How to pack for almost a month in a 50 lb suitcase

I have no idea.

Just kidding.  Although the task seems almost impossible, but it's actually easy when you follow these six steps:

1)  Choose a single color palette.  I used to take brown shoes, black shoes, tan shoes, a brown purse, a gray purse, a pink scarf, a green scarf...you get the idea.  Choosing a single color palette, automatically streamlines your suitcase.  Since just about everything goes with black, I now take only black shoes - a pair for walking around and a dress pair.  I take one black purse - suitable for all occasions, large enough to hold the necessities and with a single strap (so it stays close to my body).  I take a couple of scarves, but they're multi-colored and work overtime matching up with several outfits.

2)  Choose close-knit, lightweight tops and sweaters - they layer well for different weather days and fold easily without much bulk.  It's also a plus if they're a single color.  A pink tee gives a pop of color under a black top and a colorful scarf pulls the outfit together.  Later in the trip, reverse it and put the black under the pink.  Make sure everything you take is something you can wear at least twice.

3)  Choose undergarments that are quick-dry and plan to wash them yourself at some point during your trip.  It costs about a gabillion dollars to send out laundry from a hotel.  And it really irks me to spend money laundering underwear when I could be spending it on a delicious dinner.  Just look around, there are tons of web sites that sell the "best travel underwear."  Travel underwear is usually very lightweight and totally packable.  Bonus:  In most hotels, there's a clothesline that stretches over the bathtub.  Since you PLAN to wash undergarments along the way, you won't need to pack as many.

4)  Streamline your toiletries.  Unless you have some real reason for taking your personal shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, take advantage of the hotel's generosity.  Look for items that are made for travel.  packets of aspirin take up much less space than the whole bottle.  I've found single packets of nail polish remover, make-up remover, anti-bacterial ointment, etc.  You can buy small towels that come in discs no larger than an alka-seltzer - just add water.  Even deodorant has been reduced to single towelettes.  Poke around on the web, and you'll turn that giant toiletries bag into a sleek clutch.

5)  Finally, when you're packing, press as much air out of each folded item as you can.  My mother-in-law uses space bags when she packs (you know, those bags that suck all the air out and reduce the acreage the clothes take up by over half).  Air is the enemy.  Be careful, though...I once packed a small bag so tightly, I had to pay an extra weight charge.

6)  Above all, choose suitcases that are sturdy and well-made.  I've had zippers split or stick.  I've had the little zipper handles break off.  I've had leather handles break away from the top of the bag and those telescoping handles stop telescoping.  And we've all had wheels come off.  Invest in a good suitcase - you'll be glad you did.

Well, I'm off to start packing.  I wonder where my voltage adapters are...

By the way - what's your favorite packing tip?