Ahhh Mrs. Hillbilly,
I wish I could bottle her up and send you all a little sample. 😉
She makes me think. She keeps me on my toes. But most of all, she’s just a walking, talking carnival of entertainment for me. We are complete opposites and yet… we are still friends. HOW DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN?
Seriously. Do you have a friend like that?
Does almost every encounter with them leave you shaking your head? Like maybe YOU’RE the CRAZY ONE? Granted, we all have our quirks… and Lord knows I’ve got a pocketful… but still. I think I need you to weigh in on this one for me.
Okay, are you ready?
Yada yada yada… I was setting up my makeshift workstation for the next day in the bathroom on the first night of our trip. {I’m a blogger, I get up at 4 am to hunt for the best deals and then get my writing done for the day. I am acutely aware that nobody else wants to get up at 4 am unless they absolutely have to. So while this is normal in my world, it’s just crackers to everyone else. I get that. I totally do. That’s why I will typically hole up in the bathroom until the person I’m sharing a room with {friends, family} wake up.} Moving on…
As I was exiting the bathroom I glanced over to Mrs. HB’s side of the bathroom counter and noticed her TWO toiletry bags. Immediately I was like… “What the heck is in there? 2 bags? Really? I don’t even know what’s in there but why would someone need that much stuff?”
And then I glanced over at the toiletries I had brought for 3 nights.
All of which happen to fit into a quart sized baggie thank you very much. I immediately asked Mrs. HB what was in her toiletry bag {because when you’ve known someone for 11+ years you can totally do that}.
And then in total bewilderment, I started counting.
The woman had 108 items + the contents of her zip baggie. I had 14.
Mrs. HB says I’ve got it all wrong. She believes more people travel with their entire medicine cabinet than I think.
So I want to know….
Are you on Team HB? {What if I need….?}
Or Team Mavis? {It’s only 3 days, I’ll improvise if I need to}
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Teresa Young says
I’m definitely….somewhere in the middle. I do worry about not having something that I might need. Diarrhea, constipation, zombie apocolypse, you never know….
Amy says
When I travel, usually for work, it’s for a week plus at a time so I fall into camp HB. I’d rather have everything I need then to have to pay an over priced amount for it and sales tax to boot… no sales tax in Oregon!
Lesa Glines says
I’m with Mrs HB. Maybe it’s a Southern thing. I want all my toiletries with me when I travel. I don’t want the hassle of having to be without what I need or have to spend money to go out and buy what I already had at home and could have brought with me. Some of us are more high maintenance than others and that’s ok.
Jennifer says
Oh. My. Goodness. Def on the side of Team Mavis. For three days, I take makeup basics (powder, eyeliner, eyebrow mascara, lipgloss), toothbrush etc, one or two hairbrushes , razor, lotion, Advil, ponytail holder. Maybe tampons, etc. Maybe mousse. Maybe an extra pair of earrings or (yolo!) a bracelet if there’s a plan to out somewhere nice.
I wouldn’t ever take a corkscrew nowadays as there are so many good quality wines with a screwtop. Besides, champagne requires no equipment!
Paula says
I am with you Mavis. My travel mantra…you can always buy something you might need…but then I have almost never need it. Heads up…I think you (and I) might lose this survey. Grin. Have a spectacular day.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think we are TOTALLY going to loose this survey. Ha! Who knew?
Kathy says
With you on this one, Mavis. For me, less is best.
Krista S says
I agree with this when travelling domestically, but internationally I’ve often found it to be inconvenient and sometimes impossible to buy the drugs or toiletries that I’m used to. I pack pretty much any OTC drug that I’ve used recently, as I find international travel quite taxing, and I fairly often come down with something. I prefer to have tried and tested drugs on me than schlep around a strange city feeling awful looking for a pharmacy, and then having to negotiate a language barrier and never be completely certain I ended up with the right thing.
celina says
ok here is my take…
she travels alot..so I’m guessing most of this is already set up from last trip. She may not have had time to clean it out…(time, energy, motivation, etc)
so remove the candy, the hotel stuff..duplicates…
make up, teeth stuff (again i see a duplicate) , medicine that might be needed on her trip (allergy, tylenol, cold meds) ;maybe get a small ziploc and coral to small packets.
pens (they do carry some, but I usually have it kicking around. and change and wine opener.spare glasses…total yes!!..I’d add more change for the infernal vending machines.
razor yes..(spare blade, but they don’t seem to match razor)
Hubby travels with a carrot peeler and paring knife, salt (you get tired of junk and so he’ll often skip dinner…so much food) likes to keep carrots, celery and cheese in hotel fridge; will also bring microwave popcorn for a long stay. , nail clipper and file.
