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Packing For Travel in 2021

5/3/2021

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We're nearly halfway through 2021 and while the pandemic is far from over, the thought of travel is coming back into the picture for many people. Everyone will have different criteria for when they feel safe traveling and to where they feel safe traveling, but this post will help you pack for travel in a way that enables you to enjoy the literal journey! ​

This post contains refer-a-friend or affiliate links. Using them is at no extra cost to you, but helps support the cost of running this informative blog. Thanks visiting and for your support!

The Luggage 

The Carry-On with Pocket 

After having my primary checked luggage lost and damaged on my first huge international trip 6 years ago, I vowed to join the carry-on only crowd and have never looked back. Undeniably there are circumstances in which checking luggage is not avoidable or may be preferred, but if you are looking for a really solid carry-on bag that will stand the test of time, you can really buy theAway Carry-On with a sense of confidence. 
The Carry-On with Pocket, $20 off
The Carry-On with Pocket, $20 off
Some noteworthy features:
  • The polycarbonate hard shell is both lightweight and durable - protecting all your belongings through the rigorous journey.
  • Built in compression helps you get more into one bag
  • Optional battery makes it really convenient to keep your devices charged up so you can stay entertained, working, or in communication as needed  along the way. 
  • TSA lock
  • 360 degree spinner wheels - if you don't have these yet, they are a game changer!
  • Laundry bag to keep your dirty socks away from everything else ;) 

$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!
We're nearly halfway through 2021 and while the pandemic is far from over, the thought of travel is coming back into the picture for many people. Everyone will have different criteria for when they feel safe traveling and to where they feel safe traveling, but this post will help you pack for travel in a way that enables you to enjoy the literal journey! 
Personal Experience:
I have had the carry on with pocket from Away since mid 2018 and used it on every trip - road trip, US domestic flights, international flights, cruises, trains, buses... you name it. I love it. The design is minimal and timeless. I can fit everything I need in an organized way.  It has a handle on the top and the side which makes it really easy to lift into overhead bins on an airplane or shelves on a train etc. I find this especially helpful when my bag is truly loaded and a bit heavy. Since I am petite, having these handles gives me greater control over the bag and confidence as I hoist it wherever it needs to go. The built in laundry bag is surprisingly useful. It snaps in and out easily. The pocket offers 2 zippered areas that can give you easy access to specific things. For instance, maybe I'll place my iPad in the larger pocket and my passport holder and travel documents in the smaller one. Then I always know where they are and when I get on a plane I can quickly pull out my iPad before putting the bag in the overhead bin. 

Upgrading your smartphone or tablet?
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One thing worth mentioning is that if you pack too tightly around where the handle telescopes, it will not be able to telescope as smoothly. The customer service from Away is phenomenal. They have a 100 day trial and I literally did make use of this with 0 issues and 100% satisfaction. You can read my away luggage customer service experience here. ​

$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!

The Everywhere Bag

The Everywhere Bag, $20 off
The Everywhere Bag, $20 off
The Everywhere Bag is part of my travel uniform. It sits perfectly atop the carry on suitcase and you can fit a ton of stuff in here, depending on your needs. It's water resistant nylon (or upgrade to the leather options), has a laptop pocket that can fit a 15", and comes with a padded shoulder strap or the short straps. I've had this bag since 2018 also and I really like it. It's been able to fit underneath the seat on any flights I have taken, which is important as I am using it as my "personal item".
What I would change? I don't love the zipper set up. Mainly I find the short handles kind get in the way when you using the zipper and reaching for things in the bag. In the grand scheme of things, NBD, but I want to share pros and cons both!  I used to use a samsonite boarding bag and it zipped completely open which I found helpful since I use this bag less for in-flight comforts and more for actual packing-space purposes. 
​
$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!
Samsonite Boarding Bag
Samsonite Boarding Bag

Inside The Luggage

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are an absolute must when I travel now. They help me pack in an organized way and rather than having everything smashed in my luggage, I can pull out a cube grab the item I want, and re-place it in the luggage. This is helpful when you are doing intensive travel where you are moving every couple days and don't want to "fully" unpack. You can come up with a system that works for you - cubes for each outfit, cubes for categories (socks and undies, tops, bottoms, swim etc). 

