Packing Light Weekend Edition

Since I usually travel with my backpack whether I am on the road for five days or fifteen, I wondered if I could get it down even smaller the last time I went to London for the weekend.

I set myself the challenge of carrying just a small handbag. And guys! It was so easy!

I put together a layered outfit for the autumn/winter weather mix. Then I filled my purse and headed out the door.

The freedom of walking onto an airplane with nothing but a purse is glorious.

Here are a few of the things I found super handy about being in a big city with only a small handbag:

• Knowing that I would not need to figure out where to stash my backpack while I was in meetings or at a play.
• Not having to check my bag when visiting museums.
• Not having to go back to my hostel to collect my bag.
• Not bumping anyone on the tube with my backpack.

I can’t always manage traveling this light but for two nights away it was totally doable!

So here it is! The Packing Light Weekend Edition rundown of what was in my bag + what I was wearing:

In My Bag:

tissues

rolled up shopping bag

band-aid (I was breaking in new boots!)

head band (Buff)

one book

granola bars/tea bags/1 dried oatmeal

phone charger and headphones

underwear

pen/tiny notebook/headlamp

oyster card

pill bottle full of a cocktail of any meds I need (ibuprofen, allergy meds, vitamins)

weensie toiletries (in a ziplock bag ready for airplane security)

wallet

money belt (which I wear under my clothes with most of my cash/credit cards in it)

Wearing:

a pair of dark jeans + underpants (with leggings underneath because it was super cold!)

a cream long sleeved t-shirt + bra 

a short-sleeved t-shirt on top

a long red cardigan

my winter coat (warm + waterproof)

a scarf (used around my neck when cold, tied up my hair with it when it was warmer)

wool socks and boots

(I used the leggings and short-sleeved t-shirt as pjs and then crammed them into my handbag the next morning instead of wearing them the second day.)

I’m super curious! Would you ever leave or have you ever left home for a weekend with only a handbag or purse??

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