Travel Essentials – Don’t Leave Home Without Me!

25th September, 2009 by Super Kawaii Mama

Travel can be a tricky business. I’m not just talking about the different time zones, the bad airplane food or the stinky feet of the passenger next to you!

I am asked several times a week about how I travel and what my tricks are for being practical, prepared and glam.  And what better time to share them with you than right now as  I start the count down to the APAC Blog Awards in Singapore. (Please vote for me!)

So pay attention class, today we look at the “Don’t Leave Home Without Me’s” and next week… Travel Fashion for the Fancy!

travel luggage

What you pack your things in is almost as important as what you pack.  God forbid you should be seen schleping an over stuffed, woven $2 shop bag with a broken zipper onto the plane. The less you have to carry the better for both your back and your look – so pare it down and choose wisely. When choosing a suitcase I ideally look for a hard case, even though these are limited in their capacity for expansion. I would rather arrive without fragile items crushed and have a safe space for all the knick knacks I bring back. Most importantly, your suitcase should have 4 rotating wheels! I cannot tell you what a life saver this invention is. After rolling around a 2 wheeled, 40 kilo suitcase in Tokyo during a rainstorm at 10pm at night, I vowed my next one would have 4 wheels. Whilst I tripped and struggled to negotiate the curbs and pavement, the local travelers smoothly went about their journey without loosing their knee caps to a misbehaving case.

Ensure you pack an equally beautiful tote bag that can be rolled up into a ‘next to nothing’ size.  Don’t fill it with things on your departure as this is your secret weapon for the exploding luggage syndrome at the other end of your trip. Down scale your makeup bag and brushes. Decide on the look you want before you go, and pack only the makeup needed to create that, not your entire case. Warning – don’t pack liquid eyeliner pens – they leak at high altitude and will fill your case with ink for a nasty surprise on arrival! You are better to pack either a cake eyeliner or a paint style of eyeliner. (I’m personally not a fan of pencils).

If you have the luxury to be able to buy all your luggage at once, pick a theme and stick to it. If you can’t, then customize what you already have and be creative.  At the very least, attach matching bows of fabric onto all the luggage you are planning to check so you can identify it quickly on the carousel.

Musts for Traveling in style

How do the Star’s travel? Well is certainly isn’t without dark glasses! If I had to leave in a huge rush and not even pack, I still wouldn’t leave without these. My Passport in an entirely fabulous passport wallet. You need to both protect it and find it in a hurry. CASH! You’d think this would be self explanatory, but in the day and age of plastic, it is amazing how many people get caught out without the cash they need. NEVER assume that your destination will accept plastic, as there are many countries in which it can be very difficult to find an ATM and where cash is really the only acceptable form of currency.  But please, don’t take a money belt. It’s like painting a great big target on your forehead that says, “I’m a novice, please mug me!” If you’re worried, best to stuff it in your bra – seriously – just lie it flat and place it in the underside. Nobody likes crinkly tits!

iPhone / Blackberry / or whatever you choice of phone, camera and music all in one. Yes, you can listen to music once the plane has taken off, just make sure you are always set to flight mode. Last but not least on this list – My MAC Russian Red.  Generally, unless it is a very short flight, I don’t travel in makeup. Arriving with smudged eyeliner and skin that looks like the Gobi Desert is not my idea of chic. I travel fresh faced and take along a bottle of aromatherapy water for light spritzes. It doesn’t need to be expensive and I make my own with filtered water and lavender oil.  This way, when I arrive at my destination all I need is my big dark glasses and my trusty Russian Red – Instant Glamour!

plane essentials

What you take on your flight is VERY VERY important! You want to be prepared for the restless babies, the bad movies, the dry air and germ laden environment. A good nourishing lip balm is critical to maintain a soft, subtle pout in the coming days. Don’t bother with tints and flavours, just go for the most nourishing formula you can find. I’m a huge fan of the balm from L’Occitane, the hemp balm from Body Shop and also Paw Paw ointment. They all do a stellar job. Pack some pain killers but BEWARE of drug restrictions in the country you are headed to. Something as simple as Codine may be a restricted substance where you are headed and you don’t want to be cavity searched on arrival! Speaking on which, always travel in pretty but comfortable knickers – you never know when they may be on show.

Protect your hands. Carry both hand sanitizing wipes and a good hand lotion. The wipes won’t just be for your hands, but any suspect surface, you don’t want to be relying on paper napkins in the war against germs. I also carry a face mask in my bag.  It may seem a little extreme, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people travel when they are ill. In the event that I’m sitting next to someone who feels inclined to sniff, sneeze and generally inflict their ills on the surrounding passengers; I resort to my mask. Not only is it a good form of protection, but an excellent passive aggressive way of saying ” Stop sniffing on me you snot factory!”

An eye mask is a no brainer, but many people forget the earplugs.  Make sure you get some small, mouldable plugs and you’re on your way to a good nights sleep, if not a good old cat nap.  My other super trick is the headphones. I bring my own large, ear muff style, headphones and headphone jack adapter.  It means I’m not at the mercy of the audio provided by the airline, but even better is…the noise canceling technology! If you have trouble sleeping with the drone of the engine or the poor baby three rows back screaming his head off; these are a godsend. You can choose to double up and wear your earplugs inside the ear muffs, then you’ll experience a sleep serenity only previously available in pill form.

And there you have it!

Now I’ve gotten you there in style, stay tuned next week to find out How to Pack and What To Wear!

kiss2 Travel Essentials Dont Leave Home Without Me!

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Tags: , , ,

Filed under You Need To Know, holiday, style

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

33 Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website