Commuter Must-Haves: What I use to stay comfortable on my multifaceted commute.

Planes, trains, and automobiles. How do you get to work? My daily commute consists of a bus, a ferry, and a walk. Staying organized, dry, and comfortable are KEY to starting my workday on the right foot. 

Our Pacific NW weather has a mind all it's own. On any given day my commute can consist of rain, sun, wind, sometimes snow. My main goals while commuting are to keep my hair dry (hello frizz), get to work with my hands free, and ideally arrive without being too sweaty from the walk.

Here are my MUST HAVE commuter items for our crazy Seattle weather. These items are tested and approved by yours truly! 

non-negotiables 

1.   A backpack that holds everything. I mean everything. I love this Everlane backpack because it holds all I need with room to spare. On the daily, I carry breakfast, lunch, 2 snacks, an umbrella, a notebook, a clutch (with my wallet and whatnot) and a coffee cup. I can easily fit it all into this backpack, and HELLOOOOOOO it’s only $48!
2. A rain jacket that doesn’t make me sweaty. My North Face rain coat keeps me dry, but is also breathable. I can layer a sweater underneath for colder months, or can just wear a light layer underneath in the Spring.
3. Wireless headphones. If I’m not recording a morning walk, I prefer to have my hands free with my phone in my pocket. I love these I.Am buttons because they have multiple ear pieces to ensure you get the perfect fit. A huge bonus is that the backs magnatize and stay around your neck if you take them off.  
4. I wear a hat every single day. Wind and humidity will erase any resemblance of a hair style by the time I get to work. A light beanie keeps my hair from whipping in the wind, but isn’t so tight that my hair goes flat.  
5. Comfy sneakers. I deal with hills, wonky sidewalks, and sometimes the occasional jog if I’m running late to the boat. I only make my commute in sneakers to quicken my pace, and also to save my feet (and my work shoes) from overwear.  

Let me know- how do you get to work? What are your commuting must haves?  

Happy Travels! 

xo, Terra  

Travel Must Haves: Plane and Hotel Room Essentials

travel is one of my love languages

I really love traveling. I wholeheartedly believe it's the best thing you can spend your money on. I love exploring new cultures, eating new foods, and making memories to last a lifetime.

The only trade off with travel is that it can be disruptive to your normal schedules, and I also LOVE my normal schedule!

I spent almost 3 years traveling multiple times a month for work. During this time, I quickly identified things that drove me nuts about traveling...

1. Plane air is so dry.
2. Airplane seats are dirty, but not as dirty as tray tables.
3. Dry hotel air makes my nose hurt.
4. Dry air is an issue for me everywhere.. lol

One of my missions was to bring the things I love about home (including my family) on the road with me whenever possible.

Without further adieu, here are the products I can't live without while I'm on the road!

leaving on a jet plane 

I'll say it. Planes give me an eew factor. I don't know who was sleeping/sweating/drooling in my seat before me, and I don't really want to know. When I settle down in my seat, the first thing I do is wipe all of the surfaces down with a baby wipe. Honest Co. wipes are my favorite. I feel like they're up for the task of a good plastic scrub-down. They and double as a way to 'wash' your hands somewhere other than the airplane bathroom (you know, the one with water splashed all over the counter). I kid you not, every time I wipe down a tray table, the wipe turns a new color... ew. 

Next, I slather on hand cream, and seal it in with aquaphor. I also put aquaphor on my lips and right below my nostrils (stay away, dry air!!)

To keep hydrated from the insides, I aim to drink 16 oz of water at minimum- per hour- on my flights. No need for a dehydration headache at 30,000 feet!  I love to add a greens tab to at least one of those glasses of H2O.

About halfway into the flight, I pull out a sheet mask, and treat myself to a mini-spa session. You may think, 'wow, she's crazy to do that in public,' but here's the thing. No one's looking at me. People are watching their movies, or on their computers. The only person who looks at me weird is my child... but he does that no matter where we are... #momlife 

living that hotel life

Once I'm off the plane and in my hotel room, I do 2 things:

1. Wipe down the doorknobs, nightstands, and bathroom counter with my trust wipes. again... stranger germs.
2. Unpack my travel humidifier, and essential oils, and set up shop on the night stand.

I used to get pretty chronic sinus infections when I travelled. I learned from my doctor that the most likely source was the dry hotel I was breathing during my trips. When the air is too dry, your sinuses dry out. That mucus (eew, gross word) that's normally in your nose prevents bacteria from getting into your system, and when it's not there, BAM! sickness.

Once I started traveling with a humidifier I immediately started sleeping better, and *knock on wood* haven't had a sinus infection.

Beauty BONUS side effects:

1. I don't wake up puffy (hello moisturized sinuses!)
2. My skin stays hydrated and dewy vs dry and ashy
3. No more static hotel-hair
4. I just sleep better! Humidified air is easier for me to breathe. My whole family feels a difference when I forget to pack the humidifier.
5. I pack essential oils to support whatever it is that I'm doing. If it's a work trip to open a new store, I pack eucalyptus because I find it invigorating. If I'm going on a relaxing weekend getaway, I throw lavender and bergamot in my bag to make my room feel like and extension of the spa.

This Crane humidifier is awesome because it's tiny, and if you're really pressed for space, you can leave the cup at home, and just use a glass from the hotel room.

Regardless of the trip location, length, or travel companions, these products are always in my carry on! 

Tell me, what are you're travel must-haves?

Happy travels!

xo, Terra