Hi there, my name is Deborah. You'll find here a library of articles documenting challenges and goals. Today, we circle back to one of my favorite nerdy subjects - minimalist packing.
Newest Challenger: Spirit and Frontier airlines
Anything bigger than 18x14x8" or so will cost $$, and you only get one bag free, no purses or diaper bags, no exceptions. (But I did find one loophole.)
Basically, the bag has to fit under the seat in front of you. End seats have less room underneath than middle seats, and I did not know where I would be assigned.
Duration: 4.5 days including travel, 4 nights
Activities: travel by plane/train/car, concert at Red Rocks, sleep, hike, and then wedding - a little more variety than usual
Weather Report for Denver: 60s, 70s, sunny, with a chance of pot clouds
Strategy: Pack my smaller, non-wrinkling items, wear the bulky stuff, and pick the right bag!
Bag: I could have used my Adidas sport bag because it's squishy and would fit, but I freaked last minute in case they really would make me check it, due to being very slightly oversize (17x10x10").
So I took my school tote after cleaning it out. Having packed the tote for a week in Richmond, I was confident it could handle less than that.
It is soft sided, approx. 12x13x4.5" or 702 cubic in. I took it as a way to avoid overpacking as well, since the Adidas bag offers significantly more space (1700 cubic in.).
This is the tote, a free giveaway from a medical conference mom went to years and years ago. Not used much until this past year when I dug it out and appropriated it for school. It's held up surprisingly well, but now is showing wear around the strap connection :(
Next to it, there's my travel-home wear - similar to the travel-there outfit. Striped, 3/4 sleeve top under black cat t-shirt; comfy sweater vest; paisley neutral scarf; pink jeans and belt; wool socks; Reebok lace-ups with extra gel insery.
All items were slightly mis-matched, but chosen for their warmth on the plane, relative bulk, and let's face it, the cleanest items left.
Highlights: As usual, the sheer mobility of one compact bag is almost unbelievable. As I stood at the luggage carousel with my friends who had traveled on the same flight, I mentally calculated how much luggage they might have brought. They were standing up in said wedding so I understood a reasonable amount of extra baggage was needed. I would be hard pressed to fit their beautiful (and somewhat voluminous) bridesmaid dresses in my little tote.
I had travelled with some vets who used to share a checked bag, and their trip would span 6-7 weeks abroad. By the same token, I expected common wedding or family items to be thrown in one bag as well - i.e. curling irons, blow dryers, hiking shoes, whatever. So when it turned out each member took both a carry-on and a checked bag, I was inwardly surprised. Maybe there was more stuff needed for the wedding than I could have anticipated.
Later, on the train, walking and making connections, and riding in my uncle's car, the bag retained its compactness and mobility. I only removed my clutch purse for the convenience of paying for things and holding my phone.
Contents: This might be expressed best with a photo and description:
- Wedding sheath, non-wrinkle, inside out, wrapped around 2 skirts, one dressy, one sporty (skort)
- Orange shoe bag holding the dressy but comfy Jambu sandals and doubling as my intimates laundry bag
- Round earbud/jewelry case (hard shell)
- Phone charge cord
- Toiletries and liquids (all travel sizing except for deodorant, tooth brush, and a few make-up items and that are full-size
- Boundaries hard cover book (great on the plane; by far a bulky luxury item to bring)
- Pajamas and bra
(sheer long-johns and Victoria's Secret sleep shirt stuffed inside my sports bra to help sustain its shape)
- 2 belts (could have left at home) but did use each once
- Also tucked in the pile were my 2 extra t-shirts, extra bra, undies, and extra pair of socks
- Additional items included my suglasses, eyeglasses, pen and slim notebook, new testament and Psalms
- Not shown but also packed inside the bag, my pink burrito clutch purse
The one tiny loophole was discovered when I first boarded from Detroit. I purchased a bottle of water after security because I didn't think they'd let me through with a non-disposable bottle in my hand (large one), as if it should be in my bag or not allowed.
As it turns out, I walked on to the plane with the big disposable one no problem. It's a small thing that actually frees up a relevant amount of space and I would totally bring one next time (save the planet haha)
Borrowed:
2. Earplugs for metal concert XD
3. Washer and dryer, some detergent for a little spot washing when I sat on something at the concert
Conclusion: The great weather and initial assistance of a washer and dryer at my uncle's house made this one bag trip a breeze. In addition, the compromise of less-dressy shoes for the wedding and my super easy sheath made the formal aspect a breeze (see pic below). Along the way, I borrowed a few items and used old ones in a new way - like hiking down a mountain path in the cool evening, wearing a sweater vest and paisley scarf! It shall become hiking mode de rigueur I'm sure.
Perfect timing to be the helping hands on this wedding cake project, and my comfy shoes to fly me around the kitchen in relative style
Sexy sweater vest and grandma glasses ^_^
As this is my personal hobby, it retains more charm to keep it very quiet and nonchalant, rather than making mental or verbal comments that in any way indicate negativity towards others or pride in myself. As in every minimalist packing adventure, you can fit almost anything, but there's never room for pride. Still a work in progress. XP
Pensées de Gem Lake, Estes Park, CO
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