Keeping Calm With A Carry-On

 

I'm an avid traveler, and I like to think I have PERFECTED packing and traveling. I'm definitely not going to say packing or traveling light--because I still don't know how to do that...I always over pack because I never know what I'll want to wear or what the day might entail...but even overpacking I have the carry-on portion of my traveling down pact.

This weekend I'm going HOME to Mississippi with my wonderful boyfriend Joe. He bought me tickets home for Valentine's Day!!! It's the most thoughtful and unexpected gift I've ever gotten. There have been quite a few tear filled night since Thanksgiving (that is the last time I was home...and it was a very short visit then). I'm just a huge family person, so being away from them can be really hard. His family made Christmas so welcoming though--which made it easier. My mom and dad also both came to visit, but I still miss everyone else! Especially my siblings and best friends.

Anyway--here is how I pack!

The first step to a successful carry-on bag, is a GREAT checked one. I have a large hardcase that I pack all of my essentials in.

 

I also make sure that I have a list of what I will need to pack for, so that I don't forget anything.

 

 

Instead of carrying a purse, a laptop bag, and a camera bag I just put everything into a backpack. Yes, a backpack. It may not be the most stylish option--but it more than gets the job done! My backpack is a camera backpack the has a zippered back pannel for all of my camera gear as well as storage in the front and a designated area for a laptop. It holds a TON.

 

These are some of the items included in it for this trip:

 

 

My cameras, lenses, and film.

 

 

A book, some lipglosses, the nail polish I am currently wearing, some asprin, a watch, and some sunnies!

Not pictured, there is also some gum, a tank top and a change of shirt, a pair of socks, my wallet and phone charger. On this trip Joe brought his laptop so I didn't bring mine--but mine still would've fit very easily into my backpack.

 

I also made sure to wear layers on the plane, including an oversized scarf that doubles as a blanket. :)

 

I don't carry my purse, but I do pack it. It's a hassle to deal with in the airport and could easily be overloaded with things so I just save myself some trouble and pack it instead.

 

 

I also keep my license and all of my boarding passes on hand in a travel notebook. It makes things incredibly easy and organized, which you all know I love.

 

 What kind of things do you include in your carry-on?

 

xoxo