Bag mania....packing a carry-on for a long trip

If someone had told me 10 years ago I could travel for 2.5 weeks overseas with one carry-on bag I would have laughed! I always took more clothing than I needed, along with too much of everything else. A few years ago I traveled with one bag for the first time, and I swear I won't ever go back! Many people have asked how I do it, and since I am packing for this trip I decided to photo-document the process. Here goes:

I use an Eagle Creek "Load Warrior" 22 inch carry-on. It weighs 6.5 pounds empty.

The empty bag....nothing fancy here

Since it has a retractable handle, I pack small items in the ridges such as my umbrella,

anorak, and a small roll of t.p. (my experience in Europe is that toilet paper isn't a sure-thing).

For the first time I will be carrying a large digital SLR camera and 2 lenses. These additions have presented a packing challenge! I broke the camera down into the smallest components for travel, packing the body in a foam envelope.

Each lens is packed in a sock!

all my clothing is in this packing envelope, also made by Eagle Creek.

I have 2 pashmina scarves, 4 tops, 1 dress, & 1 skirt.

I carry one extra pair of shoes.

Note that everything is black and white! Each item works with everything else.

It all dries quickly. I still might cull a couple more things from the pack...

This cube (also Eagle Creek) holds a couple changes of underwear and socks,

a foldable water bottle, quick-drying towel, 2 moleskin notebooks,

a small set of watercolors, & double-sided tape.

I write and send postcards to myself as I travel.

It is a treat to receive them after I get back!

This is my "liquids" clear plastic bag, found at the Container Store.

The surface-area is the size of a one-quart ziploc, but this bag has a base so it holds more.

I purchased several one-ounce flip-top bottles for shampoo, etc., and I have several packets of Woolite for washing out my clothing as needed.

This is what I pull out for my friends at the TSA to look at when going through security. Grrr.

Another of the plastic bags holds all my cords. Sheesh.

I can't help it: I'm a nerd.

My cute little MacBook Air in a lovely red Speck protective cover.

I just bought the padded Incase sleeve. So cute! So lightweight!

The liquids case and the laptop are situated on the surface so I can quickly pull them out to go through security. Grrrrr. Oh well......

See how nicely it all fits inside?

For this trip I plan to use a small daypack and travel wallet in lieu of a purse

since I'll be carrying my larger camera a great deal of the time.

My dog is not happy to see the suitcase.

Don't worry: she stays with close friends of ours who

spoil her rotten while we are away!