Tuesday, March 12, 2013

100 Monthly Organizing Challenge: Traveling with Toiletries

The Jones family is taking a mini-spring break for a couple of days so I am actually checkin' in courtesy of spotty hotel wi-fi and will be making this as short and sweet as possible.  Although, knowing me, Chatty McChatterton, not sure how that will go.

If you have been following on Instagram, you may have seen a few photos from our trip so far, here.  We are having a great time, it is so important for us to take time away from busy schedules and stress and just relax together.  We try to do it a couple of times a year.

This month's challenge is organization in the bathroom and linen closet, and one of the "to do's" on my list was to get myself organized in the toiletry area.  Of course, that means analyzing all of our lotions, shampoos, conditioners and body washes to ensure we only have one bottle of each, and that nothing half-full {optimist here} is hanging around taking up valuable space.

The other piece of it, for me, was to hook myself up with a pre-packed toiletry bag, because boy oh boy, packing for five can take time.  I often times find myself packing our full sized bottles and taking a giant bag filled to the brim with all of our shower and pampering goodies.  It's always excessive and I am always worried that I am forgetting something important.  If we are traveling on a plane, I hit up the travel section at Target and pick through the products, spend way too much money, and leave unhappy that they didn't have half of the products I like to use.

I decided for this month's challenge, I would snag the travel bottles, fill 'em up with all of my favorite "product picky" items {it's OK to call me a snob right about now}, and keep the bag pre-packed.  That way, the few times a year we travel, packing up the toiletries will be one less thing to worry about, so I can focus on more important things.  Like shoes.

I started out with a trip to Target and went straight back to their travel section and found a bunch of cute travel bottles {some were bundled on clearance too!}.  I noticed they also sell some near the suitcases, however, those seemed much more pricey.

Back at home, I took the time to transfer all of my lotions and potions into their new individual sized travel bottles.  And weird, I also labeled them....


Forgive the funny setup.  This is me in a hotel room with a freshly ironed towel and me standing on top of the table to take a photo near a window.  #lifeofablogger. 

Some items still come in full size packages since I couldn't find smaller sizes, which was OK for now.  I will just keep my eyes open so I can eventually replace them as I see necessary.  And see that straightener?  That was the only hair tool I allowed myself to pack {for the first time ever}.  It is travel sized {so cute and tiny}, but I figure I would save the space and use the hotel's hair dryer and that I could live without curls for the few days we would be away.

It seems like a lot to travel with, but it actually wasn't all that bad, and when it was all packed up, took up far less space than typical Jen packing style. 


I used my label maker to add labels to each bottle so I wouldn't end up confused and accidentally try and wash my hair with lotion.  I am not sure how long the labels will last, but I did run them under water to give them a bit of a "test" and they came through with flying colors.  And I figure if I just keep the bottles out of direct water, they should hold up for a few uses, and if I have to relabel, so be it.


If you are really short on space, you can just shave with conditioner.  Just thought I would throw that tip out to my lady pals.  I have done it quite a few times....

I bring my nail supplies, since I like to do my nails on vacation.  It screams vacation to me.  It's relaxing, and something I don't take time to do every day.

I found a set of travel bags awhile back, I believe they were a Joss & Main score and I luuuuurve them!  The first bag holds all of these toiletries nice and neat!



And closes up nice and compact.

For my jewelry, I just use these little plastic pods, which I also found at Target.  I also have a jewelry roll {seen here} when I am traveling with nicer jewelry, but for this trip, the pods were compact and worked perfectly to hold a pendant necklace in one, and some earring studs in another.


The other toiletry bag is used to hold my makeup.  I only bring my fav items, as it is a pretty small bag.  For my hair bands, clips, bobby pins, and chunkier jewelry, I pop those items inside a small box I found in my office.  The jewelry pods fit inside the box as well.


Here are all the items together.


I am a girly girl, so it may seem a little excessive, but it actually leaves a very small footprint in my suitcase, and is so much more compact than previous trips which makes me giddy as can be.  And since I purchased duplicates of all my favorite products, next time I just have to toss my electric toothbrush in the bag and go!

What are your favorite packing tips?  Is there a product you couldn't leave home without?  Any fun spring break vacations in your future?



