We just arrived in Houston to spend Easter weekend with my in-laws. Husband N.’s grandmother is Russian Orthodox, so there will be much fancy egg decorating and braided bread making to be had. It’s a short trip to a warm climate, but we wanted to make sure that we had plenty of room to bring extra loaves of bread back home with us. The packing challenge, then, was using one of my well-loved Tom Bihn Aeronauts to hold half of Husband N.’s stuff plus all of mine and baby e.’s.
Thankfully, the kind folks at Tom Bihn graciously sent us some of their packing cubes, which made packing for 2.5 people in one bag much more manageable. I put all of baby e.’s clothes, plus his blanket and some burper cloths, in a small packing cube. His clothes are so tiny that they have tended to get lost in the dark corners of my Aeronaut on previous trips. This time, however, we’ll be able to simply lift out baby e.’s cube and have everything we need for him at our disposal. Baby e.’s cube and all of my clothes comprised the bottom layer of the Aeronaut’s main compartment.
The top layer was another packing cube, this time the large size. I stuffed all of N.’s and my underwear, socks, pajamas, swimsuits, workout clothes, and my layering camisoles into the large cube. Again, I’m looking forward to being able to easily find those bits of clothing that have a tendency to sneak off into suitcase corners. My running shoes and slippers and N.’s slippers went in one side compartment. Our bag of toiletries and my orange pumps went in the other side compartment. And voila! All that N. had to put in his own Aeronaut were his t-shirts and two pairs of shorts, leaving more than adequate space for Easter bread.
It’s hard to hold back gushing about Tom Bihn products. N. and I have owned our Aeronauts for 4 years now, and we can’t imagine traveling without them. They’re smart, well-engineered, and extremely durable. Also, I’m also pretty sure that the cubes are kind of magical in how they seemingly absorb mass amounts of rolled or loose clothes and transform them into neat packages. I might need a few more.
So, I’m tickled to be able to offer you a chance to win a Tom Bihn product of your very own: The Kit (in kiwi!). According to their website, the Kit:
The Kit holds whatever tools you use to create, style, maintain or fix: pens, drafting supplies, toiletries, make-up, small tools, art supplies, iSight and cables, or any other small items that you may have. Even more than that, the Kit is a hand-held piece of portable architecture.
The Kit specs:
- 1050 denier ballistic nylon
- #8 YKK “splash-proof” coil zipper
- Exterior dimensions: 8.7″ x 4.7″ x 3″ / 220mm x 125mm x 80mm
- Volume: 60 cu. in. / 1 liter
For directions on how to enter (and to see what I ended up packing for Houston) click through the jump!
I packed around a color palette of grays and navy with little hot pops of magenta, purple, and orange in the hope that I’ll be able to come up with some spontaneous combinations on our trip.
E.’s Packing, originally uploaded by academichic.
E.’s Packing, originally uploaded by academichic.
E.’s Packing, originally uploaded by academichic.
And you can help. Remember back in December when we made little style math equations? Well to enter to win your own Tom Bihn Kit in kiwi, simply leave a comment with your suggestion of an outfit that can be made with the clothes I packed (don’t worry if someone else has already made the same suggestion). For a second chance to win, leave a separate comment telling us which Tom Bihn bag would be most useful to you.
The giveaway will be open until 11:59 PM CST on Sunday, April 4, 2010. I will randomly select and announce a winner on Monday, April 5, 2010. Good luck, and I can’t wait to see what outfit suggestions you come up with!
I could really use the Checkpoint Flyer – looks like the perfect carryon!
Floral dress + knit blazer + orange pumps + orange necklace = delightful!
Fun! Gray tank + color block skirt + orange pumps and necklace!
I love gray and white together, so I would suggest:
heather top + white shorts + slippers + turquoise or orange necklace for a pop of color
I would love an Aeronaut myself. I always have to check in bags when I fly cross-country and fret about my bags getting delayed, especially because my bags got lost the Christmas before last and it was a major pain not having all my clothes and toiletries (not to mention some Christmas presents!) for a few days.
