Sharing a look at what I packed for Miami! We had mild weather for South Florida – probably the nicest weather we’ve ever experienced in Florida! I packed a bunch of my favorite tank tops and shorts – many the same style just in multiple colors.
Outfits
I’ll link everything I wore that’s still available but here are a few style notes. I think the most flattering tanks are the Citizens of Humanity Isabel Tank (runs TTS) and the Reformation Julia Top (runs small, I’m usually an XS but sized up to a Medium). My loose gauzey button down from Rails remains a closet staple perfect for the beach.
For beach bags I really love the Naghedi St. Barths Totes (I have the medium size). Durable, sturdy, flexible and easy to clean. I also brought along my YSL Panier Basket (size is the small variation) for a beach bag and Prada Raffia Tote.
For shoes I wore in my new Celine Low Top Sneakers (unboxing here) and absolutely love them. I sized down as they recommended (I’m usually a size 6.5 and bought the Celine in a size 6) and they’re a great fit, super comfortable, no break in required. I also brought along my Veja Venturi Sneakers which I still really love too.
I’ve really grown to love the HunzaG swimsuits. The Domino One-Piece is a great one I find myself wearing the most. It doubles as a top too when you add shorts or a skirt.
Tops & Swim
Shorts, Shoes & Jeans
Accessories
Skincare and Hair Care
I was very impressed with myself that I kept my skincare and hair care packing to a minimum this trip! I stuck with the basics with one in each category. This trip I used everything I packed. The R+Co Dart Pomade Stick is an essential for flyaways and I wish it would stay in stock. I keep checking for it multiple places like Amazon, Neimans, Saks etc. If you can’t find it the Ouai Matte Pomade is also very good.
For perfume I didn’t pack anything with me but purchased a few on my trip including Celine Parade and Loewe Eclectic which I think are going to be new favorites for the upcoming year.
Of course I had to pack my ghd Platinum Plus Styler which is a hair care essential for smooth hair. Helps me get ready in under 15 minutes for hair styling!
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Travel Makeup Picks
I did a makeup packing reel on Instagram if you want to see if all in action. I am an over packer when it comes to makeup but tried to limit myself to 1-2 things in each category. I used everything I packed on this trip so I think I packed just the right amount! The only thing I forgot was a beautyblender sponge and foundation brush. I stopped by Sephora to pick up a beautyblender because I discovered I can’t live without one, lol.
I’ve linked everything below but will list the colors too:
I’m back with a packing roundup! We took a week off for a mini getaway to Key West. It’s been five years since we’ve visited and this trip we took my in-laws with us. We took the Key West Express from Fort Meyers this time. Overall it was crazy hot and humid during our time but we still had a lot of fun! It was a relaxing trip, we did a lot of walking.
A quick look at the hotel we stayed at. Andrew and I booked a 2 bedroom cottage at The Capitana Key West. It’s one of the newer hotels and we really liked it! Super clean, nice modern design, daily housekeeping, cute pool and lounge area. It is 2 miles outside of downtown so you will definitely need a car or golf cart of some sort as it’s too hot to walk that far. Here’s a quick look. If you want to see the inside, I did a mini room tour on Instagram I’ll post below.
For packing Andrew and I packed up 3 Away Bigger Carry-Ons (there was a size limit for luggage on the ferry). I still really love these suitcases and highly recommend them. The Bigger Carry-On is the perfect size to pack essentials for an extended weekend getaway. I also really love their Packing Cubes – both Andrew and I use these. For longer trips we have and like the Medium Suitcase. Their Accessories selection is pretty good these days too! I bought Andrew the Large Toiletry Case and he approves of the design, material and quality!
What I packed below (each item is clickable to take you directly to shop the item):
I didn’t manage to get photos of every outfit I wore but here are a few snapshots.
I’ve never received so many questions as I have about shoes! Here are the highlights on sizing and comfort:
Tory Burch Double T Sport Slide is one of most comfortable sandals I’ve tried. I’ve owned this pair for a couple years now (also seen here and here). They’ve held up really well even though I’m not the most careful with my feet. While it doesn’t have arch support there’s a cushion in the sole which makes them really comfortable on the feet. They run true to size (I’m a 6.5 in most sandals). Comfort is 10 out of 10.
