Time to Pack for a Flight

Ten items you need to have to help you pack for your next flight

Hey guys. This is a special edition of Top Ten Tuesday because it’s my birthday month. COVID has really put a damper on birthday plans for everyone, not just myself. However, I am planning or better yet my fiance is planning a surprise getaway. I have no idea where we are going but I know that I need to pack for outside activities. It will be in the 50s to 60s during the day and to pack a nice outfit for dinner. I am pretty excited about our trip. I did a surprise trip for him to Washington. It was amazing. We went hiking, sightseeing, visited friends, and experienced several firsts in our relationship.

I love to fly. Road trips are not really my thing. I like to get where I’m going and take my time exploring new and different places. So when I fly, I try to only pack a carry-on. This will allow for less time unboarding and getting in that line for Uber or Lyft. If you pack the suitcase the right way, you can fit a week worth of clothes in a carry-on.

So here are the TOP TEN items that can help you pack for a week with just a carry-on

1. Shower cap - use this to cover the bottom of your shoes. Keeps from getting dirt on your other items.

2. Sandwich bags - place all toiletries in ziplock bags to keep them from spilling in your carry-on. This would be a great way to carry makeup remover wipes as well.

3. Straws - feel your necklaces through drinking straws to keep them getting tangled in transport. You can also squeeze your sunscreen, foundation, or any other liquid in a straw and cut and burn the ends. Make sure to label them.

4. Vacuum seal storage bags - you can maximize your space by packing your bulkier items in the vacuum bags and sucking the air out to make them more compact. You can find these at Walmart, Target, and even Dollar General.

5. Refillable containers - instead of purchasing travel items, purchase the dollar refillable bottles to take shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, etc.

6. Pods - bring detergent pods so you can wash clothes while you’re on vacay. This will allow you to reuse clothing items like jeans and shorts.

7. Potholder - use it to wrap your flatiron or wand in even if it is still hot. Hello it's a potholder

8. Eyeglass Case - it’s not just for glasses. Use them to store your cords and chargers.

9. Contact Case - use this to carry foundation or other liquid makeup needs

10. Checklist - this is very necessary. With a list, you are able to almost guarantee that you have everything you need. I've included a free one here for you to use.

Travel Checklist

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Out with the Old and in with the Spring!

February is almost over and March is a chance to start FRESH!

It is the end of the week and the end days of February. Where did the month go? Well it did not go with the groundhog’s shadow. This has been the longest winter ever! But it is nearing an end and I couldn’t be happier.

We’ve begun our decluttering projects and removing the unnecessary clutter and bad energy from our homes, offices, and lives. March is a month of renewal and rebirth. Spring is almost here. It is a chance for us to start fresh. Start a new business. Join a virtual book club. Go volunteer at a local school or community outreach program. Try the new plant-based diet. The sky is the limit now that you've taken the steps to remove the excessive so you can be more productive in your personal space.

Here are a few fun things coming up in March that you can look forward to:

• March 1st: National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day

• March 2nd: Dr. Seuss Day

• March 5th Employee Appreciation Day

• March 13th National Good Samaritan Day

• March 17th St. Patrick’s Day

• March 20th International Day of Happiness/Start of Spring

• March 25th International Waffle Day

So what am I looking forward to? March is my birthday month! I celebrate ALL 31 DAYS. I’m sure you are thinking that it sounds a little excessive but it makes perfect sense to me. Every year during the month of March I take this opportunity to enjoy the fruits of my labor. From April 1st to February 28th, I commit to work, family, social obligations, volunteer work, and even political agendas. However, March is the month when I let my hair down and relax, travel, and party.

What are some things you do for your birthday? Do you enjoy time with your family and friends? Do you prefer to be alone? Maybe take a little excursion to get away from the craziness of everyday life? Or maybe you enjoy giving back to the community on your special day? Whatever it is that you enjoy doing on your special day, remember to do whatever you can to make yourself happy. Birthdays only come once a year.

My mother made sure that our birthdays were memorable. It didn’t have to be anything special or extravagant. Make those memories. You never know how many more chances you will have to complete your bucket list or tell that certain someone how you truly feel.

Top Ten Tuesdays

What should you ask yourself while deciding what needs to go and what needs to stay?

The arctic freeze is finally over and life is slowly getting back to normal. HOORAY! I’m ready for some normalcy. With getting back to "normal", that includes clearing out all the junk that has piled up over Mardi Gras Break and the lockdown.

As I mentioned before, the family and I needed to declutter almost every space in the house. The kitchen is overloaded with extra things we don’t need. The living room is cluttered with extra toys, books, furniture that makes everything look chaotic. The bedrooms...we won’t even go there. The bathrooms are filled will girly nonsense because we are a family of estrogen. But dare I say it, there will be no more clutter! It’s time to throw out the old and bring in new energy and joy for our growing family.

So today I am listing the top ten questions you should ask yourself about items you are removing from your home or office.

• Have I used it in the last six months? If you haven’t used it in the last six months then it’s not a necessity! It’s a luxury and luxury is not something that we need right now. We need efficiency and functionality.

• Does it hold sentimental value to you or someone in the home? If there is a strong emotional tie to this item then keep it. However, if the emotional tie is traumatic or overwhelming, it would be best to remove it from the space because we are trying to enhance the positive energy.

• Is it functioning properly? If it’s broken and you’ve been saying you will fix it and you haven’t, remove it from the space.

• Is it taking up space that you could use for something else? We are looking to open up the space. If this item or items are taking up space that can be used to open up a space and make things flow better, remove it.

• Are there more than one of the same item? Maybe you got a really good deal on the item and thought having a backup would be great. I’m proud of you for thinking ahead however we are trying to let go of the excess.

• Can it be compiled to save space? So this speaks to old photos and cards. Instead of having them all over the shelves, make them digital instead and create a rolling video of them in a single digital frame or on your laptop.

• Does it fit with the idea you are trying to achieve? If it doesn’t bring you joy or positive vibes, remove it.

• Will it increase in value over time? There is nothing wrong with holding on to collectibles that increase in value. However, you might want to invest in keeping it somewhere else where it will remain in pristine condition and out taking up valuable space.

• Does this item easily carry germs but hard to keep sanitized? We are living in trying times. If it’s too hard to keep clean, remove it.

• Have you outgrown this item? This can be anything from clothes to toys to furniture. Let it go and release yourself from the restraints of the past. Start fresh and get back that joy and happiness.