Karen Kane Essentials… Now featured at Travel Gal Boutique

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Follow My Packing Strategy…

This month I’ll be taking a Caribbean Cruise, so I thought you’d be interested in following my packing strategy and see if I really take my own advice. Packing for a cruise is one of the more challenging vacations because you can be snorkeling one minute and the next dressing for a formal dinner – and everything in between. So, how do you pack what you need, but ultimately NOT over pack? I can answer that!

#1 – Being organized by using a check list is one way to stay focused and organized. I’ve developed the ultimate packing checklist called “Perfectly Packed”! In June 2011 I won a gold medal at the INPEX Invention Show in Pittsburgh for this cleaver idea. See photo demo. (Provisional Patent Pending, Trademark Pending, Copyright 2010)

#2 – Mix & Match Outfits are easier than you think. Since a cruise requires more clothing than a normal vacation, I’ll be using “Perfectly Packed” 2 weeks packing suggestions. I’ll begin by selecting a few bottoms such as shorts, pants, jeans or a skirt. (Fold and place on pictures.) Then I’ll choose tops that will match the bottoms. (A top could be more than one item; i.e.: twin set, cami and top, vest and top…) I may substitute a dress for another bottom. Select shoes that will go with several outfits. Shoes take up a lot of room and are very heavy. I’ll choose practical shoes – you know, the ones that don’t hurt.

#3 – Next, I’ll try on all the clothes I’ve selected. (Yes, I said try on all the clothes.) Why? Because before I leave home I’ll know if I really feel like wearing the outfit! (The outfits we make in our heads do not always work out when they are on our bodies. So, try on the clothes to make outfits and you’ll put back the things you won’t wear and replace the item with something you will wear. If I don’t like the outfit at home, I won’t like it in the Caribbean.) Better to know now than lugging around clothes that will never make it on my body. Thoughtful clothing choices will become easy when outfits are tried on at home. The “Perfectly Packed” template will have on it only the clothes I will wear! Hallelujah!!

#4 – Now that I am “Perfectly Packed”, it’s time to transfer the clothes to a suitcase. I like using packing tools. Some people like putting all their tops in one packing tool and bottoms in another, while others like to pack by outfits. Whichever way you prefer is fine. (I’ll bring along a few hangers too.) Add underwear, bathing suit, shawl and toiletries to the suitcase… and zip it up. The “Travel Outfit” section will be the only items not packed.

Right about now I’ll hear that little voice saying to sneak in another pair of pants… don’t do it!!! If I’ve made outfits and have tried on all the clothes, I am “Perfectly Packed”… and that I am!

Outfits…Yes, Outfits!

My super-duper best advice to you is to PACK OUTFITS!!  Women tend to pack separates and when we’re at our destination we try to make outfits.  “Maybe I’ll want to wear this” or “Maybe I’ll want to wear that”.  Think about it – why don’t men have this problem?  They buy outfits and pack outfits.  Women tend to buy separates.  We love a good sale, the discount rack is too compelling to pass up, and we think everything will go with black.  When a man buys a suit he will always match at least one shirt and tie to wear with it.  He buys an outfit.  We tend to buy separates, therefore, we have a closet full of separates then stand before our clothes sighing “I have nothing to wear”.  Try to change that habit and buy outfits!  Then when you stand before  clothing you will be able to connect-the-dots to a wardrobe of outfits.  When packing the same rule applies.  Think about it.  When you spend your money on a go-to outfit, you’ll never regret it.  Leave the cute polka-dot skirt on the clearance rack for someone else.  (Unless the cute polka-dot skirt comes with a matching top or jacket.)

I recently purchased this fall outfit.  (Ponte trench jacket, flat front pants and pencil skirt.)  These are fantastic clothes for business travel or city vacations.  The jacket can pair with either the skirt or pant and each item can stand alone.  You can never go wrong with this type of matching ensamble.  If I would have only bought the pants, it would be okay, but look at the additional mileage I get with the matching jacket.  Wear jeans with the jacket and for a great weekend outfit.  Outfits… yes, outfits.

So What’s a Nice Girl Like You, Doing with a Suitcase Packed Like That!

I wondered about that myself.  So I changed my ways, all my bad packing habits, and discovered the secrets to packing light.  My blogs will be focused on packing minimum items to get the maximum use out of each one. I will provide lots of packing guidance and advice.  Plus, when I’m shopping and find great travel clothes, shoes and accessories to take along on a vacation or business trip, I’m passing the info along to you.  So, let’s have some fun together while you discover all my solutions for packing light!!!

Welcome to Travel Gal Packs…

This is Lynette, owner of Travel Gal Boutique. We are in transition while we launch the “Perfectly Packed” Template. In the meantime, follow “Little Maria” around Orange County, CA as she visits favorite hot spots. Be sure to look at my Top 10 Travel Tips. Enjoy!!!

From: Lake Forest, CA