Are you ready for it? (And yes, I totally have Taylor Swift belting that lyric out in my head…)
First up, a few travel favourites.
CLEAR TRAVEL TOILETRY BAGS
I think I got this idea (and maybe a link) from San; having designated TSA-approved bags for our carry-on liquids was amazing. I love the zipper feature and that the bag stands up on its own. Previously I used Ziploc baggies, but much prefer the aesthetic and function of this inexpensive upgrade.
Here’s the set I bought!
FANNY PACK
A and I brought fanny packs to Barcelona. Both were purchased second-hand many months ago, but mine is genuine leather (so it should hold up for the long term?) and was SO handy. It’s much easier on my shoulder than carrying a purse, and I wore mine/took it with me every single day we were in Barcelona. I also had a small carabiner that would fit through the two zippers of the main pouch if we were in areas where I was worried about pickpockets; that said, since I wore it on the front of my chest, I felt like everything was extra protected.
This particular fanny pack has FIVE zippered compartments – two small side ones where I kept lipchap, loose change, and some mints. In the main pouch I kept my phone and the paper map that corresponded with that day’s activities; in the small back pouch – facing directly against my body/most protected – I kept my wallet and our room key for the hotel.
RING HOLDER PHONE CASE
Yet another thrifted find – John spotted this case for $1 at a thrift store. I wasn’t sure about it at first because it does make my phone a bit bulkier than I’m used to, but I ended up loving it! It was so handy for travel as I could stick my finger through the ring if I was holding my phone to navigate using the GPS without needing to keep an iron-clad grip on my phone. And a few times I used it as a “stand” so the kids could watch a video. This was definitely something I didn’t “know I needed” until I had it!
A NEW LAPTOP
Okay, this is a very expensive favourite but after using the same laptop 365 days a year for 8+ years – and given the recent breakdowns in function – it is simply wonderful to have a fast, crisp-screened laptop with a very long battery life! A whole sheet of gold stars to John for doing everything – from getting it ordered to setting it up (he transferred everything, as if by magic, from my old laptop – every internet browser bookmark, every file). I didn’t have to lift a finger.
A NEW TOOTHBRUSH
I finally made it to the dentist – gold star alert, gold star alert – and my hygienist gave me a new manual toothbrush and told me she was obsessed with this brand (Curaprox). A few days later I was looking them up on Amazon because I was now obsessed. You can’t buy them locally in Nova Scotia and each toothbrush is almost TEN DOLLARS A PIECE which seems…very expensive. But I think I might become a woman who spends $10 on a manual toothbrush. It is unlike any toothbrush I’ve ever used. I typically buy the ones on sale for $.99 cents. But these bristles are SO soft, and there are so many of them. It’s a dream for the gums and, apparently, due to the type of bristle (Curen filaments) it’s great for removing plaque. The colour options are also really fun, too. This matters (to me).
SUNSHINE
Zero explanation required…
Your turn. Any stand-out favourites in March/early April? If so, I want to hear all about them. Do you use a manual toothbrush or electric? I use both, but lean more toward manual so I don’t have to feel guilty about not brushing the whole recommended time that is “enforced” by my electric toothbrush.
Jenny
Ooh, I love a post dedicated to “favorites!” I also have a fanny pack that I use when I travel, and it’s great. For the toothbrush, I use a Quip. I resisted an electric toothbrush for a long time, but then my son got me one for Christmas and now I love it (kind of like your ring holder phone case situation.). Yay for the new laptop, and John definitely deserves all the gold stars for setting it up. AND… sunshine! A sunny day makes everything better.
Elisabeth
I have an electric toothbrush and use it twice a week? I got a glowing report from the dentist, so I think I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing for now…but I do prefer the manual since I don’t time it/feel guilty!
I LOVED the sunshine and now we’re back to cloud and rain and I am JUST SO OVER THE WEATHER. Harumph.
Steph
Those toothbrushes ARE beautiful!
I use an electric toothbrush. A number of years ago I received some feedback on the state of my teeth and an electric toothbrush was billed as a way to ameliorate things. My teeth definitely feel cleaner when I use it (but that could totally be because I end up brushing longer than I would with a manual).
My favorite thing from the past month is a scarf I splurged on nearly 7 years ago. I traveled quite a bit in March and my items didn’t make it to me (I had a similar situation to L… :)), but that beloved scarf was with me and served both functional and fashion purposes the whole time. 🙂
Elisabeth
I love the colour blocking! It’s striking.
