A new novelist? No, the things we over pack! 
The ‘just in case’ the weather turns cold, even though the lowest temp at the time of year you will be visiting is 45 degrees.
The ‘just in case’ I wear the 25 tea shirts I have already packed. Or the just in case I need more than 6 pairs of shoes.
Sound familiar? I even know a lady who had to pay for excess luggage going on holiday! No it wasn’t me.
So what should you pack? Obviously the essential toiletries, but these can take up a lot of room & weigh as much as a small dog. Most chemists & drug stores sell miniature sizes of toothpaste, deodorants, body lotion & so on, also small plastic bottles you can decant your shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser into. Blag some samples from your hairdresser & the cosmetic counters, you will be surprised how far a small sachet will go.
Buy your suntan lotion at the airport as these can be heavy items, but after you go through security, this way it doesn’t add to your luggage weight & you can buy large sizes which normally won’t be allowed in your carryon pre security. If you don’t use it all up leave it behind as sun preps normally only have a 12 month shelf life once opened. Unless of course you are going away again soon after.
Lay your holiday clothes on the bed. It is at times like these that Colour Coding really comes into it’s own as pretty much 90% of your wardrobe will mix & match. But if you have all the colours of the rainbow then it’s time to pick just a few. Whites or creams are always favourites & good basics for trousers, shorts or skirts. If you prefer to keep the lower half in darker shades choose a chocolate, navy or black. Use light or bright coloured tops. Oversized shirts, tops or kaftan style can be worn with either trousers or crops & if you are young enough or the tops are long enough, worn alone in the evening with chunky necklaces or a bright scarf can look great. The next day they can be used over swim wear around the pool or on the beach.
A pair of gold or silver flatties look good day or night & take up little room.
Most hotels supply hairdryers (check before you go) if yours doesn’t get a lightweight travel one.
If you spread your packing over a few days make a list of what you have packed, then you will be sure not to forget something. So convinced was I once that I must have packed my underwear I didn’t bother to check the suitcase, only to find when I unpacked it I hadn’t! So now I make a list of everything as I put it in.
Don’t forget to take an electrical adaptor if where you are going has different voltage.
The suitcase alone can often weigh a ton so try a large holdall instead. Personally I find the holdalls tend to come out first on the carousel, I don’t know but this may be because they are stacked on top of the suitcases in the hold. As black seems to be the most popular colour for luggage tie a bright tag, ribbon, something, anything around your bag so it is easily identified.
You don’t want to pick up someone else’s bag by mistake & end up delaying your onward journey, or having housekeeping in the hotel cut off ‘your’ padlock because clearly you must have forgotten the code! Or find men’s polo shirts inside ‘your’ bag & worst of all, shaving cream instead of your make up!!!!
Do you?
Sorry I was just reliving a rather unfortunate holiday incident from last year when my lovely husband picked up the wrong bag because it was identical to ours. I won’t mention that I had put a pink tag on it.
But the most important thing to take, apart from your passport, is your sense of humour! Travelling is rarely fun & more often than not stressful so remind yourself you are going away to de-stress & have a good time, so don’t sweat the small stuff, as they say.
Bon voyage & have a fantastic time! You’ve earned it!
E-mail your hair/beauty questions or your hints & tips to californiasecrets@mac.com
