Tips & Tricks — Travel Tips

What to Pack When Travelling to LA
Heading to the beautiful Los Angeles? Can't decide what you need to pack? We’ve got you covered on all the things you’ll need for a great trip.
What to Pack When Travelling to London
Planning a trip to London, England just got easier with our tips on packing all the right essentials!
What to Pack When Travelling to Chicago
Off to see what the windy city of Chicago has to offer? We’ve got you covered when it comes to packing light, but still looking great!
How to Pack for a Long Weekend Getaway
If weekend getaways are as much fun for you, as they are for us, then we know worrying about what to pack is never something you want to be stressing about.
How to Make the Most of Your Travels
Travelling is an awesome way to learn about different cultures and explore the world. And no matter where your travel interest lies, there is always somewhere to go! It may be a new neighbourhood or it could be on the other side of the globe, but anywhere new is sure to bring adventure and fun.
Regardless of where you are jet-setting off to next, here are a few tips on how to make the most of your travels:
1) Have a check list of places and things you would like to go see. By making yourself a check list, you will be prepared to make the most of your day. The more you plan in advance, the less time you’ll waste. Being organized will help you enjoy your stay without having to worry what to do next.
2) Take time to relax and embrace the present moment. Don't force yourself to see everything in a day; you won’t enjoy it as much. The more you rush to see everything the more exhausting it’s going to be. Take time to enjoy each moment while travelling because your sojourn won’t last forever.
3) Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things! Learn about the culture your visiting, meet new people, try a new style of clothing etc. Try the food specialities from the city you’re visiting even if you've never tasted or heard about it before. You might be surprise on how much you love it and how much it satisfies your taste buds.
4) Make sure to not only travel but to have a night out with friends. Going out at night in a different city is always interesting; you see how other cultures love celebrating. In the end the best memories from travelling are the adventurous times spend with friends and loved ones.
What do you do to maximize your travel fun? Let us know in the comments below!

Finding the Balance Between Business Travel and Family Life
It is hard to be a frequent business traveler and have a family waiting for you back at home. You miss out on important events and your spouse may find it difficult to handle everyday life without you. Here are a few tips to help lessen the strain on your family and strengthen the relationship.
-Stay connected. There are so many ways to keep in touch with your family these days. You can Skype, phone, and email easily from wherever you are. This is important in keeping a strong connection with those left behind.
-Share your experiences. You may want to take photographs to share with your family when you return or through email on a regular basis to keep them updated. Also try bringing home small gifts from each place you’ve visited.
-Include the family. It is possible to combine business with family trips. If you’re going somewhere interesting, family members may want to join you. You can work while the other spouse entertains the kids but make sure to find time off work to spend with your family.

What to Pack in Your Carry-On
Business travel may seem glamorous at first but in reality it can become quite stressful. You are constantly living out of your suitcase and anything can happen during your travels. Here are a few items you’ll be grateful to have in your carry-on to make the trip as comfortable as possible.
-Only pack the essential personal care items. You don’t need to fill up your carry-on with all your toiletries. Most hotels will provide the essentials that will help you save that extra weight and space. Also bring a small toothbrush and facial wipes for the flight.
-A filtration water bottle. Save money and reduce waste by bringing your own water bottle that has its own filtration system.
-A small kit for medicine and first-aid. You don’t want to be spending money on a bottle of aspirin at the airport when you need it. Pack it in your carry-on along with a mini first-aid kit for any mini emergencies.
-A spare change of clothes. You never know if your flight is going to be delayed or if the weather will ruin your outfit. Bring a spare change of clothes because you may just need to go straight to a meeting when you land.
-Snacks on the go. Keep your energy up by having snacks in your carry-on. Think granola bars, trail mix, and sandwiches.
-Cell phone and laptop charger. If you’re going to keep busy on your phone and laptop at the airport, it’s always nice to have a charger on hand. It can be really frustrating if you don’t have your charger and you have to go out and find the right one.