Ugh about the travel mishap with luggage, but it’s amazing that your scarf saved the day! What a versatile piece to own (and smart to have it on your person while travelling).
Ally Bean
I remember San mentioning those clear bags. I still need to get some.
I’ve never seen a ring holder phone case and it looks practical. Good find.
Our dentist used to hand out those expensive toothbrushes. They are different, effective, but I’ve never been able to get around the price tag. Still…
Elisabeth
The price tag is OUCH, but I feel like they’ll last longer and be more effective. Time will tell if I swallow the price tag and buy them. I’ll definitely ask for 2 the next time I’m there…
The clear bags are a “little” thing, but so helpful and effective for traveling. They have a job to do and do it well.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
I switched over to a fanny pack last year and I will never look back. It’s so handy for travel.
Team Electric for toothbrushes, but mine doesn’t have a timer;-) I used to take a manual toothbrush with me when I traveled, but my teeth feel cleaner which makes me feel happier, so now I take my electric toothbrush everywhere. I guarantee that I don’t brush for 2 minutes, but I brush long enough to make both my dentist and me happy.
Elisabeth
I don’t use a purse for day-to-day use at all now. It’s just the fanny pack.
coco
Love your favorites, especially sunshine!!! I love blue sky with sunshine in kids faces.
i use electric one now as it seems to be doing the work, not me 🙂
Elisabeth
Sunshine cures so many things. Alas, we’re back to clouds and rain today. When will it end?!
J
I have gum recession due to having had braces, and also just getting older, so am always in search of a good soft toothbrush. Thank you for the rec, I just ordered some on Amazon. They were about $20 US for a pack of 3, so yeah, almost $10 each Canadian.
My favorite travel bag is a Baggallini crossbody with rfid-blocking technology, which is supposed to keep thieves from scanning your phone or credit card or whatever, which was maybe a concern when I bought it in 2018 before a trip to France. I LOVE it. Much like your crossbody fanny pack, I could keep it in front of me, and I bought some little clips to keep the zipper closed in case of pickpockets. It’s a hobo shape bag, and I liked it a lot more than the one my cousin bought that was more structured, because she had to take a lot of things out of hers to get to things on the bottom.
We’re enjoying warm sunshine today as well, my morning walk was lovely. Rain and cooler tomorrow, which is fine by me. We don’t get enough rain here for it to become depressing, I’m always thankful for it!
I have a big clear traveling cosmetics bag that I use for liquids and other things, but I might look into the ones you bought for times when I ONLY want to put my liquids in. 🙂
Elisabeth
They’re pricey, but I hope you find them helpful and enjoy them as much as I have. Please report back!
I feel like we’ve had rain and clouds the majority of the days since November. I’m trying to think positively – perhaps this means we’ll have nothing but sunshine and blue skies all summer?!
Since we travel with only carryons, we are quite limited with our liquids. But, I did use two of the bags for liquids and the third bag was just other toiletry “stuff” that wasn’t liquid. It’s also very convenient to be able to see through the bags. Usually I’m rummaging through cosmetic bags that have a pretty print on the outside…but that is useless for allowing my to figure out at a glance what the contents are.
NGS
Being able to go outside without having to put on multiple layers of clothing is the best! Woot woot! And more light! I can feel myself coming out of my winter funk and thinking that making plans after 6:30pm is doable again. Yay for changing seasons!
Elisabeth
It is SO light SO late now. Though I’m very grumpy that today we’re back to drizzle and grey skies. When will the winter/spring doldrums end??
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I have a fanny pack and I wear it like a fanny pack and I get made fun of (gently) all the time, since everyone is wearing them cross body now so apparently it is not cool to wear them on your actual fanny (although did people ever put the pouch in the back? I don’t see how that would be helpful). Anyway, all of the people who make fun of me always ask me what I carry in it and when I show them, they are a little bit contrite about making fun of me because you can fit so much stuff in there! I am using it now for biking and it has all of my essentials AND it fits under my rain jacket so they don’t get wet. I am with you 100% on the fanny pack.
Elisabeth
I tried wearing it a few times around my waist and a) felt ridiculous and was told by my children I looked ridiculous but b) I also felt it just worked better in the front?
They are SO practical, especially the ones like I have with so many different pockets. A’s is just one main pouch and she can stuff a lot in there, but she also ends up “rummaging” a lot.
