait to be one of the last to board the plane because then, if there are still open seats, you can usually pick a better seat!
So there you have it! Seriously these small things have completely changed my travel experience! Let me know what you guys think!
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