Why The List?
Ok, I know I’m not Oprah (yet) but based on the way I live, I have had to be very choosey about the items I carry. There is no room in my carry-on lifestyle to have frivolous items or ones that don’t Wow! me. So I’ve created my own version of a favorites list which is likely far different from Oprah’s so no need to feel you have to choose between us!
Because I travel so light and pack so intentionally, I have been asked frequently how I decide on what I buy. In this space I will feature an item or two that has me carving out space to bring with me on my travels. These items will have links in case you feel the Wow! too and in full disclosure, some links may provide me a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Because I travel so light and pack so intentionally, I have been asked frequently how I decide on what I buy. In this space I will feature an item or two that has me carving out space to bring with me on my travels. These items will have links in case you feel the Wow! too and in full disclosure, some links may provide me a small commission at no additional cost to you.
I introduce to you the Rocketbook Notebook. I love my paper and I’m a sucker for a new journal or notebook, but let’s be totally honest – they are not practical for someone like me. And, if you are into the conservation movement, that is a lot of paper that is thrown out after scribbling and doodling or short-term note taking.
The Rocketbook notebook has taken the whole matter and addressed each in a notebook. The cool thing is, I can now have just one notebook, I still love paper, but I also like organization and I hate the weight of notebooks just for reference.
I get to handwrite my notes, I can scan them into a document for my google drive or email and store them for long-term reference combined with smart tagging (which hand notes never have!) and then erase the page and have it free to write on again. It’s like a fresh notebook as often as I want!
Has this peaked your interest? Click the link below to see all the options of sizes and personalizing
The Rocketbook notebook has taken the whole matter and addressed each in a notebook. The cool thing is, I can now have just one notebook, I still love paper, but I also like organization and I hate the weight of notebooks just for reference.
I get to handwrite my notes, I can scan them into a document for my google drive or email and store them for long-term reference combined with smart tagging (which hand notes never have!) and then erase the page and have it free to write on again. It’s like a fresh notebook as often as I want!
Has this peaked your interest? Click the link below to see all the options of sizes and personalizing
RocketBook Notebook
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In the world of Marie Kondo, everything is "neat and tidy" and travel has not escaped this fad. Packing cubes are all the rage today, but for me they have never seemed practical. I need to fit lots of stuff in a small bag so the idea of organizing my outfits or something by cube just never worked for me.
So in comes the Eagle Creek PackIt compression packing cube and I'm so sold! I bought these before I left the US this last trip hoping to move with even less baggage then in the past. My idea is that you should have no more bags than hands and I am down to a carry-on roller bag and a backpack so I have to fit everything I own into those! These cubes allow you to compartmentalize dirty or clean items, or by item type or however you like. The beauty of it all though is that once you fill it up there is a second zipper that shrinks it all down! It's magic! Whether you are packing your entire life up or just a week's worth of clothes, these keep things clean, organized and compact. |
I want to introduce you to the smallest item in my travel life that is one of my all-time favorites! The Go Travel Carry-on Bag Clip is a small cost little clip that hooks on the side of any bag through its O-ring and allows you to carry your jacket on the outside of your bag.
Now this might not seem like a big deal to most, however if you have ever gone on a beach vacation from Boston in February....you understand how awesome it could be!
For me, where packing space is precious, anything I can attach to the outside of my carryon allows me to optimize space.
When my sister gave me this few years ago, she was unsure if it would be useful. Years later - I find it not only to be useful but invaluable!
If you're not a traveler, you might clip it onto your briefcase during those seasons where "in between" weather means you need a coat only part of the day, or you don't want to be without a rain coat but don't need to wear it all day.
This sounds silly, but this is definitely a WOW! for me and I think you'll think so too. For such a small price, it packs a real value!
Now this might not seem like a big deal to most, however if you have ever gone on a beach vacation from Boston in February....you understand how awesome it could be!
For me, where packing space is precious, anything I can attach to the outside of my carryon allows me to optimize space.
When my sister gave me this few years ago, she was unsure if it would be useful. Years later - I find it not only to be useful but invaluable!
If you're not a traveler, you might clip it onto your briefcase during those seasons where "in between" weather means you need a coat only part of the day, or you don't want to be without a rain coat but don't need to wear it all day.
This sounds silly, but this is definitely a WOW! for me and I think you'll think so too. For such a small price, it packs a real value!
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There is one place that I go every time I'm in the Boston area to stock up for my travels and it's Penzy's Spices. This store is like a candy land for me!
A couple of things I love about them is the way they package the spices (I buy bags so they travel easy) and the variety. You don't just go there for cinnamon, you can get Vietnamese cinnamon or Indonesian cinnamon or Chinese cinnamon. Don't know the difference? Their labels tell you all you need to know! It's a chef or baker's paradise in there. I'm a big fan of this place and they don't pay me anything to send you there. I just love them and want them to remain in business because they are a small business and this is one place I can travel the world in just one store. They also have a catalog (with recipes) and online ordering, so if you don't have a store nearby or have someone you want to gift spices to, it's easy (I know, I do it all the time)! Whether you are a novice or chef, I know you will love this place and it might just spark some creativity in the kitchen! |
