the ultimate travel dream team: ultralight carry-on, streamlined travel kit
i have pretty low expectations when i travel. my one experience flying first class happened when the airline bungled my international itinerary, and i spent most of that short, luxurious flight (tea service! fancy armrest gadgetry!) worrying that the airline had just lost all my luggage.
since then, i try to only take carry-on.
i use my carry-on the most, so it made sense to get a really well made one this time around. i've had cheap suitcases from my student days fall apart in transit more than once, and few things are more demoralizing than having to pick up pieces of your suitcase in a crowded train or airport terminal.
after traveling with heavy, clunky nylon luggage for most of my adult life, the Rimowa ultralight is a revelation. i've always had to ask for help from (usually grumpy) flight attendants or fellow passengers to lift my old carry-on into the overhead compartment. that won't be the case anymore. i'm also pretty thrilled about the sleek and secure zipper / lock mechanism. no need for luggage locks, and peace of mind all in one. the four-wheel design will make zipping to and from gates super easy. and bonus points that it just happens to be very beautiful!
the sephora travel kit also arrived the other day, and did not disappoint. all the bottles have a sleek pump for hygienic dispensing, and look and feel solidly constructed. the clear waterproof labels are a nice touch as well, though i thought it was funny that there is a label for 'glitter' (who travels with loose glitter?). though i wish i could be one of those people who could just use whatever toiletries are available at the hotel, my sensitive, slightly finicky skin demands that i always bring my own products. this kit will be a godsend from now on!
i love the two little jars – i can finally bring a small batch of my favorite Fresh rose mask!
what's your travel dream team? hope this review has been helpful!
I love that purple! I got a similar carry on in blue for a trip several months ago. The 360 wheels were a dream. Now I just need to develop the discipline to pack light, since I tend to shop when I travel.
ReplyDeletethe 360 wheels are a lifesaver for sure. i feel like gliding along also minimizes in-transit stress!
DeleteI have had the Sephora travel set for several months now and I really like it. The only thing is I have to keep my thicker lotions upside down or else an air pocket forms right underneath the dispenser and you can't pump out lotion. So now whenever I get to my hotel, I turn all of my bottles upside down and shake all the lotions/cleansers/etc to the top and keep the bottles upside down. No problems with leaking and works great then!
ReplyDeleteoh, good to know! :)
DeleteI love the look of that set, might have to check it out the next time I'm in a country that has Sephora! Your suitcase is also very nice - I'm still lugging around a heavy nylon one, but then again I don't travel that often. It is so clever to buy a suitcase in an actual color, because if (when) they do get lost it kind of sucks to describe it as "uh.. a black samsonite" to the help desk. Theyre ALL black Samsonites!
ReplyDeletei've actually never owned a black samsonite, ha! i've always made sure that my suitcases were slightly colorful. also makes traveling a bit more cheery.
DeleteI also always travel with a hardshell carry-on, if only because I believe in travelling light. But it also makes me feel better to know that my luggage is in the cabin with me!
ReplyDeleteI have a toiletry kit that I leave at my boyfriend's that contains travel-sized bottles of all my skincare products. I normally just grab that one when I travel. That Sephora kit looks great though, I love that the bottles are sleek and have a pump dispenser. Maybe I'll transfer all my products over to a kit like this... :)
I keep seeing that suitcase everywhere. It sure is pretty! And it looks like money well-spent, too.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess, I always use cheap, durable luggage since I travel to some pretty gnarly places and expect my suitcases to get very beaten-up. At the moment, I have a purple nylon wheelie set picked up at a London department store. It does the job and I can always spot it easily on the carousel. A few years back my dad actually gave me a beautiful set of black leather luggage, including a gorgeous garment bag for suits, but I am afraid of ruining it!
ReplyDeletei hear you on the lifestyle needs aspect. i figure that given this will always be my carry-on, a little luxe will go a long way. though from what i've heard from friends who have Rimowa, they hold up well. best of both worlds :)
DeleteI've had a Tumi carry-on from ages ago that has seen better days. For domestic trips I usually end up using only a carry-on and a laptop bag. But I can't seem to fit everything I need in a 21" for international trips so I usually just share luggage space with a travel buddy (husband, mom , etc.). I travel pretty light but end up buying a lot of things on trips so I'm usually more worried about the home leg. I guess I'm quite lucky in that I've never had a problem with lost/bungled luggage except in China - I guess everyone should count having luggage lost in China as part of the experience :-)
ReplyDeletei don't think it's as much China as flying with certain terribly dysfunctional (ahem, United) airlines that specialize in bungling all aspects of your international travels.
DeleteOoh I love the sephora kit! I "need" something just like it. I also only try to bring carry-on. Am always terrified of losing luggage. Also I love my Globetrotter and try not to let it out of my sight!
ReplyDeletei vaguely remember a kerfuffle on twitter some time ago when Rachel Zoe lost like several suitcases filled with vintage and designer pieces due to some mix-up on her airline. i wonder if Anna Della Russo has an intense fear of losing luggage during Fashion Month too...
