FC BARCELONA

Leah Ketcham was inspired to start the Krickette line of handbags after a trip to India in 2009—you can see the influence in her whimsical, colorful bags. The bags also give back: some of the line is made in Los Angeles and the textiles and adornments are sourced from global charitable community groups in foreign lands. You just know Leah's going to have a unique carry on bag. Here's what she travels with:

What does your carry on bag look like?

I use the Krickette carry-on bag,  It is out of this world cool, very colorful and a real eye-catcher. Crazy fun color combinations and bright colors in the blue and sand versions. Not for the tame hearted! The pink version is feminine with flower patterned embroidery. The pompom tassel embellishment is fun and whimsical.



I am low maintenance when it comes to travel beauty products: My key items are: drinking water, Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer, Purel Deep cleaning hand sanitizer wipes and eye drops. I typically don’t wear make-up on flights and just wear a lot of moisturizer and eye cream.

My girlfriend represents the Magaschoni line. I have several cashmere wraps in fun colors. I also wear Seaton Boyfriend sweaters. Both of which are super cozy and warm.

This Magaschoni cardi is ideal for a plane.

I try to catch up on several pounds of magazines that pile up waiting for a “rainy day” or “trip”. I also use the plane ride to get a lot of work done (e.g., contracts, financials, etc.).


I usually don’t listen to music. I save that for working out. If I listen to anything on the plane, it is a movie.


I’m a “PC person” but, when I travel I rely on my Mac Book Air.

In the past year: India, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Paris, London, Dominican Republic, Greece, Newport, Nantucket, Orcas Island.

Money is often the biggest stress when it comes to vacations. We always urge you to stay within your budget, look for deals and save for special trips. If you need extra help, check out Carmen Wong Urlich's book, The Real Cost of Living: Making the Best Choices for You, Your Life, and Your Money. Carmen, the former host of On the Money is no stranger to traveling for pleasure and business. Here's what she takes in her carry on bag.


I usually carry a giant, silver-grey Martine Sitbon 'bolsa' (similar style below). My pages used to tease me, calling it my "Mary Poppins" bag since I can pull practically anything out of it. When I travel, I pack it with enough that I could reasonably be stranded for a couple of days and survive not only personally, but professionally! I'm also a mom to a 4 year old so it's not strange to find small toys, stickers and snack-pacs in there now and then.

CWU: I cannot go anywhere without hand cream, lip balm and powder. The brands switch in and out but it's all about keeping the hands hydrated after all the hand-washing I do to combat colds while traveling. Lip balm, because planes are so dehydrating, and face powder because this is one greasy Mama!

CWU: Whatever I've recently downloaded, which can be a very eclectic mix, though I tend to like mellow tunes from bands like Si Se when I need to sleep on the plane.

CWU: I countered my usual money-saving advice and picked up Tina Fey's "Bossypants" at my last flight—full price! Well worth it - I adore her and she has me howling every other page. One flight recently I managed to make it almost totally through "The Imperfectionists" by Tom Rachman--such a page-tuner. Being a media-gal though, I usually pack more magazines than books -- I like to get through 'WIRED', 'Vanity Fair' and 'BusinessWeek' to catch up on stories I haven't read online.


CWU: Definitely -- I've always been a scarf gal so I'm always toting a long, wide scarf that can be opened up into a mini-blanket when I'm cold and scrunched up it's a great pillow.

CWU: Nuts, nuts and more nuts! Though I just flew Virgin America for the first time recently and I gotta say, fantastic snack/food choices—if the same could be on every flight (including the ability to order on a touch-screen at your seat) I'd be a very happy camper.


CWU: I got my husband one birthday an amazing set of Bose noise-canceling headphones. Well, now I use them too! They make an amazing difference during the flight and are super comfortable.

Today we're peeking inside the carry on bag of jewelry designer, Lacey Ryan. Her pieces are designed to bring luck, protection and strength to the wearer. Here's what she travels with:

Whichever bag is closest at the moment with the most room possible!

I always travel with Smashbox tinted moisturizer because I find my skin getting really dry after a long day of traveling and Smith’s Rosebud Salve

I like to feel relaxed when traveling and escape into the music. Right now on my iPod is Mumford and Sons, The Temper Trap, Beduoin, Soundclash, The XX, Coldwar Kids, Bon Iver and of course, Adele

I like to stock up on magazines in the airport.

