A few days ago when I asked on Instagram what should I blog
about next, some of you had suggested that I should do some posts on my travels
– what I pack, travelling with a baby and related hacks. So today, I will be
doing the first post on this theme, where I will tell you everything that I
carry in my purse while I’m travelling.
The purse: This
is a Caprese sling bag originally belonging to my sister and I got it from her
when I was visiting her a few months ago. This is a neutral tan brown coloured
bag (hence goes with everything), perfectly sized – not too big nor too small,
I can stuff everything I need hands-on while I travel including baby food,
bottle, clothes and other items I need.The quality is good, the built is strong
and it is so user-friendly with multiple compartments and pockets. Even though
it has started to tear off the edges (I have traveled extensively with it now),
I am still using it unless I find something equally good or better.
Things I carry:
Firstly, obviously, is my wallet (and phone + charger).
Given I carry too much stuff (esp since baby), I prefer a wallet which is
lighter and smaller and possibly locally made, so instead of a traditional PU/leather
wallet we find in malls, I carry a small Kashmiri embroidered suede purse to
keep money and cards and a similar one in bigger size to keep additional
documents - I haven’t changed my surname after marriage, so my son and I happen
to have different surnames now, so I always carry his birth certificate with me
(because India!).
Baby items: I
have grouped all the baby items (of immediate requirement) in tiny cloth
pouches (the free ones that you get with wooden toys/cloth diapers etc.) and
keep them inside my purse. I carry a small wet bag from Superbottoms (to store his dirty diaper/clothes if required). So
when I leave on travel, what I generally do is keep a clean diaper, a small
towel and a couple of baby wipes) inside the wet
bag itself so that all the things required in case of a diaper change is found
in one place.
I also always carry a set of pant, shirt and a pair of socks
in my purse (folded in the KonMarie method) because with a baby, you just never
know when you would need to change their clothes because of spilling or puke esp
in an aircraft when you only have the purse with you and your carry on bag is
in the overhead cabin (and impossible to reach with a tiny baby or active
toddler in hand). Ever since the bub has started eating normal food, I’ve also
carried a bib and a cotton cap for sunny/cooler times esp in flights.
I also carry two of these very soft tiny Babyhug hankys (one in outer packet for immediate
use and one inside the bag). Of course, I carry bub’s Munchkin Miracle cup for
water and some snacks in a small steel box (like a fruit or home-made mathri) because
kids can get hungry ANY time, even just five minutes after a full meal (lesson
learnt the hard way).
I also make a small pouch of his play things – like a tiny board book, couple of teethers or rattlers, just small random things to distract him or engage him as
required. Even though I’ve not habituated the bub to a pacifier,
I have always carried one with me while flying so that he can suck on it while
taking off/landing if he doesn’t want to breastfeed, it helps with regulating
ear pressure.
If you're travelling with a baby, carrying a baby-friendly
insect/mosquito repellant fabric roll-on is essential (even at the airports
these days!). I also pack this Biotique baby sunscreen which I use for myself
as well.
Items for self: I
always carry a tiny pouch of self-care items in my purse - things which I may
need to look put together esp during the long transit hours at the airport. I
carry this Sugar Cosmetics Kajal which I really
like, a multi-purpose Berkowits Anytime Hydration multi-purpose cream which smells amazing ( and which I may
have bought just for its beautiful packaging..lol but handy esp for dry patches
on face/hands) and this Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Cream in shade 55
– it’s a really affordable, wonderful mauvish nude colour which makes my lips
look natural, but better (I am NC 42). I also use the same lipstick on my cheeks like blush to
bring some natural colour. However, it is not long-lasting and I would really
like to buy a better lip cream in exact same shade, but I am vary of shopping
online for lipsticks and really havent been able to visit a store in person (it
looks like a far off dream with the baby). Anyway, if y’all know in what brand
I can find this shade in, please let me know!
I also used to carry the Kama Ayurveda Pure Rose Water Face Mist in my
purse always and any time I’d feel parched or tired, I ‘d just spray some on my
face for that instant boost of freshness. However, I lost it recently and
looking to try another mist – probably the Forest Essentials or the Plum one
(suggestions welcome!). I also carry this teeny tiny sample bottle of ForestEssentials Body Mist in Nargis which smells divine for times I want to smell
good on the go.
I also carry a couple of spare hair-ties, few safety pins
and my pocket diary and pen. I always ensure that when it comes to my purse I
do not carry any sharp/restricted object like a scissor or nail cutter etc
because emptying your bag at the security with a baby is painful.
So this is all I pack in that tiny bag world of mine.
What do you like to carry in your travel purse?
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