How I keep my sanity while packing!

It occurred to me one day while preparing my hospital bag that I was procrastinating on the task of packing up.  I had made a list and was planning to pack a couple weeks before my due date, but somehow I felt myself pushing off the duty farther and farther.  I did not want to gather items at the last minute, but I certainly was not accomplishing the necessary milestones to avoid that pickle.  I just couldn't get motivated. 

So I asked myself, why was this so hard?  What part of this task was bothering me so much?  Eventually I hit on the sense that I dreaded gathering up all the toiletry items.  My clothes were not such a big deal, but the thought of measuring what we needed now, or leaving that until later really bothered me.  I HATE packing toiletries for any trip.

Then I remembered something I used to tell my clients: have a toiletry bag stocked for travel and refill it when you return.  Packing is so much easier when you can simply throw a pre-organized bag of personal products into your suitcase!  So I decided to take a taste of my own medicine and proceeded to curate a group of items that would solely be for travel.  Since that time I have packed in half the usual time for two trips and no longer put off the task with dread!

Here is what we have in our toiletry bag.  When we return from the trip I take ten minutes to be sure everything is refilled and then the bag is ready for the next vacation:

The contents of my toiletry bag...his and her supplies.  Some items I refill myself, others I purchase new when I run out.

While not the highest quality, this bag has plenty of interior and exterior pockets to keep items separate.

When packed this bag takes up little space and is always ready for a last minute trip!

Quick tips to an organized trunk

An organized trunk makes many tasks and unexpected events easier to handle.  It is wonderful to have a clear space to put groceries and know exactly where your jumper cables are.  If your trunk is a mish-mosh of items and needs a little TLC use the simple steps below.

1) Place a tarp on the ground and empty the contents of the trunk on the tarp.  Immediately remove and throw away trash, anything that is broken, ripped or dried up.  If you have not used an item in the last year get rid of it (this does not apply to seasonal emergency items like a blanket or small snow shovel).

2) Sort the remaining contents into categories based upon use.  You can try categories like emergency, car maintenance, seasonal tools etc.  Think about how and when you would use something, then place all items with a similar function or use together.

3) Once you have everything sorted give the piles one more look to make sure you did not miss anything that can be discarded or donated.  

4) Next you need to decide how you want to store these items.  If you want a low cost solution utilizing open cardboard boxes are best.  However, it is always a good idea to invest in quality containers that will last and are easy to move.  Anything in your trunk will take a beating so make sure the storage is sturdy.  Here are a few ideas:

Folding trunk organizer

Cases with handles

Sweater boxes

Smart store totes

Frosted totes

Vacation made easy

My family and I recently returned from a seven day cruise in the Western Caribbean. It probably goes without saying that cruise ships make being organized while far from home as simple as breathing. I was in my glory and every family member benefited from the ease in which we were able to relax! I was most impressed with the stateroom I had on the ship. I spent the first half hour on board getting acquainted with my fabulously laid out cabin. It was refreshing to be in a space designed so well to accommodate every need I might have. The bathroom lacked counter space but made up for it with a variety of shelves and cabinets tucked away from view. I could unload everything and not have to look at it! The dresser, vanity and closet had ample space for 4 girl’s clothes, including several small cabinets and drawers to hide away all our non-clothing items, all organized by use and in their assigned storage spaces! I couldn’t lose anything because all my "stuff" had a home. This assured that I came back from vacation with everything I left with, too. I was in love with this cabin, which made my vacation so enjoyable given the fact that I was sharing the space with three other women. The layout of the ship was a thing of beauty, too. I want to meet the “convenience gurus” who thought out the floor plan of each deck and cabin. They could not have made it any easier to get to where I wanted to go, anywhere in the ship. When you consider that over 5000 people have to share a 160,000 ton vessel for seven days the level or organization needed is staggering. I loved it!