100 comments:

  1. This is so great! I love the plastic pods for the jewelry, because I'm going to have to save space for my upcoming trip. I'm headed to Europe for a month, with the intention of only bringing one carry-on piece of luggage (and my purse) and not looking like a bum by the end of the trip. I couldn't figure out how to bring jewelry without having it all tangle up. Thanks for the inspiration! I'll share whether or not my visions of organized packing s successful or not. :)

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    Replies
    1. When I pack necklaces like this, I wrap them around a bit of cardboard (with a notch at beginning and end) to stop them tangling up.

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    2. Diane, My daughter went to Europe for a month and took one carry on and one messenger bag. She also packed a small bottle of laundry detergent to do wash, and she took a few old pieces of clothes and just donated them or threw them out (so she could bring back new things)! She was very glad she did this! She was also the "go to person" for sewing repairs, band aids, etc. since she packed a little of everything!

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  2. One thing I started doing also was buying one brand of shampoo/conditioner and lotion and keeping those just for travel containers. Nothing is more irritating than have an almost empty bottle of shampoo and then having to clean it out because I no longer have that kind. This way it will always be filled with the same product and I can refill after the trip and be ready to go on the next adventure.

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  3. Great tips! I travel quite a bit and struggle with packing my toiletries......I could never pack just a straightener! I bring my dryer, straightener, and curling iron :)
    I also tend to way over pack on jewelry, and I am always cramming my shampoo, conditioner and hairspray bottles into side pockets! Next time I am out shopping I am getting myself some travel sized bottles!

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  4. I'm the same way with taking nail polish on trips! Your small travel containers are adorable and I love that you labeled them! :)

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  5. I love this! I'm going on a long weekend trip this weekend with my BFF. for a weekend in a condo, we take ENTIRELY too much stuff. This is giving me some great ideas for packing!

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  6. Oh Jen! Only you can make a travel bag look so cute! :o)

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  7. I love the little Up&Up jars. I have some too! Perfect for face soap, lotion, etc. I hadn't thought of jewelry (since I don't wear much) but that's a perfect idea.

    In the summer I love to travel with Bumble & Bumble Beach Spray. Just spritz it on when your hair is wet and go. It comes out all wavy and beachy with no effort. Truly a vacation hairstyle I can live with!

    I can never travel without a mini tube of lotion, hand sanitizer and a Chapstick.

    My husband can get a weeks worth of clothes into a carry on. I haven't been able to master that one yet!

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    1. Oooh, I am going to have to check out that beach spray, sounds fab!

      xo,
      Jen

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  8. u can try to stick another piece of clear transparent sticky tape onto the labels pasted on the bottle to enhance on its durability of the prints. Hope it helps.

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  9. Hey Jen!
    What a lovely post! ^^ I love toiletries & I love traveling =)

    Just wanted to mention, to solve the "no-curls-during-traveling" problem, two tips for you:
    + You can use a straightener to curl your hair, use Youtube & the like to learn how.
    + If you want to leave the straightener at home as well, you could always do "bantu knots" - gives you lovely, curly curly without any electric tools!

    Happy traveling ;)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I was going to tell Jen the same thing. I always curl my hair with the straighter. YouTube is the place to learn.

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    2. Thanks friends! I will absolutely look into that! You made my day!

      xo,
      Jen

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  10. Oh, and as for waterproofing the labels - just cover them up in clear nail polish.
    Hope this helps ;)
    -Eda

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  11. I so need to do this. We travel a lot and I like to pack ahead of time but that last minute packing of the toiletries always stresses me out! I hate having to leave it to last and I am always worried about forgetting something (I know, first world problem but still!). Next time I am at Target I will definitely be picking up some of those bottles. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I always try and travel with the little bottles. If you fly you don't really have a choice, but they're awesome for quick trips!

    Where did you find those little pods in Target for your jewelry? I've never seen them but would love to have some!

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    Replies
    1. They were also in the travel toiletries section near the empty bottles.

      xo!
      Jen

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  13. Love the organisation. The labelled bottles looks so cute and functional. I think it's the right amount of items as it's so easy to bring way too much stuff.