I suggest the white eyelet top, straight leg jeans. Then for a pop of color add the orange shoes and orange necklace, with the wine cardi. Since I know all the AC girls love their belts – you could pair this with the dark brown belt.
I love the cafe messenger bags – good size and keeps your hands free!
Teal tank layered under gray top, straight leg jeans, orange necklace, orange shoes. I think teal and orange is a great combination!
After your post, I’m impressed with Aeronaut and think it would be a great carry-on for me.
Teal tank + white shorts + wine cardi + sandals (and you could prob add a belt too!)
I love the swift knitting bag in plum/black!
teal tank + white shorts + knit blazer + flipflop + orange necklace! love the orange and teal colour contrast. :)
the aeronaut model you own would work perfectly for me as an overnighter for short trips or a carry one when i go on longer trips!
grey tank + straight jeans + orange pumps + blue necklace. Thanks! tzappile@gmail.com
I’d love to see the grey top + white shorts with those orange heels!
My husband could really use an Aeronaut. Thanks! tzappile@gmail.com
I love teal and orange together! I would do the teal top+straight leg jeans+brown belt+orange shoes+hoop earrings.
I think the Kit would be the most useful for me, I just got a new laptop and need a little bag for the accessories. Also the Strapeez would be awesome for keeping cables organized!
ooh! i love making outfits. :)
jeans (cuffed) + white eyelet top + grey blazer + orange pumps + silver [bangles? earrings?]
i’m particularly excited about the packing cubes, all varieties. i’d never heard of such a brilliant thing! plus, i always struggle with trying to separate cleans from dirties when traveling–this would be the perfect solution!
I’d go with gray tank, jeans, wine cardi, brown bead necklace, dark flats. I admire your packing skills!
I would try:teal tank+jeans+orange pumps+knit blazer+brown belt+bangle+ loop earrings
I love the Aeronaut bag. Perfect for long weekends when you don’t want to check a bag!
I could definitely use an aeronaut bag as well, specially for upcoming out of town week-ends.
Heather top and jeans, brown belt, turquoise necklace, chunky bracelet, flip flops. Something low key.
I’d go for the Western Flyer if I were choosing something from the website. My current carry-on bag is trashy. :(
I would put together the following for an outfit:
Eyelet top
Straight leg jeans
Wine cardi
Blue beads (necklace)
Black flats
Hi! Add another vote for the Aeronaut bag. Thanks for describing their products. I am definitely going to check them out now.
Thanks!
Gray tank, white shorts, whine cardi, gray flats and bracelets.
Casual day = heather top + white shorts + wine cardi + sandals + turquoise necklace
Thanks for the giveaway!
Gray tank + color block skirt, perhaps with grey belt (I can’t tell if the colors/shape would be right) + orange pumps + orange necklace. Casual and comfy but still put together:)
I really like the idea of Tom Bihn’s “Packing Cubes” or the “3D Clear Organizer Cube” – these organizers within organizers, so to speak! They would’ve been super helpful during my last trips. :)
I’d do gray tank + jeans + wine cardi + orange shoes and necklace.
White tank + colorblock skirt + wine cardi + black shoes + bangles!
Let’s see, wine cardi + grey tank + straight-leg jeans and the sandals!
And I like that laptop sleeve…I may have to get it!
I would pair the teal tank, the jeans and the knit blazer with grey pointy toes and the long brown necklace.
dark grey tank + white shorts + wine cardigan + orange flats + black beads + bangles
And I am totally considering an aeronaut in steel. I like to pack a lot of options but carry as little luggage as possible.
I’d wear the navy dress with the wine cardigan and the orange necklace and shoes. You’d look wonderfully put together, and the stretchy fabrics would give plenty of latitude for consuming plenty of Easter delicacies!
As a fan of carry-on only travel, I could get a great amount of use out of the Aeronaut (in Indigo).
I might need an Aeronaut of my very own (my current luggage is inherited and fits my needs very poorly), although the knitter in me loves the Swift bag!
