i’ve been traveling with just a carry on for over 10 years, and these are my packing hacks under $50

Travel

I’ve Been Traveling With Just a Carry-On for Over 10 Years, and These Are My Packing Hacks Under $50

Drescription

With family scattered across Canada, Italy, India, and Australia, international travel has become an integral part of my lifestyle. While my go-to airplane snacks and favorite in-flight entertainment remains unchanged, my approach to packing has undergone a transformation now that I only travel with carry-on luggage. I just spent a month abroad with loved ones for the holidays, and I’m still delighting in the memory of how good it felt to bypass the baggage carousel and head straight for customs—one less hurdle between me and the cherished faces waiting for me.

As both a minimalist and seasoned shopping editor, I’m discerning in how I pack only the most essential items for my suitcase. Prioritizing versatile travel clothing, smart tech, and (most importantly) a set of compression packing cubes, I’ve mastered the art of packing light while still leaving space to do some shopping on my travels—even in the winter, when packing involves chunky sweaters and winter coats. In fact, I’m planning a trip this very (cold) month to Portland’s famous The Docent’s Collection—a luxe hotel alternative well-situated in the heart of the city’s rich historic district. Below, I’ve compiled a selection of my favorite winter travel essentials that will be coming with me—affordable options all under $50—available on Amazon, perfect for navigating trips of any length with ease and efficiency.

Amazon Editor-Loved Carry-On Essentials

Bagail Compression Packing Cubes Set, $19 (was $27)

Amazon Essentials Button-Down Shirt, $20 (was $23)

Sabani Portable Charger With Cables, $32 (was $36)

The Drop Grayson Drop-Shoulder Turtleneck Sweater, $36 (was $41)

Lanyani RFID Crossbody Wristlet Purse, $23

Amazon Essentials Teddy Bear Fleece Oversized Coat, $45 (was $62)

Baleaf Fleece-Lined Pants, $39

Farmacy Bestsellers Skin Care Set, $40

Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo Conditioner Travel Set, $43

Bagail Compression Packing Cubes Set

These packing cubes have been a game changer for me because they don’t just organize my clothes; they have a compression zipper that flattens all my plush sweaters, making the most of the limited space my small suitcase offers. Thanks to these, I was able to pack two winter coats, seven thick sweaters, and more.

Amazon Essentials Button-Down Shirt

This versatile button-down became my go-to travel staple this whole year, no matter the season. Whether dressed up with a pair of sleek trousers, casually thrown over a T-shirt, or even used as a cover-up over a bathing suit, the 100 percent cotton shirt is breathable and wrinkle-resistant, making it ideal for long flights and days spent exploring new cities. I own it in pink, blue, and white.

Sabani Portable Charger With Cables

Long layovers and lengthy sightseeing sessions are no match for this compact powerhouse. The Sabani portable charger comes with built-in cables to keep all my devices powered up through endless hours of travel. It’s sleek, lightweight, and has a charging capacity that can last me an entire day of use. I never had to sacrifice a photo op or navigation app for a low battery.

The Drop Grayson Drop-Shoulder Turtleneck Sweater

This turtleneck sweater was the perfect balance of warmth and chic vibes. With its soft, cozy knit and relaxed drop-shoulder silhouette, it elevated my casual travel outfits while still feeling comfortable on long flights or chilly evenings abroad. I paired it with fleece pants (more on those below!) for travel days, and then with a little skirt and knee-high boots for nights out.

Lanyani RFID Crossbody Wristlet Purse

Traveling through crowded airports or bustling city streets, I always felt secure with this compact RFID crossbody wristlet. Not only did it keep my credit cards and passport safe from digital theft, but its minimalist design also meant I could slip it into my jacket pocket when I didn’t need it, giving me peace of mind while keeping my hands free to explore.

Amazon Essentials Teddy Bear Fleece Oversized Coat

This oversized fleece coat was my ultimate comfort companion during chilly travels. Its plush, teddy bear texture made it feel like wearing a blanket while still maintaining a stylish silhouette. The best part? It’s surprisingly lightweight for such a cozy piece, and its neutral tone made it easy to pair with virtually everything in my wardrobe. I loved cozying up with it on my long-haul flight.

