Maximize Packing Potential

5 Items You Need To Bring On Your Trip

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm going on vacation but am extremely limited by how much I can bring along with me. I'm really nervous I'm not going to have enough clothing with me and need to make sure everything I bring is worth it. Do you have any advice for packing to my maximum potential?

Sincerely,

Maximize My Packing

A:

Dear Maximize My Packing,

When you're not able to pack a lot, you should make sure that you travel with the five items in your closet that will take you far -- in spite of your Frequent Flyer Miles.

Top 5 items that will maximize your packing potential:

1. A cashmere cardigan. It works anywhere -- for the restaurant you didn't realize was a five star restaurant with a dress code until the cab dropped you off to the museum that has the air conditioning set for sub-Arctic creatures.

2. A pair of new white sneakers. Keds, Vans -- you pick 'em -- just make sure they're new. Buy one pair a summer and see how they rescue any outfit from the pair of shoes you forgot to pack, as well as keeping your feet pain free for those long tourist excursions.

3. A black dress. Any material is fine except for wool in the summer. This dress will keep you on your best dress code behavior anywhere and everywhere your vacation takes you.

4. A pedicure. Okay, it's not in your closet, and it's not something you can buy and return, but it qualifies as something you must have before your vacation. You'll feel a lot more comfortable knowing your feet look great when you have to take your shoes off at the airport security line, and everywhere else you'll have bare feet during your vacation.

5. Moisturizer and foundation with built in sunscreen. Even riding a car can get you sunburned, so one good way to make sure you have sunscreen on is to make sure your summer makeup -- moisturizer and foundation -- have sunscreen as ingredients. Don't compromise here.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

Date Out Of Your League Think & Date Like a Man Ideas for a Fun Date Romantic Date Ideas

© 2004-2009 AskApril.com, LLC. All rights reserved. AskApril®, AskApril.com®, and Ask April® are registered trademarks owned by Masini Enterprises, Inc. This material can only be republished and redistributed if it is kept in it's original form, including, but not limited to, all AskApril branding, banners, links, books, and credits.