One 22" Bag for 8 Nights? - The Conclusion

I'm back from my eight-night trip to Tel Aviv, Moscow, and Paris with all my luggage and plenty of ideas for future articles. Many thanks to the lovely Wandering Albatross and Voyageuse for keeping the blog alive in my absence.

After my somewhat frantic and jet-lagged post from the BA lounge in Heathrow at 5am London time, I am pleased to say that despite my fears my luggage followed me all the way through the week and back through Heathrow again, even through a transfer from Terminal 5 to 4 with only a two-hour layover. Yay!

British Airways ultimately did not allow my 22" bag on board because it was just a teensy bit overstuffed, but I am happy to say that I still managed to pack everything I needed for my trip without even using the bag's expansion zipper. If I'd used some compression bags for my clothes, I'm sure I would have gotten the luggage on board.

So how does a girly-girl like myself fit eight nights' worth of stuff into such a "small" bag?

Step 1: Pick the right luggage. My Pathfinder bag comfortably fit two pairs of shoes and includes a snap-in/snap-out 1-quart clear zipper bag for toiletries (which I didn't use as my primary toiletry bag, but could have). It also comes with a very slim, lightweight garment bag (not used on this trip, but handy) two inner zipper pockets and two very large ones on the outside. Yes, putting things in those outside pockets may have led to my bag's BA denial, but other airlines may be a bit less restrictive. Do the research with your airline beforehand and err on the conservative side.

Step 2: Do you really need all those shoes? The answer is likely "no". And this is coming from a girl who owns many, many pairs. Shoes take up a lot of space. You may try to justify that extra pair by telling yourself that you can pack your socks in them - but honey, shoes take up way more space than socks. For this trip, I actually started the packing process with my shoes, and I packed just two pairs and wore one. Yes, that makes only three pairs for a week+ trip. It can be done! I wore my slip-on Pumas (on the left) while in transit because they're both comfy and practical: no shoe laces or metal bits to deal with when going through security. For my four days of business I packed a black pair of comfortable Clarks heels (from a previous trip through Heathrow - Clarks has much better designs in their UK stores!), and cute Kenneth Cole Reaction red flats. For more tips on stylish but practical traveling shoes, see Voyageuse's post.

Step 3: Check the forecast. For an eight-night trip, I usually pack six pairs of pants twelve tops, and countless pieces of undergarments to account for any weather scenario and social situation. Hey, you never know when it'll be a hot, steamy day or freezing cold night! Actually, yes, you will. It's called weather.com and it works for international as well as US cities. If it's not going to be below freezing, you don't need a thick wool sweater and down coat. Layer thinner pieces instead.

Step 4: Coordinate! I'm sure I'm not the first person to suggest packing coordinating outfits, but I'll be the next person to reiterate that point. Stick to common colors (like black and gray, as I did) and pop them with color. Lay out all of your choices on the bed and assemble them by outfit. This allows you to quickly identify an item if it doesn't fit with all of the others. I managed on four pairs of pants (dark rinse jeans that I wore on the plane, khakis, gray dress pants and black dress pants (lightweight wool, fully lined and virtually wrinkle-free), eight blouses/shirts and two over-sweaters. Everything was light-weight, able to be layered, and in fabrics that don't wrinkle easily. Cotton and linen wrinkle - avoid them when possible. Use jumbo-size zip-lock bags to keep your clothes organized and less likely to wrinkle, and pack a travel-size bottle of Febreeze to keep clothes fresh so you can get more use from them.

Step 5: Don't pack your whole vanity. Usually there's no need for a hairdryer, as they're in most hotel rooms. Same with an iron. You don't need full-size bottles of shampoo, either. Remember, you're packing a carry-on bag and are limited to the TSA's 3-1-1- policy. Check the travel-size aisle at your local Target for minis of your favorite store brands, or ask your salon for a bunch of samples. There's also no need for a gazillion make-up products. Choose items that are multipurpose or pack several products in a small package, like this lips & eyes set from Two Faced, or these cute gloss dots from Cargo, both at Sephora.

