The Eastsider Diaries

I know I know, I've been a bad blogger.

I was on holiday for the last two weeks and to my astonishment didn't have internet access to document my adventures! Don't worry, I'll be doing a little holiday recap for you later this week. But until then, I'm trying desperately to get over my jet lag [unsuccessfully] and get back into a steady routine.

For now, I will leave you with my Top 10 carry on must-haves.

Over the last 3 years I've been fortunate enough to travel across Europe and the states & have never boarded a plane without these 10 things.

Here we go.

Top 10 Carry On Must Haves:

10. Water bottle

Staying hydrated is essential for any flight. It helps combat jet lag and can keep muscles from cramping.

9. Snack

Nuts, trail mix, pretzels, that sort of thing. I've noticed that flights, especially domestic, do not always serve a snack. Personally I think this is ridiculous, so I'm always prepared with a little nosh. Trail mix and the like are a good source of fiber & protein. Nuts are great because they make you feel fuller longer.

8. Notebook & pen

To document your travels, play hangman or doodle.

7. Magazine of choice

For a little indulgence in a guilty pleasure or to catch up on some fashion/sports/news...Vanity Fair is my favorite, so it's always a travel companion of mine.

6. iPod

If reading isn't your choice, then music might be. Plus your headphones can double up as ear plugs if you want to take a snooze.

5. A good book

For this trip my book of choice was Stieg Larsson's Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. For those of you who have read it, I need to get my hands on the other 2! For those of you who haven't, I highly recommend it. I mean, it is a national best seller after all.

4. Neck pillow

Essential for comfort. Once you get one you'll wonder how you ever traveled without one.

3. Eye mask

Great for naps, but can also double as a huge headband... just sayin.

2. Sweatshirt

It gets chilly on those flights. One of the reasons people get sick after they travel via air is because they don't anticipate the power of the air-conditioning or the altitude shift. Airlines are also not supplying blankets as much anymore [tisk, tisk].

1. Vasaline

This is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to carry with you. Vasaline can be used as lotion for those try hands or for your lips. For those longer flights, to stay looking and feeling refreshed, I dab a little Vasaline under my eyes. This is a miracle worker, I swear by it. And [ladies], if you're wearing makeup on your flight and feel it running/ drying up your skin, Vasaline doubles as makeup remover. Just put a little on a tissue and gently wipe away.

There you have it! My top 10 Carry On must haves.

What do you always travel with?

Gourmet and street food isn't a combination many of us are used to when we think of "Food Trucks". Most of us think that street food is what you get when you're either in a rush, intoxicated, or trying to spend as little as possible.
But as the food cart phenomenon has grown and become popular, many food trucks have taken to catering to their customers desire for gourmet and health conscience food.

And thus I present, Buns!
This burgers-on-wheels food truck is fabulous.

I went to a little private event catered by Buns & this wasn't the first time I was able to bite into one of their delicious burgers.

They serve only the highest quality beef with certified organic toppings. They're only been around for 2 years, but because everything about them is sustainable & local, they've become quite popular.