10 Packing Tips From a Professional Organizer

Sarah Nelson is the Chicago-based professional organizer and the founder of Less is More. Nelson happens to know a thing or two about getting organized to get out of town. So, we asked her for her 10 best-practice packing tips. Read on to learn what you should always pack first, which fabrics fly best, and which carry-on suitcase wins best in class (or, as the case may be, cabin.)

1. "Be intentional when packing your suitcase. Rather than trying to pack your closet and bring a completely different outfit for each day, aim to create an edited, multifunctional wardrobe."

2. "Plan your travel wardrobe by first laying out all the clothes and accessories you think you will want to wear. Use the floor or your bed to spread everything out."

3. "Select bottoms whose colors and styles are versatile enough to be worn with a variety of tops. Solids in neutral colors work best. Make sure tops can also be worn with more than one bottom. Also consider fabric. Heavier fabrics like denim and jersey will look better right out of the suitcase than will silk."

4. Create outfits from this selection. Select only accessories, including shoes, that will do double duty. Try on outfits to make sure it all works together."

5. "Pack shoes first, as they are heaviest. To save space, socks can be tucked into shoes."

6. "Since toiletries can be bulky and heavy, pack only the essentials. If you find you have forgotten something, more likely than not you can purchase it at your destination. Put bottles that could leak in Ziploc bags."

7. "If you are checking a bag and bringing a carry on, put heavy items, like shoes, in the checked bag to lighten the load you have to walk through the airport."

9. "Keep large carry-on totes organized by putting smaller items in pencil pouches."

10. "Don't forget to pack an extra bag for bringing home gifts or souvenirs."

Best and Worst Airlines to Fly This Holiday Season

Traveling over the holidays can be stressful,especially when trying to find a flight.  Do you know which airlines to select?  Here is a list of the best, and worst, airlines to fly during the holidays, based on percentage of delayed flights.

Best Airlines:

1. Hawaiian Airlines: 6.92%
2. Alaska Airlines: 11.27%
3. Mesa Airlines: 14%
4. AirTran: 14.11%
5. US Airways: 15.57%

Worst Airlines

1. JetBlue: 22.02%
2. Express Jet: 20.5%
3. Frontier Airlines: 19.8%
4. American Airlines: 19.5%
5. American Eagle: 18.39%

Interval International Expands Its Relationship with Grupo Vidanta in Mexico

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 13, 2013--
Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), announced the addition of The Grand Bliss Riviera Maya and The Bliss Nuevo Vallarta, luxury shared ownership resorts in Mexico. Developed by Grupo Vidanta, these properties follow Grand Luxxe Residence Club Riviera Maya, which joined Interval's global network in 2011.

"We're delighted to expand our partnership with Grupo Vidanta, a company that has been recognized for building award-winning resorts since its entry into the industry," said Marcos Agostini, Interval's senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Latin America. "These spectacular properties offer visitors a host of upscale, family-friendly amenities in two of Mexico's top vacation destinations."

Situated north of Playa del Carmen, The Grand Bliss Riviera Maya has 96 suites with unparalleled views of the ocean and jungle. The open-air concept of the resort blends in with the lush vegetation and Mayan architecture. Its casual yet elegant décor features a palette of warm colors combined with wood tones and natural textures that provide a sense of tranquility. Each beautifully appointed suite includes a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, spacious living room and dining area, plunge pool on the terrace, and state-of-the-art electronics.

Guests at the resort have access to numerous upscale amenities and services available onsite and at the adjacent Grupo Vidanta resorts. They include a variety of gourmet restaurants, Brio Spa and Fitness Center, several extensive, free-form swimming pools, tennis courts, and an 18-hole Nicklaus-designed golf course.

Among the services created to pamper visitors are the Kid's Club with supervised activities, babysitting services, 24-hour room service, an Internet Café, and a concierge service to assist guests with everything from unpacking luggage to making reservations for dinner, golf, private jet charters, and the extensive menu of spa treatments.