Step 6: Weed it out. Take one last look through everything. Do you need that extra pair of trouser socks, bra, or panties? Or, like I did, can you use a little hotel shampoo to wash them in the sink? Do you need that extra "going out top" or will some inexpensive and small jewelry be enough to dress up your day shirt for evening? And remember, unless you're going somewhere third-world, there are stores and pharmacies that the concierge can direct you to if you forget something. Think of it as a good excuse to shop! In the end, you'll have a small, more manageable bag to wheel through the airport and the satisfaction that you've only packed what you need, and saved some space to bring home souvenirs.

I'd love to hear your packing tips. Leave a comment or drop me a line - travelspark@gmail.com. Happy packing!

Terrific Trenches

Please forgive me for my sins; I am not a shoe person. Yes, I am still a red-blooded woman; I just hate to shoe shop. Fortunately I have my mom and friends that help me so my feet don’t look like disasters. TravelSpark in particular is one of my most fashion forward shoe lovers so she is great when I’m just not sure which pair is right.

That being said, I love coats and bags, both of which are essential to have when traveling. Coats can be tricky, especially if you are traveling to multiple locations with different temperatures or if you have many different occasions you will need a coat for. So it is vital to have a couple (at least) of really great coats that will work and can be worn with layers and still look fabulous.

There are so many divine coats for this spring, I could really buy 100 but have settled for 3. The new colors make you want to get out and enjoy the nice weather and the fabrics are soft. The trench is definitely “in” this spring with so many different styles of trench that there is the perfect one for everyone.

This coat from Ann Taylor Loft is quite cute in the new grass green. It is also really comfy and doesn’t wrinkle too badly when packed. I have it myself in Navy with green stitching and am totally in love.Another marvelous coat from Loft is this metallic silver bit of heaven. It’s got a little sheen to it so you can dress it up or down depending on where you need to wear it. This is a good basic and it is long enough to wear with a skirt or pants.
White is the new black this spring and there are some very cute choices for your new spring coat. These two from Ann Taylor are both great for under $100 apiece.

And this awesome green coat from Banana Republic also comes in white.

For those that covet coats as much as I do there is Nordstrom’s Coat Shop online, which is a great stop to see those coats that we all want but so few can afford; like these two from Burberry.
I hope that if you are traveling soon that you don’t just dig out your old basic black trench from your closet but instead go out and splurge a little (or a lot) on one of these marvelous new creations.

One 22" Bag for 8 nights? Part 2

When I told friends and co-workers that I planned to travel for eight nights with a 22" carry-on, I was met with snickers and incredulous stares. One colleague who I travel with for two weeks at a time laughed hard, saying "Are you serious? I see what you travel with!" Fair enough. He's seen me struggle plenty of times with a bag so large I could practically stow away in it. The skepticism made me feel quite competitive, and I braced myself for the challenge.

So, can a girly-girl like me who typically travels with enough shoes for every possible situation pack all her stuff in a carry-on? The answer is.... kind of. Sure, everything fit into the bag, and when I get home I'll load up some pictures of how I did it and provide some tips. The problem was that British Airways wouldn't let it come on board with me. BA has very strict rules about carry-ons, which I knew. The measurements of my suitcase are within their limits. However, the measurements of my suitcase crammed with eight nights worth of stuff are not. While the BA rep agreed to let me on the plane with it, she couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't be taken away from me at the gate. Rather than risk the bag not getting on my plane at all, I checked it.

The good news is that this first leg of the trip, at least, is not through Terminal 5 as I first thought. So, there is a slightly higher probability that my luggage will arrive in Israel when I do. In the meantime, I sit in the BA lounge in the wee hours of the morning praying that my bag arrives on time and, just as imporantly, intact (no lock on it since silly me thought I could bring it with me). Since I planned to carry everything on, I have no extra underwear and t-shirt that I typically carry on, and no power cord for my laptop. This could present a problem at my meeting tomorrow...