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  14. I did this a few years back when we moved away from our hometown. It was always a scramble to get everything together for our young family. Because I had LOONNG hair and didn't use styling agents, I only washed it every other day and didnt need as much shampoo, so this worked:

    I wanted all my bottles to match (so they not only looked pretty, but lined up nice in the wet portion of the bag too) so I went shopping with an open mind. I bougt a bunch of travel-sized 2 oz hand sanitizer bottles (Germ-X, I think). I just refilled my sanitizer pump with them so I didn't even waste them. I washed them out real well and filled them with baby shampoo, face wash, my shampoo, hubs shampoo, moisturizer, etc. It has worked great, though now with short hair and 2 grown tween girls, we have swapped out the baby shampoo bottle for a larger girl shampoo. :) it has worked GREAT and is SO QUICK! I refill everything before I put it away. Its the size of a larger lunch bag and unfolds and hangs with a hanger hook. I'd post a picture but I need to revamp it.

    Now I am in the process of setting up my girls with their own bags since they require deoderant and other things on a daily basis and go on sleepovers.

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    Replies
    1. Love that you were resourceful in your bottle picking! #supermom!

      xo,
      Jen

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  15. I love this so much. We travel often and I love getting ideas on how to organize my suitcase better. I love those jewelry pods - jewelry is always something I can never figure out how to pack correctly. Thanks for sharing!!

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  16. These are great tips! I will have to hook myself up with one of these as well! One question though, for your shaving cream, you mentioned we could use conditioner. Did you put conditioner in that bottle? or is it shaving cream? And if it IS shaving cream, how did you get it in the bottle? Same question goes for the hairspray!

    -Sarah
    limitedspaceorganizing.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Sarah!

      I packed my actual shaving cream since I prefer it and had the room. I just pumped it from the original container into the travel bottle {I use the EOS stuff with a pump}. The hair spray came from a spritz bottle vs. an aerosol can, so I just transferred that as well.

      xo!
      Jen

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  17. Jen, I love all your posts! Even how to organize when travelling!

    But I was wondering... I've notice the HUGE improvemente in your pictures comparing with the beginning. Did you take any photography courses?

    If so, could you recommend which one you took?

    Thanks so much!

    Em.

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    1. Hi Em!

      I tried to keep an eye peeled while reading my favorite blogs and magazine sites and pick up tricks along the way. The biggest improvement was utilizing natural light. I also upgraded my camera, and took a very basic photography 101 community ed class as the U just to get familiar with shooting in manual mode.

      Lots of trial and error, and I am totally still learning each day.

      xo,
      Jen

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  18. I love the little nalgene bottles and little jars from the Container store. They are pretty much indestructable (my parents have ones in their well used camping supplies that are older than I am)

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  19. You can always curl your hair with a straightener. I do it all the time! Take a chunk of hair and put it into the straightener, twist in the direction that you want it to curl, then pull it through. Just make sure not to let the straightener sit too long and any section of hair or you'll get those obnoxious dents. There's a picture of my hair like this on my honeymoon on my blog:

    monroemakeshift.blogspot.com/2013/01/when-i-grow-up.html

    It's the zoo picture. Have fun on your trip!

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    1. Wow, it looks great! I will definitely be looking up some how-to videos! :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  20. Great tips! I fly a lot for work, so keep a dedicated bag of liquids that stays in my suit case. (Everything gets refilled when I unpack my bag upon return.) I couldn't live without packing cubes! When I unpack at my destination and have to wear the clothes they don't need much if any pressing. Additionally, I pack dirty and clean seperately in them on return which speeds the unpacking process. If a trip is under 7 days, I only carry on.

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  21. I'm really cheap and just use the shampoo, conditioner and soap that the hotel provides. I only have to pack the tear free stuff for the kids. I have travel sizes of stuff to throw in, in case we are staying in someone's home, etc.

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  22. this post is just what i needed! i am never organized with my toiletries and it always bothers me! thanks :)

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  23. Adorable!! I think I am going to have to break down & buy your Brother label maker pretty soon -- I love that it actually has cute fonts!

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  24. I used to buy travel size products, but they are just so expensive it's ridiculous. So lately I use these travel bottles too. I don't have it all pretty like you though. And having it ready would make so much sense.