Ancient Greek Sandals Eleftheria Sandal are a recent splurge and I love the minimalist look. They’re very sturdy and I like that they stay on the feet. The straps are not adjustable so it was pure luck that they fit me perfectly. I wish the straps were adjustable though – it seems like having a perfect fit isn’t always going to happen since everyone has different widths for feet, ankles, toes etc. Comfort is 8.5 out of 10 for me. These come in whole sizes and the Size 7 works perfectly for me.
Chloe Woody Slide Sandals are ones I think are super cute, but comfort is a level 7 out of 10 for me. They’re not painful but they’re also not ones I want to walk around all day in. These come in whole sizes only and I wear these in a 37.
Veja Venturi Sneakers are cute for that chunky sneaker trend and I find them very comfortable. They’re very comfortable to walk in around all day. Sizing reviews seem to be mixed (it may depend on color). For these I wear them in a US 6/ EUR37.fendi
Fendi Feel Slides were a splurge and I love them. They’re very comfortable and I had no issues (no break in period). There is a slight arch support inside and the sole has some beveled edges to hug the feet (so there’s no sliding around inside). Even with sweaty feet they stayed on. Sizing is big and wide. I have narrowish feet so I took these in a Size 36. I could have probably gone down to a 35.5 but the 36 is very comfortable. I would recommend going a 1/2 down from your regular size or buy from a retailer that has a good return policy.
For beauty packing I packed up products in 2 different cases this time. For skincare and haircare I splurged on the Louis Vuitton Nice BB Case and love it. I just bought it so I’ve only been able to use it once on this trip. I’ll be able to share more thoughts as we travel more! Packing Reel sharing what fits inside below.
For makeup I packed everything in the Calpak Mini Cosmetic Case. This had been sitting in my online shopping cart for many months. I finally decided to order it in Caramel and love it. Super roomy even though it’s the “mini” version. There’s a bigger option available too!
I don’t always pack hair tools but with the humidity in the Keys I wasn’t going to take any chances on the hotel dryer. I packed up the T3 Micro Aireluxe and the ghd Platinum+ Styler. Both were great! I will probably switch up the dryer for a different one next time (this one took up a lot of room) but will 100% travel with the hair straightener. It’s perfect to smooth out the hair in the morning.
Last thing I wanted to highlight is how I pack my jewelry. I usually wear my necklaces while traveling since I haven’t found a travel case that works for chains (they always end up getting tangled). But for everything else the Mejuri Travel Case is perfect to store rings, three pairs or earrings and thicker chains. It’s also available in black.
Have you been traveling this summer? We have been itching to travel more but Ollie is not yet ready to go with us (hopefully soon). He’s been in puppy training the past 2 weeks so the timing worked out for us to have someone watch/train him this time. We really wanted to bring him but we’re glad we did not (it was too hot and the ferry ride was too long for him!). He’s learning so much! If you’ve traveled this summer let me know where!
If you want to see the places we visited you can check out my Key West highlights on Instagram @beautylookbook.
Away Travel Minis are back again! The minis are usually available during the holidays but they’ve brought them back. For those who missed out on previous launches you’ve asked me to alert you if they are back and they are now! These are my favorite miniature travel-sized cases perfect for quick trips, long vacations, inflight essentials, for the beach, for my gym bag etc. Basically great to carry anything you want protected from the hard shell exterior.
They currently retail for $45 each and are available in the individual empty cases. I’ve done quite a few reviews in the past. If you want to see what I can fit inside you can find previous posts by clicking on my Packing Tag.
Dimensions are 7″ x 5″ x 3″+ latest version reviewed here.
Also thought it was fun to share that Away featured me on their website! Andrew took this during one of our Miami trips you can read about here. Outfit details: Tank – Jcrew / Hat – Eric Javits / Shorts – 7 For All Mankind / Sunglasses – Rayban / Sandals – UGG Kari Sandal (runs true to size).