"We're committed to providing our members with the best possible vacation experiences and meeting their needs through deluxe accommodations, modern amenities, and personalized service," commented Eric DuBaele, director of Hotel Operations for Grupo Vidanta. "Our affiliation with Interval will help us achieve that objective by offering them access to the same caliber properties around the world."

The Bliss Nuevo Vallarta is located north of Puerto Vallarta in the heart of Banderas Bay. The property will be comprised of 240 suites decorated in refreshing pastel colors with kitchens, living and dining areas, and private terraces. Onsite amenities and activities that will appeal to all members of the family include several swimming pools, multiple restaurants and bars, Brio Spa and Fitness Center, a Nicklaus-designed golf course, tennis, shopping, the Kids Club, nature treks, arts and crafts, and more.

Currently under construction, the Bliss Nuevo Vallarta is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2014.

About Interval International

Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market since 1976. Today, Interval has an exchange network of more than 2,800 resorts in over 75 nations. Through offices in 16 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and about 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

Grupo Vidanta

Founded in 1974, Grupo Vidanta has evolved for more than 35 years into one of Mexico's leading developers of luxury hotels and resorts, shared ownership, golf courses, real estate, and tourism infrastructure, including Mexico's first privately built international airport in Puerto Peñasco. The company was has an impressive portfolio of resort brands in Mexico's finest beach destinations. For further information, visit www.grupovidanta.com.

Note to Editors: Photo available upon request


 CONTACT: Interval International
Beatrice de Peyrecave, 305-666-1861, ext. 7032

Beatrice.dePeyrecave@intervalintl.com

6 Genius Tips for Traveling in Style This Holiday Season

With the holidays approaching, there's a good chance a lot of us will find ourselves on planes. Dry-aired; germ-filled; over-crowded planes, where the unsaltiest thing to eat is a bag of double-sodium peanuts. Sure, traveling is fun, but getting wherever we're going can wreak havoc on our appearance. (How do celebs always look so chic after getting off a nine-hour flight?!)

I've got some tips for you, world-traveling buddy. Easy tips. Here are 6 ways to look seriously stylish while traveling. Bon voyage!

1. Apply self-tanner on your face before you board. I read this in some magazine article years ago -- I believe it was Donna Karan or Bobbi Brown who does this. Applying a little self-tanner on your face while you're getting ready to leave for the airport will allow the color to develop while you're in the air. Then, after you disembark and look at yourself in that horrid airport bathroom lighting, you'll be pleased to see you've got a nice glow going on. It's like a vacation before your vacation.

2. Don't use Evian mist. For years I was spraying myself with those travel-sized Evian mists while up in the air under the assumption that it would help keep my skin hydrated. While a blast of cool water to the face always feels refreshing, a friend (who knows a lot about beauty) told me that a better option is a hydrating spray -- one with actual moisturizing agents. A good (affordable) option is Boots No7 Hydrating Water Spray.

3. Brush yo' teeth. Nothing can make a person feel ickier and less glam than stale breath. Never board a plane without a travel toothpaste and toothbrush.

4. Wrinkle spray. If you're on a long flight, your clothes are not going to look as they did when you arrive at your destination as they did when you first boarded the plane. It's basic science. Instead of going the celeb route (bringing a change of clothes), pack a de-wrinkler spray and look like you were never sitting in a cramped seat for four hours when you land.

5. Keep your clothes simple. Thousands of miles up in the air isn't the time to try out the latest trends. Keeping clothing simple -- yet fashionable and comfortable -- is a surefire way to always look chic when traveling. Something like black leggings, a Breton striped shirt, black booties, and a thick cardigan is perfect.

6. Go easy on the makeup. Save the blush and eyeliner for after you land. A full face of makeup likely won't stay in place when you're sitting on a plane for hours on end -- especially when you're misting your face with a hydrating spray.

http://thestir.cafemom.com/beauty_style/163532/6_genius_tips_for_traveling