Decluttering my suitcase so I only take the necessities
This Friday I am flying down to Melbourne for the Nuffnang Blogopolis. I am really looking forward to spending time with some of the lovely people I have met online. I am travelling down with Tamara from Tarisota and rooming with the delightful Fiona from Inner Pickle. It will be lovely to meet some of my readers, so please if you see me come and say hello.
I’m not great with crowds, only going down there knowing a handful of people is terrifying. But I will overcome this and enjoy the weekend and the chats about blogging. I’m also worried that I am going to be cold. I have travelled to Sydney, Cairns, Whitsundays and Fiji, plus I have lived on the beautiful warm and sunny Gold Coast all my life, I don’t really know what it’s like to be really cold. I have tried to find boots to keep my feet warm, sadly, can’t find boots to fit my calves 🙁 I have a jacket which I hope will do it’s job well and keep me warm. But if you see me shivering please come and give me a hug to warm me up 🙂
I have been really busy the last few weeks and this week won’t be any different, so I created packing checklist to make sure I take everything I need on my trip. I only need to take the necessities, and I have to remember to leave enough room ‘just in case’ we get goodie bags to bring home. If you are attending Blogopolis, please feel free to download the checklist to help you organise for the weekend too. Click image to download.
Overall:
- Smile, be confident and enjoy the weekend
- Write a list of questions you may have. I’m sure there will be Q&A time at the conference, but even so I am sure that other attendees can help answer some of your questions
- Take time to look up some of the speakers blogs, familiarise yourself with them
- If you have time, look up some attendees blogs as well
- Consider how you would introduce yourself and your blog to others. How you will explain what your blog is about. eg. “Hi, I’m Katrina from The Organised Housewife”. “My blog gives daily tips and ideas to help motivate and inspire people to enjoy their homes”. Short, simple and sweet.
Look forward to seeing you there!!! If you are attending the conference, please link up below as I would really love to pop onto your page and have a look.
40 comments
Tina gray who had same boot issue found some at Williams shoes …. Maybe ask her .Great list but I’ll have to refer to it,no printer.
Thankyou Trish, I did find some at Williams, was really happy!
Great list Katrina…need to print this out!
Thank-you! 🙂 xoxo Jac xoxo
Save travels down katrina, as for staying warm, layers is the way to go, I dont have a blog yet, in the planning stages, so a real newbie
julie
Julie, please let me know when your blog is up and running I would love to see it
Hi Katrina, there are some great boots you can order online for us ladies with curvy calves at the Sara range of boots at http://www.ezibuy.com.au. Might be too late for now but keep in mind for next time you travel “south of the border”. I’m also off to a conference for our Parents & Citizens Association (NSW) Annual Conference which is at Tamworth this year. So thank you for your checklist – it is just in time for me to check off what I need to take as I generally overpack. Good luck & have lots of fun in Melbourne.
Thankyou Leisha, I will definatley keep this in mind for next time. Hope you had a great weekend too!
Great list, I need to organise what I am taking as I’m only taking a carry on. Sorry I seem to have added my blog twice by accident as I kept getting an error message from the linky tool.
Was lovley to meet you at the conference Kate!
Have no blog yet – wanting to do something…still working out what my strengths are. Your list is great. We have a 3 page what we call the “Trip List” as we do a decent amount of camping and travelling..and next year we have Simpson Desert to do
Have you seen http://www.greataussieroadtrip.com.au?
No, will have to have a look.
I can imagine that you would need to take alot of items camping, if your happy to share it i can create it as a printable for you and share on the blog 🙂
Katrina, it is very cold down here atm. I suggest you run into Target and buy yourself some long sleeved spencers or singlets. Target also have some long sleeve t-shirts (Hot Options going cheap atm).
As for boots have you tried Rivers…you can buy online from there too…http://rivers.com.au/catalogdb/catalog-www.asp?category=152
Don’t bother packing any t-shirts or spring clothing….you wont even put it on. You also need to put in your flannelette Pjs with bed socks. Pack your stockings/leggings etc.
Hope this helps. Have a great time.
Lisa
I also forgot…you need a scarf too 😛
Scarf was definately worn.
Thankyou Lisa. I brought a spnencer but didn’t end up needing it, the weather was beautiful while I was down there, such a gorgeous city.
I’m so glad to see I’m not the only anal list maker when it comes to suitcase packing!!! 😉 Hope you have a great time at blogopolis! I only found out about it the other day, so not coming this year, but hope to be there next year! 🙂
The conferences are great Taryn, definately try and come to the next one.
