the art of packing

i am a fashion major. everything i think about, do, want, revolves around a fashion of some sort. when i travel, i have a problem. i could be going to delaware or to visit a friend for a weekend and i always have a few dilemmas that i can't deny or disregard: 1) what am i going to wear 2) what am i going to wear 3) what am i going to wear and 4) how am i going to make it all fit. for as long as i can remember i've packed my favorite shirts, bottoms, shoes of the time-being, then, when i arrive with a weekender stuffed to the brim, i freak when i open it and still can't decide what to wear. this may seem like a minimal problem to others, but to me, it's practically suicide every time.

i've turned a new leaf. european travel has changed my life forever. when i arrived abroad i brought two large bags that could be used for school bags/purses, then 4 clutches, and THREE very stuffed and very large suitcases. needless to say, the idea of weekend trips hadn't occured to me when it came to packing. our first weekend trip was just around the corner and word on the street was that everyone was bringing their backpacks. omg. i don't own one, what the hell was i going to jam my stuff into? then i remembered that i in fact did have a backpack...a leather one that i picked up from my favorite thrift store for a grand total of $1.00. but i hadn't EVER thought of using it for actual weekend backpacking...wasn't that....nerdy? and too small?

my carry-on roller suitcase accompanied me on my first weekend trip and it was a pain in the ass. i decided to never do this again. the next trip to Oktoberfest was up next, and the night before, i sat on my bed staring down at my leather backpack on the ground. it was so small i wanted to cry. how could i look monumentally cool in billions of pictures from the world's biggest party if i couldn't bring just about every article of clothing that i wanted...or better yet, needed!?

needless to say, mission accomplished tenfold. my roommate leanne was in shock and i myself was impressed with my packing abilities. i rolled everything instead of folding (a technique i only have my parents to thank!!) it has been three weekend trips now to far off lands and i am proud to say that i have finally, at the ripe age of 20, learned how to pack. AND early, as opposed to packing the day of, most normally 30 minutes before i'm supposed to leave my house..! since i was so prepared, i had a few extra minutes in the morning to snap some photos of my ever-so bulging and loyal leather backpack.

did i mention that i've also been able to keep my important cards, euros, sunglasses, camera, ipod, and italian cellphone in this also very handy, classy, thrift store find, black quilted, chained purse!? i surprise myself!

k