Style Counsel: Heidi Swanson's Travel Kit - Remodelista
Photography by Heidi Swanson. I first got to know Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks and culinary shop Quitokeeto on a flight to Portland, Oregon, where she was heading to a book signing. Photograph by Wayne Bremser. Swanson strolls through the Place des Vosges in Paris. Heidi Swanson: I use a compact black Samsonite carry-on with wheels. Swanson’s go-to uniform is built around a Sofie d’Hoore dress from MAC (Modern Appeal Clothing) in San Francisco. Instant evening outfit: a Sofie d’Hoore dress with gold sandals from the Gap and an Erica Tanov gold wallet. RM: What’s your approach to packing? I’ll make a sketch of what I’m going to wear beforehand; I flat-pack my outfits in compact Travel Space Bags from the Container Store with all the air squished out. I like to sketch out the outfits I’ll be wearing each day; it takes away the guesswork. RM: What’s in your travel make-up bag? HS: I bring two small Malin + Goetz bottles of shampoo and carry a comb instead of a brush. I’m addicted to Korres Pomegranate Wipes; I use them to cleanse at the end of the day and to freshen up after a flight. I pack a vintage Bakelite bracelet and other simple pieces when I travel since I like to get through airport security quickly. HS: I bring a Kindle Fire in a felt pouch for reading and movies; I don’t take my laptop unless I really have to. Heidi’s pinboard displays story ideas for her next book and photos from her travels. HS: Hotels are not so important to my partner, Wayne, and I; we’d rather spend the money on other things. These Golden Pot Stickers are a favorite for long-haul journeys because they’re full of protein. I’ll wrap my cameras in a cloth and keep them there. This post is an update; it originally ran on January 27, 2012, as part of our Rustic Life issue.