TansyTips: Packing In

TansyTips: Packing In

There’s an old, wise saying: Who travels light goes further. And, if you are one of those who cruise strictly with a carry-on, you will agree that, through airports, slanted stairs leading to your friend’s guest bedroom right up their apartment’s attic, or navigating pedestrian-only rocky roads on a Mediterranean island, being nimble is the way to go. Especially in Summer.

But, the truth is, we like to be a bit extra: a landing pad might require some vibe-control, a last-minute invite could take us to the best costume party of our life, and treats-to-self or as thank you’s can go a long way. 

I am a Virgo, a Rat, and some friends call me Pary Moppins — I like to be prepared, resourceful, and versatile. I am not shy to say that wherever I go, there’s always something interesting coming out of my bags.  

A whole month of Summer in, here are some goodies and ideas worth spreading.

The Vessels

Choosing the right carriers is the first and fundamental step on a happy journey. We have to trust them — even better if they look nice.

Pro Tip: Pack some extra soft bags and pouches in different sizes: one that can be a carrier for the goodies you’ll pick up along the way or used on an overnight adventure within the adventure; a smaller one for beach days or daily shopping; an even smaller one to wrap something precious or an impromptu gift.

The Get-Ups

The best route to keep the packing minimal is to play with blacks and whites, but we like to make it sexy, crispy, and rich. Nothing says ‘I know what I am doing’ like a well-cut monochromatic ensemble, especially if they are made the right way.

Pro Tip: Ben Pundole and I have been collecting pre-loved frocks and fabrics for as long as we can remember, and wherever we go, we take some with us. Beautifully faded colors, strong pattern game, or simply a good material that stood the test of time, they are unique, a lot of fun, and carry the memory of when we found them somewhere cool around the world. When visiting a new city, the first pins on my map are for secondhand stores, from upscale and highly curated boutiques to pay-by-the-pound shops that make our heads spin. They are usually located in the coolest areas and the treasure hunting is always rewarding, even if it ends purchaseless — they tell us many things we want to know about a place. And the people watching is just great.

Summer Add-Ons

The three graces of a fun sunny season: A stylish pair of shades, a colorful accessory, and flattering swimwear.

Feeling Thyself

Want to build yummy, long-lasting memories? Make sure you feel good… And bring the senses in. It’s called emotional memory, and because of our brain’s anatomy, the experience gets embedded right in. When touch, sound, and smell are combined with a heightened sense of wellbeing, magic happens… And lasts forever.

Pro Tip: To minimize waste and make sure we don’t find ourselves using products whose ingredients sound like science-fiction, we try to carry our own toiletries at all times. Solid bars of soap, shampoo, and conditioner are favorites, but also a small bottle of Castile soap (like Dr. Bronners) that can even be used to handwash our clothes or dog if need be.

Vibe Control 

Bright white lights, plain sad spaces, a not-so-interesting background noise: they could be lurking around the corner, and we don’t want to risk it. Or even when things are already great, some personal touches can still turn the experience up some notches.

Pro Tip: A nice piece of fabric can do many tricks: it can be used to cover a bright lamp or as a throw to spice up a bed or sitting area (our friend and masterful experience creator Lauren Brand travels with her light bulbs, we’re not that pro yet) and, of course, be a versatile wearable or beach blanket.

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