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Bag Shown: Tignanello Perfect 10 Studded Shopper

A handbag is like a woman’s sidekick. Whenever we need a little help in our daily lives, we reach to the handbag for help… to get some cash to buy some chocolate on a rainy day, or to grab some makeup when we are about to meet up with a cute guy. We have grown to need our handbags in our normal lives, and it is no surprise that we need to have a handbag on our travels as well.

When I travel, I generally need a place to put my money, little things like chapstick and a hair brush, a map and/or my iPhone, perhaps my camera and even a water bottle. But, what kind of handbag you choose probably depends on the type of travel you are partaking in.

The Daypack:

Most of the time, when I’m backpacking, I just use a daypack as a purse. I usually travel with the Pacsafe Slingsafe 300 GII because it is both small and secure. The famous Pacsafe features, such as the exomesh layer (that can’t be slashed easily), zipper clips and RFID pockets, make this bag one that you can wear on your back in a crowd without the worry of pickpockets having a go, or without getting swiped so easily at a cafe. That’s right, the strap can be locked around your chair or table for extra security.

The daypack usually works for me when I’m truly moving around a lot, am not in cities where fashion speaks louder than function, or when I need to have several items for my day out (like a jacket, scarf, swimsuit, etc.).

The Handbag:

The only times when I travel with a normal, fashionable handbag is when I’m going to another city in my home country. So, I might be partaking in shopping and dining out, but I will not need a place to securely store my passport. I also don’t foresee myself in very crowded, touristy areas where petty crime might be more common.

In this case, your normal handbag may be the way to go.

The Messenger Bag / Camera Handbag:

Now, if you’re the type of person that travels with a DSLR camera, then you may want to choose a bag that can double as your handbag. For example, you can choose a quality messenger bag and then include a camera bag insert in order to both compartmentalize the bag and offer protection to the camera. In that case, the bag no longer looks like a normal camera bag, and we all know that drawing less attention to yourself when traveling is a great idea.

The Wristlet / Wallet:

For those that will be doing a combination of backpacking and city sights, perhaps a wristlet or wallet handbag is the travel bag of choice. A wristlet is great because it can act as a simple wallet, tossed into your backpack or daypack while in transit. Or, it can be worn alone, when going out to dinner for example, looking cute in the process. You won’t be able to fit much into it, so camera phones on those occasions will likely need to suffice.

Pacsafe also makes a great little purse/wristlet with slashproof exomesh and RFID pocket worth considering.

Other ideas for including handbag on your packing lists involve buying one in your destination country that has true local flavor (also a great souvenir!) or packing one that is collapsible/stuffable in nature. Or, you can invest in some cargo travel pants and use the side pockets to store your money and cosmetics. I know, that’s not a very feminine look, but it gets the job done on those more off the beaten path travels.

Happy handbag shopping, but mostly, happy travels!

About the Author: Brooke Schoenman is the founder and editor of Her Packing List – a resource on packing and gear for female travelers. Brooke is a seasoned traveler, having acquired stamps in her passport from destinations such as Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, and Guatemala to name a few. She blogs and writes for a living, and you can follow the Her Packing List related side of her life on Twitter, Facebookand Pinterest.

How to Better Manage Your Belongings During Travel

by Brooke Schoenman of Her Packing List

How many times have you been traveling on a big holiday to suddenly be hit with an epiphany on the way to the airport that you left something back in the hotel?

Have you ever spent an hour, or more, rummaging through your suitcase and bags in a frenzy looking for that one little thing you can’t live without?

If you know this feeling all too well, then you might want to have a read through this post because today I show you how to better manage your belongings on the road.

Have a Basic Inventory (aka packing list)

You might think that once you leave the house your packing list becomes obsolete. Oh, how I beg to differ! Packing lists should stay with you for your entire trip, especially if your trip includes multiple destinations as there will be unpacking and repacking on numerous occasions.  Having that packing list will help you to never leave anything behind after already hitting the road.  A good rule of thumb is to add any purchases to the list as you go. Using a packing app, available for most smartphones, will help keep this process simple and easy.

Pack Only What You Can Carry

Did you hear that, overpackers? If you’re the type of person that constantly packs 40 pound suitcases or tries to move around the world with a collection of bags, then you’re at risk of losing something along the way.  The reasons are as follows:

Number 1: If you have bags that are too heavy for yourself to carry, you will probably have to rely on the help of others to get by – others who might decide to take advantage of the situation and head off with said bag. Heavy bags are often left to the side, left in storage rooms and other places where they are simply out of sight. I, personally, like to keep an eye on my bags as much as possible, and I am better at doing so because I pack light.

