I travel with very little jewelry. A few rings, a couple of necklaces, three or four pairs of earrings. And I like to keep them in my laptop bag, which never leaves my sight, than inside my checked bag (Yes, I check a bag. Always, unapologetically.) Given how much I am traveling for work these days, I needed a better way to store that jewelry. Here are a few options (including the one I purchased) in various price points.
Elected Official
This Arielle Gordon Jewelry Case ($325) has a vibrant color pallet and a good amount of storage for your favorite baubles.
Legislative Aide
I purchased this Jane Pope by Hudson and Bleeker jewelry case ($98) and it’s been a much beloved addition to, not just my travel accessories, but I have begun shrinking my jewelry collection, and I’m hoping to fit it into two of these cases. It’s very high quality and would make an incredible gift for any female relative. Looking for luxe travel accessories? Hudson and Bleeker has a lot of nice options.
Front Desk
If you’re looking for an affordable option, I bought this little case from Nordstrom ($25) as a gift for a friend’s 16-year-old daughter. (I added a necklace for her birthday.) And it’s well made for the price, I just wish it hade better necklace storage.
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Can you do a post about work travel generally? I’m in my mid-30s, and because of some recent career progression and because my early career was under the cloud of Covid, this is the first time I’ve had somewhat regular work travel.
I feel like I can’t figure it out: I eat like garbage, I miss my children, I’m super dehydrated when I get home, and I just feel rumpled. And*** it is also kind of fun and exciting! Just trying to figure out how to do this better.
I’d also appreciate this! I keep seeing “business travel” content that involves a 14-step skincare routine, sightseeing, and multiple gym visits, which is very much not the reality of any work trip I’ve ever taken. Would love to see Abra’s realistic approach.
Really good tips in the replies, +1 to all of that. I’d add sheet masks/eye patches, splurging on the fancy water and/or electrolyte packets to make plain water taste good, and keeping to at home wake up/bedtime (time zone permitting) all help. I also travel with apple slices and snacks from home. You’re worth packing yourself a meal for the plane. It’s self care, ladies!
Also, I’m not a big jewelry person and I usually store extra earrings in my travel pill case! (And it’s where I store my rings when I’m in the shower. I always know where they are this way.)
I am away from home on average 7 nights a month for work. I am also perimenopausal and can’t remember anything plus get the “SQUIRRELS!” easily. I need a list and to minimize the think while packing.
– Snacks (nuts, jerky, cups of grapes) means less Skittles and better chance at avoiding the dinner-plate sized hotel cookies. I am fortunate to have an expense account to pass along the larcenous airport and hotel prices.
– This noise machine (https://a.co/d/0iMoVjOP) lives in my suitcase
– Duplicates or aliquots of all the lotions and hair goo I use at home live in my personal care bag. (https://a.co/d/0feHSK9g)
– Ditto for makeup
– I plan outfits and track wearing using Stylebook app so I don’t appear at the podium or in front of clients in the same outfit all the time (https://www.stylebookapp.com/)
– Pack a steamer. The hotel irons are full of rusty water that will ruin your clothes.
– These noise cancelling earbuds are a miracle (https://www.bose.com/p/earbuds/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-earbuds-2nd-gen/QCUE2-HEADPHONEIN.html). I was gifted them by Santa, but would buy them in a heartbeat if I lost one. Vastly superior to Sony Linkbuds IMO.
When I first started traveling, just being in a hotel triggered my “vacation mode” and I’d treat myself to a drink and/or dessert. Now, my rule is if I wouldn’t be treating myself at home, I don’t get to on the road.
I use airplane wifi to get caught up on emails or trainings, but never plan to do on ‘important’ work on the plane. In my experience, that is a sure-fire way to guarantee a) the person sitting next to you is a competitor and b) the wifi will be out/non-functional.
I never got TSA and now don’t see any need. No one has to take off shoes or take out a laptop anymore. I also don’t go to club rooms either b/c they always seem to be overcrowded. I prefer to find a gate without a flight boarding in the next hour.
A few ideas-
1. be a pro at the literal travel part. Get Precheck and Touchless ID if you don’t have them. Whether through an airline card or other premium card, look into the lounge access card that works best for you. It makes the airport a lot more bearable.
2. duplicates. A set of gym clothes and complete toiletries just lives in your carryon. Clean and refill as needed after each trip, then you’re already halfway there. Get cute workout sneakers so you can wear them on the plane vs. using precious carryon space.
3. for food, what’s the issue? Succumbing to mediocre conference room cookie platters on long days, or ordering takeout to your hotel room at night, or splurgefest restaurants? For (1) have some healthy snacks with you. For (2) consider doing a bagged salad + rotisserie chicken type situation and staying somewhere where you have a kitchenette. For (3) try to scope out menus ahead of time to plan your best.
Post-having kids, I really struggle to sleep in hotel rooms when I’m traveling solo. Some things that help:
– Zero alcohol, it makes a noticeable difference for my sleep.
– Bringing a good book, face mask, and this travel humidifier (link below)to make it feel peaceful and help me wind down.
– I’m usually driving, and I will happily bring a second duffel with my pillow from home if space in the car allows.
https://www.target.com/p/homedics-portable-ultrasonic-humidifier-with-night-light-and-aromatherapy-white/-/A-94705054
Mark & Graham has nice options in various sizes for this too.
For necklaces, I reuse the little ‘extra button’ baggies to store them together in a pouch area without the chains tangling. Adds zero bulk!
Abra, you’ve shared before a little cleaner for jewelry, what was that?
I recently pulled out my jewelry box and realized a lot of it had tarnished. I’m on the hunt for some good little storage bags and also have started keeping the random silica packets that’ll come with other things in my case to help it stay extra dry.
I used to travel a lot to go to academic conferences (not anymore since organizations have figured out how to hold online conferences, participants are reluctant to cross national borders, and funding disappears), and I find it helps to have some small things to make the room feel like home. For me that’s a sleep mask (same one I use at home) and a scented candle that I also keep beside my bed at home. I also get very stiff and dehydrated when I fly, so I travel yoga mat and individual pedialyte pouches help!
Re: work travel, I second having a travel set of toiletries and makeup in my Lo & Sons bag, plus a charger, brush, Advil, and other handy things, and then I have a very short list of things to pack (medication, earbuds, underwear, clothes, shoes, computer, etc.). I also have a tiny roller bag that fits a surprisingly large amount (TravelPro) and fits into any overhead compartment, and am pretty minimalist when I travel – no more than two pairs of shoes (one worn), wear the same jewelry throughout the trip, and generally keep it simple.
I like the travel roll for jewellery, easy to pack & can hold a lot https://www.amazon.com/jewelry-rolls/b/ref=dp_bc_5?ie=UTF8&node=3888531
RE work travel – also a fan of a duplicates bag of toiletries AND tech gear. My tech pouch has cords, wall plugs, fold up 3 way mag safe charging pad and ear buds.