Weekend Recap

On Friday, Clay turned six. We celebrated with a trip to Dinosaur World in Glen Rose. Nana met us there, and we enjoyed the beautiful morning amongst the dinos and fossils and then paused for Chick-fil-A, birthday cake, and presents, before getting in some awesome playground time. In the afternoon, Nana and I took Ruth to her riding lesson via Starbucks, while Jeff and the boys returned to the house. After the lesson, I drove my Mom over to Plano to visit a family friend in the hospital. Traffic was all there, and we took the same wrong turn twice, but we enjoyed the time together and eventually made it to where we were going and back again. We ended the day with a very small Cinco de Mayo party, which included several bags of tacos and sides from Taco Ocho. Our evening entertainment was trying on all our fancy cruise clothes for Nana. When the kids found out there were a couple of "gala nights" aboard the boat, they all agreed (which is a miracle!) that we should definitely get formals and go all in. They have been giddy with excitement in the picking out of their clothes and shoes and are eager to try them on every chance they get!

Birthday Morning

Party at Dinosaur World

We're so fancy!

Saturday, Weston and Clay had their last games of the spring season, but the times overlapped, so we had to divide and conquer. Mom stayed with Weston and got to watch his championship game, while I took Clay to his baseball game. Weston's team made FloMo youth football history by not only coming away with the victory but also ending their season without ever being scored on. Weston absolutely loved playing on the Rebel team and will miss the fantastic coaches and amazing team he was a part of this year. Max also had a baseball game, and Ruth had a make-up riding lesson, so it was a busy day but lots of fun. Mom left shortly after all the sports were finished up, and Jeff and I snuck in our last date before the summer road trip, which promises to be full of epicness but will not offer much in the way of privacy!

Undefeated and never score on! Way to go Rebels!
(Picture borrowed from my friend Tracey, who is the team mom and always takes amazing photos of our team.)

Trophies and cupcakes to end the season

Yesterday, we spent the entire day packing and checking and double-checking our various lists, in preparation for our departure later this week. Everyone's suitcase is now at least 90% packed, and our little RV is stuffed to the gills and ready to go. We will either leave on Wednesday or Saturday, depending on how Max's game goes tomorrow.

Ready to Road Trip!

Dunedin

We relocated to Dunedin today, which will be the southernmost point on our entire journey. We are staying in a fun little bed and breakfast on the "steepest residential street in the world," according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The owner warned us that parking at the house would be impossible, because our car would just slide down the hill, regardless of how many brakes we set, so we also got to have the experience of schlepping our bags up the record-holding street. I was once again thankful that we travel lightly! From the porch, we have a lovely view of Dunedin and the gorgeous surrounding mountains.

 A lovely send-off from Chirstchurch

Baldwin Street:
The Steepest Street in the World

From our porch, overlooking Dunedin

Sunset

(In case you missed it, I have just published a children's geography book about China, and I'm giving away a free copy. To be eligible to win, you just need to leave a comment on yesterday's post. I will be announcing the winner on May 17.)

Last Ski Day in Andorra

Our last ski day was fantastic, though definitely colder than the previous days, especially first thing in the morning. There were moments when I couldn't feel my fingers and toes, despite two layers of gloves, two pairs of socks, and hand warmers. I was secretly thrilled when some of the kids asked to take a break, and I quickly volunteered to be the parent to go with those kids to the lodge. Weston and Jeff decided to brave the cold and work in a few more runs. When the other kids reported getting a snack, Weston wasn't even jealous, because he said skiing was even more important to him than eating. Now, that's true love. (If you're curious, skiing is tied with football at Number One, on Weston's sport love scale.) And, even though things got a bit chilly this morning, I want to report that aside from sunglasses and gloves for three of us, we didn't buy any special winter wear for our ski trip. We had planned for these kind of outings with our packing and our gear performed beautifully. As someone who is ALWAYS cold, I had my doubts about being able to stay warm on the slopes, despite all the layering. But aside from my fingers and toes in the early morning and late afternoon (when the sun wasn't shining), I was really quite comfortable. It is so amazing to me to have everything I need for both a ski vacation and a tropical beach vacation in just one little carry-on sized bag that I can carry on my back. 

Team W, on our last Andorran ski day

Today was by far the coldest day on the mountain, especially this morning,
before the sun was peeking over the mountains and
while the snow machines were still blowing a blizzard of powder around.
By mid-morning, some of us needed to take a hot chocolate break.
(This picture will also serve as evidence of my presence on this ski trip.)

