First let’s fly through lunch…
Thursday's Grub
Today’s meal included two servings of Carba Nada egg fettuccine pasta, marinara meat sauce, spinach and marinated artichokes.
Marinated Artichokes = Best Part
The marinated artichokes totally made this meal. They’re 5,000 times tastier than regular canned artichokes. These particular ‘chokes were actually super oily, but I’m not complaining because they were fantastic.
Before moving on, I should let you know that the Fashion page was updated this afternoon!
And now for a guest post from Kristen! 😀
Kristen is the author behind the blog Anywhere There’s an Airport and after she left the most amazing comment on my blog when I posted about my upcoming trip to Europe, I visited her blog and was blown away. She is well-traveled, savvy, beautiful, smart and has the best tips for traveling abroad when all you can bring is one teeny, tiny suitcase.
I hope you enjoy her guest post about traveling to Europe with only one carry on as much as I did!
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Guest Post: Anywhere There’s an Airport
One carry on suitcase changed my life!
I planned a trip – packed a bag – boarded a plane – fell in love – and moved across the big blue ocean!
Hello PBF readers!
My name is Kristen and I write Anywhere There’s An Airport!
I write about the ins and outs and ups and downs of moving abroad, moving in with my boyfriend, and merging our 2 cultures.
Spaniard + American = Love [most days!]
You can read the full story of how I met the Spaniard here, or check out the picture book version here.
I have been blessed beyond measure and pinch myself daily!
But it’s not all sunshine, roses and tapas. I write very candidly about the depths of homesick despair that I sometimes stumble into, but I wouldn’t have my life any other way.
Don’t let this photo fool you, I am NOT the country girl! But when in Spain, right!?
Besides the fact that I hate the Spanish dinner time – 10 PM! I LOVE European travel!
And European food finds!
This Florida girl has fallen madly in love with freshly roasted chestnuts!
But traveling in Europe means one thing – ONE bag!
There is no such thing as one “carry on” and one “personal item.” One is one. They watch you consolidate your purse into your suitcase… and then watch as you shove it into the metal bin to make sure it’s regulation size. They don’t mess around.
A sigh of relief escapes every time my bag fits.
I like to think I have become a pro at packing. I was honored when Julie asked me to write a little bit about what I like to think of as carry on fashion!
Just because you can only have one bag doesn’t mean you want to let personal style go by the wayside.
Rome and Paris are spectacular! I was determined to look the part!
How to: Carry On Fashion
1) Proper suitcase
I bought this LL Bean bag a few years ago when I had a gift card and had no idea what else to buy. I was living in Florida and really had no need for fleece lined anything.
Best suitcase of my life!
There are multiple pockets for organization and has a soft top. Perfect for smashing all purchases that you didn’t save room for. This bag works for me. Find a bag that works for you.
2) Roll it – Don’t fold it!
Rolling your clothes can save on wrinkles and definitely saves on space. A LOT of space! I didn’t believe it until I tried it, and I now even roll the clothes in my dresser drawers.
3) Streamline
Streamline anything you can. Every little bit of space counts.
You don’t need every hair product in the bathroom and you don’t need all 10, or even 5 eyeshadows in your make-up bag.
I generally wear the same make-up day in and day out. ONLY pack that. Maybe an extra shadow, or lipstick for fancy dinner purposes but I’ll bet you a 2 Euro glass of Spanish wine (because all wine is that cheap here!) that you don’t need more than that.
Streamline Jewelry. I often want to pack my entire jewelry box. “What if I need these earring?” Think of the pieces that you usually reach for, your favorites. Bring what you love but not everything you “maybe, just in case” might want to wear.
4) Layers
On my first trip to Spain I had no idea what to pack! It was April. It went from hot to cold, and rain to shine through my 10 days here. Packing options doesn’t mean packing everything.
Example: Spring Time Layers
Jeans and a tank:
Plus sweater:
Plus scarf:
Details:
A la Julie:
- Tank: JCrew Outlet
- Jeans: AG via Anthropologie – on sale! [the only way]
- Rose Appliqué Sweater: Banana Republic
- Scarf: Anthropologie – Moving gift from mom. She has a matching one. Awww! 🙂
- Belt: JCrew Outlet
- Necklace: JCrew Outlet
- Shoes: Rainbows – random surf store – circa 2005 – perfectly molded to my feet 🙂
- Bag: Longchamp via Longchamp in Paris – so much cheaper – worth the flight right?
- Purple Aviators: Urban Outfitters
This outfit can transition from day to evening and from a 78° F to 63° F. [For my Celsius friends that’s 26° to 17° C]
Changing the shoes obviously.