Pro Packing Cubes 

Very lightweight, mesh helps you see what's inside, not super structured - you can smash a lot in and it's okay if things are oddle shaped. Current price for 4-piece set $19.95

Dot&Dot Packing Cubes

 Mesh window to see inside easily, fun colors, lightweight, I really like the long slim cube, which is a size you don't always see. 
5 packs vary in price based on size and currently start at $17.99.

Shacke Pak

My husband uses the Shacke Pak packing cubes and they have been durable during 5 years of travel so far. They also have mesh so you can see what's inside and include a laundry bag!  5 packs currently $20.99

Tripped Travel Gear Compression Packing Cubes

I don't personally have these, but if you are looking for compression packing cubes and want to support a small business, check out Tripped Travel Gear. Tim & Fin have a really fun YouTube channel and support their travel ways through YT and these packing cubes which are really highly rated! These are different than the above options because they offer compression, which is helpful if you are looking to pack as much as possible in a small space. 6 pieces are currently $44.95

The Insider Packing Cubes

The Insider Packing Cubes, $20 off
The Insider Packing Cubes, $20 off
The Insider Packing Cubes are designed to perfectly integrate into your away luggage. Obviously you can use them with any luggage, but if you are a fan of the Away Travel brand and want to stay in the family and have a perfect fit, check these out. Current price for a 4-pack is $45

​$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!

Stay Comfortable

Eye Mask

My sleep quality has improved tremendously since I started wearing an eye mask to bed. It's a simple change that can have a big impact. If I use it at home, why wouldn't I want to use it during travel? A sleep mask is especially helpful on long flights when you really need to try to get some sleep, not to mention the moments when you aren't in the mood to interact with people..... lol. 

Mulberry Silk Eye Mask

Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eye Mask
Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eye Mask
This is the eye mask I currently use every night. It's made from mulberry silk and made by a wonderful brand. Currently on sale!

Save $25 

The Sleep Mask

Away Travel The Sleep Mask, Save $20
Away Travel The Sleep Mask, Save $20
The Sleep Mask from Away Travel is intriguing as it wraps completely around your head to truly shield out all light! Thermoregulating technology will keep you comfortable all flight long. I'd love to try this out! 



​​$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!

Best Selling Sleep Mask On Amazon

By comparison, here is the current best selling sleep mask on Amazon. It's got memory foam and 43,000 reviews 4.7 star rating.

Neck Pillow

Neck pillows are something I like to travel with, but the downside is they can be bulky. I hate the feeling of just falling asleep on a plane and then your head drops suddenly, yanking your neck around and you're suddenly jolted out of sleep. It happens on repeat. A neck pillow can really solve this issue!

The Travel Neck Pillow 

Away Travel The Travel Neck Pillow, Save $20
Away Travel The Travel Neck Pillow, Save $20
The travel neck pillow from Away Travel has a foam pillow core, thermoregulating technology and I like that it can be laid completely flat and even attached to their travel blanket! It comes with an antimicrobial pouch that can attach to the outside of any bag which is *awesome*! 

​​​$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!
Best Selling Travel Neck Pillow On Amazon
Here is the current best selling travel neck pillow on Amazon with 4.5 stars and over 13,000 reviews.
Ergonomic design, memory foam, and magnetic therapy cloth? Intruiging.

Blanket

You'll likely be getting a blanket on a long haul flight, but what if you're cold on a shorter flight? Or better yet what if you're cold in the airport on a long layover? Bringing a blanket can be a great idea if you can find one that will not take up too much precious real estate. Here are some ideas. 

The Travel Blanket

The Travel Blanket from Away Travel, Save $20
The Travel Blanket from Away Travel, Save $20
The Travel Blanket from Away Travel is pretty cool. It packs super tiny, yet unfolds to be long enough to even tuck your feet into - keeping them warm and protected! You can also snap it onto another travel blanket or their neck pillow to stay super snuggly.

​​​$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!

The Chrysalis Cardi 

Chrysalis Cardi, 10% off
Chrysalis Cardi, 10% off
The Chrysalis Cardi is an extremely versatile piece from Canadian ethical and sustainable fashion brand Encircled that is perfect for travel. Wear it in the poncho style for extra warmth on the plane and later as a halter dress when you get to the beach.