Looking forward to catching up again. GREAT LIST!! Am printing now.
print me a copy too please Melissa!
lol, do you not have a printer Gemma 🙁
Better late than never, but so glad you loved the list. Thankyou so much Melissa for sharing it with everybody.
Yes, very chilly here today. Don’t forget your sunglasses as when it’s out, the sun is dazzling! Thanks for the list. I’m going OS (sans hubby and son) in 2 weeks and had on my list of things to do to make a list of things to pack. I can use yours as a great starting point!
I came to your blog via $120 Food Challenge and enjoying it.
$120 food challenge is a wonderful blog, thankyou for popping over, hope you enjoy your time OS
Definitely pop in to Target or Kmart for a long sleeve top to wear under your normal tops. You may also be able to get a jacket on sale at Target. Shoes should be fine, just be prepared to wear thick socks if you really get cold. Most buildings are really warm down here – it is really only between places that you will get cold! At least we had the dreadfully cold night last night!
As I don’t currently have a relevant image to use in the blog links you have above, I will post my link here – Bette’s Needlework Musings – currently at http://www.needleworkboutique.com/musings
Thankyou for linking your blog up Bernadette, I look forward to haveing a good look through soon.
Great list, I always leave packing to the last minute.
And Katrina, I’m very sorry, I was so excited about finding your awesome packing list, I posted my link without reading the entry correctly- unfortunately, I’m not off to Blogopolis this year but I hope to next time. I do have a conference coming up in October so your packing list will definitely come in handy. Once again, very sorry.
Hope you have a fantastic time!
That’s fine. So glad you enjoyed the list
Another suggestion for boots – http://www.duoboots.com. Uk store that make the most beautiful boots for many different calf sizes and they deliver to Australia. They have great sales and free postage often as well.
That’s great, thankyou for the suggestion.
I love your list and if I had a printer that worked it would be sitting on my suitcase EXCEPT now I am not sure where I am going!!!!!! I am going to Nuffnang in Sydney is there one in Melbourne or was it a misprint OR am I going to the wrong place?!!!!!!
It’s in Sydney, this was a post I wrote for last years blogopolis which was in Melbourne. I look forward to meeting you in SYDNEY!!
I’ll be there. I am still debating whether or not to take my lap top? I wonder if I’ll need it for sessions, or if I’m all good with paper and pen? I really would prefer not to worry about cords and power and wifi etc. Any tips?
p.s. I am SO printing this list when I get home tonight. Do you have any deets for the pre and post drinks yet?
This wonderful list is kicking me off the computer and into packing mode! Thank-you so much! My nerves might settle once the suitcase is packed 🙂 See you there!
I am lucky enough to be going tomorrow. Maybe I will see you there!
I used to do alot of traveling. Packing as light as possible is the way to go. Even if going away for 3 weeks I use the same system: small weekend case with wheels & long retractable handle, small duffle bag for carry on, shoulder bag/purse. If my things don’t fit in there then they don’t go. I take several medium weight shawls rather than sweaters. In North America there are very specific rules for what you can carry on. In a pinch I can take all my luggage on board without getting the evil eye from flight attendants.
Summer or Winter, I use the same list but just change the weight of fabric. A good pair or newish comfy jeans are travelwear in cold weather and yoga top, pant & jacket are for warm weather. I always wear runners/trainers.
Suzanne from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
OH! I forgot to mention this!! Never keep your luggage in your bedroom. Never put it on the bed either. “Bugs” are easily transported and this is how bedbugs are sweeping the planet! I layer my clothes on top of a sarong/shawl, roll it up like a jellyroll then shove it into a clear plastic bag which will easily fit into the weekend case. Shoes, etc are also in clear bags (Ziploc etc) This makes it easy if your luggage is checked (I’ve been stopped many times but other than once they take one look inside and say go ahead! Clearly it’s a good thing to be organized when you travel.) If I have purchased something breakable, I place it in the center of the jellyroll. I have done this with alcohol (Kahlua, Vodka, etc) and will double wrap in plastic bags before rolling. Most airports have big, clear plastic bags on a roll. These are what I use. I grab 3 each time I travel so I have fresh ones for the next time. We recycle the old ones by using them for grass clippings & leaves.
THE BIGGEST TIP: When returning home…place your case in the freezer (if you have one large enough–this is why I use the weekender). After 24 hours most if not all bugs that hitched a ride are DEAD. When we travel in Winter the temp is -20*c outside so we leave our bags out back on the deck. This does not hurt the alcohol I brought back!
When STORING the cases: I spray them first with rubbing alcohol, air dry them place homemade sachets of lavender in crevices, pockets, etc before closing and sealing in the big clean plastic bag. Lavender is a natural bug deterrent.
Suzanne from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada