1. A Few Weeks Before: Start Planning Your Outfits & Vacation Capsule

This is where I like to get ahead of things a bit—especially if I’m trying to pack in a carry-on or heading somewhere that requires specific clothing or gear I may not already own.

👉🏻 You might also like: How to Pack in a Carry-On

I start by checking the weather and making a rough packing list in my Notes app, along with a running list of anything I might need to shop for. As the trip gets closer, I’ll pull out my rolling rack and start hanging anything I’m considering bringing. Seeing everything in one place makes it so much easier to visualize outfits.

From there, I think in simple outfit formulas and start building around a few core pieces. I always try to limit shoes first—that’s usually the easiest way to keep things in check.

If I notice any gaps, I’ll order a few options to try. Of course, that usually turns into a bit of a try-on-and-return cycle, which is exactly why I like to start a few weeks ahead. It gives me time to figure out what I actually need without scrambling at the last minute… although I inevitably still end up placing at least one last-minute order.

Tip: Once I’ve narrowed things down, I like to use a Canva whiteboard to map everything out. I’ll drop in the pieces I’m bringing and move them around to create outfits—it’s a really easy way to see how many combinations I can get from each item.

Then I add in accessories to change the looks and make repeat outfits feel a little more styled.

Before I finalize anything, I try everything on (this step matters!) and make sure I have all the undergarments and accessories I need to complete each look. I’ll often snap a quick photo of each outfit so I have them on my phone to reference while I’m away.

👉🏻 Here’s an example of what I packed for my last trip: My Florida Packing List

One other thing I like to do a few weeks out is make sure I have a few appointments on the calendar. These are things like getting my nails done, touching up my roots, or scheduling a professional spray tan. I try to book those in advance since they can be surprisingly hard to get, especially during busy travel seasons. It’s one less thing to think about as the trip gets closer.

Containers That Make It Efficient

similar trench // Michael Stars Nara (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (30) // VEJA Esplar (39) // LAGOS earrings // Longchamp tote // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On Flex // AWAY Large Featherlight Backpack

These are the pieces that really help keep everything organized and easy to access while I’m traveling:

• Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag – One of my favorites for longer trips. Everything stands up neatly inside, and I can either set it on the counter or hang it on a hook.
• Tumi Madeline Cosmetics Case – A more streamlined option. When I’m being very strict with myself, I can fit all of my makeup and toiletries inside.
• humangear STAX Stackable Containers – Perfect for decanting skincare and haircare. They’re affordable, easy to clean, and I love how they stack—it keeps everything neat and easy to find.
• Cadence Capsule System – Definitely a splurge, but very clever. The magnetic, stackable design with interchangeable labels makes it easy to customize.
• Contact Lens Cases – A great little hack for liquid foundation or anything you can decant. I only need 1–2 pumps a day, so I portion out just what I’ll use for the trip and leave the full-size bottle at home.
• Pill Organizer (for OTC meds I might need) – I like having a small selection of “just in case” meds with me, such as Advil, Tums, Allegra, etc.
• AM/PM Supplement Organizer – Great for daily prescriptions and supplements.
• Quince Transit Quilted Duffle Bag – My go-to personal bag when I want the most space. It has great organization and a trolley sleeve that slides over your suitcase handle.
• AWAY Featherlight Backpack – My favorite when I want to stay more streamlined and hands-free. It doesn’t hold quite as much as the duffle, but it’s lighter and easier to move around with.

A Few Travel Beauty Staples I (Almost) Always Pack

These are the products I come back to again and again—nothing overly complicated, just what I know works.

• Face Sunscreen – ISDIN is my go-to at home and away. It’s very thin and tends to leak when I try to decant it (even into nicer containers), so I usually bring the travel size when I have the room. Otherwise, the Cadence capsules work best.
• CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion – I decant this into a stackable container and use it morning and night, which eliminates the need for a second moisturizer.
• PCA SKIN Hydrating Toner – Not strictly necessary, but I always miss it when I skip it.
• Timeless Vitamin C Serum – Travel size works best. Again, not essential, but one I notice when I don’t bring it.
• Travel Makeup Brushes – These save a surprising amount of space and make a big difference when you’re trying to pack light.
• Travel Size Wet Brush – A small swap that helps keep things compact without sacrificing function.
• Charlotte Tilbury Mini Setting Powder – I love having a mini of this. It’s easy to tuck into a small makeup bag and perfect for throwing in my purse for touch-ups when I’m out and about.
• Travel Size Tubing Mascara – Another nice little space saver, when every little bit counts.
• Travel Size Self-Tanner – If I’m away for a week or more, my spray tan tends to fade, so I like to bring a travel-size self-tanner for easy touch-ups.
• Shampoo & Conditioner – My go-to used to come in travel sizes, but they’ve been sold out lately, so for my last trip I decanted from my full-size bottles into the medium-size Cadence capsules, and that worked just as well.
• Deodorant Wipes – Take up much less room and are great for quick refreshes on travel days or when you’re out and about.
• Mini Lumify Eye Drops – Such a game changer. My eyes always seem to get red when I travel, so I don’t leave home without these.
• Mini Tweezers – One of those small things (no pun intended!) that’s always worth having on hand.
• Tide To Go – Enough said.

