Howdy globetrotters and world travelers!! Thanks for stopping by for this month’s Where Bloggers Live 09.2023: What’s in My Suitcase. This month finds my WBL buddies and I opening up our suitcases for the all the world to see. My new red carry-on was pretty empty when I opened it today but in anticipation of my upcoming trip to Tennessee to visit my sister, Valerie, I thought this would be a good opportunity to fill it up!!
Where Bloggers Live
Before we pop open our suitcases, allow me to explain from where the ideas for this colorful series originate. Many of them come from the creative genius of our fearless leader Bettye. But some of the other members of the group, most enthusiastically Sally, have also brainstormed ideas for some of our brilliant prompts. We have prompts figured out through 12.2024, for heaven’s sake!! No thanks to me. I just sit with my mouth open in awe!! This has been one of my favorite series in which to participate and I hope to continue to join these fun-loving ladies for more thoughtful posts in the months to come.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Sally at Within a World of My Own
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
And you are definitely going to want to stop by Bettye’s blog to check out her post for today’s prompt. That woman has just moved to Korea. Yup, Korea. She moved in 3 suitcases!! I fuss about having to limit myself to a carry-on when we go out of town for a long weekend. Can’t imagine packing up my life into 3 pieces of luggage.
Past Posts
If you missed last month’s post, you might check it out, it was one of my all-time faves. We daydreamed about time travel. Before that in July, we shared our favorite kitchen gadgets. And in June, we took a look at our collections and collectibles. You know, those precious treasures we have picked up along life’s journey. I shared my ❤️(he)art❤️ collections. It’s been a summer of fun posts.
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Please find the places and posts where I link-up on this page.
Where Bloggers Live 09.2023
This time last year, I was anticipating our upcoming trip to Boston and NYC, then Ohio to see PC’s family and down to Tennessee to see Valerie and her husband, Roby. We were going to be gone for 2 weeks so I pulled out the big guns…the large green, soft-sided suitcase my BFF gave me when I retired. It has seen a lot of miles…mostly between El Paso and Lexington, KY to visit my mom. Paul was quick to insist that we were taking two carry-ons. One for him and one for me. For a brief moment, he even tried to convince me to share a suitcase with him. And just as quickly, I assured him that was absolutely not going to happen.
I stewed for a few days about how in the world to get 2 weeks of cute, diverse, comfortable, trendy outfits in my little roller bag. Wanted to pack layers because in late October-early November averages 52° / 38° in Boston, 55° / 42 in NYC, about that same thing north of Cincinnati where Paul’s family lives, and 61° / 40 near Knoxville, where Valerie lives. Also needed to consider that each destination averages about a day of rain a week in November.
After sulking for a week, I realized PC was not going to give in, and was right not to. He reminded me we would taking our suitcases on public transit, walking on crowded city streets with our bags. With one last loud sigh, I put my big suitcase back in the closet and exchanged it for my carry-on. I set my bag on the guest bed and began figuring this thing out. Used Pinterest to search and save packing lists for the places we were traveling to. Check out my Favorite Places & Spaces board, here.
What’s In My Suitcase
Well, that depends!! Depends on where I am going. The season, the weather. And the activities planned for my trip. In general, I tend to pack too few comfortable, relaxed outfits. While I have read that you should select a color palette so all of your pieces are kind of mix and match, I like color!! And print. When Mom was still living, for trips to see her I tried to pack as many different colors, prints and looks as I could so she could see her first-born baby in all kinds of things. I like to have several pairs of shoes or boots to try to keep my feet as comfortable and cooperative when playing the tourist. And like I said, layers. My lightweight yellow raincoat is a packing staple. Shackets and cardis that can be subtracted and added as the day warms or the evening cools off.
Some of the strangest things I have packed in my suitcase, carry-on bag, or under my arm include a large, frozen beef brisket, a 19″ TV, and my grandmother/mother’s sourdough yeast starter in a jar. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve put in your suitcase?
Packing a Carry-on for 2 Week Fall Vacation
I forgot to take a picture of my outfits before we left home so that was the first order of business once we settled into our hotel in Boston. We stayed in a boutique hotel, The Verb, which was very conveniently located with a fun vibe.
Here’s what I packed:
- 2 solid color tees (turquoise, pink)
- 2 solid long sleeve mock turtleneck tops (white, yellow)
- pink, magenta and black ditsy floral print blouse
- pink, white, brown and black plaid flannel shacket
- dark gray boyfriend cardigan
- Aztec sweater/duster in tan, black, pink, yellow, turquoise)
- striped button front cardigan
- skinny black corduroy pants
- boot cut jeans
- flare jeans
- gray trail or hiking pants
- gray quick-dry activewear tee
- mint and gray zip front lightweight jacket
- yellow raincoat
- silk pajamas
- socks, underwear, sports bra, tee shirt bra
- black walking booties
- animal print slip-on shoes
And here are a few of those looks on me.
