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The LuggageThe 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 Everywhere Bag
Inside The LuggagePacking 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
Stay ComfortableEye 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
The Sleep Mask
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
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 Chrysalis Cardi
Cashmere Blanket Scarf or Throw
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
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:
  HeadphonesBeats
AirPods Pro
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%
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 Reusable Travel Tissue Pack, Save 10%
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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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See more posts like this: Home, Reviews, Amazon 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.
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.
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.
How Did The Plants Hold Up?
American Plant Exchange Green Sansevieria Trifasciata Zeylanica Live Plant, 6" Pot, Indoor/Outdoor Air Purifier
American Plant Exchange Split Leaf Philodendron Monstera Deliciosa Live Plant, 3 Gallon, Green
Petra Croton Live Plant, 6" Pot Indoor/Outdoor Air Purifying Plant
Dwarf Pomegranate Bush, 6" Pot, Fruit Producing!
Arabica Coffee Plant, 6" Pot
Confederate Jasmine Live Plant, 6" Pot, Very Fragrant Vine!
Pros and Cons of Buying Plants Online
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
Also Read: Best and Worst Purchases of 2020Pin This:
For the longest time I wanted to get some patio furniture, but for one reason or another I always put it off.
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!
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.
Assembly - Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Review
Quality & Durability - Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Review
Necessary Accessories - Best Choice Products Patio Furniture Review
Best Choice Products 10 ft Tilting LED Light Umbrella Review
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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
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
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.
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 Services5. Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space
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
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!
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.
Fun Facts About Stasher Bags:
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
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 BagsI 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:
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