I’m so excited to share the news that the Away Minis are back for the holiday! Individual minis launch on their website Away Travel and in their stores today (with more holiday goodness launching very soon). I’ve gifted these every year they’ve launched and they are always well received – even by the picky ones! These are my favorite cases to travel with and I also carry them to the beach and to the gym. The hard exterior is perfect to protect things from getting squished in your bag or luggage (like sunglasses and squeeze tubes).
The 2019 edition has a couple of updates to the design. The size and dimension are the same with an open interior and mesh pocket on one side. This year they’ve added a small hook on the top front to attach a key ring and on the inside they’ve added another elastic band for those who want something extra to hold products in place. They are available in 9 Core Colors, Aluminum and a few limited-edition shades as well.
Double zip, zipper matches the polycarbonate shell, new ring attachment at top this year:
On the nails is Chanel Le Vernis in Richness from the holiday collection (review soon)
The Away Minis measure 7″ x 5″ x 3″ and come with a double-zip closure. They’re small but I can fit quite a bit inside! I always get questions about TSA restrictions and liquids. I’ve never had any issues but I usually put everything into a quart size bag at home first to make sure I’m not over the limit.
What I travel with varies depending on season. We’re getting ready for some holiday travel before the end of the year so I’m starting to put together a packing list. Some things I’ll probably check like face wash, moisturizer, etc. But for reference to get an idea of what you can fit, this is what I can fit inside mine:
His and hers travel favorites, Andrew is partial to Kiehl’s and Jack Black for skincare:
If you haven’t checked out their products recently they just launched their Luminous Collection for holiday. They have new colors of luggage, everywhere bags and a few more accessories. In addition many of you have asked about the pink nylon Everywhere Bag that I have from last year. There’s a pink leather version available right now if you’ve been holding out for pink!
This post is about the minis but I always get questions about Away products so I thought I’d do an FAQ. I’ve reviewed Away luggage in several posts over the years. Simply click on my PACKING travel tag to see what I’ve packed on previous trips. Top questions I receive about their products:
Which size do I recommend?
I’m usually a carry-on traveler and typically travel within the US. I prefer the bigger carry on because it will fit in the overhead bins (except for the smaller commuter flight planes).
On one of our trips last year we used the Medium and loved it. I feel like now I’ll always travel with the Medium.
To find out if it will fit on your airline there’s a helpful FAQ section on the Away website. Measurements include the wheels which is super helpful.
What are the stand outs about their luggage over other brands?
The design is streamlined and well made. The wheels have 360 spinners which makes it SO easy to maneuver upright, at an angle, to rotate etc. The handle is designed well so it doesn’t take up a lot of room on the inside. You can still fit a lot in between the handle bars. Quality is also excellent.
Does it get scratched? How do the light colors hold up?
If you check it, it’s only a matter of time before you get scratches. Both Andrew and I have checked ours (even the carry on size sometimes). They hold up pretty well! The scuff marks can be cleaned up with warm water and a Magic Eraser.
How does the Everywhere Bag compare to other travel totes?
It’s thoughtfully designed with REALLY good pockets for easy access and separation. It’s easy to carry on the shoulder even when full. I’m 5’3″ and I am an over packer but was able to carry it without any issue. It is easy to sling over the handle of your suitcase as well. Andrew has one in black leather and likes his too. He was 100% convinced it wasn’t going to be better than his briefcase which he also uses for travel to carry his laptop and electronics. After one use he’s a convert.
Snapshot of previous minis in action from past travels:
Away Minis launch individually today. Available in 9 core colors, Aluminum and 5 limited-edition colors. Starting at $45 each.
Be sure to follow @away on Instagram or sign up for their newsletter for new launch alerts. There are more things launching for holiday gifting very soon! For now individual minis are available in all of their core colors on the AwayTravel.com.
The cutest Away Mini Travel Cases are back for a limited time! I’ve been writing about these since 2016 and am completely obsessed. The minis are typically launch only during the holiday season and sell out very quickly – if you missed out here’s another peek at them. They retail for $35 each just for the case itself and right now come in the core colors. These are hard zip cases with a mesh pouch in the interior and measure approximately 7″ x 5″ x 3″ – they’re nice to store things you don’t want to get smushed when traveling like small hair brushes, sunglasses, beauty essentials etc. You can find them right now online at AwayTravel.com (under their Gifts and Extras section).