I’d pare it down to travel case and everyday make up case that might fit in the other.? pack better and remove stuff and odds and ends before next trip.
You traveled for a few days…does she travel for long periods of time. If a few days a lot of that can get pared down. Hubby travels a week or 2 at a time, and his bag is usually set up.
Mrs HB says
Those are cough drops not candy.
Linda says
When I traveled frequently I left stuff in my toiletry bag. So I would bring stuff I didn’t necessarily need. Now when we travel our first stop is a drug store (Target, CVS) for the basics. I only bring things we couldn’t buy (meds). Then we usually leave leftovers behind. I like to think that the hotel staff uses them.
Barbara says
Mavis, I got a real chuckle this morning when I read about the travel toiletries!! I probably am closer to you, plus 1/4 of Mrs. HB. It depends on if I’m visiting family or friends and going somewhere without that back up if I need it. More than likely, someone you know probably has what you may need.
FarmGirl says
Team Mrs HB – I think you have to look at the type of travel being done. She is traveling for work. She probably has meetings, etc and those types of things take way more toiletries to get ready for. You travel a lot for fun (like this trip) where you don’t need a lot of items. Also some people wear more makeup and have different medical/sanitary needs. Also when you travel a lot for work sometimes you don’t always clean out the bag after every trip when you know you are just taking another one and then throw items in on top of left overs from last trip that might not last you this whole trip.
Mrs. HB says
Ok I must comment …. Ms Mavis failed to mention that what’s in there is an accumulation of items over at least 10 years . Do move things in and out …Samples of product , etc . Items include traveling for every occasion: work, baseball, vacations , camping with 4H and Boyscouts . I believe in being prepared . Plus many times where I am you can’t just go and get what you need iterally or because of time constraints . But I do admire the simplicity of Ms Mavis’ way , less to carry too!!!!
Jessica says
Mrs. HB,
My mom travels the same way! She’s Team HB all the way! She has an almost identical assortment of toiletries. She too has a 10+ year accumulation and loves to be prepared. Maybe it’s something about traveling with children that makes moms so prepared for everything. As a young adult, I travel more Mavis style because I’m packing solely for my own needs (like Mavis).
As a Team Mavis, I will say there is something about traveling with a Team HB. If there is anything I need, I know they will have it! I love traveling with a Team HB because it allows me to be Team Mavis!
Mrs. HB says
I think you are spot on!!!
Joely says
I’m in the Mrs. HB camp. I accumulate stuff from previous trips. Also, I am a cheapskate and having to cough up 2 or 3 dollars for two ibuprofen pills at a hotel makes me go crazy!
lori says
I’m with you Mrs. HB! I travel almost every week. I have to be prepared for sunburn to frost bite, and gussied up to comfy clothes on any given trip. And ever developed a head cold after arriving to the hotel after ten p.m. and no drug store in sight? Mavis would sigh at the site of my travel bag
Jfred says
Mrs HB, I could tell by your bag that you travel often and like to be prepared, and that prolly some things are in the bags from 5 trips ago, lol. Why…cause my bags are kinda similar.
We travel alot as a family, and I have different bags for different things. A bag for makeup, also includes tweezers, scissors, neosporin, and some stuff in the front pocket I don’t remember…oh, a couple bandaids, some qtips, a pin for getting out splinters, some safety pins….and a book of matches. A bag for medicines. I put mine in a 7 day pill box (or 2, if we are gone long enough), but I take along dh’s allergy meds, extra b-100, extra magnesium, mucinex, aspirin, ibuprofen, dd’s inhaler, ds’s allergy meds, child acetaminophen/ibuprofen/benadryl/mucinex…. I forgot to pack dd’s inhaler for our last trip, and she almost needed it…ugh…mom fail! And then I have a bag for toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brush, comb, soap, razor, baking soda (I’m shampoo-free), deodorant, and a small blow dryer. It usually has a few menstrual pads in it, for if needed. I’m sure this bag has a few other odds and ends that have accumulated after a few trips.
