Packing for a Fall Vacation… with Evereve!

Before I speak of anything else, I’d like to take a moment to send my sincerest sympathies to our friends out in Wine Country (Napa, Sonoma and neighboring regions) for the devastating fires that have been ravaging their homes, cities, and establishments for the past few weeks… I cannot even imagine what you are going through, and seeing the media coverage just breaks my heart for each of you. Know we are thinking and praying often and I’m wanting to share a few ways you can offer your support by visiting these websites: Go Fund Me for Napa and Sonoma County, Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund, and the American Red Cross. But most of all, I know you will come together and will build it all back… better than before and we will come out to visit you again SOON.

Having said that, last week we made the difficult decision to reroute our group’s vacation. We couldn’t bear the thought of heading to Napa when so many people had lost their lives,homes, places of employment, etc. So we got our thinking caps on and decided we would still keep our flights out to California, though we would head in a different direction… we leave this morning for the Central Coast, more specifically a beautiful region called Paso Robles. So thankful for the swift recommendations from so many family and friends as well as a ton of you friends on social media, so our group divided our tasks and got to work. Within hours, we had a VRBO house to stay in, wineries and breweries booked, tables reserved at some amazing eateries and even a zipline tour over a huge vineyard. We are headed to Cali and are excited to enjoy some much needed R&R with so many of our closest friends.

So, this lady has been in major packing mode over here… it’s FINALLY here and today I am sharing my favorite tips and tricks to packing for a fall vacation with you today, with a little special assistance from my friends at Evereve. [P.S. they are having a sitewide sale RIGHT NOW so be sure to visit to take 10% off your entire order… including favorites from Free People, Paige, Lucky, Spanx, and a ton of others.

First, You Have To Make a List |  Yes, I ALWAYS make a packing list when I travel as it makes it SO much easier when it comes time to pack up the suitcases. This way, I know I am not leaving any of my essentials out and everything makes its way to my final destination. This trip’s packing list looks like this:

To-Do List Notepad via Effie’s Paper

Two… Plan Your Outfits in Advance | As hard as that may be for some of you, myself included, you need to plan ahead so that you can pack efficiently. We have a large passenger van we are renting while we’re on vacation, but that means I had to be smart about my daily ensembles and what actually needed to come with me, rather than items that “could” potentially work. I did try-on sessions with outfits late last week, scheduling outfits for each day’s itinerary so that I’d be prepared and not spend a ridiculous amount of time each day trying to find the right OOTD. I’ve been shopping the past few weeks to make sure I had the proper attire ready to go and here are a few looks I’ve assembled as we head to Paso Robles:

Stephanie Step Hem Skinny [on sale for $49, too] | Tartan Boyfriend Shirt | Sesame Lotisha Stud Bootie

Faux Leather Legging | Ivy Green Lotisha Stud Bootie | Leopard Bomber Jacket [just $68!!] | Striped Scoop Tank

Seamless Camo Legging | Side Slit Cardigan | Velvet Solid Tank

Three… Don’t Forget the Packing Cubes. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know I’m OBSESSED with packing cubes. They make packing easy and simple and it’s a way for me to pack certain categories of things together (i.e. undies, bras, and pajamas in one cube, while dresses in another, etc). I use these EZ Packing Cubes that make sure everything has a place and I can easily find it since they are clear. I’ve used these for more than two years now and cannot say enough great things about them. The variety of sizes in this 4-piece set are perfect for short AND long vacations! Be sure to grab the coordinating Laundry Bag and Travel Folding Boards to ensure you pack it all perfectly!

Four. Invest in Lightweight Luggage. I cannot tell you how many times I have shown up to the airport only to cringe when I place my suitcase on the scale when we check in for flights… yes, I have been that person stuffing my carry-on with items so I could avoid paying the additional weight charges and I’ve learned my lesson. I recently got this new lightweight luggage from Lipault Paris and I absolutely love it… versatile, easy to pack with a ton of compartments, lockable, and it’s SO light! I am using the Plume 28 Spinner and Plume 20 Carry-On for our trip and thanks to this handy dandy Luggage Scale, I didn’t have to worry that my bags were too heavy = bam!

Brooklyn Hat Co Wool Hat | Barrington Gifts St Anne Tote

Five… Miscellaneous Tips and Tricks. When you’ve traveled as much as I have, you find little tips that go a long way when packing. Here are a few of my favorite things to remember so you can pack as much as possible:

a. Roll Your Clothes. Yes, this seems silly, but it can help prevent unnecessary wrinkles and you’re able to fit more in your packing cubes!

b. Invest in a Travel Steamer. I use mine religiously when I am living out of my suitcase. I have this Joy Mangano Mini Steamer… it heats up in 60 seconds with tap water and works wonders!

c. Pack the Mini Toiletries. I always stock up on these travel-sized musts before we leave for any trip. You’d be surprised as to how much room you can save when you bring mini sized toiletries, making way for more important things, like souvenirs and shopping! P.S. double bag the toiletries… just in case to avoid spills and a big mess. And yes, I am speaking from experience here 😉

d. Put a Dryer Sheet in Your Suitcase. This helps ALL of your clothes smell fresh and clean, and to ensure the unworn items don’t take on odors!

e. Stuff Your Shoes. This is great, especially when you’re packing boots for fall trips. Stuff them with your curling iron, your socks, pajamas, undies, etc… that way they maintain their shape and you save suitcase space for other essentials.

That’s it… I know it’s not rocket science, but small life hacks really can make packing [dare I say] more enjoyable!!! Peace out friends… this gal is headed to Cali. Have a FANTASTIC week and be sure to follow along for the play-by-play via Instagram.