Ice "C"

"M" for Max

Because I know you need more cuteness in your life, I am going to leave you with a video of our little speed racer. This kid is a natural on skis, as you will see when he almost leaves his dad/videographer in the dust.

Monday Favorites

I haven't done a favorites post in a while, and since it's a cold, wet Monday and the first day of school for us in over a week, it seems like the right time to focus on some things that make us happy.

I have long been a fan of Baileys, but it seemed especially important
to feature an Irish product since we're here in Ireland.

These Icebreaker Merino glove liners are perfect
for adding another layer of warmth, which I am always in need of.
But they also work well as stand-alone gloves when it's not quite as cold.
And, I love that they are thin enough that I can operate my camera with them on.

I was so sad when I lost an earring in South Africa.
But, I ordered these as replacements, and I really love them!
They are a great weight and just the right mix of fancy and casual.

We've stayed at a few places that haven't had coffee pots,
and after seeing me struggle to improvise, Jeff bought me this.
It folds completely flat when not in use, and it makes a mighty fine cuppa joe.

The whole family is engaged in this fun series. Ruth just re-read all the books,
Weston is almost finished reading them, and the rest of us are listening to the audio version.
We have also watched the first movie together and have been to a couple of tourist locations
that had to do with either the books or movies. 

My FitBit fell apart on me a few months ago,
so I decided to upgrade to the Moto smartwatch.
I love the look and the many cool features!

I recently came across this video, and I think T.D. Jakes eloquently and
accurately describes the true path to happiness in just five steps.
I think everyone should internalize this message!

I had a zipper break off of my original toiletry bag,
so I picked up this replacement, which I love.
It has pockets of all sizes, a detachable mirror,
a removeable waterproof pouch, a hook for hanging,
 and it folds up to about the size of a hardback book. 

Since we've been in the UK, we have been gobbling this stuff up.
It is absolutely delicious, and we put it on/in everything!

And, speaking of delicious, we became addicted to sticky toffee pudding
while we were in Scotland. I haven't tried making it myself,
but I'm linking to the recipe, so I can find it easily in the future.
Who knew dates could be so amazing?!

 *The final photo is mine. The others were borrowed from the Internet. I in no way receive compensation for endorsing these products. I'm simply sharing things my family and I enjoy. I'd love it if you'd share some of your favorites with us, too!

Two castles and a museum...and everything in between

This morning, Mom and Max and I hopped up and headed over to Edinburgh Castle to have a little look around, while everyone else slept in and took the morning at a slower pace. We got there before most of the tour groups and crowds and were able to wander around at our leisure. We had such a great time!

We made it back to the apartment around lunch time and had a quick bite to eat, before heading out again. Mom and I explored the part of the Royal Mile that our tour didn't cover yesterday, while Jeff and the kids took off in the direction of The National Museum of Scotland, where Mom and I later met them.

We picked up KFC for dinner and then feverishly packed up all our belongings in preparation for our early departure tomorrow. Edinburgh has been a blast, and I'm so glad we got to spend some time in this lovely city!

The outside of the Edinburgh University School of Divinity...

...And, just inside the front gate.

I had so much fun exploring Edinburgh Castle with these two!

The Mons Meg is a 6 ton canon that could, at one time, launch
one of those huge cannonballs about 2 miles!

Looking down on the city from the castle, toward Calton Hill and the Forth.

A tribute to Sir Walter Scott

So much to discover at The National Museum of Scotland

Fun at the museum

Clay was very excited to find Mr. X at the museum.
(Mr. X is a character from a story Jeff made up to tell the kids.)

Holyrood Palace:
The Queen's official residence in Scotland

Seen on the Royal Mile, at a restaurant called Oink

Also seen on the Royal Mile--
I don't even know what to say about this!

Saying good-bye

This past weekend has been marked on the calendar for a while as the time when most of the remaining stuff must go, because we didn't want to leave things for the last minute and because we wanted to return the trailer we've been borrowing for months and months. Whatever we'd been holding on to "for just a little longer," has now been removed, and we are now basically down to six bar stools, five mattresses on the floor, a handful of dishes and our travel bags. And, even though we've been serious about getting rid of stuff for months, there was still so much stuff. Most of the items were easily gotten rid of, without a single thought, except "Why do we still have this?!" But some of them held more of our hearts and required a bit more than just a cursory glance and a casual toss in a bag.