I’ve always over-packed. I like to be prepared for any/all situations. Dh has got me down to a decent sized carry on bag for my clothing, and when the kids were little, we shared that bag! But we tend to wear one outfit and pack 2-3 outfits, and wash them during our stays. One pair of shoes, worn. Extra undies and socks.
Layne says
Yes I bring a LOT of extra stuff because when you are on vacation you want to be prepared for all situations AND I actually wear more make-up then in every day life because I want us to have cute vacation photos- So we have a huge bag!
Jennifer says
Depends…just me in a hotel? Less than Mavis…hairbrush, toothbrush and paste, deodorant, tweezers, and maybe my own conditioner or qtips. I don’t wear makeup, and my hair is very long and wavy, so I don’t need product. If I’m camping, I’ll add shampoo, fingernail clippers, extra hair clip, and a first aid kit.
But with kids, I take all.the.things. and duplicates of them.
Cathy says
Mine is more like yours, less when camping or backpacking. Nail clippers, lip balm, contacts if I might need them (hiking in rain), inhaler, small lotion if not going to a hotel. Tiny microfiber cloth to clean glasses. If dressing up, eyeliner, mascara, and maybe powder. Sunscreen on a backpacking trip.
Cathy says
Oh, and deodorant unless backpacking.
nan says
team mavis, less tooth brush, facial soap, hairbrush
Tina says
I’m on the road now, finishing up a 9 day, 5,000 mile road trip. My toiletries included: a tiny daily medicine container, a razor, shampoo, tooth brush, tooth paste, eyeliner, lipstick, q-tips, and mascara. I keep a comb and Advil in my purse. I travel with less than you!! Guess I’m team Mavis 🙂
amy in Oregon says
if I travel alone I am totally on team mavis but if our family (two adults and six kids ages 12-1) is going on a trip I am on the HB team!! Always be prepared!!
Melissa M. says
I am Team HB. It is better to have what you need immediately available (I think of an allergic reaction I had to sunscreen & was able to treat immediately) rather than inconveniencing your family or hosts to try to get what you need. I carry ibuprofen, my beloved Excederin Migraine, an allergy med, & my prescription med (and several days’ extra). I am a total makeup junkie and would miss having options for colors of lipstick.
Paige says
I am more like Mrs HB. End up with crap I don’t usually need; but might. That way, I don’t need a last minute purchase of something.
Adrienne says
Def. Team Mavis…I’m a bare minimum makeup wearer anyways so that takes care of that and I’m a big advocate of travel size or reusable small containers while traveling.
Marcia says
This is hilarious. I travel like Mavis. My travel kit is:
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Comb
Chapstick (you know it!)
Razor
And that’s it. Except I always forget *one* of those things. Sometimes razor, deodorant, toothbrush. You just never know with me.
I use the shampoo/soap at the hotel.
My husband usually carries a few extra things, and each kid has their own toothbrush/floss/paste baggie.
Jfred says
I wish you had 2 chapsticks. To blow Mavis’ mind. 😉 Just for fun. Hehehee!
Andi says
Team Mavis, but then I usually am. 🙂 I’m planning a trip now and my toiletry bag includes a small hairbrush, deodorant, toothbrush/paste, tweezers, shampoo, prescription meds and a sports towel. This is for a 10 day trip of constant travel in Alaska (with 40 HS students and a few other leaders). Part of the time we won’t have running water, so I’m not bothering with a razor. I’ll also wear a cargo vest and carry chapstick, packs of ibuprofen, germ gel, sun lotion, and mosquito repellent in that. Chapstick with pigment is about as close as I’ll get to makeup.
Jeri says
Team Hillbilly AGAIN! -Jeri @repurposedgardener
Laura Z. says
Team Mavis for me. Basic makeup,toothbrush/paste, tweezers, razor, deodorant, advil, oil of olay, sunscreen. If we are travelling by car, we keep a first aid kit in there, otherwise I will take a few bandaids. The front desk has all the basics if you forget them. Looks like Mrs. HB has the leftover half used toiletries from other trips still in the bag. Might that account for the high number of things?
