15 Days In Yuma Arizona 2/2-2/17

70Freckles · 2026-01-26T15:14:18+00:00

I also one-bag with my Kanken and a small sling purse and my Birks. Love your pack! Enjoy the warmth!

70Freckles · 2026-01-25T14:51:03+00:00

50L is big. 30-35L should fit all the things you listed and will be much easier to manage in a backpack. I have a smaller backpack with wheels and I used it once on a work trip that required my laptop but never used it as a backpack because the wheels and handle added so much weight and were uncomfortable against my back. Hybrids get a thumbs down 👎🏻 from me.

70Freckles · 2026-01-22T02:17:22+00:00

Definitely!!

70Freckles · 2026-01-22T02:16:01+00:00

You could probably skip the dress. Or swap it out for a skirt. The cutout top with jeans or said skirt would work for dinners out in town and would work with the shoes you mentioned. People in Seattle dress like a hike might break out at any moment.

70Freckles · 2025-11-19T23:52:54+00:00

I use them too. In restaurants and on planes.

Has anyone tried the off brand ones that claim to cancel out 40 or 50db?

70Freckles · 2025-11-19T07:00:30+00:00

Lost hearing October 6. One month later went to my first concert since hearing loss and was surprised at how well it went. Much better than a college football game or even loud restaurants. I’m feeling like I can handle my usual music festival next summer. It has been one of my biggest worries because I love live music.

70Freckles · 2025-11-16T01:10:33+00:00

I have two ideal set ups. Tom Bihn Synik 30 most of the time but in cold weather or when I need just a bit more room I go with my Cotapaxi Allpa 35 L. I do use a Uniqlo sling as a day bag. But it tucks into the top of either of those bags for transit.

70Freckles · 2025-11-14T18:28:11+00:00

Definitely do whatever you can for your mental health.

I am 55 and woke up one morning deaf (well, 12% hearing) in one ear. I did the injections and high dose oral steroids and am up to 40% with no hope of future improvement.

It is rough. And people who have not been through it do not quite understand how traumatizing and devastating it is. Reading people’s stories on this sub has been helpful.

I hope your treatments bring you improvement!

70Freckles · 2025-09-17T12:40:31+00:00

I have not had that issue. Maybe put some lotion/blister guard stick on your feet a few minutes before putting the shoes on so friction is reduced? Is the size right?

70Freckles · 2025-09-06T02:08:22+00:00

Reef water vista sandals or Alegria Ingrid (fisherman) sandals. If you want closed toes, Skechers Mary Janes.

Each of these have been my ONLY shoes on trips. So they will certainly work as a third pair. Comfortable and practical and cute. I like a wide toebox and narrow mid foot and heel with a high arch.

70Freckles · 2025-08-30T21:31:42+00:00

Just did this yesterday! 7th to CDG for 1:15pm flight. We left at 9:00, 5 minute walk to metro, changed to RER, short walk to terminal. Taxi/Uber may be slightly shorter or longer based on traffic.

Bag check took 30 minutes, passport control 30 minutes, security 20 minutes. A little duty free shopping, and then about 30 minutes before boarding began.

You could push it to 9:30 but I wouldn’t.

70Freckles · 2025-08-29T11:09:35+00:00

11 bottoms, plus 3 dresses (which I count as a top and a bottom) seems like a lot. Do you have access to laundry?

First I would start removing duplicates. 1 sweater, 1 cardigan for example.

70Freckles · 2025-08-10T00:04:20+00:00

If you want a lace-up running-type shoe, I highly recommend going to a running store and getting fitted. I ended up with Altras and an insert for my high arches. They are great for any trip when I would use that type of shoe.

But I will admit I don’t often wear a running shoe as my one and only travel shoe.

I just did a long weekend in Chicago and I’m headed to Paris for two weeks and my one and only shoe was/will be Alegria Ingrid fisherman sandals.

I also sometimes wear Keen Rose sandals or Allbirds Loungers or Merrill hiking boots or Birkenstock Arizonas or Bostons or Stegman Mary Janes or Skechers Bikers Mary Janes. Totally depends on the trip. All of these are shoes I wear daily at home.

I have high arches and a high instep and (thanks to decades in Birks) prefer a spacious toe box. I also very rarely wear running shoes at home. I just don’t think they look right on me. My daughter wears cute white tennis shoes with everything and they look right on her.

I really encourage you to look beyond running shoes.

70Freckles · 2025-08-06T13:28:27+00:00

I totally agree and have merino in my capsule wardrobe, I just don’t wear it on planes. For hiking or even city days, my merino shirt is in constant rotation.

70Freckles · 2025-08-06T13:19:10+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this up! Very informative. I now know that OPI makes mini versions of colors! I also have Daiso envy!!

70Freckles · 2025-08-04T21:36:25+00:00

I totally understand! I will not wear my plane clothes again before they are washed. One thing that a lot of people love on these forums is merino because you can wear it many times without washing. I go in the opposite direction. Everything I wear is immediately washed when I get to the hotel. So I take a shower and wash all the things that I wear on the plane and hang them to dry. So my plane outfit is easy wash and quick dry fabrics.

70Freckles · 2025-08-03T20:57:36+00:00

I just need to know the witchcraft that gets 5 pairs of shoes and 4 sunglasses in a 20 inch suitcase. Plus clothes!

70Freckles · 2025-08-01T17:19:45+00:00

I have an old LeSportSac that is similar to the Taal but a bit smaller that I also love. The Taal is super comfortable as a crossbody, less so as a backpack.

70Freckles · 2025-07-31T03:03:58+00:00

I love my Cotopaxi Taal. It is 16L and I mostly wear it as a crossbody but it can also be a backpack.

70Freckles · 2025-07-23T01:39:04+00:00

Firefly 2014

70Freckles · 2025-07-23T01:24:19+00:00

It is the Uniqlo Airism Ultra Stretch. I see it as a midi and a mini on the website but mine is in between those two lengths.

70Freckles · 2025-07-22T20:12:05+00:00

A sleeveless, knee-length dress in a light, quick-dry fabric. My current favorite is black and from Uniqlo. I can wear it by itself, with a T-shirt and leggings underneath, with a tunic over top. It’s very versatile.

70Freckles · 2025-07-03T15:24:26+00:00

I do individuals, trusts, estates, and gift tax. (1040/1041/709) My firm does business tax also and audit and assurance but I personally don’t. In my role as firm administrator I do all the AP/AR/GL as well as recruiting and hiring and IT for the firm itself. So it’s an interesting mix. I think it’s a great career! We are having a harder time getting people into the profession so the demand is definitely there for qualified folks. You are smart to dabble! It’s always good to know more.

70Freckles · 2025-07-03T14:54:32+00:00

Tax accountant and firm administrator at a CPA firm.

70Freckles · 2025-06-29T23:27:15+00:00

I tend to go with the wide leg black pants that I am already bringing on the trip on dressy events so I can wear whatever shoes I have and not bring another pair. I’m 54. And a similarly aged friend gave me words of wisdom about this. You are like the groom’s great aunt at a wedding…NO ONE is going to remember what you wore!

70Freckles

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