Prepare for schmoop! After the last Stuff We Like, several of your comments really truly actually factually upgraded my life for the better. So I just want to say thank you: thank you for sharing recommendations for all the things, for suggesting ways to make life a little easier – you’re all wonderful and I’m so happy you’re here.
So let’s talk Stuff! That we Like!
NB: Some of the links are affiliate coded, so if you use them, we may earn a commission – and if you don’t use them, that’s totally cool, too. Thanks!
I also want to recommend shopping through the Rakuten portal. Many of the stores have kept their increased percentages. I have a referral link good for a $40 (!!!) cash back bonus when you spend $40. The $40 offer is good until 12 May 2025. You’re welcome to use it and get extra cash for yourself! (NB: I booked a tour on Viator for my family and got 10% back – that was pretty great.)
…
First, a big thanks to LittyN, who commented regarding my search for carry-on baggage alternatives to my Tom Bihn Aeronaut, “…can your Aeronaut add the 1-inch padded hip belt from Tom Bihn?”
LITTYN YOU CHANGED MY LIFE. I ordered both the hip belts and the internal back frame and they were a massive upgrade. Now it looks like this (this is their photo – that’s not me):
My Aeronaut is a much older model and I got it secondhand, but wow, is it durable. This made travel so much more comfortable and will give me years more use out of my bag. Thank you!
Thank you also to Susan who commented recommending compression packing cubes:
“Finally I have found the BagSmart compression packing cubes. An absolute game changer for me.”
I bought a set based on Susan’s recommendation and Susan is right – they’re awesome.
BagSmart Compression Packing Cubes, 6 pcs: $22 at AMZ | $27-50 BagSmart.com
I was really impressed with how flat the cubes pressed my clothing, though I do have to be careful not to over stuff them. I’m using the large one to store my travel clothing now, and it is indeed compressed and taking up very little space in the closet.
Travel wardrobe? Mix and match and rewearable items, for sure.
As Susan also said, “If you want to travel light remember you have to be willing to forgo having multiple outfits with coordinating shoes. I have a formula that works well for me. Not everyone wants to do that. It’s a tradeoff. Also you can have laundry done anywhere. Don’t overpack!”
As I’ve written about before, with my packing lists, I tend to start with the weather and activities, then build a mix and match wardrobe with a specific color scheme (this trip was burgundy, black, green, and purple).
One item that made this possible: merino wool. I went hunting for new merino wool shirts and found Merino Protect – you can get them at Amazon, or from their website.
Merino Protect V neck Merino Wool t-shirt: $43 AMZ | $43 MerinoProtect.com
Merino wool is terrific for travel because it doesn’t hold odor, it dries very quickly, both on you and after washing, and it’s very lightweight.
I ordered a v neck tshirt in black, purple, and burgundy, and after washing, they were wonderful. I noticed the texture for a few minutes after I put it on, and then I didn’t notice it again. It’s soft, flexible, the perfect length for me, and I’m really happy. They’re pricey for a shirt, but they’re the foundation of my travel wardrobe and take up very little room when rolled up.
I also have a Bliss merino wool wrap sweater from Icebreakers that’s more than 10 years old at this point. It doesn’t seem like they sell them any longer, but there are often a few on Poshmark.
…
I mentioned last month that I was researching pill containers for travel. I ended up with this one:
Lewis N. Clark AM/PM Folding Pill Organizer, $10
The clips sometimes slide off the edge of the bags but they were easy to snap back on. I put each day’s pills, am and pm, in one baggie, and it worked perfectly. And took up so much less room than pill bottles or a solid holder.
I do, however, always carry this pill case with OTC meds.
Pill organizer with labels: $6
So if you have a headache, upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, or allergies, and you see me, I can help you out. I am a walking Duane Reade at this point.
…
Alright. We’re going to talk bidets for a minute, k?
We have some Toto heated bidet toilet seats in our house, a 2020 gift to ourselves after everything was cancelled. They are marvelous. Life changing! And so difficult to part with when we leave the house (heated seats, I’m telling you).