Baleaf Fleece-Lined Pants

These fleece-lined pants were an unexpected travel MVP I acquired right before my trip. Soft and stretchy, they offered both warmth and flexibility, whether I was hiking through the Italian mountains side or catching a red-eye flight. I even dressed them up with ankle boots, a turtleneck, and a blazer for an effortlessly chic holiday party look one evening.

Farmacy Best-Sellers Skin Care Set

When I’m on the go, my dry skin gets extremely parched. That’s where Farmacy’s skincare set stepped in. Its collection of best-sellers (which are also some of my favorite products) kept my skin hydrated with honey-infused formulas that managed to make my skin feel dewy while looking lightweight. The comprehensive set included everything I needed to cleanse and hydrate my skin (and lips!) every morning and night—including on flights.

Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo Conditioner Travel Set

I shudder to think about the prospect of borrowing my brother’s three-in-one body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, so I always pack my own hair products when I’m traveling to see family. This Oribe shampoo and conditioner have been my go-to travel hair products for many years, and I always keep them on-hand to keep my dry, fine, and curly hair looking shiny while feeling hydrated.

This Is How Often You Should Really Deadhead Petunias for Healthier Blooms, According to Gardeners

Petunias are known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms and long flowering season, making them a staple in many home gardens. But to keep these colorful plants looking their best, regular maintenance is key, especially when it comes to deadheading. Removing spent flowers not only improves the plant’s appearance but also encourages more blooms throughout the season. So, how often do you really need to deadhead your petunias? We turned to gardening pros for the answer. Meet the Expert Julia Omelchenko is the resident botany expert at Plantum, a plant care and gardening app that helps identify plants and improve plant care. Kelly Funk is an experienced gardening expert and the President of Jackson & Perkins, an online plant nursery specializing in roses and other garden plants. Why Is Deadheading Important? When a plant’s flowers start to fade, it signals to the plant that it’s time to direct its energy into producing seeds. Deadheading disrupts this process and naturally extends the blooming season by removing the spent flower altogether, thereby redirecting the plant’s energy from seed production to producing more flowers. Not all flowering plants require deadheading, but many benefit from it, especially annuals like petunias. If you want your petunias to bloom all summer, deadheading is the way to do it. How Often Should You Deadhead Petunias? According to gardening pros, it’s best to deadhead petunias regularly to encourage more blooms and prevent them from going to seed. The frequency will vary slightly depending on your climate and the cultivar you have, but in general, you can expect to be deadheading your petunias at least once a week. “Ideally, petunias should be deadheaded at least once a week, but checking on them a few times a week is better, especially during peak bloom periods," says Kelly Funk, President of Jackson & Perkins. "I recommend making it part of your routine when watering or doing other tasks." Some petunia cultivars, such as Wave petunias and Supertunias, are bred to be self-cleaning, meaning they don’t require deadheading to encourage more blooms. Still, according to Julia Omelchenko, resident botany expert at Plantum, it’s best to prune these varieties occasionally to maintain their shape and stimulate vigorous growth. If deadheading your petunias multiple times a week sounds like a lot of work, we have good news for you: deadheading is super easy to do, and will only take you a couple of minutes to complete. The key is to ensure you’re doing it properly. How to Deadhead Petunias Deadheading involves removing the entire flower head once it starts to wilt. This includes the petals, the peduncle, and the receptacle. Basically, you want to remove the entire trumpet-shaped flower, including the green base that attaches it to the stem. This can be done by hand, or using sterilized scissors or pruning shears. “It’s important to deadhead properly by removing not just the petals but also the green base of the flower," Omelchenko says. "If you only pull off the petals, the plant will continue to produce seeds in the ovary." Additional Petunia Care Tips for Continuous Blooms Besides regular deadheading, there are a few other ways you can encourage your petunias to bloom all summer. Ensuring they have adequate light (full sun) and water (soil shouldn’t dry out completely) is the first step. Funk also recommends fertilizing your petunias every two weeks to help support vigorous growth. Finally, our experts say it’s common for petunias to start looking leggy by mid-summer, even if you’re deadheading regularly. To facilitate bushy growth, they recommend a light pruning to help tidy the plant. Not only will you be rewarded with fresh, compact growth, but you’ll also get a flush of new blooms.