Shop The Chrysalis Cardi - Canada or US/Global

Cashmere Blanket Scarf or Throw

Mongolian Cashmere Throw, One Quince, Save $10
Mongolian Cashmere Throw, One Quince, Save $10
A cashmere blanket scarf or throw can be great for warmth and breathability too! Save $10 

Compression Socks

I always travel with compression socks, especially if I am taking long haul flights that will have me sitting for too many hours at a time. A lot of times I will wear a pair of regular ankle socks under them so I can get more use out of them between washes if needed. 

The Compression Socks

The Compression Socks Away Travel, Save $20
The Compression Socks Away Travel, Save $20
The Compression Socks from Away Travel are quick drying and have anti-order technology. 

​​​​$20 Off Away Travel Goodies!

Best Selling Compression Socks On Amazon

Here's one of the best selling compression socks on Amazon with 41,000 ratings averaging 4.6 stars: 

Headphones

Beats

While they do take up some real estate in my luggage (actually I clip them to the outside, but still..), my Beats noise cancelling headphones are a must pack. I can block out the sound of the plane and other passengers. And again, when that whole introvert thing kicks in strong, I can just pop on my beats and cut down unwanted interactions 99%. 

AirPods Pro

Even though I bring beats, I also bring Airpods Pro. They are small and take basically no space, but they also offer noise canceling. Sometimes if I wear the Beats too long, I get a headache from the pressure. I am headache prone. So that's when I'd switch to the AirPods. They are also easier to toss in your bag when you're out and about on your trip!

Stay Healthy

Taking care of your health is important during travel and we all have even more awareness of this since COVID-19 emerged. 

Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle

 Mira Brand is an affordable alternative to the popular swell bottles. I recommend the matte, solid color finished over the prints and shiny ones that can peel over time. Staying hydrated is so important. Also grab asilicone/carabiner attachment so you can clip it to your luggage or backpack anytime! 

Healthy Snacks

Consider bringing some healthy snacks with you - nuts, sliced apples, protein bars etc when possible and appropriate. 

Supplements

Many people swear by airborne, ester c to support their immune system. Melatonin, Melissa, and are valued by many to help them sleep on the plane and adjust to a new time zone. 

Essential Oils

Some great essential oils for travel include immune supporting blends and sleep/calming essential oil blends. However, please be courteous of those around you on a flight when using things that may smell strong, even if they are natural. :-)

Face masks & Sanitizer

Face masks and sanitizer will likely be with most of us for a while during travel. Last object has come up with a cool kit to keep your mask and sanitizer in one handy spot. Get 10% off any Last Object order here!!
Last Object Zero Waste Face Mask & Spray Kit, Save 10%
Last Object Zero Waste Face Mask & Spray Kit, Save 10%

Tissues

Last Tissue is also perfect for blowing your nose on the go! I won't travel without these now!  Get a discount on Last Tissue Here
Last Tissue, Save 10%
Last Tissue Reusable Travel Tissue Pack, Save 10%

More Travel Posts

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Buying Plants Online During a Pandemic - American Plant Exchange Review

4/15/2021

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Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
So... 2020 and plants... Yeah.
How many of us became plant people in 2020? How many of us were reminded in 2020 why we don’t usually buy plants? lol.
Anyway let’s not go there. This post is about buying plants online during a pandemic. Plenty of people are perfectly comfortable going to the store to buy their plants during a pandemic. Others are scared or due to extremely high risks or other factors choose to order *live* plants online. Last year, I was one of them and I bought a number of plants from American Plant Exchange. Here’s what I learned..
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Shipping, Delivery, Initial Inspection

The shipping time varied depending on if I ordered from Amazon or Etsy and even within that depended on the plant ordered. Overall I thought the shipping was good, they each came in really nice sturdy cardboard boxes and they were wrapped well.

Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review

Initial inspection of the Monstera, it seemed to have either not been planted deep enough in the pot, or got jostled out in transit.
I ended up transplanting it into this affordable white planter from Amazon and it has done surprisingly well.


Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
Initial inspection of the coffee plant was... something isn’t right here. There were tons of branches cut off and I wondered if they had been cut off to grow additionally cuttings from. When I reached out to American Plant Exchange they said it was bad parts of the plant being cut off. Which... honestly wasn’t reassuring. That plant struggled all last year and unless a spring time miracle happens, I’d say it’s not going to bounce back, but we’ll see.
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review Coffee Plant
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review Coffee Plant

How Did The Plants Hold Up?