For instance, Clay had somewhere in the neighborhood of a thousand stuffed animals, which he has been reluctant to part with. He has a special small friend to travel with (O. California) and a couple of long-time friends (Nemo and Oosh) in his box of things to keep. The rest had to go, so Jeff told Clay it was time to let other boys and girls have a chance to play with these friends. Clay didn't cry or get upset and, true to his nature, actually seemed happy to share them with someone else. But he did kiss and hug each one and then shared a special message with each individual, like, "Have fun!" or "I'll see you later." It was the sweetest little ritual.

When it was time to load up Jeff's over-sized recliner that we've had since Ruth was born, Jeff stretched out in it one last time and delivered a heartfelt speech to it. All the boys then followed suit. It's been a good chair and a good friend, and it will be missed.

There was also another kind of good-bye. In the storage closet upstairs, there was a box of my old journals, some dating back to my high school years, that I have been holding on to all these years. I've moved them countless times and, though I never really go back and read through them, I have felt incapable of getting rid of them. It just seemed like too much history to dispose of, too much of myself to say good-bye to. I have specifically been avoiding cleaning out that closet because I didn't want to have to decide what to do with them. But, yesterday, when I finally went up to tackle the closet, I had a revelation: I know who I am, and I don't need to dwell on who I was.

Don't get me wrong, I think there is value in self-evaluation, in looking back at where we came from and realizing how we need to change or how we've already changed. But, sometimes, we get so caught up in the past that we let it rule our futures. We let the past define us, and then we are afraid to become something new. We carry it with us for years and years, and it becomes a heavy, paralyzing burden. I threw the whole box of journals away, and I'm not sad about that. It's actually a relief to not move that box again. I'm not defined by my past, and I am free to step into the future uninhibited. Are there things from your past that you need to let go of? If so, I would like to encourage you to go ahead and do it. I don't think you'll regret it.

Who doesn't love a great festival?!

A few weeks ago, we heard about a Physics and Engineering Festival that would be taking place at A&M. And since 1. We have children interested in science and engineering as hobbies and possible careers, 2. We figured we'd need to be out of the house for potential showings, and 3. We look for any excuse to head to our beloved Aggieland, we made plans to attend. We got up early yesterday morning, and realized right away that we would need sustenance for the day ahead. Some wanted tacos, others wanted donuts, and I became the hero of the morning by discovering The Donut Taco Palace. 

After quite a hearty breakfast and our allotment of carbs, sugar and calories for the day (or possibly the week), we continued on our way, and made it to A&M around 11:00. The festival, which was a much bigger deal than we were expecting, was in full swing. We had a blast, visiting many (but not near all) of the incredible exhibits, attending a fantastic bubble show, and scoring free tickets to the finale of the festival: a symphony to be held in the evening. 

Eventually, everyone claimed to be hungry again, and we decided to try the new-to-us Grub Burger Bar, since we have already exposed the kids to most of the remaining haunts from back in our college days. This is a restaurant with an identity crisis about just exactly what kind of restaurant it is, which caused confusion in ordering and seating, but the food was absolutely delicious, so we forgave them their their lack of definition in other areas. 

After our late lunch, we decided some down time was in order before the symphony. Clay and Max had naps in the car, while I ran an errand. Then we found a park, where the kids played until it was time to go back to campus. We had already planned to spend the night in Austin, because we were going to be meeting Jeff's parents there today for an early birthday party for Ruth at Main Event, so we had our RTW bags with us, and were therefore able to get out of our dirty park clothes and into something more appropriate for the evening's proposed entertainment. It's so good to be prepared for anything that comes up!

Jeff and I were super excited about taking the kids to the symphony, but we weren't really sure how they would like it, since most of them have never been to an event quite like that before. This particular symphony incorporated not only the orchestra (which the boys are studying about at CC right now), but also an Aggie singing group (The Century Singers), who sang a lovely piece in Latin (which is another subject the kids are currently learning). The first song was the Star Wars theme song, which immediately got their attention and got them excited. Weston turned to me and whispered, "It sounds just exactly like in the movie!" The second half of the performance was the physics part, in which the author and physicist, Brian Greene, narrated a movie based on a children's book he wrote, while the orchestra played the accompanying score. It was amazing! The kids really seemed to love the whole experience and did not get fidgety or fussy at all (though they did find the very long Latin piece a teeny bit tedious). Jeff and I were proud of them and were so glad to get to expose them to this new experience!

