How to Have the Perfect Long Weekend

Summer is here…oh yes it is! It is here in full force in Houston (the humidity!!), and that carefree, relaxed vibe is certainly felt. Summer Friday’s, anyone? Julie here today, and I’m embracing summer with all I’ve got. I’ve swapped my lazy weekends for lake days, my booties for sandals, and my chardonnay for rosé. There’s something about drinking rosé in the heat, right? I mean, they don’t call it “summer water” for nothing!

With the summer comes travel for many. Whether that means spending the entire summer away, a week here and there, or just a long weekend, it’s the ideal time to travel. Kids are off school, work is (hopefully) a bit lighter, and things just seem much less stressful.

Personally, I love long weekends away. That one extra day to take off really makes a huge difference, and the short week either prior to or afterwards isn’t too shabby either. A long weekend could consist of driving a fairly short (or long) distance or a plane ride. Even though it’s just a few days away, it’s most definitely a vacation, and that is something I’m on board with.

Since it’s just a few days away, you don’t need to pack nearly as much as you would if you were going away for a longer period of time. And we all know packing is not the most fun thing to do, so if you have a clear game plan prior it’ll make the process of packing that much easier and will get you in the vacation mind set even sooner!

Keep on reading for five tips on packing for a long weekend, along with a few other pointers on making your long weekend as perfect as possible!

5 Tips on Packing for a Long Weekend

1. Pick a Color Scheme

Before you start packing, pick a color scheme (or a base color). This way, the shoes will work with your dress, which will work with your accessories, so on and so forth. If it helps, you can scan your closet or wardrobe before packing and see what stands out to you for the destination you’re off to. Pull out the pieces that “speak” to you, but then, you’ll be eliminating (see tip #2).

2. One Shirt (or Skirt or Pair of Shorts or Bag) Multiple Ways

Yes, you can re wear things! In fact, you should. No, I wouldn’t necessarily re wear the shirt you worked out and sweat in (yuck!), but you can (and should) re wear the cropped pants or skirt you brought. Maybe you’ll wear it once during the day with a casual, breezy tank, and then at night dressed up with a nicer blouse. No one will notice, I promise! As well, this definitely should be the case for the bag(s). Ideally, it would be great if your beach bag can double as your regular bag, but if that’s not possible, make your second bag a small, cross body version, as it’s easy and won’t take up much space in your main bag.

3. No More Than Two Pairs of Shoes

Shoes are bulky, and they can take up a lot of space in your bag. Stick to two! That’s really all you need for a few days away. Bring a flat sandal of sorts (that can work on the beach as easily as it can walking around town) and a pair of heels or wedges (which can go from daytime to night). Beyond that, you really don’t need anything else, shoe-wise, for a weekend away.

4. Pack Everything in a Weekender

If you don’t own a weekender bag, you should absolutely add it to your list! If you’re going away for only a few days, you should be able to fit everything in your weekender. Utilize all pockets and put any overflow into your beach bag that you can carry over your shoulder.

5. Wear the Bulkiest Items of Clothing and Accessories

This is a piece of advice I’m sure you’ve certainly heard, but that’s because it’s such a good one. Wear your heaviest items in the car / on the plane. Whether that’s a lightweight jacket or a full maxi skirt, wear it so you can avoid it taking up much space in your bag. If it’s not what you want to be wearing that first day on vacation, just change immediately upon arrival. As well, if you’re bringing a hat, wear that so it won’t get bent nor will it take up space.

Long Weekend Essentials

Once you’re packed and ready to go and on your way, it’s time to relax. Try (and I mean really try) to disconnect, both physically (i.e. from your phone) and mentally (i.e. from the stress of work). Even if you need to be checking emails while away, make sure you allot the majority of your days away to relaxation and fun and quality time spent with whomever you’re traveling with. If you can, designate a certain time each day to check emails and then leave the rest. It’s time to unwind.

Once you have the relaxation under control, now it’s time to take advantage of wherever you are. Whether the place you’ve gone to is known for their beaches, their restaurants, their shops, or all of the above, go explore and try new things. Soak up the culture of wherever you might be!

And, finally, remember to soak in each and every minute. Vacations go much faster than any of us would like, and especially if it’s just a long weekend. Enjoy every single moment and safe travels!

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