We’re leaving for our holiday trip on Tuesday (Dubai, Hyderabad, and Kochi). I figured it’d be timely to share how I really pack (and how I’ve relaxed some of my old packing rules from How to Pack):
I rarely use packing cubes - if I do, it’s for a multi-stop trip and I keep the clothes for each destination in its own cube. Instead, I roll my full outfit and group the different rolls together (day outfits, evening looks, pajamas and workout outfit) within the suitcase.
I still swear by my ‘3 shoes for any trip’ rule + my accessory math equation (3 shoes, 2 bags, 1 pair of sunglasses, a scarf, and a belt). For this trip, I’m wearing my Atoms sneakers and packing my gold Birks and Amanu sandals. The bags I’m bringing are the small and medium totes from Naghedi. I rounded things out with these Celine-esque sunglasses, an old Sir Alastair Rai scarf, and a thin brown belt.
I’m embracing our generous baggage allowance and checking in most of our luggage. We have our ‘oh shit’ carry-on (pajamas and first day outfits, streamlined toiletries, warm weather shoes) and my giant Dagne Dover for extra plane activities and snacks for the boys. We’re checking in 5 suitcases - 3 carry-on sized ones for Dubai (Sri and I have our own, the boys are sharing one), and two large suitcases with extra clothes for India and our protein/fiber stash (Truvani protein powder packets, protein pretzels, crunchy edamame packs, and Zbars and Barebells protein bars). I also packed extra activity books and some little games in here for the return trip home.
I love to read books set wherever we’re going. I have The Sand Fish lined up for Dubai, and Rho and I are going to re-read the Aru Shah series while we’re in India. My husband is going to dive into The Covenant of Water in anticipation for our Kerala trip, which I heartily endorse (I read it last year and loved it).
I’d love to know what your tried-and-true packing advice is.
If you’re still shopping for your loved ones (especially the ‘impossible to shop for’ folks), I have you covered with this gift guide. I personally think that a donation in their name is one of the best gifts you can give, and highly recommend donating to PSI. If you donate via my link all December, I will match all donations up to $1000.
I hope you’re taking exquisite care of yourself, especially now. If that feels too hard, come steal my ‘stay well’ plan:
Catch up with the latest posts here:
I would be so appreciative if you upgrade your subscription to help support #5SmartReads (my weekly news series that amplifies underreported stories and underrepresented perspectives). I’m taking a note from
and am lowering the annual subscription to $30/year for the rest of the year.
Hera
by Jennifer Saint
I’ve always thought that Hera deserved more.
More than being defined by Zeus’ wife, or the mother of Ares and Hephaestus. More than her stories seeking retribution for Zeus’ affairs by targeting his paramours. More than being the goddess of marriage.
Jennifer Saint apparently thought the same, and wrote the most gripping novel that connects the myths you know through a rich history centered on the goddess who’s often been sidelined in the stories we know.
It’s female rage: the origin story. And while I had to take a break from reading this a month ago (still raw from the election), I flew through it in two days.
You can find my 2024 reads here, and my December reads here.
Nerdy Claw Clips ($18)
My hair has reached the length/weight where my usual bun or ponytail starts giving me a headache, and my neck gets too sweaty when I leave it down.
This is when I reach for a trusty claw clip - usually a boring tortoise or black one. It’s fine…but it’s boring.
When I was scrolling Amazon looking for some dopamine boosting accessories (bag charms inspired by Muna, rainbow winter accessories), I stumbled across these incredibly nerdy claw clips and immediately ordered a few.
They are perfect. They keep my medium length, thick hair up without needing to adjust it repeatedly, and the designs are literally perfect for me (chill pill for my bipolar self, heart & injection to represent my company). Yes, they’re a bit kitschy, but the quality of these clips are great and they zhush up a boring outfit without being overly cheesy.
They’d be a perfect stocking stuffer for the women in your life who own their mental health struggles or work in healthcare settings.
Find this month’s Amazon favorites here.
The art of return
published in
I love the idea of coming home to ephemeral things - an old hobby, book, or role I once held. I resist the urge to declare I’m closing a chapter, and have replaced it with “it’s not a priority right now, but I’m open to picking it back up one day.”
Now that I think about it, books may be the exception to that rule. I’m forever re-reading my old favorites.
Jillian Anthony’s words summed up my own journey with #5SmartReads this year:
“You can put anything down at any time, for days or weeks or years, and pick it back up again when it feels right. (Or maybe when it’s felt right for so long now that you simply can’t stand to put it off any longer. Getting sick of yourself can be a huge motivator.)
The world is changing, once again, demanding that we change with it. Take the time you need to process, grieve, scream, cry, sleep, heal, regroup, be with your people, come back to the core of who you are. Then, when you’re ready — return.”
We’ve been programmed to believe that we need to be doing more, doing better, dreaming bigger. What if we gave ourselves the space to pause, and pivot, and pick things back up - and celebrate these moves the way we honor promotions, new jobs, or awards?
Like Jillian, I started running again this fall. At first, I dismissed it and minimized it when bringing it up with friends (“Running is generous, it’s really more of a slow plod”). But returning to something I’ve had a joyfully noncommittal relationship felt wonderful - a chance to bridge my 40 year old self with the 23 year old who ran half marathons, and creating a memory for my future self to reconnect with one day.
If you enjoyed this weekend’s letter, please consider:
tapping the ❤️ icon below
tapping the 💬 and share your own ‘what I do when I don’t feel like it’ hack
upgrading your subscription, if budget permits. #5SmartReads is sent every Tuesday morning (get 50% off your annual subscription!).
As always, take exquisite care of yourself this week.
xo,
HPN
I still use my packing cubes. I have figured out no more than seven-day outfits—no matter where we are traveling to. If I am going to India, then six of them will be my salwar kameezes and only one pant set, which I wear on the flight to and from.
Such great tips!!!! I’ve also strayed away from
Packing cubes. Except for the kids find it a bit easier to have their stuff in cubes