Deletejust finished taking my 11th flight in 3 months and i have to agree that a good carryon bag is absolutely necessary!
ReplyDeleteI love that colour! So far I'm getting by on some old Samsonite and Mandarina Duck suitcases and my trusty backpack, but I don't have an ideal carry-on for short trips. That's not a big issue though since I rarely take short vacations...
ReplyDeleteAs for travel bottles, I can't live without them! My travel is on the budget side and I don't always stay in hotels (hostels, rentals, dodgy dive resorts) so I often carry everything with me. I've had good experience with Muji for these things. I'd like to find the ideal travel toiletries case though - something water- and stain-proof, with enough depth and width, and cute!
for the most part i've weaned myself off of larger suitcases and am starting to rely on a carry-on for short and longer trips. it's a good feeling to travel light on the return trip too :)
DeleteFunny you should mention this topic--I've been working out some travel wardrobes (in various seasons; I know, nerdy) in order to measure the amount of space I'll need, and then trying to find a bag which will fit. I'm looking at a Lotuff or Clegg small men's duffel (about 17" long, so carry-on sized).
ReplyDeleteOh man, I'm seriously lacking in this department. I sheepishly borrow luggage from my parents when traveling. The Sephora kit looks so perfect. I imagine those bottles would look quite nice in one's bathroom for everyday use too.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I'm really liking your Instaglam pics!
thanks e! :) only a month or so since i started using it, and i'm already addicted!
DeleteAaargh! Why do you always seem to know just what I am ogling!
ReplyDeleteBeen stalking Rimowa since before Christmas. Have a very old Hartmann that's really giving up the ghost. Has been a valiant buddy, but may be time to put it to bed.
it's one of those splurges that you will get above and beyond mileage out of. go for it!
DeleteYou know I'm easy to convince on splurges:).
DeleteI Have that suitcase and I love it! It is so lightweight and roomy! Great choice!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Shop Le Monde
Rimowa is the Apple of luggage. i'm so glad that i've finally switched over from the PC luggage world!
DeleteFor the length of trip the Rimowa will allow, the Sephora bottles seem huge to me. Have you considered kitting yourself out with MUJI? I love their travel cases and containers - minimalist and very chic. The Sephora bottles look like they would hold enough product for a month or more, but far too much for shorter trips. Your Rimowa Ultralight looks amazing...I LOVE the "ultraviolet" color. It looks much richer in your pictures than the stock photos!
ReplyDeletei default to one kit for all my trips, so i'm actually looking forward to not having to refill all the time. i've been using Muji's little bottles till now actually, and while i love the aesthetic i've had some issues with durability on some of their bottle caps. also their pump dispensors don't work very well for thicker lotions, etc.
Deletei also generally travel with just 1 carry-on for longer trips as well, so i'm planning on continuing that with the rimowa! :)
Deletewould love to see a pic of your mcqueen! i've always liked the idea of a carry-on duffle bag, but i can't deal with all the dragging and hand-strain of it. definitely a top-handle 360 wheel suitcase for me...
ReplyDeleteIt would be awesome if you can make a post on how much stuff you can pack in your Rimowa! I will be doing an international 2 week trip and would like to just bring a carry on and backpack. Would the Rimowa be suitable for 2 weeks?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
hi Sandy- that's a great idea! stay tuned :)
DeleteGreat! I have been asked for a 2 week Northern Europe packing post too! Want to do it together? Next week?
Delete*bookmarking* I am in serious need of some travel essentials like these. I had a nylon duffle bag that I've been using as a carry-on, but the bottom just ripped out. Time to actually invest since I've been doing more traveling this year than I ever imagined!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.erindepew.com/blog
Great post miss sophie! I've always been unsure about the Rimowa. There's just something aesthetically that has never appealed to me, but perhaps it is the color or that I'm not that fond of hard shell luggage other than my Globetrotter because this looks gorgeous. The color is really rich. I have a beautiful luggage set from my parents that I use and my globetrotter. Most of our trips tend to be on the longer side( at least 14 days), so sometimes I can't make do with only a carry on. Our weekend trips tend to be preppy/coastal & involve ferries (Sag Harbor,MV, the cape) so an L.L. Bean tote is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing the Rimowa for a year now after my 15 year old Samsonite looked like it was due to be permanently retired. I haven't taken the plunge but am so tempted!
ReplyDeleteI just did a review of all my travel essentials, but I focused just on the makeup:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nomadicd.com/2013/01/on-my-face-travel-edition.html
For products I love my Muji travel bottles, though I've used some from sephora as well and have loved them. Their little plastic jars tend to crack after a while, but they're so cheap it seems like a no-brainer to just run out and replace it when it does.
Just wanted to say, I found my way to your blog from Maja Huse and I'm so glad I did!
www.nomadicd.com
My husband has this Rimowa...he got it recently after reams of research and it makes him happy every time he gets on a plane. I may need to do the same!
ReplyDelete