Welcome back to another Tuesday, another confession!
As (most) everyone knows, I am departing Colorado for beautiful, sunny Palm Springs, CA. next Wednesday to spend two glorious weeks basking in the sun (under a hat, and 18 layers of zinc oxide. Gotta maintain my porcelain skin here, peeps!) taking Vivien outside, and hopefully to the beach one day, as well.
To say I am excited, and counting down the minutes, is the understatement of the year.
However, with every single vacation, I find myself shopping for a new suitcase a week prior to leaving. You see, at one point, I had a good suitcase. It lasted quite a few trips, too. Then, a certain best friend’s spawn dog ate it. Yes friends, he chewed a hole through my favorite suitcase. I had to duct tape the hole closed in order to get home.
Thus began my unlucky streak with suitcases.
I purchased a cute zebra print one that is the size of a carry-on. The zipper broke after two flights. I purchased a bigger (28 inch) one for my trip to Michigan over the summer. On the way there, the front zipper broke.
Maybe it’s my fault because all of those suitcases were purchased at Ross Dress for Less, rather than a legit suitcase store (do they have those?) They were also all bought because they were stylish, and easily recognizable. They were also all under $50.
Vivien’s first airplane ride to Palm Springs. She was 2 1/2 months old. She slept both ways, the entire time. Best flight ever.
So yesterday, I went to Walmart, and spent $70 on a brand new suitcase. It says it has a warranty, though it also says it doesn’t cover airline mishandling. But it looks sturdy, and will hopefully (knock on wood, quick!) last me more than one trip.
Otherwise, my husband has threatened making me use his United States Navy issued sea-bag from here on out.
Can I also say that I am not excited to try to cram two weeks worth of clothing into one suitcase, plus clothes for Vivien, and all her junk? I refuse to pay an extra $25 for another bag both ways, so I will be using a 28″ suitcase for all of our clothing, and then carrying a duffel bag and a diaper bag on the plane with me. (As well as gate checking her stroller, and car-seat.) Hopefully she will actually stay put in the ergo carrier, and not try to kamikaze jump out of it in the security line.
My head in spinning, and prayers are appreciated. Traveling solo with a toddler that hates to be restrained. Oy.
Do you have any tips on how to pack most efficiently?
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Bahahaha Dante is very sorry that your suitcase was very tasty. He promises to never chew on another one again…because he gets locked up now. He has proven very untrustworthy.
At least you’re going to the beach — you can get a lot of use out of a few sundresses so packing light is a little easier and flip-flops don’t take up too much room in there. Could you possibly ship any baby necessities? Cheaper than checking it.
Yes. Don’t pack so much and use your dad’s washing machine! I bet he has one. In the hall across from the spare bedroom. I think. Anyway I hope your suitcase checks out. I got mine from TJ maxx. Its not about the location you purchased it from, its the brand. If I didn’t know the brand, I didn’t buy it. Nugget got herself a new black on black houndstooth with neon pink pulls for $ 60. The brand: DaKine. I trust this brand as they are the makers of my snowboard luggage which has to be tough. It has held thru flights and a million times of being thrown in the bed of a truck and hauled up and down California. Her suitcase, well so far it looks like it did the day I bought it.