Pack This for Your Next Trip [Planning Like a Pro for Spring]

I did it, again. I booked a few plane tickets and am heading north to see Cori in Virginia and DC (first mentioned here), then over to Texas to meet my friend Hillory, for 4-days of city-hopping through San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. This multiple-state trip includes a variety of activities and climates to prepare for. Some of which include: 

• Winery Tastings and Hopping in VA
• Day Trip to Washington DC
• Brunch and Shopping in Historic Downtown  
• Rodeo in San Antonio
• Dress-up Dinner in Dallas
• Rooftop Happy Hour In Austin

All of the clothing and needs for these will fit in a Spirit-approved personal item-sized backpack. Here’s how, and what, I am going to pack for a week-long girl’s trip– East Coast to Texas.

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Packing Categories Covered:

backpack and daytime purse

travel hygiene and other products

clothes for warm layering and late nights

Pack It Up

You know when you buy something and wish you had purchased three more of the same? That’s how I feel about this backpack from Made By Design. Before traveling to Europe with Cage (brother 20) in 2019, I searched for months to find the ideal traveler’s pack. Some of my must-haves: a neutral color, adjustable straps, a padded sleeve for my laptop, a few compartments separated by zippers so my dry clothes stay dry among all those hygiene products, and most importantly, discount airline approved size. After much online searching–I found this gray backpack at Target and bought one for me, and for Cage. It was a bonus that we would be trekking through Europe with matching backpacks– how cute.

I can confirm that this backpack is, along with these look-likes below, suitable for country-hopping and state-hopping in the USA. 

In addition to this backpack, I stash an everyday pouch/purse for arrival at my destination. My go-to is a Pixie Mood Cross Body in Black–vegan leather and versatile with its three compartments and adjustable strap.

Wash Your Face

I decided around year eighteen when I was learning to budget and started investing, that skincare was top priority for me, something I would approach with a quality over quantity mindset. I had heard too many times “how you care for your skin in your 20s will determine how your skin looks at 70.” It’s easy to ignore skincare while traveling. Therefore, when I started trip-taking more than just a few times a year, I purchased a travel-size kit of one of my favorite skincare brands: Obagi. This has already lasted me a year and has made packing and staying on top of my skincare much easier. The Obagi Nu-Derm Trail Kit-Normal to Dry system stays under my sink, assembled, and ready for me to toss in my backpack. This includes six products and provides lift to my on-the-go face.

In addition to my morning/nighttime facial products, I pack two travel toothbrushes in case one gets left on a hotel sink (duh), a few individually wrapped face masks for dry-skin days, daily vitamins for HEALTH, period products as needed, shampoo bar and solid perfume from Lush, leave-in conditioner spray, castor oil for stomach pain and bloat, and body lotion.

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Let’s Get Dressed: You’re the Only Ten I See

Packing can be simple. These ten items stay packed for spontaneous travel in any season:

Black Columbia Rain Jacket for unexpected storms

Lightweight but warm hoodie for layering: I always pack my Shadow Hill

Fitted white long sleeve 

Tank tops: I love these from Zara and have it in three colors 

Black yoga pants for active and airport days: Calia bootcut

Pair of comfortable jeans

Lots of underwear (duh again)

Feetures socks (my favorite) 

Hoka One One: Black/White Sneakers

Flip flops that dry quickly: Volcom Ones  

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Okay Allie, that’s a lot of black and gray, where’s the color? In addition to these neutral staple items, I pack accessories for a pop of color. These items take up little room and make each outfit feel festive and different. My top three accessories: 

1. A scarf: One of my favorite accessories for travel is a thrifted pastel from Amsterdam. Traveling with only a backpack means everything must have multiple functions. This scarf doubles as a belt, hair embellishment, dressy neck piece, creative way to attach a water bottle to my Pixie Mood, tube-top for dinner, and beach cover up. 
2. A couple of fun-colored or patterned scrunchies & hair claws. I love these. Tip: I clip my extra claw clips to the side of my backpack so they don’t break in transit
3. A few sets of earrings and rings, to layer and mix-up throughout the trip.

I keep my packing simple and light, knowing I will pick up a few special items along the way.

Lastly, remember, wherever you are traveling, there will be stores to buy anything you forget. This is seemingly obvious but when I challenged some of my travel anxieties a few years back I realized I was so worried about forgetting something and really, as long as I have my passport, phone, charger (adapter) and travel documents, I know I can leave the stress about forgetting something at home.

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Years ago, the Mitchell peeps were on the way to Florida for a family vacation and Mama asked the kids questions that encouraged thinking big when it comes to travel. She asked Qs like: If you could go to one country in Europe right now, where would it be? If you had one season to live in forever, what would you choose? What state in the USA have you not been to that you really want to visit? 

My answer to the last question? Texas. I don’t know where that answer came from–I was nine years old, and while I’d learned the states/capitals/bordering states, etc., I only knew that Texas had cowboys, good food, and lots of open space and starry skies. Some of life’s greatest gifts.

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Conclusion

Where are you going next? Make a list and get on that plane.