I’m back, and as I sit in my living room here in mid October, I look outside and I see tons of green, cactus, hibiscus, palm trees, and yet, I am yearning for cooler weather. But jokes on me because it’s an extremely balmy 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the only “fall” color I see are from the fiddle leaf fig trees outside with a *few* yellow and red leaves as we head into a dry season where it’ll only get….drumroll…..*hotter*….. This however did not at all stop me from purchasing a jacket or two and a few sweaters, because who knows where I may end up next or will visit soon etc. Maybe just wishful thinking/hoping/silently praying… I just want to “play fall” and not actually have to rake up leaves, struggle with heat on/off balance that fall brings.

I must admit the only thing I love about air travel is the cool temps on the airplane. I know, I know, it can get a bit cold, but I’m here to share some of my favorite travel items that work for both short and long haul flights and/or driving travel! I’m no expert, but I’ve tried and use these, and as now an international nomad of sorts, I’d like to share the things that were most helpful to me! I’ve also included links if you click on the picture! I’ll forewarn that these items are on the mid-higher price range. Nothing over $200, and I’m 99% sure that there are dupes out there, (I’ll try and find a few too) but I’m being honest in the fact that these are the items I have tried, will continue to use unless I find something cheaper (never more expensive), and honestly can recommend. That’s my promise to you.

If you need help packing, I follow this model for my trips. While it didn’t apply in my checked baggage to move here, I used this model for week-to-month long travels. It helped me save space and my peace of mind from over packing. There are different variations, but I choose to follow this 5,4,3,2,1 method from Collective Gen:

Attire:

I could never be the type of traveler that wears heels or sandals on an airplane. No shade if you do. One, I’m not super fashionable in that regard to care about what I look like on a plane because I’m usually freaking out (I hate flying), and two, I’ve ran around my fair share of airports, and heels (unless they were my dancing shoes) are not for sensitive feet. Sandals creep me out because in a post-9/11 world, taking off your shoes without socks and going through security is kinda….well….strange to me. So shoes wise?

Sneakers! Any sneaker will do if it’s comfortable, easy on and off, and efficient price wise. On my last flight I used the Allbirds Tree Runners and I couldn’t be happier. They’re made from eucalyptus fibers and a sugarcane sole, and my feet felt so light, not overly warm, but had the comfortable features on the inside to made my trip from O’Hare, to Dulles , VA, to CDG in Paris, to Lomé very comfortable. I also find that Allbirds are very easy to slip in and out of if your laces are loose enough, and the best part? They are machine washable and sustainably made and carbon neutral!

For clothes, I wore leggings and tops. I wore a wrapping cardigan that I could take on and off but not add a ton of bulk to my person, or bag! PLEASE: Wear what is most comfortable and affordable to you! A close second for me were the Adidas Cloud foam sneakers, which depending on where you find them, run around $45.

Luggage:

H and I decided that for this trip, we wanted quality and functional luggage sets that would stand up to the multiple transfers and rough handling, all while looking fresh and modern.

Contenders: Away, Monos, Beis, TJ Maxx, and Brandless…..So where did we land??

Brandless! Okay, you may be thinking what in the world is Brandless? I fell in love with this company in 2019, as if offered tons of items food (previously) , home, beauty, and travel (!!!) at extremely affordable prices because it literally was brandless. The items are great quality, and are comparable to some well known brands….Enter stage right…the suitcases!

We each ordered a carry on luggage ($100), and a total of 3 checked luggages ($130). I know, that’s a lot. But compared to a similar set from Away, Monos, or Beis for upwards of $700 or more? I think I’ll take Brandless as they have many of the same features (telescopic handle, Hinomoto 360 wheels, TSA Lock), look super modern, are light, and are a fraction of the price. They all made it through being stuffed to the brim, airports, being checked in, flying the globe with very minor scratching which comes off. H got stares from flight attendants and others asking about the bag (I hope…lol) and I 1000% don’t regret this purchase and would recommend them to anyone! They’re even offering a travel bundle right now for $159! A checked bag, carry on, packing cubes, and backpack!

Oh, and did I mention that the lining is made from recycled water bottles? Doing better for the planet, check yes!

Non-Rolling Carry On Bags:

Function and style is important to me. The items listed are not cheap, but I swear by the looks and functionality. They also have to be able to hold either all my belongings, or serve a purpose of carrying all of my tech and in-flight necessities. Here are my rundowns!