All The Questions Answered About How I Get My “Natural” Looking Spray Tan…

This was a post I wrote waaaay back in early 2020! It was meant to be “winter content” as it’s harder to get a tan from the actual sun when it’s cold outside. But as I’ve been talking with my team we just aren’t into the whole “sit in the sun and bake” idea anymore. Protecting our skin and health is pretty important to us but that doesn’t mean we want to totally forgo that tanned glow, right? So we thought that reposting this VERY important and practical content might just be what some of y’all want. Enjoy:) My team has heard me reference spray tanning for years and when we were brainstorming our lifestyle content for February, they all begged me to do a post about it because they are all curious and want try, but they are scared. So today I’m answering all their questions about how I get my “natural” spray tan in the middle of winter, for under 4 minutes and around $16. I’m not saying you should do this, nor encouraging the idea that tan skin is better than pale – no weird skin shaming here. But, like covering grays or straightening hair, it is something that some people do and even more people are curious about. And while it’s innately driven in a superficial (literally skin deep) way, I think most of us can relate to the confidence boost we get when we are looking healthy and pulled together – whatever that looks like to you. I’m an expert in it (the spray tan, not the “pulled together” look), so get ready because I’m about to drop some spray tan knowledge. Let me walk you through it all … WHAT IS A SPRAY TAN? A spray-tan is a liquid formula with DHA that when sprayed evenly makes you look like you’ve been in the sun and you feel all glowy. There are many levels and tones and indeed you might want to experiment before say, your red carpet walk or your wedding. The same formula can also be in a lot of tanning lotions (we’ll get to that later). There Are Two Types Of Spray Tans: “Airbrush” And “Booth”. Airbrush means a real live person actually sprays you *naked* either in a pop-up booth in your home ($50 – $100 depending on where you live and level of experience) or at a salon ($60 – $80). It’s highly embarrassing but you will get a much longer-lasting tan that might look more natural and it’s, ahem, thorough. If you are in LA, I recommend Brittany from Be Bronze Studio. A “booth” is literally a vertical booth that you stand in and nozzles go up and down and spray you evenly on your front and back. It is faster and more affordable – I have a $60/month membership at a non-fancy place and I go once a week (thus the $16 – it’s likely around $30 if you just buy one). It takes me between 4 – 7 minutes from start to finish (I know because I’ve timed myself SO MANY TIMES while I’ve made Brian wait in the car). There are two major brands of booths – Versa and Mystic. As I’m writing this I literally had no idea how much of an expert I am. I much prefer Versa because it’s more natural and much faster. There are typically 3 different levels of Versa that differ in intensity (and differ from booth to booth). I typically do level #2 bronze (the difference between bronze and clear is that they both give you a tan but “bronze” gives you an immediate glow that will yes, get on your clothes and sheets, and “clear” doesn’t show up for 8 hours, but since I like instant gratification I get bronze). What do I do before a spray tan? Any prep? You want to be clean, but not crazy exfoliated because it won’t stick as well. Around the ankles and wrists it will stick more because those areas are less smooth for whatever reason. Ideally, you shave the day before but I’ve shaven the day of one million times. Don’t spray tan and then mani/pedi or get a blowout, or do anything that has to do with water or it will take the color off your hands/feet/calves and neck… Do NOT get your first spray tan before an important event like a wedding. They can be uneven, too orange, or too dark so test it out, go on Yelp, ask for recommendations. For any special occasion, I get a custom airbrush done to guarantee that it’s a natural tone and it’s even (again, you have to make an appointment, it takes at least 20 minutes and costs about 4 times the cost of a booth in LA, otherwise I would do it all the time). They can even vary from booth to booth within the same brand so test out that particular booth first. You need to wear a loose-fitting dress afterward so it