Flight 001

I’ve just returned from vacay in hot and sweaty DC and realized this former frequent flyer is out of practice. My packing and planning skills are rusty and I need a reboot. So, welcome to travel week at MauiShopGirl! Please have your boarding passes and ID ready.

The most difficult thing about living in Hawaii is rock fever. Of course, we can hop in a car and go where the road takes us. The problem is that road won’t take us very far. No matter how long we drive, we will still be on a rock in the middle of the Pacific. When we do venture to the big rock, the mainland, it’s a long haul. My recent travel included a five hour flight to California, another long flight to Chicago and a final leg to DC. Flying is tough so we need to do what we can to be comfortable and efficient but more importantly, we need to keep our sense of humor.

Enter Flight 001, da best cheeky travel gear site ever…

I’m a huge pouch proponent. Pouches are a perfect way to separate the contents of your purse or everyday bag. I use one pouch for tech, another for personal care and another for my keys. Pouches are also a great way to keep your gear organized while traveling so you don’t flash your panties for any longer than necessary as you attempt to retrieve an essential from your carryon. Flight 001 has a ton of cute pouches. My pick is this tangerine flightspeak but I also loved the shakespeare boarding pass, let’s get high tongue in cheek and I’m a survivor versions.

I’m always on the lookout for cute eye masks, which come in handy on the homefront to block out any electronic lights or early sunlight in the boudoir. On a red eye, masks are key to discourage any awkward conversation starters with your fellow fliers. Nothing says don’t speak to me like an eye mask. I thought this one was the most appropriate for my big honker but also loved the cabin fever and I sleep with strangers masks in their in flight comfort category.

I’m usually more partial to duffle bags and totes but can see the benefit of a backpack when exiting a plane while fighting off hundreds of impatient LET ME OUTTA HERE passengers who have no issues with pushing their way past the elderly, injured and small children in the aisle. This bag is so happy, so citrus and can hold a 15 inch Macbook. Flight 001 has a full selection of hand carry bags to meet your fancy here.

Is it just me or do you feel like all the hydration was sucked out of you by aliens before the plane has even taken off? Sure, you can buy a bottled water in the airport if you’ve got ten bucks to spare but I prefer to carry a refillable. I love this folding bottle because it reminds me of one of my favorite destinations. If you prefer a bottle with a filter, you’ll find that here too.

All images via Flight 001′s online shop.

So, what do you haul in your under the seat carryon? Here’s my short list:

• A magazine, preferably something fun and frivolous
• Pouch with a Kindle or iPad, earbuds and charging gear (many airports have a few outlets available if you can beat the teens, suits and hipsters to it)
• Ziplock with eye drops, extra contacts, lip stuff, face cleanser, toothbrush and moisturizer
• Pouch with hard candies, cough drops, ginger chews, Airborne, electrolyte drink powder and Mini Babybel
• The Nomad wrap by the now defunct Fluxus brand (a huge soft jersey wrap, which can be worn as a scarf or opened up as a travel blanket, as featured on Oprah a few years ago)
• Uggs
• Pen to complete the State of Hawaii Agriculture Declaration form
• Tissues