The European packing list!

The goal was to fit two weeks’ worth of possessions into my backpack and have a little room left over for souvenirs and anything else I might pick up. I knew we’d have access to a washing machine at least twice during the trip so I packed accordingly. This may not seem like a lot of clothes but you’d be surprised how a few outfits can last.

Clothes

• 8 unmentionables (I meant to take 7 but somehow an extra stowed away)
• 4 short-sleeve shirts
• 2 tank tops
• 3 day dresses
• 2 cardigans
• 1 rain jacket
• 1 pair of capris
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 belt
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of flats

No shorts, you may ask? I don’t have any at the moment that aren’t running shorts, and those didn’t make the cut. I figured the dresses would suffice, and they did. I have a new love for day dresses! I felt comfortable in them the whole time, except when we were climbing circular staircases in domes and the like – then I had to be careful to not flash anyone! Mildly awkward. Hug the walls.

As for makeup, I tried not to take the whole bathroom sink but I didn’t want to feel like I was lacking the whole trip. So below is the carefully curated list of what I took. And believe me, I could’ve taken MUCH more! Did I use it all? You bet.

• Foundation
• Primer, both face and eye
• 2 eyeshadow palettes: Urban Decay Naked and Urban Decay Smoked
• L’Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in bronzed taupe
• 1 blush
• Illuminator
• All-over face setting powder
• Bronzer
• 3 pencil eyeliners (2 blacks and a brown)
• Eyebrow gel/powder
• 1 mascara
• Eyelash curler, duh
• Accompanying brushes (I think I took 6)

Other odds and ends

• Hairbrush
• Flatiron
• Power converter, since my flatiron wasn’t dual voltage
• 2 plug adapters
• Cell phone charger
• iPad charger + iPad
• Jewelry!
• Glasses that I never used but you never know when you might tear a contact
• Plenty of toiletries (when I took the bag out to go through security, the TSA guy asked, “Maam, are those all yours or are you sharing with him?” I was like, “Uh… sharing?” So I got to keep all of them! En route to Central America, TSA had me throw away three of my travel bottles. Because my hairspray is a real security threat.)
• Important docs like the passport, a copy of the passport, printed directions to each of our accommodations, debit card, credit card, and insurance card.
• An Italian phrase book

And that was it! Everything fit in my pack so I didn't have to poach any of Mark's free space. As for what I would've done differently: I overpacked a little when it came to clothes. I didn't wear one of my tees at all, and I could've taken one less tank. I could've done with another pair of shoes, but then again, who couldn't? ;) I also went for cute shoes over comfortable shoes and my feet were NOT happy at the end of the trip. But you know what they say... beauty over pain, and fashion is uncomfortable!