Wellness
How to Pack Light: 5 Tips From a Former Overpacker
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We’re right in the middle of the holidays—aka travel season. If you’re trying to figure out how to stuff ten pairs of shoes, nine sweaters, and a winter coat into a carry-on, stop right there. Here’s how to plan ahead and pack light for your next vacation.
Plan your outfits.
We all love to have options when we’re on a trip, but how often do you come home with a suitcase half-full of unworn clothes? Count the number of days you’ll be there, and pack one outfit for each day and night (and try to mix-and-match your favorite wardrobe pieces!) Plus, it’ll save you time once you get there. Instead of digging around your packed suitcase trying to decide what to wear, you’ll just pull out your planned outfit and be ready to hit the town.
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Plan your outfits.
We all love to have options when we’re on a trip, but how often do you come home with a suitcase half-full of unworn clothes? Count the number of days you’ll be there, and pack one outfit for each day and night (and try to mix-and-match your favorite wardrobe pieces!) Plus, it’ll save you time once you get there. Instead of digging around your packed suitcase trying to decide what to wear, you’ll just pull out your planned outfit and be ready to hit the town.
Re-wear staples.
Think of items that take up the most space in your suitcase—shoes, jeans, and jackets. Luckily, these things can all be re-worn throughout your trip. Try to pack one solid coat and two pairs of shoes—a cute neutral pair to match any outfit (day or night) and some athletic sneakers for your fitness classes! Then, limit yourself to just a few pairs of jeans to wear with different tops—trust us, no one will notice.
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Re-wear staples.
Think of items that take up the most space in your suitcase—shoes, jeans, and jackets. Luckily, these things can all be re-worn throughout your trip. Try to pack one solid coat and two pairs of shoes—a cute neutral pair to match any outfit (day or night) and some athletic sneakers for your fitness classes! Then, limit yourself to just a few pairs of jeans to wear with different tops—trust us, no one will notice.
Invest in packing cubes.
These things are lifesavers. Organizing all your items into little cubes will help keep everything compact, consolidated, and separated. Plus, you’ll make Marie Kondo proud. This pack comes with one large, one medium, and two small cubes, as well as a medium toiletry bag and TSA-approved clear bag. Everything fits neatly into your suitcase, and you’ll be able to keep everything clean by putting your shoes in their own compartment.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
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Invest in packing cubes.
These things are lifesavers. Organizing all your items into little cubes will help keep everything compact, consolidated, and separated. Plus, you’ll make Marie Kondo proud. This pack comes with one large, one medium, and two small cubes, as well as a medium toiletry bag and TSA-approved clear bag. Everything fits neatly into your suitcase, and you’ll be able to keep everything clean by putting your shoes in their own compartment.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
Dress bulky.
Yes, it’s annoying to walk through an airport wearing hiking boots and a big puffy jacket, but it will save you so much room when packing. If you couldn’t limit yourself to one jacket and one pair of shoes (because who can?), this is how you can bring an extra of each.
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Dress bulky.
Yes, it’s annoying to walk through an airport wearing hiking boots and a big puffy jacket, but it will save you so much room when packing. If you couldn’t limit yourself to one jacket and one pair of shoes (because who can?), this is how you can bring an extra of each.
Don’t throw in extras at the end.
You plan out all your outfits, fit everything nicely, and think, but what if I end up wanting this shirt, too? This will be your downfall. You’ll start throwing in extras left and right until your suitcase is stuffed to the brim. You’re not doing yourself any favors adding on those extra pounds and messing up your pre-planned #OOTDs. If it’s an afterthought, you probably don’t need it.
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Don’t throw in extras at the end.
You plan out all your outfits, fit everything nicely, and think, but what if I end up wanting this shirt, too? This will be your downfall. You’ll start throwing in extras left and right until your suitcase is stuffed to the brim. You’re not doing yourself any favors adding on those extra pounds and messing up your pre-planned #OOTDs. If it’s an afterthought, you probably don’t need it.
Beauty
Under $25 Stocking Stuffers For the People on Your List
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It’s holiday gift-giving season, and if you’re like us, you’re starting to feel the pressure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Sure, it’s tempting to take a single trip to Target to knock out your holiday shopping list. However, with this list of unbeatable products from some awesome small businesses, we’re making it easy to find gifts and Shop Small® this season.
NATIVE Body Wash in Candy Cane ($8 for 11.5 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your creature-of-habit Mom
If your mom used to stuff your stocking with a year’s worth of personal care products, this delightfully scented and completely natural body wash is the perfect gift for her. This candy cane scented body wash boasts crisp peppermint and vanilla natural oils to leave you feeling refreshed and smelling delicious.
Photo credit: @native on Instagram
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NATIVE Body Wash in Candy Cane ($8 for 11.5 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your creature-of-habit Mom
If your mom used to stuff your stocking with a year’s worth of personal care products, this delightfully scented and completely natural body wash is the perfect gift for her. This candy cane scented body wash boasts crisp peppermint and vanilla natural oils to leave you feeling refreshed and smelling delicious.
Photo credit: @native on Instagram
Creatively Intentional Soy Candle in Holiday Hearth ($21.99 for 16 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your small-business-supporting Grandma
Creatively Intentional is a top Etsy seller turned e-commerce powerhouse thanks to their constantly growing social following. Featuring handmade home and beauty products, they are not only plant-based, but also cruelty-free and made with therapeutic ingredients.
Photo credit: Creativelyintentional.com
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Creatively Intentional Soy Candle in Holiday Hearth ($21.99 for 16 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your small-business-supporting Grandma
Creatively Intentional is a top Etsy seller turned e-commerce powerhouse thanks to their constantly growing social following. Featuring handmade home and beauty products, they are not only plant-based, but also cruelty-free and made with therapeutic ingredients.
Photo credit: Creativelyintentional.com
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Variety Pack ($13.99)
The perfect gift for: Your skincare-loving little sister
There’s nothing jolly about pimples, but with the Mighty Patch Variety Pack, those holiday breakouts won’t stand a chance. The pack features their Invisible+ patch to heal and conceal during the day, Surface for bigger breakouts, and Original for overnight treatments.
Photo credit: Herocosmetics.us
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Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Variety Pack ($13.99)
The perfect gift for: Your skincare-loving little sister
There’s nothing jolly about pimples, but with the Mighty Patch Variety Pack, those holiday breakouts won’t stand a chance. The pack features their Invisible+ patch to heal and conceal during the day, Surface for bigger breakouts, and Original for overnight treatments.
Photo credit: Herocosmetics.us
Versed Face Masks in “Look Alive,” “Photos Please,” and “Find Clarity” ($9.99 each for 1.5 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your self-care-obsessed BFF
These masks come in super trendy squeeze pouches and for a variety of skin types. My favorite is “Look Alive,” a clear gel mask with smoothing rosehip seed oil, hydrating aloe leaf juice, and a plant-based collagen alternative. “Look Alive” instantly moisturizes and smoothes the appearance of uneven skin tone.
Photo credit: Versedskin.com
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Versed Face Masks in “Look Alive,” “Photos Please,” and “Find Clarity” ($9.99 each for 1.5 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your self-care-obsessed BFF
These masks come in super trendy squeeze pouches and for a variety of skin types. My favorite is “Look Alive,” a clear gel mask with smoothing rosehip seed oil, hydrating aloe leaf juice, and a plant-based collagen alternative. “Look Alive” instantly moisturizes and smoothes the appearance of uneven skin tone.
Photo credit: Versedskin.com
CLN&DRTY Natural Skincare “Lavender Vanilla” Natural Deodorant ($16 for 2.2 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your favorite fitness instructor
With hundreds of 5-star reviews and an insanely loyal following, CLN&DRTY has taken over the natural skincare industry. Their natural deodorants feature arrowroot powder to absorb sweat and tea tree oil to kill odor-causing bacteria. Plus, they’re baking soda and aluminum-free.
Photo credit: Clnanddrty.com
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CLN&DRTY Natural Skincare “Lavender Vanilla” Natural Deodorant ($16 for 2.2 oz)
The perfect gift for: Your favorite fitness instructor
With hundreds of 5-star reviews and an insanely loyal following, CLN&DRTY has taken over the natural skincare industry. Their natural deodorants feature arrowroot powder to absorb sweat and tea tree oil to kill odor-causing bacteria. Plus, they’re baking soda and aluminum-free.
Photo credit: Clnanddrty.com
Simply Gum “Assorted Gum - Classics” ($15.99 for 6 packs)
The perfect gift for: Your cubicle buddy
Simply Gum’s variety pack features their top-selling favorites for mint lovers. Each pack of gum is made in New York with absolutely nothing artificial. (FYI, did you know most commercial gums actually have plastic in them?) Plus, every pack of gum comes with ultra-cute and convenient “post-chew” wraps for easy and clean disposal.
Photo credit: Simplygum.com
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Simply Gum “Assorted Gum - Classics” ($15.99 for 6 packs)
The perfect gift for: Your cubicle buddy
Simply Gum’s variety pack features their top-selling favorites for mint lovers. Each pack of gum is made in New York with absolutely nothing artificial. (FYI, did you know most commercial gums actually have plastic in them?) Plus, every pack of gum comes with ultra-cute and convenient “post-chew” wraps for easy and clean disposal.
Photo credit: Simplygum.com
Jade Leaf “Matcha Latte Infusions - GLOW” ($14.95 for 10 packets)
The perfect gift for: Your health-nut Aunt
Jade Leaf combines three health powerhouses, matcha, biotin, and collagen, into one easy-to-use drink mix. This gift set comes with 10 convenient single-serve sticks. Just blend, whisk, or shake with a dairy or non-dairy milk base for a satisfying, nutritious latte!
Photo credit: Jadeleafmatcha.com
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Jade Leaf “Matcha Latte Infusions - GLOW” ($14.95 for 10 packets)
The perfect gift for: Your health-nut Aunt
Jade Leaf combines three health powerhouses, matcha, biotin, and collagen, into one easy-to-use drink mix. This gift set comes with 10 convenient single-serve sticks. Just blend, whisk, or shake with a dairy or non-dairy milk base for a satisfying, nutritious latte!
Photo credit: Jadeleafmatcha.com
Copper Cow Coffee “Churro Latte” 5-pack ($17)
The perfect gift for: Your coffee-loving dad
This women-owned Vietnamese coffee brand is equal parts stylish and delicious. Guaranteed to create a buzz on Christmas morning, each single-use pour-over set is perfect for on-the-go and even comes with a decadent packet of condensed milk. It’s sure to be an afternoon pick-me-up favorite! A few other flavors include Lavender Latte, Rose, and Cardamom.
All the businesses in our gift guide have easy to use e-commerce platforms that make late-night shopping super easy. So, click on over, add to cart, and show a little love one of these businesses today.
Photo credit: Coppercowcoffee.com
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Copper Cow Coffee “Churro Latte” 5-pack ($17)
The perfect gift for: Your coffee-loving dad
This women-owned Vietnamese coffee brand is equal parts stylish and delicious. Guaranteed to create a buzz on Christmas morning, each single-use pour-over set is perfect for on-the-go and even comes with a decadent packet of condensed milk. It’s sure to be an afternoon pick-me-up favorite! A few other flavors include Lavender Latte, Rose, and Cardamom.
All the businesses in our gift guide have easy to use e-commerce platforms that make late-night shopping super easy. So, click on over, add to cart, and show a little love one of these businesses today.
Photo credit: Coppercowcoffee.com