We’re spoiled, for sure. But the health benefits to using a bidet, and the degree to which I miss having one when we travel, led me to search out two portable bidet options.
This is the one we liked most: Bidet Buddy.
PureJet Rechargeable Portable Bidet, $50 at BidetBuddy | $55 at AMZ
The bottle and the device are separate, and the bidet part has a little carrying bag. If you ask me, a better design would be to be able to suspend the device upsidedown into the bottle as a holder for travel but I’m not on any travel bidet design committees so what do I know.
What I do know is that it works very, very well. I charged it before a 10 day trip, and it still has battery. It’s easy to use and clean, and weighs very, very little. 10/10, will not travel without, and I’m available for future design committees.
…
Another item I traveled with that might be really useful is this extremely small but powerful pump.
GigaPump portable air pump, $27 | $20 from AeroGogo
Due to back issues (why is aging. why) I have been sleeping with a pillow wedge under my knees, and bought an inflatable one for travel. It’s fine, though it’s very easy to kick out of the way in my sleep since it’s filled with air and not, like, matter or anything.
But this air pump is MIND-blowingly good. If you’re in a position to inflate things like air mattresses or camping pads, it’s marvelous. It weighs about 3 ounces, and it can inflate or deflate (wow) and has a light at one end should you be doing all this inflation/deflation in the dark.
It also holds a charge for awhile, and is powerful enough to inflate my knee pillow within 1 minute. It comes with different tips and adapters for various air valves. One reviewer said they’ve “used it for swim toys/floaties, mattresses, and even to get the camp fire burning hotter.”
So if air mattresses, camp fires, or inflatable anything are in your future this summer, you might really like this. It is ridiculous how small and powerful it is. (LIKE ME MWAHAHAHA.)
…
We’ve already talked about bidets, so let’s talk about thigh chafing, also known as chub rub.
I know many of you are like me, and having your thighs rub together under a skirt or dress, especially when it’s hot and humid, is a fast track to deep discomfort.
I personally do not like tight garments, especially across my abdomen, and don’t feel like the under-skirt shorts I’ve tried were worth the trouble. The tight fabric tends to make my skin sweaty and more delicate, and the tightness of the waist and legs is so unpleasant – and I’m even hotter and less able to regulate my temperature if I have close-fitting shorts on beneath. And the chafing sticks don’t work as well, or make me break out.
Yet I have many skirts and dresses that I’d like to wear, especially when it’s warm.
I found a truly unexpected solution on Reddit: Pettipants.
Underworks Snip-a-Length Pettipants, $19 AMZ | $15 UnderWorks
Have you seen these? This is the most old fashioned style undergarment I’ve ever owned, I think.
I have a cotton pair and a nylon pair, both trimmable to the length I want, and they’ve been freaking glorious. They solve all my problems. They aren’t tight or constricting, they don’t show under the skirts and dresses I’ve tried them with (I don’t have many form-fitting dresses. Bandage dresses + me = No Thanks) and they’re so lightweight, I’m not overheating. They don’t bunch up, and they are extremely comfortable.
I bought a nylon pair and a cotton pair, and both have been great. I use the nylon pair when the dress/skirt is more form-fitting, or when the fabric would grab onto cotton like they’re both velcro. (I have a rib knit dress from Old Navy that was fine with the nylon but grabbed hold of the cotton like they were OTPs.)
I honestly thought there was no way they’d work for me, but I’m loving them. Have you tried these before? How did I not know about them?!
What do you like to wear under skirts and dresses?
…
I mentioned this product earlier but I’m still loving it, especially now with the stellar job it does with Epic Humidity.
Barb is a lightweight pomade that my hair seems to really get along with: it has a matte finish, it holds my hair where I put it, and it gives me a lot of styling options. Straight up in the air? Sure. Swept to the side? Also good.
It has a very light scent, it’s not sticky, and it rinses out easily. There is also a fragrance-free option, never fear. Barb was made and designed by barbers and hairdressers, and their focus is on gender neutral hair products, plus enabling people to get gender-affirming haircuts.
