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Weekend Travels | Packing Tips and Tricks

March 19, 2019 Leave a Comment

I recently traveled to Pittsburgh, PA and used this trip as an excuse to update some of my luggage staples! I was in desperate need of a new suitcase, travel bottles for shampoo, lotion, etc., and a durable over the shoulder bag that I could use while running around the city all weekend.

Here are some tips and suggestions for packing for your next weekend trip!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. You won’t receive a discount using affiliate links, but I will receive a very small percentage of the sale of the item and that percentage helps me continue to create great content for my blog. Thank you!

Luggage

Unless I’m flying what they call a “budget airline” (where you pay for every little detail), I will usually take advantage of a carry on suitcase and use a weekender bag as a personal item.

Personal Item Tip: I specifically use a Vera Bradley weekender bag that is approved as a personal item and fits comfortably under the seat in front of you, even when packed to capacity. I usually use this weekender bag for anything I’ll need on the plane – laptop, phone, chargers, wallet, snacks, etc. – and also use it to carry my toiletry and make up bag. Those two items do take up room in my weekender bag, but it’s so much easier to grab those two smaller bags when going through security than it would be to unzip your whole suitcase to retrieve them.

Suitcase: This suitcase was new to me. I really liked it! It looked somewhat small when I first opened it, but fit all the stuff that was stacked up on my couch while packing. It also zipped easily when I was finished packing. It fits perfectly in the overhead compartment of a United plane, which I think most airlines have similar sized overhead compartments.

Two views of the suitcase.
All of the items that I packed in the suitcase. (Only thing missing were two pairs of shoes.)

I did check this bag a few times throughout my trip. (I’m usually the one who will volunteer for my bag to be checked at the gate if there’s a full flight.) The only downside to this suitcase is that it was easily scratched when put under the plane. That’s a complaint that I’ve heard of most hard shell suitcases, so I’m guessing that it’s not specific to this particular one. Even with the ease of scratches, I still highly recommend this suitcase.

Toiletries

Oh, how I wish we didn’t have to follow the TSA rules of the 3oz bottles of liquid! Now, before you say anything, I do love a good travel size of everything. But I have a few things in particular – hairspray, moisturizer, dry shampoo – that are 4oz or 5oz and those would be so easy to pack! But, rules and rules and we must follow them, so we don’t end up being that person who holds up the entire security line.

Travel bottles: I found these bottles on Amazon and they are amazing! They are made of silicone, so they can fit and form into tight spaces and you can fit more into your small, clear bag. They did not leak AT ALL, which was probably my favorite thing about them. I’m in love with these bottles and will be grabbing more to use in the future. (Tip: If you use these bottles, don’t take the entire cap off the bottle. There is a middle part that comes off where you can pour the liquid in from your big bottle. I made the mistake of taking the entire top off and it wouldn’t fit back on the bottle.)

Two of the travel bottles from Amazon.

Reusable toiletry bag: This is a new item as well. The Amazon item that I bought comes with three of these bags, so you could share them with the people you’re traveling with. I went through security in two airports (AUS and PIT) and had no issue at all with using this bag. It also fits A LOT! I fit two of the travel bottles, travel sizes of shaving cream, deodorant, dry shampoo, toothpaste, my nighttime cream, and my under eye masks. And, honestly, the bag itself didn’t take up much space in my personal item/weekender bag. This was an excellent buy and I will be using them for every trip!

Makeup Carry Case: I’ve used this makeup case a few times while traveling and it’s extremely handy. It folds up into a convenient size to be able to pack, but folds out to feature four zipper pouches that fit quite a number of makeup and hair accessories. Tip: For the items I needed to pack in the case, I spread them out equally through the four zipper pouches, so that it folds up very easily.

Everyday Items

I have a few items that I take with me during a trip that I use everyday, and for this trip in particular, I needed to find an over the shoulder bag to carry them all in.

Over the Shoulder Bag: This is the perfect over the shoulder bag for traveling! I don’t use fancy and/or cute bags when I’m traveling because I need my essentials with me at all times, need them to be close by, and I don’t have time to be carrying a cute, small bag that won’t fit anything. The bag that I found on Amazon is great! It can fit a lot of stuff, has plenty of pockets, and is anti-theft and slash resistant.

In my over the shoulder bag, I carry a small travel wallet, tripod/selfie stick (don’t judge), headphones, a portable charger, and whatever lipstick I’m wearing that day. All of these things, besides the headphones and lipstick, can be found on Amazon and are very affordable! I actually wouldn’t recommend buying headphones from Amazon. The experience I’ve had hasn’t been good – they either don’t work or they only work in one ear. I stick to the Apple issued headphones that came with my phone.

I hope these item suggestions and tips help you pack for your next short weekend trip! If you have particular products that you like to use when traveling or if you used one of these products and loved it, please let me know! I’m always looking for the best items to use and want to know if what I’m suggesting is working for you.

Thanks for reading… and Go Penguins!
-Alana


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Monday Hockey Thoughts | 2.25.19
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48 Hours | Pittsburgh, PA

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Welcome!

Hey y’all! Welcome to The Hockey Creative, a hockey lifestyle blog that focuses on hockey rants and artwork inspired by my favorite hockey moments! Stick around if you love hockey inspired illustrations, opinions about every NHL team, and all the travel tips that you’ll need when visiting your favorite NHL team. You’re going to love this positive, hockey obsessed community!

