Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Ellen's Travel Items

If you're anything like me, you like to keep it efficient when you pack. Even if I over pack a tad, I want to know there was a specific purpose I expected out of an item. In this post I'll discuss winning travel items, and things that weren't used.

So this was a cross between a site seeing and beach vacation (though technically the coast of Croatia is very rocky. )

Winners:

This thing was easy to pack, easy to carry in 2 ways and took a beating. Love it. Very reasonably priced for the quality. Can be used for carry on I think, Quick weekend get aways, and yes, in my 40s still dragging my laundry to our parents house when we visit. (City apartment living, man)


These were light weight to pack, though I wore them home -- I threw away a pair of Sketcher wedge mules I had worn and then beaten up on the way over. These sandals were surprisingly manageable on the cobblestones and were flexible with shorts and dresses for dinner.

3, Linen

I wore 2 linen dresses from Madewell and a pair of shorts from Marine Layer. I wear the dresses regularly at home when the weather is right and I figured I might as well have a nice pair of shorts if I'm going to wear shorts, because ugh, shorts give me some seriously unhappy middle school insecure feelings. But I think I conquered my issues this trip, at least for travel in warm weather. Don't think you'll see me sporting them to the grocery store.

4. Leggings
Whatever you like, these and a tunic shirt make for a feeling much like traveling in your jammies but a little more put together. I admit, I like expensive high waisted leggings that hold everything in if you know what I mean. There are leggings with pockets now. Did you know that? Did you know Spanx makes leggings?!?

Oh the irony. I was actually going to donate this 2 months earlier because I never used it. I bought it last year for my trip to Germany to visit Mom and I used it very little (because my mother is always pulling things from her closet she thinks are better. "Ellen, that is too small, what can you put in there? One Euro? EEGADS!"

But I digress. This my friends is a winner. After getting pickpocketed 3 years ago, I made sure to get something with zippers, snaps and cross body. I think last summer I did find it a little small, but I'm carrying less so it worked this time around. I even managed to stick a sock in knit progress in there. Though that did take up a bit of space.



The husband and I each have one of these that we cart around to the beach, river, etc. They are super lightweight and way better to pack than a beach towel. I bought a pack of them on Amazon and gave one to each of the boys that were traveling. They all had their own color so it was easy to identify. On top of this, it served as makeshift blanket and folded pillow, scarf on the road and general comfort item.

7. AE Wireless bra

This is a mall discovery. I love this wireless bra I got on sale that is super comfortable and easy to pack. It's soft but has structure and it doesn't make my boobs look weird. I've got this thing about wireless, I've always assumed it was a young girl or for girls of a certain size game. Well, this works for me. My bestie who is small in body but bigger in boobs has found her own version from the same mall rat brand.  Hey if it works, it works.

Ellen's Losers:
1. I forgot traditional flipflops so I bought some over priced ones there, but my friend Mrs. B. helped me pick them out and that means they are pretty cute, ha!
2. Lightweight sneakers. Didn't slap them on once, yet I would pack them again. What if?!?
3. Long dress. Nice idea, but I didn't pack the right undergarments. Just too high maintenance. 
4. Scratched reading glasses. Check and double check. First day back to work I sent them out to be re-lensed. LOL
5. I never pack enough toothpaste. Dental hygiene is important.

Pro tip: Always pack the following in your carry on.
1. Freshies (clean underwear)
2. Travel Deodorant
3. Toothbrush & toothpaste
4. Hairbrush/hair band
5. Scarf/Wrap pashmina or turkish towel style
6. Purell and/or hand lotion
7. Refillable water bottle.
8. Pain reliever, anti-inflammatory of choice
9. Lip balm

International:
1 set of  clean clothes in case your luggage is lost.

What are your essentials or lessons learned?

25 comments:

  1. Wonderful post! My medication is the first thing I pack: the trip would be miserable without them. I learn to roll my clothes when packing - results in fewer wrinkles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know I do not have an prescriptions at the moment, but I always pack my son's inhalers for carry on. And YES!! I am a true believer in the rolling method! Not only is it less wrinkles, but you can squish a few more things in, right?!?

      Delete
  2. Great post Ellen! I love seeing what bags folks use. Like Nancy, meds go in my purse, and my Kindle. Usually I pack a small zip lock bag with some nuts and dried fruit too. Oh, and in winter, a pair of socks. I try to not do a carry-on (just my purse) -hoisting a bag into the overhead bin is too difficult for me. And, like Nancy I have learned to roll my clothes. I like those sandels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snacks are ever essential! Socks are really good idea. For flying, I usually shove my bag under the seat in front of me (I'm short) I might stick the bag overhead if I really don't think I need anything. Rule of thumb do not carry on anything you cannot lift over your head. Yes, I just made it up, but between us, I think we justify it pretty well.

