Packing for A Plane

Rob and I will not be travelling far this holiday season. We’re lucky enough to have family live nearby, so we only have to spend minimal time in the car. Saying that, I realize this time of year can be mayhem in airports, train stations, and highways across the world.

Do you have to board a plane to see family this year? If so, what will you be bringing with you for your trip? Here is my go-to list of must haves for a plane ride:

• Magazines – Trashy (People or Us), home/ life (Real Simple), or cooking (Bon Appétit) work wonders to distract me from recycled air, bumpy turbulence, and tight quarters. 
• Music – An iPod, mp3 player, or mix tapes of some kind are an absolute must. 
• Reading – For longer flights, I need more serious reading by the time I finish flipping through my mags. 
• Warmth – I always, ALWAYS recommend packing a sweater (and socks if you’re serious) on a plane. It is absolutely impossible to find a common temperature for that many people, so it seems that they err on the side of frigid. 
• Security – I don’t actually have a security type item. I wanted to include this on the list because I have a friend that has to bring her “feely” that she rubs between her fingers as the plane is taking off and landing. If you’re a nervous flyer, this would be absolutely necessary. 

Even if you are not flying this year, what are your plane ride must haves? Is there anything you can’t live without while flying?

(Photo taken by my friend Sarah, as we were leaving for our Euro Trip 2012)

Busiest Travel Day of the Year

Today marks the busiest travel day of the year. Millions of people are set to hit the road, hop on planes, and ride the railways to see their loved ones. The estimates for today: long lines and even higher gas prices.

Rob and I are pretty lucky because our family is close by and we don't have to drive more than 40 minutes to get to almost everyone. I am grateful for this. Rob and I wanted to move to the Pacific Northwest (Portland or Seattle) for a while, but I'm happy we stayed. I remember when my dad lived in Hawaii and we never got to see each other during the holidays; it was a bummer. We usually planned to visit just after the holidays when ticket prices would drop like crazy, but it was never really the same. I'm sure we would have fallen completely in love with our new city and we would have made the most of anytime we could spend with our family, but I also know that I would have missed my family like CRAZY during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What about you? Will you be traveling at all today? Do you have family near or far?

Travel Playlist // Repost

Although we are doing most of our traveling through Europe via train, having calming music can make all the difference in the world. That's why I've decided to re-post the Airport Playlist that Robbie created. It's the perfect background to a potentially stressful situation. Enjoy!

Waiting for a flight at an airport can be stressful. Tension can be caused by a number of different factors, including the anxiety of making sure you don't miss your flight, a discomfort of actually being in the air, or worrying about being unavailable for several hours at a time. Whatever the reason may be, airports can be a stressful place for many. Whether I'm traveling for vacation or visiting friends, I find myself in airports a few times a year. Luckily, I'm married to a man that has a knack for making playlists that fit a mood perfectly. Recently, I asked Robbie to create a calm playlist that can help me relax as I'm waiting to head to my next adventure. He has nailed it again. Here is my new airport playlist:

Death Cab for Cutie: Brothers On a Hotel Bed

Kanye West: Street Lights

Gregory Alan Isakov: Big Black Car..

The National: Start a War

Cat Power: The Greatest

Sufjan Stevens: Casmir Pulaski Day

Antony and the Johnsons: Another World

David Bazan: Won't Let Go

Fleetwood Mac: Songbird

Jimmy Eat World: For Me This Is Heaven

Page France: Jesus

Bon Iver: Beth/Rest

What are your songs or albums while traveling?

All songs and albums can be found at your local record store. 

(Photo: weheartit)

Airport Playlist

Waiting for a flight at an airport can be stressful. Tension can be caused by a number of different factors, including the anxiety of making sure you don't miss your flight, a discomfort of actually being in the air, or worrying about being unavailable for several hours at a time. Whatever the reason may be, airports can be a stressful place for many. Whether I'm traveling for vacation or visiting friends, I find myself in airports a few times a year. Luckily, I'm married to a man that has a knack for making playlists that fit a mood perfectly. Recently, I asked Robbie to create a calm playlist that can help me relax as I'm waiting to head to my next adventure. He has nailed it again. Here is my new airport playlist:

Death Cab for Cutie: Brothers On a Hotel Bed
Kanye West: Street Lights
Gregory Alan Isakov: Big Black Car..
The National: Start a War
Cat Power: The Greatest
Sufjan Stevens: Casmir Pulaski Day
Antony and the Johnsons: Another World
David Bazan: Won't Let Go
Fleetwood Mac: Songbird
Jimmy Eat World: For Me This Is Heaven
Page France: Jesus
Bon Iver: Beth/Rest

What are your songs or albums while traveling?
All songs and albums can be found at your local record store. 
(Photo: weheartit)