Compartmentalization! Be still my beating, OCD heart.
I would love the small cafe bag in Kelly/steel.
Color block skirt +
gray tank +
wine cardi +
blue beads +
sandals
Packing cubes have made travel SOOO much easier (and tidier) for me; I love being able to find what I want quickly in my bag just by grabbing the right cube. If I’m in a hurry and want to get something at the bottom of my bag, I can pull everything out and put it back in without a big mess.
I have a Tom Bihn messenger bag that I usually choose for 2- or 3-day trips because it’s so easy to carry.
The 3D Clear Organizer Cubes would be a nice addition to my (ever-growing) collection of packing cubes.
AND…teal tank + color block skirt + knit blazer + orange shoes + orange beads. :)
I could most use an Aeronaut bag…time to start saving up my pennies!
Straight leg jeans, teal top, wine cardi, orange shoes, orange necklace. Colorful, but I think the jewel tones will keep it from being too rainbow-y. Happy Easter!
I would absolutely love the Aeronaut bag. I am a chronic overpacker, but I choose to believe that it’s only because my carryon-sized bag is poorly laid out. ;)
Orange shoes, navy dress, knit blazer combo gets my vote!
Nothing to bring me out of Lurkerdom like the chance for a Tom Bihn bag. I love their products and own several. Right now, I most want the Ristretto for iPad (still working on the iPad part, too).
I think the navy dress with the orange shoes would be an unexpected yet fun combination.
I really like that the Tom Bihn Shop Bag has foam handles– genius!
Floral dress + wine cardi + gray shoes + blue necklace.
And the Aeronaut looks incredibly useful!
I think the teal tank would look great under the knit blazer, I would wear it with the colorblock skirt and then add the orange heels and necklace for fun!
And thanks for the link to the Tom Bihn website, I’m stuck there now!
I would pair the grey tank with the colourblock skirt and wear them with the wine cardi and grey flats.
LOVE all the pieces!
I really like the Ristretto bag–perfect for my laptop.
Thank you for introducing me to Tom Bihn. The Synapse Backpack would be my pick.
For an outfit: white shorts, white eyelet top, brown braided belt, orange shoes, and chunky bangle. Happy Easter!
Eyelet top + white shorts + flat sandals + either turquoise or orange necklace would be a fresh look!
Hmm. I posted an outfit combo, but it’s not showing up for some reason. It was: colorblock skirt + grey tank + grey knit blazer + orange shoes
purple floral dress + supermom blazer + orange pumps + turquoise necklace.
For Tom Bihn products, I really like the Synapse backpack! It looks so sleek.
teal tank + white shorts + sandals! perfect for a warm day
navy dress + wine cardi + brown belt + sandals + bangles = happiness! (I’m excited for SPRING)
I am intrigued by the Aeronaut. I would probably use it more as a weekender because when I fly I usually have my dog and check my luggage (too much to handle!).
I also really like the Cork knitters bag….
the outfit: eyelet top, straight leg jeans, knit blazer, orange pumps, and blue beads
I love the Ristretto bag!
Gray tank, jeans, wine cardi and orange pumps. I love the packing tips! I’m headed overseas for 4 months, and taking inspiration from your packing prowess.
I would wear the teal tank, wine cardi and jeans with the brown flats and brown ribbon necklace.
My idea is for pops of color up top and below and then another unexpected bit of color at the wrist:
- eyelet top,
- knit blazer,
- orange necklace,
- orange heels,
- white shorts (swap for jeans if this would be too much leg, but I’ve liked some combos of shorts and high heels I saw last summer),
- orange necklace, and then
- blue necklace wrapped twice around as a bracelet.
Navy dress + wine cardi+ sandals. :)
The navy dress, the wine cardi, the black shoes, brown belt and brown necklace.
I would love the aeronaut.
As for a bag, I feel like The Aeronaut is actually what I would need–I had to pay $125 in overweight baggage fee when I flew home last weekend!! It was due to the many coats and dresses I bought and not having packed with enough time to go out and buy a new bag so that I could check for a mere $25 in comparison. Boo! I want a lightweight but sturdy bag I can stuff into my outgoing luggage to guard against that kind of fee again in the future.