doesn’t stick to your body and rub off your tan (it also feels incredibly gross to put on tight skinny jeans after this – you are sticky and damp for hours). No combat boots either. Think flip-flops or loose sneakers. Side By Side 1 There I am the day before the shoot, consider this a “before”. Those are the four poses that you are supposed to do in the booth, and no I’m not psyched that I had to publish those on the internet. I also waited until my last spray tan was totally gone as you can see to do this post, which was QUITE the sacrifice. What Happens Once In The Spray Tan Room? Put your barrier cream on your hands and feet (see IGTV on Instagram). Apply liberally, but if you want to do it perfectly google some videos. I’m not the best at it. Put on your hairnet and make sure it’s not too far onto your forehead (true story – I had like a full 1/2 inch tan near my hairline on my whole face once for an entire day). In the winter, I usually put a hairnet on my face too, so that only a bit of it gets on my face. This can make it pretty uneven between my face and my chest, but I don’t love a super tan face in winter (or ever on me). I really just want a tan body, not an orange face. Take off jewelry, at least your necklaces and bracelets (I leave my rings because I always have those on so those tan lines don’t matter). Step on a towel or buy the little foam things to stand on or else the bottom of your feet will be orange for weeks. Get into the booth – NAKED or with whatever clothes you want (but you’ll have SEVERE “tan” lines). Press the button and wait for the robot lady to tell you to move into the above four poses as the sprayer goes up and down 4 times. It then dries you on both sides. Spray Tan Lores 11 What Are The DOs And DONT’s After Getting A Spray Tan? You can’t take a shower for 8 hours – that’s the minimum amount of time for it to “activate”. If you see it looking REALLY DARK then wash your face and chest. I think it sticks faster there and it can look dark and really unnatural. I usually don’t shower the next day because I like it to keep activating and get even darker, but you kinda stink and it’s pretty gross. Most people shower the next morning but don’t scrub and don’t use a rag. Just let the water run and you’ll see the brown water of the bronzer go down the drain. You should be careful about having sex for 8 hours, too. I’ve NEVER been in this situation before but I’ve heard from an airbrush person that if “certain liquids” get on it it will indeed take it off if under the 8 hours within that region. That “tan line” is harder to explain in a bathing suit the next day at the pool… You should expect that it will get on your sheets, jammies, pillowcases, and towels. Mine always comes out, but I can’t vouch for your spray tan (it’s the same with most tanning lotions). I will say that if you like your sheets crisp white then you should likely need to bleach them, but again it’s not a huge problem for me. You can go swimming, get a massage, sit in a hot tub, steam room, or sauna but all those things will reduce how long it lasts. I tell you this because usually people spray tan before vacation, so just know the consequences of your fun :) I feel like one day in a chlorine pool takes mine totally off (If I’m on vacation I use St. Tropez at night on my legs and I’m happy – use the mitt). THE NEXT DAY (or 8 hours later): Spray Tan Lores 15 Yep. There she is. You might say that my legs are tanner than my face and you are right. I could use bronzer on my face if I wanted to even it out, but I wanted to show you what it looked like. That color will last for 2 -3 days with minimal showering. I consider it makeup for your body. It’s not that big of a deal but it does make me feel more comfortable at least wearing shorts. Head to the video to watch the video of the process which is both entertaining and yes, embarrassing but super informative. If the booth spray sounds like too much to you (or you just want a good at-home product) here are our favorites: I’ve used the St. Tropez for years and love it (I opt for the booth because it can get back, butt, and is just more even but if I ever just want legs done I use this). Kate Somerville wipes are great if you have some color already but just want a glow, and Julie and Sara both love the Neutrogena and Banan Boat options. We would love your suggestions in the comments – especially if there are any new organic brands (or booths) we should try.

