After my last couple of day trips, it is very clear to me that I need a rolling briefcase. I just carry too much stuff in my purse for it to be comfortable, especially for huge airports like DFW. Even though I’ve been talking about getting one for almost a year, it just hasn’t been high on my priority list (like, say, shoes). But I promise you, here and now, I will have a rolling briefcase, that I love, before the end of May. Part of this is spurred on by the fact that I have three conferences over the next three months—my poor shoulders can’t handle the weight of my purse. Of course, one of the reasons I haven’t gotten one yet (and I know this will shock those of you who have read my blog for a while) is that I’m just too darn picky! I want all the features I need, I want it to be cute, and I want it for a good price. Is that too much to ask??

Here are the features I want:

• Lots of space inside. Of course it will need to have room for my computer, files, and purse stuff. But it would also be great if it had room for me to stick a change of clothes in for overnight trips. I often feel silly bringing my normal suitcase on a trip when it’s only half full.
• Outside pockets. Internal space is important, but I need to have a pocket on the outside where I can stick things I need immediate access to—my keys, phone, boarding pass, and lipstick.
• Sturdy construction. While I love my existing purse and my suitcase, I am rough on them. They get stuffed to the brim, shoved in tight spaces, rained on, dragged, and dropped on occasion. I need something that will hold up to serious wear and tear. Also, because I will likely set stuff on top of it, I need something that is pretty square—not just a purse on wheels, like so many of the rolling briefcases marketed to women.

Here are two of the ones I’m considering:

This houndstooth rolling briefcase by JKM and Company  (pictured above) is really, really cute. It looks to have plenty of pockets for clothes, files, a computer, and purse stuff. It’s also nice and square, and has good reviews. Plus it’s under $100!

I also love this McKlein USA Willowbrook Detachable Wheeled Briefcase. It comes in six different colors, is leather, has two main pockets, and it’s detachable if you don’t need the wheels! It’s a little smaller than the houndstooth one, but I do love the turquoise… It’s available from eBags for $206 and Amazon for $158.

Readers, do you have a rolling briefcase? What brand? Do you love it?

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I’ve decided there are two types of people in the world—those that carry tissues with them all the time, and those who don’t.

My trip this week was initially pretty uneventful. I went to several offices, got some good work done, and ate a tasty steak. However, yesterday about twenty minutes before I was slated to leave for the airport my nose just randomly started bleeding. I guess the dry air and pollution were just too much for it. Of course, I am not of the “always carrying tissues” type, and so had to frantically hold my nose while asking the lady at the desk next to me if she had any. Thank goodness she did, and so I was able to eventually get it stopped. And OMG how freaking embarrassing. Ugh. So the first item that I will keep with me always: tissues.

On the way to the airport I stopped at a gas station to get tissues just in case it started bleeding again. Well wouldn’t you know , it happened again while I was in there. I ran to the bathroom to grab some tissues, and frantically searched for a place to put my purse. There was nothing. No hook, stand, table, counter, nothing. I hate, hate, HATE putting my purse on a bathroom floor but in this case had no choice. Again, I got the bleeding stopped, but I have now added another item to keep with me always: sanitizing wipes.

Needless to say, I was super glad to get home last night!

Readers, have you ever needed something desperately that you didn’t have while on a trip? Did you start carrying it with you on future trips?