Today we are so excited to share a collaboration that we’ve been working on with Hayden Reis! We designed a tote bag and wristlet that are now available for pre-order on their website. We adore Hayden Reis bags for family outings and road trips and couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out! Stay tuned for the official release on July 1st!
Whether it’s for work or play, these bags are perfect for just about anything you have planned for this summer– beach trips, car rides, office hauls, pool days, picnics, and more! They’re made of premium sailcloth, so not only are they water resistant, but they are extremely durable and easy to clean (you can even spray them down with a hose!). Emily recently took this bag on a road trip with three littles in tow. We’re are excited to share our top five tips with you to help simplify the process of packing the perfect road trip bag! If you have older kids or are taking an adults only trip, you can alter these tips to fit your specific needs.
Tip #1: Don’t overpack!
Overpacking is a far too common mistake that’s made when packing for a road trip. Our advice? If it’s something you can easily go a day in the car without, pack it in your suitcase or leave it at home! The items that we absolutely won’t leave on a long road trip without are: baby formula, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, snacks, small toys, plastic bags, a blanket, burp cloths, and, of course, outfit changes for the little ones.
Tip #2: Have a designated place for each item.
Don’t just throw things in a bag! When packing our Hayden Reis bag, we put large items (a roll of paper towels or a container of baby formula) in the main section of the bag and keep the pockets reserved for smaller items, such as pacifiers, snacks, and burp cloths.
Tip #3: Roll burp cloths and stand them up in an interior pocket.
This way it’s not only easy to see how many you have left, but it also makes them extremely easy to spot and grab one quickly in a pinch! All of our mama readers know that when you need a burp cloth, you need it right away. :)
Tip #4: Pack small prizes or activities to help entertain older children at rest stops.
Giving your older children something fun to do while you feed babies, change diapers, or fill up on gas will help to eliminate meltdowns and get you back on the road as quick as possible!
Tip #5: Put little items in a small, clear bag.
Before you throw pacifiers or your mascara into your bag, first place them in a small, clear bag (i.e: a ziploc) to put inside an interior pocket. They won’t end up scattered all over your bag, and you’ll be able to quickly identify what’s in each one.
And for one last piece of exciting news today…our friends at Hayden Reis have offered to give one lucky reader their very own EL for Hayden Reis tote bag from this collaboration! Enter to win below, and we will select one person to win on June 25th at 12:00pm! Or, you can pre-order yours here! Happy packing! :)
PS: We’re always looking for great brands to partner with to bring a little more joy and simplicity to our readers! Have an idea? Send us a note at hello@emilyley.com! Check out more of our favorite brands at #ELFavorites
