I have a confession...I'm a serial over packer. Like I have a serious problem. I don't really mind packing (minus the fact that I ALWAYS feel like I'm forgetting something!) But my strategy for most trips is to just grab whatever looks cute out of my drawers and closet and throw it in a big pile on the bed. But this time around, since I was showcasing my suitcase to the world, I tried to be a bit more strategic about what I was bringing and plan specific outfits for each day based on our itinerary.

Since it is our second time to the islands I had a much better idea of what I would need this time around. As I've mentioned before we are super active on our trips (hiking, biking, snorkeling, etc.) and on our last trip I quickly ran out of active wear. Another lesson learned was how laid back the island life really is. We did go to a few nice dinners and nighttime activites but even at the nicer restaurants you'll blend right in with a sundress and sandals.

Some of our planned activities include:

• Hiking
• Snorkeling
• Golfing
• Sunset boat cruise
• Whale watching boat cruise
• Mountain tubing
• Sightseeing, shopping, dinners, etc.

Another thing to keep in mind is what to actually pack your stuff in. Sadly Southwest (and their two free checked bags) don't fly everywhere we want to go. But my husband and I always try to still save a few bucks when traveling together. On this trip we plan to fit everything into only one checked bag, two carryons and our personal bags which saves a couple hundred dollars in baggage fees. Well, let's get packing!

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The next stop on our honeymoon adventure was the island of Maui. This island had a totally different vibe than the bustling city of Honolulu. It was almost like everything was happening in slow motion..the true definition of island life. After much consideration (and research) we decided to stay at Lahania Shores Beach Resort - the only beachside hotel in the area. Lahania is an old whaling village and serves as the island's "downtown" with an abundance of shops and restaurants, all within walking distance. An added bonus we didn't have to worry about finding a parking spot - which can be a real challenge in this small town. The rooms are condo style so we had access to a full kitchen which allowed us to save some money by purchasing breakfast foods and snacks and eating in our room.

Don't get me wrong Maui has some of the most beautiful resorts in the country *cough I'm looking at you Ritz Carlton* check out my spa adventure on Day 4 if you don't believe me. But we really enjoyed the boutique feel of Lahania Shores and like I mentioned in my Oahu travel guide - we aren't big pool people and never seem to spend a lot of time at our resort. We're usually out and about. Totally a personal preference!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

For me, planning our honeymoon was almost as much fun as planning the wedding itself. Shortly after getting engaged we decided Hawaii was our dream destination and began planning a 10 day trip to the islands of Oahu and Maui. There are pros and cons to each island so it's important to do your research to see what best fits your needs and wants. We decided on Oahu for the first leg of our trip because it was more cost efficient to fly into and hotel prices were a bit cheaper. We stayed in Waikiki which is one of the nation's largest cities so it can be quite overwhelming in terms of crowds and traffic. If you're in search of the lush jungles and waterfalls I wouldn't suggest staying on this part of the island. But it does offer access to a variety of restaurants and entertainment within walking distance.

Below is how we spent the first leg of our journey on the island of Oahu. **Disclaimer: my husband and I are not the best beach people - we crave adventure instead. He tends to joke when I create an itinerary asking if he'll have time to sleep on the trip. Most our my trips are packed full but feel free to pick and choose what suits you.
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