What to pack for a weekend away

How to pack for a weekend away (carry on)
When I travel my goal is to be comfortable yet appropriately dressed. I also prefer carry-on to checking my bags as you don't have to worry about things being lost. You do, however, have to worry about making sure your bag isn't too heavy, and that liquid or similar items are very small. I try and stick to a very neutral colour palette so all of the items of clothing and accessories mix and match. Obviously if you are going somewhere very very hot or very very cold you would need to adapt this list to include warmer or cooler clothes if necessary, however this should be pretty useful as a basis, especially for European city breaks.

Wear your warmest and heaviest clothes on the plane - leggings, tshirt then shirt or jacket over the top, maybe even a pashmina as it's usually a bit chilly onboard and your heaviest shoes, in this case the converse.

How to stop your clothes creasing

Pack your heaviest items at the bottom of your rucksack or case so they aren't crushing your clothes, then make sure you roll all of your clothes rather than folding them. If they are creased on arrival hang them on the shower rail with the shower on hot and the steam will de-crease them (if you don't have an iron in the room or you just can't be bothered), take note - don't put your clothes too near the water!


Clothes

• Denim jacket or shirt
• Cardigan
• Mac - if rain is forecast
• 2/3 T shirts or vests
• Leggings
• Shorts
• Flip flops and Converse
• Swimsuit or Bikini
• Sundress
• Bras, Knickers and Trainer Socks
• Hairbrush with Spare Hair Ties
• 1 Small Cross Body Bag
• Minimal accessories - perhaps a hat, nothing too expensive so it doesn't get stolen.

Makeup

• Tinted moisturiser or BB Cream with SPF
• Bronzer
• Blush
• Eyeshadow palette that doubles up as a brow colour palette
• Lipgloss or lipstick
• Lipbalm with SPF
• Mascara
• Brushes (cheek, eye, eyebrow, liner)
• Eyeliner

Bag or Suitcase?
I use a rucksack/backpack rather than a wheely case as it's much easier to shove it under the seat in front or in an overhead compartment and when you do need to transfer it around, your hands are still free. Plus those wheely case people drive me nuts on the underground, nobody seems to have a clue how to NOT run people over!

Other Items (some obviously optional)

• International plug adaptor
• Phone/Camera/Laptop/iPad and their chargers, headphones and memory cards
• Shower pouff - I just can't imagine a shower without these
• Plastic bag to put dirty washing
• Travel wash in case of stains (I just use my shower gel)
• Itinerary and flight details
• Passport and tickets
• Makeup bag - non liquid items
• Makeup and toiletries - liquid items in a clear bag
• Sunglasses, glasses, contact lenses
• Snorkel

Toiletries

• Wet wipes (can be used for so many different purposes)
• Cleansing balm mini - or decant into a screw top pot
• Moisturiser mini - or decant into a screw top pot
• Shave gel mini
• Razor
• Toothbrush
• Mini toothpaste
• Contraceptives (wink wink)
• Any medication you need plus painkillers, dehydration remedy, diarrhoea remedy and plasters
• Shower gel
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Deodorant

Let me know what your travel must-haves are!