The cases are versatile for a wide range of things. I don’t just use these for travel. I use them for weekend day trips, going to the beach, etc. They’re nice and compact and perfect for carrying inflight essentials. If I’m flying to be safe I put all my liquids I’m carrying on the plane into a quart size zip loc back before putting them into the hard case to make sure it will be within the quart size limit. Pulling one image from the archives below:
A peek at past trips when I brought my Away mini with me. Also shown on a shelfie and with other things for scale. They’re pretty sturdy and easy to clean on the outside – just use a Magic Eraser and warm water and it cleans up perfectly!
A number of you asked me how the Away Mini compares to the Truffle Jetset Clarity Case. They’re both excellent for travel – it just depends on your packing style and preference. The benefit of the Away Mini is that it has a hard shell so it will protect things better than a leather zip pouch. However the Truffle Jetset is a little bigger around and shorter in depth so you can fit longer things.
I’ve traveled with both on numerous occasions. Each one has their benefits for carrying on the plane or for travel. I do think the Away Mini is more budget friendly and they make really cute gifts. I’ve bought one for so many of my friends and family. It makes me so happy to hear and see how they use them for even just everyday things. My brother keeps his everyday essentials (like contact solution, etc.) in the Away case in his backpack. Some of you have told me you keep your essential travel documents like passport or other papers inside for easy access when you travel.
They just came back in stock for a limited time. If you have these on your wishlist I recommend buying soon! I just ordered a few more colors to stock up for gifts. For now they’re available just with the case alone. I’m hoping they’ll also bring them back during the holiday with sets like they have in the past!
The Away Mini is available only at Away Travel online and in their free-standing stores.
If you’re in search of a good travel makeup bag I have a few favorites I’m sharing today! I’ve put quite a few to the test over the years and I’m rounding up the ones I swear by to haul around my makeup for travel. I’ve tried so many different brands, sizes and styles over many trips. I’m constantly testing different shapes in search of the best ones to pack my makeup. Finding the best makeup bag for me depends on trip length and destination. I like to have different options for makeup vs. skin and hair as I keep things separated by product type so it’s easier for me to find things. I also like flat zip or snap closure pouches to carry around with me as well. Today I’m sharing the three travel pouches I brought with me on my most recent trip along with more thoughts and comparisons on a few different styles/shapes.
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The Daily Edited
The Daily Edited makes some of my favorite travel makeup cases. They functional, chic, well made and I love the personalization options! I really love their Large Cosmetic Case. It’s roomy with a wide base so I can fit quite a bit inside. I own this in a couple colors and I’ve brought this one on every single trip since I purchased it in fall 2017. It has a saffiano textured finish and both have held up really well. Another one of my favorites is their Transparent Cosmetic Case for an affordable option to the Anya Hindmarch Inflight Bags. You can read the review plus comparison in this post here. Quick note that since I bought mine The Daily Edited has changed the design slightly of the trim which you can see on their website. I usually bring the transparent one with me as well but there was a new bag from Truffle that I wanted to try this trip.
Closer look at The Daily Edited Large Cosmetic Case in Black ($100). I picked the smaller font option with blind embossing. It measures 5.3″ high x 8.9″ wide x 4.3″ deep.
Skincare and haircare I packed inside the bag this trip:
Truffle has been a long time favorite as well – I carry their flat pouches with me pretty much everywhere I go. I have them in my purse, in my gym bag and they are always part of my travel uniform. I’ve used these for years and found that their plastic material and leather has held up really nicely even with regular use. Similar to any clear material the plastic will get get dirty with smudges but it’s easy to clean. I clean mine with Novus Plastic Clean and Shine every once in a while and it removes all the sand, debris and smudges. For travel I always pack their Clarity Jetset Case with me. They’re small enough to throw in my tote for day-to-day. They’re also good for bringing some inflight essentials with you. For ideas on how to use it, you can see what I packed inside for our California trip last year in this post here. I also pack my on-the-go fitness beauty essentials inside it for when we go out and run. Truffle just launched a Clarity Jumbo Jetset Case which is a larger version and has two zip around compartments. It’s longer and deeper so can fit more things like longer makeup compacts (I put my Naked Reloaded inside and it fit perfectly!). One half has an elastic band to help hold things in place.