Despite having to check the luggage after all, the experience was a good one. I was very mindful to pack just enough for the trip and nothing more. When I'm finally reunited with my bag, it will be much easier for me to lug around than my larger bag. At least these are the things I'm telling myself to remain calm and positive!

Lesson learned: pack even lighter so your bag doesn't bulge.

One 22" bag for 8 nights? Part 1

My first overseas business trip of 2008 is coming up quickly, and I will spend eight nights trekking between Tel Aviv, Moscow, and Paris. My journey begins with a leg through the ridiculousness that is the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. The brand new, state of the art baggage handling system has been an utter failure, leading to missing or delayed bags, cancelled flights and an apology by British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh.

Missing or delayed luggage is extra stress that I simply do not need, so I've decided to travel with only carry-on luggage. This decision resulted in about $225 spent in "packing essentials" in the past two days.

So what did I buy, and what should you consider before attepting to travel only with carry on luggage?

My first stop was the Container Store, where I picked up a laundry bag for $5 that compacts into a very tiny bag. So much for the cutesy ones from my previous post - I'm aiming for super-practical now. Since my old luggage tag got ripped off my bag during my last trip, I bought a new pink "privacy tag". I also bought two small Nalgene flip-top bottles, which will be used on a future voyage involving checked luggage since they're 4oz each.





Next stop: Brett's Luggage & Gifts. Brett's is online at http://www.suitcase.com/. My old carry-on doesn't have the space needed for cramming all my essentials for eight days, and technically it belongs to my parents. The saleswoman hooked me up with a Pathfinder 22" expandable Avenger XLite in a cool shade of spruce (not the color below), which I'll be able to spot on the conveyor belt. While I was there, I picked up a new inflatable neck pillow from Eagle Creek, fleece-covered and hopefully less likely to deflate than previous pillows I've owned.


The next problem I had to solve was what to do with my laptop. I have a laptop backpack I use daily that fits my computer as well as my gym clothes, but makes me look less like an international businesswoman and more like a college kid. My rolling laptop bag is too big to put under the seat on the plane, so it wouldn't be allowed. At my local TJ Maxx, I found this Wenger "Rhea" computer tote that seems like it will hold all my stuff. I may look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame by the end of my trip, but at least I'll still be stylish.


Now the challenge is packing for eight nights in a 22" carry-on bag and small-ish laptop tote. Is it possible? I'll find out and will let you know! If you want to carry-on, consider the following:

1) Follow the TSA's 3-1-1- rules: Liquid must be in 3oz containers, fit in a 1 quart bag, and each passenger is only allowed one 1 quart bag.

2) Check your airline's hand-baggage allowance for not only the number of bags, but the size and/or weight as well. Each airline is different. Some examples:
- British Airways now allows one carry-on piece of luggage plus one handbag, briefcase, or laptop bag.
- On this trip, I'm also flying El Al Airlines in economy class, and I'm only allowed one piece of hand-luggage with a weight limit of 17lbs. Therefore, my Pathfinder Avenger above will have to be checked in.
- Virgin Atlantic has even stricter regulations, with one carry-on not weighing more than 13lbs, and a purse that is "appropriate to normal travelling dress and is not being used as a container for the transportation of articles which could otherwise be regarded as baggage." I had no idea Richard Branson was such a particular fellow...

3) In addition to the liquid requirements, remember that items such as metal nail files, manicure scissors, and tweezers are not permitted. Buy them after you arrive, get a mani and wax before you leave, or just deal with your unibrow and hangnails for a few days.

The risk of lost luggage at Heathrow is just too high, and it gives me a good excuse to improve my packing skills. We'll see if I can do it, or if I end up saying "The hell with it all!" as I roll out my 26" piece and just throw everything in.

