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DIY Chuppah

If you had to live out of a suitcase for a month....

posted 2 years ago in The Lounge
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    Bella13    May 13, 2009   Honolulu, Hawaii

    what could you NOT live without????

    As many of you know my husband and I are moving to Hawaii in May, but all of our possessions are leaving in April because they're being shipped via boat and it takes about a month.

    So basically we have to pack up EVERYTHING and send it off except for what we can fit in our suitcases to take on the plane.

    Obviously I'm going to keep some clothing and toiletries, but I'm just curious. What could you not live without for a month?

     
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    MissAsB    June 6, 2009   Married in CO, Living in AL

    Make sure that you have some plates and silverware (maybe even plastic ones that you can rewash).  We didn't have anything to eat off of when we first moved in because we couldn't find the right box.  Are you still going to have beds left to sleep on when the stuff leaves?

     
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    ejs4y8    June 20, 2009  

    My memory foam pillow. I sleep so freakin' well on it, a regular pillow would do me no justice.

    Also...fuzzy soaks. Wear 'em all the time. I even take them on business travel.

    And of course, things like my laptop, my glasses, clothes, etc, but fuzzy socks and memory foam pillows are unnecessary cling-to type items.

     
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    shannon1126    August 21, 2010   Washington, Wedding in Vegas

    Every time I go on a trip I make sure I have my hair straightener, my glasses, my contacts, my laptop, my phone charger ( i forget it a lot lol)... and I think thats pretty much it, besides make up, tooth brush and necessities like that,...hmmm I feel like I am forgetting something, but I kind always feel like that.

     
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    Bella13    May 13, 2009   Honolulu, Hawaii

    Oh sorry! I should've mentioned that we moved in with my sister so we'll stay in her guest bedroom once our things get shipped. So we'll have her dishes and things to use :)

     
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    ejs4y8    June 20, 2009  

    I lived out of a suitcase for two months one summer while i was an intern. I pretty much had to replace those pants and polo shirts, by the way, cuz they got SO worn out! =]. And if i ran out of, say, soap, i bought the $1 kind. i hated living like that!

     
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    Dancy905    February 5, 2010  

    The 1st thing I always pack is any meds or vitamins we need. Cell chargers, important jewelry - think of the things you use in your daily routine that you can't just run to CVS & replace. It's the important stuff I forget and the things I really don't need that I usually bring. LOL

    I'd pack a couple things planning on weird weather too. I know it's warm there but sometimes those breezes are pretty chilly, so def squeeze in as many sundresses & tank tops as you can but don't forget to bring a sweater/warm PJ's too.

    And don't forget to post gorgeous pictures so we can all be jealous once you're there! :)

     
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    Bella13    May 13, 2009   Honolulu, Hawaii

    Thanks!!

    These are all good things I could totally see myself forgetting about (like phone charger!)

    My pillow would take up a lot of space in my suitcase and I'm not willing to sacrafice the clothing that I could fit in its place :( I'll miss my pillow!

     
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    okqueenbee    Dec 4, 2009   OKC

    Cell phone chargers!!!

    Body pillow

    Multivitamins

     
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    Rocktsrgn    May 22, 2010   living in Tucson, wedding in Atlanta

    I've lived out of a suitcase for long periods.  The only things that you really need to remember are things like your computer, your camera, glasses, and good shoes.  Obviously some clothes and toiletries, but those things can be picked up on the cheap, so if they're forgotten, it's no big deal.  It's temporary, so whatever you forget isn't gone forever!  :)

     
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    twalila    May 2010   Ohio

    I used to do some promo modeling and did a 3 months tour across the country.  Me & 3 other girls (plus a driver) stuffed into 1 SUV - we each got 1 suitcase and 1 carryon-size bag.  The 2 lifesavers I made sure to pack were my fav CDs (I'm dating myself - this was before everyone had ipods!) and a comfy track suit for lounging.  When I got homesick or felt out-of-place or "off", those 2 things gave me a sense of home, familiarity and comfort.

     
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    okqueenbee    Dec 4, 2009   OKC

    When we went to CA, on our way back home we left my body pillow at a hotel. They called us when we were already 2 hours down the road :(  We didn't go back and get it of course because they're only like 10 bucks but still... I was sad.