I always have a super soft and large jersey knit scarf

Pretzels and Sour Patch Kids for a mix of sweet and salty

I always travel with a couple of sets of Lacey Ryan bracelets so I can have to mix, match and stack throughout my trip. I also always have my jewelry tools with me...you never know!

Amanda Pressner in New Zealand

We knew The Lost Girls before they journeyed around the world (1 year, four continents, three friends) and have followed the trio's adventures ever since. We were able to pin down Amanda Pressner between trips to Jackson Hole and St. Lucia long enough to find out what's in her carry on. If you haven't read the Lost Girls book yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy—it's out in paperback this week!

What type of carry on bag do you use?
I just invested in an Eagle Creek Rolling Tote on that's designed to work in conjunction with the brand's space-saving packing cubes. Using their products allows me to break the rule of laying out everything you need for a trip and taking half!


What are some of your favorite beauty products when traveling?
A company called Lypsyl makes a lip balm with the smoothest. lightest texture--it hydrates without leaving your mouth feeling greasy. I also pack Elena Rubinstein's travel friendly skincare line, including toners, moisturizers and under-eye cream. Most bottles are 3 ounces or less, and are concentrated, so you don't have to use as much (and risk running out during your trip).


What type of music do you like to listen to on the plane?
When trying to relax, I'll chill out to ambient tunes in the vein of Sia, Zero Seven or Cafe Del Mar. But most of the time, you'll find me pecking away on my laptop—in fact, I'm heading back to New York from Jackson Hole, Wyoming and answering these questions in flight!

Any favorite or recent plane reads?
I'm a huge sucker for mindless celebrity gossip, so I'll usually grab a Star or US Weekly, and read that first, before I dig into my copy of InStyle or Lucky...I save fashion mags for flights when I really have time to study them and create "must-buy" lists of stuff that I never end up getting! JSG Note: The Lost Girls book is another ideal plane read!

What type of sweater or wrap do you usually travel with?
I'd kind of forgotten about Eddie Bauer until I popped into one of their stores recently and found a fantastic denim jacket that felt cut just for me. I'm also obsessed with SmartWool's layering pieces (shown), as they keep me cozy whether the plane is boiling hot or freezing cold.



Any favorite plane snacks?
On my Jackson trip, I sampled "Tram Bars" which are incredibly addictive granola and chocolate treats that can replace a meal or two snacks. I bought several to throw in my bag for future trips! I do try to eat some kind of whole food item (yogurt, fruits salad, nuts) when I fly since it can be all to easy to grab an Annie Anne's pretzel or a burrito in the airport and feel kinda gross afterward!

Anything else in your carry on?
See question #1—way too much! I've got a pair of OTBT (Off the Beaten Track) boots that look trendy but are comfortable enough to go for miles and miles by foot in a new city. I also pack a ton of scarves for every trip, because you can literally wear black jeans and tee shirt or sweater every day and change the look of your whole outfit by swapping the scarf. And though its a pain to constantly refill the bottles, I bring small sizes of my favorite curly hair products—its worth it to me to have good hair days on the road.

We caught up with famed swimwear designer Mara Hoffman to find out what's in her carry on. Here's what she travels with:

I use a vintage Gucci bag that was my Grandmother's. I'm not a "label" person at all but this bag is so fantastic and there is nothing wrong with some vintage Gucci ;)....OR one of my printed Duffles from my Swim Collection.

LaMer oil absorbing moisturizer, if it's a beach destination then some oil free high spf sunblock, Egyptian Magic, lip mositurizers, and Skintimates shaving cream!!!



What type of music do you like to listen to on the plane? 
Depends, I'm a big Bob Dylan fan, or I love mix cd's from friends.

Any favorite or recent plane reads?
As of recently... Hypnobirthing books :)

What type of sweater or wrap do you usually travel with?
One of my cashmere big wraps or a cotton one depending on the season and weather. (The sweater below is from the Mara Hoffman Spring 2011 collection.) I love them because they double as blankets. Also, I am obsessed with African Kikoys and always travel with one, great for covering your eyes on a plane, they also make great turbans once you hit the beach!

