I used to be a last-minute packer. I would ensure my kids were packed days in advance, but I often found myself scrambling to pack for myself well into the midnight hours the night before our departure. But now, my packing routine has evolved into a delightful dance of anticipation and practicality.

Around two weeks before my departure, I set up a rack (I have one similar to this one) and gradually add items to it as I contemplate our itinerary, activities, and the expected weather. A few days before I leave, I review the items on the rack and condense them into my Away carry-on. And then I pack a whole second bag with customized gifts for the Darlings. (For this trip it’s amazing goods from Blue Atlas Marketplace.) This doubles as a shopping bag so I have room to bring things back home!

I spent this last week getting ready to leave for Scotland next week. Here's what I'm packing in my bags:

Unicorn Snot - Since the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland (!!), I thought it would be fun to bring along some glitter to add a magical touch to our adventures.

Glo Regenerative Hydrosol - I always make sure to pack a bottle of this refreshing spray to provide a quick pick-me-up for anyone who needs it.

Candy - Call it a mom habit, but I always have a stash of hard candies in my pockets to share when someone's energy levels dip.

Outfits - I have one nice dinner ensemble for our final night that I'll repurpose in London, along with a selection of casual and activity-specific clothing to suit our itinerary.

What I'm NOT packing - I'm intentionally leaving behind my laptop this time. I've opted to bring only my iPad and my phone for pictures so I can fully immerse myself in our Scottish experience.

This updated, proactive approach to packing eases the stress of last-minute scrambling and ensures that I'm well-prepared for each activity with the perfect outfit. I don't know about you, but fashion for travel is half of the fun! The excitement is building and now everything is in place. The Dare to Detour team and I are departing on Tuesday and I'll be sharing our adventures on my Stories if you want to follow along...

P.S. If you want to check out my must-have travel items for every trip, I added them to the "Travel Essentials" section of this gift guide. And if you're planning for overseas travel, here are my long-haul flight hacks to help you out!