Lessons from my travel guru …
There are a few lessons I’ve learned since working with the super trendy ladies from Chloe & Isabel for the past 5 years that have stuck with me during all my air travels. I know I’ve posted about them before, but I’ve just adopted into my household some new Sseko products that ‘up’ my travel game even higher. Makes me excited to share these little tips with you!
Organize your travel bag
My new Sseko Sojourner Olive Canvas Travel bag is surprisingly convenient. Clearly it looks really deep, which I would generally avoid because who wants to be digging through loads of stuff to find your wallet and passport? This has a zippered compartment at the bottom accessible from the outside which creates a perfect depth on the top of the bag. This zippered space creates a perfect spot for my travel scarf, socks, travel jewelry case and flip flops. (All mentioned later). Leaving room up top for transport of a delicate gift, passports, book, snacks, iPad, leather bag with power cords, a few toiletries and my wallet. (Also mentioned later). The leather straps allow me to be hands free in all sorts of ways, without having to reach around to unload a backpack. And whether i decide to wear my new Sseko burgandy kaftan, my grey striped maxi dress or my tee and jean shorts, the Olive green and brown is neutral enough to go with anything!
Blanket Scarf
Light layers are a must for any airline travel, but there are those times when the guy next to you has to have the air blowing, or you’re on a window seat and you get the cold from the window. I love having a blanket scarf with me to cover legs or shoulders, or just to use for a makeshift pillow. Doubling as a scarf, wrap or swim coverup makes it a convertible travel piece. This black and white woven one from Sseko is great - good size - good thickness and can be worn with most anything.
Socks
One of my little quirks is needing to have my legs connected somehow. One foot tucked under my knee or ankles crossed. In order to keep myself from kicking everyone with all my crazy movements I take my shoes off and grab my cotton socks. I always have them to avoid yucky floor germs from walking around barefoot (and to keep my tooties warm).
Book
It’s a book. Enough said. I was excited to see this latest collaboration between Bill Clinton and James Patterson. It looks awesome and I can’t wait to crack that open as soon as I get to my seat. Oh, I will also have my iPad loaded with a movie or 2 (or 8).
Flip Flops
I waited much too long to snag these leather Sseko flip flops. Flips are up there with my top 10 things on the planet and these are really yummy! I love my Havianas, but these increase my trendiness 100%. Genuine leather upper and base, they took a day or two with socks to stretch them out to fit perfect, but I couldn’t do my sprint through airport security without them.
New Zippered Wallet
Again, why did I wait this long, even after every Sseko fellow raved about the zippered wallet? I picked up the new yummy Mahogany leather and it works perfectly! It’s big enough not to get lost at the bottom of my purse, the zipper allows me to toss loose papers I don’t want to lose, and could even hold my phone if I wanted to use it as a clutch with a wrist strap. I’m not sure how they managed, but even the Mohagany is a neutral … just enough brown to make it so.
Jewelry Travel Organizer
I posted about this new piece last week on my IG, but here’s a picture of the inside. Selling jewelry for 5 years makes me a certified “jewelry travel expert” and honestly I haven’t found a better solution than this. I love the deep pockets for my necklaces so they aren’t rolling around and coming out, my statement earrings have a little strap to hold them in place, and a large zippered area for bracelets and extras. It folds up nicely and is pretty to boot.
What’s in my leather pouch?
iPad power cord
Aveda toner spritzer
chapstick
lip gloss
printed itinerary
checked luggage tags
lotion
Advil
eye drops
reading glasses
headphones
pen for my customs forms
Passports and Disability
With the exception of my younger daughter, I generally carry all the passports. She’s capable of handling it herself and it’s a good lesson in organization, but for my disabled daughter and husband, it’s just easier that I keep them close. He’s my point-person for making sure she gets through all the complicated airport security and customs rules when dealing with a person with equipment and special shoes and mobility issues. This is a scary thing for anyone with a developmental delay - being ushered to the side to undergo a pat down and wiping her walker or wheelchair for drug residue. He has always insisted to travel that route with her, going along with the pat down option while I am yelling from my area in line (wrangling a toddler with a penchant for running off and usually a bevy of senior citizens) making sure she is okay and shouting out reminders that I’ll be waiting for her when she’s done, it’ll only take a few minutes, daddy is with her and that yes, this generally sucks.
So I hold the passports, tickets, IDs all together.
One trip through Mexican customs included 2 wheelchairs, 2 teens, 1 senior citizen with Alzheimers, back hallway disabled route with about 9 stops to check passports, IDs and tickets has created this rule. I go to the front of the line with everything and my husband brings up the back to make sure nobody goes rogue. Also on this occasion, my father-in-law was convinced someone in the bathroom during his recent stop must have stolen his passport. 30 minutes of searching later resulted in finding it in his jacket pocket … yep … they’re all staying with me. LOL This year, I’m traveling with 4 very independent young adults, so that’s now taken off my plate. But I’m still keeping an eye out!
