I've got dem packing skillz

I am the queen of packing efficiently. A childhood spent making long car trips and flying across the country taught me to pack carefully. I think hard about all the possibilities I could encounter on a trip, make concessions for issues that could arise, and pack my bags with consideration. I keep the items I may need to access quickly within easy reach, and ensure they slide in and out of my bag nicely. After all, no one wants to be the guy holding up an airport security line because you can't get your laptop out of your bag without unpacking all your underwear.

I also tend to pack extremely light. Most of my clothes on a trip do double duty. If I am going to stay for a long time, I'll plan to do laundry rather than pack. My bags are usually 3/4 to 1/2 full when leaving on a trip. You never know when you'll need room for souvenirs or gifts.

These packing traits are important to remember when I tell you that I walked into The Surrey Tack Shop in Darnestown, Maryland on Monday afternoon. I was looking for recommendations for boarding barns, and maybe a new pair of summer gloves. While I found all of that (A shout out to everyone at The Surrey! You guys were great!), I also discovered a great consignment area… and a Rambo Newmarket cooler in Pig's size with a ticket on it asking for $50.

$50. For a $200 cooler I've been drooling over for 5 years.

Yeah. Was there even a question? I bought that… even though I traveled to DC with only a purse and a carry on suitcase. Uh. Whoops? The cashier at the Surrey and I joked that I could carry the cooler on the plane as a "comfort blanket" or wear it as a fancy poncho/cape. Honestly, I think that could be a new superhero look: Rambo Woman! Bringer of comfort to clipped equines everywhere! (Hire me, Rambo!)
Just like Darkwing Duck ... 
 Fortunately for my fellow air travelers, my frugal packing techniques yielded the perfect amount of space in my carry on luggage bag to cram in the cooler.
Totally fits. I don't know what the problem was.
Sure my sundresses will be covered with some random gray horse's hair, but...
I mean, really. This is the best buy of the year.
Rambo Woman, signing out...

Comments

  1. LOLOLOLOL.

    Epic deep curtsey.

    You're a hoot. I love this.

    See you in a few weeks!!!

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  3. The pictures of you in that cooler are truly magical.

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  4. That's a total steal!

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  5. Great deal! Of course you had to have it!

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  6. You're welcome for the chicken. ;-)

    And yes, you made the only call you could.

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    1. That chicken... the gif lives in a special folder on my phone so I may access it at all times.

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  7. what a deal!! can't wait to see it on Pig - he's gonna look so fab! hope your reconnaissance mission in MD went well and that you were able to make headway on planning the move! :D

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  8. This obviously had to be done. We are all collectively relieved there was room in the carry-on. That Darkwing Duck reference just got me a dirty look for laughing at my desk.

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    1. Bahaha! Good! I loved Darkwing Duck as a kid...

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  9. I spent twice that on a used Newmarket with rusted buckles (though I did not know this at the time) and REGRET NOTHING. It's the one stupid luxury item I was like MUST HAVE WANT SO BAD WANT WANT WANT. I scrubbed the rust off and painted over it with glitter nailpolish to prevent future rusting so I think we're good.

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    1. You're totally good. Glitter nailpolish is just about the hardest material made by mankind, based on how hard it is to remove from my toes...

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  10. YES YES YES. A thousand times yes!!

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  11. Hurrah for great bargains! Also, I now have Evention's "Dressage Skillz" song stuck in my head. :-)

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  12. I literally laughed out loud over the Darkwing Duck reference!

    I still haven't been to The Surrey but I looooove Stablemates. And there's also The Grey Pony which is a two-story HOUSE...all consignment horse stuff!

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    1. Oh man. I'd heard about the Grey Pony! The people at The Surrey were seriously wonderful. It's definitely a dressage/foxhunting focus in there, though. (Which, actually, I am all about!)

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  13. You win best post for the Darkwing Duck reference! Although now I have the theme song stuck in my head... ;)

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  14. I bought the matching quarter sheet, I've only used it a few times, and in reality it's almost too nice to go over a stinky horse butt. I got a screaming good deal in Ebay because it was in midget horse size.

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  15. Yeah!!! Great find! Tiny overhead bin space be damned! I personally would have worn it as a comfort blanket :)

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  16. When it comes to packing, going light should be the way to go. Being efficient in the process should be considered a talent, really. It requires a lot of patience, as well as investments in time and effort. Anyway, that cooler seems nice. I’m glad that you were able to fit it in your luggage. Thanks for sharing that, Austen! Travel safely!

    Clay Delgado @ World Packaging Co

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  17. DAYUM GIRL!
    I just had to interrupt my blog catch up reading to commend you & give you major props on the bargain find and your super awesome packing skillz.

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