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Gotta get goin. Heading out for the day with the fellas. First, we hit the beach, then we’re heading to that new pub downtown for some lunch. Once the sun starts slippin’ to the west we get a move on to the club. This is going to take some superior organization and planning. I’m going to need my sunglasses for the beach but I won’t need them at the club (or will I? nah, I can’t be one of those guys). Then I’m going to need my wallet, my phone, my watch, gum, sunscreen, hair gel, condoms (who knows right?), you know the drill.

I’ve got the perfect fix to this organizational dilemma I’m in, my fanny. I picked one up at the Wayhome music festival last year, it served me well then and it’s being called into duty once again.      

Joey from friends was ahead of his time with this man’s purse thing, except these days it’s gotta be hip, and I’m not just referring to where it can be worn.  

My fanny pack from Fanny Factory is just what I need for this daylong event that will likely last into the night. It allows me to be prepared for anything that the day throws my way, be it changing weather conditions or venue hopping.   

Now that we've covered travel bags, what exactly do you put in them to make your 1 bag last 2, 3 or 4 weeks while still looking good? Here are some of my essentials plus some ideas for things you can cut out - it may seem tough - to make it happen.

The first thing to think about when you are packing for a trip is the kinds of activities you will be doing, because this will inform the necessities you need to bring and help you differentiate between what you'd like to bring, and what you MUST bring. For me, this is mostly outdoor activities like rafting, mountain biking, hiking, etc. Prioritize the specialty gear you'll need for these activities. In some cases, you'll be better off getting certain gear when you're there. For example, when I traveled to Patagonia, I brought hiking shoes for the outdoor activities I was planning like ice trekking and mountain hikes. However, Patagonia is such a hub for those types of activities that you'll find tons of places renting hiking shoes for the day or week. I wish I had done this, because I really only used my hiking shoes for 2 or 3 days and for the rest of my 4-week trip I had to haul them around. But some things you just need - and that's fine. The point of packing light is to make your travels are easier and more convenient - you don't want to end up doing the opposite.

The next thing I try to plan are outfits. You don't have to fully decide what you'll be wearing on each day, but think about your clothing in terms of outfits, not separates. And pick from your most comfortable and most flattering, favourite outfits. Just because you're on vacation does not mean you have to look like a tourist. A cute outfit at home is also cute abroad! I find if I bring my best outfits, I don't mind wearing them over and over again. I try to have a week's worth of outfits, plus maybe 1 extra just in case. This usually looks something like this (for hot climate vacations:

• 3 dresses (1 that can be dressed up for nice evenings out)
• 2 long flowy pants (these are my fave - ultimately comfortable, have a super vacation-y vibe, and cover your legs fully so you don't have to worry about sunscreen or bug spray as much!)
• 3 t-shirts
• 1 legging
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 sweater (for the airplane)

Even though that is not a huge amount of clothes, it will last you over 1 week easily. Just add your undergarments (try to pick a versatile bra or two!) and you're good to go.

The next thing I think about is hair, makeup and jewelry. This is where I've really learned to cut down! Ladies, you seriously only need 2 looks when traveling. A day-to-day look - I stock concealer, powder and lipstick, and an evening look - add blush, eyeliner, masacara. I pick 3 of my favourite lipsticks that go well with my chosen outfits. This way you still have variety. I find I really don't need anything more than this. For my hair, I have a mini flat iron that I swear by. It's super tiny (travel-sized) but still works great for me since I have short hair. For jewelery, really limit this. Bring one versatile statement necklace and a few pairs of earings. It will allow you to give the finishing touches to your outfit and won't take up a lot of room. I like to keep all of these items contained inside my fanny pack, within my luggage, for easy organization. The various pockets make it a great place to keep track of small items like earrings.

Next up is toiletries. Since you're traveling with carry-on only, you are only able to bring liquids that are less than 100ml and that fit in a small ziplock-like bag. To make this work, I buy small containers and then fill them with my shampoo, body lotion, etc. You can get these at the dollar store and they really help keep things compact! I usually store my toiletries in a clear plastic bag. This way I can easily bring them out for airport security and there are never problems.

The last thing remaining is shoes. This is where things get controversial. Pick an EXTREMELY comfortable pair of sandles as your main shoe (this is if you're traveling to a hot climate, of course). Then pick a nice flat that could be casual or more formal depending on the outfit. I have a cute gold lacey pair that work great for this. I've even mountain biked in them, they were actually perfect for that! If you are able to limit yourself to two small pairs of shoes like this, your life will be much easier. But I know this is probably the hardest part for most people!

I hope these tips have helped you consider how you can more efficiently pack your bags for carefree travel. Instead of stressing, just remember that you can always pick up something you may have forgotten when you arrive. So it's really not a huge deal.

Feel free to comment below with any questions or tips of your own for traveling.

Cheers!

We all try to pack light, but it’s easier said than done. And when on vacation, you want to look good and NOT stand out as a tourist. So how do you do it? With some simple planning and the right travel bags, that's how. Learn how to travel like a boss while saving money and time.

