Showing posts with label Bag Check. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bag Check. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

What's In My Bag? The 2024 Airplane Edition

Ever since I started traveling for work frequently after the pandemic, I’ve had the opportunity to test out many a tote for the airplane. See, it’s important that the bag holds my laptop, a book, headphones, and anything else I might need for the flight.

While I initially loved the design of Aesther Ekme’s Sac, the fact that it didn’t fit under an economy-sized seat was a deal-breaker for me. Regular canvas totes were also too floppy and open, causing my stuff to roll out. After trying out many bags, I have to say my go-to now is the Cara by the German company Agneel. It is the perfect size to hold exactly what I need.




On my recent trip to Japan, I also experimented with using the Large Park Tote by The Row as my airplane bag. It was definitely roomier and could hold more than Agneel’s Cara, so I think I’ll use it for longer international flights when I need more items. For shorter domestic flights, Agneel’s Cara will remain my go-to.

Here’s a rundown of what’s in my bag:

  • Bose headphones
  • Notebook
  • Monocle Magazine
  • Workbook
  • Sleep mask
  • Pen case
  • Laptop and case
  • Louis Vuitton wallet
  • Phone (not pictured)
  • Summer Fridays toiletries pouch, which includes:
    • Advil
    • Glasses cleaner
    • Glasses wipes
    • Ear plugs for altitude
    • Gum
    • Bonine for motion sickness
    • Summer Fridays eye cream, lip gloss, and moisturizer


Monday, March 15, 2021

What's in my bag - The Spa Edition

 


When I graduated form high school a friend of my mother's got me a gift certificate to a spa. 

At 17, I didn't understand the appeal. I thought it was boring. I didn't need to relax. I didn't need to heal. 

Now, at 33, I finally "get it." 

I am obsessed with the spa, and fortunate enough to live within a 3 hour drive of one of the best ones. 

Going to Olympus Spa in Seattle used to be reserved for weekend trips to the city with me bestie, but now with a kid a home, such trips are rare. 

That's why we have taken to making a day trip to the spa. One weekday every couple of months, I'll wake up at 6:00am, drive 2.5 hours from my house in Portland to Tacoma, Washington, and spend all day soaking in the pools, getting a scrub and massage, and eating a large delicious Korean lunch.  

Through my experience, I have perfected the art fo packing for the spa. 

Here is what I take with me on these day trips.

To hold my stuff:

  • Spa Bag: freebie from Victoria's Secret
  • Makeup bag: freebie from Korres
For the bath:
  • Korres Body wash
  • Korres Hair mask
  • Body sponge
  • Razor
  • Korean facial mud mask
  • Deodorant (for when it's time to go home)
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (for after lunch)
I wash my hair at the spa, and this is the source of many problems. For one, my wet hair soaks the mandatory hairnets we must wear, which makes me uncomfortably wet in the dry parts of the sauna. Second, it takes forever to dry so I often have to leave the spa with wet hair. To that end, I have a lot of solutions for these problems:
  • Hair Wrap: to wrap my hair under my hairnet so it doesn't soak the hairnet
  • Hair drying spray: to help my hair to dry faster
  • Waterproof Drying bag: for my wet mask and hair wrap
  • Blow Dryer: they have free ones at the spa, but only two of them , and I don't want to wait in case both are occupied
  • Fast-drying hair brush
Covid-19 Protocol - we have to wear a mask at all times in the spa, so I come prepared:
  • Waterproof mask for inside the pools
  • Mask shield to help with breathing
  • Dry mask to put on in the lounge (so I don't have to wear the wet one)

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Bag check: the airplane



After all the Bag Check posts I've done I can’t believe I’ve never bothered to talk about what I bring with me on an airplane. It’s a little different each trip, but my 10+ hour flight to Tokyo is as good as any to be an example. Clockwise from the top:

-       Osprey backpack: my new staple for long flights
-       Gucci wallet for money and credit cards
-       Passport (international flights only)
-       Suica card (train pass for Japan trips only)
-       iPod (yes I'm still pretty old school)
-       Laptop
-       Notebook for handwritten notes
-       Earplanes for air pressure
-       1 book or kindle (for this trip, I am reading Memoirs of a Polar Bear by Yoko Tawada)
-       snacks!  (I only eat dry food on planes and for flights more than 5 hours I need a little something…)
-       Bose headphones (for music and noise cancelling)
-       Gum (preferably Japanese brand Watering Kissmint)
-       Charger bag (with chargers for laptop, camera, and iphone)
-       Camera

-       iPhone

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Bag Check: Amsterdam and Greece


For my 16-day trip to Amsterdam and Greece I had to plan for both Holland's chilly evenings and Athens's sweltering afternoons. I had to plan for city walking and beach strolling and climbing the stone pathways of the village. I had to worry about heat and wind and comfort and sun and style. Again, I wanted a versatile wardrobe that could be worn multiple ways. 