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  25. If you're using a P-touch labeler, I've found that I can run canning jars through the dishwasher repeatedly without the labels coming off.

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  26. We are headed out East in a month...it will be our first big family vacation with all five of our kids. I have no idea how we are going to fit seven of us in our mini-van PLUS all of our stuff. I am definitely taking notes on this! :-) Have a great time away.

    ~Sarah

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  27. Love this!

    We have a trip coming up in the summer and I'll definitely try this- so much better than my method of tossing everything in at the last minute!

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  28. Those are some great ideas! I will be trying them out the next time I travel

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  29. You are the best little packer ever! I can't believe that even your toiletry collection is super cute and organized. {Wait...yes I can. ;)} I will be remembering this the next time I pack for a trip. Thanks for the tips!

    ~Abby =)

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  30. I'm like you, Jen, I like to have a toiletry bag packed and ready to go, especially since we take a lot of weekend trips! It's one less thing to think about, and because of that, I tend to forget fewer things. The morning of the trip I use another small zippy bag to throw my makeup in, which takes five seconds, then I'm ready to go.

    Another tip is to collect small toiletries from hotels. My husband travels for work fairly often, and I make sure and tell him to bring home those free goodies. Even if you don't like the product, you now have a FREE small container to put your own products into!

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    1. Fab tip! I do that and toss the travel items in a basket in our guest room. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  31. I LOVE the thought of having a pre-packed bag!! That makes so much sense. I need to do that asap. I actually found the perfect toiletry bag at Target the other day, BUT - my our budget for the month is used up in that department. I'm praying that it's still there next month so I can snag it!

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  32. I loved all your travel tips!! my favorite is how you pack your jewelry! I will have to try that!

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  33. We go on lots of weekend trips and I too keep a bag fully stocked and ready to go. It costs a little more to have double contact solution, etc., but it is so worth it to have it ready to go. I always pack a couple of large ziploc bags for souveniers and nic nacs I might collect. Love the mini straightener. WHere did you find that? Have a fun trip!

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  34. Great idea with the little pod for jewelry. I usually shove mine in my make up bag, only to get tangled or lost over the travelling. I'm going to Mexico next week over our spring break (teacher) so I'll be sure to try it out!
    {lamourcheznous.wordpress.com}

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  35. Love the ideas of labels! I just returned from our first cruise and was so nervous about mistaking my laundry soap for mouthwash. LOL! Luckily I didn't make that mistake. That Joss & Main bag's pretty fab.

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  36. Such a good idea to get organised ahead of time and pack all this stuff up so its ready to go when you are! I also get double usage out of my conditioner on a trip and look forward to doing my nails when we go away! Like you, I pack for five of us and it always seems to be the last thing I get round to and I worry about forgetting stuff, so this post is perfect for me! Hope you enjoy your mini break. Antonia :-)

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  37. I learned the hard way -- but if you wear glasses and won't have your glasses on in the shower to read labels, make sure your shampoo bottle and conditioner bottle are either different colors or different shapes/size. That way, you won't be in the shower with two identical bottles and not be able to read the labels.

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  38. I love this girl. You make it all look so pretty and fresh. Hope you all are having a wonderful trip!

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  39. Awesome post! I love how everything you do is colorful and fun! I am so inspired to go organize for a trip... and I am not even going anywhere!

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  40. We have always travelled with our kids since day dot and packing has become an art form. As the years have gone by I have got better.

    Hubby is amazed at what I can pack in one bag for two weeks. And being a girly girl I also include the nail polish, perfume and a pair of heels.

    I have always used little bottles as so much easier. Even with the kids stuff. Their toilet bag has a hook to hang so it is easy to use in hotels etc. Hang it up, easy access.and keeps it tidy. I also use the hotel bottles as some of them are really nice!

    Both kids have little cabin bags that all their stuff must fit into. That way not to heavy and they can carry their own bags. You will be amazed at how much you can fit in.

    Then re stocked and packed away for next time.

    I travel without the straightners as tend to visit hot countries so hair curls so why fight it!