Any favorite plane snacks?
Anything hydrating, fruit, tons of water

Sketch books, mechanical pencils, and inflatable neck pillows!

This week we're looking inside Rachel Wolery's carry on bag. Rachel is a co-founder of ZipSetGo.com and host of Traveler's Night In twitter events on Thursdays. Tomorrow's is a biggie--in honor of the first TNI anniversary, the topic is Best of TNI and you can enter to win a Mac Book Air. Join in tomorrow 3:30-5 EST on twitter.

Rachel herself is a self-described travel junkie:

Traveling runs in my family, but I didn’t really catch the bug until I hit college and lived abroad three times in four years.  Once I used my passport, I knew it was something that I was going to make a priority in my life. After a short stint working in public relations, my dream job fell into my lap. For the past 3 years I’ve held various roles for a top 25 meeting and incentive company traveling the world. A year ago three of my colleagues and I created the ZipSetGo.com community to share destination knowledge, and help travelers plan travel fast!"

Here's what Rachel travels with: 

I am really into my Cole Haan satchel right now. I love the cross body and shoulder strap, plus there are compartments to keep me organized and plenty of room for an ipad, and a rolled up change of clothes. If I had my way, I would be toting a Vera Wang for Hartmann mobile traveler as well.


What are some of your must have beauty products when you travel? 
Some products that I am really loving right now are Say Yes To Cucumbers wipes, they are hydrating, portable and perfect for planes; I can’t put on makeup without using Clinique Even Better first; Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector for  a little color and shine; aviator sunglasses are my quick fix for tired eyes, and  lastly, a small bottle Miss Cherie Dior perfume for when I get off the plane.

I wear a lot of cardigans during any season. Every woman travels with a wrap–those planes get chilly!  I like to buy mine when I travel. My favorites are my rainbow of cashmere pashminas from the Florence markets, and my heavier Ikat designs from Ecuador.

I love to nap or read listening to Radiohead, Peter Bjorn and John, Aretha Franklin and Regina Spektor. It's such a treat to have time to do nothing but relax and catch up on reading. When it is almost time to land I listen to more upbeat music like MGMT, Pheonix, and hip-hop.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac is what I am reading now, it’s such a classic I am almost embarrassed to admit that this is my first time reading it! It’s about the author’s cross country adventure, inspiration to get out and travel. As for magazines, I usually pick up Scientific American Mind, psychology is a close favorite behind travel.

I always indulge in a soymilk green tea latte at the airport. I am also really enjoying Kind Bars at Starbucks.

I just got back from a ski vacation to Colorado, hitting the slopes at Vail (below), Breckenridge and Beavercreek and relaxing at night. I love the small mountain towns, they look like they belong inside a snow globe. Before that my family and I went on a vacation to Ecuador, getting off the beaten path and exploring the mountains and markets.

As the founder of one of the first snowboarding companies and the Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women, which she currently runs, Bev Sanders has seen the best of the snow and the surf. Her recent travels have taken her to Tuscany, Manhattan, Mexico, Las Vegas--and she's headed back to Mexico, near Puerto Vallarta where the camp is, next week. Here's what she travels with:


My carry on is an old Eagle Creek wheelie bag. It has hide-away shoulder straps for trekking- very old school. I'd love to buy a new carry-on, but this one's like an old friend- we've been around the world. I save the bed sheet packages. Great for packing, and perfect for carrying wet swimsuits home.

What are some of your must-have beauty products on the plane?
Alba Suncreen, Aveda Brilliant Conditioner, MyChelle moisturizer and a small spray bottle of cool water (for my face) so I arrive refreshed.

What type of sweater or wrap do you wear?
A Patagonia fleece jacket works when I'm flying to Mexico, but I like black cashmere if I'm heading to the big city.


Any recent or fave plane reads?
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It's packed with insight, but light as a feather. Of course, she was the first American woman glider pilot.


Any music playlist for flying?
I love Let Go by Frou Frou. The song makes me feel weightless. Flying is ultimate escape for me and I dream about it constantly.



Anything else you have to have with you when you travel?
I guess I'm an Apple fangirl. I have a MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. Yikes!

Any fave girls' getaway locales?
Come to Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women, we'll share our secret surf spots!