I got Xanex in my locket

and other in-flight essentials!

Hello from the sky! I am publishing this on the plane, on the second leg of my journey to Jaipur. Along with my Director of Operations, Maria, and Product Development Manager, Kat, I’m visiting our gemstone partners and a new factory that we recently started ‘dating.’ After they produced near perfect first-round samples of our best-selling charms, I realized it was time to take the next step by visiting them in person for in-depth meetings and design exploration. (Currently most of our charms are made in Thailand and the USA. I’m excited to expand our supply chain to India).

We’re not official yet, but it’s getting serious. Consider this trip like the romantic equivalent of meeting the parents. I’m happy and proud — this factory is an in-demand partner to the top jewelry brands and we are lucky to get to work with them.

My travel outfit, en route to Delhi. P.S. I packed a separate change of comfy clothes to sleep in on the plane. Pro tip: take off your bra for the flight! I believe I slept better for it.

Oh boyyyy, Jaipur is quite the haul (CHS - ATL - AMS - DELHI - 5 hour drive to Jaipur). Here we go. Thought I’d share some of my en-route essentials.

Chill Pills in the Ribbed Vesta Case
After six years living in Shanghai and monthly trips, you’d think I’d be a chill traveler. But I’m still a nervous nelly (especially after becoming a mom, as I’m sure many of you can relate to). Since I can’t white-knuckle my husband’s hand, my Plan B is Xanex. Yup. I took a tip from an innovative customer - she carries her emergency Xanex stash in her Ribbed Vesta Case. Chic. My Vesta Case also holds a precious scribble of a love note from my daughter, Huguet (Hue-guette). So far, I haven’t needed the pill, but I love gazing at her note during turbulence.

The Ribbed Vesta Case charm is a locket inspired by my collection of antique 'vesta cases,' which were popularized in 1800s. The ladies of the house stored matches in them to light candles (this was pre-electricity). We encourage our customers to put mantras, love notes, or whatever else lights them up inside.

LL Bean XL Camo Tote Bag
Despite six years of using this bag on every single flight and weekend getaway, it still looks new. The quality is unreal. It’s the perfect carry-on because you can fill it with tons of stuff, yet it somehow also easily slips under your seat.

Kindle
My Paperwhite Kindle has an abundance of historical non-fiction accounts of adventures gone wrong. While I cozily jetted across the Atlantic with a glass of bubbly, I finished The Wager, a true story of a British armada that crashed in Cape Horn in 1740s. Mutiny, murder and extreme survival in freezing Patagonia. Absolutely gripping. When I travel I like to read books set in my destination, so I downloaded Midnight’s Children and Behind the Beautiful Forevers for this week. Please send me other recommendations (besides Shantaram).

Pulling out some essentials during my brief layover in Amsterdam. John Derian notebook, .38 Muji pen, Jet Lag Mask, and Mark & Graham travel case. The charms on that necklace are dropping next week!

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
I like to travel sans makeup so that I can continually schmear my bare skin with moisturizers. I’m probably the absolute last person to realize this, but the Jet Leg Mask is really wonderful. Linne’s Balance Oil is also juicy and restorative.

John Derian Notebooks
I get some great (well, at least I think they’re great) ideas on the plane. I feel naked without a journal and pen, and prefer to transcribe the brilliance with a Muji .38 pen. I love the well-made, packable and pretty notebooks by John Derian. I think these are also great gifts!

Navy Blue Cashmere Crewneck
Alexa Chung once said that she always regrets it when she forgets to pack a navy cashmere crewneck, no matter the destination. I wholeheartedly agree, and often steal my husband’s. I also love this affordable lightweight one as it warms up. It makes a practical and classic travel outfit paired with white 90’s 501 Levi’s (I size up for a comfy fit).

Mark and Graham Jewelry Case
My carry-on has about 5 pounds of jewelry inside of a trusty Mark & Graham medium jewelry case. It’s the perfect size, and comes with an interior zipper pouch. Highly recommend. I also bring a set of pliers so I can rearrange my charms based on my mood.

Thanks for reading! Wish me luck in Jaipur! Please comment below with a Jaipur travel rec, or what your own in-flight essentials are!