The Capsule Suitcase - Packing Tips for the Stylish Nomad

The Capsule Suitcase

The Capsule Suitcase

The Capsule Suitcase

The capsule suitcase

Packing Tips for the Stylish Nomad

Latest from the blog

Packing for a Spring Trip in One Bag

March 21, 2024

Learn my tips for packing intentional, stylish outfits in unpredictable spring weather.

How I Packed for 2 Months in Asia

February 27, 2024

How I packed for Hong Kong, Thailand, mainland China, and Macao. Get tips on packing for Asia, for longer travel, and mini trips in between.

What I Packed, Ate, and Saw in Mexico City

March 25, 2023

See what I packed for a 2-week trip to Mexico City. I also share my tips on what to see and where to eat in this culturally rich city!

How to Pack for a Formal Winter Business Trip

February 5, 2023

Do you have a very fancy business trip in the dead of winter? See my packing list for a formal business trip that includes a gala.

View my Packing Lists

Packing for a Spring Trip in One Bag

Learn my tips for packing intentional, stylish outfits in unpredictable spring weather.

How I Packed for 2 Months in Asia

How I packed for Hong Kong, Thailand, mainland China, and Macao. Get tips on packing for Asia, for longer travel, and mini trips in between.

What I Packed, Ate, and Saw in Mexico City

See what I packed for a 2-week trip to Mexico City. I also share my tips on what to see and where to eat in this culturally rich city!

How to Pack for a Formal Winter Business Trip

Do you have a very fancy business trip in the dead of winter? See my packing list for a formal business trip that includes a gala.

Subscribe to The Capsule Suitcase on Youtube!

There’s more to see over on my YouTube channel. Drop a sub to stay up to date with the latest packing tips and tricks from The Capsule Suitcase.

Travel Gear Reviews

My HomeExchange Review

Want to save money on accomodations on your next trip? Read about my experience with a house swap service!

packing compression socks

The Best Compression Socks for Travel

What are the best compression socks for travel? In my guide, I explain what compression socks do and where to buy the best ones.

black friday cyber monday deals

The Black Friday Sales I’m Shopping This Year

I don’t always go hard on Black Friday, but for some brands, it’s worth it. Take a look at my top picks!

Troubadour bag review

Troubadour Carrier Tote Bag Review

Is this my new favourite carry-on bag? It might be! Read my review of the Troubadour Carrier Tote to see why it’s quickly becoming my travel MVP.

Packing Tips and Tricks

How to Avoid Overpacking on Your Next Trip

July 14, 2019

I accidentally overpacked on my 4-week trip to Europe. Find out the lessons I learned and how to avoid making the same mistakes I did.

How to Buy Travel-Friendly Blouses

August 18, 2019

Read about blouses, all the different fabrics (and blends) available, and how to choose the best ones for your lifestyle and travels.

how to pack for a bachelorette party

What to Pack for a Bachelorette Party

August 25, 2019

Going to a Bachelorette party? Take a look at my quick tips on packing what you’ll need.

las vegas capsule wardrobe

How to Pack for Las Vegas

February 16, 2017

Find out what to pack on a winter trip to Las Vegas, Nevada.

the capsule suitcase

My Favourite Buys of 2017

January 11, 2018

It’s that time again…time for a rundown of my best buys of the last year! I’m a sucker for a new gadget and love to try out novel solutions to old problems. It gets expensive, but the upside is that I can then share with you which items stood out to me. If you’re curious,

How I Packed for 2 Months in Asia

February 27, 2024

How I packed for Hong Kong, Thailand, mainland China, and Macao. Get tips on packing for Asia, for longer travel, and mini trips in between.

travel fitness gear

Travel-Friendly Fitness Gear That Packs Flat

March 8, 2021

Check out my recommendations for workout accessories that pack flat!

Don’t Put This One Thing in Silicone Travel Tubes

July 31, 2016

A little lesson in chemistry while traveling!

