The outer pocket of my bag is reserved for small items I use all the time: hand sanitizer, lip gloss, a perfume roller, pen, and my travel spork. I wouldn't be devastated if I lost any of these items, and it is nice to have them easy to reach.
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Matryoshka is My Middle Name
The famous Russian doll, the Matryoshka, is the best packing inspiration totem I've found. Everything has a place, everything fits, and there is no wasted space. These "nesting" dolls have inspired the way that I pack, and perhaps you'll find these darlings helpful as you reorganize your bag. I'll use mine as an example.
Everything Has A Place: Rather than cramming or stuffing, first start with the dimensions of your bag and then add smaller zip-top bags. Nothing smaller than your fist should have to swim alone in a large bag, so compartmentalize.
Everything Fits: If all articles are contained in smaller containers, then you know that everything will fit and you'll easily locate what is missing if your bag takes a tumble. Choose the smallest containers you can that will supply what you need on any given day.
No Wasted Space: By choosing zip-top bags, you don't fill hard cases with lots of air and make your bag bulkier than it needs to be.
Smaller inner bags are better than compartments because they can transfer from bag to bag. They also limit the amount of "things" that can collect in purses, like business cards, pens, receipts, shoes, the Titanic... whatever comes your way.
In my purse, I have my wallet, a tan zip bag (which contains most "purse" things), my blue/green snack bag, tissues, a coin purse, a pen, my sunglasses, and my phone.
The "tan bag" has most purse-like items: business cards, chapstick, ear buds, Listerine pocket packs, pain relievers, lotion, a hair tie, lipstick, and a nail file. The lotion and lipstick are in the contact lens case because I don't need large quantities, and the file is actually just a small piece of a file, because that's all I need on the go.
The "snack bag" is where I keep my on-the-go snacks and drink mixes. It keeps the quantities small and prevents the snacks from opening and spilling into my purse. I have Larabars, peanut butter (which needs to be removed for air travel because it is a liquid), instant coffee and drink mixes, a fruit leather, ginger chew, mints and gum. It is like a tiny vending machine that goes with me. It is also a nice, small bag that I can easily use as a small purse if I'm headed somewhere fancy and just want to have my driver's license, a credit card, lipstick and mint.
The outer pocket of my bag is reserved for small items I use all the time: hand sanitizer, lip gloss, a perfume roller, pen, and my travel spork. I wouldn't be devastated if I lost any of these items, and it is nice to have them easy to reach.
Three other features I didn't photograph include an inner zip pocket, which is great for my wallet and boarding passes during airline travel, a small zipper pocket on the inside that fits my phone (so it doesn't sink to the bottom and is carried close to me... I can feel when it vibrates), and a key clasp. I can hook my keys onto my purse which makes them easier to find and less likely to fall out if my bag is turned upside down.
The outer pocket of my bag is reserved for small items I use all the time: hand sanitizer, lip gloss, a perfume roller, pen, and my travel spork. I wouldn't be devastated if I lost any of these items, and it is nice to have them easy to reach.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Diva Time
I wish I would have read this post years ago. Because I didn't, and because it isn't information that we regularly share, I've decided to write it.
Packing friends, let me introduce you to the Diva Cup. When I first considered writing this, I wasn't sure where it would make the most sense: prenatal blog? yoga blog? certainly not recipes. Packing seems to make the most sense.
The Diva Cup, for those far outside of the loop, is akin to a silicone shot glass that one wears internally during the Time as a "Time" management device (instead of tampons). It is washed regularly and reused, and remarkably effective.
When and Why the Diva Cup is Awesome:
1. Packing: if you are headed out on a trip and know that the Time is coming, you can avoid the arduous task of budgeting, guestimating, and making space for the requisite disposable supplies. This saves you space and prevents you from locating a drug store on vacation OR trapsing unnecessary details back and fro.
2. Waste: How much excess waste do you create during the Time, and how much of this will easily biodegrade. I used to give myself a pass for wasting resources because I was in fact still angry at God... but regardless of my personal beliefs that this plan of action is insane, it continues to create actual physical waste that the rest of the inhabitants of earth find equally unjust.
3. Money: The Diva costs roughly $30, and the special soap (which is not required, but is handy) is about $8 per bottle. This will last me about a year, with only the soap recurring on an annual basis. Conservative comparison: $38 Diva, $96 minimum for an annual supply of disposables.
4. Comfort: With the exclusion of a couple of uncomfortable learning moments, it is by far the most comfortable option. Trust me and allow me to spare you the details.
