How I fly:: My carry on essentials
I have had many people ask me about how I travel since I spend lots of time traveling overseas. After many years, I think I have it down. Having your products and snacks all sussed and organized makes travel easier and more comfortable. If you make the effort before you fly, it will pay off, believe me.In order to have a great trip, it all starts with what you put in your carry on for the plane (not the one you put overhead with your clothes). I have serious opinions about how to put a carry on together.For many years I carried a big carry on bag - a shoulder bag. It was a bag big enough for my computer to fit in. My shoulder nearly broke by the time I got to my destination. Why did I do it? Well for fashion, of course!I travel with loads of photographers, as you can imagine, and they all carry backpacks...not chic. But over the years, and after tons of travel and a little prodding, I finally broke down and became unfashionable (in my mind, anyway) and started carrying a backpack. Let me tell you it's a revelation. Why did I wait so long?! Now I carry a bag from The North Face which can fit all of my carry on essentials.
What's in my backpack?1. The must-haves: my computer, my iPhone, my Passport, Vivi's passport (yes she has one), wallet, water bottle, sunglasses, a scarf to wrap up in in case it's cold, and sanitizing wipes. I wipe down the entire seat, back of the seat in front of me, arm rests, table and monitor. Yep I am that person. If there's a remote, I wipe that too and the seat belt as well. I also always have noise canceling headphones. I like Beats. All cameras and essential equipment should also go into your backpack. Non-essentials can go into your luggage, like portable hard drives, flash drives, converters and extra batteries.2. Toiletries Pouch - I use one from Mochithings. What's in the pouch? Tooth brush, tooth paste, travel size mouth wash, floss, hand sanitizer, Kiehls lip balm #1 Jurlique moisture replenishing day cream, sample size Aveeno body lotion, Evian facial spray, Susanne Kaufmanm moisturizing spray, spare contact lenses, spare glasses, band-aids, an eye mask to sleep, under eye masks, and lavender facial wipes from goop 3. Cable Pouch - I use one from Mochithings. In it, I store all chargers, cables and converters.4. Snacks Pouch - I love to bring my own food. I always bring my dinner on the overseas leg. It's usually sushi, an amazing sandwich or salad and crackers, dark chocolate, my own peanut butter, (usually Justin's small pouches; they're great on crackers for breakfast), and a chocolate chip Cliffbar. Airline food is the worst, so I make sure to bring plenty of snacks.Why all the pouches? It just makes everything easy to pull from your backpack and place in the seat pocket in front of you. That way, you're efficiently putting your seat together with all of your comfort things. I love the idea that everything is organized and at your fingertips. I like everything streamlined, and in it's place, and traveling is no different. If you have everything in a pouch, you will most likely never leave or forget anything.5. Most important is that I have all my documents in my favorite passport holder. Lodis makes it and I have used it for 15 years. I like the bright color because it's easy to see in your backpack, plus it fits perfectly in the front pocket of the backpack I use for easy access.The main thing about traveling with ease is organization, and that involves a bit of thought about what you need and what will make you feel comfortable. Travel can be challenging, so ease is essential.xx Annette