Pocket Stashes

I've seen several websites offering clothing with secret pockets. I actually own a travel vest of this type, but I think it may be too hot for wearing it on my upcoming trip. Maybe on the plane it won't be so bad, considering that the flight may actually be rather cold.

But if it is too hot in the daytime... What then?

I have also seen some underwear with secret pockets for hiding valuables such as extra cash. The camisole on Magellans.com looks great, but again, it's an extra layer when I was hoping for light and airy. Also, there is a size concern. Big bust on a medium sized woman here. Most sizes are not accurate for me. :(

However.... If I can get hold of some mesh material (and I think I might now that Wal-Mart carries fabrics locally once more), I could make a simple fold-over mesh pocket and sew it into the front of each blouse with a pin or velcro for security. The tops I'm planning to take are so busily patterned that a few stitches in a matching color will never show on the outside. Or even pins might work.

I could even make a mesh sling bag to wear under my clothes, or a bra stash, considering the many mesh shopping bags I've crocheted lately.

I did look for mesh by the yard, but there was none available. I went to another department and found this mesh laundry bag for $1.38. I'm going to cut it up for pocket making. ;) probably cheaper than buying yardage and faster than making my own crocheted mesh. I considered buying some lace fabric , but that was $8 a yard. Ripoff for what will never be seen anyway.

Pashmina Shawl for the Flight

I've decided not to order a travel blanket for the transatlantic flight. I'm taking the pashmina shawl I bought in the airport last time I was there instead. Okay, I don't doubt that it's fake for $20, but I just need a thin little blanket anyway. :). I may ask for an airline blanket as well, or I may not.

I'm planning to wear my shin compression sleeves anyway, so if I can find some knit pants to wear over them, that may work for me. If I can find capris in neutral colors, so much the better. I might wear them instead of shorts.

Crushable Travel Snacks

In the interest of not eating excessive salt on a transatlantic flight coming up, I've decided to take granola with me to snack on.

Usually I take a plastic Baggie, but those can get torn in the tumbling around of my carryon bag and I'd rather not dig my hands into the food if there is a possibility that I might be sharing my snack with someone else.

I'm drinking juice from a 10 oz hard plastic bottle that seems fairly crush-proof and would make a good shaker for my crumbly snacks, so I'm planning to wash it and repurpose it for food when I finish. I may put a mixture of purchased and amended granola in there.

And then I can just toss the bottle when empty. I think it'll work fine.

Heaven knows I get irritated when a bag of candy tears open to the point that I can't close it without a gaping hole in the side spilling everything out.

Epilogue: This worked great! I mixed M&Ms in with "heart healthy" Planters trail mix and just tossed it into my bag. It was a lot less awkward shaking out a little at a time than dealing with an opened bag. It'll be great to carry my unsalted almonds traveling.

I saw a girl in our travel group who was carrying around sketching pencils in a recycled water bottle. Thumbs up!