    We are on holiday in a few weeks for 4 days I and want to see if I can pack all my stuff in a cute weekend bag I found so cheap!


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  41. I have been keeping a prepacked toiletry bag for a few years now, and it is great! I also roll all of our tshirts, skirts, dresses and tanks, you can fit so much more into a bag that way. . I try to take jewelry that I can wear with everything, and try to wear my bulkiest pair of shoes. I can fit A LOT in a bag!

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  42. So... do all those bottles and tubes fit into the TSA quart-sized bag if you're traveling carry-on only?

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    1. Hmmmm... not sure, I might have to weed a few things out if I fly... I am guessing it states all the regs online.

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. I fly a lot and have noticed that, depending on the airport, TSA will let you travel with a toiletry bag as long as the bottles are small and the bag is not excessively big. Also, a TSA agent assured me that contact solution is a " medical" substance and exempt from the 3 oz rule.

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  43. We have traveled extensively throughout Europe using only public transportation, so we learned to pack very economically. Rick Steve's is a favorite. We have the luggage, the packing cubes, and my husband has the hanging toiletry bag. My hanging toiletry bag is from LLBean; they're fantastic when there is little or no counter space. We also try to pack in a way that we only need the one pair of shoes on our feet.

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  44. Seriously this was so helpful. You'd think by now I'd have this packing thing down. The jewelry and toiletries are always the last in and kinda just piled on top or stuck in a side pocket. I love the labeling as well. Thanks.

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  45. I love my hanging toiletry bag from LL Bean, which someone else mentioned above. I'm taking it to Europe in two months and started packing all of my travel sized products too. I love those round containers you got at Target though and think I'll copy you and get those for my jewelry.

    I couldn't leave home without some kind of moisturizer that has sunscreen in it. I am fair skinned like you, so it's a must. I like Origins products a lot.

    No spring break plans, just the trip to Germany, Austria and Switzerland, which I am very much looking forward to! Have fun on your break!

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  46. This is fantastic! But I wonder what you do for extended trips? Like ~3 weeks perhaps? Would love to find out!

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    1. Hmmm, never traveled for that long, and not sure with three kiddos that it is in my future.

      I am guessing that it really depends on where we are going, how we are traveling and for how long. It might require me to pair down a little more, or, quite the opposite and bring my full size containers.

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. Will a curling iron fit in the llbean personal organizer bags?

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  47. I also have a toiletry travel bag packed and ready. I also bought duplicates of my hair brush, comb, pick etc and have them in a bag. For jewelry, I have a roll too but also bought at Michaels, little plastic bags that are perfect for earrings or barcelets or necklaces. Sometimes I put a "set" (bracelet, necklace and earrings in a snack size baggie. Thanks for YOUR tips. XO, Pinky

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  48. Thanks, Jen. This is what I needed. Going to start doing this. We are going on a 2 weeks vacation in May. One week in Disney and the other week on a Disney Cruise.
    Have a lot of organization to do before the trip. The hardwork will pay off. I love your blog!!

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  49. This is so cute! I just got matching toiletry bags for Christmas and it feels so good to hang them up when I get to my destination when they all match :) Also, I organized my linen closet where I keep them. Hope you can check it out!
    -ashlee
    twentysomethingbows.blogspot.com

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  50. I never buy shaving cream and just use conditioner for home too. I'm "cheap" that way. lol This Summer we're staying in a condo that has a washer and dryer in it. I'm thinking of packing the pods that go in the washer. They are more expensive than normal stuff but it would be a lot easier to travel with then the whole kit and kaboodle. Glad to hear that your family is having a wonderful vacation.

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    1. What kind of pods are you talking about? Do you mean the laundry detergent? I take the Purex sheets with me. I cut them in thirds at home and use them to wash things out in the sink.

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  51. I buy a set of travel bottles and fill with my favorite shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face toner and moisturizer at home. I've plenty of little travel sized strawberry lotions from Bath&Body Works so I don't need to repack that. I don't use anything but a razor to shave my legs while in the shower. (I find it unnecessary.) One thing I don't repackage is my Kenra Curl Creme. I keep that in its full size original container.

