There are many reasons to travel with a carry on only. Not only can it save you a lot of money on checked baggage, but it can save you a lot of time as well avoiding long checked baggage lines at the airport. You also avoid the risk of the airline losing your baggage with all of your belongings in it! Here are some of my best tips to traveling with just a carry on. 

When I tell people that I travel with just a carry on, the usual response is, "OMG HOW?!" 
It's very simple actually- I travel for weeks at a time with only a carry on, and I am able to get by just fine! Sometimes I can fit the same amount of items in a carry on as I would a checked bag. I think the reason that people find this so hard to believe is because they are traveling with the wrong carry on. Many carry on bags are super limiting in storage space because they are not expandable, use small dimensions, and have too many bulky pockets, zippers, and lining that take up too much space. 
I recently discovered the Voyageur Carry-On by Level 8 - this carry on maximizes dimensions with 20" 
of space designed with a wide handle to make more room on the inside to fit more items. I have found that this carry-on is great not only for fitting the most amount of items but my tote bag fits nicely on top and loops around the handle perfectly- with four wheels that glide on the airport flooring making it even easier to travel. I prefer this option instead of lugging around a difficult carry on around the airport that makes you wish you had checked it when you are running in the airport to make your connecting flight- been there done that a few times. 

I have found that rolling clothing is the best way to maximize space... and stay organized too! I can clearly see what I have packed and it doesn't become a jumbled mess. I even started storing my clothes in drawers at home this way too! I found not only does it fit more items and maximize space, but it looks more clean and organized. It is easier this way too to not slack and throw things in... because it is much more obvious when everything else is neatly rolled! 

Not only is mini better but its cuter!! Make sure to get the smallest possible size you can of our must-have toiletry items and cosmetics. I like to use the zipper pocket in my Level 8 bag to store my toiletries because it is water-proof in case anything leaks or explodes (this happens often when you hit altitude on a plane). Linking below some of my favorite travel size items! 

One thing about me is that I don't care if I look like an absolute clown at the airport- you can catch me wearing 3 coats, high heeled boots, 2 hats, scarves and accessories if it means I am going to save an extra couple hundred dollars on checked luggage. If I can make it happen- I will. Wear your bulkiest items to leave room for other things in your bag. ALWAYS wear jackets/coats (they make for great pillows/blankets on the plane as well) and your chunkiest shoes. Avoid packing jeans if you can, they take up the most space (and weight if you are checking a bag). If you must bring jeans, make sure you wear them to the airport instead of packing them to make more space! 

Don't forget to utilize your personal item! As long as it fits under the seat in front of you- it counts. I find large tote bags are the most convenient for fitting the most items, and easier to get around with because you can set it on top of your carry on. Store large items such as hair tools, charger cords, electronics, makeup bags, etc. in your personal item to make more room for clothes in your carry on. 
I like to keep my laptop in my personal item as well, but I did find this bag from Level 8 that has an outside case for laptop/charger cords as well. 

You need to have a solid strategy when you are packing for multiple weeks at a time with just a carry on. Throwing in a bunch of random things will not cut it for this task! Most hotels will offer complimentary laundry if you really need it. So here is my go to packing list when it comes to clothing/shoes:
​
- one pair of sandals, one pair of sneakers, one dressy shoe or heel 
-two gym outfits, one with black leggings that can dupe as a regular outfit as well
-two pairs of socks
- don't skimp out on underwear- I just pack it all just in case. 
- Short dresses instead of maxi dresses to save room
- One outfit for each day of the trip (or outfits you can mix and match)
- Dresses over two piece sets tends to save more room, and often you can re-wear. 

Okay, so we've gone over how to maximize your carry on and your personal item. Still feel like you need more space? The pillow trick. Now this one is a genius scheme. A pillow, on most airlines, does NOT count as a personal or extra item. You are allowed to bring a pillow to be more comfortable on the flight. You can take out the insert of your neck pillow and fill it with socks/clothing, or even a regular pillow if you can disguise it well enough. Works great every time!

Thank you for reading, and I hope this helps!
​XO, Alison 

The most frequently asked question I get is, how do you afford to fly so much? And honestly, it's not as expensive as you think. Last summer, I flew to Belgium for only $200, and then I hopped around to 10 Countries in Europe and only spent a total of around $300 on travel. I often times find flights for as low as $30. So how do I do it? I use the Skyscanner search engine. I've linked the search engine I use down below so you don't even have to leave this page to search for it! 

In this blog post, we'll explore how to use SkyScanner to find cheap flights.

First, enter your departure and destination cities and the dates you plan to travel. If your travel dates are flexible, select the "whole month" or "cheapest month" option. This will allow you to see a range of dates with different price points, giving you the flexibility to choose the most affordable option.

Pro Tip: Flying from larger airport hubs for international travel can grant you cheaper flights. For example if you are flying internationally, check flights from airports such as JFK, MIA, ATL, LAX. If you're flying into Europe internationally, check MAD, AMS, CDG. 

Once you've entered your travel information, hit search, and SkyScanner will pull up a list of flights. You can refine your search results by clicking on the various tabs that appear on the top of the page, such as "cheapest," "fastest," or "best."

To get the best deals on flights, consider setting up price alerts. This feature allows SkyScanner to notify you when prices fall or rise for a particular flight route or date. You can set up alerts by clicking on the "price alerts" button on the search results page.

Moreover, SkyScanner sometimes offers "secret deals" on flights where they don't list the airline that's offering the flight. These deals can be significantly cheaper than the published fares, so it's worth checking out, especially if you're flexible with your travel dates.

Another option to get cheaper flights is to book early or late. If you're booking months in advance, you're more likely to find cheaper fares. In contrast, if you book last-minute or closer to the travel date, prices will usually increase.