Dagne Dover:

When H and I first started dating, he was to have an internship in Northern Ireland during the summer and I did a lot of research into travel items for that trip to go visit, I found this bag, and received my first one as a Christmas gift from my parents. Unfortunately the internship never happened (Covid) but I still continue to use the bag!! I have the bag in Medium, but also have an X-Small for my camera bag! They’re made from neoprene and now recycled water bottles, have so many pockets (Velcro, mesh, and zippered), a key ring, shoe and dust bag, some sizes have a luggage pass through, shoulder strap and handles! The Medium which I used on this past trip, held all of my tech, sanitizer, over night skincare, and more! The medium holds so much and still fits perfectly under an airline seat. If you would like a minimalist looking bag with insane functionality, this is it! As I write this post, I am eyeing this black one…..

Beis:

Shay Mitchell started this bag brand with the most thoughtful details to make any organized or aspiring to be organized person drool. Every bag comes with so many handy details, and it makes it worth every penny. I bought the makeup bag in black, and it’s been a really cool upgrade to whatever random pouches I was using. H got me the bag below as an anniversary present and I still swoon over it (Old lady print? DON’T CARE, IT’S FAB). It was limited edition in this pattern, but every bag on that site including luggage should be a winner for you! In fact, their weekender bag is a contender for the next bag I’ll post! Either way, Their products are worth the look, and purchase, if you want an item that looks stylish and is functional!

Lo&Sons:

Okay, this one is pricey, but they’re having a sale on the bag below (just other colors) for 40% off right now! And there’s also a spot to where if you sign up for emails, you can receive 15% off your purchase. I have the Catalina Deluxe in Organic Cotton in the color Thistle, however if I had to choose another color, I’d choose the gray below! I ordered this bag for a trip to DC when the weather was unpredictable, so I needed a larger sized bag, not too big, but offered lots of pockets and space. This one did the trick. Unfortunately I overpacked and H carried this monster through the airport (long story) on a connection, so it can be a big bag for a 5’0 frame. Regardless, it boasts a zippered pocket at the bottom for shoes or dirty clothes, zippered pocket on the inside, two pouch pockets on the inside, and an optional luggage passthrough. Optional? If you don’t need that feature, it has zippers so it becomes another pocket!

In Air Flight MUSTS!

Bluetooth Transmitter for bluetooth headphones:

These can run from $17ish to $60, depending on the brand. I bought Air Fly for H for Christmas once, I think he used it? Otherwise the concept is neat. Gone are the days of using airline provided headphones that have been on someone else’s head, too big, or like the ones I was provided on an Air France flight from what felt like 1992. These small devices have a 3.5mm aux cord, which plug into the standard airline entertainment centers, and connect wirelessly to your bluetooth headphones!

Foot Sling:

I bought mine on Amazon for $15 and I used it for the first time coming to Lomé. It hooks around the tray table, and has a padded sling for your legs/feet. I’m only 5ft tall, so my feet generally dangle unless I’m slid down in the seat, thus, having this sling allows me to prop my feet on it, bringing my knees up, which makes it way more comfortable. If you have longer legs and not a ton under the seat in front of you, it acts as a low recliner option. If you’re the person to also lean your seat all the way back *mixed feelings here*, then it provides extra support on your calves which is crucial for flights. Best part? Not only are they inexpensive, but it also fits in a carry on!

Pillow/Blanket:

Since we’re new here, pre-pandemic, I used to dance at least 5/6 times a week! Then it stopped because it was no longer safe, and my body felt the effects. I had hip pain from being a side and stomach sleeper, I was getting lower back pain, and I wanted a supportive body pillow.

Enter the most bougie purchases I ever asked for, the bbhugme pillow. Okay, first google search you make and it’s a pregnancy pillow, and I am NOT pregnant. However, it boasted 5-point support, and is aesthetically not a drag, and I needed it. However I knew that it would be way too big for an airplane. I did not want to use the provided pillow or blanket because they’re reused and it just kinda made me think twice during Covid, so I needed an alternative. Luckily for me, they make a nursing pillow, and I used that for my trip. Call me obsessed? Yes, but when you get an economy seat, you have to make it more comfortable for you. Also, generally, pillows do not count as a personal item. Just don’t bring anything huge.

Blankets, oh how I wish I could get a Bearaby Blanket. It’s a weighted blanket that is made with cotton instead of glass beads. The price matches that concept, so until I win the lottery, I had to resort to other options, and honestly? I just wore a scarf that’s thick/thin enough to not bulk me up, but also be used as a blanket. Simple enough and cost me $17 on Amazon.

Other Items:

Skincare, water bottle, scarf or small blanket, and entertainment! I’ll leave those up to you, but be sustainable, stay extra hydrated (especially while masking) and enjoy your trip!

I’m also always on the lookout for recommendations, want me to look into an item? Drop the rec below!

Stay safe,

Carrie