going.. going...

I've always travelled with two small-ish duffel bags that I can cram with all sorts of stuff Tsia and me. It's just the system that works best for me. But now, with the new airline policies regarding checked luggage, I'm schlepping one giant, ugly bag that's really, really heavy, just because it's a lot cheaper to check the "Mother of All Bags" (as we call it--MOAB for short?) than my two beloved duffels.


Truthfully, I'm drooling over these gorgeous suitcases. They're regulation size carry-on cases with wheels, and I can't get over the gorgeous styling. In particular, those rattan cases with leather straps. Wow, hmm? I exchanged email with customer service, and they are, indeed, built for legitimate travel, not just looking like a traveller. Load them up, check them at your departure point, and they're durable enough for actual use. But still, with all the business crap I carry along with me I don't think they're practical for my purposes.

We're headed to my parents' house for some combo work/vacation time. The fall patterns are on their way out the door to the printers, and so are we. But since more than two-thirds of my luggage for this trip is work stuff (I have just 4 or 5 outfits along for our entire trip, but loads of fabric and papers, computer, camera, etc.), the giant duffel served its duty, once again.

Someday I'll travel in style. Rattan with leather straps sort of style, that is. Maybe I'll take an oceanliner to Europe for that trip. Not a cruise ship, mind you. An honest-to-God oceanliner for which you dress for dinner and use the correct fork with each course.

You won't hear me complaining about airlines and luggage then. Nosirree. Me in my silk gown with my tuxedo'd husband dining seated at the captain's table, drinking a dry vodka martini...