Don't Mention It: Stylishly Stashing Your Unmentionables

When I was about eleven years old, I had my first embarrassing encounter with airport security. I stood behind my parents anxiously awaiting my bag's arrival through the scanner, praying nothing would encourage the guard to open my purple tote with neon-pink hearts (yes, it's nearly two decades later and like any self-respecting girly-girl, I remember which bag I was carrying). As I reached to grab my tote from the conveyor belt, the guard got to it first and began to unzip it - and I ran.

Ignoring my parents' panicked faces, I tried to get as far away from the embarrassing contents of my bag as possible. I was at an age that Britney Spears may describe as being "not a girl, not yet a woman," and it was not the prospect of airport security finding my teddy bear, but rather a stash of unused maxi pads that I had not so cleverly wrapped in toilet paper, that made me run for the hills. Plain maxi pads in my bag would have been bad enough, but the fact that they were wrapped in toilet paper made the situation appear far, far worse.

Fortunately, such a situation has not happened again. But as airport security worldwide gets tighter, the the odds are higher that your bag will get searched. Every time I go through the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, my bags and I are given the third degree - often leaving the contents on display for travelers all around me. As I have another trip to Israel coming up in a few weeks, I'm on the lookout for a cute and functional way of hiding bras and panties from prying eyes.

But let's start with the other kind of unmentionables that humiliated me all those years ago. Pads are easy to stash in a small cosmetic bag, but tampons are a bit trickier. Here are some stylish options:

These cute cases are from Hippy Chix Shop.

These stewardess, cowgirl, and beach babe cases from Uncommon Goods will hide your femme products.




Customize your own case at http://www.kyledesigns.com/

To hide away your silky (or cottony) little (or big) things, here are the best that I've found.

I love this set from Pack Happy, which includes three bags for lingerie, shoes, and dirty laundry. I've found the best price at Traveling Chic, and am waiting for this color scheme to be restocked (there are other colors available now).

I am VERY happy to have stumbled upon Lapin Vilardi. The two friends who created this line of travel accessories have great taste, and their bags and cases would liven up any set of luggage. Each pattern has several pieces including lingerie, shoe, and laundry bags. Here are my favorites:

I'm a fan of Belle-Hop's feminine travel accessories, including this lingerie wrapper:

Good to Be You has both sexy and sweet bags:

Please don't make the mistake I did at age eleven - seek out something cute to hide your unmentionables and spare yourself embarrassment in the security line!

Can you spare a square?

I must confess: there has been more than one occasion in my life when I could have used an extra square. Few things are more awkward and frustrating than having dropped trou and done your business, only to realize there is either one square, a scrap of a square, or simply no square at all. Perhaps you're too embarrassed to ask your neighbor for a spare, perhaps she rudely declined (as happened to our friend Elaine), or perhaps you're in an airport bathroom in eastern Europe, and your neighbor does not understand a word you're saying.

After several hand gestures under the stall, you manage to acquire a precious square. But in a cruel twist of fate, you realize all too late that the square is nothing like the Quilted Northern, Cottonelle, or even Scott Tissue that you're used to. Oh no - this foreign object rubs like sandpaper on your cheeks. You've just encountered an unfortunate product that Communism left behind.

The rumors are true: I've been to Russia, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The businesses, restaurants, and airports I've spent time in all stock the same brand of t.s. (toilet sandpaper). Oh, it's ever so slightly better than Istanbul where there's often no toilet paper at all in public bathrooms. So said my guidebook, and it was correct.

After running from bathroom to bathroom at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport last summer looking for a stall with at least three squares, I never travel without this ingenious product from the thoughtful developers at Charmin:

I get mine at Target (which has a huge selection of travel-size products), where you can also find Charmin's seat cover to-go pack, which could potentially save you several squares of Charmin t.p.

Be sure to put these in your carry-on, and you'll always have a square - whether you choose to spare one or not.