Overnight Bag Must-Have's

(This is the 7th post for Bailey's Moving and Storage ipad 2 Giveaway.  Click here to learn more about the contest.)


You know you have to pack an overnight bag when you move, right?  If you said "no"...oh honey, you've got some reading to do!  Your bag should contain clothing and shoes that will be comfortable for your move, as well as things that you will need at your fingertips.  Read the rest of this post for the complete list!  NOTE:  this list is for an adult.  Obviously for a child the list would include more.

1. Clothing.  I always pack something that will be comfortable to travel in (for as many days as it will take you to get to your location), something that will be comfortable to move furniture in, and an extra outfit.  You never know what could happen!  
2. COMFY shoes.  Seriously...if you're wearing heels...
3. An outfit for church.  We usually move on weekends and, if you're going to try to make it to church, you've got to plan for it.  That means find a dress that is a great traveler (no ironing necessary), stick it in a dry cleaning bag, and roll it up.  Read more about WHY the dry cleaning bag HERE.  Bring some flat shoes and you should be good to go!
4. Toiletries.  The RIGHT ones.  You don't need your economy sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner for this trip.  Either find smaller versions in the travel section at Wal-Mart, or buy a few travel bottles and dispense your favorite shampoo into it.  NOTE:  anytime you're packing a liquid, pack it in a Ziploc.  Don't chance it.  You know what they say--Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, SHAME ON ME!  Also, you're not going to need a curling or straightening iron.  Bring a small hairdryer, hair pick, and hair elastics.  Messy buns, braids, and ponytails will be your best friends.  If you need makeup, go light.  A tinted moisturizer and mascara will do you fine.  If you want to go the extra step, bring concealer.  That's IT!
5. Toiletry bag:  Now Ziplocs are fine, but sometimes finding a great toiletry bag makes all the difference.  I use the Travel Roll-up Bag by Mary Kay for every day organization, but it makes trips and moving SO nice.  It has 4 plastic pockets that Velcro on, and a hanger to hang on a curtain rod or towel bar.  Everything is in one place and NEVER gets lost.  Click HERE to go view one.  
6. Shower Curtain and Rod:  EVERY SINGLE TIME WE MOVE....we realize there is no shower curtain or rod in the house.  We always leave our rod behind.  So, when your husband wakes up to go to work in the morning and realizes there's no way to shower, it makes things REALLY special.  I remember when we first got married.  We came back from our honeymoon and CRASHED.  Before the trip, we moved everything into out apartment, but hadn't unpacked yet.  Paul had to go to work in the morning.  We couldn't find his clothes, let alone a shower rod and curtain!  He showered anyways and got water all over the floor which I then got to clean up.  Do yourself a favor to be prepared:  buy a new curtain liner that has been packed by the company into a tiny little package.  Pack it in your overnight bag.  If your shower curtain is small enough, pack that as well.  If not, set it on top of your bag in the car.  You will thank me later!
7. Pack a towel.  Again, ease of showering in the morning will be life-changing.  
8. Chapstick.  You never need it until you need it.  Know what I mean?  I pack them in my Mary Kay Travel Roll up Bag, or put one in the pocket of each pair of pants I bring.  
9. Reading Material.  I always pack something to read.  Always.  So whether you're packing your kindle, favorite paperback, or a magazine, put SOMETHING in.  
10. Computer.  As soon as you get to your new place, you'll want to hook this up and get internet and  cable going.  It will act as a good reminder.
11. Chargers.  I can't tell you how many times my heart has DROPPED because I thought I forgot a charger, or couldn't find it for a few days after a move.  Do yourself a favor--pack them in your overnight bag.  You'll need them.  

That it for my list of must-haves.  Do you have any that I forgot?  List them in the comments!