Enterprise Nation

De-cluttering expert and boss of Purely Peppermint, Rachael Ross, has her sights firmly on Summer. That is the Summer holiday and, in particular, how you should go about packing for it. Here are her top tips.

With Summer now in full swing I thought it was a good time to take a break  from organising another room of the house, and instead look at how to pack for your summer holidays.

Let's get packing!

The Overloaded Suitcase

Don't we always take too much on holiday?  10 bathing suits, several pairs of shoes, and enough clothing for a month when you are only on holiday for two weeks.  The bag is bulging, chances are there won't be any trolleys at the airport, and your suitcase wheels don't work on quaint cobbled streets.
 
To add to that, airlines have become stricter with the amount of luggage you are allowed to check in.  And with recent worries, the carry on allowance has been greatly reduced as well. 
 
So what is the best way to pack your suitcase?

How to Pack

When it comes to packing you need to consider the following:

• Prepare  - spend time thinking about what you will use and the type of activities your holiday will include.  If it is a sporting or beach or camping holiday than take just what you need.  Will the weather be continual sunshine, possible rain or cold evenings?  What do you need for that?
• Travel size - traveling with full size bottles of toiletries is one of the most common packing mistakes individuals make when travelling.  Purchase travel size toiletries or downsize your favourite brands into smaller plastic bottles. 
• Find products that can double up - a blusher that is also eye shadow, shampoo that works as a body wash or moisturiser which can also remove make-up.  Pack your toiletries in plastic bags to protect your clothing in case anything leaks.
• Clothing clever - select pieces of clothing that can be worn with several other items.   
  Interchangeable clothing helps to avoid a bulging suitcase and can be as simple as a sarong you can use as a bathing suit cover up but by night it turns into a shawl for the cool evenings. 
• Looking back - if you really want to become effective at packing, then on you return make a record of what you did wear ..and didn't.  This will help you to pack only what you need when you next go away.

Have a great holiday!

• Rachael Ross: The Home and Office Organising Expert
  PurelyPeppermint.com