      Delete
  3. Sounds like you handled the packing well. I always pack to much and then don't pack exactly what I need, why?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because we like to be PREPARED, Mere! It makes perfect sense even when it doesn't. I try not to do it, but it happens more often than not. I also think the type of trip you're taking can lend itself to overpacking. heat. I'm always worried about sweating through clothing and not having enough clean or time to wash and dry!

      Delete
  4. You are a travel expert!!! I love anything LeSportSac. Light, lots of zips and pockets and fun fabric. It's my idea of the perfect bag.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are fabulous bags. When I had my son everyone was getting these crazy baby/diaper changing bags and I had my little traditional cross body day purse from le sport sac. Best Mom Purse ever.

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. I like Linen! It breathes on this warm weather trips and it feels ... like vacation. Oh I should mention, I don't care much about wrinkles, but these two items, I just rolled and then hung them up when I got to my destination and they held up really well.

      Delete
  6. When Steve and I traveled by air, we each had one carry on. That's it.

    Now, we travel with Giroux AND since my medication requires that it be kept cooled and I HATE explaining my whole medical history to the TSA ... we go by car. I can take my whole dang HOUSE if I want.

    Besides --- it took me 35 years to get back to Pennsylvania. I'm parking myself for awhile. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband can travel by air with you guys. If we are not going international he refuses to check. It's ok. It's just how adamant he is about it I find funny.

      And YESS! You enjoy Pennsylvania as fully as you can. I imagine with the different seasons, you don't want to miss anything so early in your return!

      When my parents were in Alexandria, Virginia we did a road trip through Pennsylvania. I have a lot of good memories. It was just me without my sister that trip. Shh. I was spoiled rotten.

      Delete
  7. Good tips. I like to check in my luggage. Le Sport Sac is a great brand. Mine are special edition prints from the times I visited Oahu. I like all of the pockets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my sister and I were big fans of Tokidoki. I think we had carefully selected a piece each. hehe.

      And yes, Pockets everywhere please!!

      Delete
  8. Great travel tips-I follow most of them already but I liked the idea of linen-I haven't worn it in a while; I need to refresh the wardrobe! Thanks for this in-depth post on travel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the linen in warm weather. I like travel lists. I love figuring out what I can leave and what I should include. I love being prepared in the lightest possible way!

      Delete
  9. I loved this!! I need to tell my daughter about that bra, she is on the lookout for an affordable wireless one. So hard to find :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The struggle is real. I hope your daughter finds one that works well for her!

      Delete
  10. knitting, always pack knitting. Oh, and clothes and stuff. I pack a small cross body, big enough for phone, passport, money, ids, and a few other items. About the size of a half sheet of paper. Mine has tons of zippered and snapped pockets so each item has it's own hiding place for easy access. It's just right for sight seeing or concerts. This goes in a larger tote that I use as my personal item which holds knitting, personal care items, and other items I want. That then becomes my shopping/beach tote when traveling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Chris! I always pack the knitting and that's the thing with the small bags. They give me knitting anxiety! I must be able to fit at least a sock knit in there.

      I love smaller pouches too with zippers and pockets that can fit into larger bags. Your beautiful pockets you sew are the style I often have in my larger bags and backpacks.

      Delete
  11. Well I hate packing. NOW YOU JUsT MADE my life so much easier. im sending this to both my kids and Fireman you rock

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found it much easier to back the boys. Especially for a warm weather/beach vacation. Shorts are essential, hats and the item they like as having extra? Socks. i know. I think we wear more sockless shoes? Anyhow, I had to bring extra socks out for the boy when we flew out to meet them. They SWEAR by noise cancelling headphones but I'm fine with my little ear buds. Also, that sh*t is expensive.

      Delete
  12. Great post! I have a master travel list that I use for every trip even if it’s a weekend away to the beach. The one thing I was missing for my last trip abroad was a pair of heavy duty noise canceling headphones 🎧 (you already mentioned it in your most recent post) Gosh 20 hours on a plane behind 4 crying babies was torture even for the most patient of person (not me). Also a little first aid kit with all of the essential otc meds/bandaids. Plus plenty of knitting of course!

    ReplyDelete
  13. A coworker, who travels a lot for work, showed me how to roll my clothes instead of folding them, as it gives you more room. I'm not a great traveler, but in my limited experience I always bring less underwear than I need and more shoes... so I guess my tip would be... MORE underwear, LESS shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love bringing my Kindle with lots of choices of books to read.

    ReplyDelete