  • The Snake Plant is still alive and well. It didn’t grow a ton, but it is holding its own nearly a year later.
  • The Petra Croton was beautiful all summer long and then took a sharp turn for the worse. I’m not sure what happened, but I’m pretty sure it’s dead.
  • The Dwarf Pomegranate did well all summer, it grew the cutest coral colored flowers and the beginnings of ornamental pomegranates which all fell off before they were full grown (expected for a young plant) but once the cooler weather hit, even though I brought it inside, it went down hill. These are deciduous, though, so it’s normal for them to lose all their leaves. I am hopeful it might come back for summer but time will tell.
Ordering Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review Dwarf Pomegranate Plant
  • The coffee plant is doubtful going to survive.
  • The jasmine was attacked so many times by my neighborhood animals that I don’t think it will be back and sadly I never got one flower from it... those rascals!
  • Finally, the crown jewel of my plant purchases last year - my Monstera. Such a trendy plant...But surprisingly mine has stayed healthy, grown a bunch, and I honestly wonder if it needs repotted again because at least one big root has found it’s way to the bottom of the planter already!!

American Plant Exchange Green Sansevieria Trifasciata Zeylanica Live Plant, 6" Pot, Indoor/Outdoor Air Purifier

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Amazon $19.99

American Plant Exchange Split Leaf Philodendron Monstera Deliciosa Live Plant, 3 Gallon, Green

Picture
Amazon $44.56

Petra Croton Live Plant, 6" Pot Indoor/Outdoor Air Purifying Plant

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Etsy $21.99

Dwarf Pomegranate Bush, 6" Pot, Fruit Producing!

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Etsy $30

Arabica Coffee Plant, 6" Pot

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Etsy $26

Confederate Jasmine Live Plant, 6" Pot, Very Fragrant Vine!

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Etsy $26

Pros and Cons of Buying Plants Online

Pros
You don’t have to leave your house.
You’re not limited to local selection.
Your car won’t get dirty. lol

Cons
You don’t get to pick a plant that looks great to you as the consumer.
Plants can struggle during transit and some never bounce back.
It can be a lot more expensive.
If you’re like me, you feel bad reaching out about an issue (Especially if it’s a small company) bc you realize the cost associated with shipping plants is high and most things are probably not the grower’s fault...

What I Learned From Buying Plants Online from American Plant Exchange

Compare prices. American Plant Exchange has plants for sale on Etsy and on Amazon.
Some of the price differences were huge for the same size plant.

Consider buyer protection and customer service. If you have an issue, it probably going to be resolved easier and faster via Amazon. YMMV. Hopefully you don’t have an issue though!

Buying plants from anywhere is such a tricky endeavor. If the plant doesn’t make it, it’s hard to know if it was a problem with the plant itself, the environment it was put in, the care (or lack there of) it was given, the transit or what! But I guess that's true of any plant you buy isn't it?
​

Will I Buy Plants Online in 2021

The jury is still out on that. At the moment I’m leaning toward no. But not because it was a bad experience, just because I’m anticipating a different summer and fall this year than in 2020 and trying to care for more plants isn’t part of it. I love the plants, i wish I could care for more and have them flourish, but for any number of factors it just doesn’t seem to work out. So instead of making myself frustrated at how many plants I kill in 2021, I think I’m just going to cherish my monstera and snake plant, try to help them thrive in 2021, and be content with my two happy little houseplants. Quality over quantity is the name of the game right? Two live houseplants are better than 15 dead or dying ones, right?

Also Read: Best and Worst Purchases of 2020

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Ordering Monstera Plants Online - American Plant Exchange Review
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Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review

3/31/2021

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For the longest time I wanted to get some patio furniture, but for one reason or another I always put it off.
  • It wasn’t within budget one year.
  • Another year we were going to be traveling most of the summer.
  • Another year I couldn’t decide what I wanted.
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Well... when 2020 hit and I knew I was going to spend literally every day of summer at home all day, I decided NOW was the time to finally get some patio furniture. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what I wanted - was it comfy chaise loungers, a bistro set, a traditional picnic table, a conversation set, a bench swing? (Read 6 Things To Consider When Choosing Patio Furniture)

