- What’s the first thing you do when you arrive home (to your house)?
- What’s one (or two) things you always bring but hardly ever use?
- What’s something you wish you’d had on your last trip but didn’t?
- What is something you do/eat when you travel, that you wouldn’t normally?
- Where is the last place you went? Where are you going next?
Without fail, I unpack everything, put everything away, and start laundry if it’s not too late in the evening. I have never been able to bear putting off unpacking; I have to do it right away so I can feel at home again. I always always always leave the house clean and straightened, because that’s another thing – I can’t stand to come home to a mess…
Often it’s workout clothes, but that depends on where I go and what I’m doing while I’m there. I usually do try and walk/exercise at some point during any trip, and therefore try to bring leggings and tees for that purpose, but out of everything I bring often my workout clothes are the things that I end up putting away clean…
I do also end up bringing more toiletries than I need most of the time, just in case. I’m really trying hard to pare back my travel skincare/beauty supplies even more than I already have, but I never want to be without a favorite.
I need a lint roller or brush to keep with me when I travel. I think I’ll buy a small one and keep it in my carry-on luggage so I don’t have to think about whether or not I have it. This time, we visited friends with a golden retriever who basically sticks to you for petting/attention and I was wearing my black Eileen Fisher slouchy pants (which I had to wear again, of course) and by the end of the evening my pants were basically a furry dog. I don’t mind that at all, in fact, I love being covered in dog hair, as long as I can remove it at some point to re-enter society đ
I used to drink ginger ale on the plane and never any other time (that was when I was trying to phase out drinking sodas altogether), and that was my “thing,” but now, I don’t even do that. I don’t even drink on the plane, unless it’s a long flight, so I don’t have to go to the bathroom (I have serious airplane bathroom anxiety – not only just using it, but disturbing the people around me to get up and use it. I know…).
Now, I reserve travel time for listening to podcasts, something I’d like to do more often at home, but never get around to it, so it’s sort of special to save them for when I’m flying.
We just went to Tampa to see friends with a new baby, then to Palm Beach to see my stepson and on to Orlando to spend a little time with my father and step-mom. In a couple of weeks, we’re going to Salt Lake City for a conference my husband and sister will be working/attending. I wasn’t going to let a “free” trip to SLC pass me by so I’m tagging along. Any suggestions for what I should see/do there? We’ll be at the convention center and won’t have a car, so I don’t think I can get to park city (which everyone is saying I should do…)
Your turn!!
Whatâs the first thing you do when you arrive home (to your house)? I’m the same as you. I always unpack and start the laundry as soon as I walk in the door.
Whatâs one (or two) things you always bring but hardly ever use? That’s hard because I’ve gotten so good a minimal/carry-on only packing. I rarely wear the pants that aren’t jeans that I inevitably bring. Especially if we’re visiting family. I did wear my black pants in France this summer.
Whatâs something you wish youâd had on your last trip but didnât? My toothbrush!
What is something you do/eat when you travel, that you wouldnât normally? Cappuccinos. I usually drink my coffee black but when travelling I sometimes indulge in a morning cappuccino.
Where is the last place you went? Where are you going next? Last was a weekend trip to Atlanta with my husband. Next will be Cincinnati for Thanksgiving to see family.
Such a fun post, Grechen!
1.Whatâs the first thing you do when you arrive home (to your house)?
I’m similar in you too…I start unpacking, putting clean clothes away, putting dirty clothes into the laundry and I also like putting my toiletries and makeup back in their usual spots.
2.Whatâs one (or two) things you always bring but hardly ever use?
Probably high-heels or dressy shoes. I did bring my No.6 wedges on my last trip and wore them once out to dinner, but usually, I prefer my comfy flats.
3.Whatâs something you wish youâd had on your last trip but didnât?
I wished I brought my bathing suit! I totally forgot to do this and had it on my list. The place we stayed at had a hot tub/jacuzzi so I missed out on that.
4.What is something you do/eat when you travel, that you wouldnât normally?
