Latest news with #FionaSpinks
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Forbes
How To Create A Junk Journal While Traveling
Table with elements for scrapbooking handcraft. Tools for decoration, handmade album, scissors, paint, glue, colored pencils, scotch, thread. getty The concept of 'junk journaling' has taken over social media; the humble hobby doesn't necessarily require artistic skill to get right but rather relies on the colors and patterns found in 'junk,' items like unused napkins or concert tickets. 'I travel alone most of the time, so small souvenirs feel like travel friends,' explained Fiona Spinks, travel expert, solo adventurer, and founder of Following Fiona. 'A torn ticket or a café napkin brings a rush of memories the moment I touch it. That is why I keep a junk journal on every trip.' If you've been considering making a junk journal while traveling — or are looking for unique souvenirs that you can DIY — here's how Sprinks suggested those new to journaling should start working on their own junk journal: Sprinks suggested beginning with a notebook that does not scare you over investing in something pricey. 'A cheap spiral book works because it opens flat, but any notebook you like is fine,' she said. 'When the book feels casual, you will not worry about making it neat, and you will keep adding to it.' 'Carry a tiny pencil case. I use a glue stick, little scissors, one roll of tape, two pens and sometimes a pocket-sized watercolor set,' explained Sprinks. 'Fewer tools mean less weight and no excuse to leave them behind. If the kit is always with you, you will use it there and then instead of waiting until later.' Sprinks suggested getting into the habit of picking up free scraps all day. 'Receipts, bus tickets, sugar packets and small maps cost nothing and lie flat,' she said. 'These bits show the real life of a place better than a shop postcard and slip straight into your book.' Dedicate a few minutes each night to journaling 'Each night, give yourself five quiet minutes. Sit on the bed, stick in the day's scraps and write one quick note beside each piece,' said Sprinks. 'The short note locks the feeling in place while it is still fresh and never feels like homework, so you will keep the habit.' Add local color in simple ways 'Press a small flower between tissues, rub a pencil over a street name to make a print or dab a tiny spot of local spice on the page and cover it with tape,' Sprinks suggested. 'These touches wake up smell and sound when you open the book later.' Leave intentional gaps Sprinks also suggested leaving a few intentional gaps. 'When you get home you can print a photo and slide it beside the coffee receipt from that same morning,' she said. 'The mix of words, scraps and pictures builds a full story without extra work.' Create pockets for additional souvenirs 'Make pockets for odd shapes,' suggested Sprink. 'Cut an envelope from a magazine page, tape it inside and drop in sand, confetti or a hotel key card. A pocket keeps thick items safe and lets the spine of the book stay in one piece.' Mistakes only add to it Sprinks also urged travelers not to worry about mistakes. 'A glue smear or a coffee ring just shows that the book has been on the road with you,' she explained. 'Those marks add life and invite the next layer of memory, so keep going.' Don't forget to look back When the trip ends, Sprinks suggested always reading the journal out loud. 'The words you wrote on noisy buses and in quiet hostels pull the journey back in full color,' she explained. 'Years later these pages still surprise me with little details I had forgotten, and I am always glad I took those five minutes each night.'
The Independent
12 hours ago
- The Independent
Ten packing hacks to avoid airline carry-on fares this summer
As summer travel ramps up, the prospect of lengthy baggage queues at airports looms large for many holidaymakers. Yet, a growing number of seasoned travellers are sidestepping this common frustration by mastering the art of the carry-on bag. Whether you're jetting off for a weekend getaway or determined to squeeze your long-haul trip into one small suitcase, packing light doesn't mean you need to sacrifice style or essentials. Instead, it demands a more strategic approach to packing. Travel experts, having honed their methods over countless journeys, offer invaluable insights into maximising space and efficiency within the confines of a single carry-on. 1. Pick a suitcase with exterior pockets Picking the right bag makes all the difference. 'Choose a carry-on case with exterior pockets for items you will need in transit,' recommends Fiona Spinks, solo adventurer and founder of Following Fiona. 'A book, snacks or the clear liquid bag can live outside the main compartment so you are not opening the whole case in a crowded queue.' 2. Make a master list 'Start with a master list and tailor it for each trip – beach, city, festival, whatever,' suggests Chelsea Dickenson, founder of Holiday Expert who has partnered with Boots to create packing tips to help the nation get organised this summer. 'I keep mine in my phone notes and update it before every holiday. You only need one extra outfit – not five emergency dresses and 10 pairs of spare knickers.' 3. Invest in some packing cubes Packing cubes free up valuable space. 'One cube holds tops, another holds bottoms and a third keeps underwear separate,' says LP Maurice, travel expert, backpacker and CEO and co-founder of travel website Busbud. 'The cubes act like drawers when you open the bag. Press down on each cube before you zip it to push out any trapped air.' 4. Try the travel pillow trick This creative packing hack has gone viral on TikTok and is a great way to sneak some extra socks and pants onto a plane. 'Take the stuffing out of your travel pillow and fill it with clothes – socks, pants, even pyjamas,' recommends Dickenson. 'No one at the airport will know, and you've just bought yourself extra space in your case and still get a comfy pillow. Just try and stick to the cleaner clothes for your return journey.' 5. Roll your clothes 'Rolling each item instead of folding sounds simple, yet it makes a surprising difference,' says Spinks. 'Rolled clothes stack snugly along your case's length and come out with fewer creases, so you spend less time hunting for an iron at your hotel. 'This method also lets you spot gaps where you can tuck socks or underwear using every corner of the bag.' 6. Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes 'Footwear is always the bulkiest offender, so wear the heaviest pair for the journey so the lighter pair can slot along the side of the case,' recommends Spinks. 'Filling the inside of each shoe with chargers or rolled underwear stops wasted space and keeps the shoes from collapsing.' 7. Fill every single gap Make every little bit of space count. 'Fill the shoes with rolled socks and chargers to stop dead space,' recommends Maurice. Dickenson agrees and says that little things like lining the edges of your suitcase with belts and tucking your jewellery into sunglasses cases can make all the difference. 8. Wear the bulkiest items 'A jacket with deep pockets can carry your phone, headphones and a paperback book,' highlights Maurice. 'That choice removes about 1 kg from your bag and could help you stay warm in an air‑conditioned cabin.' 9. Decant your toiletries into mini bottles 'Switch full-size toiletries for reusable mini bottles and solid versions wherever possible,' recommends Spinks. 'Decanting shampoo and moisturiser into 80ml containers satisfies airline liquid rules and saves you from paying extra for checked baggage just to carry large bottles. 'Solid bars of soap or conditioner slip into any spare corner and never leak over your clothes.' 10. Buy a flat lay makeup bag 'If you're anything like me and tend to spread your makeup and toiletries everywhere, a flat lay bag makes life so much easier,' says Dickenson. 'You just open it up and everything's laid out and visible. No more rooting around for your mascara or leaving half your make-up behind.'