     
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    laural    September 24, 2011   Louisiana

    A little over 2 years ago, I moved to a foreign country and with me I brought 3 suitcases and with the exception of a few things I have purchased since moving here I that has been it! I would definitely keep a purse that you can transition from day to night. My really really nice sheets - OMG it has been 100% worth it to have my good sheets even if it meant one or two less pairs of shoes. A pair of flats that can be worn to work, to dinner, and when running around town! I have an alarm clock/radio/ipod holder thing that is a must!

    Things that I wish I would have not brought - extra night clothes - totally not necessary. Since it is only for a month I would not keep any kitchen stuff and would just eat sandwhiches off of paper plates.

    One of the things that I did was make a list of the things that I used on a daily basis before I left and I included everything whether it was little or big.

     

    Good luck!

     
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    MissAsB    June 6, 2009   Married in CO, Living in AL

    You still might want to take a few plates and forks since you will get there to a pile of boxes and won't know what is where necessarily!

     
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    2PeasinaPod       Philadelphia

    I think, definitely my iPod and cell phone charger! A good book maybe??

     
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    Bella13    May 13, 2009   Honolulu, Hawaii

    You girls are adding tons of things to my list, Thanks!!! Camera is another good one I could see myself forgetting...

    Ahhhh! @okqueenbee you're making me so sad! haha! I love my body pillow, but it can't fit :) Good call with the multivitamin though. Idk what i'd do without my flinstone gummies :)

    @twalia- Good call! I'll definitely set aside my favorite sweats :) Unfortunately my husband accidently packed up my ipod and he can't remember which box he put it in :(

     
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    twalila    May 2010   Ohio

    Oooh - YES to all the people that said cell phone charger.  i was away this weekend and forgot mine, and since we were in a cabin in the middle of the woods, buying a replacement was not an option.  TOTALLY SUCKED!!!!

     
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    Bella13    May 13, 2009   Honolulu, Hawaii

    good call @MissAsB I hadn't really thought of what we'd do when we get there. I hate unpacking!

    @laural- thanks for the advice, that's really helpful!

    @2peas- book!! thanks!

     
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    Bella13    May 13, 2009   Honolulu, Hawaii

    Feel free to keep 'em coming! :)

     
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    snmcdowell    9-13-08   Chicago

    I have lived out of a suitcase for a month before. It's not so bad, really. Pack your clothes strategically. Pick one color scheme, like "khaki and blue" or "black and red", and choose all your clothes in that scheme. Then they all mix and match so you can deal with varied weather. Pick one set of jewelry that all matches. Pack three pair of shoes (pumps, sandals, and dressy sneakers) that match your clothes. Pack one bag of makeup and put two lipsticks and two eyeshadows in there for day and night. One tote bag sized purse and one evening clutch.

    Other than clothes, I would pack things of sentimental value that cannot be replaced, like grandma's quilt, etc. in your carry-on.

    Also, I would suggest you start selling any unwanted stuff asap. My friend moved from Chicago to London and started selling stuff a month out. It was way too late. She only managed to sell about half before she left, so the rest went in the trash heap.

     
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    Bella13    May 13, 2009   Honolulu, Hawaii

    snmcdowell- I like your clothing strategy! I'm definitely going to use that :)

     
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    monitajb    July 17, 2010   Sacramento

    I've done it a couple of times, so here is my system:

    - snmcdowell is totally right, that is a great approach. Pick things that coordinate well together, and can be dressed up or down. The first time I lived out of a suitcase, I packed very few things that were dressy, and you will be shocked how quickly you will start to feel ugly if you wear the same thing over and over AND it isn't super flattering.

    - don't bother packing big tubes of easy things to get (toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, hairspray). Travel sizes are awesome, and you can always find more of that stuff. Really only worry about the specialty toiletries you love.

    - Take out every electronic you use on a semi-regular basis and find the chords, then put them in one bag. It stinks so bad to forget one of the chords.

    - compact your entertainment. If you have an iPhone or the like, buy a season of a TV series you love, download a bunch of poscasts, get books on mp3, and put on your favorite records. Or do the same with your laptop. You can't bring a TV, and books are REALLY heavy.

    - never check sentimental items. I have a stuffed rabbit I've had my whole life, and I take its picture in front of famous sites (such as Great Wall, Taj Mahal, the pyramids, etc., so far). I always carry it on, no matter how embarassing it is when people see it in my bag.

     

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