Watch TV in bed. I have a TV in my bedroom but it’s not “watchable” from my bed so getting to lay in bed and watch TV at the same time…luxurious! My eating habits are pretty much the same whether or not I’m traveling.
5.Where is the last place you went? Where are you going next?
My boyfriend and I took a drive up the California Coast 2 weeks ago; we visited Hearst Castle and also Big Sur. It was gorgeous. Next trip for me will be NYC in Feb 2017 and I’m already figuring out my packing list!
Ohh. This may be interesting. I travel to work every week and often for pleasure. I feel like I’ve lived in a suitcase especially this year.
At home. Unpack immediately (Thursday nights) and start laundry. I also make a decaf espresso for myself to enjoy as I don’t have my espresso machine when I’m on the road. It sounds odd but it’s one of my little pleasures. I also immediately wash my face (always fly w spf on) and make sure to put a very moisturizing balm on to take care of any dryness that the plane causes.
One thing that I wish I would have brought on my last trip is probably another pair of non-Jean pants. I was on the road for 13 days I believe and brought two pairs of work pants and one pair of jeans and two dresses and I could’ve used another. I try to wear everything that I bring at least twice
One thing I brought that I didn’t need on my last trip. Nothing I’ve actually gotten to the point where everything that I pack I do wear.
Four doesn’t really count for me because my life is actually partially travel.
And five. I landed in Chicago from Dallas last night to stay with my family while my stepdad has surgery. Then I will fly to Las Vegas to attend a conference with my husband. And then I will fly back to Dallas to work.
For Salt Lake City I would recommend the restaurant Aristos. It’s a fantastic little Greek restaurant. I worked at University of Utah for about a year and a half and that was one of my favorite places to go. I never saw or toured the Temple but the people who did it said it was fantastic and I think the area that you’re in there’s a lot of small shops that are within walking distance. It’s a beautiful city and there’s a lot of Gardens if you can either Uber or take a taxi to them.
1. Whatâs the first thing you do when you arrive home (to your house)?
Check on the cat. Then unpack if itâs not midnight.
2. Whatâs one (or two) things you always bring but hardly ever use?
Doesnât happen often these days, knock wood. Maybe an extra top. I always bring a medicine bag â rarely need it but it has enough to get me by until I can get to a drug store or doctor (in most placesâŚ)
3. Whatâs something you wish youâd ad on your last trip but didnât?
Aux cable! And I usually pack one. Friend brought a Bluetooth speaker but my mp3 is old and requires cabling, soâŚ..
4. What is something you do/eat when you travel, that you wouldnât normally?
Watch movies. We canât stream at home (rural living, not enough data) and hate theaters, so movies on long flights is almost the only time weâll watch movies. Sometimes I catch something on HBO in a hotel too, though husband and I prefer renting when we travel for leisure.
5. Where is the last place you went? Where are you going next?
Portugal with college roommates in September. Friday â Milwaukee with husband (flying on our anniversary đ to visit sister & her family. Trick or treating with young nephew & niece. Then Asia later in November.
Salt Lake – I lived there for years (parents moved to Park City when I was in high school, then divorced but both stayed in Utah) I went to grad school at University of Utah, but so little of what I did is still around…..Enjoy! (if you like Stephen King, watch The Stand – it was filmed right next to where I lived – so that was cool! (City Creek Canyon – I lived above the state capital building)
I love your polls – reading everyone’s comments is always helpful (& entertaining). You have such a wonderful community.
(1) The 1st thing I do when I arrive home is send my BF a text to let him know I’ve reached home safe & sound. I live on Maui and he lives on Oahu. I sometimes send him a pic instead of words, of my place or the tuxedo cat, Pepper, whom he adores.
(2) I love the athleisure trend because I can now bring workout clothes, never exercise and still use those pieces! On my recent trip to PNW, I wore my Alo leggings/Nike Flyknits with a long Free People Thermal on one day and with my Everlane cashmere dress another day for walking, photography and shopping. I don’t have many things I don’t use now as I’ve gotten better about getting better about packing. There may be items I don’t use (like a shirt or two) but no one single recurring thing in particular. I did always forget to use antibacterial spray on the plane so I’ve stopped packing it.