What’s in My Suitcase for 5 Days in Tennessee
In preparation for this post, I got out my carry-on and started thinking about the clothes and everything else I want to take when I head to Tennessee. Among the activities we have planned are hiking, shopping, attending the Crossville Apple Run festival, a University of Tennessee football game on Saturday and church on Sunday morning. And lots of scrapbooking.
Here’s what I have laid out to take:
See what I mean about liking to pack lots of colors and prints? I had this laid out then spoke with Valerie and she reminded me about going to church. She said their congregation shows up in everything but I like wearing a dress or dress pants to church. So, I grabbed an Old Navy dress I picked up on sale the end of last fall and never had a chance to wear. Added it to the collection. See it front and center with the fall floral print?
- denim shorts
- green utility pants
- dark chocolate brown wide-legged denim
- medium wash flare legged jeans
- black straight legged denim
- darker wash straight legged denim
- Tennessee Vols graphic tee
- cactus graphic tee that Val gave me
- cropped orange cardi
- green paisley top
- cropped black cardi
- long sleeved pink, magenta and black ditsy print blouse (same one from Boston trip)
- darker wash denim jacket
- blue and brown plaid shacket
- blue tee
- “blessed” graphic tee
- milk chocolate cami
- pink, brown, black plaid shacket
- brown booties
- black walking-friendly booties
- caramel colored ballet flats
- half slip
- shaping bike shorts
- pink camo lounge outfit to sleep in
- socks, underwear, tee shirt bra
Not Set in Stone
I am thinking that I probably need to add something like the hiking pants I took to Boston and pull out one of the dressier tops, either the rose print or the green paisley. And I have some new graphic tees ordered that are on their way and a black and white plaid shacket I scored on Poshmark arrives today. So, basically, all of this could change. Ha!! But it helps me to lay everything out to see what I have and what’s missing before I start rolling it together in outfits to stuff into my suitcase.
I have to add jewelry, too. Which I generally keep to just earrings. Maybe a bracelet or necklace. And my activity tracker watch.
There’s More But No Brisket This Time
Because I am going to Valerie’s, I will need to take scrapbooking supplies. She has oodles of things I can mooch off of but I have paper, photos, embellishments to pack. We have decided what pictures we want to scrapbook. Mom’s 95th birthday and my visit to Valerie’s last year. So I have set some of that aside to pack but will need to go back through my papers and decorations to be sure I have everything.
I also take Jesus Calling by Sarah Young about everywhere I travel. And either my gratitude journal or my prayer journal. Oh, and my Kindle Paperwhite.
Not much on make-up so that doesn’t take up much room. Usually moisturizer, blush, mascara and if I am feeling fancy, eyeliner!! And of course, toiletries. Been known to forget the standard toothpaste and deodorant but I do use both!!
Your Turn
So, tell me true, what kinds of things would I find in YOUR suitcase, for a trip to Boston? A trip to your sister’s house – or mine?? Are there general kinds of things you pack, a packing formula you follow? Do you try to follow a color scheme or palette? Always pack layers? Do you buy new things for trips and vacations? One of the things I worry most about is shoes. I love my shoes and boots and like to take a variety of footwear to show off and to ensure that my feet are happy the whole time I am away, no matter what I am doing.
I always roll my clothes but I know that many gals use packing cubes. Have never tried them but wondered how you suck out the air and reseal the cubes once you open them the first time? Do you pack an air-sucker-outer in your suitcase? Recently pinned this article with great tips for packing including this video demonstrating clothes rolling at its most effective.
I need to get this published. Have much to do around here before I pick up PC from the airport in 2 hours!! He has been in Ohio visiting his mom, his son, Matt and his brother John. He’s coming home sick – poor guy. Planning to make him chicken and dumplings for supper and get him into bed early.
Please join me in visiting my Where Bloggers Live buddies for their take on today’s prompt. Have a restful, late summer weekend, my friends. Thank you for stopping by to spend a few moments of your day here with me.
P.S. Forgot to mention that I will be traveling home from Tennessee with my father’s antique typewriter. My sister has been keeping it for me. Not sure how that is going to look exactly just thankful PC won’t be along because it would embarrass him to death. Shhhh, don’t tell him.
Hugs and kisses,
I’m NOT a carryon girl, so I feel your pain. Sure, I could do it if I set my mind to it, but where would I put my pillow, LOL?
Anyways a beef brisket? I would never have guessed that one.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
You, of anyone and everyone I know, could rise to the occasion and pack a carryon. Might have to hold the pillow, but it would come in handy on longer flights anyway!!