There were so many choices. But finally I decided at really wanted a simple dining set. A weatherproof material that wouldn’t require maintenance (ie no wood!), chairs with backs, a table top that was equally good for dining on as it was for working on with a laptop or iPad. I found that some of tabletops were wicker and I just didn’t anticipate that being ideal. Imagine cleaning up food crumbs getting stuck in all those cracks? Other tables looked really cheap in quality. Still others came with a hefty price tag or a size that didn't suit my space.  Finally I decided on a set from Best Choice Products.
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Shipping & Delivery - Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Review

I ordered this set from Amazon and it actually came in 2 boxes on 2 different days. You’ll need to wait until both boxes arrive in order to assemble the set. The boxes were a bit mangled on the outside but nothing appeared to be damaged inside. There was a small knick on a piece as you can see below, but not from the shipping. Very minor and not really noticeable after assembly. I actually forgot about it until looking back at these pictures almost a year later. 
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
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Assembly - Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Review

The assembly process of the Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Dining Set was okay. It’s not a super quick assembly, but it’s also not that hard. Just take your time. When you’re assembling the chairs, and maybe this is obvious to most people, make sure to only screw in each area part of the way at first and then tighten everything down. If you tighten one area totally sometimes you can’t get the screw to reach on another side. But if you screw everything in just part way then somehow you can get everything together and screw them all in tightly. (If that makes sense?)

The one issue that we had was with the table. The rod that goes across the table and has the umbrella hole in the center of it was literally not long enough to reach either side as you can see in the photo below. I tried to reach out to the customer service via Amazon but I’m not sure they understood the scenario. We were able to kind of bend the frame just enough to get the rod and screws to catch and be secure. We didn’t have any trouble with it all season, so that worked out, fortunately.

Another thing to note is that some of the screw holes were partly covered over, making it a little more challenging to assembly. However, once you get it put together, it's already forgotten. Still, just wanted to share as many details as I can remember in case it is helpful for you in your purchase decision or assembly process. 
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
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Quality & Durability - Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Review

I am really impressed with the quality of this 5 piece wicker dining set from Best Choice Products.
Is it perfect? No. But at this price point, why would I expect it to be?
For instance, it’s true that the cushions are kind of thin and not especially plush. But they are fine.
It is true that it should really have some pillows too, I had a couple already so that was perfect.
The glass top scratches fairly easily. There are some fine scratches on my table top and I’m not even sure when/how they got there..

But let me tell you something crazy. This patio set was outside all winter in a snowy northern climate. At one point there was more than a foot of snow on top of this table. I thought for sure it was going to be broken, damaged, rusted somewhere etc .... but here I am. Typing on it right now. It looks exactly how it did when I last used it in the fall. I am so impressed. YMMV, I can’t tell you what’s going to work for you, but I can tell you this set has worked well for me and was definitely one of my top purchases of 2020. Easily. I wish I would have bought it 5 years ago.
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Necessary Accessories - Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Review

To fully enjoy this best choice products 5 piece wicker dining set, I also purchased a 10 ft tilting solar led umbrella from Best Chocie Products as well as a steel umbrella base from abba patio store.

Pro Tip: Be sure to get an umbrella base that can safely hold your size of umbrella. They are stupid-expensive, but worth it for the piece of mind they will bring.

As for theBest Choice Products 10ft umbrella - I love it! It’s great to be able to tilt it to get the moving sun out of your eyes or to give a little privacy from neighbors. It’s also quite fun to put on the led lights when it starts to get dark. Is it waterproof? Not really. I mean, this is a patio umbrella mainly to shield you from the sun. Light rains will bead off of it, but if it starts pouring you will get wet. Speaking from experience lol. I got the navy color and by the end of summer you can see where the sun bleached the color out. A lot of people complain about that, but if I’m being honest, I don’t really care. When I’m outside and it’s opened, I can’t see that at all? That’s just me. Overall I would recommend the umbrella. It’s a good price (around $80, shipped) compared to other options and unless you abuse it, you should get lots of use from it! Hope this helps you if you were on the fence about this particular set!
Best Choice Products 10 ft Tilting LED Light Umbrella Review
Best Choice Products 10 ft Tilting LED Light Umbrella Review
Best Choice Products 10 ft Tilting LED Light Umbrella Review
Best Choice Products 10 ft Tilting LED Light Umbrella Review
Best Choice Products 10 ft Tilting LED Light Umbrella Review
If this post has helped you in any way, tap a link before your purchase to help support the cost of running this blog at no additional cost to you! I thank you so much! :) 
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  • Quince Turkish Waffle Bath Towels vs. Brooklinen Waffle Bath Towels

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Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 5-Piece Wicker Dining Set Patio Furniture Review
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How To Enjoy Staying Home More During The Pandemic

2/12/2021

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Shopping habits for most of us changed drastically this past year. Normally saving every penny for an adventure out of town, this year had a lot of us spending our time and paychecks at home. Here’s how I made home a little more homey in 2020. 

