Red-Eye

Five Fine Things for an overnight flight

I’ve loved sharing in this letter and while I have more in depth “reporting” planned, sending out something quick and useful is something I also want to do. As I wait to board my flight for a quick weekend in Paris, I thought I’d share five fine things that I currently have on my person and feel are essential for an overnighter! I hate flying and I double hate red eyes, but I love being fun and having fun and going to Europe, so here I am!

The best I could do in a crowded airport bathroom.

1. Free People Packable Puffer - My sister in law recommended this jacket to me, raving about its comfort, fit, versatility and packability. She was right on all points and it’s a great one to have. I like that it’s an athletic material but it’s more soft than swishy which makes it actually comfortable. I hate having to pack another jacket for any activity or runs I want to do, but in the winter it’s essential so this one is comfortable enough to wear for the redeye, sporty enough for a run or two, and very packable if I want to zip it up and pack it on the way back after I’ve sweat in it. In an out of character moment I got this in plum/purple and I kind of love it.

2. Autry Sneakers - to the point above, unless it’s a sporty trip I hate to waste space on sneakers, but I also like to workout almost every day so it’s often a conundrum - one that my very active husband is always laughing about. He’ll pack basketball shoes, running sneakers, and multiple daytime sneakers just for a few days away! I just can’t bear to wear my running shoes for even a minute more than my run because they always make me feel lame - maybe I need cooler running sneakers. I discovered this brand Autry through my sister who had a pair that she wore traveling and I thought they were an appropriately functional but not offensively practical to both travel and workout in. I may do a run in them (I’m not too picky if it’s just one run) and would certainly power walk or do a gym workout in them too.

3. Diana Tote from Loeffler Randall - If you haven’t heard about this tote already, I’m surprised! Everyone with one loves it and I’m no exception. I love it so much that I got matching ones for all the girls on my team for Christmas and we all talk about the great features of this bag regularly. My favorite are: the lightweight material that also is wipeable, the light colored inside so you can easily see everything, and the the many specific compartments, especially the two water bottle holders inside. It slides over a carry-on handle which is great for travel! This is a non negotiable travel bag for me. I haven’t found a better one!

4. In addition to my Odwalla which I’ve shared about in another letter, I pack my mini water bottle (I have the 8.8oz) which I discovered through my friend Priyanka Aribindi. She touted this as the perfect tiny bottle for toting in your purse, and it is. I love to bring this for a city trip because it fits in any purse. I don’t need a ton of water and if I fill it at my meals it usually holds me over. It is so much nicer than toting a whole bottle which usually would not fit in my purse.

5. Jewelry should alway, always travel with you, never in a checked bag or even your carry on that goes overhead. Mine goes in a zippered pouch inside my tote. And, here’s a hot tip: every jeweler I know travels with their jewelry in plastic bags. No chic leather rolls or custom suede boxes. The thing is, this is how we transport jewelry to and from production and honestly, it’s the best way to keep it organized and tangle free. It’s also just what I’m used to and how I can easily see it all. These are the bags I use at our office and when traveling, and these are the hard plastic boxes I then put them in, which a client of mine actually turned me onto. I like them even better than the cool leather zippered case I used to use to hold the baggies because they’re super light and don’t take up any bulk. It’s important to put your baggies inside some kind hard shell box, otherwise the jewelry can be crushed and compromised!

I love that so many of these recs were initially recs from friends of mine whose taste and opinions I trust and that, now, I can share them with you. Au Revoir!!