Definitely the Aeronaut bag!
What a great idea! Teal tank + straight leg jeans + wine cardi + brown necklace.
I travel all the time and the Aeronaut sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing :)
Floral dress, blue beads, orange shoes, grey cardi if necessary.
Great giveaway!
I’d find a lot of use for the Aeronaut!
I think the navy dress, wine cardigan, orange pumps and orange necklace would look nice!
The Aeronaut bag would definitely be the most useful! Even though it’s not plane traveling, I am in college and go back and forth to home a lot, and usually carry my things in a laundry basket.
Super exciting!
Eyelet top + Color block skirt + Wine cardi + Sandals.
I am SO JEALOUS of your Tom Bihn bag! I have been eying that site for awhile and I really need to just give it up and make a purchase. I think I want the Western Flyer the most.
Outfit option:
navy dress, grey jacket, orange flats and necklace. (I love orange and navy blue together…) The orange accessories would also look great with the floral dress.
You know, I think I’d keep it simple with navy dress + orange flats + orange necklace. The pop of orange seems very easter-y to me!
I like the medium Cafe bag, maybe in the plum/olive colour combination.
I’ve decided that I need a shop bag in yellow because the handles are padded! I only live a block away from the store, but by the time I get home, the cheap $.99 bags have always left suicidal-looking stripes all over my arms!
If the navy dress is not too bulky to put a top over, I’d do exactly that with the heather top. I’d add the wine cardi over that, and finish off with the black flats and hoop earrings.
Outfit idea:
Teal tank + white shorts + wine cardi + navy shoes + cuff bracelet.
The most useful Tom Bihn item for me would be packing cubes, because I don’t have any and I would find them very helpful, especially now with a toddler and a newborn to pack for if we go anywhere.
Love the Ristretto. I’m in dire need of a chic AND practical laptop bag.
White eyelet top + wine cardi + straight leg jeans + orange necklace + orange shoes
I love the thought of pops of orange with such a nice deep color of wine in the cardi!
Your packing never stops amazing and inspiring me!
I would use the Kit for all of my pens, markers, and pencils. I am taking classes, teaching full time, and working in a leadership cohort. I attend a lot of professional development and would love a handy stylish case to carry my stuff to all the places I end up in one day!! :)
oooh, fun!
gray tank+white shorts+wine cardi+slippers. Nice to go somewhere warm enough to be able to pack shorts!
And just wanted to say that since I started reading your blog a couple of months ago, I’ve been newly inspired to have fun with the contents of my closet! Thanks.
And I would love a roomy carry-on bag so the Aeronaut is my favorite.
Teal Tank + Jeans + Wine Cardi+ Sandals.
And I’d love to try one of the packing cubes.
The Large Cafe Shoulder Bag in cocoa/olive would be most useful for me. It’s more efficient than my current JanSport backpack. =D
Straight leg jeans + Eyelet top + Wine cardi + Chunky bracelet and slender bangels + Flip flops= Comfy cute
teal tank + color block skirt + wine cardi + gray belt + aannnnd…those dark-colored shoes, black I think?
but I have zero sense of style, so there’s that. ^_^
And as for the bag I would get the most use out of, the Aeronaut seems like it would satisfy my tendency to overpack as well as being easy to carry through airports.
I would wear the gray tank over the floral dress and top it off with a belt and some bracelets :)
That’s fun! It reminds of my childhood :)
Anyway, navy dress + orange pumps + orange necklace + grey knit blazer would be my choice.
I don’t care about winning. But this is a really great travel capsule!
Teal top and colour block skirt, with mandarin flats. Perfect for Easter!
White eyelet top, skinnies, orange pumps, bracelet/earrings of choice.
I’d love to try one of these wonderful travel bags!
navy dress + grey blazer + orange necklace + orange flats!
