Update and Long Stay Hotel Room Essentials

Things have been super busy cause this week is year end at work but I think I've got some of my wardrobe for Viva in place and I'm expecting some new bangles and a dress to show up before I leave.  I just renewed my passport and it will be here shortly as well.

I haven't been doing a lot in terms of exercising -just my pilates 2 times a week but I think I've got my schedule cleared up and can actually get some more gym time in now.  I have lost about 3 lbs so that is good news (not like those watery first week of the diet lbs real several weeks in 3 lbs).  This weekend my big goal is to get some sewing time in. 

My suitcase for Viva is big the biggest I ever take anywhere because I like to leave room for what I will home and I know I will not be moving it once it is parked in the hotel room for over 5 nights. In the olden days you had the option of just adding a bag on your flight home but now that costs $$ so I had to switch to a lameo giant suitcase for travelling.  Normally I try to take next to nothing when travelling but being in a hotel room with one sink (located in the together with the tub and toilet), two people and what essentially what amounts to getting ready for prom every night has lead me to bring some extras that you just don't take on normal adventures.

I picked up some portable speakers that I absolutely love on Amazon and updated my Ipod and I bought my secret weapon which I will reveal now for all interested....a small collapsible cooler that will fit in my suitcase and keep our sink free from ice.  Last year we stayed at the Rio for the first 3 days specifically because there are no mini-fridges at the Orleans this year I really wanted to be at the site for the whole thing so this was my compromise.  This particular type of collapsible cooler will fit a 1 litre container of milk standing up but not hog the ice -so you know other people can still get ice on your floor.  The other good new is that it has a special insert for the bottom and if you don't leave it open it should keep ice for over 24hrs in normal daytime conditions.  It doesn't leak and is no bigger than a hoodie when collapsed. 

Other considerations on this list as space permits are my makeup mirror (I'm wear glasses and like to be close to the mirror) it has lights because the desk/table with the extra mirror is a little shy in that depaprtment and my electric kettle because the coffee maker make one cup of hot water at a time that tastes like coffee which is not what you want when you are making oatmeal, tea or hot chocolate (okay you could get a way with it for hot chocolate but I like to be homey and I like to have breakfast in my room). 

I always travel with my travel mug (leads to less spilling) and my swiss army knife for knife, scissor and corkscrew needs but I think I will include a spoon it doesn't take up much space and I like to have yogurt with my oatmeal!

Don't get me wrong I like to eat out as much as the next person but when I'm away for more than 3 days I like to have some really boring healthy stuff and fruit available so I don't get feeling all yucky and preserved in salt by the end of my holiday.  So, my MO is to hit the grocery store when I arrive and pick-up some chocolate, & perishables (fruit, veggies, milk, yogurt, cheese, & juice), I always pack tea, and lately Starbucks VIA, fake sugar packets, oatmeal packets and granola bars in my suitcase.  I put the granola bar in my purse because low blood sugar = grouchy and it is better to eat a yucky granola bar than yell at someone better yet it is easier to make a grouchy low blood sugar friend eat something if you have it with you.  This over the years has saved me some money but most of all it has kept me feeling good and able to enjoy my holidays.