Packing for a winter trip is a bit challenging since we want to do carry on only. I hope I can make it work! Below are images of what I have packed at this point: I think I might need to pull some things out! For United we are fine: they don’t weigh carryon luggage and our packs are the correct size. One leg, though, is on Lufthansa. They only allow for 8 kg in the bigger bag, and their small one is pretty darn small! So far my pack is a bit over 9 kg. Perhaps a sweater and a bit more will end up staying home. We shall see.

This first shot is all the “stuff” … toiletries, prescriptions, exciting things like shoes and socks and pjs … so what to remove? Probably silly to bring two tubes of toothpaste: it’s not like we can’t buy that on our trip. (But I do prefer this particular toothpaste so there’s that.) I could substitute a shorter pair of socks for one pair of the knee socks. I’ll have to think on that. The little pouch on the right, under the bright red bag that holds cables and such, is an incredibly lightweight daypack, in case you’re wondering.

For clothes I have, I’m sure, too much. I’m wearing the Darn Tough socks pictured, merino wool brown pants, brown merino wool turtleneck, oatmeal cashmere turtleneck, cranberry wool “shacket”, and wool scarf on to the plane, so those aren’t an issue. My Bog waterproof ankle boots aren’t picture because they aren’t here yet! I was planning on different booties, but the ones I have aren’t waterproof and I think it would be foolish to wear them. The Bogs will arrive tomorrow.

In my luggage I have the cranberry v-neck cashmere sweater, the grey wool v-neck, a striped cashmere (grey, brown, oatmeal, dark grey), and two merino wool turtlenecks (greenish black and off white) that can be work under the cashmere. I have two pair of pants that are packed: one merino wool in a goldish brown color, and a pair of black merino wool pants. (Yes, tons of merino!)

If I’m to dump I suppose I could move to only one packed pair of pants and drop the cranberry cashmere. It’s not easy to say goodbye, but maybe …?

Finally, the few things I couldn’t fit in the photo above: the bag contains my down jacket, the purple is a rain jacket and it can fit over the down jacket. Also pictured is my merino wool jumper and Christmas red merino turtleneck (c’mon, I DO need to dress for Christmas, yes?!), and my wool cloche.

So that’s it. And now it’s ponder time. Think you have an opinion about what I should drop? Feel free to share. I might not listen, though!

If you are curious about brands: you are seeing Woolx (jumper, pants, shacket), Unbound Merino (pants), Uniqlo (turtlenecks), Darn Tough (socks), Eddie Bauer (rain jacket), Marmot (down jacket which you can’t even see), REI (grey wool v-neck), Macy’s (that’s all the cashmere), and … wait for it … wool hat and scarf from Amazon. (I try to avoid Amazon when possible). My nicer shoes (we ARE attending concerts, after all) are Dansko. (But that does bring me to the “could I just wear the Bogs with my dress and get away with it? I might see how they look with tights on. It’s usually not my style but nixing a pair of shoes would sure save space and weight!) Still, they aren’t anywhere close to dressy:

Oh … and then there’s my “personal item” bag. It has all the other “stuff” … wallet, passport, necessary tickets (most are on the phone), iPhone, iPad and keyboard, camera and all that is needed with that, sunglasses (do I really even need them? I wonder!), chapstick, nail file … well, you know, typical purse stuff plus camera gear. I’m going light with the camera: only one lens and one extra battery. It’ll do.

So that’s that. And I’ve packed the backpack and, as I said, it works, but not for Lufthansa IF they get picky and weigh things.

Meanwhile … life does continue here … I have the final opera dress tonight for Bohème, three students tomorrow, two on Saturday, and opera performances Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Guess how difficult I’m finding it to focus on work right now?!