How to pack a year into two suitcases 101

Seeing as I've successfully gone through this process before, you'd think that it would be a bit less daunting the second time around...FALSE.

Although I'm just in the starting stages, I'm already having flashbacks to my last departure for Europe - sitting in the back of the van with my two suitcases which have exploded their contents all over the cargo area, agonizing about whether or not I really REALLY needed that third pair of jeans and whether or not T-shirts would completely tag me as an American.

"These boots could be left here, but what if it snows? What if there's a flash flood - will these shoes be waterproof? Exactly how many shirts can I get by with without feeling like I'm wearing the same one every fourth day? Heels - practical? Wait, there's three square inches of space next to my socks! SCORE! Wait, do I have jeans in there?!? AAGH this is going to be overweight anyway!"

That being said, after many travels I've now gotten a basic system down:

1. ROLL EVERYTHING! I really have no idea WHY this method works, but for some reason it tends to conserve space. I was particularly skeptical about this rule, but it really does work (so long as you don't mind things getting wrinkled)

2. Stuffing socks inside shoes - This one worked out particularly well, especially considering I brought along my huge winter boots, which take up a ton of space by themselves

3. If it can be bought cheaply, I leave it at home - because really, space is golden when you're packing an entire year's wardrobe...I'd rather have a couple extra shirts than my favorite towel from home (which would probably end up being thrown away eventually anyway...)

4. I pack extras of my favorite toiletries because A - Who wants to use some sketchy German brand of deodorant? and B - Instant space for gifts on the way back! (Yeah - pays off to stay in touch with someone abroad, *cough cough*)

5. One pair of heels - MAX. Don't try to kid yourself - not. practical. (Cobblestone streets don't mix well with stilettos.)

We'll see if the second time around turns out as well as (if not better than) the first time. Any suggestions would be welcome, if either of my two (woo!) official followers have any... :)

ps - 22 days?! sheesh...