A closer look at the Clarity Jumbo Jetset Case ($125). Measures 9″ W X 3″ H X 6″ D
What I fit inside the Jumbo Jetset:
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Clear Envelope /Flat Pouches
The third thing I never leave home without is a flat clear pouch. Ouai also makes some of my favorite clear envelope pouches. Every time I feature one I’m asked by everyone where it’s from! There are two sizes, a Mini Envelope Clutch ($15) and a Larger Envelope Clutch ($25). They are so convenient to travel with because you can see everything inside it! I’ve found them on their website, unfortunately they’re frequently sold out, the larger one is in stock right now on the US site, mini is available on their UK site. I’ve seen them restock a number of times in the past on the US website so I’d recommend keeping an eye if you have this on your wishlist. I also really love the Truffle Clarity Clutches in Small and Mini sizes to throw in my travel bag. Long time readers know these are always with me!
Inside the Ouai Mini Envelope that I brought to Miami with me (I also carry it with me to the beach at home as well):
Here’s a side by side of the Truffle Clarity Mini ($40), measures 8″ L x 5″ H Ouai Large Envelope Clutch ($25), measures 11.5″ L x 8.25″ H
Ouai Mini Envelope Clutch ($15), measures approx. 6.5″ x 6.5″
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I really love having a clear makeup bag so I can see what is inside. Flat pouches are easier to pack into a tote because they’re slimmer and keep things compact, but if you have larger compacts or bottles they tend to stretch out the clear plastic options. Some additional thoughts:
The Daily Edited Large Cosmetic bag is my favorite makeup bag for traveling. It’s quite roomy and the shape works well for my travel style and needs. It can hold a lot of minis, compacts, lipsticks etc. The only downside is there isn’t really a separate compartment for things like brushes. If you like a large open compartment style bag this is the best one I’ve tried.
For the clear zip bag options:
Truffle’s Clarity Jumbo Jetset Case is the largest option I own. It’s long enough to hold compacts like Urban Decay’s Naked Palette with extra room. The elastic strap in the bottom is handy but pretty stretchy. I like that it has a handle on one end but that still lies flat against the bag. Since it’s bigger it can hold more liquids and stack more products inside. The price is on the high side but it’s very well made.
The Daily Edited Transparent Cosmetic Case is the middle of the road option for size. It’s been a great one for me on many trips and I still think it’s worth the splurge. This one is long enough to hold the Urban Decay Naked Palette as well, but the Truffle Jumbo option is larger. If you travel with carry-on suitcases or smaller soft bags this is going to be a better option as it’s more compact and won’t take up as much luggage space.
The Truffle Clarity Jetset is the smallest single compartment option I have. The size is perfect to throw in your gym bag or put in a small tote/travel bag for under the seat. It can hold small chargers, cords, passport, notebooks, etc. for easy access. Since it’s smaller it’s easy to fit into a carry on bag or tote. I’ve found it very versatile!
Do you need more than one? I like to have different pouches to separate items by category when I travel so it’s easier to find things. I keep skin/hair care in one pouch, electronics/chargers in another, makeup in a different bag, etc.
Pricing is high for both The Daily Edited and Truffle, but I’ve found them 100% worth it. They occasionally do flash sales or holiday sales so I’d recommend signing up for their newsletter or follow on social for notifications on special offerings. I just ordered some more Daily Edited pieces because they had a site-wide sale for 2 days last week, can’t wait to show you what I bought!
I’ve linked a few other more affordable clear bag alternatives below. You can definitely find other clear bag alternatives at lower price points but I still think Truffle and The Daily Edited have exceptional quality for the price! MAC also carries some clear bag squares and pouches online that I’ve tried in the past and liked. They didn’t hold up quite as well and I had to throw a few away though.
Hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know if I can answer any other questions about these cases! What makeup cases do you like to travel with? Do you usually go on shorter trips or longer ones?
