"Hey Stephanie! What's in Your Carry-On?"

In Stephanie's carry-on...
(a sampling)

- guilty pleasure magazines: I am partial to celebrity tabloids like US Weekly, but since I am a subscriber to Entertainment Weekly, that always ends up in my bag as well. I don’t feel  embarrassed about pulling that one out in public.

- Nook: I am still a fan of reading traditional print books; however, when traveling it just makes more sense to pack the Nook so I have many selections on hand. I still pack one print book to take to the pool or beach.

- book of puzzles: I am a junkie for puzzles (mostly word puzzles), and this helps restore the brain cells lost while reading US Weekly.

- travel journal and pen: I really like to create scrapbooks for our vacations, but the journal is the first step for that. It is small and portable, so I am able to keep track of where we go and what we do. If I remember or I am not too tired at the end of the day.

- medicine bag: Always together; never apart.

- snacks, vegan of course: Being vegan means doing some planning ahead, and I like to visit one of our local specialty stores to stock up on some tasty snacks for the plane.

- at least one change of clothes and underwear: In the event of lost luggage, at least there is something else to wear. In the event of a mealtime disaster or your baby’s projectile spit-up, at least you have clean alternatives.

- toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant: Do yourself and everyone around you a favor.

- important documents: Check, recheck, and check again. Passports, boarding passes, online tickets for tours and shows, etc...don’t leave home without them.

- chargers, adapters, iPhone and camera: This little bag has gotten out of hand over the years. I like technology as much as the next guy, but I get tired of schlepping all of my cables and adapters around with me on trips.

- scarf: I have one of those big pashminas that is great for snuggling with on a cool plane. On my flight to Vienna in May, it was nowhere near enough protection from the Arctic temperatures of the exit row, but it was a start.

- pair of socks or slippers (for overnight flights): I was SO glad I had packed my slippers for our overnight flight to Vienna. Yes, I changed into shoes before using the bathroom. I was completely repulsed by the passengers who visited the bathroom in bare feet or socks. Seriously, people. That is disgusting. Those bathrooms were not getting any cleaners as the hours ticked by.

- Ernesto the Sock Monkey: We have a miniature sock monkey that travels with us everywhere we go so we can photograph him seeing the sights. It has become a fun tradition for us, and one we know we will especially have fun with when we have children.

What do you pack in your carry-on? Anything fun?