Washington DC with a Synapse Packing List

[nsh]

Washington DC Practice Packing List

Trip Duration: 5 days
Purpose of the trip: Visit family, attend Le Miserables at National Theater, 2 nice dinner outings for holiday celebrations (grade final exams en route)
Bags: Synapse and Field Journal
Technology: iPad (my student’s essays are pre-loaded onto it so I can grade them on the plane using the Pages app) and iPhone/headphones/plug

Plane Outfit:
Emerson Fry Wide leg Jeans
Icebreaker black hoodie
Black tank
Scottevest Jacket
Socks
Dansko shoes (they will double with my skirts and tights)

Main travel pouch:
Patterned black wool skirt (Dinner 1 outfit)
Pink and Gold wool skirt (Theater and dinner 2 outfit)
Turtleneck dress (Family visit outfit)
Black turtleneck (pairs with both skirts)
2 pairs of black tights (to wear with skirts)

Stuff sack:
4 pairs of Icebreaker Undies
1 bra
1 pair of socks

Misc:
Moxie my mini ugly doll
Nice camera

Toiletries:
(My husband and I share deodorant and he carries it- it is unscented) TMI? Maybe.
We will have access to shampoo and toothpaste at my parent’s home.
Contact solution
Mild face wash/Neutrogena face wipes
Eucerin calming night cream
Concealer stick
Clear mascara
Lipstick

[lonestar6]

Looks good , y'all will have a great visit. I personally would go with 2 pair of socks only because I have not found socks that dry quickly, but if you are with your folks you probably have access to a dryer if the weather dumps on you.

Enjoy your visit and i hope you get the grading out of the way before you reach DC.

[nsh]

@lonestar6 Socks are important for cold nights in DC! I usually sneak a pair of my Mom's socks to wear in the evenings. Also, I should note that I keep a pair of flannel PJs and a sweat shirt from high school at their home. One of the biggest pluses of traveling home (aside from seeing family) is the built in back up of travel supplies!

[snowbot]

Cute clothes!

[Badger]

Gotta give a shoutout to the Uglydoll. We used to take (two of) our Uglydogs on trips with us, but as they've gotten older and more--um--well-loved, they've become a little less seaworthy than they used to be.

Have a fun trip, and good luck with all the grading (boo, but at least they're not bluebooks).

[nsh]

Yay for Uglydolls! They are so much fun and I love their names. I picked my doll because her given name is Moxie and I figured I could use a little extra moxie while traveling!

[firewatch]

Seconding the cute clothes! Where did you get your beautiful wool skirts? Are they by any remote chance washable? It's always such a struggle to find things that look good but pack small / last on the road (at least for me).

I took my Synapse to DC for a few days this past summer and I lived in an Athleta skort with tons of pockets. It was great for skipping the bag check at the Smithsonian museums, but also awesome when a man in a utility kilt stood next to me on the Metro and we realized we'd both had the same idea.

[Badger]

Seconding the cute clothes! Where did you get your beautiful wool skirts? Are they by any remote chance washable? It's always such a struggle to find things that look good but pack small / last on the road (at least for me).

I took my Synapse to DC for a few days this past summer and I lived in an Athleta skort with tons of pockets. It was great for skipping the bag check at the Smithsonian museums, but also awesome when a man in a utility kilt stood next to me on the Metro and we realized we'd both had the same idea.

@firewatch, Ibex makes really nice washable wool dresses and skirts. I'm not sure if that's what nsh has, though.

[snowbot]

@firewatch, Ibex makes really nice washable wool dresses and skirts. I'm not sure if that's what nsh has, though.

Badger, you're an enabler with impeccable taste. I've just spent the past 20 minutes looking at the Ibex web page and drooling.

[Lani]

Technology: iPad (my student’s essays are pre-loaded onto it so I can grade them on the plane using the Pages app)

I just want you to know that the geek in me squeed when I saw this. That is SO COOL!!

Looks good , y'all will have a great visit. I personally would go with 2 pair of socks only because I have not found socks that dry quickly, but if you are with your folks you probably have access to a dryer if the weather dumps on you.

I have had real good luck with the Smartwool brand socks I get at REI. I just make sure to buy their super thin socks (not the thick bulky ones). I find that doubling them up works pretty well in really cold weather, and a single layer works fine for most situations. They also sell them in various lengths (from little ankle biters to knee-highs).

You might not be able to get them COMPLETELY dry but the "wring in the towel" method works pretty well with those socks. I have photos of how you do that at my recent Travelite post: Getting your clothes clean on your travels (and getting them dried quickly) « The Travelite FAQ

[nsh]

Thank you @firewatch! I purchased one skirt at Ann Taylor Loft (the black and red one) back in 2003 and the pink skirt with gold birds was recently purchased on sale at Anthropologie. I dry clean clothes just once a year but make sure to take care of them during the year by hanging them right away at home and air drying if they seem musty.

If you like wool, I highly recommend Icebreaker clothing. Icebreaker clothing is washable at home. I own their skirts and dresses and I think they look fantastic for work, everyday wear, and travel.

@Lani- I am obsessed with your travel website. I have read almost all your posts and went back into the archives. You have great advice and your Synapse travel photos inspired me to buy the Synapse in the first place.
The iPad has been great for letting me get work done without lugging around tons of paper on trips (loading student essays or reading academic articles).
I had to post a picture of my Synapse sitting in my home office tonight I love it so much. It has been just a month and I am completely in love with it!

[Badger]

Badger, you're an enabler with impeccable taste. I've just spent the past 20 minutes looking at the Ibex web page and drooling.

Awww. Blushing.

[firewatch]

@firewatch, Ibex makes really nice washable wool dresses and skirts. I'm not sure if that's what nsh has, though.

Ooh thanks!

Thank you @firewatch! I purchased one skirt at Ann Taylor Loft (the black and red one) back in 2003 and the pink skirt with gold birds was recently purchased on sale at Anthropologie. I dry clean clothes just once a year but make sure to take care of them during the year by hanging them right away at home and air drying if they seem musty.

If you like wool, I highly recommend Icebreaker clothing. Icebreaker clothing is washable at home. I own their skirts and dresses and I think they look fantastic for work, everyday wear, and travel.

Ahh neat, thanks! I've always thought of dry cleaning as this expensive cumbersome thing, but your system sounds great. I do own a few Icebreaker pieces, I'll have to check out their skirts.

[nsh]

A quick shot of my my fully packed Synapse on the Jet Blue flight from Boston to Washington Dulles. It fit perfectly under the seat and was a great companion during my travels- I even had room to spare.

[lioncity]

Thanks for the pictures! You make me feel like getting the Synapse in Black.

I thought usually females would choose a brighter color.