Winter Time Layering is very similar… you just shove the cute outfit under a down puffy coat.
A Roman Outing:
Tank, turtle neck, sweater, leggings, scarf, 2 pairs of socks, rain boots… all covered up.
Throwing coins in the Fontana di Trevi!
Here’s the toughie!
5) Shoes!
As ladies we love shoes! I was a constant over-shoe packer. And I am still working on this!
Don’t pack these!
I have never once worn the heels that I so desperately thought I needed.
In the winter I find it easier. Boots. One pair – black or brown and work your outfits around that pair. Wearing them on the plane saves SO much space.
But what about the summer? All the flats and sandals add up and create A LOT of weight. Choose wisely. Pack for fashion, but also comfort. We all want to look cute at the Louvre, but if we are hobbling around on blister covered feet it really doesn’t matter. Limping negates fashion.
Now, when I say comfort I do not mean running shoes.
Speaking of… let’s talk workouts. That biz takes up a lot of space! I used to be the girl that packed enough workout gear for a week, making it to the hotel gym before everyone else’s wake up call.
Spain has definitely relaxed me. I no longer feel the need to get in that sweat session. Exploring a city on foot is a much better workout. You will be walking far more miles that you ran on that treadmill anyway.
However, I do love Bikram Yoga. I’ve been practicing for 4 years and think it’s fascinating to practice in different languages.
I’ve walked the Vatican for Italian, rose early for French, and my new hometown is Spanish. If you know Bikram you know you can wear next to nothing! These clothes take up virtually no space.
Other suggestions:
Re-wear: Call me dirty, but I don’t wash my jeans after every wear. They take up a good chunk of space and can create many an outfit.
Umbrella: Yes, it rains in Spain and most European countries. I have never regretted packing my umbrella, but getting caught without it, no bueno!
Ear Plugs: When your hotel room is right next to the weekend band festival in Barcelona you will thank me!
Longchamp bag: LOVE! Worth every penny! The bag is as light as a feather. The only weight is what you put in it. Plus it folds up for storage in that ONE carry on.
Converters: Depending on whether you are traveling outside your home country you don’t want to be unable to charge your computer, cell, or ipad. i.e. connection with the outside world.
Living abroad has made me exponentially more grateful for technology!
There you have it! Just a little bit of what I’ve learned through overpacked, backbreaking luggage.
If you have any questions regarding travel, moving abroad, or need a perfect Roman pizza recommendation, I would love to help!
Please stop by Anywhere There’s An Airport anytime!
After all, life is just too short, and flies by too fast not to take a stroll down the Champs Elysees.
Thank you Julie for this wonderful opportunity! May you soon be soaking in the European world that I now call home!
Questions from Kristen:
- Have you ever arrived at your destination, only to realize you forgot something crucial?
- Are you rigid or relaxed when it comes to vacation workouts?
- How many times do you wear your jeans before washing?
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wow I really enjoyed this post! awesome post Kristen! hmmm whenever I’m away, I still work out at least 15 minutes in my room or something 🙂
This was a fabulous guest post! I am very relaxed when it omes to working out while on vacation. I find that I want to just enjoy my trip!
Awesome guest post! Thanks for sharing all the great tips – I am now addicted to another blog 🙂
So happy to aid in your addiction 🙂 Thanks Brynn!
Question…when did they start saying one bag only? I was just in OZ and we were allowed a carry-on + a purse of any size.
No problem at all with two things…is Europe different?
I looooooove my LLBean “suitcase/backpack convertible” but I check it … Do you use the one bag to save checked luggage fees? Are those
fees applicable on Europe flights? (No problem w/fees to Oz)
Questions aside … The one thing I absolutley 10000000 % am sure to pack is a mini spray bottle
of Febreez. Makes clothes last longer on vacations as they don’t smell !
Happy vaycay Julie…and thanks for your guest columnist’s advice.
I was wondering about that, too! I recently came to Canada and I brought 3 (!) pieces of carry-on baggage with me! Plus 2 checked suitcases, but I had to pay the fees for one.
I also moved abroad because my bf lives in Canada.. I’m from Germany, but we actually met in San Francisco last year!
Hi Ladies!
The one carry on bag is specific to the airline. One of the best and cheapest airlines here – EasyJet – has a strict ONE bag policy! You can pay to check another, but you always have to pay. And when the cost to check a second bag is nearly the cost of the flight I just can’t do it! 🙂
Janey – isn’t the LLBean bag the best!