Insta-Lana

Which team is the most underrated team in the NHL? Which team is the most underrated team in the NHL? Which team seems like they have the most fun and don’t give a shit what anyone thinks? Which team has the best goal song in the NHL? (Don’t @ me!) Who found the perfect Procreate brush to create this team’s... catchphrase? Is that what we call those?! 🔴⚫️⚪️
The answer to the last question is me! The answer to all the other questions is the @canes! And for real, what would we classify sayings like “Take Warning” as? I like the term catchphrase! 🔴⚫️⚪️
I can’t believe this is the first digital illustration I’m posting this season! I was randomly inspired by one of the @canes Instagram posts yesterday, so this illustration was born! Who wants to see both the Aho and Take Warning designs as stickers in the @starkandstanley shop?! 🔴⚫️⚪️
I’d rather be in Pittsburgh. 💛    If you I’d rather be in Pittsburgh. 💛 
 
If you know me well - or have met me for all of 5 minutes - you know that Pittsburgh is my favorite place on Earth, and I would love to be there all of the time. For the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to celebrate my birthday in Pittsburgh, including last year when I returned home to Austin two days before my work sent me to home to work remotely “for two weeks”.  
 
Unfortunately, this year’s birthday celebration will not be in the Steel City. Jimmy and I are hoping to make it there later in the spring or summer, but I will not turn 29 standing in PPG Paints Arena like I hoped. (Yes, the @penguins have a home game on my actual birthday this year.) 
 
So I need your help! I want to bring Pittsburgh to my home in Austin! So what do I do?! Any special food or drinks I should have at the house for my birthday dinner?! Could the @themilkshakefactory share a shake recipe with me, since I always grab the birthday cake shake on my birthday?! Is the @pensfoundation still showing birthdays on the Jumbotron during home games?! Do I need a new outfit from @steelcitybrand to rock on my birthday?! 
 
Any and all suggestions and ideas on how to bring Pittsburgh to Austin for my 29th birthday are welcome! The number one to do list item that day will be to cheer on the Penguins to a win that night! 🐧 
  
(Special shout out to my beautiful friend, @lindsaylitterini, for the perfect mug! 💛)
Dreaming about giant pretzels at Epcot instead of Dreaming about giant pretzels at Epcot instead of concentrating on work. 🥨🥨🥨
Y’all say everything is bigger in Texas. I say e Y’all say everything is bigger in Texas. I say everything is bigger at Disney World!
🍻 Duff beer for me. Duff beer for you. I’ll h 🍻 Duff beer for me. Duff beer for you. I’ll have a Duff, you have one too! 🍻
Be loud, wear green, GO STARS!    I had Instag Be loud, wear green, GO STARS! 
 
I had Instagram choose my game day outfit on Thursday for the Dallas Stars game. The 2020 Winter Classic jersey paired with my favorite brown boots won the competition and really was the perfect outfit to wear to the game on Thursday night!  
 
A tip for you all: AAC is the coldest arena I’ve been to (so far). Even if the weather is nice that day, I have to take a coat or jacket with me. Thankfully, my gray peacoat looks great with the Winter Classic jersey! 
 
Jersey: @fanatics @fanaticsauthentic 
Jeans: @torrid 
Peacoat: @oldnavy  purchased on @poshmark 
Boots: @targetstyle 
Wristlet: @amazonfashion (no bags allowed at AAC this season!) 
Mask: @baublebar  Target 
Star Earrings: @francescas
Day after #gamedayselfie and the first game day se Day after #gamedayselfie and the first game day selfie at a game this season! 
 
I was very lucky to be able to go to the @dallasstars game last night! I drove to Dallas and back yesterday, so I’m exhausted today. 😴 But before I fall asleep at my desk, I did want to take a moment to say that I had an INCREDIBLE time at the game and being able to see a game in person definitely helped me get over the hockey burn out I had been experiencing in the last several months. 
 
I’ll share more about my experience at the game this weekend, but let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything you want to know about what it’s like to go to a game right now! 
 
(PS: The neon jerseys looked INCREDIBLE in person! But they did clash with the traditional jerseys the @detroitredwings were wearing. 🙃 It would have looked amazing if both teams were wearing neon!)
It’s a great day for hockey!     Happy Sunda It’s a great day for hockey!  
 
Happy Sunday! Happy @penguins game day and first home game of the season! Happy “Alana’s first time creating a flat lay photo” day!  
 
Since my game day outfits on Friday and today consisted of leggings and t-shirts, I decided to show off my opening day outfit in my first flat lay! I’m OBSESSED with the Penguins retro jersey! I was on the fence about it when I saw it online, but it is GORGEOUS in person! You definitely need to get one!  
 
What are you wearing for game day today?! 
 
Jersey:  made by @fanatics  purchased at @pensgear (online)
Jeans:  @torrid 
Shoes:  @converse 
Bag: custom RoboPenguin bag by @sticktapdesigns 
Earrings: @baublebar at @target 
Bracelet:  @alexandani  purchased at @pensgear in December 2019
Ring: Pittsburgh skyline ring  @caitlynminimalist on @etsy
HOCKEY IS BACK! 💛    The NHL has officially HOCKEY IS BACK! 💛 
 
The NHL has officially started! Since most all of us fans will be watching from home this season, I’m starting a trend of posting a #gamedayselfie during every Penguins game! We might not be able to be in the arena cheering at the top of our lungs, but we can totally cheer just as much at home! Tag me in your game day selfies, no matter which team you’re cheering for! 
 
A little Instagram vs reality for you on this post. First picture is a staged selfie in my Pittsburgh chair, with the help of a selfie stick. 🤣 Second picture is a true selfie taken in front of my living room TV right after the FIRST PENGUINS GOAL OF THE SEASON! 🙌🏻
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