-teal tank
-navy dress
-wine cardigan
-flip flops
any of their big travel bags would be awesome to have
Orange shoes, jeans, turquoise tank, turquoise necklace
Hi E,
With the teal tank top as a base layer put the white eyelet blouse over the top, followed by the orange necklace and grey knit blazer. For the bottom wear the orange pumps with the straight leg jeans.
My favourite Tom Bihn bag I would love to have is the Aeronaut.
Teal tank + white shorts + wine cardi + orange shoes + orange necklace + silver bracelets = “vacation, all I ever wanted” a la The Go-Gos
although I’m lusting after an Aeronaut, the Kit would be so perfect for my sweetie to replace his dying dopp kit!
I think the large cafe bag would be incredibly useful. I’ve been looking for a laptop bag that is lightweight and easy to carry around, but that will still protect my precious computer from the cruel outside world.
I can see the bootcut jeans with the gray tank, fuschia cardi, and orange flats. Or the eyelet top with the jeans, turquoise necklace, and sandals.
navy dress + orange shoes and necklace
The Tri-Star looks like an excellent bag!
teal tank + straight leg jeans + knit blazer + blue necklace + sandals = perfect weekend wear!
Teal tank + colour block skirt + greyish belt + knit blazer + orange pumps.
I’m a messenger bag type of girl so for me the Imago in plum/olive would be definitely one that would be both useful and go down well with the colours in my wardrobe. Having said that, I also like the brain bag and the packing cube shoulder bag. :)
Grey tank + color block skirt + wine cardi (love the color!) + grey belt + silver bangles + flipflops = cute, comfy, stylish
I’ve been looking for a sturdier duffle bag for weekend trips – the Aeronaut looks like it would fit the bill perfectly, keeping me organized in the mountains and the city.
Navy dress+ orange shoes+ wine cardi+ blue chunky beads!
i would LOVE the utility tote, but then, i’m a sucker for totes.
Teal tank + color block skirt + wine cardi + sandals + grey belt. Nice enough to impress the inlaws. Comfortable enough to chase around a baby.
The Aeronaut would be lovely for my upcoming European adventure.
Floral dress + Grey belt + orange wedges
Teal tank + color block shirt + wine cardi + sandals + teal necklace = perfection!
I could definitely use the Checkpoint Flyer for my conference in Oxford this summer. There is going to be a whole lot of trains, planes, and taxis, and one very heavy laptop.
teal top, white shorts, gray blazer, and orange shoes/necklace. Oh how I do love orange.
I am perpetually in search of a good laptop bag…large cafe bag looks like it might fit the bill.
Floral dress + wine cardi + gray belt + black shoes!
It’s hard to decide between all the Tom Bihn products (love the Freudian Slip!), but I’m going to have to go with the Aeronaut.
For the outfit, it’s gotta be teal tank, color block skirt and wine cardi with black beads, bangle and sandals.
As to the bag, the everyday laptop bag looks too perfect. I’m pretty sure it would solve all my little problems and create world peace to boot!
Navy dress
+ eyelet top (worn under the dress)
+ black sandals (do you call these slippers too?)
+ wood bead necklace (worn as a bracelet)
I would love an Aeronaut. Just haven’t been ready to plunk down the cash for it yet.
teal tank + straight leg jeans + knit jacket + orange necklace & shoes
hello there! great looking products!
I could really use something like the checkpoint flyer. I travel a bit for my work –short business trips– and I need something that can carry my laptop and a few items for an overnight without having the added stress of wondering if I will pass security screening or not!
Thanks as always for offering a chance at these give-a-
aways! so nice of you. :)
teri
hmmm…for your outfit, i am going to picture a cooler Houston night, an early evening dinner since i have a baby too and I know that your schedule will call for an earlier evening than without baby. :)): how about the beautiful floral dress, grey knit blazer (open), black double-belt, and your black strap sandals? still baby friendly right?
cheers,
theresa
for some reason i cant see the photo of the tops, so ill go with…
the navy dress, orange shoes and orange necklace!
thanks for the packing ideas, as ill be packing for a few trips in the upcoming days!