Heidi says
I’m in the middle. I hate having to buy something I already have at home so I bring along small amounts of any OTC meds I might need. I do not take a wine opener! 😉
Pamela says
I’m Team Mavis. I use contact lens case for toothpaste, small (1inch) container for face cream, small first aid kit, purse size tissues for emergency no toilet paper bathroom. Medications go in tiny zip lock bags (2×2?), I mark the day and time to take with a sharpie. The bags are at Bartell. Unless you are backpacking to some remote area, you can get what you forgot where you are visiting. And souvenirs are cheaper at drug store then at tourist store.
Mary G says
I’m probably somewhere in between the two of you generally, but I agree with others that work travel is not the same as leisure travel. I might bring a bit more toiletries, accessories, and clothes for work travel. It’s important to feel comfortable when you travel, so if having the extra supplies makes her feel more comfortable and pulled together, then I say take what you need, Mrs. HB. 🙂
Linda says
I fall somewhere in between you two. However, in Ms HB’s defense, she was there on business and I take more with me when I am working than when I am on vacation. It takes more items to make me presentable to the public!
KAte says
It seems to me that once you remove the makeup from Mrs HB’s collection the size decreases dramatically. That seems more like a personal hygiene choice and less if a travel choice.
I bring even less than Mavis, but have traveled with people who bring more than Mrs HB. It mostly seems to be a factor of pur different lifestyle choices.
Leanna says
Team HB. I made the mistake one year when my oldest was under 2 years. High fever, trip to the ER at 2 am (on Easter Sunday). I even bring my own liquid hand soap, because I’m picky.
Julie says
Team Mavis all the way. Traveling for work is not justification for extra toiletries . The extra toiletries is a lifestyle decision. I travel for work and take about the same quantity of items, or less, than Mavis. When traveling for work (and work itself), I’m required to look polished and professional complete with a business suit,etc.
I would put money on a bet that if you compared Mavis’ medicine cabinet/bathroom to Mrs. HB’s that the ratio of quantity of stuff would be the same. No travel required.
Geunita says
I’m team HB. I have a travel kit I keep stocked all the time. I don’t like to not have something when I travel and I am the worst about forgetting things when I pack last minute. I try to keep my toiletry bag where all I have to add is my brush and makeup. I even keep travel toothpaste/toothbrush, contact case/solution, and other things like that. Jewelry goes in my suitcase and depends on the trip. I am pretty minimalist with that and choose basic stuff that can go with lots of things. I will say though that my girl friends and I say that we have never missed a Wal-mart on any trip yet. (They just always have better stuff than the one at home.)
Lisa MTB says
I travel light (trying to avoid extra weight/bulk in carry-on and to avoid checking bags). I have noticed that my mom and sister both bring the larger/multiple toiletry bags when they travel, but they tend to drive their own cars when they travel, rather than fly. Maybe mode of travel makes a difference in some cases. I’d hate to try to maneuver large toiletry bags through airport security (and apart from my lip balm, I’m just not a makeup gal, which makes life easier).
Sue R. says
Totally Team MAVIS!! It was a 3-day trip!
Kayla says
I’m team Mavis- Take half as much stuff and twice as much money as you think you need. I see a vacation as a break from makeup and hair product too. 🙂
Sarah says
Team mavis!
I traveled to Israel for two weeks with a church group with all my necessities in a backpack. The other ladies on the trip marveled at how light I packed.
It was SO much easier to navigate airports and moving from hotel to hotel with just a backpack compared to those ladies awkwardly pulling giant rolling luggage and huge purses. They spent so much time getting ready choosing outfits and organizing stuff when I just wanted to get out and see the sights!
Kathy says
Team HB for me! I hate being unprepared and have my preferences for toiletries and products. One tip that saves room is to get a weekly pill container like the one pictured and fill it with all the meds you might need, such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, gas pills, etc. Then be sure to label each section!
Teresa says
Tween you two ‘yoots!’ I have learned how to travel both here and abroad with a carry-on bag. I wish my husband would do the same! Downsizing the clutter in my home has helped me downsize the clutter in my life. It just makes everything easier, both mentally and otherwise.
