Gringa in the U.S.A.: how to pack light.

These days I really have the travel bug, as I think this post reflects. Longing to escape the chill of Ohio winter fills my days, and I find myself staring longingly of pictures os Facebook and Pinterest depicting sun, sand and beautiful blue water...and then I start to think about packing my bag. Thus this post and it's contents.

I consider myself a humble person, but right now I have to brag a little bit.

My mother was one of the heaviest packers I know...generally 2-3 bags worth of personal items, then additional items like her bible case, her shoes under the backseat of the car somewhere, and of course her cushion for long car rides or uncomfortable chairs in restaurants. And waterbottles, where-ever they fit.

My husband is similar...he tends to pack EVERYTHING for ANY and ALL possible circumstances, resulting in difficulties completing airport check-ins and staying within the domestic and international weight limit for baggage. This year we traveled in Mexcio and baggage fees really bit him in the ass...

Me? I had one checked bag and one personal bag. BOO-YAH!

How do you pack light?

I think that women in particular have a difficult time with this, espcially considering the variety of clothing and the shoe selection we require to look our very damn best where-ever we are. After all, if you go somewhere warm you usually want to pack at least two or three swim suits, and at least two pairs of sandals and that extra pair of flip-flops, and of course the back-up beach towel... but let's not get carried away.

Here are some tips and some items that have really helped me master the art of packing light (photos included).

1. The carry-everything bag/pack.