Ship. The. Typewriter!😾
Ha!! I love you. You weren’t supposed to see that. Valerie says we can box the typewriter and have the airline ship it with me on my flight.
I pack my pillow and take it with me wherever I go!
Ha!! I am going to start taking a pillow, too. A small, therapeutic pillow for my neck. Jodie recommended one in her post. And my neck just hurts something fierce. Had never thought how potentially disgusting hotel pillows could be!!
Beef brisket??!! I almost choked on my tea when I saw that! I asked my husband (Fort Worth born and bred): on a scale of 1-10, how Texan do you have to be to travel with a beef brisket? He said 9.5, haha.
I love how you pack colorful clothes and accessories for your trips! The yellow raincoat is a bright ray of sunshine, for sure.
I love that. 9.5!!!! I will take it. I was born in NY, lived in Boston and Memphis and Panama but got to Texas as soon as I could!!
Thank you for reminding me to grab the raincoat. It is the perfect weight and packs like a dream but I had forgotten it for my Tennessee trip. Grabbing now.
Okay, those are some really unusual items that you have packed in your suitcase before. I can’t really think of anything odd I’ve ever packed. I like to pack lots of colors, textures, and choices too and trying to keep myself to just one carry-on is so hard! Kudos to you for making it work for such a long trip.
Thank you!! I was so proud of myself. Now to do the same with my upcoming trip to sissy’s house. Need room for the scrapbook stuff for sure!!
Glad I am not the only one packing clothes with color and print. My BFF loves to pack all black. But that would make me crazy. First all, because none of the blacks would be the SAME black!! And then who wants to wear black clothes on vacay??
My sister asked me what to get me for breakfast while I am there…guess what I told her??? Your fabulous Greek yogurt, fruit, granola breakfast!! Now I am adding a few chocolate chips to the mix!! Probably a whole lot less WW friendly but like finding buried treasure in my yogurt!!
Oh my goodness – I’ve traveled a lot, but never with that much ‘stuff’. More power to you. Love all the colors. Not sure I remember anyone packing their dinner.
Iris
LOL you make me laugh. I just found such a great deal on that brisket!! It had to come with me to the beach so I could throw it in the crockpot and feed my fam!!
I had to laugh at the brisket! That is original. I think the most original thing (and it isn’t really that original) is wine and I packaged it extra good so it didn’t break open and stain everything else bright red! LOL!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Ooooo, very risky packing red wine!! You are a superb packer, apparently. I have packed wine, I think, too, without incident. But it scared me to death. A frozen brisket is much safer!!
Oh, my goodness! I don’t know that I could pack for a vacation in a carry on. Mike always prided himself on doing that for his weekly trips to New Jersey back when he was working. And, it was just this triangular backpack thing! Of course, he did take a briefcase, too. The first time we went to London to celebrate our 25th, I took a suitcase dedicated to only shoes! It had wheels, but one broke. I had to lug that thing everywhere. I have definitely paired (yeah, I know that’s wrong) down with shoes unless we’re driving.
Someday, we are going to have to have the story of the brisket!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Snorting with laughter!! I’m sorry to laugh at your expense with the broken suitcase wheel. Ahhh, to have a dedicated shoe bag!! That is traveling first class. Love the paired, too. Of course, you know it’s pared. You above anyone would know that!! You are so clever.
The brisket was just an instance of me getting a good deal at the commissary on meat for our beach trip. I didn’t want to pay what they would charge at Piggly Wiggly in Galveston for the same cut!! Cheap!! That’s me.
I can solve the mystery of how to reuse the vacuum bags when you’re ready to repack and return home. The bags come with what looks like a basketball pump, they’re plastic and lightweight, and you just take it with you everywhere you’re taking your suctioned stuff! Instead of blowing air IN, it sucks air OUT. I didn’t know how that was going to work either, when I first bought the vaccuum bags. I was like, am I going to have to make sure everyone I visit has a reversible vacuum?? Ha ha. I live under a VERY large rock 🙂
And I’m a clothing roller, too. But you wouldn’t really combine rolling with suctioning…cuz rolling is already about as compressed as it’s gonna get (regular clothing, I mean, would be different if you’re suctioning like a down coat or comforter).
I used a combination of rolling and suctioning when I packed for Korea…but I don’t want to give too much away as now that I have internet (knock on wood) back I can get my post up this weekend.
xoxo Bettye
Thank you, thank you, thank you for solving the mystery. I wondered if maybe the vacuum bags had one of those do-hickies to suck the air out but wasn’t sure. And I didn’t want to trouble the hotel management and cleaning staff for their vacuum in hopes that it was a reversible and I could use it to flatten my bags. Just seemed like a whole lot of hassle!! But now I know. Still think I prefer rolling.
