Tag: Packing

Carry-On Chronicles: One Week in Aruba

I left Canada.

It happened.

I am sitting here sending this to you from the beautiful island of Aruba.

This trip had been three months in the planning and I finally got to leave and it has been a minute since I packed a whole weeks worth of stuff between a carry-on and a personal item. But, I’m still DAMN good at it, thank you.

carry on items
carry on items

This is how I broke down my packing list for this trip:

2 x sandal, 2 x comfy dress, 3 x romper, 2 x leggings, 10 x shirts (comfy and little dressy mix), 5 x shorts, 2 x purse thingy, 4 x bathing suit — I should mention, I’ll be wearing the sneakers on flight, one pair of leggings, a t-shirt and a hoodie.

3 x bra/sports bra, underwear, 2 x socks, toiletries, charger(s), plus my laptop so I can work on the blog sometimes. I’m even surprised I got ALL of this to fit and be able to close my carry-on (the black bag) and my personal item (the green bag).

carry on
carry on

The other notable items to mention that I always travel with are (links embedded in names):

  1. 20L Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack – I use this as my carry-on for hot weather and cold weather trips. The material is thick and the bag is waterproof and it is the 20L size. Hasn’t let me down yet, and I really love the durability of it and again, WATERPROOF YES.
  2. Zomake Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack – This can be used as your personal item or your day bag when you take day trips. I use it as both (especially when doing fun catamaran or beach things). It has two mesh side pockets and also two zipper-sealed pockets for your other items. This folds up into a tiny little bag as well, so when you have no use for it you can just fold it away.
  3. Portable Door Lock – Whether you travel alone or in a group, BRING THIS WITH YOU! It can attach to damn near every door and it’s just a nice extra piece of safety (or peace of mind) when you’re in your hotel room or AirBnB. I’ve tested out how strong it is, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Carry On Bags
Carry on + Personal Item

Totally brought enough clothes for a hot-weather place. This time I had a SHORT layover getting from Toronto to Washington to Aruba so the chance of checked-in luggage was a chance I was definitely not going to take. I rather just pack small and keep all my items with me and ensure I make my connection. Yes, I am paranoid.

I will note that one big blessing I had on this trip is having access to a washer and dryer on premises. Can’t say I miss hand washing things in the sink like I’ve done on previous trips.

Happy packing everyone!

– Mirna 

Carry-On Chronicles: Long Weekend in Banff

It is finally time for me to fly somewhere. I mean, it is WITHIN Canada but at least it’s something, right?

For the Canada Day long weekend, I am spending time in Banff, Alberta. I haven’t traveled to much of Canada so I am very excited to see somewhere new. I am especially excited because Banff looks breathtaking in every photo I’ve ever seen of it!

Here is a breakdown of what the carry-on packing will look like for this trip which consists of a bunch of hiking, possibly swimming and one night of looking like a hot girl.

This is how I broke down my packing list for this trip:

1 x sandal, 1 x heel, 1 x nice dress to go with the heel, 1 x shawl for dress, 3 x leggings, 2 x thin long sleeve, 7 x t-shirts, 4 x shorts, 1 x PJs, 1 x purse thingy, 1 x bathing suit — I should mention, I’ll be wearing the sneakers on flight, one pair of shorts, a t-shirt and a light windbreaker

5 x bra/sports bra, underwear, 5 x socks, toiletries + makeup, charger

All the things going into the carry-on.

The other notable items to mention that I always travel with are (links embedded in names):

  1. 20L Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack – I use this as my carry-on for hot weather and cold weather trips. The material is thick and the bag is waterproof and it is the 20L size. Hasn’t let me down yet, and I really love the durability of it and again, WATERPROOF YES.
  2. Zomake Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack – This can be used as your personal item or your day bag when you take day trips. I use it as both (especially in this Banff trip). It has two mesh side pockets and also two zipper-sealed pockets for your other items. This folds up into a tiny little bag as well, so when you have no use for it you can just fold it away.
  3. Portable Door Lock – Whether you travel alone or in a group, BRING THIS WITH YOU! It can attach to damn near every door and it’s just a nice extra piece of safety (or peace of mind) when you’re in your hotel room or AirBnB. I’ve tested out how strong it is, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Carry On Bags
Carry on + Personal Item

I am ready to go, and it has been a LONG time. I can’t wait to see Banff and then write about all the shenanigans I got into while there.

Happy packing everyone!

– Mirna 

Packing for 23-Days in Europe

I have to admit, I’m in a different situation that I am just not accustomed to with this upcoming trip.

Today I embark on an adventure that won’t end until Labour Day and I feel less prepared than usual. You want me to pack just a carry-on for Carnival? Sure. You want me to pack just a carry-on for 12-days during winter in Europe? No problem.

