Let's Get Packing — Sights in Stilettos

For those of you who follow @SightsinStilettos on Instagram, tonight I shared in my stories all the accessories I use to pack for a trip. Tomorrow I leave for a 16-day Australia/New Zealand adventure that requires clothes for city, sightseeing, going out, wine tasting, and hiking. Not to mention it is about 80 degrees in Sydney but colder in southern New Zealand. Here are some of my packing tricks for going across multiple climates, multiple activities, and it all needs to fit in one check-in size bag.

Speaking of checked bags (and travel bags in general) I am an Away Luggage super fan. I do not get paid if you click on this link or buy any of the Away products. In fact, I won’t get paid if you get any of these products. I am sharing because I use these products and love them. I have the “Medium” size in blush. One warning I will give about the blush color, dirt and marks show up much more on the lighter colors. However, Away has started to provide cleaning sponges with their products. I’ve also found Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work well in cleaning up scuffs.

What is my secret weapon for fitting multiple attire options into this 26” x 18.5” x 11” bag? Packing cubes. No kidding. Before packing cubes, my suitcase was a MESS. Now, I look like an organized traveler. My first experience with packing cubes was a brand from Amazon called PRO Packing Cubes that served me well for about a year. Recently, Away introduced packing cubes to its travel line and while I was hesitant about the price tag, I took the plunge. THEY ARE AMAZING. They fit a lot more clothing inside than the Amazon brand, and they conform to the exact dimensions of the bag. Reminder, I’m not getting paid. I purchased the six pack in blush which comes with one large cube, two medium, and three small. The very tiny one is perfect for hair accessories, jewelry, belts, and other odds and ends.

Where do you keep all the makeup you ask? If you are going to buy one thing from this blog post for your suitcase, it needs to be a hanging cosmetic bag. I have the Sonia Kashuk brand from Target, but any trifold option will do. It keeps everything organized, not to mention, is compact so that a bulky makeup bag isn’t taking away valuable space from that extra pair of stilettos you want to bring on the trip. I also bring a classic travel makeup bag to keep hairspray, dry shampoo, face wash, and the list could go on and on.

A few other packing tricks:

Don’t leave shoes empty! Belts, socks, and other small items can be stored inside your shoes and free up more space.
Use a toilet paper roll for necklaces. I’m serious. Your chains will not become a tangled mess
Lay extra coats at the bottom of your luggage flat and place cubes or other items on top. Jackets are very bulky when folded. Laying them flat give you more space and the opportunity to bring more coats.

I look forward to sharing my Down Under adventure with you! What’s your packing hack?