Do's and Don'ts of Checked Luggage

I will be traveling soon. And as such, I've been thinking about what I've been wanting to pack.

While I usually pack via carry-on luggage only, there are times when I do need to pack a checked bag. A checked bag has tons of advantages: you can usually pack more, you have the convenience of not having to lug a heavy bag from terminal to terminal, and you usually don't have to bother with overhead compartments on planes.

All this being said, there are things you should consider when you pack checked luggage.

Do:

• Purchase a suitcase that’s unique. Black suitcases are lost so much easier than, say, a powder blue one. Plus, if you do lose your luggage, you will have to describe your bag to airport employees, and if you just say that it’s a “black bag,” they will have to search a sea of black bags to find yours. At the very least, tie a ribbon or use a unique/colorful luggage tag to stand out from the crowd, and take a picture of your bag and save it to your phone so you can show the TSA employees your bag in case it does get lost or delayed.
• Purchase a suitcase with four wheels. Spinners are the best for getting across airports in a hurry, and it’s easier on your arms to not have to drag a suitcase behind you for long distances.
• Pack your checked bag with goodies not suitable for your carry-on, like aerosols (hairspray, shaving cream, and the like), food, etc.
• On that note, make sure all of your liquids are in zip-lock bags. It doesn’t matter what size the bags are for your checked bag, but having them in separate bags keeps things from getting messy if your toiletries or makeup or hair products happen to explode or otherwise leak due to the altitude pressure while flying.
• Pack your checked bag with a photocopy of your passport and driver’s license, even if you’re traveling domestically. Better safe than sorry.
• Pack your checked bag as efficiently as you can. Use packing cubes to save space while packing clothes, place your shoes in separate bags (I like foldable fabric tote bags), and pack a separate empty bag for your laundry.
• Fold a duffel bag into your checked baggage for extra souvenirs if you can. Some airlines will allow you to check at least one bag for free, but check your airline’s policies on checked bags if this is something you’re considering doing.

Don’t:

• Overpack. I know it’s easier said than done, but you will be thankful that you saved space when you bring souvenirs back and/or do extra clothes shopping while at your destination.
• Pack too large of a bag for or pack a bag that doesn’t fit your circumstances. Does your hotel have an elevator? If not, you might not want to pack a suitcase half your height. Will you be dragging your suitcase across cobblestone roads or long stretches of sidewalk? If so, it would be best to carry a durable suitcase with wheels as opposed to hauling a heavy duffel bag.
• Pack all of your valuables in your checked bag. Save your electronics, chargers, and other items important to you for your carry-on, because you never know if your checked bag will get lost or stolen.
• Forget to set aside an extra outfit for your carry-on. See previous point.
• Pack super-expensive jewelry, unless you plan to wear it daily. Ex: engagement/wedding rings (and even then, an inexpensive band may be your best bet depending on the country you fly into).

Do you prefer to travel via carry-on only? Or do you like checking your bag the best? Let me know in the comments! :)

Mondays are for Music: The Music I Loved in 2016

Happy 2017, everyone! :)

This past year was a good one, but I especially loved this year for music. I fell in love with record playing, I re-fell in love with a longtime favorite band, and I discovered some new gems that I'm sure I'll be playing for years to come.

For today's roundup, I thought I'd separate it into three categories: Favorite Artist, Favorite Album, and Top 3 Favorite Songs of 2016.

Favorite Artist: Bastille

I've loved this band since college, but for whatever reason, I couldn't get enough of their music this past year. I can't tell y'all how many times I played through their two albums on vinyl, and I also can't tell you how many times I've played their music while driving. I'm excited to see what they do in the future!

(For a more in-depth look at this band/a quick starter guide to their work, I'd like to direct you to this post.)

Favorite Album: "Wild World" by Bastille

See above for the specific reasons why, but I loved Bastille's latest album, especially on record. 

Top 3 Favorite Songs

This was a hard call, but these are the songs I loved the most in 2016.

1. "The Greatest" by Sia
2. "Shelter" by Porter Robinson & Madeon
3. "Send Them Off!" by Bastille

What were your favorite songs in 2016? Let me know in the comments! :)

Two Thousand and Sixteen

Today is New Years' Eve. And I can't believe 2016 is almost over.