CANNOT WAIT for your post!! Cannot wait. So glad you have Internet…fingers crossed. Have enjoyed keeping up with you on IG. You are inspiring me to do big (for me) things like write more, paint more. Thank you.
I live under the rock too. I venture to say though, with your move to Korea, you are no longer under a rock but living out in this big, beautiful world!!
The worst part of going on vacation is packing for it, especially if you’re going to a different climate.
It is!! I feel like I have always forgotten something even when I have packed everything but the kitchen sink.
Beef brisket? Oh. My. Word. That actually made me laugh. I cannot imagine the looks you must’ve gotten.
I’m trying to think… I don’t think I’ve ever packed anything unusual in my bag. I mean, when I was about 11, I carried my doll {Kareena} on the plane with me. I can’t imagine a kid that old doing that now.
I’m not a carryon girl either. The Hubs and I always get into it because he thinks I overpack. I do. But I just never know what my mood’s gonna be when I travel.
Beef brisket, baby!! It was so much cheaper to buy it at the commissary and take it the beach than to buy one at the beach. I am cheap that way. Maybe not terribly practical but cheap.
You know, I love that you took your Kareena on the plane with you. Was she an American Girl doll? My 13-year-old granddaughter still plays Barbies and packed her favorite – Rachel (a real trouble-maker) for her visit to my house this summer. Cady also asked for Barbie’s for her birthday in July. I played Barbies practically until I became a mom.
I always dread the fight PC and I have about suitcases. But now that I know what I can squeeeeeeeze into a carryon, I will look at it as a challenge when he wrestles my big suitcase away from me.
I have a hard time packing everything into a carryon for a long weekend, I’m impressed you were able to do it for a two-week vacation! I’m saving this post to reference later!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Love i!! Love all of the colors you tend to bring along and had a laugh at the unusual things you have carried. I generally make a list at least a month ahead and tweak it as the time gets closer. For our next vacay, I wanted some comfy striped shirts so i found 2 last week. A lot of our vacations are active so i try to be cute but also comfortable. I found the cutest olive Puma sneakers on clearance for $25, so olive it definitely part of my color palette! The right shoes are important!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I’m with you on the shoes. We went to Iowa earlier this year for just 3 days, actually one day – flew out on Friday, family reunion on Saturday, flew home Sunday. But I took three pair of shoes, you have your airport shoes, shoes you’ll wear to the event, flats for around the hotel… shoes are essential! 🙂 I’ve never been one to roll my clothes, I should probably try it.
Oh, Cindy, try rolling the clothes. It saves so much room and keeps things from wrinkling as much. Really works. I like to roll outfits together so I remember why I brought this top and those pants!!
We’ve brought meat with us to pass along to someone, but I don’t think I’ve brought much else random like that! I have to figure out packing soon for an international trip and it’s making me a little nervous!
Leslie,
I laughed when you said “brisket” but I bet their has been stranger things! I am also packing a carrry-on for 2 weeks in Italy, and all of my clothes are more mix and match but there are a few prnts n there! Hard to do without. You sound busy travelng, but like you ,I didn’t want to be lugging around big suitcase in Italy! I can’t believe Bettye was able to pack moving items in 3 suitcases!
Hope you are doing well, otherwise.
jess xx
wwwelegantlydressedandstylish.com
Wherever I go or whatever I need to pack, it will have to fit into a carryon. That is how I pack. And believe me, I can get more than you could possible imagine in a carryon. My motto is “if it doesn’t fit in this carryon, I don’t need it!” I have to admit, I do not often travel to extremely cold locations that require “all the gear” and super heavy coats etc. That is not my idea of a vacation anyways – ha!! Hope you are having a good week!! Enjoyed your WBL post…as always!
You do make me smile Leslie! You packed a frozen joint of brisket in a suitcase?!!!!
We just came back from 4 days away and I realise now I packed VERY light – I took
Pjs and underwear, navy trousers, navy shorts, two t shirts, a dress, lightweight hoody, zipped cardigan, a pair of trainers and a pair of sandals. That’s it. 🙂
I use packing cubes but not the kind you suck the air out of, just fabric cubes with a zipped top but they are brilliant at keeping everything tightly packed. And it’s so easy to unpack when you get to where you are staying, undo bag, open drawer, put cube in – done!
Thankfully my hubby knows I don’t do carry-ons so he doesn’t push. I have too many toiletries! I think you packed a great amount of things. It’s always so hard to make sure you are prepared, but not overly packed. Love that you included the strange things you’ve packed before! Haha! I can’t think of anything too odd!
Brought back a typewriter, this time, on the plane!!