Keep Calm About Your Carry On

I like to travel light. I don't do bulky, heavy handbags or cross-body bags - I do backpacks. They add style, personality and they're easy to carry a lot of your stuff. I'm taking a backpack with me on the ferry to Paris, so it's essential that my bag is packed well (and carefully).

Here's how I broke mine down.

Only take what you'll use/need.

So good for A/W fashion ideas.

Such good style, and interesting stories throughout, too.

SPF 30, a mirror, a pill pot and extra paracetamol (for others, I'm not seriously injured), a lighter (for meeting people), first aid cream (burns, blisters, grazes...) and a watch. One was cut off the photo, but one is gold for gold jewellery and the other is silver for my silver jewellery. 

Actually, a lighter is something you should always carry, even if you don't smoke. Having a lighter meant I got to chat to loads of people at V festival earlier in the year and it got me to the front of the crowd for The Killers and Snow Patrol - the reasons I went. It was incredible, and all down to that trusty blue lighter you see before you! 

Sunglasses are perfect if you want to sneak a snooze or you don't feel like wearing eye makeup - if you sweep some tinted lip balm you'll look made up without even trying. A nail gives you something to do on the trip and if you catch a nail there's no need to worry. A hangnail definitely ruins my mood! It's also a good conversation-starter when someone asks for one - they will! And, lastly, your purse. Mine was from Primark and was the around the five pound mark - I have my eurohealth card and my passport with me at all times. It's something to consider when choosing a purse - how many cards can you fit in, is the change/note area secure and can you fit your passport in properly? It saves a lot of hassle and panic if you can keep it on your person, even if you don't think you'll need it. 

Finally, pack as lightly as possible. Take light food that can be shoved unceremoniously into corners of your bag and doesn't leave hard-to-dispose-of mess, unlike fruit. Things like boiled sweets, mints and breakfast bars are ideal for travel. Try to avoid crisps - they're noisy and some give you bad breath. Or they stink the car out...

What are your top tips for travel?