    If I'm flying, I keep my Kenra in my checked baggage, everything else goes into a clear ziplock baggie and is in my carry on. I've had my luggage lost and delayed more times than I care for, so I've learned to have basics on my person! Plus, I like to freshen up towards the end of my flight to help wake me up. I keep my makeup with me too. A mascara, my lip color, my softlips, and my eyeshadow. That's it. I don't do a full face of makeup ever while traveling, or even while at home so my packing gets pretty streamlined. ;)

    In my travel toiletries bag (which doubles as my shower bag at work when needed): shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shower puff, razor (checked in bag if flying), deodorant, face toner, moisturizer, body lotion, qtips, cotton balls, mascara, eyeshadow, eyeshadow brush, soft lips, lip color, wide toothed comb. That's it. I don't blow dry or flat iron at home so I don't need to bring those with me. Most places we stay have hair dryers so I use those if I feel like it.

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  52. Wait wait wait. You pack jewellery?? Why on earth would you do that? You're wasting a chance to buy MORE because you "forgot" yours and feel naked without it! It is a holiday after all!

    I only go with a hair brush, deoderant, toothbrush and toothpaste. Hair elastics or clips I wear and suffice for the whole holiday. The rest should be provided by the hotel and the less I pack, the more room for shopping! Oh darn!

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    Replies
    1. You are funny Nerdette! I like your way of thinking. ;)

      xo!
      Jen

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  53. Love it! Great ideas! An idea I have used when I travel with my daughter and her 4 kids-- I have an over-the-door shoe organizer with clear pockets. We put it on the bathroom door (on the side where the vanity is) and fill the pockets with all the toiletry items. Keeping the kids things down low. No more counter clutter, no more knocking things over, and the housekeeping staff can actually clean the counter area.
    LOVE to use vertical space

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  54. Love your really methodical way of packing your toiletries. Like another reader suggested, keeping dedicated containers in the suitcase, for frequent travelers, and using the same brands, refilling when you return home, is a big time and money saver. Since my DH travels overseas for weeks at a time (sometimes a few months at a time), we can't be concerned with having things like lost luggage. He'd be in another country for another meeting by the time the luggage showed up. So, he travels with a carry-on bag and computer bag only. Wonder how we do this, when he has to travel for business? Well, with all the flights, it ends up costing roughly the same to just send out a blazer and pants for cleaning, when he's going to be somewhere a few days. He will send out everything to the hotel laundry occasionally, when he's in one location several days. Since we don't incur costs for checked bags, and there are no bags to lose, with nothing ever being checked, hotel laundry ends up being reasonably priced for the company. Another timesaver is (for the guys anyhow) to pack the traditional navy blazer, and khaki, navy, and grey pants, that can be mixed, and always pack the same color, brand, style of socks. That way he never has to worry about matching socks to his pants. They can't not match, lol. He likes it that way, as he can concentrate on meetings and working when in his room, rather than spending extra time on the wardrobe. White undershirts and nice printed boxers under his clothes by day are that night's jammies, so no jammies in the suitcase taking up room. One thing nobody else mentioned is keeping a master packing list on the computer. Once everything is in the suitcase, I just look at the list and it jogs my memory if I've left out anything. Since his suitcase contains only necessities, it's crucial that not one thing be left at home. Oh, and one pair of shoes for everything; a nice pair of comfy Italian leather shoes that can go with jeans as well as business clothes works well for him. And, he has learned to wear a synthetic blend of no-wrinkle pants on flight days, in the event there is a flight delay, so he's looking fresh for a meeting, if there's no time to freshen up due to a late arrival. He just dons his blazer and he's business-presentable. He wears his leather blazer on flight days, which gives him a stylish look with either dress pants or jeans. Packing either a neutral turtleneck or off-white fisherman sweater completes the look for casual occasions. Works for us. Keep those tips coming!

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    1. This is excellent info. We dont have business meetings to go to, but im gonna steal these ideas for packing no matter where we go!

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  55. Awesome. How can you make a post about toiletries be so good??

