Carry on!
Une femme is travelling again! This morning I’m taking off for a weekend family reunion in Ohio, and will be meeting up with ma soeur who is flying in from San Francisco. I’ve been looking forward to this gathering for a while, as we’ll get to see some family we haven’t seen in about four decades, and meet some we’ve never met. I’m not certain how many of my thirty or so cousins will be there, but quite a few are expected.
For this four-day trip, I was determined to travel with only a carry-on suitcase. The one thing that always trips me up is toiletries and skincare; somehow I always have trouble staying within the carry-on allowance for liquids set by the TSA. So this week I rummaged through my skincare samples, and then popped over to Bed Bath & Beyond to pick up one of these:
Problem solved, and I still have room for mascara and lipgloss!
(I’m taking my Chanel Teint Innocence compact foundation, so that doesn’t count as a liquid, and the rest of my maquillage is in powder form.)
Do you have any tips or tricks to share for travelling with only a carry-on bag?
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Always wear your bulkiest/heaviest shoes!
Great packing on the toiletries front!
I also recently bought a travel hair straightener, that’s lighter and thinner than normal.
I’ve never managed just carry-on, not so much because of toiletteries – though it is sometimes hard to find shampoo for super-curly unmanageable hair – as because of the sharp items I’d be at a loss without – a good small folding sharp knife, scissors, a corkscrew and an art knife that is a kind of miniature Stanley knife, mat knife, or what they started calling a “box cutter” after the terror attacks on the World Trade Centre.
But a family visit would be different, and if the family member didn’t have a decent knife, I’d just buy one and leave it with him or her.
I am going to look for that little carry-on kit, assuming it corresponds to regulations. I love travel gadget shops.
I haven’t managed it yet! I’m impressed by that kit however, and maybe will attempt it when I travel to Chicago in October.
I’m going to track that kit down — it looks formidably effective!
My best carry-on trick is perhaps relying on Pater sharing his allowance (he’s low on the toiletries, a low-maintenance guy from way back!). We’ve managed carry-on for several weeks in Europe at a time — part of the trick is also a willingness to compromise ’cause there’s no doubt you have to. For a family trip of a week or less, it should be easier as you could borrow tweezers, etc., (My tweezers got through all the checks last trip, but I was prepared to buy a pair if I had to and leave them behind — cost well worth the trade-off in convenience. We’ve done that for corkscrews in the past as well)
I admit to overpacking and for any trip that lasts more than a weekend I check my baggage.
I find it obnoxious when people try to carry on everything but the kitchen sink, and take up all the space in the overhead bin.
This may not work for everybody, but it’s handy when staying with family. DF and I always uses their laundry facilities when we visit our sisters.
In addition, DF’s sister has a CVS pharmacy within walking distance, so we take the minimum and pick up the rest of our toiletries there.
I’m considering leaving a small stash of toiletries etc. at relatives’ homes that I visit on a regular basis as well.
My tip? Carry a BIG purse or laptop bag:)
I second Nancy’s laundry tip too! even handwash and hang dry works.) Scarves or jewelry to change look. Ballet flats or thin sandals plus full shoes for plane. Shampoo/conditioner in one product. Borrow family’s hairdryer. You need less makeup stuff than you think.
Have fun!
Nice job on the plastic bag. I have been hoarding samples from my skincare that I buy just for traveling. Every time I buy a product I ask for samples for when I travel. I’ve got quite the collection now.
I can’t help you on the clothes. I always pack too much.
Imogen stole mine! I wear my biggest shoes, and pack the smaller ones. Also, rolling clothing works wonders.
I always travel carry-on, even for a two week vacation! If I run out of something, I just buy locally and ship the balance home if the product is expensive. But remember, all those small liquids MUST fit into one quart size zip-loc bag. The TSA won’t accept anything else. Use your clear cosmetics bag for the non-liquids.
I don’t know when I’ve traveled with a carry-on in recent memory! Usually that’s due to gym clothes/sneakers.
I rarely travel with just carry on luggage. I do have the little travel case from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I put liquid laundry soap in one of the containers in case I might need it. I also found spray starch in liquid form (not aerosal) and put some of that into the container that has the sprayer. I also take things that may be on their “last leg”….wear them once and dispose of them at the hotel. I always roll my clothing and put things in my shoes (like socks or stockings or slips). I always have a small bottle of Febreze as well. I also segregate my clothing on the return trip. I put clean clothing in a plastic bag (I use the one from the hotel) and leave the worn clothing in the suitcase…that way the clean clothing stays fresh and I cut down on my laundry when I get home.
