I need help! So I am calling out to you. Here are a few things I am looking for and I thought I would crowdsource to see what y'all had to say about the following.
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| I no longer need these! |
Unicorn Pants. Sometimes you look for a unicorn, and my unicorn is traveling pants! I want them to be black, in a fabric that I can hike in, lightweight, packable, quick drying, and look nice enough that I can wear them to dinner/out. They don't have to be fancy, but they should be versatile. I don't want to pay an arm and a leg, but I am willing to pay if they are going to last and are good quality, and it would be even better if they have a good return policy. Am I asking too much here? (FYI I tried a pair of Patagonia that did not work, and have heard good things about pRana; have you tried them?)
Offline Feed Reader. I use Feedly, but this is not that helpful when I am out of service and am looking for some quick entertainment or the ability to catch up on news. I would like it to be free and if it is in the format of Feedly, that would be nice (aka clean, easy to sort and categorize etc.) I would also like it to have both mobile and web based (for use on laptop) versions.
New Pick Me Up Playlist. A couple years ago, I asked for a few pick me up songs from each of you and I got some great suggestions. This playlist got me through almost 9,000 miles of cycling and really helped me on some rough days. It's still good, but I need a refresh! Can you give me 1 - 3 fun peppy songs to keep me inspired throughout the day when I am on a long hike or bike ride?
Packing cubes. I have some super old ones, but it's time for a refresh! I like these, but I was wondering if anyone had a less expensive version that they like, as I would prefer to pay a little bit less. I would like them to be compressible, I actually don't need more than two or three and it would be nice if they were durable.
Can you help me?
Upbeat music:
ReplyDeleteAPT by Rose and Bruno Mars
I Had Some Help by Post Malone et al
Love Shack by B52s
Twist and Shout by the Beatles
Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls
One Week by bare naked ladies
It's the End of the World as We Know It by REM
Run Run Away by Great Big Sea.
I don't travel so I can't help with the rest. Did Elisabeth ( optimistic musings) post about packing cubes? She might be a good resource.
Thanks! I think I added Love Shack last time when you suggested it and it was a great pick me up for sure! I'll check out the rest!
DeleteI am no help on most of these unfortunately! I bought some new Athleta pants recently that I really liked so you could try some items there? I think they are high quality. I would suggest going to the store to try things on, though, as the fit is quite different from pant to pant. I ended up needing a "tall" version of the pants I prefer which are the Venice high rise joggers. They all look so similar online but the fit can really vary.
ReplyDeleteNone of my songs are very upbeat. I'm in my emo sad girl winter era. LOL. But my faves from the new Brandi album are Human and No One Knows Us. Songs from the Taylor Swift album that are more upbeat are Actually Romantic and Opalite. Oh and Wish List is fun but full of profanity...
I have been eyeballing some Athleta pants actually, so I'm glad to hear that you've had success. There are some traveling ones that look nice enough, but I'm not sure of the weight. Also I will wait to get home so that I can try them on!
DeleteI don't have any issues with profanity!
Yes! I have some packing cubes that are compression ones and they have handles. Elisabeth recommended them to me and I love them. Mine are called Nicoshow and they come in a set of six.
ReplyDeleteI have a playlist called Nicole's Workout that has a lot of upbeat music on it, but none of it would be considered new (I think the newest is the Weeknd from 2020). I'll see if I can WhatsApp the spotify link.
As for pants, I am a lululemon fan. I don't have a particular link but there are a lot there to choose from that look cute and are comfortable. Can you hike in them? Probably! Lulu isn't cheap but it lasts forever.
Thanks! I'll check out those compression cubes! I have heard good things about Lulu bit ouch the price! If they last for a long time though it is probably completely worth it! I'll check them out!
DeleteThanks! I'll check out those compression cubes! I have heard good things about Lulu bit ouch the price! If they last for a long time though it is probably completely worth it! I'll check them out!
DeleteI have those packing cubes! They work as well as...any other packing cube. I was influenced into a getting a heavier duty set of cubes which I liked for a hot minute but now I can't decide if they're any better than the first set. I looked at the ones that Nicole/Elisabeth have and they're much cheaper so there is that.
ReplyDeleteHah! Yeah I am sure the cubes all of the same jumbo but I would be happy of they didn't fall apart right away. The ones I have now are probably 15 years old! But they are not compression...I'll check the Nicole one and see what I think!
DeleteI love the song Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves as an upbeat song.
ReplyDeleteMy fav pants to travel with are by Royal Robbins. They feel like 100% polyester, but probably have a little something else in there. They do not wrinkle. Pull on - total comfort. They're straight leg and can be dressed up. I am not sure what the specific name is - I've looked online and the ones I'm finding are made of different fabric than mine, like nylon or something. Maybe discovery or spotless evolution pant, but the ones on their website look cropped and mine are full length, not tapered. Good luck!
I've never heard of Royal Robbins. I'll give them a look! Are they breathable or do you get sweaty in them if you're out walking for a while?
DeleteSeconding the suggestion for Athleta pants -- they have some nice options. I like the Endless High Rise pant, which could be dressed up a bit if needed.
ReplyDeleteLet's see, some songs for you:
Mystical Magical by Benson Boone
Colorado by Milky Chance
3 Nights by Dominic Fike
Complicated by Avril Lavigne
Bite Me by Avril Lavigne
This Time by Swiss Roulette
Jealousy, Jealousy by Olivia Rodrigo
Golden by Huntr/x and Soda Pop by Saja Boys (yes, these are both from KPop Demon Hunters but they are fun and catchy)
Ojitos Lindos by Bad Bunny
Bad Habit by Steve Lacy
Expert in a Dying Field by The Beths
A Tear in Space by Glass Animals
Taste by Sabrina Carpenter
Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter
No Body, No Crime by Haim / Taylor Swift
Delete Ya by Djo
Nice, thanks Suzanne! That is a lot of great options! Also thanks for seconding Athleta. I'll definitely try some on when I get home.
DeleteI cannot help with most of these because I never leave my house. However, I have been developing a playlist to use with first year orientation (clean, upbeat).
ReplyDeleteShake It Off by Taylor Swift
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
But It's Alright by J.J. Jackson
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Shut Up and Dance by WALK THE MOON
Glad You Came by The Wanted
Thunder by Imagine Dragons (I have to admit I don't care for this song, but my co-workers get super excited for it)
Geronimo by Sheppard
Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus - No one can resist this song.
Mr. Saxobeat by Alexandra Stan
A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey - Maybe not the most clean.
Soda Pop by the Saja Boys - My niblings love this one.
I'm going to check out the other song recs in this post to see if there are other songs I could add to the list.
(Here's the whole playlist if you want. No worries if you ignore this link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2sCQzpjvRR5TEM3mCRZShI?si=_FZ23taBRTCCbCg6dxAI9g)
Thanks Engie! There are a lot of good songs on your list! I sometimes get annoyed by Imagine Dragons but they are peppy and I can't help but sing along.
DeleteI won't be much help here. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteAs for packing cubes: we have these https://www.muji.us/products/polyester-gusset-case-23ss?variant=43210368417982 I like them and they work after years. But then we definitely dont travel as much as you do. But we use them for business trips and weekend get aways too. Not sure if it's a cheaper version.
Thanks Tobia! I will check them out. I bought my last ones a long time ago and they were not expensive but they held up well! So I'm hoping that new ones will last as well!
DeleteI am not much help, but hope you find the perfect travel pants and packing cubes! I used packing cubes for the first time this year, and they made everything SO MUCH EASIER. I’m looking into getting some compression cubes next.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I honestly am not really sure that they save that much space but they are good at keeping me organized!
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