Jenny Young says
Oh I need to learn how to travel light! I don’t think I’m an extremist or go that far overboard but I just can’t seem to get everything into one bag…& I really want to. I think I want all the comforts of home. DH & I are planning a 3 week road trip for the fall & I’ve decided to really study & practice between now & then how to pack in one bag. We’ll be going in & out of hotels every day or so which means lots of carrying bags.
Patty P says
I travel pretty light. In fact I’m going to be heading to PA for the weekend for my cousin’s HS graduation and I was hoping that I could fit all of our stuff (my husband’s, mine, and my son’s) into one duffel bag. As far as toiletries…I have a travel size shampoo that I take in case the hotel doesn’t have it (but it will), deodorant (I make my own, so it’s a little golf ball sized bar, toothbrush, travel toothpaste, brush, and a travel size floss.
Lynn says
Team Mavis . . . ‘nough said.
Nicole says
For me I would only need 7 of the 14 items you had. I don’t use make up. My mom on the other had would have everything Mrs. HB had plus the Kitchen sink. The woman over packs and then some.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
I’m definitely more like Mrs. HB. Like her, I would label myself rather low maintenance. But when I travel, I want to make sure I have it all with me instead of having to run out and pay double for something. And you definitely want to feel comfortable {however we each define that} when we are away from home and putting on our best boss lady face in meetings.
XOKK @preppycrocodile
Maxine says
Team Mavis. The more I travel, the less I bring, but might be different if I traveled internationally.
Pet peeve is having to buy sun screen at destination as can’t fly with more than a few ounces. Grrr!
Susan S says
Go, Mrs. HB!!! When in need, you’ll have it! I’m the same way, and it’s made all the difference when traveling abroad and being stuck some place at odd hours and no pharmacy available. I’ll skimp on the clothes/shoes, but on personal items – never.
Becky says
I’m on the team of “who the heck cares what other people pack”! LOL! 😉
Emily says
I’m either Team HB- lite or Team Mavis-super sized. I don’t like take everything I own with me, but I don’t like the soap and shampoo / conditioner (if you’re lucky!) they usually provide. It’s either drying, breaks me out, or stinks to high heaven. Ick.
I’m heading to San Fran on Friday, and just pulled out my toiletry travel bag, so this is a timely post. I usually keep everything in the bag, and have a different set for home. I’m less likely to forget something that way. I could buy what I need when I travel, but often I’m staying in tourist-y locations where the price of a crappy razor is $12.95. I’m too cheap to spend that when I have a perfectly good one at home.
Lindsey Brooks says
Depends on if I’m flying or not. When flying I never check a bag so I pack carefully. If I’m driving or taking the train I have much more. The only reason is I keep a fully stocked bag with medicine , full size toiletries, razors, hairbrush etc for all four of us. These items are only used for travel.That way I just grab it when we’re packing and it’s ready.
Tammy says
We don’t travel very often, but when we do, we don’t travel very lightly. I try but then I keep thinking of every possible situation and I just keep packing more.
We just recently went on a little trip (my family) and I packed things that are normally in hotel rooms (like shampoo), and I was glad that I did because we bought a stay at a resort off Groupon, for about the same price as a hotel. There was soap in the bathroom and dish soap in the kitchen but that was it. So I was glad that I had packed what I did. Oh, and I packed coffee too, thinking there would probably be some…but nope there was none! I should have packed tea because in the evenings I wanted that. Now, we were on Hilton Head Island and there were plenty of stores there. But, we were on vacation! I didn’t want to have to keep running off to Walmart!
Jfred says
Exactly!! I don’t want to run to wm on my vacation!
I also travel w my own coffee and a french press (I have a thermos-type travel french press….loooove it). I’m a coffee snob, and too many times I got 3 yr old folgers from the back of someone’s cupboard. No thanks! I like to bring my own mug, too, cause a pretty, hand-thrown mug makes the coffee experience sooooo much better! Lol!
Pam says
When it comes to clothes and shoes – I can pack for a 2 week trip in a carry on bag. But my toiletries lean toward Team HB. When I travel for fun, the last thing I want to do is find a Wal Mart because I forgot something. Most important item when traveling for fun was in Team HB stash. I saw that corkscrew/bottle opener combo. The one item that will endear you to traveling companions everywhere because nobody EVER remembers to pack one!