2016 was a crazy good year, but honestly, it was crazy in the best way. Like other years in my life, it had its ups and downs, sure. Here's a few ups:

• I accepted a full-time position as an editor for the magazine/publishing company I write for!
• On that note, I celebrated two years writing in the magazine, and one year writing for our companion blog.
• I said "yes" to a ten-day-long trip to Hawaii with my friends in about two and a half weeks' notice, and it wound up being one of the best trips I've ever taken in my life.
• I committed to writing thirty short stories in November for the second year in a row.
• I turned 25 years old. Twenty-five.

But amidst the bigger things, there were the small and happy moments, whether they were spent with family or friends, and I cherish them all greatly.

And like any year, it had its downs, too. As many of you know, I have two dogs who I love so, so dearly. They're like siblings to me, as much fur babies can be. They are fourteen years old, and since they have gotten so much older, they have become restless in their age. As hard as that been for us as a family, we're making sure that they are loved and well cared for.

2016 has been a whirlwind year for many of us for many reasons. But I have some high hopes for 2017, and I'm optimistic about the future. No matter what, though, I know the Lord has these next three hundred and sixty-five days in His hands.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Crosleys, Manual Music, and Memories

I was given a record player for Christmas...a turquoise portable Crosley turntable, to be precise. And I LOVE it.

The records that my parents gave me to go with my Crosley were two albums from my favorite band, Bastille. I can't tell you how much I listened to both albums on Christmas Day, and I'm sure the record-playing will only continue.

But the thing is, if you're new to records, you must know that they must be handled with care. I'm not brand-new to records, but I had forgotten how much care must be taken to actually play a record (i.e. do not scratch that record with that needle, especially if you're needle isn't automatic! Keep your hand steady!).

It's actually been nice to play music on something so...manual. I don't have as much control over it; I don't have the ability to rewind a track in a matter of seconds, I can't skip five tracks in less time than that, and I can't access the whole album on one side of the record. But are these deal-breakers in the way I listen to my favorite bands? Absolutely not.

I mentioned earlier that this is not my first rodeo with a record player. I actually got my first taste of records when I was little and visited my grandparents on my mom's side in Georgia. I LOVED playing Disney and the Sound of Music soundtrack records on my mom's old stereo. And that was back in the time of cassettes (which, by the way, I find it kind of funny that they're coming back), where you had to rewind tape and guess where your favorite songs were.

So, why am I sharing a post about my little blue Crosley?

Honestly, it's made me appreciate things that are more "manual." I've learned I can appreciate something without it having a screen, and I feel like this is an important lesson at the age of 25, especially as a Millennial at the tail-end of 2016. And it's made me appreciate the way my parents listened to music, too.

Long story short: I'm thankful for this little blue Crosley this Christmas season, and I hope to keep up this record hobby for years to come. :)

A Few of My Favorite [Winter] Things

The one, the only...Cinnamon Red-Hot Apple Cider.

It's December. It doesn't always feel like it where I am (the forecast is a high of 51 degrees and rainy), but it's December, and I love this time of year.

Winter, for me, pretty much begins either on or the day after Thanksgiving, because that's the day the "holiday" season really kicks into high gear. And then, it just gets better: it typically snows in January in Tennessee, not to mention the family birthdays that happen between now and when Spring starts in March.

So, what are my top 5 favorite things this time of year?

1. My family's cinnamon red-hot apple cider. This cider is a longtime tradition, and I get so excited any time it's brought out. Who'd have thunk that apple cider boiled with Cinnamon Red Hots candy could be so amazing?
2. Starbucks' caramel brûlée lattes. Again, another drink, but this drink brings back memories of grabbing coffee with my friends as early as high school, when I really got into coffee in the first place. Also, they put candy pieces on top of the whipped cream. That enough is a selling point for me.
3. Snow. We don't get much snow where I'm from - the most I've ever been in at home is maybe 5-8 inches, tops (I can already hear my Northern readers - but I still love it. Whether I stayed cosy inside and enjoyed the snow from there, or whether I go outside with Dad to try and sled, I adore snow. It's pretty. And it makes me super happy. Not to mention there's an almost magical quality about the way it falls.
4. Christmas music. We always have Christmas music playing somewhere in the house during the Holiday season, whether we're playing it on Spotify or just playing the local radio station that plays it non-stop. It's all great.
5. Spending time with family. Getting to celebrate birthdays with family during winter - along with spending time with family during the holidays - will always be special in my book.

What are your top 5 favorite things this time of year?