5 Beauty Tips for the Traveler
When travelling to any destination, it is extremely tempting to bring all your beauty products along with you even though they are sometimes unnecessary. Our beauty products are our prized possessions but sometimes a girl’s got to compromise, especially when there are tons of restrictions on bottles and liquids when travelling. Don't worry because we have 5 beauty tips to prepare you for the next trip you go on.
1) Figure out your essentials. What are the items that you cannot live without? That could be your foundation, mascara, or lipstick. Go through your beauty products and sort them into items you need and don’t necessarily need on a trip.
2) Mini. Everything. It is super easy to find a tiny version of that shampoo or lotion that you like. Another option is getting mini bottles and squirting your own stuff into them.
3) Avoid spills or leakage. If you’re bringing shampoo or lotion, wrap them in towels or in plastic bags so they don’t spill all over your stuff. You don’t want to arrive at your destination only to find all your stuff covered in a sticky mess.
4) Stay looking (and feeling) fresh on long flights. Bring a face spray or wipe with you to freshen up during a long flight. Also bring moisturizer since it can get extremely dry in planes.
5) Try solid options. Solid shampoos and soaps such as the ones from Lush are a great alternative to liquids when packing. They also work just as well as their liquid siblings.

5 Tips for Packing Light
Packing a lighter bag while traveling is always beneficial for yourself and your wallet. Whether you’re headed on a business trip or on a family vacation, these techniques will help you pack light for your next trip (without forgetting anything!)
Make a checklist
This may sound obvious but many people forget to do it. By writing everything down and how many of each you need, you can easily determine what are essentials and what’s not. These printable lists from a pair & a spare are a lifesaver!
Roll up your clothing
Try rolling your clothes instead of laying it out flat as it will save you a lot of space. Stack the bulkiest items in the corner to distribute the weight, followed by your other items in the centre.
Neutral shades
If you stay with neutral colours when packing, it is easier to mix and match your pieces. If you’re going on a business trip, bring along skirts, pants, and blazers that complement each other.
Learn to layer
If you’re headed somewhere cold, layers are necessary but don’t pack a bulky jacket. Instead, opt for thin sweaters and you can wear your largest layer on the plane with you. Summer heat doesn't always mean you can ditch the sleeves, after a day in the sun the evening can cool down. Instead get the best lightweight summer layers, that are easy to pack and travel with.
Choose your shoes
Before you toss any pair of shoes into your bag, ask yourself if you really do need them. Usually you want to have a pair of dressier footwear and a casual pair.

What to Pack for the Long Weekend
July 4th is tomorrow and if you’re planning on taking a trip to the cottage then we’ve got the perfect items for you to pack. Of course a swimsuit is a must and we are loving a printed one piece to hit the water in. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors we think a beach kaftan is perfect to wear all day long with a pair of jean shorts. Finally, you don’t want to forget your sunscreen and a pair of comfy sandals to get you through the weekend.

Where are you going for the long weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

What to Pack When Travelling to New York
When going to a city such as New York, the city that never sleeps, you must be prepared for a long day of seeing all the different parts that New York has to offer. We’ve got you covered with some tips on what to pack from day to night when roaming the city.
Whether you’re starting your day with a neighborhood stroll doing some light shopping and going to the MoMA midday and finding yourself ending the evening with dinner and a tour of the Empire State Building, you can take an outfit all through the day with some simple changes. Turn your day outfit into an evening look simply by changing into wedges, adding a statement necklace, and applying red lips. This helps you pack light and you’ll look fabulous while you’re at it!

6 Summer Travel Must-Haves

- A four wheel carry-on case, like the Tumi Accents International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On, is a must for travel as it’s easy to push through airports and you can balance a second bag on top.
- I love to keep my suitcase organized by sorting clothes into packing cubes (Heys makes a 5-piece set), which also make unpacking at hotels faster and easier as I can just pull out each cube and tuck them away in a drawer.
- For quick and easy washing I throw in a few packs of Woolite Travel Laundry Soap so I can do some laundry in the sink when needed.
- I always pack a solid colour dress (I love navy, like this Ann Taylor Crepe Dolman Sleeve Dress) because it’s a versatile basic whose look can be changed up with accessories to go from day to night.
- Shoes take up a fair amount of space (it's hard to squish a stiletto!) so I find it best to bring a neutral pair that goes with everything. I love a simple tan wedge like this Jean Wedge from Stuart Weitzman, especially when I know I’m going to be doing lots of walking (and wedges are an absolute must on cobblestone).
- Lastly, when exploring a new city I always carry a city guide so I can experience the culture like the locals!