Lastly, be flexible with your travel dates and destinations. If you're not set on a particular location or date, you can use SkyScanner's "everywhere" feature. This feature shows you the cheapest destinations for your budget, allowing you to be adventurous and explore new places.

In conclusion, finding cheap flights using SkyScanner is easy and hassle-free, provided you follow the tips mentioned above. By using SkyScanner, you can save money on flights and enjoy your travels without breaking the bank.

I basically live out of a suitcase.
Rarely do I book a round trip flight. I am always booking a one-way... meaning I don't always know where I am going next or how long I will be gone. 
Frequently, I am asked the same question: How do I pack when I never know when I will be returning? 
The answer is simple: TRAVEL WITH JUST A CARRY ON. 
This will make your life so much easier... in all circumstances. Here's why:
1. You don't have to waste time (especially if you're in a hurry to catch a flight) checking your bags.
Forget about having to show up to the airport super early. If you can manage to travel with just a carry on, you don't have to waste time and money checking your bags at the airport. Simply have your mobile boarding pass ready and head straight to TSA. 
2. You have your luggage with you at all times. 
You don't have to worry about your luggage being thrown around or getting dirty/damaged. 
3. You don't have to worry about your luggage getting lost/misplaced. This happened to me when traveling to Rome last November. I wore the same outfit and makeup for three days. Needless to say... I always bring the essentials WITH me on a carry on ever since. 
4. SAVE TIME & MONEY 
Again refer to number 1. 
I don't know about you, but the first thing I want to do when the plane lands is immediately hop off and get out of the airport as fast as possible to get to where I'm going. Side note: DON'T be that person that gets up immediately when the plane lands and tries to push to the front. Just don't. Anyway, when traveling with just a carry on, you can save the hassle of figuring out which carousel your bag is located just to wait another 20-30 minutes to arrive. Or save yourself from the panic of arriving to your dream vacation only to be the only one still standing at the bag carousel to realize that your bag, along with all of the fashionable outfits you planned to take photos in, are lost. 

Now the question is...
How do I pack for weeks at a time and fit it all into a little carry on?
Don't underestimate yourself! You will be shocked at the amount of stuff you can fit into a 22 x 14 x 9.

​The first step to packing light is to wear you heaviest or bulkiest items. 
In the photo above, I have on my thickest sweater, jeans, and shoes. This seriously saves SO much room in my bag! When going on a trip, I normally bring a max 2-3 pairs of jeans, and the same with shoes. Flip Flops you can always zip up in the small side pocket of a carry on, or stick them in your purse if you are bringing one. This is the sole reason I wear heels to the airport. Hence the name, Wander in Heels. Tie a jacket you are bringing around your waist to save even more space. 
If you are bringing a coat, wear it. Sometimes I bring a coat and a cute heavier jacket. So I either wear or carry the jacket on my arm, and wear the heavy coat. Choose only one hat to bring, and wear it. If you want to bring another, let it sit on top of your purse instead of cramming it in your bag.

The other secret to traveling light is to have a big purse. I LOVE my Christian Louboutin Cabata Leather Tote. I linked all available here: http://liketk.it/2vg5y 
I have been traveling with this bag for over a year now, that's how much I like it. Not only do I get compliments on it everywhere, but it is the sturdiest, roomiest bag for all of my things. I have thrown it around on countless flights, ubers, trains, and taxis and it is without a scratch. 
I stuff this thing full. The things I normally put in my purse to slide under the seat in front of me on an airplane instead of my overhead carry on include: Laptop, large headphones, planner, makeup bag, curling iron/straightener, liquids in a quart size freezer bag, snacks, sometimes a pair of heels, etc. Crazy, right? Its do-able. I manage every. single. time. :) 

I also wear a cross body bag. You can wear it underneath your coat when boarding the plane so that it doesn't count as a third bag. I put my ID, passport, credit card, chapstick, etc. in my cross body so that I don't have to worry about losing important items or digging in my purse to find them.     
​                                                         Here are some of my favorites:

Packing for weeks at time to fit in a carry on size bag is not only a sport, but a fine art. 
This last trip had to be the hardest to pack for. Transitioning between warm weather and cold. From summer to fall. I went from NYC to Florida, Florida to NYC, and NYC to Boston. I was traveling for playoff baseball... so who knows? I could have been in NYC and around until the end of October! I had to be prepared for anything. 
Now prepare to be amazed. 
Here's what I fit into my RISE gear carry on bag. 
     Zipper pouch on top of riser: accessories, jewelry, misc items.
     Top two pouches: Three swimsuits, three bras, countless pairs of socks/underwear.
     1st shelf: baseball jersey, suede jacket, two body suits, three casual dresses, two sweaters,
     six tops. 
     2nd shelf: two pairs of jeans, one jumpsuit, two rompers, five dresses. 
    Bottom (laundry spot): two pairs of workout pants, three pairs of workout shorts, four 
   workout tanks, one pair of tennis shoes (Adidas are flexible), two pairs of heels. 
     Side pockets: one pair of flip flops, one long jacket. 

The best thing about this particular carry on bag is that you can just hang up the riser once you get to your hotel and be completely organized your entire trip. No more overflowing bag with wrinkly clothes all over the room. Keep everything neat and most importantly, stress free! This bag has been a total lifesaver for me.
Here is the link to purchase: RISE Gear Roller Grey 
If you already have a carry on roller bag that you like, simply purchase the insert here
If the Rise Gear Roller is sold out (it is often), Here are a couple TSA approved carry-on size four wheel roller bags that you can use the insert with:

I hope this helps you in all of your travels! Please comment below your thoughts & questions. :) ​