Travel Bags

With all of our travel this week (we flew down to Florida for a wedding over the long weekend and I'm currently in San Francisco for work) I've got travel bags on the brain!

I'm finally feeling set in terms of suitcases and what I bring on a plane. I love my carry-on bag (I have the carry-on size) and use it whenever I travel for work. I love that the sections inside allow me to be better organized, and I always fit an amazing amount of stuff inside. I have the same bag in the checked-bag medium size, and love that for when we're going on a longer trip. These do get marked up when you check them, but I just use a magic eraser to get any marks off.

For shorter trips when we're driving, I usually use this weekender bag (also comes in a twill here) - it's so beautiful and looks way more expensive than it is. I had a crazy pattern one of these that Mia commandeered and I never loved the pattern but loved the size and functionality, so I was super excited to see it available in solids! I actually got the black color with a black monogram and it looks so chic. This is what I grab when we go for a night at the in-laws house or a roadtrip with our friends. I rarely bring this on a plane because it gets heavy to carry around on your shoulder!

I also love using my Transport Tote as my personal item on a plane. I have the zip-top version, which is clutch on a plane when you don't want all of the random things you've packed rolling all over the place. I like to alternate between reading / watching videos on my iPad mini and listening to podcasts or playing games on my phone, so I love having this little tech envelope inside of my purse so I can easily pull out all of my electronics (plus a credit card so I can buy myself a snack box ;) and leave my larger bag under the seat.

While I'm set on suitcases and totes, I'm on the hunt for some solutions for my toiletries, makeup and jewelry. The bags I use have been in rotation since I was in college and are basically falling apart. I've long admired the Truffle bags, they are such chic bags for easily getting through the TSA! I bought one for Jeff's sister last year and was so jealous when I saw it in person, I wanted to keep it for myself. But for Christmas my sister-in-law asked for a Dagne Dover bag, and having seen it in person I definitely am looking at ordering one. It has a couple mini mesh bags inside of it for keeping stuff organized, and the whole thing is waterproof and can be wiped clean. 

Here are my picks for the best travel bags:

Truffle Clarity Case / Vera Bradley Weekender Bag / Delsey Carry-On Suitcase / Truffle Clarity Clutch / Madewell Zip-Top Transport Tote / Dagne Dover Toiletry Bag / Mark & Graham Travel Organizer

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How I Packed for Hawaii in a Carry On Suitcase

We were just in Hawaii for 10 days, and I was particularly motivated to have Jeff and I just pack carry-on bags. This was partially because I'm pregnant and didn't want to buy a bunch of new stuff for the trip that I would get to wear once and never again, and partially because I was nervous about getting a checked bag home from our flights from Kauai to Honolulu and then Honolulu home on different airlines on the same day. Jeff and I are already nervous travelers, so removing any source of worry is great for us.

I've never previously tried to pack for such a long trip in a carry on, but when we went to Asia last year I only had a slightly larger bag and had room to spare with all of my warm weather clothes, so I knew it was possible.

Just a few notes - we did have a washing machine in our house in Oahu, where we stayed for six nights, so I was able to wash some of our stuff halfway through the trip which really helped. I also knew that our time in Oahu with Jeff's family was going to be fairly casual, as we ate most meals at the house and spent the majority of our time either hiking, swimming, or lounging. As far as toiletries, I tried to go as minimal as possible, and planned to pick up larger items like sunscreen once we got to Hawaii.

Since it's currently the depths of winter and since I didn't buy anything new for the trip, I had a hard time finding exact matches for the items I brought, so just know that a lot of these are approximations.

So here's what I packed!

My carry on suitcase: This bag is amazing (the 21 inch is perfect for a carry on), and the two different packing spaces really help me maximize my packing ability and stay organized. If it ever gets dirty, I just give it a quick wipe with a magic eraser and it's back to looking brand new. I did also bring a not cute backpack on the plane, and used it for hiking too.

Neutral sandals: I did pack two pairs of neutral sandals but I really could have gotten away with one. These are padded so they're comfy for all day walking, and the nude color works on the beach, during the day, and paired with my pretty dresses at night. Hawaii is really casual, I was never in a situation where I wished I had fancier shoes.

For the beach: I packed two swimsuits as well as two rashers from Land's End (they make the best ones!) because I can't stand putting on a wet swimsuit. Bringing two didn't take too much space, but let me rotate every day. I also included a beach bag that could lay flat in my carry-on, as well as one cover-up that would let me go out to lunch or run around the resort in my swimsuit.

For hiking: I brought one regular tee shirt, not true athletic wear, with the thought that I could wear it hiking and during the day. I just never ended up wearing it during the day because it got a little smelly ;) I also brought running shorts, which could double as loungewear, and wore sneakers on the plane that would work for hikes too. We only did really easy hikes since I was 24-25 weeks pregnant during the trip, if you're planning on doing more hiking you may want to bring more stuff.

For the plane: I wore a sweatshirt over one of my basic tees as well as a pair of maternity leggings (here are my favorite non-maternity) and some super sexy compression socks on the plane, and used the sweatshirt for cool nights in Hawaii too.