I am very suspicious that when my older child comes home for the summer, there will be a run on my Barb pomade and I’ll need to buy more. (Also – when did the center part for hair come back? What happened?)
…
I mentioned this in a 2023 gift guide, and since I just ordered more, I wanted to share my rec again: Good Molecules has wonderful hyaluronic acid serum that my skin adores.
Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $6-12
I love how aging means I get visibly dry skin at the same time I have a pimple and a grey hair. What is this?! The hyaluronic acid serum has been excellent at addressing the dry patches and the acne, and I noticed after I ran out that my skin was very unhappy.
The I apply morning and night, and it’s lovely. At first I thought it was really gooey, but I figured out how much to use so I don’t feel all slimy. And it dries very quickly.
…
Claudia: I do love this “spoonula” from Starpack, and bought a second so I always have a clean one at hand:
Starpack Spoonula, $14 AMZ | $14 Starpack
It holds up way better than the Rubbermaid spatulas and way more comfy to hold.
…
Elyse: I bought this and I like how it’s a very pale brown with fun shimmer.
ColourPop Winx Club Shadow Stix, Sonic Blast – $10 AMZ
It’s not too sparkly for everyday office wear. And I had a high schooler non sarcastically tell me she liked it so I’m taking that win.
…
Shana: My friend got me a few art deco-style prints from Megan Lara, and now I’m obsessed with them. I have this one, possibly the most bisexual thing on my wall:
“Death is Only the Beginning” by MeganLaraArt, $40.00 Etsy
I also have the Xena and Gabrielle print, and Ripely from Aliens.
Xena and Gabrielle poster by MeganLaraArt, $15 on Etsy
…
What about you? Anything rocking your world and upgrading your life that you want to share?
And, if I can ask for your wisdom again – I’m researching air purifiers for my house. Do you have one you like?
In my experience (decades!) merino wool garments really wear well, so well I have a small pile that have finally worn through at the elbows (yes I put my elbows on the table in the privacy of my own home) and as the rest of the top is still good I am intending to patch them. The main problem with this is that I have to sacrifice one top to make the patches and I can’t decide which one, because they really are in good nick, apart from the elbows, despite being well over a decade old.
@SB Sarah I am SO glad that the hip belts and internal frame helped! Love being able to ease travel pain. I really like Tom Bihn stuff and I’m not surprised you’ve been able to use your Aeronaut so long.
Thanks for the merino wool tee recommendations. I’ve been looking for some new ones.
I love my Austin Air purifier. It’s powder-coated steel, so it doesn’t off-gas like painted plastic would (most purifiers are plastic, releasing things into the air you’re trying to clean). It doesn’t release ozone, an output of many others. It has wheels to move around the house.
Mind the filter replacement frequency when you’re shopping for purifiers to choose what works for you. Austin Air has a higher initial cost and lower filter replacement frequency, while others are the reverse.
https://austinair.com/about/
@Nicolette’s comment reminds me — does anyone have a good recommendation for a portable/travel air purifier? I think hotels can have stale air sometimes, and it would help to have a purifier. Happy to look at ones that can fit in plane luggage or in a car if we’re driving. Thanks!
@Nicolette: Oh that’s a really good rec -which Austin Air do you have?
Either HealthMate or Healthmate Plus. I can’t remember. Hope you like it if you get one!
Seconding the love for merino (I am in a similar situation @Jazzlet! I keep looking at visible mending books instead of mending anything). Natural fibers all the way. If ever you run across knit silk (Quince occasionally has a tragically small selection, DVF if you can afford it/secondhand) it is 100% the most delightful thing to have next to one’s skin and it looks phenomenal even after thrown in a heap squished in a bag.
I’m also here for the life changing magic of schmancy bidets seats. Idk why Americans have been so skeptical about them, it is but one of many mystifying to me choices going on here. A bidet is basically what we came out of trees for.