It was a truly wonderful day, and we are so glad we decided to go! Perhaps when we return from our travels, we will have an opportunity to go again. We also hear A&M has a pretty neat Chemistry Festival, so perhaps we'll add that one to our bucket list, too. 

Aggies and Longhorns agree that team donuts are super cool!

A&M Physics and Engineering Festival

Shakes at Grub

The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra

arcade games and rock climbing at Main Event

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Everything Else

We have finally made it to the end of the packing series! And, we're wrapping up with all those things that don't fit neatly into another category. If you've stuck around for the whole thing, pat yourself on the back. I truly appreciate you following our journey. If you're just seeing this for the first time and want to earn a pat on the back for yourself, go back and check out the other eight posts in the series here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, or just scroll down until you see them all. When you put them all together, you get the image at the bottom of this post: A girl ready to go anywhere in the world, for any length of time, in any season. 

Left to Right:

Sunglasses--Very necessary piece of equipment, whether traveling around the world or five miles down the road. These are similar to my sunglasses but not them exactly. I couldn't find a link, but I bought mine at the ski shop at the base of the mountain in Red River last Spring Break, if you want to pick up a pair.

Scotch Brite Lint Lifters--I really didn't want to bring along a lint roller, but I really dislike linty clothes. So, I was thrilled when I came across these little lint lifters in Walmart one day. They take up virtually no space in the bag and there are 30 in the package, so they ought to last a while, since I only have a couple of items that are prone to attracting lint.

Vapur Element Water Bottle--This is truly a go-anywhere type of water bottle. It's simple to fill and easy to fold up when not in use. The clip allows it to be attached to bags or belt loops or hooked over a finger, for easy transport. It can be washed in a dishwasher or by hand, and, as far as I can tell, it doesn't leak at all, when the lid is closed all the way. Mine has also been dropped several times and seems to be very durable. (Plus, it's cute!)

Cocoon Silk Travel Sheet--We wanted to make sure we were prepared for any almost any sleeping situation that might come up on this trip. This is basically a silk sleeping bag, which can be used on its own or in conjunction with other bedding. The silk helps to keep the body cool when the temperature is warm and warm when the temperature is cool. And, when it's folded up, it fits inside one of my shoes, with plenty of room to spare.

Turkish Towel--This is a multi-tasker. It can be used as a bath towel, beach towel, shawl, swimsuit coverup, light blanket, head covering, scarf, etc. Plus, it dries quickly and looks cuter than a pack towel.

Samsung Earbuds--So the world can't hear me (and whatever I'm listening to), and I can't hear it. I like these because they go inside my ears comfortably and have their own volume control.

FitBit Charge--I probably should have included this on the post about electronics. But, I didn't. This is such a fun and motivating device. I love that I can see the time and date, how many steps I've taken, how far I've traveled, how many flights of stairs I've taken, and how many calories I've burned during the day, with just a glance at my wrist. I can also log in to my online account and see all kinds of other interesting stats and charts (like how much sleep I got last night), track my food and water intake, set new goals and be encouraged in my fitness pursuits by "winning" little badges. When my parents gave this to me for Christmas, my mom said she thought it would be fun to make a note of how many steps I took in each country. I can't wait to do just that!

Mini Flashlight--Practical in so many ways. And entertaining to a small child, if I become desperate.

Rick Steves Clothesline--While minimalistic packing means that we have less laundry to do, it doesn't mean we have no laundry. This rubber line is easy to tie to furniture or hang from hooks, and it is quite stretchy, so it can cover more distance, if need be. Clothes can be laid over it or poked through the braiding, eliminating the need for clothespins.

Fisher Stowaway Space Pen--This pen is tiny but can write almost anywhere on almost anything. It can write upside down, under water, in extreme heat and cold. And, the ink supposedly doesn't dry out for over 100 years, so maybe my great-grandkids can take it with them on a similar RTW adventure.

Lewis and Clark Money Belt--I'm not terribly excited about this piece of equipment, but it seems like it might be a good idea in certain situations. It has plenty of space for money, a passport and other important things, which I may need to keep on my person and out of sight.

Five Dice--Every member of the family carries a game (or several, depending on their penchant for game playing). This is mine. Five dice take up very little space in a bag, but are useful for many games.

