10 Tips to Prepare for a Weekend Getaway for Girls Needing a Break ...

1. Bring a Cross-body Bag or Backpack

Keep your hands free to take pictures, hold hands, look through the treasures of an antique shop, or hold a warm cup of joe! When you're traveling it is so much more valuable to have a bag that you don't have to worry about holding. The best part is that cute and fashionable backpacks are making a comeback! Cash in on this practical trend to store all of the items on this list and make your life a little easier. Taking the right bag is one of the most valuable tips for preparing for a weekend getaway.

2. Layer Your Outerwear

If the weather you will encounter might be cold during any part of your trip, then be sure to pack pieces you can layer and remove as it warms up. For a recent trip to Oregon I packed a vest, an insulated sports jacket, a trench coat, and a scarf. I also brought several tank top undershirts because I knew they would help keep me warm, and that I could remove them if the weather became warm. I found that layering one of my jackets with my vest and scarf kept me warm during those really cold mornings and brisk evenings. In the afternoon, however, I only wore my vest.

3. Pack an Extra Pair of Shoes and Socks

Can I be honest? My feet sweat. Bad. So, if you're anything like me, then a long day of walking not only hurts your feet, but also causes sweat to drench your socks. Swapping out your stinky and sweaty socks for a fresh pair does something great for your soul and your soles. If you can also bring an extra pair of shoes with you when you're planning on spending the day out, you definitely should! If you don't bring an extra pair of shoes, definitely don't skip the extra socks!

4. Don’t Forget Deodorant

Again, I'm being real here. It's better to not need it than not have it. There are tons of good compact options. Skip the dollar store for this item, they're often cheaper at other stores. You could substitute this for some body spray, but sometimes your body chemistry, when mixed with sweat, alters the way your spray smells on you. I say stay safe and get the deodorant!

5. Wipe Away the Dirt

This is something you will thank me for. Go to your local dollar store and pick up a variety of wet wipes to carry in your bag. Be sure to look for a re-sealable bag! I like to pack antibacterial wet wipes, flushable wipes, and makeup wipes. The antibacterial wipes come in handy when you need to wipe down dirty toilet seats and the flushable wipes are great when you need to freshen up after a long day of exploring. The makeup wipes are also a big help when your makeup has stopped looking Instagram-worthy. Carrying these wipes has made using public restrooms much more pleasant.

6. Spray Away the Funk

Public restrooms rarely smell good. I find that it's easier to do my business when I have a way to make my surroundings smell a bit better. Have some bathroom or toilet spray on hand, but make sure you find a spray that masks the smell without mixing with it and making it worse.

7. Stuff Snacks in Your Sack

When you are out exploring, there are a few things that are certain, and one of those certainties is that you are going to get hungry! Bringing a snack with you will keep you from getting hangry and eating at the first place that has a table, instead of that place with amazing Yelp reviews a mile or so away. You're traveling! Enjoy the local fare for most of your meals, if you can. Many times, bringing snacks will also help you save money since convenience foods often come with inconvenient markups.

8. Download Apps

Now, this is one of those must-do things before you set out on your trip. If you plan on being in crowds, then cellphone service can become spotty and data often becomes slow.

9. Keep It 100

Throughout the day, people all around me would not stop lamenting that they only had so much battery left on their phone. I, on the other hand, had a portable charger and all of my charger cables, and I gained many new BFFs because of it. Not all heroes wear capes, y'all.

10. Take a Selfie Stick

I'm just tired of my arm taking up more room in my photos than the beautiful backgrounds I am often trying to capture. How annoying! Can I get an "Amen"? Make sure that whatever selfie stick you end up with has Bluetooth capabilities so that you can actually capture your photo, sans obnoxious hand! Don't forget the cable for this guy so that you can charge it with the portable charger and get ready to snap away!

How do you get ready for a weekend getaway? What are some of your must-bring items? Tell us in the comments below!