Every time we talk about travel I take the opportunity to mention Alterre, my favorite shoes. But modular shoes, so helpful with coordinating travel outfits! It’s genius. I find them very comfortable, with lots of almost flat heel options(better for me than completely flat). They’re expensive, but they’re great quality, invented and designed by 2 (delightful) women of color who are committed to sustainability etc etc. It is the sort of thing that’s worth paying more for imo.
Should have mentioned, the several hundred dollar difference in price between say Quince and DVF silk jersey wrap dresses buys you: supporting the designer instead of the knockoff which matters to me but maybe not as much as it should, fabulous print options which ditto, and *pockets* which in theory is worth every penny but at about $400 more is a lot of pennies. Also be careful because DVF offers similar cheaper dresses in other inferior fabrics.
I can never hear “pettipants” without thinking of the original version of the movie “Hairspray”: when the owner of the “pleasingly plump” women’s clothing store asks if Tracy can wear clothes from his store when she dances on the Corny Collins tv show, her mother (Edna Turnblad, played by Divine) says Tracy will if he’ll throw in “a complimentary pair of pettipants.” Lol
@Jazzlet, do you have any convenient thrift stores nearby? I often see merino wool sweaters at mine; if the same is true for you, perhaps you could purchase a used one and not sacrifice one of your favorite tops.
Those little folding plastic pill boxes are super handy.
I make my own labels for each compartment (Photoshop a medicine name/logo to fit, squeeze dosage instructions in tiny font, print on address labels and cut out) and have made one for me, a bunch for my family, some for gifts.
For my family I include anything specific they take or a space for their daily meds in case they forget them one morning or something. I keep one in my purse and they’re great to stick in your car, lunchbox, lockers, luggage, or whatever. And with an assortment of over the counter stuff they’re great for gifts!
@Loramir – keeping a dose of daily meds in the folding pillbox is GENIUS. Thank you!
@Nicolette – thank you!!
This discussion and all the recs are so great. Thanks, y’all!
Ah, pettipants! I wore them in high school in the 60s when culottes were a thing. I didn’t know they still existed!
When I was both working and a lot heavier, I lived with pettipants since I always wore a dress to work (it was total vanity as I decided at a certain size that I wasn’t buying jeans that big). They were a game changer and I highly recommend them! I still have a few pairs but rarely wear dresses anymore since I live in capris mostly (it’s hot here but I’m not shorts material).
I love the ColourPop Super Shock eye shadows. So many great sparkly colors, but my favorite is Frog, which is a lovely pink. 🙂
Ooo, I saw that Megan Lara print at Wondercon and it is beautiful.
I essentially live in merino long sleeve shirts all winter with either a second sweater or vest on top, depending on how cold it is.
My favourite merino clothing brand is Simply Merino (www.simplymerino.ca or http://www.simplymerino.com), a small Canadian brand. All the stuff I have purchased from them (leggings, long-sleeved tops, underwear so far) has been well made. They offer a full range of merino clothing — dresses, hats, cowls, shirts, leggings, sweats, underwear, swimsuits, etc. Their women’s size range goes from XS to 3X and they also have men’s and children’s clothings as well. The only problem is because they are small business some of their sizes and colours sell out quickly. They also have throw in with each of my orders a few patch-size pieces of merino fabric in case my stuff ever needs patching. Haven’t needed them yet, but I love that they do this. They also occasionally have had boxes of merino fabric scraps for sale that could be used for patching or quilting — those are one of the items that sell out fast.
Not quite as nice – but still decent are the Merino shirts that Costco offers every year during the fall and sometimes in the winter. Most of the time the women’s sizes run from S to 2X. Usually long sleeve tees, but I have occasionally seen short sleeve tees. The prices are the lowest that I’ve seen anywhere and Costco has of course their great return policy.
Another idea for patching — you might be able to find a fabric store that sells merino knit and just purchase a half-yard or half-meter and make your own patches.
I have winix filters that have worked great for us. I second the wish for a good travel filter- if anyone has ever found one, l would also love to know.