Travel Tissues (not pictured)--I carry these in my purse, even when I'm not traveling, but they seem especially useful for international travel.

Orbit Gum (not pictured)--Gum is always a good travel companion, especially when you're flying and need a way to pop your ears as the pressure changes.

Have bag, will travel.

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Toiletries

I'm finally back with the second-to-last post in my packing series, and I'm featuring toiletries. There was a time when I carried my large toiletry bag separate from my suitcase and lugged around a million things that I might need, trying to cover every possible "just-in-case" scenario, and trying to keep my at-home beauty routines in place while traveling. Since we decided on a "one-carry-on-apeice" policy for this trip, I have been working hard to pare down just to necessities (though I admit to still having a few just-in-case items on hand), and I've been experimenting with beauty products and tools that were previously not even on my radar. I've also been practicing with more natural looks that require less effort and materials to pull off.  Many of the experiments have been inspired by the TSA rules about liquids, which limit the size of the bottles/tubes to under 3.4 oz. and the overall quantity of liquids/gels/creams to one quart-sized bag. I frequently have to remind myself that the toiletries I leave home with are not required to last the duration of the trip and that I can supplement, as needed, along the way. The pictures in my little collage are not in any kind of order, but in the list below, the products are categorized in a way that made sense to me. You can see the other contents of my bag by scrolling down through the blog, or by clicking here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Skin
Neutragena Sunscreen Stick
Olay Beauty Bar

Hair
J. R. Liggett Shampoo Bar
Foldable Hairbrush/Mirror
Conair Comb
Goody Hair Elastics
Schick Quattro Razor and Replacement Razor Blades

Teeth
Eco-Dent Powdered Toothpaste
Colgate Folding Travel Toothbrush
2 extra front teeth "flippers" (in addition to the one I'll be wearing)

Makeup
Garnier BB Cream
Wet-n-Wild Ultimate Brow Kit
L.A. Colors Lash Building Mascara
NYC Expert Last Lip Color

Tools
Revlon Slant Tweezers
Tweezerman Point Tweezers
Remington Personal Trimmer
Emery Board
Baby Safety Scissors
Small Sewing Kit
Travel Pack Q-tips
Aquasentials Exfoliating Soap Saver Pouch

Girl Stuff
Sckoon Menstrual Cup
pStyle

Protect
All Terrain Herbal Insect Repellent
Hand Sanitizer
Band-Aids
Secret Solid Deodorant
Chapstick

doTerra Essential Oils and Products
Deep Blue Rub (sample packets)
Purify
Peppermint
Melaleuca
Lemon
Ginger
Past Tense
Clear Skin
Breathe
On Guard
Terra Shield
Lavender
DigestZen and DigestZen Softgels
Breathe Respiratory Drops
CorrectX
Aroma 2 Go USB Diffuser

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Electronics

Today, as I continue my packing series, I'm featuring electronics.This isn't a terribly exciting thing to write about, but this techy gear is certainly necessary for the kind of trip we're taking. Again, I'm only showcasing what I'm carrying in my bag, but each person's bag has its equivalents. The kids each have a device (iPad, Kindle or phone), which contains all of their school books, pleasure reading and video games. The older kids also all have a camera. If you're just getting in on the series, you can see the other contents of my bag here, here, here, here, here and here. 

MacBook Air + charger--I have been using the Air for many years now, and I just love how compact, lightweight and functional it is. This little device is such a part of my daily life, I couldn't think of leaving home without it.

Canon Powershot SX280 HS Camera + charger--I love my Canon Powershot, because it is compact enough to put in my pocket, but it takes some of the best pictures of any camera I've ever owned. And, with a 20x optical zoom, I don't have to worry too much about missing an awesome shot just because the subject is a long ways off.

OnePlus One Phone + charger--I have only had this phone a few months, but, so far, I am enjoying it very much. I will not be using it much as a phone when we're traveling, but it will function as my reader, my journal, my alarm clock, my entertainment and so much more.

Road Warrior Ultra Thin Universal Power Strip--A universal power adapter with three outlets seems like a pretty useful travel companion to me.

Anker 5 port USB Charger--With all our devices, we needed a compact way to be able to charge lots of things at once. This is the perfect solution.

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Outerwear

And, the packing series continues...

As you no doubt know by now, warmth does not come naturally to me, but it is of the utmost importance to me. To that end, I wanted to make darn sure I had plenty of things in my bag for combatting cold. I can wear these things individually or put them all on at the same time, if it's seriously cold. If you are just getting in on this series, check out the other items in my bag here, here, here, here, and here.

