Summer vacation plans are in place, which means it's time to give your luggage a once-over and make it is as ready for the trip as you are.

This is what I did recently, and although my suitcases were in decent shape, they just looked so boring. Traveling is about letting loose and relaxing, so why not add that bouncy energy to your wheelie wares? It doesn't mean you have to go all funkadelic on your bags, but you at least could take a rubber stamp to them. If you have a red suitcase, imagine how cute shiny white polka dots would look all over it? Or maybe the names of your favorite cities.

If you want to give this idea a try, but don't want to touch your pristine designer set, visit a local thrift store and pick up a small carry-on bag for those little excursions.

This is also a wonderful project for kids, to help burn off pre-trip excitement.

Directions: Tape off the areas that you want to keep free of paint. Using a wide paintbrush, cover the suitcase with a coat of the white paint. If you are going to be painting it red, or another strong color, mix a bit of that color with the white. Let dry.

Brush on the desired paint color all over the suitcase. Let dry. If you want to add fabric images, brush on a layer of fabric adhesive and affix to the surface; let dry.

Otherwise, add painted accents using paintbrushes, stencils, stamps or anything else you might want. Let dry. Brush on a layer of varnish, let dry and repeat. Remove the tape. Let your freshly painted suitcase air out for a few days before you take it on vacation.

Variations: Before you add the varnish, brush on a layer of water-based glitter varnish for a sparkly sheen.