Franzi – I have never been to Germany! It’s on the list!
What a perfect guest poster! I found her a blog a while back and think she’s just great! 😉
These are great tips!! Sometimes I feel like I underpack and I’m usually wearing the same things in all my pictures. I took one hiking backpack and a regular backpack when I went to Europe.
And I wore my old running sneakers. They worked great. 🙂
Awesome post, good info + great pics! Kristen rocks!!!
We still love ya too Julie!
I’ve been reading PBF for awhile, but just lurking. Then, I found out you’re going to Lugano, where I go to university! Even though I grew up in Maine, I’m studying abroad for all 4 years of college. Currently, I’m doing a semester in Lyon, France. Kristen’s guest post reminded me of a lot of my weekend travels through Europe! You’ll have so much fun in Europe… You might just never want to leave. Oh, and the gelato is just as good as you’re imagining.
Great post! I can relate as I’m a native north carolinian now living in Denmark because of love! ;o)
Thanks Sonia! I love hearing similar stories! Love all over the world 🙂
I saw your tervis tumlbler and just had to tell you I just bought one yesterday! I love it! The lid is kind of hard to put on but I still love my new cup! It makes drinking my 64+ ounces of water a day very easy! 🙂
Wow, such great info!! I went to Europe years ago, but thankfully it was before they started allowing so few items.
Since I rarely wear my jeans for longer than a couple of hours at a time, I go quite awhile before washing them!
What a fabulous post! Kristen should guest blog more often. I love her pictures! Plus, she provides great information for packing. I could have used this when hubby and I went to Jamaica last year. I will def. be using it when we go to Florida in August. (Julie, how far are you from Palm Coast?)
Shameful story….Took a vacation in 2006 to NYC! My first time going and we were going to be there for a week. NYC is always played up on movies and television so of course I had to look the part. Not to mention dad hired a limo driver to pick us up to take us to our home at The Ritz for the week. So, just little ole me pack TWO full size suitcases!! One was nothing but shoe’s and accesories. Nope, didn’t wear anywhere close to half of the things I took with me. I ended up falling in love with the daily life of NYC and thats the part I am eager to see on our next visit. Hopefully we will go soon!!
To answer a question….I wear my jeans a lot! I may wear them 4 times before they are washed. Something about that day 3 wear that makes you so comfortable! 🙂
Love this post!! I’ve traveled to all 50 states and 27 countries (soon to be 28!), including backpacking through most of Western Europe, so I feel like I’ve got this down to a science. 🙂 I have a whole list “system” that I use when packing, and am a pretty efficient packer. I can’t think of a single time when I forgot something important. Although I did get my purse stolen on a train in Italy – luckily my passport and Eurail pass, credit cards and money were not in my purse! But I did miss my camera and phone!
I agree with all of the things you mentioned! Layering and being able to mix and match your outfits/shoes is key!! I also have a couple of Longchamp bags that I LOVE!! Being able to fold them up is great and they can hold so much more than you’d think!
In our family my husband is the chronic overpacker. We blame the Eagle Scout in him with their “always be prepared” motto. haha
Many years ago, a small group of us were going on a weekend trip. When we got there, my friend realised he had forgotten his luggage. He only had a carry on, but others had to check luggage and he, being really hungover, thought he had checked it in, but really just left it sitting on the floor near the check – in at Heathrow Airport. it wasn’t until we got back that we realised what sort of a secruity panic he had caused – an un-named bag sitting in the middle of an airport!!
Thanks Julie and Kristen! This is a really wonderful post. I have to agree with the shoes part. I used to pack 3 pairs of shoes – running shoes, dressy shoes, and sandals. In the end, I usually end up using only 2 pairs. Besides that, I have to agree that it’s more fun exploring a new place by foot. I love all the tips that Kristen gave on packing. While I travel quite a fair bit, I am pretty lousy at packing.
Haha… call me dirty, but I actually re-wear my jeans 4-5 times before washing. Sometimes, I re-wear my tops when I travel too!
Great guest post. I will definitely be checking out Anywhere there’s an Airport.
My friend once forgot her cell phone when she went home from college for christmas break. She lives in LA and we go to school in Pennsylvania… she didn’t have it for a week. I can’t imagine how you could forget something like that.
What a fantastic guest post! So helpful!
Aw this is such a cool post! But Julie – check with the airlines’ websites. Often you’ll be able to take a carry-on too. I’ve flown with nearly a dozen different airlines and was able to take a carry-on for all of them (even the crappy budget airlines!)
Awesome post.