Summer travel is always fun, but it doesn't have to be complicated or even all that expensive. One of our favorite ways to get away as a family is for a weekend! Nearby places that are a quick flight like Florida or a reasonable, kid-friendly road trip like Dallas make getting out for a breather easy and extra fun.

But when you aren't packing for five or six days at the beach or in a foreign country, you have to be strategic about what you bring. I love nothing more than being able to pack a whole weekend's worth of clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and summer must-haves into one easy bag and heading out the door. 

My Favorite Bag:
My weekender of choice is from another small mama owned shop, Gentry California. It's functional, roomy, and easy to carry -- all of which are important for moms on the go. 

What to Pack:

- A great tinted moisturizer with SPF is an absolute must. It's light, breathable, and protective of your skin without caking like makeup does. I like BareMinerals. ($32, Nordstrom). 

- A breezy dress you can take from day to night lets you enjoy more and stress less. Check ASOS, Loft, and Gap for good options at a great price. 

- A flat, comfy pair of shoes that keeps feet happy while also looking somewhat chic. I swear by my Birkenstocks. Luckily, there are a ton of pretty colors and patterns you can find now on top of the basics, like these rose golds! ($135, Madewell).

- A cute ball cap that keeps the sun off your face and hair in check. My personal favorite is this one, by Magnolia. ($26).

- A healing facial mist like my go-to, Organic Rose Water Facial Mist by Slow North. ($18).

- A pair of comfy PJ's to unwind in at the end of the day. These from J. Crew are ridiculously great for summer nights. ($79.50)

How to Pack It -- Simple packing tips I swear by:
1. Roll, don't fold items that wrinkle easily. You can get silk dresses, linen tops, and so on into your weekend bag and skip garment bags altogether. Simply fold a t-shirt small, then roll it up. Starting at the bottom of the fragile garment, very slowly roll it around the roll t-shirt (like you're making a huge piece of sushi!) until you reach the top. Place gently in your suitcase and continue. 

2. Pack by outfit, not by clothing type. In real life, coordinating outfits ahead is best left to the kindergarten set. But when heading out of two for a few days, planning ahead is actually smart. I will pair shorts or a skirt and the t-shirt I plan to wear with them side-by-side or on top of each other in my bag instead of organizing all the items with their like-and-kind. This helps you avoid over-packing and makes getting dressed on vacation easy.

3. Wear whatever jewelry you're bringing. It sounds obvious, but don't place jewelry in the suitcase, even if it's costume. Enamel and plastics tend to snap easily which they can under pressure. And precious metals or stones have no place in a carry-on. Commit to your jewelry of the weekend and wear it while traveling to and from. You can always lock up whatever you're not wearing on a given day in the hotel safe.