ok back to packing. I LOVE packing. On top of all of the plans for what I want to see and do while on my trip I'm also thinking extensively about packing. What to bring, what not to, how to dress for the weather and also pack as little as possible. This was also a unique trip because I was going to a wedding as well. Which meant not just my usual outfits of worn jeans and old navy t shirts. I had to plan for the fancy stuff as well. I also carried my suitcase on. I could have checked it for free flying Jet Blue and although they are an AMAZING airline I was nervous something would happen to my bag and I wouldn't have my dress for the wedding. Then it's not something to easily replace or run out and get a new one. i COULD have i guess but that would have interrupted a lot of sight seeing time.
This picture is my travel satchel.
I LOVE this bag. i got it when i was living in London in 2009 at a store called NEXT. It's a great store if you are near one. This bag was probably $15 and i use it almost every day in my normal life and also while i travel. mostly because it's small enough to carry around all day without weighing me down but big enough to hold the things i need. and it's crossbody which is pretty much a requirement for me. i hate shoulder bags. For my trip specifically it held: Wallet, kindle, phone, headphones, maps, and chapstick. Pretty simple for me. like i said, i don't like carrying a bunch of stuff around. i just take the basics and figure it out later if i need to-although the basics pretty much get you what you need. i did not have to buy anything else to carry around with me. I have an iphone too which is a huge help. i used a lot of data on my trip, although i found plenty of wifi too, but i took pictures, wrote notes, sent emails, researched travel times and places, listened to music, and got directions from one place. Say what you will but it's so nice having one and i'm glad i do, especially when i'm traveling.
This is the suitcase I took. I carried on a 22" All wheel roll suitcase by Traveller's Club. I got it at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $30. It's really nothing to fancy but it definitely gets the job done. It's well built-even when TSA people are rough with it (I have a larger one that I've used more that has a ripped pocket because of them...thanks). I like this suitcase a lot and mostly bc of the inside which i've also included a picture of. But the outside has 2 pockets that are pretty good size. The large pocket is usually where I keep stuff I made need quickly like a hat or scarf-both of which I brought to Boston because the week before I was there they had a snowstorm. Luckily I didn't need them but I was glad I had them. The smaller pocket on top I use for liquids. It's super convenient when I get to the airport to put my bag on the conveyor belt to get ready for the security check and just grab the liquids in the bag out of the pocket on the front. I already know they are there, in the right bag size and containers, and I can just throw them into a bin with my shoes and be done. All I really have to do is take off my coat-and take out my laptop at times but I didn't travel with a laptop on this trip. I also really like this bag because of the all wheel rolling, which is convenient and easier on your wrist and maneuvering places. I also like that i can drag behind you like a traditional suitcase. So you really have the option of either. For me that was perfect. I would need it to spin a certain way, or I got tired of pulling it, or through the airport it was nice to have rolling right next to me. But when I got to Boston, with it's lovely cobbled streets, it can be a lot to have it right next to me and move it the way I need it to. So dragging it behind me was the best option then.
This is my suitcase open. It's not absolutely everything I packed but it gives you a good idea and I will also make sure to list out everything I brought. That way you can see in microscopically boring detail what I put into a travel plan :) Anyway, there are some really nice things about this suitcase. It's a 22" so it's small and they use space very well. It's also not to heavy empty which is good because that makes it so much harder to move around and carry when it's full. The main part of the suitcase as a lining and also straps which I never end up using (do people use those!?!). I will say now, and go against every travel site out there, I HATE rolling my clothes. Maybe I need a lecture on the subject. I just don't like it. I fold them the old fashion way and still have room for everything I need. So the main part contained my jeans, shirts, socks, underthings, shoes, and toiletry bag.
The top of the suitcase, the lid, has a mesh lined section that's great for needing to see what's in there quickly. I have my journal in there and when I travel that's where I put cords and chargers I will need. For this trip that just meant my phone charger (my kindle I charged before I left, since it has a battery life of almost a month with moderate use and wifi off). The most exciting (ugh i'm lame haha) part of this suitcase that made me like it so much is the shoe pockets. it has 2 shoe pockets inside the lid that you can see my ballet flats sticking out of. It's nice to have an easy spot to put shoes that also fits well with the rest of the suitcase (ie not too bulky) and keeps my shoes from getting everything else dirty. This suitcase was the perfect size for the 5 days in Boston and even with limited space and extra stuff I don't usually bring I still had room to spare and didn't have to use the extra inch expansion it comes with.
OK, now the exciting stuff haha WHAT DID I PACK?? It was 5 days, 4 nights, Boston just barely into Spring, with a wedding and wedding activities
Clothes:
Jacket: Nice looking black one from Old Navy; carried on
Shoes: I brought 3 pair. one pair of brown boots that i wore pretty much the whole time (and on the plan), one pair of lightweight black tennis shoes (more just in case than anything), and ballet flats for the wedding
2 pairs of jeans (I wore one pair on the flight)
1 pair black pants
5 tshirts (i also wore another shirt on the plane so 6 total)
2 tank tops
2 cardigans (worn with the tank tops for wedding events)
One dress (for the wedding; calf length with lace. I actually put this into a plastic bag because I was so afraid of something happening to it-a gallon sized bag worked nicely)
6 pairs of underwear
2 bras (one worn)
1 pair of pajamas; sweatpants and an old tshirt
1 scarf, 1hat, 1 pair of gloves
That's it for clothes. seriously. i don't have a lot of fashion sense so don't come to this blog for that haha but i have a lot of travel tips and advice. PACK LIGHT. i would have way less stuff if i didn't have to bring everything for the wedding. i might have just taken a regular backpack (which i did for 5 days in Dublin once-i may need to talk about that some time.)
Toiletry bag:
comb
mascara
eye shadow
makeup brush
toothbrush
tampons/pads
deodorant
extra contacts
*Contact Solution* Some people may not know but you can take a full bottle of contact solution onto a carry on bag. It is considered medical and does not have a limit. Even if it is already opened. i ended up taking a small bottle just for a few days but I've taken a large bottle numerous times with no problems. Only once has someone at security said i needed to bring a smaller bottle and he was corrected by a coworker. This same person also "tested" my solution to make sure that's what it was. so i guess someone may do that but that's the only time it's ever been an issue-TSA agents are used to it and barely glance at the bottle.
liquid bag (all regulation size bottles):
liquid makeup
leave in conditioner
Ouidad hair gel (my curly hair is a wreck without this)
Ouidad shine hair finishing product
small bottle toothpaste
THAT'S IT.
I feel like i'm a pretty simple person which definitely helps when traveling. i don't need a million things. i go for the experiences and I'm ok with leaving my half empty million bottles of product at home (which sit forever because i use like 5 things to get ready in the morning). But it's definitely something i enjoy thinking about and planning for. I really try to bring only what i will need, even less if i have access to a washing machine. Honestly the above list would last me for a couple weeks (or more) if i could wash/dry everything while i was traveling.
If you keep things simple then you can spend more time focusing on the things you want to see and do. instead of lugging around a giant suitcase, walking cobbled streets in high heels, or dragging large bags up and down stairs. not fun. Trust me, pack light and you will have a much better trip. Carry on and you can get to your destination quicker. leave things behind and in a pinch you can buy what you need where you will be going. wherever it is probably has a store or two.
I'm actually headed to California in about three weeks for a long weekend with college friends in my college town. I'm really really excited. I moved from my college town back to my hometown outside of Seattle in September and i can't wait for much needed catch up with friends time, the beach, favorite old spots, and just relaxing. I will probably be posting about the packing for that trip too!! (Hopefully I will get more Boston stuff up before then haha)
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