For daytime: I brought two basic tees as well as a fun scarf and earrings to mix things up. I also had my favorite maternity denim shorts from this summer (this pair is my favorite non-maternity) and a lightweight cardigan since the mornings could be a little chilly, as well as a basic dress that could work for day or night.

For dinners out: We only went out to dinner four nights on the whole trip (and one was just at a brewery) so I rotated through my three dresses. The patterned dress is really fun to wear, but I also liked that the white and black dresses could be mixed with my patterned scarf, earrings, and cardigan to make different looks. And of course I brought my favorite little woven bag from the summer, it made it into my suitcase with underwear and socks stuffed inside!

And then obviously not pictured were also things like pajamas and undergarments. All of this fit into my carry-on with room to spare, which was helpful for a couple of things that we added in during the trip like a few souvenirs, matching Hawaiian shirts that Jeff's cousin bought for the whole family, and the cutest tasseled clutch I couldn't resist at the resort spa ;)

Do you think you could ever pack for a long trip in just a carry on bag? Have I motivated you to try??

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Labor Day Weekend Packing List

Do you have plans for the long weekend?

Last year we took the year off, but previously we've rented lake houses with a bunch of friends, and this year we're going again! Our house is on a lake in southern Michigan, and I'm super excited for a few days of boat rides, swimming, obnoxious pool floats, bonfires, too much wine, and lots of fun. We're roadtripping out on Friday afternoon, and I cannot wait!

On previous trips I tried to plan cute outfits for the weekend, but now I know I want to spend time in the easiest clothes possible - leggings and sweatshirts for the evenings, shorts and tees for daytime, and of course a bathing suit for every time in between. I don't want to bring anything fussy or complicated - only the simplest of jewelry, sandals that can slip on, and clothing I don't have to worry about ruining are making it into my weekender bag. Oh, and speaking of weekenders, I've had this one for a few years now and still love it. It's the perfect size for a long weekend, and the faux leather is really beautiful in person - I get compliments everywhere I go!

I shared my packing list for Labor Day Weekend a couple of years ago and it's consistently been one of my most popular posts, so I thought I'd share a little update based on what's in my closet now. This cute new hat definitely made the cut, as well as my new favorite sweatshirt and leggings. Since we won't be doing anything remotely dressy, I'm only bringing sandals for the beach and sneakers in case we decide to leave the house.

Of course, with even the best laid plans, I'm sure I'll still manage to overpack - wish me luck!

watch / necklace / lace-up sweater / gray sweatshirt / swimsuit / leggings / sandals / sneakers / white tee / hat / shorts / striped sweatshirt / weekender bag

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Labor Day Packing List

Can you believe this weekend is Labor Day already? Byeeeeee summer!!

Last year we rented a house with a bunch of friends up in Wisconsin and had so much fun we decided to do it again. We're heading to Wisconsin Dells (I've never been - any tips?) for a weekend of boating, swimming, bonfires, and lots of wine. It'll be a pretty chill weekend so I don't need to bring anything fancy (bye statement necklaces!), but I still want to look cute, because duhhh. I'm also trying to pack light, because last year I maybe brought way too much and then maybe had to sit through a four hour car ride with stuff crammed on all sides of me and a dog on my lap. Here's what I hope to have in my suitcase:

Some of these are items actually in my closet, and some are close approximations. Except the hat. I want that hat. I've linked similar items for those already in my closet: 

The color scheme helps to make sure I'm always matching, and pieces like the chambray shirt can double as a swim coverup. The jewelry definitely isn't coming anywhere our water activities but will be nice to have the rest of the weekend. I'm going to try to fit everything I need into this oversized weekender - I've had it for a while now and get compliments on it everywhere I go!

Do you have any end-of-summer plans for Labor Day weekend?

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Packing for a Short Trip

I used to be one of those people who brought everything I owned every time I went on even a short trip, yet still forgot stuff.  I once stopped at my parents' house on the way out for the weekend, and ended up raiding their linen closet because I had forgotten a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and face lotion.  Now I have packing down to a science so I always have what I need but don't lug a ton of extra stuff with me.

For clothes, I like to think about what I want to wear a week or so in advance so I can either plan not to wear those items before the trip or so that I can plan on leaving enough time to do laundry before I leave.  For shorter trips, I try to stick to one color palette so that everything can be mixed and matched.  That way, if I happen to drip chocolate ice cream on my white jeans (it happens every time), I have another option, but I'm not bringing a crazy amount of clothes..

Once I put everything in my suitcase, I'll see if there's any extra space.  If that has somehow happened, I'll throw in a couple of items that may have seemed superfluous but could come in handy - a nicer dress, an extra pair of shorts, or another swimsuit (or three).

To make sure I never have another toiletry disaster (since my mom can't help me out every time), I tend to keep my toiletry bag packed all of the time.  There's always at least a toothbrush, face lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, conditioner, a comb, a razor, contact solution, an extra pair of contacts, bobby pins, and hair bands in there.  That way I can just toss in my glasses and be ready to go without having to think about it.  When I get home from a trip, I just replace any items that may have run out and I'm good to go.

Do you have any packing tips you swear by?

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