If you’ve ever spotted me wandering around town, chances are you’ve been slightly blown away but the somewhat astronomically amount of stuff I’m carrying. This is for several reasons – if I’m trying to impress you, I’ll probably spin some lofty tale of Army training instilling in me a desire to pack for every scenario. If I’m honest, it’s because I’m generally too lazy to actually take out the things I don’t need. I also live slightly outside London, ands commute in just about every day. And again – too lazy to travel back and forth between the zones for outfit changes or to pick up what I’ve forgotten. So I pretty much carry my life on my back.
Specifically on my back, since I’m a huge (albeit slightly recent) convert to the backpack. I’d like to say it’s because they’re good for my posture and alignment blah blah blah, but quite frankly I enjoy being totally hands free. Because I’m a social media freak and always have my phone in my hand.
I have several backpacks – some huge, some tiny, and a couple that sit neatly somewhere in-between. My GymTote is probably the most practical one, since it was designed with gym-going in mind and has a gazillion clever little compartments that are as pleasing as they are surprising. Like the side zip designed to take a protein shake. And the rear compartment that’s the ideal dimensions for a Macbook.
On the other end of the scale, I have a prized collection of mini backpacks from the likes of Skinny Dip and Aspinal. I make it my mission in life to fit as much as humanly possible inside these little ninjas.
Which brings me to the point of this post: space-saving bits and pieces, without which I might never travel light (ok, fake light).
Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner – Maybe the cleverest (is that even a word tho??) little product I’ve ever seen. The lid contains a secret sharpener so every time you unscrew it, you get a perfectly sharpened pencil. And zero need to carry a sharpener with you.
Sport FX Face Off Make-up Remover Wipes – Individually packaged one-use wipes for face and eyes. The eye one is pretty oily to attack any waterproof make-up, and the face one freshens everything afterwards. So long, rank cotton pads I packed to use with cleanser I then spilled and forgot about.
Lumity travel pouches – I’m an all or nothing kind of supplement taker, and once I’m on the wagon I find the idea of stopping pretty despicable. But even my GymTote would turn its nose up at the medicinal arsenal I like to take. So hurrah for Lumity – their booster pack contains a single sealed dose of everything you need in the AM and pre-bed.
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum – Aside from being an absolutely magical, collagen-boosting serum of joy, the capsules accidentally doubles as an excellent gym buddy since the little individual capsules are one-use.
Kerastase Cleansing Conditioner – So much kinder to hair than the traditional 2-in-1s, and this one contains keratin and elastin to help tame unruly curls like mine. Great if you’re washing regularly (e.g. at the gym) and value your hair’s natural moisture.
Olivia x
