Travel items for Wales

As I prepare for my Wales departure (5 weeks!) I decided to get some much needed traveling essentials.  I already own two good suitcases that I will be taking with me overseas, but I realized that I needed some other items to make my traveling experience less of a pain.  After all, I'm barely 115 pounds I need all the help I can get with lighter more efficient luggage!

 I found a fantastic website (insert cheesy promo HERE!) entitled: ebags.  They have a TON of cool things at really cheap prices.  Even better, if you are a AAA customer (like myself) you will receive 20% off almost everything PLUS get free shipping on orders over $75.  So on top of getting a warehouse discount and not paying any sales tax you can also get free shipping (cheaper than driving to the store!) and a nice 20% discount.  I'll take it!

Primary purchase:  Good backpack

 So I needed to purchase a backpack that I could a) go hiking and take on weekend trips and b) also tote around some heavy school books and not completely kill my back.  I purchased a decent backpack from Target about a year ago before I started graduate school (I think it was around 30 bucks) which served well for a little bit.  That is until I noticed how much my chest would hurt from heavy books and walking back and forth from my car to class.  Since the pack didn't have a very good leverage system it actually strained my chest muscles - my sternum area - and most of the time I was actually in a lot of pain.  I have Marcel to thank for telling me to get a proper backpack that would take the weight off this area.  

 So this backpack was a STELLAR investment.  It is small enough to haul around clothes and miscellaneous things, as well as, sturdy enough to expand and hold books.  I attached the link for it if you want to see other pictures or more about the dimensions.  OH and this is a women's backpack which means it has a woman's specific shoulder harness, thus, it is not built for a burly guy or anything.  I dig it.  Plus I was a sucker for the zippered rain pocket with a rain cover to protect my bag.  Lord knows it'll be raining plenty in Wales!

Secondary purchase:  Handy purse

 I love purses.  In fact before I moved home I sold at my garage sale about 8-10 different purses that were just taking up space but I liked having in my possession.  I have 2 purses right now, both of which are handbags.  For you men out there that basically means I have to carry them by their handles everywhere.  The straps are too small to carry around my shoulder.  This is well and good when going out to a restaurant but is incredibly tiring CARRYING it around when walking.  I needed something cute and trendy while also going over my opposite shoulder to balance out any weight (much like a messenger bag).  

 I LOVE this bag!  It is light, has tons of storage, is cute, and keeps my hands free.  I will most likely be leaving my 2 purses at home and only taking this purse/bag.  I can use this for when I go shopping, hit the pubs, go to the movies, or perhaps on a short day trip that doesn't require using my backpack.  All in all, I consider this a good investment for any traveling girl.  

Tertiary purchase: Luggage storage

The ones I bought were actually blue not this puke green color.  So I'll be honest I am horrid when it comes to packing.  All my clothes are generally wrinkled, smashed, and folded - yes yes, I know I should roll - so upon arriving at my destination I normally have to tear apart my bag and iron clothes (or let the shower steam de-wrinkle them) to look decent.  What I liked about these is the organization method.  There is a large organizer, medium, and small, as well as, a toiletries kit.  I can use these not only for my trip but for weekend trips!  Plus they are space savers so I can roll a ton of clothes and have additional room to put shoes and more clothes in.  

 If anyone else has any advice or information they can give me, please let me know!  I think I am set for now with my luggage hehe.