1. Move Furniture Around

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This didn’t require any purchasing, but it was one of the first things I did during the initial lockdown. Moving furniture around can make you feel like you’re in a totally different space. And if you don’t like it? Easy. Just move it back. Also doubles as a great workout. lol
Get a discount on easy eco-friendly swaps for your home with code TRIPDONTFALL 

2. Buy New Pillow Covers

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Changing pillows on your couch can change the vibe of the room. But before you go out and buy a whole new pillow, maybe you just need a new cover for your pillow? I tried a few boho macrame pillow covers, tons of options on Amazon but for something more special and handmade definitely check etsy.  Of course you can find pillow covers to match whatever your style is!
Get a discount on easy eco-friendly swaps for your home with code TRIPDONTFALL ​

3. Order Houseplants. Online.

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Now that you're home a lot more, maybe you can give houseplants a try! Having living plants in your home is soothing and the opportunity to nurture something and see it grow in a time of chaos can be very valuable.

​I ordered plants online from this company, full review to come! 
Get a discount on easy eco-friendly swaps for your home with code TRIPDONTFALL ​

4. Try New Delivery Services

I took this opportunity to try some new delivery services:
  • Instacart - review - discount
  • Butcherbox - review - discount
  • Hello Fresh - review - $40 discount
  • Misfits Market - review - discount
  • The Wine Shop - review - discount​

5. Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space

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If you're fortunate enough to have a yard, porch, balcony, or patio - is it inviting? Can you update that space so you can enjoy using it more? Check this post for6 tips to help you choose patio furniture! Having an inviting living space (indoor or outdoor) can make staying at home so much more enjoyable! See what you can tidy and declutter and then see if you an addition would really make a difference.
Get a discount on easy eco-friendly swaps for your home with code TRIPDONTFALL ​

6. Refresh Your Sheets & Towels

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This is something I sometimes procrastinate on. You don't have to wait until your sheets and towels are threadbare and unarguably gross before replacing them. I recently got some eucalyptus sheets from sheets & giggles and some linen sheets as well. I also replaced our bath towels and compared two brands. You can read about that here! Having fresh sheets and towels will make the mundane feel a little more luxurious!
$10 off any purchase (including towels and sheets) here
or $25 off any $100 purchase here!

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Stasher Bag Review

6/22/2020

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Stasher Bag Review
Photos: @stasherbag
Stasher bags are really popular among the low waste community and anyone trying to make small steps to be more sustainable. It’s been a long time since I have purchased a plastic sandwich bag and there are times it would just be nice to have one. This past fall/winter, Stasher offered a really good sale, I think it was 25% off and I took that opportunity to try one of their combo packs, the starter kit to see what all the fuss was about. 

The Starter Kit includes:


1 STAND UP STASHER:
7 x 8.5 x 3.5 inches / 56 fl. ounces, 12 cups dry
Tare weight: 4.5 ounces / .28 pounds



1 HALF GALLON STASHER:
10.25 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches / 64.2 fl. ounces
Tare weight: 4.2 ounces / .26 pounds



2 SNACK STASHERS:
4.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches / 9.9 fl. ounces
Tare weight: 2.1 ounces / .13 pounds



2 SANDWICH STASHERS:
7 x 7.5 x 1 inches / 15 fl. ounces
Tare weight: 2.7 ounces / .16 pounds



1 POCKET STASHER:
3.25 x 4.75 x 1 inches / 4 fl. ounces
Tare weight: 1.5 ounces / .09 pounds
Stasher Bag Review
Stand Up Stasher - Click/Tap Photo For Current Price
Stasher Bag Review
Half Gallon Stasher - Click/Tap Photo For Current Price
Stasher Bag Review
Snack Stasher - Click/Tap Photo For Current Price
Stasher Bag Review
Sandwich Stasher - Click/Tap Photo For Current Price
Stasher Bag Review
Pocket Stasher - Click/Tap Photo For Current Price

Fun Facts About Stasher Bags:

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· 100% pure platinum silicone

· Non-toxic

· Pinch-loc™ seal

· Dishwasher and microwave safe

· Tons of fun colors

· Endlessly reusable
​

· Write on them!

