Over packing

[hmrambling]

I definitely overpack. I have a stack of clothes at my SO's place. I pack sweaters when I go see her up there. I simply don't need them down here. It's warm here most of the year. She likes having my things at her apartment. I've left things there that I overpacked. If you leave some of your extra clothes there, they'll have something to remember you by.

shrugs.

[Hollandia]

I pack for about 3 months, but I do have ability to do laundry whenever I want. I also go to the Netherlands and the weather there can be anything from freezing to sweating and often wet. I always think I over pack but the truth is I use everything I pack. I end up thinking I forgot something every time and often buy something when there. This being said my rule of thumb is this, if the airline lets me bring it without paying too much extra I bring it. To fly international, this is usually no fees, but lately some cheap-ass airlines are charging you for a second checked bag to jump the pond. My British Air flights never cost extra, but my US Airways one coming up is charging my 100 dollars for my second bag.

This is about what I bring:
Checked Stuff
One large suitcase-mostly clothes. 5 pairs of jean shorts, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 jean skirt, 8-10 shirts(for hot to chilly weather) to mix and match and 2 dresses. Tons of fresh unders and a few bathing suits and socks and tights.Liquids on outside pocket.
One medium suitcase-mostly shoes. 1 pair of brown sandals, 1 pair of black sandals, beach shoes, neutral boots, biking shoes, sneakers, a few cardigan sweaters and sweat jacket, nylons and naughties. More liquids on out side pocket


Carry-On Stuff
One rolling carry-on. Laptop and work stuff. Emergency unders and one fresh outfit of both hot or chilly weather. Cords and cables....and tbh, whatever else I can squeeze in it.
My personal item........my purse stuffed to the gills.

I don't have any problems with TSA. I check the first two bags when I check in. Security for me exists of one carry-on and a purse. I am a pro at ripping off the shoes, out the laptop and off they coat in a heartbeat. All of my liquids are checked. My luggage interlocks so when I pick it up I have one handle to pull and one bag to carry. If you plan properly you can bring what you need.

My SO thinks I over-pack. I tell him if I brought what I originally packed I would need another suitcase. I always pre-pack and thin out the heard for a week. I fly alone so I have to haul it about most of the so I consider it good exercise too.

[Hollandia]

Exactly! I always see people with these giant backpacks and their excuse is "Well I'm traveling for ___ months" You still only need stuff for one week. You'll do laundry!

I disagree. I do laundry, but to wear the same outfits over and over again kinda sucks. I do bring mostly jeans types of shorts, skirts and pants and mix and match but no way would I ever only want enough to wear for one week for 3 months. There is also the locations that like NL have quite varied weather in a 3 month period.

[srtd35]

I definitely overpack. I have a stack of clothes at my SO's place. I pack sweaters when I go see her up there. I simply don't need them down here. It's warm here most of the year. She likes having my things at her apartment. I've left things there that I overpacked. If you leave some of your extra clothes there, they'll have something to remember you by.

shrugs.

I left some things there the last time not clothes but all the good stuff! He bought me a hair dryer to leave there the first time I came...I joke that was a good investment on his part since this will be my 5th trip back

[garnet]

This is sorta on and sorta off topic, but I had planned to be all stealth and be a super ninja leaving a few things there and ask him to hang onto them for my next visit, but then today he's like, you know you can leave some tampons here if you want. What? WHAT?! I use my bc pill to make sure I never NEED them there, so I'm not sure how he came up with it, but I'm like um yeah we are going to walmart just for a box! I am totally going to pee on your walls! (I'm such a lady.) Thats how I describe making it obvious there is a woman in his life even though I'm long distance.
So that is going to make my return trip a little lighter (I hope to leave all liquids, shampoo, contact solution, etc), and packing for next time quicker.
I also need him to realize it wont kill him to put some pics of us up. It really wont.
Sorry for the OT-ness of this post!

[srtd35]

This is sorta on and sorta off topic, but I had planned to be all stealth and be a super ninja leaving a few things there and ask him to hang onto them for my next visit, but then today he's like, you know you can leave some tampons here if you want. What? WHAT?! I use my bc pill to make sure I never NEED them there, so I'm not sure how he came up with it, but I'm like um yeah we are going to walmart just for a box! I am totally going to pee on your walls! (I'm such a lady.) Thats how I describe making it obvious there is a woman in his life even though I'm long distance.
So that is going to make my return trip a little lighter (I hope to leave all liquids, shampoo, contact solution, etc), and packing for next time quicker.
I also need him to realize it wont kill him to put some pics of us up. It really wont.
Sorry for the OT-ness of this post!

Tampons that is funny. Yeah I had my tubes tied 4 years ago but you better believe last time I took bc pills to delay my period no way am I having that mess up my time there. When you only get a few days to a week together that is important.

He has some pics up at his house of us. I had professional lingerie pics take for him for Christmas and I put them in an engraved albulm for him so he has that by his bed. I hope we get some better pics of the two of us together this time.

I can't believe my flight leaves in just a few hours. I am always excited just like the first time every time the day gets here!!

[Ejoriah]

Ditto on taking the pill so periods don't mess up what precious time we have. My boyfriend has never actually seen me on a period in the 6 months + we've been together, because I kept stopping it.

I need to start packing EVERYTHING. Eek!