Here's what I packed in one suitcase:

  • 2 pairs of pants: black jeans and black yoga pants
  • 1 pair of denim shorts
  • 1 black shirt
  • 2 tanks
  • 3 dresses: 2 maxi and one short
  • 2 scarves: for style and sun protection
  • 1 jacket
  • 2 swimsuits
  • 1 sun hat
  • 1 pair of thai fisherman pants (for pajamas)
  • 3 large shirts (for pajamas)
  • 3 pairs of shoes: 2 sandals, 1 sneakers
  • 1 laptop
  • 1 handbag


And now that I'm back, here are the results:

Things I am really, really glad I brought:

  • sun hat (I wore it all the time)
  • thai fisherman pants (I wore them as day wear around the island too)
  • sports bras (I wore them more often than anything else)


Things I wish I brought:

  • another pair of fisherman pants
  • more comfortable shorts
  • more comfortable sneakers


Things I wish I had left behind:

  • my scarves (I hardly wore them)
  • one dress (two was enough and I wanted to wear pants more often anyway)


Things I got along the way:

  • Mosquito spray
  • 2 tote bags


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Bag Check: A Day in Taipei

What I take with me when I go downtown for the day:

IMG_6707


Clockwise from the top:

Macbook Air
An-An, Asian Power edition with a Taipei Style Guide
2014 Agenda
Journal 
The Oblivion Seekers, by Isabelle Eberhardt
iPhone
Maybelline Baby Lips chapstick and color
Louise Vuitton wallet
Grey backpack from The Emporium in Okayama


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Pakistan and Dubai: The Packing Challenge


Going to West Asia this spring? Leave the tank top and shorts at home.

This trip has been a packing challenge like none other. For this trip I must pack clothing for two very different countries, and very different occasions. I must look ultra fabulous in fashion-crazed Dubai, but not too flashy for the streets of Karachi. I must also have two formal outfits for an extravagant wedding, but the rest of the days I want to be Über-casual. I also need clothes that are suited for hot weather, but are modest and do not show my shoulders or legs (it's the law!).
How do I achieve all of these goals without hauling two large suitcases with me?
In fact, I might even have to do the ol' suitcase within a suitcase trick. 


Here is what I am bringing:

Luggage: 
  • 1 large suitcase 
  • 1 small suitcase
  • 1 laptop case
  • 1 handbag
  • 1 tiny purse

Clothes:
  • Formal attire for the wedding in Pakistan (2 saris, 1 shalwar kameez)
  • Casual attire for Pakistan (3 shalwar kameez)
  • Casual attire for Dubai  (2 silk blouses and 1 pair of leggings)
  • Formal attire for clubbing in Dubai (2 dresses)
  • Swimwear for Dubai (2 one-piece swimsuits)
  • Pajamas (3 sets)
  • Gym clothes for working out in Dubai (2 sets)
  • 1 towel
  • 3 Pairs of Shoes (1 pair of Sseko sandals, to be worn with everything, 1 pair of heels for the club, and 1 pair of gym shoes)

Accessories:
  • Jewelry for the wedding
  • 2 pairs of sunglasses
  • 1 wig (for the wedding or clubbing)
Electronics:
  • laptop and charger
  • external hard drive
  • camera and charger
  • iPhone and charger

Gifts:
  • Chocolate boxes for my host families in Pakistan
  • Girl scout cookies for my friend in Dubai

Yep, I could definitely use a lesson in how to pack lightly.

 

Friday, June 15, 2012

Bag Check: Astoria Writers Retreat

I am packing for the Writers' Retreat in Astoria, Oregon this weekend! Here is what's in my bag.


1. Wine glasses
2. H&M Sun glasses
3. Delfonics Agenda (from Japan)
4. Mac
5. ipod
6.  Handwritten journals for transcribing
7. Inspiration: The Lover by Marguerite Duras
8. LV Wallet 
9. iphone
10. Favorite bottle of wine: CMS Hedges
11. Anna Sui Mirror
12. Revlon Orange lipstick
13. Car (It's a road trip after all)!
14.  Vintage tote 


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Bag Check: Japan Survival Kit


Louise Vuitton Palermo
Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe
Agenda book (from Japan)
iPhone 4
SoulLoveSound pens (from Japan)
Anna Sui mirror
Suica card (for the Tokyo metro card)
Louise Vuitton wallet
comb
Japanese-English translator
lighter from Hotel Ayves in Japan
iPod
Cannon digital camera
C.A.O. Bella Vanilla cigars
Tokyo metro guide
Notebook (from Japan)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Bag Check: Scandinavian Challenge

How to fit two weeks worth of clothing into one carry-on luggage case, and not be seen in the same outfit twice?

This will be a test in mixing and matching:


1. American Apparel black tank
2. Vintage yellow scarf
3. H&M blue jeans
4. Gap sweater vest
5. Urban Outfitters denim shorts
6. Vintage striped shirt
7. Uniquo tops!
8. Self-made sheer black skirt
9. H&M Black skinny jeans
10. American Apparel black thigh-high socks
11. Vintage fur vest
12.  Guess white tank
13. Vintage cream blouse

  Basic tops (Uniquo)



Colorful accents (vintage)


Leopard nights

Bought this leopard coat at a thrift store in LA about 8 years ago. I loved it when I found it - I had been looking for that exact coat for ...