Why You Should Always Keep Your Basil From Flowering If You Want to Eat It, Gardeners Say

Basil flowering takes energy from leaf production, causing leaves to become bitter and bad for cooking. Keep basil from flowering by pinching off any flowering bits to redirect energy to the leaves. Prune and pinch your plant regularly to keep it healthy, lush, and useful. With the right love and care for a basil plant, it's not long before you have the main ingredients for delicious culinary recipes and a wonderfully bright addition to your herb garden. But trouble could be brewing if your basil plant grows too far. When flowers appear on a basil plant, it's best to get rid of them and stop them from continuously blooming. But why is it important to keep your basil from flowering? Here's what the experts say happens, and what to do if your plant has already flowered. Meet the Expert Adam Weiss is a master gardener and the founder of Pike Lane Gardens, a wellness program rooted in sustainability bringing organic vegetable gardening to the workplace. Sara Rubens is a certified garden coach and the founder of Seed to Sanctuary, which helps folks create edible gardens. Why Keep Basil From Flowering? Although there are over a dozen different types of basil out there, you'll find that it's better to prevent most from flowering. Flowers can range from white to purple and while they might look nice, this impacts the flavor. "If left to bloom, the plant will redirect its energy toward producing seeds rather than growing new leaves," says master gardener Adam Weiss. "This can cause the plant to slow or stop leaf production, making the existing leaves tough and bitter." Bitter basil defeats the purpose of an herb garden as the leaves become unusable in cooking. The best way to stop this is to prevent basil from flowering. Simply pinch off any flowers or buds to continue redirecting energy to the leaves. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! What Happens If Basil Flowers If basil flowers, it becomes more bitter. That's why pruning basil is a large part of the care requirements for this plant. Have a pair or scissors or shears at the ready to collect leaves and nip anything in the bud before it blooms. "By pinching off the flower buds as soon as you see them, you encourage the plant to keep producing fresh, tender leaves instead of going into reproduction mode, often called bolting," says certified garden coach Sara Rubens. By making use of your basil plant, you're also supporting its health and growth. So don't be shy about snipping off leaves for your projects. "Regularly harvesting basil and removing the top few sets of leaves (including any flower buds) also keeps the plant bushy and vigorous," explains Rubens. "It promotes branching, which leads to a fuller, more productive plant." What to Do If Your Basil Already Flowered Don't worry if your basil has already flowered, you have a few choices to prevent more bitter leaves. "You can still pinch off the blooms and harvest, but the flavor might not be as sweet or intense as it was before," says Rubens. As for any other plants? Keep a watchful eye and stay on top of pruning to avoid losing out on the tastiest flavor. However, you don't have to remove or cut back the ones that have flowered either. "If you’re growing multiple basil plants, you can choose to let a few flowers remain, which will help attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to your garden," says Weiss. "You can then use those flowers to create basil-infused oils and vinegars." Other Basil Care Tips If you're new to growing basil or are after a few extra care tips, here's what to know: Transplant your basil outside at the right time. Weiss says to start it by seed indoors, then move seedlings outdoors once it starts hitting 70°F outside, where they should be spaced 8-10 inches apart. Grow companion plants for basil like asparagus, tomatoes, and chamomile nearby to keep pests at bay and boost the flavor. Don't forget about a good fertilizer. "Periodically use a nitrogen-based fertilizer on your basil plants to stimulate healthy leaf development," says Weiss. Create a regular pruning cadence to prevent blooming and create a plant that's more voluminous.