Ibex Shak Merino Jacket--I wear this jacket pretty much every day. It's lightweight, but quite warm, and layers very well. It has cell phone-sized inside pockets and zippered outer pockets. It also has thumb holes, for more hand warmth when worn alone and for keeping the sleeves in place when layering.

Patagonia Nano Puff--This is a traveller's dream. It folds up into its own pocket but doesn't skimp where it counts. It also has plenty of zippered pockets and a nice fitted hood that does a decent job of keeping the wind out.

North Face Resolve Rain Jacket--Sometimes you just need a rain jacket or a windbreaker. And, sometimes you need one more layer on top of all your other layers. This works in both situations.

Seirus Windstopper Gloves--I had a different pair of gloves, at first, but our trip to Niagra Falls in December convinced me I needed some that offered a bit more protection. These are nice, because they have a cozy lining and are water and wind resistant. I also like the zipper at the wrist, which makes them easy to put on and take off.

Outdoor Research Ninjaclava--This was a thoughtful gift from my sweet husband before our ski trip last year. I love it and use it all the time. The picture next to it shows all of it's versatility, but I'm kind of partial to the bank robber look.

Buff--This is even more versatile than the Ninjaclava and is just one more layer between me and the chill.

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Underwear

Ok, I get that no one really wants to know about my underwear, but in order to give a true picture of what I'm carrying in my bag, I feel that the underwear needs to be included. I do not, however, feel the need to splash pictures of women's under garments all over my blog, so this time only, you'll either have to use your imagination or click on the links to see the items for yourself. There's nothing fancy here. Just comfortable, functional pieces. If you're coming in mid-series and are wondering why on earth I'm talking about unmentionables, please check out my previous RTW packing posts here, here, here, and here.

Exofficio Give and Go Panty (2 black, 4 nude)
Victoria Secret Lacie Panty (2 black)
Bali Comfort Revolution Wire-Free Bra (1 black, 1 nude)
Bali Comfort Revolution Convertible Wire-Free Bra (1 nude)
Anemone Strapless Bandeau (1 black)

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Bottoms

Today we continue our journey through my carry-on bag, with a look at bottoms. We have already seen the containers, the footwear, and the tops. The bottoms were, to me, some of the easiest things to decide on, and there have not been many changes to these pieces since we started experimenting with this whole concept. That is a huge blessing, because so many of the other contents of the bag took a great deal of deliberating.

From left to right:

Eddie Bauer Horizon Roll-Up Pants--I LOVE these pants! They are comfortable, functional, and, in my opinion, quite stylish. They roll up to a capri length, have tons of pockets (many of which are zippered), dry very quickly, and can be worn in dressier situations as well as just casually. They are pants I would wear even if I wasn't traveling.

REI Sahara Roll-Up Pants--These admittedly scream "foreign tourist," but I included them anyway, because they are just super practical. They roll up to two different lengths for warmer weather but are a little heavier weight than the Eddie Bauer pants and, when layered over the tights, will make great ski pants.

Rohan Travel Jeans--I really wanted a pair of regular jeans, but we all know denim takes forever and a day to dry and is heavy and bulky to pack, making it far from an ideal choice for minimalistic packing. This seems like something the travel clothes industry would have thought of and found a solution for, but they, for the most part, seem content to continuing producing the same old touristy looking travel pants, and, apparently, the consumers are not rioting about this and are just as content to continue wearing the touristy looking stuff. (See the previous item, if you need confirmation on that!) Imagine my delight, then, when I discovered UK based Rohan and their technical jeans. They look like regular jeans, but they are lightweight and quick-drying, and even have a hidden pocket (which you already know I'm a sucker for).

MHOC Fleece Lined Tights--These are super-comfy and can be worn alone, with a long top, or layered under pants and skirts for warmth. They are also great for sleeping in on chilly nights.

Minus 33 Merino Tights--Yes, I know, two pairs of tights seems excessive, but you'll remember that one of my goals is to stay warm (think Russian train in Feb.), so two pair seemed about right. These are much thicker than the other pair and more utilitarian.

Lole Movement Shorts--These shorts are probably one of the most comfortable articles of clothing I own, period.

Lole Sprint Skort--After falling in love with the shorts, I decided to add the skort, as well. This will double as the bottom half of my swimsuit while we're traveling.

