travel series (airport style)

When it comes to traveling I like to keep it simple and comfortable. Most of the time I am flying with my two small children and I need to be able to keep up with them and still feel like I look good. A loose, cotton top and bright jeans feels nice as I don’t like tight things when on the go and the jeans have tons of stretch. I pair it with sandals in the warmer months and little ankle boots in the winter. If I am flying alone I will bring a smaller tote like the one pictured. I always bring baby wipes, hand sanitizer, Neosporin ( I dab in on my nose to ward off germs), hand lotion, travel soap, and some make up to touch up in the bathroom when I land. I do love to bring a cozy wraparound cardigan either wear or use a pillow. 

When I have the kids (as I almost always do!) I plan way ahead. When they were babies I would bring a large bag and pack changes of clothes, diapers, extra receiving blankets, pacifiers, enough food to last through an apocalypse if necessary, and a change of clothes for me as I have been heavily soiled by babies in an airplane bathroom. Did you know you can fit an adult, a six month old, and an eighteen month old in one of those things? I do. It was…interesting.

I digress.

Now that my kids are a little bit older I can pack them their own little bags to carry on and it saves me from carrying everything. I shop beforehand for them and buy fun things from the dollar section at Target that they don’t see until we get on the plane. Stickers, books, coloring books and crayons, as well as treats. I pack tons of snacks and feel as long as they are eating they can’t cry, right?? Lollipops also help for their ears while taking off and landing.They love having a bag full of their own things and always remember their special blankets/lovies and a change of clothes, too. Drinks will be spilled off the tray table while the lovely man in front of you reclines into your lap. I like to get on the plane first and get settled, but wait to get off the plane last so we can gather our things and not get rushed. I also dress them in loose, cotton clothing and slip on shoes for comfort. I have flown at night and dressed them in their pajamas, which worked out nicely. I won’t mention the insane temper tantrum that occurred upon landing at 11:30. It would scare you.

When I pack for my kids I usually wash their things and pile them onto the guest bed in groups (Molly’s clothes, Brady’s clothes, shoes, underwear, jackets, pajamas, etc.) I then stack them in these groups into the cloth bags you can buy at grocery stores. I tie the handles once it is all in to keep it all secure and then pack it all into a large duffel bag from L.L. Bean. I hate loose stuff in suitcases and love to be organized (it’s a sickness, I know.) I then pack a sound machine, their toiletry bag and any misc items around the cloth bags.

For the most part I feel it is more stressful preparing and packing for the trip then the actual traveling part. With enough planning and preparation for the kids I can be one happy mama once we land (and I have a drink in my hand!)

P.S I am purchasing this bag for my birthday (it is amazing in person!) and need help with colors. I was dead set on the orange, then saw the pink and almost died. Then I saw the black and thought it would be beautiful, too. Did I mention it has a Kelly green suede interior? Do I go with a color or basic? Heeeeeeeelp!!