Travel Must Haves for Turning 30!

The Beginning, just mins after turning 30!

The End, at the Madrid airport after traveling for 24+ hours and a lot of free pink wine.

I’m just going to be honest with you… I’m a disaster. I grew up in and out of poverty so my standards for “living” can be quite minimalist. For example, I have refused to buy a spatula for two months. You really don’t need one once you learn how to cook without it… Just saying!

We went on this trip to celebrate my 30th birthday and in typical Lu fashion I was very un-prepared. However, Sarah showed up with a world of comforts that I never even would have thought of. They totally saved the day!

Here’s a list of carry on items I recommend for international travel.

1. A “slut” brush- In college I dubbed these tiny tooth brushes my slut brushes. I would buy one after every break-up and slip it in my purse because I never knew where I’d be waking up on Saturday morning. Get your heads out of the gutter! There were a lot friends couches involved.  Trust me you want one of these on the plane. If you go 20 or more hours without brushing your teeth they literally feel like they are growing moss on them. Eww!

2. Face wipes - Halfway through our 24 hour plane ride my face started to feel like it was transforming into an oily melted mess. I’m really into Burt's Bees grapefruit or cucumber face wipes, the smell is so refreshing.  

3. Cooling under eye pads- I’ve never used these magical pieces of joy but when your feet are swollen like sausages, your face feels like a puddle of dirt and you’re really frickin’ tired; these cooling eye pads transport you to heaven. I cleaned up with my wipes then put these on for 30 mins . Took a little nap and when I emerged my skin felt tight and youthful. Good Morning 30!

4. Plane Pillow - I’ve always thought these were a little silly, until of course I tried one! My plane mom a.k.a Sarah showed up with an extra one. It seems like a no brainer but I’m a late bloomer to just about everything in life.  

5. Stretchy Pants- look i’ll be honest I did rock the LuLu Lemon probably 5 out of the 9 days of my trip. I bought them on sale last December. My sisters are obsessed, I get it. I always feel sexy in a little LuLu. And it is my nick-name but really all you need is a good pair of stretchy pants that don’t smell bad after two day of extensive wear and tear.

Chop, Chop

Being the millennial hipster that I am, I usually watch the momentum of a trend before I jump on the bandwagon. I was late to the whole dyed hair movement, and had some hesitancy about cutting it short. But I did it! A little high from running 7 miles and in need of change, I plopped into my hair dresser and great friend’s chair shouting, “Let’s do it!” 10 inches later, a little touch-up and… wahla: the perfect cut.

My new do is just in time for the shift in weather. It also makes me feel like I’m embracing this new-mom thing. So many of the super-mom’s I know rock short hair. It’s also a weird emotional thing: I cut my hair short every time I seem to be hurtling towards big life changes. And that seems to be all I’ve been doing lately.

The proverbial “they” could never have prepared me for the new routine that comes with taking care of a young person. There are so many nuances that single, independent people enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy and content with my choices and sacrifices, but it’s a difficult transition to go from boozy brunches to cooking dinner every night. Sometimes, I feel like I’m walking a tightrope -- teetering between my independence and my role as parental figure. One fall in either direction and I fear losing sight of the other. “They” also didn’t tell me that everyone and their mother has an opinion. Sifting through the noise as I try to build the family and home I want can be exhausting. Yet, now that I’ve found my stride, parenting is an incredibly rewarding road to toe.

I’m discovering how important it is to take the time to do little things for myself. Things like going running, getting a haircut or making the space I live in a pleasant place to spend my time. I’m learning that happy Lu = happy homestead.