Transitioning your Fashion for the Seasons

As you may know I have a partnership with thredUP that involves me playing a lot of dress-up. Read all about why I partnered with the world’s largest online thrift store, here. If you hate clothing then skip this post and come back Monday for design content, but if you find yourself sitting, wondering ‘how does Emily Henderson transition her striped dress from winter to summer’ then you can check that box off your bucket list because that answer is FINALLY going to be answered (keeping in mind, I’m “transitioning” here in Los Angeles, so there’s not a heavy snow jacket in sight). We all know that layering is key both in home and fashion, so that’s pretty much what I do here. First up – the pink shift dress – for work and play. Emily Henderson Transitional Fashion Pink Dress This whole experience was great for me because I rarely curate my outfits and I mostly just throw things on as soon as one of my two kids lets go of my legs, 2 minutes before I should be out the door. For this first outfit, I tucked a short and fitted chambray underneath this thick pink shift and wore my no-longer-available blue menswear duster with some booties. EDITThredUp_AB-6164 Then I de-shirted, added my go-to mules (which I wear almost every day) and spring sprang. EDITThredUp_AB-6187 That bag is from Fashionable, and it’s a b-corp company (meaning that they are invested in making the world a bit better) so if you are interested in that bag, I highly suggest it. It’s just so pretty. Most of the clothing is no longer available but you can troll through thredUP to see what similar pieces you can find. Meanwhile we put together a get the look (tip – the chambray shirt we chose I love but I just realized that it probably isn’t fitted enough to work underneath a dress, so make sure to get something stiff and fitted to layer). Below is the outfit that I would say is the biggest risk for me, and in many ways not me. I mean, I love a culotte on those fashionistas but I fear that they don’t look nearly as good on most of America as they do on models. HOWEVER I do kinda like these electric blue mom pants. The sweater is not something I would normally gravitate towards but heck, we were in a playful room so lets put on something playful, no? Emily Henderson Transitional Fashion Floral Sweater I do, however, love a boxy top on a fitted short/skirt or skinny jeans (and yes those are shorts, I’m not wearing THAT mini of a mini). EDITThredUp_AB-6800 That is the first time in SBEH history that I’ve worn my hair up in a bun. Don’t know if I’ll rotate it into my constant ‘wavy loose hair down’ or ‘unmade hair + hat’ repretoire, but even I was like oh man, it’s nice to see her doing something different with those locks. Now to a more typical ‘me’ outfit – the old striped boxy top + wide leg jean combo. EDITThredUp_AB-6294 These jeans were pre-Elliot jeans, and while my post-2-baby body may not be rocking them as well as I used to, I LOVE them and feel good in them. If I could duplicate that sweater I would. I love the fit, despite the 9 stains it now has that I pretend to not notice. Emily Henderson Transitional Fashion Jeans Winter = sweater/closed toe, summer = blouse/open toe. It’s not rocket science but it is kinda fun to see, right? For those of you not interested in non-design content, here! I’m holding flowers! They are for you to forgive me for a fashion post. EDITThredUp_AB-6350 For those of you interested in fashion, here are some get the looks: Lastly, and maybe my most favorite – The ‘playfully outdoorsy neutral flea market’ outfit. EDITThredUp_AB-6445 Fun fact, I’ve had that Old Navy jacket since I was 23 – which was like FOUR YEARS AGO (jk) and I still wear it. This one was about the dress (which was actually a maternity dress, that I still wear) and how I wear it in winter and spring. Emily Henderson Transitional Fashion Stripped Dress Fall/winter = pants, boots, jacket, and hat. Spring/summer = jean jacket, colorful bag, and mules. My I’m having so much fun in that outfit! And my how very short that skirt is . . . I don’t typically rock a colorful bag, but this outfit kinda wanted it and it’s making me start to rethink my ‘only camel, nude, and black leather bag’ subconscious rule. EDITThredUp_AB-6605 There you go. Again with this dress make sure that it’s thick enough to go over your jeans without doing that annoying things that jeans do underneath longer dresses. This post wasn’t sponsored by thredUP, although I did steal all the photos from them :) So if you are looking for a VERY affordable way to hunt and find used but quality clothes, head to thredUP. Otherwise all the links here are for similar clothes as well. There you go, folks. You get it – more layers, more warmth, closed toes, and more coverage in the fall/winter. Brighter colors, less layers, and apparently MUCH more leg in the spring/winter. Thanks to thredUP for giving me an excuse to get my model on. It was actually far more fun than I thought it was going to be. *P.S. As you know I am very fair skinned, so I do a spray tan called the ‘Versa Spa’ on level 2 (but it’s probably different everywhere – so try before some sort of important event). It’s way better than the mystic, but so much cheaper, faster, and more natural than airbrush (at least for us pale people – they ALWAYS over do me). It takes me 4 minutes from parking to back in my car and makes me feel a little better about showing so much skin. I know a lot of you have asked about it on Instagram or in comments so I figured I’d give them some unpaid endorsement.