How To Use Snack Stasher Bags

I started out using the Snack Stashers to carry my favorite on-the-go snack - a sliced apple. This works great if the apples are on the smaller size. If they are big honeycrisp or autumn glory apples then you may need to go with the sandwich stashers. Stasher Bags cause a bit less of a scene to use than abeego wraps. If you wrap an apple in an abeego and eat it out in public you will almost always get questions. A Stasher Bag sends a message without needing explaination, and the question you are more likely to get is “Where can i get those?” So it depends how much you want to engage with people LOL.

How To Use Pocket Stasher Bags


One of my favorite uses for the 
Pocket Stasher is highly specific -  to keep unwrapped cough drops in. You know how sometimes you need a cough drop (btw, these are the best - great natural ingredients!) while you’re in an important meeting and you feel like unwrapping it would be 1,000 times louder than it actually is? (Well, I know most of us are still at home so this doesn’t apply currently, but it will some day) the Pocket Stasher is perfect for keeping unwrapped cough drops or mints or candies. It opens silently, you can silently slide one out and then close it silently. Score!
Stasher Bag Review
Endless Ways To Use Stasher Bags!

How To Use Sandwich Stasher Bags

Sandwich Stashers , of course, can hold sandwiches. However, I find that the opening makes it difficult for me to put the sandwich in or to get it out. Maybe if it opened not just at the top, but around part of the sides as well it would be better. But the best would be if it could somehow open up completely or on 3 sides and you could lay your sandwich in and then close the pouch around it. ​​

How To Use Half Gallon Stasher Bags

If you’re someone who likes to freeze fruit for smoothies, Stashers can be helpful. For example, freeze a bunch of peeled bananas in a single layer (put them on a plate or something and stick them in your freezer) then put them into a stasher bag and put them back in the freezer. This way they don’t all stick together and you can open the bag and grab one at a time for all your smoothie needs! (General easy smoothie recipe)

How To Use Stand Up Stasher Bags


I found the Standup Stasher to be nice for meat. I like to buy a big pack and then freeze it in batches that are more appropriate when making meals for 2. ​​

Cooking With Stasher Bags? (Sous Vie)

You’re supposed to be able to even cook or sous vie with Stasher Bags, but I haven’t tried it nor is it in my interest at this time. I mainly use them for taking on the go snacks or lunches, for freezing items in small batches, and for storing random items in the fridge that I want a little more sealed off from air than just putting in a rigid plastic container. It may be user error, but I do find that air slowly leaks out of mine. When I put it in the fridge, and grab something a few days later, its not as “compressed” as it was when I initially put it in. Here’s another example I put a chunk of Aldi’s cheddar cheese wrapped inside the plastic it came in, put a rubber band around it, then put it in the Stasher bag. The next time I grabbed it and unwrapped it, the cut end of the cheese was starting to get slightly hard from air exposure. Kind of weird!

Stasher Bag Review Summary

Overall I am loving my Stasher bags! My main tips would be to use them for short term storage (unless freezing things). If you put some nuts into a snack bag, try to eat them that day or the next day for optimum freshness. The same is true for sandwiches. I think they are a fantastic answer dividing up meat in your freezer and I even saw where someone online color coded their Stasher bags so one color is always chicken, another beef, another fish etc. Cool idea! ​

My One Concern About Stasher Bags

Finally, my one concern with Stasher bags durability is the grooves where they seal together. I have concern about water getting stuck in there from the dishwasher and molding. Especially up in the corners. Upon researching, I’ve seen some people online have this problem, where other people have had them for years without the issue. I’ve made a conscious effort to dry them out extremely well with my favorite super absorbent flour sack towels. They are thin enough that they can get up in the cracks well and dry things up nicely. Hoping this will help my Stashers to be an investment that lasts for years!

If this review was helpful, shop Stasher Bags or anything on Amazon through my affiliate link at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!

​​

Other Posts You’ll Love:

Last Swab Review - Reusable Cotton Swab Plastic Free Living Tips Low Waste Swaps
The Dressy Sweatpant Encircled Clothing Review How to Wear Dressy Sweatpants
Plastic Free Natural Chewing Gum Review

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