–deanna in nyc
ooh! in the midst of all this packing excitement i almost forgot about the bag!
i frequently take weekend trips. i have a hard-sided, wheeling suitcase that is fabulous and i love, but the aeronaut bag would also be a welcome addition to my “fleet of bags.” i LOVE the idea of the packing cubes!
White shorts + gray tank + turquoise necklace + flip-flops.
Heather top + wine cardi + turquoise necklace, straight legged jeans and flipflops. Bright and colorful while pleasantly casual.
I think the large cafe bag would be most useful for me. I could sling it on my back while biking, while carrying everything I need in it!
navy dress + Orange wedges + turquoise bead necklace.
The Aeronaut would be perfect for me! I make a lot of transatlantic trips to Africa to work and I like to travel as light as possible but obviously need to bring a fair amount of stuff.
teal tank + jeans + wine cardi + sandals = classic casual
the synapse backpack would be great for me. i live in africa and this appears to be a perfectly sized bag to go from the clinic to the market to the beach. big enough for the essentials, but not so big that things get lost in the bottom.
Eyelet top + jeans + orange necklace + flipflops!
I dig the cafe bag. And all the others, too, really.
teal top+ white short+ knit blazer+ slippers and one of your chunky bangles :)
Wow I like almost all of them. But if I had to pick one, it’d be – The Synapse in Steel Dyneema/Solar Dyneema. It’s a really nice backpack! I run autism therapy sessions with a little boy and carrying a one shoulder bag with the little guy’s toys, learning material never works for the 40 min walk to the boy’s from the bus stop. Then there’s walking back for another 40 mins. This backpack looks awesome.. I could carry everything on both shoulders and still look good!
I could really use the 3-1-1-friendly 3D clear organizer cube. Quart-size ziplock bags get icky really fast.
teal tank + color block skirt + knit blazer + flip flops + bangles = easy breezy.
teal tank + jeans + knit blazer + orange necklace + orange pumps + bangles = casual and comfortable!
I’ve been in a long distance relationship for months now. Whenever I go visit my boyfriend, I seem to lose something along the way: my eyeliner, a tube of lipgloss, a tub of (rather expensive) moisturizer. I have yet to find the perfect little toiletry bag and I think that this would be perfect!
I could use a kit, or maybe the knitting bag!
navy dress + orange necklace + orange pumps + wine cardi! very cute
I recently bought a new laptop so I would love to get their laptop bags!
It’s pretty warm on the Gulf Coast right now, so I’d go with eyelet top + color block skirt + wine cardi + flip flops, with the good option to go sans cardi if you’ll be outside for any amount of time. =)
As for the bag, someday I hope to get an Aeronaut!
How about the pink cardi, navy jersey dress, and adorable flip flops? I think it’d be great for a nice dinner out!
I could use the large size since I caught the travel bug long ago and take as many vacations as possible — and always end up packing too much.
Gray tank tucked into the color block skirt. Use the gray belt if the top is a little too flowy. The dark shoes to keep it monocrhome, or the orange shoes for a pop :)
Those packing cubes from Tom Bihn look pretty neat! I’ve been sold on portable organizers since getting a Yukiko Sato purse years ago that came with a purse organizer. I’ve found that having a mini-bag that I can transfer between different purses to be extremely convenient.
I think I would go for teal tank with navy dress, orange necklace and orange pumps, possibly with the wide brown leather belt thrown in.
I’m new to your site and I am loving it! I’m still figuring out how to step outside my comfort zone and wear more colors, though. I would do the heather top + straight leg jeans + wine cardi + sandals.
I would looooove to have an Aeronaut!
For a warm day: dark grey tank, white shorts, wine cardigan, orange flats, bangles
Aeronaut all the way!
White shorts, teal tank, orange necklace, orange pumps would be the outfit I would create! Once it was cooler, maybe the wine cardi with one of the belts.
[...] to everyone who entered our give away for a Tom Bihn Kit! Our winner is K, comment [...]
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