En Route With...Molly Bernadette Miller

Molly needs no introduction – as one half of the immensely popular (and one of my favorite blogs!) A Piece Of Toast. Â APOT, as they affectionally refer to it, is a healthy mix of pure eye candy and thoughtful, well-written posts. Â While Molly and I have only chatted over e-mail, I can attest that she’s one of the sweetest people I’ve (digitally) met, and I’m so glad she was happy to participate in the ERW series. Â Take it away, Molly!Â

Molly Bernadette Miller
Blogger, A Piece Of Toast

I’m a notorious over packer… I go somewhere for a weekend and it looks like I’ve packed to be gone for two weeks. Â Every time I pack I try to plan outfits for each day and what I think I’ll be doing but it’s the “ohhh maybe I should bring this top, and this sweater, and these pants as a back up,” that gets me into trouble. Â I need to just tell myself no! Â I’ll probably never be a minimalist but hopefully I can be out of the “overpacker” category at some point in my life! Â If I’m going away for a weekend and driving there I always grab a roomy weekender duffle and rely on smaller bags (makeup, dirty clothes bag, shoe bags, etc.) to keep me organized. Â For flights or longer trips I have an ancient Kipling roller bag that holds much more than it looks like it would. Â For duffel bag packing I’m into folding my clothes but for a rolling bag I have to roll stuff – it seriously saves SO much room and keeps things really organized and accessible. Â I like to make lists before I pack with a run-through of how many days and nights I’ll be gone and what I anticipate doing each day – they I try t jot down an idea of what kind of outfits I need to bring. Â But honestly, packing is typically a last-minute effort that happens late the night before I leave. Â I do my best under pressure!

I’m a very nervous flyer when it comes to being late, missing the back check cut off time, etc. – so I always err on the side of getting to the airport earlier than needed, especially when I’m checking a bag. Â Nothing stresses me more than feeling like I might miss a flight (even thinking about it now makes my heart palpitate). Â I’m hyper aware about having my ID accessible, my shoes easy to slip off, and my laptop ready to pull out of my bag for security… There’s nothing worse than being “that” person who is slow in the security line. Â The lines don’t really bother me if I feel like I have plenty of time to make it to the gate. Â I try to remind myself that all the pomp and circumstance is in the name of keeping travelers safe and that helps me from getting too irritated. Â I’m such a nerd that once I make it through security I usually camp out right at my gate till it’s time to board (again, I’m anxious about flying and want to be ready to go when it’s time to get in line!). Â Sometimes if I’m feeling fancy and it’s early I’ll try to get a Starbucks before the flight but more often than not I just bypass the food and drink stops.

I wish I could say that I was the type who always makes a new friend when on a flight but as soon as my tush hits the seat I buckle up, put in my headphones and pull out my iPad so I can read. Â Sometimes I don’t even listen to music, I just use the headphones as a “do not disturb” signal… I like the quiet time. Â And I almost always fall asleep after I’ve been reading for 30 minutes or so. Â I don’t really care about what seat I get… As long as I get at least one arm rest. Â That’s a necessity. Â I’m usually asleep when the drink cart comes by but if I’m up I get a water. Â I’m boring!

I can’t get on a plane without myÂ Lo & Sons OG bagÂ as a carry on. Â It’s the ultimate in holding everything and keeps things hyper organized. Â And, no matter how much I stuff it full of my things, the bag always fits under the seat in front of me. Â I have this amazing cashmere cape/shawl that I take with me and it’s a life saver when the cabin is freezing cold. Â What else? Â Headphones, iPad, chapstick, gum – those are the things I keep accessible while in flight… Everything else in my carryon is usually overflow from my suitcase and my laptop, chargers, etc.