It's in the Bag

It's getting to be that time...it's that time when we start going through our packs and reevaluating everything we've chosen to take - Do we need it? Does it weight too much? Is there a better/lighter version? Tonight, for example, our conversations have included a lengthy debate about flip flops, and walking around the apartment in one of the 3 pairs (each) of walking/hiking/water shoes we purchased to try. Exciting times at the Swain residence. You know what else is exciting? 3-day juice cleanses. We've done the Blueprint Cleanse before and we tried a more intense version of it this time. We're at the end of our 3rd and final day - I'm not nearly as hungry as I expected to be, but I'm really looking forward to my veggie omelet tomorrow morning and I'm even more excited about dinner with my girlfriends this Friday at Boxing Room - there's no better way to break a cleanse than with gourmet hush puppies, fried chicken, jambalaya and beignets... Right?

Sorry for the tangent - I haven't eaten food in 72 hours. Soon, we'll post our full packing list (you're excited, aren't you?) but, in the meantime, we thought we'd start sharing bits of what's in our pack. (Also, stay tuned for an update to this post....I'm sure all these cliffhangers have you hanging on to the edge of your seat.) Every travel blog says that the best way to keep your pack organized and to minimize your headaches on the road is by compartmentalizing everything. (Digging to the bottom of my huge backpack, looking for a Chapstick several times a day is not my idea of being loose of limits.)

Let's get started with some of the compartments that are complete, shall we?

First, I should say that I really think I'm taking WAY too much stuff, and I'm constantly getting rid of things from the pack. It's a daily struggle for me.
When it comes to cosmetics, I really don't need any of it. And I consider most of it dispensable. But, on the occasion that I want to feel a little bit like my San Francisco-self, I'm packing a small bag of goodies. Besides, I have a hot date for this entire trip and I might want to glam up for him from time to time! A lot of these items are samples from being a Sephora Beauty Insider, so they're small.

Clockwise from top left: Philosophy Hope In a Jar Moisturizer for Dry Skin w/ SPF - Chloe Rollerball Perfume - Anastasia Brow Duality Pencil - Sample Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara - Sample Benefit Badgal Lash Mascara - Fingernail clippers - Cuticle Pusher/Nail Cleaner Tool - Anastasia Tweezers - 2 small shadow applicators - Nail file - Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush - 2 Makeup Sponges - Sample of Urban Decay Lipstick in Gash - Sample of Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF in Rose - BodyDeli LipBalm wSPF: Berry Bliss, Juicy Pear, & Coconut - L'Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Bright Shadow Duo in Reckless - Sample of Lorac Blush/Bronzer Duo in Hot Flash - Cosmetic Skin Solutions Phloretin Serum - Philosophy Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer

I call the next compartment the sun/bug bag. The sun is hot and mosquitos carry disease. So I'm packing heat SPF and DEET.

Clockwise from top left: Obagi NuDerm Sun Shield SPF50 - 2 bottles of 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent w/ 34% DEET - Repel Sportsmen w/ 40% DEET Pocket Spray - Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Spray - 10 Mosquito-Repellent Wristbands - Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF30 - Neutrogena UltraSheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF30

Did you know we're going to be hand washing most of our laundry in a bathroom sink? This week, I've put off doing laundry for 4 days because I had to walk down a flight of stairs to do it. And now, for a year, I'll be sudsing it up in a communal hostel sink. Awesome. (One of the less glamorous parts of this trip.) So here's the laundry bag:

Clockwise, from top left: Miniature Sewing Kit (self-made and including fishing line for backpack and sneaker fixes!) - Lewis N. Clark Woolite Travel Soap (free with the sink stopper) - Tide To Go Pen - Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets 50-Pack - Universal Sink Stopper - Flexo-Line Travel Clothesline 

Last (for today), this is my, um....Potty Bag? I don't know what to call it...any clever suggestions? You may remember from this post that I got the GoGirl. Before you get all weirded out, you should know it's for last resorts. My gut tells me that, in the event that I have to use it, I'll be extremely glad I had it.

From bottom to top: Kleenex Wallet Pack, Go-Girl, Extra Ziploc bags for, well, ya know....the used GoGirl

I'm sure there are other things we could take - but I keep reminding myself that the people in Asia have the same basic needs I have (food, shelter, first aid, Cheez-Its, etc...) and that I'll be able to buy anything I need. What do you think? Have I forgotten anything?