Jfred says
I thought that was the smartest item in her bags!!
PamD says
Definitely Mrs. HB. I don’t understand how anyone can use hotel soaps/shampoo/etc. No way. I love my products. I’d rather take less clothing!
Mavis Butterfield says
I don’t mind using the hotel soaps or shampoo/conditioner but sometimes the lotions can be a little funky so I always try and bring one {and it usually came from another hotel}.
Karin says
Team HB! I like to be prepared! Just my OTC medicines would fill one of those bags.
Brianna says
Totally Mavis…I travel with deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, contact solution, contact case, glasses, a roll of toilet paper, hairbrush, and sometimes a razor, sunblock, and feminine items.
Espi says
Team Mavis! I travel light, with the bare essentials. My husband packs like the old lady it Titanic. “I might need XYZ” for a weekend away I have a carry on he has TWO large cases! Drives me bonkers. 🙂
Linda Sand says
Since I don’t wear makeup I have fewer toiletries than you. But my medicines make up for that. Still it all fits in one quart bag.
Susie says
Definitely Team Mrs. HB! Like others have said, I want to have anything I need then & there. I like to take an almost-empty anti-perspirant so that I can usually throw it away at the end of the trip. I even refill the travel-sized tubes of toothpaste from my full-sized one at home. My mom always taught me “It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” That mantra has saved me lots of money & lots of aggravation over the years.
Mary3 says
Definitely Team Mrs. HB!!!!! Even when I was in the hospital overnight I had a special bag of things that I needed. I have a travel Vera Bradley container and it takes up half of one suitcase (though things fit on top of it), To have to buy things when traveling (either for business or pleasure) costs SOOOO much more. And you never know what you might need.
And I find Mrs. HB PERFECTLY NORMAL!!!!!!!!! And medicines get carried on the plane with me – no chance of getting lost that way. And yes I am one of those people who checks bags when traveling. I hate seeing people try to fit an oversized bag into the overhead.
I think the adventure of Mr. HH is not knowing what Miss Mavis will come up with next. Keeps his life interesting.
Elaine says
I’m with Team Mavis!! I take four things: deodorant, lip gloss, hair gel, brush.
There is a lot to be said for traveling light!!
bobbi dougherty says
Team Mavis. I can buy anything else I may need. Don’t wear much make up so powder, moisturizer, toothbrush, tooth paste, brush, comb, breath right strips, lol, that’s about it. 🙂 It’s all personal though, to each his own. 🙂
Pam H. says
Once upon a midnight dreary my folks took a 9 year old me to a resort for vacation. Said resort had an outdoor (adult) obstacle course with a giant log to run across to the next obstacle. 9 year old me put my hands on the log to hoist myself up to run across… and ended up with two palms FULL of wood slivers! The one thing my mom had not packed in her very HB toiletry case? Tweezers. My dad had to dig the slivers out with his pocket knife and nail clippers. 35 years later, this memory has still stuck with me and when we travel my toiletry bag is almost bigger than my clothing bag! Clothing can always be washed out in the tub and hung over the rod to dry, but I’m not going to make my kid wait, crying, with slivers in their hands while I run to the dollar store to buy tweezers!!! Yes, there may be a little PTSD at play here, since I still pack it all when it’s just hubby and I! LOL!
GO TEAM HB!
Amy says
I’m with Mrs. HB, and probably plus some. In fact, I carry a backpack EVERYWHERE I go with things I consider to be essential. If it’s not on my back, then it’s in the car. My coworkers call me Mary Poppins because of my bag. If I need something that I don’t have, it WILL go in my backpack soon. I cannot stand be unprepared. For example, my car has 4 umbrellas in it. Not counting the one in my backpack. My purse has the “top” essentials including nail file, flossers etc. Mavis, I envy your ability to “fly by the seat of your pants.”