Number 2: If you’re carrying too much, like stringing around 3 shoulder bags while lugging a giant suitcase, you’re simply more at risk of leaving something behind. Perhaps you leave your smaller handbag in the taxi and don’t realize it in the hustle and bustle until it’s too late. On travels, a lost handbag can cause a lot of stress!

Number 3: If you have more belongings, you have a longer packing list to manage every time you repack your bag. You can see where I’m going with this, right?

Stay Organized

As mentioned in my last post for eBags, the key to keeping your sanity on the road is staying organized.  One of the main reasons for the organization is so you don’t forget any belongings when moving from place to place.  Having set spaces within your luggage for certain items will help to let you know if all bases are covered.  Using organizational packing tools, such as packing cubes and toiletry kits, also ensures there is a designated space for all your gear.

Take Basic Security Precautions

More often than not, theft will not be an issue for you during your travels. But, I’m the type of person that believes in the motto, “Better safe than sorry.”  Some additional security precautions will help to ensure that you maintain your belongings during travel, such as TSA-friendly bag locks and using the in-room safe at hotels.  Never take items you will be heartbroken over if they get lost or stolen, and always keep the most important things (passport, etc.) with you at all times.  Being smart and safe goes a long way on the road!

About the Author: Brooke Schoenman is the founder and editor of Her Packing List – a resource on packing and gear for female travelers. Brooke is a seasoned traveler, having acquired stamps in her passport from destinations such as Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, and Guatemala to name a few. She blogs and writes for a living, and you can follow the Her Packing List related side of her life on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

The Key to Staying Sane While Traveling

by Brooke Schoenman of Her Packing List

Rarely, if ever, does a trip play out as the perfectly orchestrated event we imagine when clicking the book-it-now button on that airline website.

Traveling opens up a whole world of unknowns – from the moment our alarm goes off (er… or doesn’t) in the morning for an early flight. Standing at the baggage claim for an hour might still leave us empty-handed, or whoosh, the weather might just wash out an entire road in the mountains of Guatemala meaning you simply can’t make it to that fancy hotel for the night.

We can’t control every aspect of an epic trip, especially one that involves a little get-up-and-go from one place to the next.

But, you can help to keep your sanity in the midst of that potential chaos.

And, I’m going to share my secret with you right now.

It’s called being organized.

Organization is key to keeping sanity either when a road block presents itself, or just when you have a lot of movin’ and shakin’ to do in the world. I understand the stress that builds up after a couple of weeks of constant travel, and that’s almost just as bad as those one-off road blocks. If you can provide yourself with just a bit of organization – from your notes and itinerary down to your packing – you will be a much happier traveler.

Take down all phone numbers and addresses… and have those on paper.

For all the businesses that are involved in your trip’s composition:  hotels, hostels, tour companies, airlines, etc.  You never know when you might need the assistance of an English speaker, so being able to quickly call your accommodation – more likely to know a bit of English – is a godsend.  Having the hotel address available on paper to hand directly to a taxi driver upon arrival makes life easy, and the phone number for your tour guide might keep you on that route if you should find traffic is going to make you a few minutes late.

And let’s not forget the point that sometimes our electronics run out of battery. Paper for the win!

Set alarms to confirm important transport the night before.

This includes flights, shuttle buses, booked taxis, trains and so on.  There is nothing worse than arriving at the airport to discover the flight time had been changed, and you’re 3 hours early… or 15 minutes late. Use your mobile phone to set up these alarms before you set off on a trip.

Research getting from A to B in advance.

The point is especially useful when traveling in a country where you don’t speak the same language and where it might be a bit less developed for tourists.  Get in touch with travelers who have been there before.

Pack like a champ.

I believe in smart packing because I know what happens otherwise:  We forget things, we go over baggage restrictions, and we just put ourselves in vulnerable positions.  You will want to have an organized bag that is also compressed in size and easy to carry on your own.

ñ For organization, I suggest checking out some of the packing cubes and toiletry kits available on eBags. Giving every item in your luggage a special place will help you to realize better when/if something should be missing.  These items definitely help with packing, unpacking, and the overall ease of finding something in the middle of the bag if you need it.

ñ For luggage size, I suggest investing in some compression bags or getting a backpack/duffel with compression straps.  I enjoy the eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible backpack for just this reason.

There you have it! This simple recipe for staying organized is the key to keeping your sanity while on the road. Do you have any extra tips of your own to share?