I’ve traveled South East Asia for 3 weeks, South America for a month (all climates!), and Europe for 3 weeks all with a carry-on bag.

So how can you pay less for flights and checked luggage, have the flexibility of low-cost transfers (easily hop on a bus, train, or low-cost flight), carry less weight (3 flights of stairs up to your AirBnb? No sweat!) and still look cool doing it? Read on below for my tips!

Packing light starts with the right carry-on travel bag. Standard Luggage’s Carry-On Travel Backpack is versatile, light, and sleek. It’s a great base because it is super light – 3.7 lbs – a benefit of its simple design and cloth construction. It doesn’t have wheels, but you don’t seem to miss them – instead you have carrying options. Wear it on your back like a backpack (that’s how I usually sport it), or use the side strap to sling it over your shoulder, messenger-bag style. It’s also sized perfectly to fit on international airline rules for carry-on size. So basically anywhere in the world you go, you know you’ll never have to check this bag. That is a HUGE time (and hassle) savings.

I like it because it’s loaded with features (expandable zip, rain cover, compression straps) & compartments (laptop sleeve, passport holder, extra zipped pockets) but it still looks super clean and simple. I’m just not into those oversized backpacker packs with a million zippers and stretchy things and attachments everywhere. These features are well thought out and help to maximize space and organization!

This is optional, but I also use Standard Luggage’s packing cubes when I’m going on longer flights and need to pack a lot in. For instance, when I went to South America last January, I used the packing cubes to separate out clothes for different climates and keep everything EXTRA compressed. I was visiting Buenos Aires and Santiago which are super hot and humid, trekking down south to Patagonia where it's MUCH milder, and then also hitting up the Atacama desert in northern Chile where it can go from-10 and +30 in one day! I put all my cold weather clothes in one packing cube, and all my hot weather clothes in a different one. #winning

For day-to-day activities, I swear by my fanny pack. When I'm on vacation, I don't need a purse full of stuff like I normally wear. I just need a small wallet with cash, ID and 1 credit card (not the zillions of gift cards, membership cards and business cards I normally carry around with me at home - ha ha) plus a few other key items like hand sanitizer, tissues, lipstick and of course my phone. Pairing down your regular purse to a fanny pack will help you save packing space, plus it's lighter and more convenient to carry around, especially in hot climates and when you're out and about for long periods of time. It's the perfect wandering bag. And you can still look cute and stylish thanks to the fab Fanny Factory designs!

Now that you have your carry-on bag, your packing cubes and your fanny pack, what are you going to fill them with? Good question. In part 2 of this blog post, I've cover some of the ways I cut down on space while still having a lot of variety and fun outfits that can work for day and night. Stay tuned!

You can't help but fall in love with all the cute and cool fanny pack patterns from Fanny Factory. But did you know they can be way more than a sweet fashion statement? There are tons of situations where a fanny pack should be your go-to accessory. A fanny pack can even save your life!

#1 Music Festival

If you've gone to a music festival once or a hundred times, you know why fanny packs are so clutch. Long days in the sun, in crowds, a fanny pack clips around your waist so you have your hands free for everything else. You can hold food and drink, dance freely, all the while being worry-free because your belongings are safe and secure in your pack. Even if it rains, Fanny Factory fanny packs are water resistant - we got you covered!

#2 Traveling

Whether you're backpacking, road-tripping or traveling in luxury, a fanny pack is your true companion. Pack just your essentials in your fanny pack for an easy day trip, or strap it tight while you mountain bike in the jungle. Wherever you wander, your fanny factory will keep your stuff safe and your hands free.

#3 Exercising

When you're working out, the last thing you need is a heavy backpack weighing you down. Just zip, clip and head out the door with only the things you need, tied lightly around your waist or across your back. Use a fanny pack on the hiking trails, the bike paths, while jogging or at your gym, and feel the sweet relief of freedom!

#4 At Work

Depending on your job, a fanny pack at work could change your life. Restaurant servers, personal trainers, bike couriers and teachers would all benefit from wearing a fanny pack. When you work on your feet for 6 hours + per day, anything you can do to make your life more comfortable is a plus. Store your phone in your fanny pack for quick access, and keep all your essentials close to your body even on the busiest days. It's one less thing to think about!

#5 Hold your EpiPen

Unless you have a serious allergy, you won't understand how inconvenient it can be to hold your EpiPen medication with you wherever you go. But in some cases, it's a matter of life and death. Keep your EpiPen or other important medications safe and near to you by using a fanny pack. Fanny Factory's fun and retro patterned fanny packs are especially great for kids or young people to bring with them to school. Try the pineapple or ice cream print!

Our Fanny Factory fanny packs have been featured in a Black Friday Gift Guide from RebatesZone! If there's anyone who knows a good deal, it's them!

The fanny pack is the perfect gift for the teen, music festival go-er or traveler in your life. Check out all the styles here.