For short 1-3 night trips I make due without some cosmetics. I struggle with this as well. For longer trips, I buy easy-to-find cosmetics where I end up and leave them at the end (contact lens solution for example), wash clothing at the place I’m staying, or ship things before and after.
I over pack. I check baggage and do a carry on of my jewelry and one outfit if they loose my luggage.
All suit cases have a variety of clothes in it, just in case any luggage is lost. At least we can get dressed the next day in something.
Have a fun time! See you when you get back
I know that this comment comes too late, but for future trips: On a short trip you don´t need lots of clothes, just a 1-2 ( including your travel ware), that can be dressed up or down. Concentrate on those scarves ( in your case). Wear your stunning jewelry on. Is it necessary to have all the beauty products along? Take along a big handbag and a smaller clutch. If possible, you could have your manicures, pedicures, hairdressers done just before your trip. Forgot something? Buy it when you arrive to where you are going. I´m just having a problem with the perfume; maybe you can get sample bottles of your favorite one. BTW, mine has been the Prada original that came out years ago. I´m not getting bored with it at all.
Dittos on all the tips (heaviest shoes, sampling from cosmetics companies, etc), As far as clothes, I only have about six colors in my wardrobe (and two of these are black and white), which means that 90-95% of my wardrobe can mix and match, and I only need to take one-two pairs of shoes (depending on what I’m doing). Instant capsule wardrobe without even trying!
..and thanks for the tip on the Bath and Body Works travel kit!
Belle De Ville, I agree with you TOTALLY! Those people who have to stuff their huge bags in the overhead really annoy me. And I can’t help but wonder if there’s a plane crash, how many people are injured by flying bags? Those overhead doors don’t seem too sturdy.
I too hoard samples of creams, makeup, shampoo, etc. and use them while traveling. And like L, I take clothes AND shoes that I am ready to forsake and leave them behind as I travel so that I have space for whatever I collect along the way. And I wear my heaviest shoes and jacket onto the plane. Bon voyage!
Since my trips vary between a weekend in New York (via train, but still with the minimum) or a month-long stay in Europe (checked bag, thank you), I don’t have a lot to add to all the handy packing tricks — all of which are good ones. I would recommend putting ANYTHING remotely medicinal (contact lens solution, eyedrops, Rx face cream, etc.) into a separate bag, as these don’t count toward your allowance. Just make sure that you take both bags out and pop them in the tray. The screeners are used to this, and it won’t phase them. I have found that it’s a good idea to put a photocopy of the Rx for my rosacea cream in the bag, though I’ve never been asked — it’s better to have it on hand.
And, as a way to lighten the makeup burden, at home and on the road, I’ve been having my eyelashes and brows dyed. Being blonde, they have started to disappear as I edge closer to 50; it’s wonderful to wake up and not feel like I’m missing half my face! I do curl my lashes and put a little pencil on, but it’s not required. And there’s three things out of my makeup kit.
Hope you had a great reunion!
I travel frequently, and always get by with a reasonably sized carryon. I take two fewer bottoms and one less top than the number of days the trip will last, including what I wear on travel days. (For a five-day trip, 3 bottoms and 4 tops). Pack one extra pair of shoes (dressy flats and wedges are good), and add 1 cardigan. Wear a jacket on the plane. Mostly stick with simple pieces, but mix in one dressy skirt and top to pair for a festive evening out. The hotel iron is your best friend, and buying simple toiletries (toothpaste, etc.) at your destination is cheaper than checking a bag. Bon Voyage!
I’m going to take up Flowerchild’s advice. My best packing I did was when we went to Rome and I managed with one skirt, one pair of slacks, some walking shorts, 3 short sleeved tops and one cardigan for one week. I took everything in either black, white or navy and a couple of red accessories. When we visit family in Australia we are always there for at least 2 weeks, but I never pack for more than one as I know I can do laundry.
I travel with just carry-ons, ever since a friend headed out to the bush for 10 days while her checked bag headed on to Brussels! I don’t think they ever met up again. I prefer packing cubes to rolling: my clothes take much less space, they’re organized (underwear and scarves in one; Ts and shells in another; larger, folded clothes in a third), and they wrinkle less. On a two-week trip to Tanzania, one carry-on and one under-the-seat travel satchel handled clothes appropriate for safari, for an elegant resort, and for visiting Stone Town on Zanzibar. Packing for a two-week trip to Paris, Lyon, and Avignon was even easier! (The one exception to my carry-on-only philosophy is our ski trip. Since we have to check our equipment, and since ski clothing is bulky, I do check a bag.)