Truffle Jumbo Jetset gifted. All other items featured purchased by me.
We had so much fun in Miami I almost didn’t want to come back home! Last weekend Andrew told me he wanted to go to Miami for a spontaneous getaway trip – spontaneous as in “let’s go tomorrow.” I’m normally one who prefers more advance notice but all he had to do was mention The Salty Donut and I did not hesitate to immediately start throwing things into a suitcase. I don’t think I’ve ever packed so fast in my life! If you haven’t tried The Salty Donut in Miami add it yo your list. They have the best donuts I’ve ever had and if I lived in Miami I think eating there would be a weekly habit.
Since moving to Florida so many of you have asked me about packing tips for your vacations. You want to know what to wear, how hot it gets, what sunscreen wears the best, etc. I’ve also received so many questions about the Away Luggage and other accessories like their packing cubes, everywhere bag and backpacks. I’ve put together a travel diary to share exactly what I packed, what I wore and thoughts about everything we’ve tried from Away.
This trip we stayed at the Loews Miami in South Beach. We’ve stayed in a few different areas in Miami before and we really love staying by the beach areas. Other neighborhoods also have their benefits but being in South Beach is so fun. You can literally just stay at a hotel in the area and have everything you need for a fun vacation without a car. We like to get around and since we live in Florida we drove 4 hours from Tampa to Miami. We had a pleasant stay at the Loews! Staff is really attentive, rooms were clean, pool and beach area were really nice. The food and coffee bar were spendy but that is expected in South Beach. We tried breakfast at their Preston’s Market which was pretty good – we ate outside on the covered patio which was really beautiful and relaxing.
This is our fourth trip to Miami and each time we plan a mini vacation. We leave feeling like we should have stayed longer! We’ve already found some favorite eats but force ourselves to try something new each time. That being said, my ride or die must-eats for every trip are The Salty Donut and Panther Coffee in Wynwood. We bought a box of four Salty Donuts and walked over to Panther Coffee down the street for a perfect snack. This round we tried the Guava and Cheese, Coconut Lychee, Chocolate Marshmallow and Traditional Glazed Donuts. They’re AMAZING!
For shopping we stopped by the Glossier Miami Pop Up which was a few blocks away, also in Wynwood until April 28th. Full recap plus haul in this post. If you’re in town definitely visit – it’s super cute!
Just around the corner, Wynwood Walls:
During our trip we did a tiny little bit of shopping. We did a quick stop in the Miami Design District to walk around, window shop and browse. I splurged on a pair of Celine Round Sunglasses which I’m really excited about! There’s also a tiny Aesop Store and Andrew bought a few skincare items to try including the Control Anti Blemish Gel and another bottle of Mouthwash. I had my eye on the Sao Paulo Kit for travel but decided to think about it.
There’s a really cute Taco Truck inside the Miami Design District called La Pollita which has cute snacks and drinks. We were stuffed from food earlier in the day otherwise would have tried the tacos, we took a few sneaky peeks at what other people were eating and it looked and smelled delicious.
Since we stayed in South Beach we spent the rest of our time near the beach areas. This time of year it’s warm but not too humid and the water temperature is so nice to swim in! We love the blue shallow water, it’s one of the nicest places to swim. We rented lounge chairs and an umbrella at the beach. You can also rent them even if you’re not a hotel guest. Policy might be different depending on hotel, but we’ve also found in Tampa a lot of the hotels will rent their beach chairs and cabanas to anyone.
Tank – Nation LTD / Shorts – 7 For All Mankind / Hat – Eric Javits (love this because the top has enough material to have it rated SPF50 and it prevents your scalp from getting burned, it really works!) / Swimsuit worn underneath not shown is the Tory Burch Costa Top and Bottom
A few more new eats we tried this time included Yardbirds on Leonox Ave and Havana 1957 on Espanola Way. We enjoyed both immensely! If you’re new to the Miami South Beach area, quick note that some restaurants automatically include tip in the bill labeled “Service Charge.” We didn’t realize this at one of the places we ate until after we left and looked at the bill and realized we ended up leaving a seriously hefty tip because we tipped on top of the tip. A few people had mentioned this to me before but I had forgotten about it! I feel like I still have yet to really explore Miami enough to find the best eats. I’d love to explore more of Wynwood though.