3. Beauty & Self-Care Prep Before a Trip

In the days leading up to a trip, I like to take care of a few final beauty and self-care things so I feel put together while I’m away.

By this point, I should already have my hair and nail appointments taken care of, so this is more of a quick once-over. I’ll check anything else that might need attention—brows, shaving, that sort of thing—just so I’m not dealing with it mid-trip.

None of this is complicated, but it makes a big difference in how I feel once I arrive.

4. Warm-Weather Extras (When I’m Packing for a Beach or Summer Trip)

If I’m heading somewhere warm, there are a few additional things I like to plan for ahead of time.

I’ll usually schedule a spray tan or apply self-tanner the day before I leave. I always feel better with a little color, especially when I’ll be wearing swimsuits or summer dresses—but it does take a bit of planning. I recently started using the St. Tropez bronzing mousse again and forgot how good it is. I love that they also have a mini kit for travel.

I like to exfoliate and shave the day before I self-tan, and I always make sure my nails are done first since soaking and scrubbing can affect the tan. I usually schedule a mani/pedi two days before my trip and the spray tan the day before.

I’ll also double check that I have enough of my warm-weather staples—things like sunscreen, lightweight skincare, and anything I tend to go through more quickly in the heat.

5. The Night Before: Charge Everything Tech

The night before a trip is when I do a final pass on all my tech and make sure everything is fully charged and ready to go.

I keep a running list in my Notes app of everything that needs to be charged—iPhone, laptop, AirPods, power bank, makeup mirror, toothbrush, etc.—so I don’t forget anything in the last-minute rush.

I’ll also check my mesh cable organizer case to make sure I have all the necessary cables and chargers inside. I usually keep a separate set packed, but things tend to get pulled out from time to time. So I gather everything up and organize it so it’s easy to grab in the morning. I usually tuck my AirPods and portable charger in there as well.

What I pack for tech + travel organization:

• SURI Toothbrush – I love that it comes with a case that cleans it, plus a small cover that makes it easy to travel with.
• Cable Organizer Case – Keeps all my cords, chargers, and small tech in one place so nothing gets lost in my bag.
• Jewelry Travel Case – I like to pack this the night before so I’m not rushing and risking tangles or forgetting something.
• Portable Charger (with built-in cables + wall plug) – This is a must for long travel days.
• Universal Adapter (if traveling overseas) – Easy to forget, so I try to set it out the night before.

I also review my Master Packing List and set out anything I need to remember to throw in my bag the next morning—things like my eyeglasses, retainer case, toothbrush holder, HRT cream, and anything else I don’t have duplicates of. It’s a simple step, but it really helps prevent those “I knew I was forgetting something” moments.

6. Get Your Home Ready Before You Leave

This isn’t the most exciting part of trip prep, but it makes such a difference when you get home.

I try to do a quick reset before we leave—laundry done, dishwasher emptied, trash taken out, and the fridge cleaned out of anything that might go bad while we’re gone.

I also like to put fresh sheets on the bed so it feels extra nice when we get back. There’s nothing better than coming home from a trip to a clean, calm space.

If we’re going to be away for more than a few days, I’ll also make sure things like mail, packages, and deliveries are taken care of. (And of course, we always arrange for Savannah care!)

It’s a little bit of effort on the front end, but I’m always glad I did it.

Final Thoughts

Prepping for a trip takes a little extra effort on the front end, but it makes such a difference once you arrive. I always feel more relaxed knowing everything is taken care of—my outfits are planned, my toiletries are packed, and my home is in order.

Of course, not everything goes perfectly (I almost always end up placing at least one last-minute order 😅), but having a system like this helps keep things manageable and takes a lot of the stress out of getting out the door.