I am so excited for you! Can't wait to see some updates from your adventures abroad! (Hey, I'm living vicariously, here. lol)

Those are really great tips. Having a checklist is definitely a good plan. I like lists anyway, and now that I've had 2 kids, the "mommy-brain" is brutal... If it's not written down, I'm 98% likely to forget. I think the worst habit I've been trying to break when packing for any trip is all the "just in case" items. Like those killer shoes you were talking about: "I should bring these just in case we go to a club" or it's fall but "I should bring this super warm coat just in case it decides to suddenly turn to winter." (Maybe that's just a Canada thing. lol) I've gotten much better, since having to pack for a family of 4 makes space really tight. The just in case things stay home, and if that circumstance happens, I'll suck it up and go shopping while I'm there. ;)