Since first discovering Away I’ve now tried their Carry-On, Bigger Carry-On, Medium Suitcase, Everywhere Bag, Packing Cubes and Backpack. Everything has exceeded our expectations in quality and function. I’m an Away Ambassador so the items I’ve featured were gifted but I stand by everything 100%. I have also bought many suitcases on my own to gift to family and it’s been well received, even among the most skeptical and picky ones. Everything has held up really well. My thoughts on each item:
Carry-On Suitcase is best if you’re a light packer or traveling on international flights with smaller suit case carry on restrictions
Bigger Carry-On is our favorite to fly with and travel with in general. Works on flights we’ve flown with Delta, United, American Airlines. It’s roomier than the Carry-On but still fits in the overhead compartments for the listed airlines.
Medium Suitcase makes more sense for us for longer distance trips. We brought this with us on our California trip over the holiday and think it’s much more convenient to have something larger vs. carry ons for our needs. I plan on buying a second one soon.
Everywhere Bag is the best travel bag I’ve ever tried. I normally use my totes and end up stuffing them full. These bags have well thought out storage zippers and pockets as well as a roomy interior. It fits perfectly under the airplane seat in front of you but is roomy enough to carry a laptop and other essentials you might need for on the plane. There is an exterior pocket to store documents for easy access before you get on the plane. It also has a pocket to attach onto your suitcase handle.
Packing Cubes have gone through a couple design changes, the current ones with mesh top are a lifesaver to organize your clothes, underwear, shoes etc and keep them in place. I bought a set for Andrew and he didn’t want to use them. I begged him to try and he’s now convinced it’s one of the best things invented. He can organize all his clothes by type and he loves how they truly keep things in place without shifting.
Backpack is the larger option of the two they carry, this one has three main compartments to store things that allow you to be truly hands free. We love that it’s cushioned and that the base is flat so it can actually stand up on it’s own if you set it down. There are a couple nicely hidden compartment zippered pockets for things like your passport etc. It fits a lot more than we anticipated!
A closer look at the Backpack which now has a personalization option! There are some more of their soft goods you can personalize with 3 letters which I think is so fun. I have my initials on the backpack. We brought it with us to the beach both back home in Tampa and in Miami. It has really well thought out pocket placement so there’s a place for everything. This one can fit a laptop inside as well.
My full pack list linked below, makeup and beauty to follow in a separate post! We each packed a Bigger Carry-On, an Everywhere Bag and shared the Backpack space. Our trip was open ended – we didn’t know how long we’d be away when we left Tampa.
What I packed (including a couple things I didn’t wear but brought just in case):
You always love reading my thoughts on what I brought and what I missed so I’m doing it again! For a very casual laid back last minute getaway I had everything I needed. I still need to find a good beach coverup and an updated beach tote (although our backpack works better than any beach tote I’ve used). I didn’t pack a nice dress for a just-in-case occasion. Some of the restaurants are dressier and require something other than shorts. This round we were ok with everything very casual. I packed a denim jacket and some long denim pants just in case but didn’t end up wearing them. The three pairs of sandals I brought worked perfectly! I probably could have gotten away with just 1 pair of sandals but I like having options for a few days.
If you’re going to be in Florida know the weather can be unpredictable. Bring a few extra sets of clothes packed with you just in case you need to change if you get rained on or sweat too much. When we’re going out to the beach even in Tampa Andrew always reminds me to bring an extra set of clothes to change into. I feel like it’s a bit of a hassle but I’m always really happy when I do have that extra dry clean set to change into. Aside from the obvious good sunscreen and sunglasses, a good hat is a MUST. I really am so impressed with the Eric Javits one I bought – it is large enough to cover the face and has the perfect amount of flop/stiffness with the brim. I’m going to buy one in black too.
Hope you enjoyed this packing post and mini travel diary! We’ve been in Florida for a little over two years now and there’s still so much more to explore. I still want to go to Palm Beach and perhaps Key West again. If you’ve been to Florida what are your favorite areas?