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  56. Adorable, even when packing, as usual :)..wouldn't expect anything less... I travel as often as humanly possible, so my tip... Bed, Bath & Beyond... some (not all) have great travel/toiletries section...(and u can use those handy 20% off coupons, that i hoard!)..good variety of brands but like the rounded soft squeezy bottles the best! sometimes target can get a bit wiped out...Luv the target jars for face cream & also for eye-makeup remover. Container store also has this 99cent 3 parted pill box thing that is great for small things(for me, bobby pins, safety pins & sewing kit) ... ok, just wanted to share the luv :)

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  57. MUST.HAVE.JEWELRY.PODS. I looked and couldn't find them on the website, using a lot of keywords. What am I missing? :)

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    1. Not exactly sure what they are called, however, they are in the travel toiletry section at Target, by the other travel bottles.

      xo!
      Jen

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  58. Jen,what about feminine products? Curious to know how you travel with pantliners, pads, moist wipes, etc especially if you're going to be on "that time of the month" while you're out of town.
    Thanks!

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    1. I don't know what Jen does obviously for this but I can tell you what I do. I always have a small toiletry case (or you could use a pencil case) with a few of each feminine products I use when I'm on my period. I like this because it keeps them all corralled together and I don't have to worry about a tampon falling out of my bag or something. When I travel I just fill it up to last me for however long I'm away for.

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  59. LOVE the pod idea!! Will definitely be using this in the future!

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  60. Who makes your toiletry bag? Love that it has a middle flap for extra things unlike other toiletry bags that I've seen out there.

    Love your blog! Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. It is made my Allegro. It looks like Target sells a line of the brand online! :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  61. I need to lighten up my toiletries! We travel a lot and I always bring too much and pack it last minute! We have a few days in London next week, this is a perfect time to get started on streamlining my toiletry bag! I love the tip from another reader saying to use clear nail polish on the labels! I am going to have to try that!

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  62. Hi Jen, I'm curious about what you do with your brushes? Hair and make-up. Those are always my biggest challenge as they never seem to fit in my toiletry bag....

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! Mine are actually in my makeup bag, I just use smaller sizes, similar to these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EM1BBK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001EM1BBK&linkCode=as2&tag=iheaorga-20

      My brush actually fits in my toiletry bag {also a smaller size}, but I typically keep it in my work tote for random touch-ups throughout the day.

      xo!
      Jen

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  63. I just love the font on your labels! What labeler do you use?
    Thanks for the great packing tips, I just love posts like this!

    Nikki XOXO

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nikki!
      I use the Epson Labelworks LW-400 {http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J7Y6GS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J7Y6GS&linkCode=as2&tag=iheaorga-20}. I combine it with the clear tape {since I like the streamlined look it offers}. The label maker offers many font sizes and types and I also find that it is very user friendly.

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. What is in the clear bottle with pink dots? This is absolutely perfect! So doing it for my next trip. <3

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    3. Hello,

      The clear bottle with the pink dots holds spray in conditioner {my hair is a bear to brush through}

      xo!

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  64. Hi Jen
    Do you keep your makeup pre packed too ? I have everything else but wonder about the makeup as I worry it may go bad and wasted as it isn't used all the time

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jodi!

      I do not pre-pack my makeup for the same reason. I just toss my favorites into a travel bag as I am packing my wardrobe.

      xoxo!

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  65. Jen,
    I love this post! It is so helpful, I also love your most recent Quick Tip Tuesday post as well. I will be coming back here this summer!

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  66. I know this is an old post but I'd thought I'd help anyone else who came across this and just HAD to have that toiletry bag... the same bag shown above is currently available in two different prints as far as I can find.. the "Contents Urban Bohemian Weekender" from Target and my fave, and the one I ordered: the "Azalea Tryst Floral Weekender" by Tartan + Twine at Ulta. Thanks for this post!

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  67. You can also go to Sephora and ask for a few sample containers (which are free I think even if you don't get any samples haha) and put your jewelry in those! Or if you have a lot of products that you only use a little of, you can put them in here. When I travel I use a couple of face masks and moisturizers so I'll just pack one or two of these sample containers with those :)
    Pill boxes work well for jewelry too!!

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  68. Would it be ok if i use your toiletries image for my blog post? I will def source it to you.

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely! I appreciate the proper sourcing. Thank you! :)

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  69. I forgot to press notify me. Thanks

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