I’ve been doing lots of traveling lately. To be even more specific, lots of road trips.
While there are people wiser than I that can speak to the best neck pillow or in-flight skincare routine, I’m starting to fancy myself a road trip connoisseur. Today we’re talking all things travel tips and also what’s on my travel wishlist. Bon voyage!
It’s awards season! Yay! That’s really been the primary focus of my attention recently. However, I’ve made it hard on myself as I’ve decided to forego social media for a while. How does one know what’s going on in Hollywood with no TikTok or Instagram? That remains to be seen, but I guess I’ll find out soon. I’m planning to write my Vanity Fair Oscar Party recap for the third year in a row — don’t worry — but would we want to see more awards season content? Let me know.
In other news… I got to experience snow recently! I was on a little trip to some colder states and found myself fully immersed in a winter wonderland. Did I love it? For a few hours. Was I dressed properly? Not really. I wish I was awestruck by falling snow á la Lorelai Gilmore, but alas. It’s not for me. Maybe with a cup of coffee and a book behind a big window. In front of a fireplace. With a blanket.
I’ve decided to add a permanent list in this section; a lightning round version of my catch up last week. Introducing, the “Something I…” list.
Something I tried: BjornQorn, both the spicy and classic flavors. My rating: ★★★★★.
Something I watched: Mean Girls (2024). It has varying reviews, but I thought it was very fun, very pink and a very nice adaptation. It’s loyal to its roots, but definitely something new.
Something I didn’t like: Dare I say it… Jacob Elordi hosting SNL. His monologue fell flat to me… I’m sorry! He looked good while doing it though, so pat on the back to his stylist and I guess his parent’s genes.
Something I listened to: Ariana Grande’s new single, '“yes, and?” Varying reviews on this (and her love life) as well, but my friend and I that attended her Sweetener World Tour together in 2019 agreed that the Arianators in us are defrosting for this new era.
Something I read: I’m in the process of reading the revised version of Goodbye To All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York, where, as previously stated, 28 writers pen their own exits from New York City in reference to Joan Didion’s original essay. My rating so far: ★★★.
Something I bought: this Jellycat in anticipation for Valentine’s Day.
Something I recommend: my best friend got me the most adorable trinket dish from Coming Soon NY for Christmas and it’s now a mainstay in my weekly (daily?) online window shopping. Someone get one of these heart candle holders ASAP!
Like I said, I’ve been on the road. My 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I have been racking up the mileage, and if this article is the only thing I have to show for it, so be it. First up, my CPW road trip essentials. Most of these can be applied to plane, train or even boat travel as well, but just go with it.
Packing cubes - I recieved packing cubes for Christmas and they’ve already been put to work. I am a “throw articles of clothing in and hope for the best when you get there” sort of packer, but these cubes really encourage me to pack smarter and only bring what I’ll actually wear. I have these simple red ones, but there are cutesy-r, more colorful ones out there if that’s more your style.
A good weekender bag - let’s be clear. I rarely travel with only a weekender bag. A weekender bag for me is more of an overnighter bag, which means for a multi-night trip it doesn’t cut it on it’s own. But, when accompanied with a suitcase, I can usually fit all I need. I’ve had a trusty bag from Anthropologie (no longer sold, but here’s the closest I could find on Free People) since I was in high school - 8 years, more or less - and it’s served me well. I also recently acquired an L.L. Bean Boat and Tote dupe which is surprisingly durable and spacious, so I can only imagine how sturdy the real things are.
A no compartment makeup bag - maybe you’re a more organized human than I am and you can’t relate, but even with a bag that sets me up for total success with compartments galore, my makeup won’t stay organized for long. I’ve since opted for a bag that does without any ounce of organizational components and just find that it suits me better. I’m linking some cute ones here, here and here, and even an organized one I used before I accepted my own scattered-ness.
Good podcasts - music can only get you so far when you’re embarking on a longer trip. Sometimes I’ll go full Apple Music (yes, I said Apple Music) on my drive, but more often than not I’m switching back and forth from music to podcasts. A few of my favorites are Celebrity Memoir Book Club (for the celebrity lovers and readers), Happy Sad Confused (for the movie lovers), Podcrushed (for the middle schooler in you) and my newest find, Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers. The last one is a recent discovery, hosted by Seth Meyers (the late night host) and his brother Josh, who I didn’t know existed (sorry Josh) but now am a big fan of! Josh creates and then sings a song at the end of each episode that details the conversations they had with their guest, and it’s absolutely the main reason I listen.
A long charging cord - while this seems like the most underwhelming pick, it might be the most important. When you’re staying at a house or apartment as I’ve been on my travels, there’s no guarantee you’ll have an outlet near you when it’s time for bed like you might in a hotel. To me, there is nothing worse than having to do without the pre-bedtime scroll because your phone is charging on the other side of the room. I owe it to my dad for this magnetic phone charger that I use and am now recommending to you all. It wraps up easier thanks to the magnets and is extremely durable, with both a 3 foot and 6.5 foot option.
Now, for my wishlist.
A RIMOWA suitcase - we’re really starting off with a bang here. I have a note on my phone titled “DREAM THINGS” (I don’t know why all of my notes have all caps titles) where I keep a list of exorbitantly priced items that if I ever acquire one day, I’ll have made it (which obviously won’t be the case because then I’ll just want another thing… the cycle continues, but at least I’m aware.) At the very top of “DREAM THINGS” is a suitcase from RIMOWA. They’re durable, they come in fun colors and they cost an ungodly amount of money! Yay me! It’s called a wishlist for a reason, and the day I’m able to purchase a RIMOWA suitcase, you’ll be the first to know.
Minis - after I become the girl with the organized makeup bag, I’ll be the girl that has minis of all of her favorite products when she travels. I do have a few, like my mini SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray from Tower 28, but being able to pack all mini sized products just seems like a luxury I’m not willing to pay for at the moment.
A high quality car air freshener - I’ve had the same hanging air freshener in my car since high school (seeing a pattern?) and I think it’s time for a new one. I’m looking at drift for a potential purchase, but obviously it’s a little on the pricier side. Of course I could always go with Little Trees, which now that I say it might be too reminiscent of rides in my teenage crush’s cars and smell a little too much like AXE body spray. Hard pass.
It’s almost like we just took a trip of our own together! Thanks for riding along with me through my travel favorites and dream items. I’ll stop the road trip speak now.
I’m excited to get into all things <3~love day~<3 come February and thank you all for reading. As always, feel free to share CPW with a friend if you feel so inclined. Of course it’d make me really happy and it’d be really nice and cute of you… but no pressure.
TTYL!
In my perfect world… no one will judge me when I say I might start watching The Bachelor again. I’m in the mood for some trashy reality TV and I feel sort of okay admitting that.
My road trip pardna ❤️