Melissa says
For a mere 3 days, in-state travel like your trip, I’m definitely Team Mavis on this one – even less – I count 7 to 8 items total I would bring. But when traveling to Hawaii with kids in tow for a week or more – I’m utilizing all my luggage space for things I can bring instead of buy at the crazy prices in stores there 🙂 – still don’t think I come close to 108 items though, lol, even including packed food and diapers/wipes for kids
Anita says
Totally Team HB, the whole medicine cabinet just incase, you never know if you’ll need it and I want to be prepared, plus travelling with children it’s just more convenient to be prepared.
Tracy says
Over the last two years, I traveled almost 700,000 air miles, hitting over 40 cities in 21 countries for work. I have packing down to a fine science. But mostly, I don’t spend one brain cell worrying about it. And I would hope none of my friends are sitting around “taking my inventory” and making fun or comparing my choices –how many lip balms I have, or how many travel sized shampoos I carry– to theirs!
Kellianne says
Team Mavis! Clutter makes me crazy. But!! I didn’t see floss and I’m in total agreement with Mrs. HB stashing all those Plackers! I’d have mouthwash and gum, too. Loves me a clean mouth, especially during travel.
It’s all good and I love traveling with non-minimalists.
Lisa says
Depends on the type of trip, but closer to team Mavis, really you don’t need all that extra stuff, you think you do, but by the end of your trip really how many of those extra “essential ” have you really used?
Angela D. says
Another Team HB! And I won’t use any such excuse about years of accumulation in my travel bag; I know exactly what’s in there and I routinely switch out stuff, depending on where I’m traveling and what I expect to need. Also, I wouldn’t find traveling so “light” to produce a carefree feeling–I’d feel very unprepared, not polished and not pampered (I don’t care for the low-quality products in most hotels.)
Lauralli says
Team HB all the way! And, people are always borrowing from me! I never need to borrow anything from anyone because I thought of it all in the first place! 🙂 Also, in my defense, I have naturally curly hair that needs a lot of products to control it and a good hair dryer with diffuser, so that’s half a small carry on!
Louise says
I don’t usually comment, but my team needs my vote … Team Mavis! But that doesn’t mean I go unprepared. I still bring everything I might need, just less. As someone already commented, I think it is a way of life, not a way of travel.
Layrie says
I’m on team Mrs. HB. Because of sensitive skin I can’t use any of the hotel toiletries and I can only use one brand of toothpaste (that is very difficult to find). I like to be prepared and bring my medicine cabinet with me (who wants to go out at 2 in the morning in a strange city for pepto, Bonine or nyquil?). Yep, be prepared, that’s my motto!
Stephanie Z says
I’m a Diabetic on an insulin pump so lots of required paraphernalia but still manage a carry on luggage internationally with few toiletries. I use my own product in those squeezable 100 ml bottles.
Radha says
Travel light and buy if I need to but over the years, I had to buy very little.
Pamela says
I’m somewhere in the middle. My motto is “it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it”!
Kitty says
I wish I could send pictures here!
I just got back from a 9 day trip to 2 cities, staying in my relatives ( fully stocked) homes. I TOOK 4 Zip lock baggies of Toiletries, but only used 10 items, less than half of what I’d packed.
If you DO need something else, it’s a pain to go to the store, but you can. At someone’s house, you can usually borrow whatever you forgot.
Sooo- next trip, I’ll take less stuff. Maybe.
Dana says
I traveled for 10 days in Israel with just a toothbrush, comb, and toothpaste. It was fine but once I returned home the the U.S. it was thrilling to take a long, hot shower, with nice soap, shampoo, etc.
After that I started traveling like Ms. HB and have never looked back!
The worst is being in a foreign country without the ability to find what you need. When my husband and I were in Venezuela 11 years ago we came across quite a few travelers who asked us for common, everyday things, – Sunscreen, hand lotion, Q-tips, and one guy asked for vinegar. We had everything to share except the vinegar.
It’s always better to be prepared. Now I travel with toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, sunscreen, q-tips, cotton balls, washcloth, samples of face wash, soap, face cream, body cream, shampoo, conditioner, etc. Small concentrated packets of dishwashing soap, laundry soap, powdered bleach, etc. packets of vinegar, oil. Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, etc. Band aids, Dramamine, rubbing alcohol, Pepto-bismol, Benadryl, Advil, aspirin, Neosporine, etc. Tweezers, nail clippers, razor, contact lens solution, and so forth.