(3) Those small (I think by Scotch) lint rollers are great (except they create more trash as you pull off the disposable pieces). I carry those regularly in my travel gear and sometimes in my handbag. I also keep one in my car. I wear a ton of black and often reuse clothing while traveling so it’s a must. I just got back from Seattle on Monday and the one thing I wish I had with me was the Coach Sage boots I had expressed ordered from Macy’s. They didn’t ship them out for 5 days and then shipped USPS priority instead of express as requested and I missed receiving them by ONE day (arrgh), they arrived the day I flew out. They look like a snow boot but I’d say more appropriate for fall weather (poly faux lining around ankle but not on the bottom so wouldn’t be warm enough for really cold but perfect for 40 to 60 degrees with a good wool sock). I tried them on yesterday and they are so cute and comfy (perfect for football but also urban wandering around), lightweight and easy to smoosh down to pack but also great for the plane ride too. Would have been perfection for the trip but will have to save them for next time.
(4) Gretchen – sometimes I feel a twinship with you because I like to clean my house before I go, unpack when I first get home and I drink ginger ale on the plane too (it feels so comforting & yet medicinal in the dry plane air) lol. And let’s not forget the sea of black, grey and slouchy apparel we both like to wear (I’m often told to wear my clothes less baggy too btw). I go to coffee shops a lot on vacay. At home I tend to make my coffee at home with the occasional coffee shop visit. But on vacay I love trying independent local coffee shops so will try one nearly every day. Not always in the morning, sometimes at night before a long road trip drive or to warm up with dessert. And sometimes for the tea (love a good chai).
(5) I just returned from PNW, mainly Seattle but also did a road trip to the Oregon coast (Cannon Beach) and Portland. One day layover in Honolulu on the way back since I had to attend work meetings at our corporate parent’s office. I will go to Honolulu next to visit my BF (I fly there at least 2 times per month) and we may go a football bowl game on the mainland if UW is playing in one later this year.
1. Whatâs the first thing you do when you arrive home (to your house)?
Open the windows. I loathe that stuffy smell of a house that’s been locked up tight for days on end
2. Whatâs one (or two) things you always bring but hardly ever use?
For me it’s the same as you Grechen. Workout clothes (unless I’m going away for a race of course!) and toiletries (I always take multiple moisturisers, face, hand, body – why do I even have all these different moisturisers and what possesses me to cart them all around with me?!)
3. Whatâs something you wish youâd had on your last trip but didnât?
A hairdryer (although I’m not sure where I would have plugged it in). The humidity in Samoa was so great that if I swam in the morning my (long) hair would only just be dry by 8pm (so that meant no evening swims đ )
4. What is something you do/eat when you travel, that you wouldnât normally?
I honestly can’t think of anything I do different.
5. Where is the last place you went? Where are you going next?
We went to Samoa for a couple of weeks in September. This weekend I’m flying home to visit family. I have a severe case of wanderlust so there maybe more international travel in the not-too-distant future (if I can take the leave!)
1. Drop all my belongings in the middle of the floor and snuggle my pets. I’m terrible about unpacking, and usually drag it out over a day or two (or three…) I just hate packing and unpacking.
2. I always bring more clothes than I need. The other thing is my laptop. I always go somewhere thinking I’ll transfer photos to my computer while on the trip, or write blog posts in the morning or on the plane – I never do! It’s just a heavy thing I tote around with me.
3. Two things I often think about: a mini steamer and a lint roller. My pets’ hair travels with me everywhere I go đ And a steamer would just make my clothes look and feel fresher.
4. If I’m on a plane – watch movies. I rarely travel by plane, and I rarely watch movies at home – so when I’ve got an extensive free selection on the plane, yes please! Otherwise, I behave pretty much the same while traveling, except for eating out more.
