I learned a long time ago that I do not have the ability not to over pack. I always start off with good intentions. Plans of packing “only what I need” or “items that are versatile” so that I can re-wear and mix and match my wardrobe. But the truth is I don’t want to re-wear anything on vacation. I don’t want every days pictures to show me in the same few boring clothes.
And I like options. I like knowing that if I’m having a fat day I won’t have to wear a pair of shorts or if I want to dress up I can easily add some heals to my outfit. I like being able to pick and choose what I want to wear just like I would do at home.
There is also a comfort in overpacking in knowing that it’s highly unlikely that I will forget something if I pack everything in my closet. I like knowing that my comfortable flip-flops are there and so are my Toms and my wedges. I like knowing that I have 3 different options depending on my mood. I like that my make-up, hair straightener, blow dryer, face washes, shampoos and body lotion are all with me, at all times.
And when I underpack it just feels weird, and I usually forget something essential. So after years of swearing, “I’m not going to overpack” I decided that I’m done denying my instincts to overpack and I’m just going to embrace it. Though with embracing it comes a few problems like having a travel bag that is manageable and not going over airlines size requirements.
Last week when I traveled to Florida for Type A at Walt Disney World I made a point to try to pack less but I knew it wasn’t going to happen, add it that I was going to Disney World and knew that there was a zero chance of me coming home without any souvenirs. But I also was traveling by myself which meant that having a big bag was not an option.
My solution was to pack my HADAKI Valeria Duffel Bag as my carry on, and to take a smaller suitcase. The Valeria duffel bag was large enough to hold a change of clothes with shoes, my large crossbody purse, my kindle, glasses, hair brush, magazine and the sweater and scarf I wore on the plane, with plenty of room left.
The Valeria duffel Bag fit easily under the seat in front of me on the plane without any problems. When John and I traveled last month we packed a back pack on the plane which was so overstuffed that on the way home we had to put it in the overhead, which sometimes costs extra on the airline we fly. I was worried I would have the same problem but the duffel fit perfectly under the seat.
It’s nylon material is flexible and durable, so I wasn’t worried about over stuffing it or it getting dirty. And because the bag is nylon it is also light weight. So I had no problem getting through the airport with my suitcase and my duffel bag on my own.
On the way home I put my souvenirs in the duffel bag and a few other things since, yes, my suitcase was packed. The HADAKI Valeria duffel bag has a strap on the back so it can easily slide over the handle on my suitcase, so that I can pull both. Making solo travel or traveling with kids, so much easier.
The duffel bag has snaps on the side, so that you can expand it if you need to shove more stuff in, I mean pack all the valuable things you need for your trip. The Valeria duffel bag can easily fit in your suitcase without adding weight so if you come home with a few too many souvenirs you don’t have to worry about space. The Valeria duffel bag is available in 25 colors and pattern options. It makes a great gift for any friends who love to travel and is perfect for a teen that is heading off to college.
I was provided with a HADAKI Valeria Duffel Bag to review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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