Exofficio Go-To Convertible Maxi Skirt--Minimalistic packing has made me appreciate convertible and multi-functional clothing in a new way. The last two pictures show the same article of clothing in its two different forms. It's another thing I would wear even if I weren't traveling. It's very comfortable and can be dressed up or down.

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Tops

This is the third post in this series. Check out the previous two posts here and here. 

Let me start by stating that I probably have twice as many tops in my bag as a true minimalistic packer would normally have. I have gone back and forth with myself about this, but I know myself, and so I finally decided I was willing to take up a bit more space and add a little more weight for two important reasons: 1. I DO NOT want to be cold, so I'm trying to give myself the best chance possible of staying warm, and 2. I have a tendency to become bored with wardrobe choices, even with a closetful of clothes, so I wanted as many options as possible. I realize this second reason just makes me sound like a spoiled brat, but I'm just being honest here. All the tops are made of quick-drying material and can be layered with the other pieces, as necessary. 

From left to right:

Black Cami--This is perfect for sleeping in, layering and even wearing alone if temps climb very high.

Lucy Heart Center Yoga Cami--This one does double-duty as a regular top and a swim top.

Exofficio Short Sleeve Tee--I think this one is comfy and cute.

Banana Republic Tee--I've had this tee in my closet for years. It's one of those old standbys that just feels good on and is very versatile.

Icebreaker Short Sleeve Sundew Scoop--Another comfy t-shirt, with a splash of fun on the side.

Exoffico Shirtigan--I love this top, and it's probably one of the most versatile pieces I'm taking. It can be worn with the sleeves long or rolled up to 3/4 length, and it can act as a shirt or a light jacket. Plus, it has a hidden pocket, which is just kind of fun.

Icebreaker Siren Long Sleeve Top--This is one of my cold combatants, which can be worn alone or easily layered under something else.

Eddie Bauer Reversible Sweatshirt--This is a recent addition. I just couldn't resist the warmth and reversibility. Two shirts in one? Heck yeah!

Icebreaker Long Sleeve Ariana Sweater--I love how cozy and lightweight this sweater is and that it can be worn with either the scoop neck or v-neck in the front.

Danskin Now Long Sleeve Tee--Another recent addition, perfect for layering.

Around the World in a Carry-On Bag: Footwear

Welcome back to my series on packing for an around-the-world trip in a carry-on bag. Check out all the packing vessels here. Today's topic is footwear. This, for me, has been one of the biggest struggles of minimalistic packing--partly because I really do love shoes and didn't want to limit myself, and partly because, if you're only going to have three pairs of shoes, they darn sure better be the perfect balance of comfort, style and utility. It has taken a significant amount of tweaking (and more Amazon and Zappos returns than I care to mention), but I finally feel like I have gotten it "right."

Okabashi Flip-Flops--These are comfortable and about as functional as they come. I tried several other brands, but ultimately, I couldn't find anything I liked better than these, which I already owned and which weren't expensive.

Merrell Dassie Mary Janes--My search for travel flats was long and hard. I wanted something I could wear with pants or a skirt and that I could walk all day in. I am so thankful I found these!

Helly Hanson Kenosha Waterproof Trail Running Shoes--I actually settled early on on a different pair of trail running shoes, but they tended to hurt my feet the longer I wore them and they were just a bit too big and heavy to pack comfortably in my pack--meaning that, by default, they had to be the shoes I wore on travel day, whether I wanted to or not. These Helly's are about three ounces lighter per shoe, a little less bulky, and actually seem to become more comfortable the longer they are on my feet.

Smartwool Secret Sleuth Liner Socks--I can wear these liners with the Mary Janes to help keep my tootsies warmer in colder climes.

Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Lite Mini Crew Socks--There isn't too much you can say about socks, I guess. These are ankle length and lightweight, and they (like all the socks) are made of Merino wool, which is quick drying, moisture wicking and odor resistant.

Smartwool PhD Ultra Lite Mirco Socks--This is the no-show version of the previous sock.

Smartwool Jovian Stripe Crew Socks--These are thicker and taller, with a splash of stripy personality.

Icebreaker Lifestyle Lite Crew Socks--This is my experiment with a different brand of Merino. They are similar in length and weight to the other pair of crew socks but in a more sensible black.

Smartwool Plated Puff Lifestyle Socks--Another lightweight pair of no-show socks.