What I Packed on a 5-Day Trip to New York

also: outfits & a new paintbrush!

I am back from New York and thrilled to report that I packed carry-on only and actually wore coherent outfits and even went for a run! The rumours are true - the mental freedom that packing carry-on affords you changes your life completely. I will never be the same.

nothing will fit into anything unless you stack it all up and *roll it*

I spent *so long* planning what to bring so there wouldn’t be anything unnecessary, and it worked! I wore every single thing!!! So here it is. (This isn’t necessarily fashion motivated - i am just obsessed with packing lists and have always wanted to be the type of person with a ~capsule wardrobe~ so i’m stoked to share what actually worked for me, ha ha.)

I brought way more than I thought I could! I did wear the boots and cardigan and big coat on the plane.

This doesn’t include toiletries or electronics, but I brought a laptop, ipad, ONE sketchbook, and pens/chargers and I used all of those too!!

And here are some outfits, just for fun.

Materials note: I drew all of this using a Kolinksy size 2 sable brush, recommended by my friend and brilliant cartoonist Leise Hook! I’m still getting a feel for it, but so far it is wonderful. I find I can get that coveted dry-brush effect, but that the bristles actually hold the ink for a long time, so I don’t have to keep re-dipping/wiping the brush. Incredible?!?!!

New York itself was very fun - I swear I didn’t just pack, put on clothes and come home. But all of that is a post for another day!

PLEASE share your hot packing tips in the comments, I need them all!

xo Zoe