5. Logistics: for most women for most days, the cup only needs to be addressed every 12 hours. Restroom trips will be initiated and governed by numbers one and two, and not by the Time.
The Learning Curve:
There are countless online resources about appropriate placement, fears about the Lost Cup, and other helpful and humorous articles. I leave you to the whim of the Googles to surf at your own risk.
1. It will take THREE months to become proficient at the use of the Diva. During this time, thou shalt not leave home without a backup plan (tampons, etc).
2. Many successful users agree that in the beginning, showers make for the easiest placement/removal spot.
3. Errors in placement usually result from a lack of "turning" the device as you should. It works because it seals, so if it doesn't seal, it doesn't work. If there are no problems during the first hour of use, you've likely got it in the right place.
4. If you will be out of the house AND believe that you will need to remove/replace during the day, you will be most comfortable using a restroom with a toilet and sink in the same space (not a public restroom with stalls). A water bottle and wet wipes are helpful in the event that you must use a stall-based restroom.
5. For TSA approved travel (and even about town) I recommend a small squeeze tube of the special soap, just to keep things easy. This is the GoToob mini.
When it Just Ain't Right:
1. There is some debate in the yoga community about whether or not the Diva is appropriate during various poses, such as inversions. My personal experience is that this has not been a problem, but it is worth awareness as it likely depends on aspects of one's anatomy that one cannot fully describe.
2. Camping presents a few challenges, as the Diva must be washed with hot, soapy, potable water. The logistics of refuse are also a bit complicated, but may in fact be better than the alternative. The same is true for travel anywhere that potable water is not easy to come by.
3. Day One: there is much debate about whether day one is more easily managed via Diva or not, and I suppose this depends on personal experience. In the event that Day One is not workable for you, consider the benefits of using the Diva part-Time.
1. Packing: if you are headed out on a trip and know that the Time is coming, you can avoid the arduous task of budgeting, guestimating, and making space for the requisite disposable supplies. This saves you space and prevents you from locating a drug store on vacation OR trapsing unnecessary details back and fro.
2. Waste: How much excess waste do you create during the Time, and how much of this will easily biodegrade. I used to give myself a pass for wasting resources because I was in fact still angry at God... but regardless of my personal beliefs that this plan of action is insane, it continues to create actual physical waste that the rest of the inhabitants of earth find equally unjust.
3. Money: The Diva costs roughly $30, and the special soap (which is not required, but is handy) is about $8 per bottle. This will last me about a year, with only the soap recurring on an annual basis. Conservative comparison: $38 Diva, $96 minimum for an annual supply of disposables.
4. Comfort: With the exclusion of a couple of uncomfortable learning moments, it is by far the most comfortable option. Trust me and allow me to spare you the details.
5. Logistics: for most women for most days, the cup only needs to be addressed every 12 hours. Restroom trips will be initiated and governed by numbers one and two, and not by the Time.
The Learning Curve:
There are countless online resources about appropriate placement, fears about the Lost Cup, and other helpful and humorous articles. I leave you to the whim of the Googles to surf at your own risk.
1. It will take THREE months to become proficient at the use of the Diva. During this time, thou shalt not leave home without a backup plan (tampons, etc).
2. Many successful users agree that in the beginning, showers make for the easiest placement/removal spot.
3. Errors in placement usually result from a lack of "turning" the device as you should. It works because it seals, so if it doesn't seal, it doesn't work. If there are no problems during the first hour of use, you've likely got it in the right place.
4. If you will be out of the house AND believe that you will need to remove/replace during the day, you will be most comfortable using a restroom with a toilet and sink in the same space (not a public restroom with stalls). A water bottle and wet wipes are helpful in the event that you must use a stall-based restroom.
5. For TSA approved travel (and even about town) I recommend a small squeeze tube of the special soap, just to keep things easy. This is the GoToob mini.
1. There is some debate in the yoga community about whether or not the Diva is appropriate during various poses, such as inversions. My personal experience is that this has not been a problem, but it is worth awareness as it likely depends on aspects of one's anatomy that one cannot fully describe.
2. Camping presents a few challenges, as the Diva must be washed with hot, soapy, potable water. The logistics of refuse are also a bit complicated, but may in fact be better than the alternative. The same is true for travel anywhere that potable water is not easy to come by.
3. Day One: there is much debate about whether day one is more easily managed via Diva or not, and I suppose this depends on personal experience. In the event that Day One is not workable for you, consider the benefits of using the Diva part-Time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)