About the Author: Brooke Schoenman is the founder and editor of Her Packing List – a resource on packing and gear for female travelers. Brooke is a seasoned traveler, having acquired stamps in her passport from destinations such as Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, and Guatemala to name a few. She blogs and writes for a living, and you can follow the Her Packing List related side of her life on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

We all want to be packing professionals when we travel, but that bit of know-how doesn’t always come naturally. Sadly, the learned behavior of packing efficiently and effectively is usually only acquired after several not-so-great packing attempts across several trips. Trust me. I used to think that packing for a trip meant the same number of tops, bottoms, and undergarments as there were days in the itinerary.  Not so!

After several years of travel, and on very extended holidays, I now consider myself a bit of a packing expert. To help others out, I’ve compiled a list of some of the top packing faux pas with some tips for how to overcome them.

Packing Too Much

When I went on a 10-day trip to Italy in high school, our class guide stressed repeatedly to not overpack.  Instead, almost every student ended up lugging around the biggest and heaviest suitcase they could manage. I was one of them.  Essentially, I had enough clothing to keep me comfortable in Italy for a month.  I ended up wearing half of what I packed.

Overpacking is the biggest faux pas of them all. Not only is it unreasonable, it can cause checked baggage fees, be a pain to carry, and contribute to an unhealthier environment (heavier planes use more fuel!).

How to Overcome: Whittle down your clothing to what you think you’ll need.  Then, cut that in half!  I know… it’s not the easiest task.  Also, try planning your trip outfits in advance. Use clothing that mixes and matches so your few pieces can equal more options.

Packing Too Little

I’m the girl who always tries to test how little she can pack, but there are travels where this might not be the best option. Like when I planned a holiday taking part in an archaeological dig and needed dig clothes and gear – and then didn’t have enough.  Packing too little might be a problem for people going on theme holidays or business trips, where having certain items is essential and might be a bit more difficult to pick up when there (unlike toothpaste and shampoo).

How to Overcome: Create a packing list and stick to it.  Be sure to address the specific needs of your upcoming trip in the process.

Packing for the Wrong Weather

Even the most beautiful of destinations have winters, wet seasons and strange weather from time to time. So, assuming it is always hot in Sydney might mean you’re packing shorts when you should be packing a heavy jacket.  I’ve heard this story before!

How to Overcome: Check your weather a week or two in advance to get an idea of what to start packing.  Also, check seasonal weather patterns even before booking your initial plane ticket. Yes, you might be getting a cheap airfare, but will you enjoy your destination as much in the off-season?

Packing Too Many Liquids

Packing too many liquids is a no-no in your carry-on bags, but it can lead to issues in your checked baggage as well.  Leaks, spills, and stained and smelly clothing can arise when packed liquids go wrong. And, let’s not forget that taking them carry-on can lead them directly to the trash can if they don’t comply with the liquids rule.

How to Overcome: Buy some small Nalgene bottles and transfer your shampoos, lotions, soaps, and facial washes to them. Nalgene bottles are excellent options as they don’t leak.  Take only the amount that you will actually need on your holiday as it helps you to comply with liquid restrictions as well as carry a lighter bag. Win!

Packing Too Heavy

Being able to fit it in your suitcase doesn’t always mean you should pack it.  Just like carrying too much stuff can be a nuisance (and trouble to keep track of), packing items that are just plain heavy can have their downsides as well. Firstly, it can affect your ability to take a bag as carry-on, and it can cause you to pay excess checked baggage fees. Secondly, taking a heavy bag around with you can mean you’re inconvenienced on trains and transport (trying to put them on the luggage racks, for example) and forced to rely on the help of others to get by. It’s a nuisance you just don’t need.

How to Overcome: Pack travel-sized items, like travel-sized blow dryers and toiletries. Wear your heavier items of clothing in transit. Don’t take anything that isn’t absolutely essential!

Packing Valuables and Breakables in Checked Baggage

How many times have we heard about bags getting lost when flying? Too many to count, right? For that reason, it is always important to have your valuables in your carry-on bag. And, do I need to mention breakables, too? If you’ve ever watched baggage handlers at work, you will know that special care often means little to nothing in the grand scheme of their daily, gruelling work.

How to Overcome: Include valuables and breakables in your carry-on bags.  Or, avoid taking them altogether.

About the Author: Brooke Schoenman is the founder and editor of Her Packing List – a resource on packing and gear for female travelers. Brooke is a seasoned traveler, having acquired stamps in her passport from destinations such as Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, and Guatemala to name a few. She blogs and writes for a living, and you can follow the Her Packing List related side of her life on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.