How to win at the game of travel

As the holiday season is approaching, it almost vacation time! Time to get out of the house, out of the work place, and out of school to relax and take some much needed time off. What you don't want to do is spend your entire trip hauling around a suitcase that weighs as much as a car, or that's bigger than your closet itself. Its important to save space, whether that means leaving a few items behind that you don't really need, or getting creative when it comes to packing the things you can't live without.
One thing you can try is rolling your clothes instead of folding them to take up less space. This trick it super easy and will allow you to pack more clothes, without wrinkling them or shoving them into your suitcase or bag. For an added plus, throw in a dryer sheet to keep them smelling fresh.
Pack your dirty shoes in a shower cap so dirt doesn't get on your clothes and thread your necklaces through a straw to stop tangling along the journey.
Next, don't worry about saving space for your iHome. You can turn any cup into a speaker for your phone by dropping it in and letting it echo on the sides of the cup. Dance party, anywhere.
If you are traveling to a different time zone, chances are your sleep schedule will take a toll on you. If you want to avoid jet lag, try exercising a lot the day before you travel. Then, once you land, get lots of fresh air, especially if you are in high altitudes. This wears your body out if its not used to it naturally. I like to go for a long run a few days before hand, and if I do a lot of walking, try to get extra sleep during my trip.
If you tend to get chilly on the plane ride, try packing a light weight scarf in your carry on. Use it as a little blanket or pillow on the ride and once you arrive at your destination, you have the perfect accessory to add to any outfit.
When it comes to bringing makeup and face products, this tends to be my biggest hassle. Most of them are too big to fit in my bag and if I'm flying its not even regulation to have anything over 3 ounces. Contact cases make great storage for on the go. Just squirt some of your favorite foundation in the case, a little goes a long way, and screw the cap on. Good to go.
If your are going to a place where pick pockets are a problem, you want to put your extra cash somewhere safer than a wallet. Empty out an old chap stick container and roll up the bills to fit inside. Perfect hiding place. I mean you've probably already filled your contact case with lip balm, so keeping money in the empty lip balm only makes sense.
Happy traveling!

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Time savers for the perpetually late

Being late is avoidable, however I can speak from experience when I say, once you are in the situation it's a tricky one to get out of. Whether you are a regular member of the late club or it just happens every once in a while, we all end up there eventually. Being time efficient with your tasks can help eliminate the need to speed to work or school, or forget things as your running out the door because you're too occupied with trying to figure out just how behind schedule you are.

Imagine this; Your alarm clock buzzes in the morning and the only thing you can bear to mutter is "not yet," and roll over while simultaneously hitting the snooze button. To make matters worse you forgot to apply deodorant and the lip balm you had stashed in your car ran out.
Classic. That is not going to be a great start to your day. You should always keep an "emergency kit" that has all the essentials you tend to forget in the morning, ready and available. This not only keeps you prepared in case of a situation like this, but for me, it keeps my mind at ease and creates less stress to remember everything in the morning because I know if I do by chance forget something, I have it in my locker where I can grab it whenever I need it.
You should also have a go-to hair style, especially if you tend to straighten or curl your hair everyday. When you are late, you shouldn't have to rush to heat up the tools. You should keep a go-to hair product that you can use in replacement. Something like a wave enhancing spray that you can apply to wet or damp hair right out of the shower and let it air dry on the way to your destination.
Lastly this may seem obvious, but a great way to have yourself off to a head start is to plan and pack the night before. Whether you have an after school sport or you have trouble deciding what to wear in the morning, it helps to plan ahead and lay everything out the night before. Pick out your clothes and set everything you need to remember to bring the next day in plain sight, by the door, or next to your car keys so you can't miss it in a hurry.  A great way to avoid late-ness is to get yourself started on the right foot to begin with. :)

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