I think we can all agree that this year has not turned out to be what we expected when we rolled in the New Year back in January. We have spent the majority of the year neatly tucked inside of our house while a virus spreads outside in our community and throughout the world.

After seven months of mostly being home and restrictions starting to be lifted throughout the country, we have decided to make our annual trip to the beaches along 30A in Florida during our kids’ week-long fall break.

Every year my parents rent a house by the beach and we meet them and my sister’s family there. The house has a pool so we head to the beach in the mornings and swim in the pool in the afternoons, then cook dinner at the house. It is always a relaxing vacation and we need it more than ever this year!

When it comes to packing for vacation, I tend to be an over-packer by nature because I dress for how I feel each day and that can never be fully predicted— I have to be prepared with options! However, packing too much has made by bag overstuffed and disorganized in the past. So I bought packing cubes to help keep me organized. I love them— they allow me to pack everything that I need to pack for our beach vacation, while also staying organized. The days of digging through my bag are over!

The packing cubes I bought are from Calpak Travel and they come in a five piece set. There are four cubes ranging in size from twelve to seventeen inches, and one waterproof envelope pouch.

The bags I am using to pack all of my things in are this bag and this bag from Birdling. The cubes fit inside these bags quite nicely!

What I Put in my Packing Cubes:

17″ Cube

This is the largest cube and it is where I pack all of my bottoms: pants, shorts, and skirts.

15″ Cube

This is the second largest cube and it is where I pack all of my tops: tanks, tees, blouses, sweaters.

12″ Cubes

This set comes with two twelve inch cubes— in one I put undergarments and socks and in the other I put dresses and rompers.

Waterproof Envelope

I put my swimsuits and coverup in the waterproof envelope.

After I have packed up all of my cubes, I load them into my bag and add my shoes in the bag in the little nooks of extra space.

How I Pack my Toiletries:

I use a clear zip pouch (similar this one) for toiletries and I pack: skincare products, toothbrush and toothpaste, dry shampoo, a hairbrush, hair ties/scrunchie, a small pouch of earrings, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, a razor, makeup remover, and cotton rounds.

I put all of my makeup in a separate clear makeup bag, and I tuck my hairdryer, curling iron, and makeup bag in my large bag wherever it fits.

What I Pack in Our Beach Bags:

My beach bags are old from Target— a canvas bag and two plastic totes with handles. Between the canvas bag and totes I bring: towels for each of us, the kids goggles and beach toys, a football, sunscreen, water bottles for each of us, my beach visor, sunglasses, and snacks.

What about you— do you tend to overpack or are you a pro at keeping it minimal? Have you ever tried packing cubes when you pack for vacation? I would love for you to share your packing tips and tricks in the comments below!