come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away

Kelly had asked me awhile ago to do a survival guide for flying overseas to compliment her "surviving a red eye..." post. Since she's leaving tomorrow for a much too long overseas trip (*crrryyy*), I thought it would be perfect to finally fulfill her request.

In a perfect world, we'd all look this fabulous while traveling:

Unfortunately, in the real world, it's not so easy. Especially when you're lugging around your own luggage, standing in line at ticketing, and walking shoe-less through security.

FM and I are extreme fliers - meaning, we either fly for an hour to San Francisco or Las Vegas or we fly 10+ hours to go to Europe. Not much in between. I'm definitely no expert in overseas flying but after numerous flights out of the country, I've got my routine down pat. Obviously what works for me might not work for you, but if it helps make a long and tiresome journey a little more bearable, then my job is done.

The outfit ~

James Perse dress, Line Kintwear Desiree wrap, Nine West, sandals, Chloe Paraty tote, pashmina

I never travel without a maxi dress on. Not only is it super comfortable, but it also keeps your modesty in tact when you're fidgeting in your seat. It's also loose which helps your circulation in the plane. I also make sure to throw a pashmina and an oversized cardigan in my bag. The cardigan is obviously necessary when it gets cold and I use the pashmina as a pillow or a blanket. And believe it or not, I always wear flat sandals when I travel. Not only for comfort, but I find when I do wear them, I'm not required to remove my shoes during security check and I can also easily slip them on and off in the plane. Oh, and I never wear jewelry on a flight.

Misc items: Couple of other items I have in my bag (why I always carry an oversized tote) - a pair of leggings and a pair of thick socks. I get cold easily so I'm always prepared.

On the plane ~

As soon as the plane takes off and the seat belt light turns off, I head to the restroom w/my on flight toiletries bag.

• Wash off make-up with Dove Gentle Cleansing Pillow (I usually pack 4 - 2 for the flight there and 2 for the flight back)
• Apply a thick layer of Nivea Creme on face. (I pack 3-4 of the little tins)
  
• Spray hair lightly with a leave in conditioner. This not only keeps my hair moisturized but it also prevents it from getting static-y. (I usually make my own - take a travel size spray bottle and add about a tsp of conditioner and fill w/water).
• Put hair in a loose braid.

Back at my seat, I make sure to have my Nivea Creme and lip balm readily available for me. My skin is extremely dry on normal conditions so you can imagine how terrible it is for me on a plane. I'm constantly reapplying the creme and on my face and hands.

During flight ~

• Make sure I change time on my watch and immediately get on the same schedule as my destination
• FM and I take Emergen-C at least 2x throughout the flight
• Drink A LOT of water - I stay away from caffeine, sodas and alcohol. However, I will have a scotch just to help me sleep.
  

1 hour before landing~

• Go to the restroom and wash face again and brush teeth. Pat a little Nivea Creme on face.
  
• Take hair out of braid, flip head upside down, scrunch a little gel, and flip back up.
• Back at seat, apply make-up
• Put on jewelry. Although I don't wear any on the flight, I carry it w/me in my bag to throw on before I land.
  

Misc.~

• FM and I are never w/out Oscillococcinum when we travel. It's a homeopathic vitamin/medicine that you take when you feel like you might be coming down w/something. You have to take it before you actually get sick and it really works. Nothing's worse than being sick during or after a vacation.
• I always request the vegetarian meals when we book our flights. I'm very good about avoiding anything salty (no peanuts for me, either) and I find the vegetarian meals have more fruits and vegetables.
  
• If FM and I have a connecting flight, we have a special way of packing. We'll take a smaller suitcase and pack our necessities and an outfit or 2 each in there. In a larger suitcase, we'll pack our clothes and what not. We take the smaller one on the plane w/us and the larger one gets checked in. That way, if our bag gets lost, at least we'll have our necessities.
  

I hope you found some of this useful. Again, this is my routine and it won't work for everybody...so please share some of your tried and tested ways of surviving a long flight.

Oh, and if all else fails, throw on a pair of large, dark sunglasses and nobody will think you're anything less than fabulous. ;)


P.S. Kel, I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip...you better stay in touch or I'll come and stalk you. I know where you live. :P