Toiletries weigh a ton. Some items — like your toothbrush, deodorant, and something to brush your hair — are essentials. But if there's something you're not sure you need, be ruthless — if it turns out that you really should have packed it, you can always buy it at a local drugstore or the hotel gift shop.

Transfer any conditioners, creams, and the like that you do need to travel-sized bottles. Put bottles that could leak in Ziploc bags to avoid a mess. Limit makeup to what you use on your face every day plus one extra lipstick. And forget any jewelry that you aren't already wearing —it just complicates your life by making you worry about hotel security.

Once you have a minimum of two extra tops and bottoms beyond what you're wearing on the plane, an adequate supply of socks and underwear, something to keep you warm and/or dry, a second pair of shoes, and your basic toiletries, you'll still have room in your suitcase. At this point choices become quite individual. Many women will go for more tops. (You may feel like you're not wearing the same clothes day after day when you have different tops.) Some women will always want to bring a dress — which also means bringing pantyhose. I always tote along a hairdryer unless I know the hotel is going to have one. (In fact, I own a five-and-dime — bought Italian hairdryer so I never have to fool with plugs and switches when I'm in Europe.) I use it to help dry clothes I've washed out, as well as for my hair.

Practice makes perfect: If you constantly travel with a bathing suit with the idea that you'll use the hotel pool — and then never do, leave it home next time. Bon voyage...and slim packings.