So now, you want me to pack checked-in luggage to go through Italy, Bosnia, Croatia and Turkey? Shit. I’m not sure what I’m doing here.

I rarely travel with checked-in luggage, in fact, I fucking hate traveling with it. Why? The airlines can (and have) lose luggage, I have to wait in ticketing lines to drop the bag like the other peasants, I have to wait to pick up the bag after I land etc. It really is a nuisance traveling with a large bag, ESPECIALLY if you’re going to multiple places like I am. It’s totally fine when you’re going to lay your ass on a beach for a week in an all-inclusive, but anything else totally sucks.

For every trip I bring my travel must-haves, so that is pretty straightforward. Now I also have a tripod and a laptop to add in the mix because I intend on posting to the blog in between gorging on food and swimming. I wanted to do this trip with just a carry on, I really did. But my mom kind of hit me with the ‘you can’t look like a bum coming home‘ so I knew I had to prepare actual outfits for this journey. When I pack just a carry on it’s so simple to me because I don’t have much space so okay a one-two shorts, four tops, two sandals, two bathing suits, some toiletries and a Dr. Bronner’s so I can bathe my skin and also wash my socks in a sink with it.

Now you want me to choose things for a WHOLE ASS BAG? 23 Kilograms? FML.

The way I mapped things out in my head was like this:

  • I need to be comfy for Naples and Dubrovnik because I am doing day trips, so jean shorts and comfy tops I can sweat in.
  • I have to (HAVE TO) look like a baddie walking through Baščaršija in Sarajevo because the women there are always done up, so okay a nice dress and, sigh, I guess I’m bringing makeup on this trip.
  • The 9-days in Turkey I will spend time being in pain from dental work so I need comfy clothes and bathing suits, bet.
  • The trekking through northern Croatia requires little clothing so bathing suits and tiny shorts will do, fantastic.

During this packing I also realized I own a million more bottoms than I do tops, so if you see me repeating outfits while abroad – mind your business. One of the first posts I wrote for this blog was about why people are terrible at packing, well, at least why I think they are. Vanity. That shit will have you messed up because you’re worried about your things to post instead of what is happening in front of you. The only time I need to worry about looking decent is really for Sarajevo, so I think I will be fine for any vain thinking.

As it looks right now, my list is something like:

  • 8 shorts of different lengths
  • one pair of long, thin pants
  • 10 tops
  • 5 bathing suits
  • two maxi dresses
  • two rompers
  • three sandals
  • water shoes (DAMN YOU PEBBLED BEACHES)
  • makeup
  • toiletry stuff
    • this also includes sunscreen, insect repellent, after-bite
  • Sudafed and EarPlanes so I don’t risk my hearing (if you, like me, have serious sinus issues or get sick easily while traveling – I really recommend buying these to help alleviate the pressure and damn near deafness after you land. I used the EarPlanes during my December trip through about nine flights and I didn’t experience that typical descent pain at all)
  • undergarments
  • bag for dirty clothes
  • a rain poncho
  • 2 stud earrings / 2 big ass hoop earrings
  • shitload of electronics for charging, voltage converting etc. (this will likely be in my carry-on though)

+ my ‘travel outfit‘ which is usually leggings, t-shirt, running shoes

The goal is that even though the limit is 50lbs, I want to keep it to under 30lbs so I can buy things when I am abroad to bring home and still remain under. I managed to keep it under that weight, a whole 23lbs lighter (10.6kg)!!! The bag does look super duper full, but that is because everything I packed is very light and my arms got tired rolling. I’ll probably be able to repack it again and not make it look so stuffy.

For the first time ever I am also traveling with one of those big camping-looking-bags. You know the ones that identify you as a teenager backpacking through Europe during your gap-year? That. It is both top and bottom loading so I think I’ll have an easier time accessing my clothing, it’s just very different to me. Previously when I did take checked-in luggage with me, it was the typical rolling bag that you just lay flat and pack whatever into.

So there you have it, my packing list for being away in Europe for over three weeks during summer and trying to not embarrass my family for looking a mess.

Wish me luck…..

  • Mirna

Carry-On Chronicles: Winter Travel Packing

(Repeating, for third time) I have written before about vanity being a detriment to smart packing and that it is more relevant that you stand in front of the Eiffel Tower in whatever clothes vs stand in front of the CN tower in a great outfit. 

Funny enough, because this time? I’ll actually be going to see the Eiffel Tower.

On December 25th I will be leaving on a 12-day trip that will take me to eight countries in Europe. I will start in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Paris (France) for NYE, Denmark, Sweden, Prague (Czech Republic) for the ballet, London and then finally Iceland.