5. I just got back from New York City (first time there!) and my next trip, aside from going back to my hometown for Christmas, will be Pacific Grove, CA in January with my boyfriend’s family. It’s an annual trip, and always so wonderful and relaxing.
haha! yes, if i’m coming home to my husband and dog, i immediately hug the dog, then my husband đ
i bought a travel steamer once to bring for my step-son’s bar mitzvah and it turned out to be a disaster, leaking, etc., so i’ve not considered it again. anyway, i don’t normally travel with much that can’t stand to be a little wrinkled …
oh!! samoa!! sounds wonderful, although i’ll admit i don’t really know much about it…
for toiletries, it’s funny because i use so few things at home, but then am always throwing in ‘extras’ for travel. because they fit in my kit maybe??
this is why i love doing these, because i enjoy reading everyone’s answers so much đ
we are basically twins LOL – so funny about the ginger ale, it IS sort of medicinal, and i think it’s a comfort thing for me too, reminds me of my grandmother. and the clothes. i made a comment about my husbands jeans over the weekend (they’re too big and baggy on him), and immediately knew i was going to get something back – haha – i can take it though, i know oversized is a hard look for people to get used to!
oh, and i was going to say something about “athleisure” – i love it, but i just can’t bring myself to wear my workout leggings “out”, and i don’t know why! as long as my ass is covered, i don’t mind leggings-as-pants, but i usually just wear them to exercise, then change out of them to shower/get dressed. i did wear my entire pure barre ensemble today for several hours though (with my dagg & stacy pullover on top), to meet my sister and go to whole foods, something i never do. and i didn’t spontaneously combust…another thing for me is that i keep my PB leggings really long to wear over my socks for class so they’re pretty long to wear “out” with sneakers or whatever. unless they’re bunched up or rolled under a lot.
anyway, that’s neither here nor there, but it would be easier if i’d allow those items to do double-duty.
my husband ALWAYS has an aux cable with him. we’ll usually watch movies or netflix or whatever via his laptop connected to the TV that way…
oh, portugal!! that sounds wonderful. and happy anniversary!!! đ
the stand is probably my favorite book of ALL TIME. i’m not sure i could watch the movie – i’m very particular about that with books i love; i don’t want to ruin the characters i’ve already created in my head!!
so funny – this past trip i didn’t bring jeans at all, because i wore my denim jacket and can’t do denim-on-denim. so my “basics” were black/white/grey and no denim. which was a little weird, because i always have a pair of jeans with me, or at least wear them on the plane, but this time i decided not to. and i didn’t really miss them.
when i travel i have to have a theme, or else i end up with too much stuff….
I’m with you on #1. I leave the house spotless and I make a point of turning on the robot vacuum a few hours before I’m due to arrive home so everything looks freshly cleaned. About half of my house is carpeted and nothing makes me happier than seeing those lines when I get home!!
#s 1 and 2 are me exactly. You would think when visiting my hometown I would manage to fit in some exercise (not like its a glamorous tourist destination with a lot of things to do all day), but nope!
And I suffer from the same bathroom anxiety in #4, so I take a page out of my grandmother’s book and reserve an aisle seat when possible! đ
1) What I do when I get home is drop everything and check out the pile of mail on the kitchen table that my neighbors have brought in for me, while Gabe, our cat, is howling for attention around my legs. Then I get my husband to carry my suitcase upstairs while I indulge the cat for awhile. He’s usually rubbing his head all over me!!! (I’m an instant unpacker and “putter awayer,” too!)
2)I love to coordinate my jewelry and my makeup with every outfit, so I always end up bringing more than I need. Just in case, and earrings, scarves and lipstick don’t take up much room. đ
3)It was so freaking warm in Chicago that I wished I had brought another lightweight top with me. My daughter keeps her house toasty, too, so I was a sweatball!
4)When in Chicago, do as the Chicagoans do: I had a Lou Malnati’s Chicago pizza! YUM!!! Oh, and Airborne or Emergen-C in my water. So far, so good.
5)We went to Chicago to see our kids and grandkids (I’m in “Clark and Nora withdrawal”!) and then took the bus up to Wisconsin to visit my parents for a few days. Then we all drove back to Chicago together. It went by really fast. I’m itching to do a replay of Tortola, BVI, which is the trip I won last year. It was sooo relaxing! But, alas, nothing is scheduled.