For all the outside activity you’re doing, it makes perfect sense. Also, I think for walking/biking/running, I would 100% want it around my waist. In the city, slinging it felt more comfortable, but I think it would annoy me to be running/bouncing and have it over one shoulder.
Nicole MacPherson
Elisabeth, consider yourself an influencer because I am going to buy those clear toiletry bags! I always use ziplocs too and I feel like this would really up my carryon game. We have a trip planned in less than two weeks so I’m going to go order these right now, okay, goodbye, going to shop! xo
Elisabeth
Ha! Okay. I will add it to my resume. Throwback to San, though, because she’s the one that convinced me.
I hope you love the bags. John has switched over to using these for his work travel, too, and is LOVING them. He travels all the time, and noticed it was a pretty big upgrade over Ziplocs which get all worn and tattered and just look…sad.
Lisa’s Yarns
Phil got me an electric toothbrush for Christmas. I had no idea until I was passing out gifts and came across one for me from the tooth fairy. Ha. I have trouble with cavities so am hoping this makes a difference and prevents more cavities in the future!! Fingers crossed.
The cross body bag is great! I should get one! I had this phone belt that I got at a favorite things party years ago and I just adore it. It’s not big enough for anything besides my phone and maybe some keys. But I use it a ton when traveling or going to the park, etc.
Elisabeth
Wait, he labelled it from the tooth fairy? That is so cute!
I was skeptical about the fanny pack/crossbody bag, but I love it and use it exclusively now!
Stephany
I love a good fanny pack! I’m glad they’re back in style, haha. It just feels safer to have everything within quick reach!
I have those clear toiletry bags for travel. So useful!
Hmm… favorite thing from the past few weeks… I bought a really nice drawstring bag for the gym. It was less than $10 and is so sturdy with so many pockets! I can see it being really useful for other events, too.
Elisabeth
A versatile purchase for $10?! That’s awesome!
San
Yes! I bought a similar TSA-approved clear travel bag and might have given you the idea… and I love everything about it. So much better than ziploc bags! 🙂
I also love the fannypack. I feel like it has shed it’s “bad reputation” when worn cross-body and it’s just so nice to have everything important right there in front of your body. It also looks stylish IMHO!
I am super-intrigued by these toothbrushes, to be honest. They look cute and even better seem to do a good job at cleaning your teeth. $10 seems like a good investment then.
Elisabeth
SO MUCH BETTER than Ziplocs!
I have really loved these toothbrushes so far. I’ll see how they hold up, but at this point I’m planning to order more when it’s time to switch out the one I got from the dentist. The colours! The feel of the bristles! They’re just really great all around.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Ive used that toothbrush for years. recently I have switched to cheaper ones but they don’t do the same job. I think I’ll will end up buying those again.
Ive always wondered about those phone cases with rings. Never had one as it works like t is but now I wonder if I am missing out… Also I am amazed what you find in thrift stores. I don’t think I would get that anywhere in German second hand stores. Or maybe I just don’t know them…
Elisabeth
I have really enjoyed having the ring. I think it’s more effective than the pop-socket ones, too, because I can put my finger THROUGH it all the way, but it also can be used as a stand.
I’m loving this brand of toothbrushes so far, and it’s interesting you used it for a long time and are planning to switch back! I think it’s going to be worth the $10 investment!
Kate
I’m intrigued by the toothbrushes! I prefer a medium bristle (feels like it gets my teeth cleaner) but maybe that’s not so great for my gums. Our dentist is super old school and runs his own solo practice out of an office that appears untouched since 1987, so I feel like he may not even know about these brushes, but I will ask him the next time I’m there 😉
I just bought small square-shaped fans that hang from an adjustable lanyard for my girls to take next week when they go to Disney with their grandmother. They have 3 speeds and a display that shows the remaining charge. Hopefully they work well!
Yay for a new laptop and John getting it all ready for you!! I’ve been needing to replace the rear tires on our jogging stroller for weeks, and asked Nick if he could help me with it (i’ve never replaced the tubes before) and he said sure, and then about twenty minutes later he came back in the house and said it was done. Such a gift!
Elisabeth
DISNEY! How fun!!!
I am an Acts of Service girl, so things like updating my laptop (or changing tires in a stroller which sounds like a truly tortuous task to me) makes me feel so loved! Three cheers for functional tires – that will make your walks more pleasant 🙂