Luckily, as everything is small, it all fits in one travel make up case.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
Amy says
Team Mavis!! If things go sideways, I can always purchase what I need. And nice splint 😉
Melinda says
Team Mavis! And we’re teaching our teenage daughters the same way. We spent 10 days out of the country and we each carried a carry-on suitcase and a small backpack, including coats and hiking shoes. I may not have all my usual hair product, jewelry or choices of clothes, but rarely have I not had something I NEEDED.
Earlene says
This is way too funny!!! So, I travel mostly with the hubby, I take a small cosmetic bag with essentials, but my hair stuff is separate, but wait……… there’s more!!! So the husband has a black travel bag that is jammed full of stuff, it would make Mrs. HB proud!!! So if I need anything, I just take it from his bag, with permission!!! Because after all he will have to replenish as soon as he can, LOL!!!!!!
Julie says
Team Mavis. We travel extensively, and internationally, with 4 children aged 3-10 years old. Managing our kids means that I want less stuff to manage. Basic toiletries plus adult and kids’ ibuprofen and Benadryl, bandaids. Super basic. Our kids, even the 3 year old, have each learned to pack a small backpack with their own entertainment: crayons or pen, paper or journal, a lovie, and a toy or two. (These vary- a Rubik’s cube, my little pony, toy cars, Barbie, etc) Less stuff=less stress.
Margery says
Travel hotels in the US and we get away with a brush, toothbrush ( for each family member),and as a family of 8 toothpaste, tums, conditioner ( we have very curly hair ) sunscreen , bug spray and some type of pain reivler, and an anti histamine, all shared. My husband also brings his shaving kit.
Camping ups the list for 2 sets one for girls and one for boys plus all first aid stuff, and bar soap and shampoo.
When we cruise, we add some make-up, and pretty much everything in the med cabinet.
MEM says
It really depends on the length of the trip. For a three day trip I’d be Team Mavis – travel-sized shampoo, facial cleanser and body wash, tweezers, mascara, lip balm, deodorant, razor, band-aids, toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, eyedrops, medicine holder filled with my 10 daily meds and supplements plus a few benadryl, ibuprofen and Tylenol. Most importantly is my nightguard for bruxism. I now also have a c-pap machine for sleep apnea but have not traveled with that yet as I have only had it a few days. For our semi-annual 9 day Disney trips I’m more like Team Mrs. HB – I don’t want to pay Disney prices for anything I already have and can bring from home. We get two checked bags each on Southwest so we make sure we have everything we need for the 9 days.
Cheri says
We need less than we usually think we do–that’s something I learned long ago. I have since learned to minimize in ways I don’t at home. For example, I am on vacation right now, and instead of taking both moisturizer and body lotion, I simply have a small bottle of grapeseed oil, which can serve as both temporarily. I do without eyeliner, and I use a soap that can go for both face and body. I leave my brush at home and make do with a single comb, and I don’t bring special hair treatments. The one thing I need more of and can’t skimp on is contact lens solution. Other than that, I love to travel light and fast with a single carry-on and purse/tote. That means more to me than having all the stuff I like to use. I will never check a suitcase again, unless it’s a special situation.
Libby says
I travel 4-10 days a month for business. I have two of everything so that my toiletries are always packed. My toiletry bag has 17 items in it plus hairbrush and electric toothbrush.
I used to carry lots of “in case” stuff but domestically it can all be easily purchased if needed.
For international travel I take more OTC meds “in case”. But it depends how off the beaten track I’m going…..Morocco more stuff, England less stuff.
Really interesting photos and discussion!
Lisa Millar says
Hilarious!
I think I even beat you Mavis! Three weeks in the USA and I took – toothbrush/toothpaste, travel shampoo/conditioner because I figured I could buy some when I got there. My wide comb, cotton buds, one lot of medication, tweezers, nail file (only because it was already in my bag) & deodorant.
10 items. Three weeks! I totally survived! 😀
Mavis Butterfield says
I want to hear some stories!!! And pictures! 🙂 10 items… way to go. 🙂
Tami Lewis says
Team Mavis for sure!
When hubby and I travel, it takes 1 duffle bag for both of us to share!!!