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Some Background
I used to be a really heavy packer. When I moved abroad to Southeast Asia for an exchange, I brought with me 2 huge 1960′s style full of … stuff. Granted, I was going for 4 months, but that was definitely the days prior to the birth of minimalist Frugirl.
Traveling around in Asia with my friends, who were much more minimalistic than myself, I learned to pack only what was really important. Some of my “high points” was a 3 week trip across Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in just a school backpack, and also a 5-week trip across Egypt with by girl friends with a 50L pack.
Some Inspiration
Some great inspiration from the blogosphere are the very fashionable ladies at Extra Petite and Fabulously Broke. They have a lot of great tips and posts on how one can pack lightly while staying stylish, so I encourage you to check them out, before packing for your next trip!
4-days, 3-nights Boston Trip
This weekend, BF and I are taking a last-minute trip to one of my favourite cities in the world – Boston.
I just finished packing my bags last night, and snapped a few pictures to share with you my packing experience. I tried to pack light and still keep my outfits fun and make-up. 
BF will be going for a quasi-business trip, and we are making a mini-vacation out of it. So most of my clothes are casual wear for comfort and (some) warmth.
Everything fits into my “Longchamp” look-alike brown (Roots – $35) gym bag and I will also be bringing along an over the shoulder purse.
What I Packed – Clothes
This is what I am bringing with me, and that indistinguishable pile at the back is what I will be wearing during the flight and our first day there. The clothes that are rolled up will be packed and this includes:
- 1 pair of dark rinse skinny jeans
- 2 cardigans
- 3 short sleeve t-shirts
- 2 long sleeve t-shirts
- 2 skinny belts
- 1 scarf (not shown)
- 1 pair of ankle boots
- 1 pair of knee high flat boots (not shown)
- 4 sets of under garments and socks (not shown)
- 1 sleeping shirt
- 1 pair of yoga pants
- cute hat (not shown)
What I Packed – Toiletries and Make-up
I got this wonderful make-up back just this weekend (for only $5!), and I am really happy with it.
For some reason, it’s really hard for me to find a make-up bag that can hold all my toiletries and my make-up. The ones that I have are either too big, or too small, and usually not enough compartments to keep everything organized.
I thought it would also be a great time to test out the Marcelle BB Cream and Joe Fresh cheek tint to save some space. I left my usual primer, tinted moisturizer, blotting powder, blush and large brushes at home.
Here’s what’s in my make-up bag:
- Small bottles of: cleanser, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, acne medication, toothpaste, contact lens solution, and make-up remover
- Marcelle BB cream, 3 eye shadows, 1 cheek tint, 3 lip glosses, 2 lip sticks, 1 brow palette, 1 liquid liner, 3 pencil liners.
- Tools: 3 eye shadow brushes, 9 cotton pads, foldable brush, toothbrush.
Miscellaneous
I brought along another foldable (fake Longchamp by Chatelaine) bag for shopping . You can see it peaking from behind my make-up bag. Most of the rest of the items are things I’d usually have in my purse anyway:
- Sunglasses
- Leather gloves
- Ear muffs
- Passport
- Wallet
- Small digital camera
- iPod Touch and charger
- More lipglosses
- Eye drops
- Contact lens and glasses case
Since we were traveling to the US, we didn’t convert any currency, and just used our credit cards everywhere. I did take out $60 cash from a bank machine - TD has machines there you can use – but we didn’t really need the cash.
Conclusion
Here’s everything all packed away.
I really enjoy not checking any bags, and I feel kinda like a celebrity breezing through with my minimal baggage, while everyone else waits for their bags to be dropped off
I still brought a little too much – I could have re-worn some shirts, I really didn’t need two pair of shoes, and I definitely could have eased up on the lip sticks 
, but I’m on vacation and wearing lipstick is fun!
Stay tuned for What I Bought in Boston! Any bets on if I blew my $250 budget?
Readers, how do you like to pack for vacation?
Cheers,
