Love your suggestions. I also keep the basics in a carryone. Last minute only the day to day items need to be put in. Keeping the clothing simple works well. Some tops never wrinkle so they are my first choice. With bad feet I say goodbye to heels. At a wedding, let them look at my dress and jewelry instead. Better to enjoy the event that have a scow on my face because of sore feet.

Great ideas for keeping a list of medications. I keep a list of credit cards and personal information on my computer and hate to think anyone could take that information in a travel bag or suitcase.

Happy traveling!!!!

I'm liking the idea of black for summer white for winter, with matching items. I do that too, although I only just realised it

I also take a spare empty bag with me, as I always seem to return from the UK with much more than I left with! And even if it fits into your suitcase, if it exceeds 32kg (as mine did on one occasion) not only will they ask you to pay extra, they will also require you to transer it into an extra suitcase or bag for hold baggage, as the luggage people in the UK won't touch it if it exceeds 32kg on a single piece of luggage (which is fair enough, but had never occurred to me before).

I always travel in trousers and flat shoes, as I am usually travelling alone and don't get picked up the other end, so I need to feel comfortable.

If I am taking jewellery or valuables it always goes on me, never in luggage, as do iPod and camera.

I used to always carry my own small bottle of water on board.
We can still carry our own water on board if purchased in the air side shops (ie after passport and security controls), which I think you can't do on US flights?