I have never done winter travel to another cold place, especially not to eight different ones. During this trip I have like three spa visits, two alpine trips, museums and even the ballet as an activity. Usually I’d be totally fine with being a bum in thick clothes the whole time but some of these require me to look a little nicer or be prepared to go swim.

This trip managed to be under $2000.00 for all flights and stays, and I wrote about that here. With the money saving, this means I’m only going to be allowed 10kg (22lbs) with me on this trip. Some of the airlines I’ll be flying on do allow more, but I have to base it off packing for the one that allows the least so the 10kg it will be.

This is how I broke down my packing (clothing) list for this trip:

1 x boots, 1 x winter coat, 1 x all black hoodie, 1 x heavy wool pants, 1 x long sleeve, 1 x scarf —— these I will be wearing, to avoid putting heavy things into the carry-on.

2 x skinny jeans, 2 x leggings, 4 x long sleeve, 2 x bra, underwear, 3 x socks, 1 x heavy wool sock, 2 x nice shirt, 1 x PJS, 3 x swimsuit, 1 x day bag, toiletries

This time I saved A LOT of space for toiletries by switching to this Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. I have read MANY a travel blog that said this liquid can do it all so I’m willing to test this theory out. I brought two little carry-on size bottles of it to be used for: washing hair, body wash AND doing laundry in my sink. Will update on how this works out.

All the things going into the carry-on are on the right, all the things for the personal item on the left.
All the things going into the carry-on are on the right, all the things for the personal item on the left.

Unlike my previous carry-on travels, this time I won’t JUST have the carry-on. Because this blog keeps me very busy and I don’t want to take time off from posting on it, I finally bought myself a new laptop and will take advantage of the whole ‘personal item’ allotment for the flights as well. Basically, you can carry around a purse along with your carry-on bag. This purse of mine is just for my items needed to work on blog/stay connected.

1 x Pixelbook, 1 x Anker Portable Charger, 1 x Tripod/Selfie stick, 1 x Picture Bluetooth Shutter, 1 x Voltage converter, 1 x Waterproof bag, 2 x Chargers

Carry on + Personal Item
Carry on + Personal Item

I hope this packing list ends up working well for me because unlike some of the warm-climate places I go to where just buying anything is cheap, THAT IS NOT THE CASE IN EUROPE. Especially not in places like Switzerland and London where the Canadian dollar doesn’t mean a damn thing.

Happy packing everyone!

– Mirna 

Carry-On Chronicles: Cancun Packing

I have written before about vanity being a detriment to smart packing and that it is more relevant that you stand in front of the Eiffel Tower in whatever clothes vs stand in front of the CN tower in a great outfit. 

This trip, I mean, I might need to be a little vain? 

From August 31st-September 3rd I will be going to Cancun with my boyfriend and this trip was supposed to be just beach and activities, very simple. Some zip-lining, sightseeing and a catamaran ride. We didn’t pay the extra fare for checked in luggage, because a carry-on totally suffices for some hot weather activities during a long weekend. 

Well, things changed and now for one of the nights on this trip we will be staying in this cool high-end looking tree house hotel. Obviously, I need some hottaz outfits for the pictures I want to take there. 

We have our own private outdoor hot tub. Then there is the beach. Okay but there’s also this really nice dinner spot. Suddenly all that vanity I talked about TOTALLY became my reality for this trip. Something about staying in very nice places makes me want to dress better for pictures. 

This is how I broke down my packing (clothing) list for this trip:

Friday – outfit for flying, bathing suit for beach, outfit for dinner reservations 

Saturday – outfit for bus ride to Tulum, bathing suit for beach, outfit for dinner reservations (but make it three different outfits because I want to make sure it’s really nice)

Sunday – outfit for bus ride back to Cancun, bathing suit for beach, outfit for party

Monday – outfit for flying

The final packing list looked like this….

3 x bikini, small purse, underwear, tripod + bluetooth control, day bag, 2 x waterproof pouches, charger + portable charger, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, aloe, cream, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush + toothpaste, romper, a dress, linen pants, 3 x earrings, sunglasses, bandaids, hand sanitizer, PJ’s, water shoes, 3 x tanks, 2 x sandals, 2 x shorts, extra beach towel and leggings for flight home.

All the things going into the carry-on
All the things going into the carry-on

As with my previous travels, I just broke it down into what I think I would need per day and packed like that. The weight limit for a carry-on with Interjet is 10kgs – my carry on with all that aforementioned stuff is 7.10kgs. Not bad. 

Made it under the weight limit! 
Made it under the weight limit! 

I managed to fit all those items into my carry-on and stay under the weight limit. Even with some inklings of vanity, I made it work. I believe that is the perk of going to hot places, bikinis and shorts don’t weigh very much. I don’t think this will go as easily for me when I travel to a cold place, but for now I have succeeded once again.

Happy packing everyone!

– Mirna