On The Web

Travel Adventures

Packing for a 36-hour Trip in One Bag

December 22, 2022

Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel

August 7, 2022

build a website

How to Launch a Travel Blog

August 15, 2021

lost luggage

What to Do About Lost Luggage

January 31, 2021

flying during a pandemic

COVID Pandemic: What to Expect When Flying

July 19, 2020

Beauty Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Packing Cosmetics

How to pack the right toiletries and cosmetics for travel, when to choose alternatives to liquids, and how to pick the right containers.

packing beauty devices

5 High-Tech Beauty Devices to Pack on Your Next Trip

Beauty devices can take up a lot of space but some are worth it. Read on to see which ones make the cut for me.

ISSA-KIDS-FOREO-SWEDEN-REVIEW

The Best Travel Toothbrush: ISSA kids by FOREO Sweden review

I use a kids toothbrush and I love it! Find out why the ISSA kids by FOREO Sweden is my favourite toothbrush for travel.

UFO 2 Facial Device by Foreo Sweden

A 2-Minute Supercharged Facial in your Pocket: UFO 2 by FOREO Review

My review of the UFO 2 by FOREO Sweden, an ultra-high-tech palm-sized beauty tool for 2-minute supercharged facials using LED, hot/cold therapy, and more.

lake house packing

Fashion Tips

3 Ways to Pack for a Lake House

Inspiration for your next lake house vacation, whether you’re fashionable, casual, or sporty!

Shopping Guides

What to Pack for Switzerland in the Fall

I’m sharing my packing list and recommendations for a short business casual trip to Switzerland in the Fall.

How to Pick Your Travel Day Outfit

Choosing your plane outfit comes down to two factors: what will be comfortable for you, and what maximizes your suitcase space.

Pack With Me: Dopamine Dressing in Los Angeles

Can you pack bold, standout pieces and still have a travel-ready, versatile capsule wardrobe? The answer is YES!

Health and wellness

wellness travel tips

How to Boost Your Immune System Before Flying

packing compression socks

The Best Compression Socks for Travel

working out in the park

Working Out on a Trip: How to Stay Active on Vacation

flying-during-covid

COVID and Flying: How to Stay Safe on Your Next Flight

best travel gear

Travel Items I Use at Home

happy home base

The Importance of Cultivating a Home Base

how to travel without leaving your home

5 Ways to Travel Without Leaving Your Home

Shop my recommended products

I’ve curated a list of my very favourite travel-friendly products. Take a look for recommendations and exclusive discounts.

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The Capsule Suitcase

Come with me to a traditional Quebecois Sugar shac

Come with me to a traditional Quebecois Sugar shack.

Despite what it may seem, it’s spring time in Quebec and that’s when maple sap is harvested to be turned into syrup and other maple treats. Maple orchards across the province open up their doors to visitors who come for their annual pilgrimage for a good time among friend and family.

The tradition of collecting and using maple sap predates European colonization in North America. Indigenous peoples in the region, such as the Algonquin, Iroquois, and Mi’kmaq, had methods for collecting sap and making maple syrup and sugar long before European settlers arrived.

When French settlers arrived in Quebec in the 17th century, they learned about maple syrup production from the Indigenous peoples. They adapted and expanded these techniques, establishing maple syrup production as an important industry in the region.

The term “cabane à sucre” or “sugar shack” refers to the small cabins or buildings where maple sap is boiled down to make syrup and sugar. These structures started as simple huts but evolved over time into more sophisticated cabins with equipment for processing sap.

The process of making maple syrup in a sugar shack involves tapping maple trees in late winter or early spring when the sap begins to flow. The sap is collected in buckets or through a network of tubes and then boiled down in large pans over wood-fired stoves. This process gives maple syrup its distinctive flavor.

The cabane à sucre became not just a place for syrup production but also a gathering place for communities. Families and friends would come together during “sugaring off” season to enjoy meals featuring maple syrup, such as pancakes, ham, beans, and desserts like maple taffy on snow or tire, as we call it.

While traditional sugar shacks still exist, many have modernized their equipment and facilities to meet contemporary standards. Some sugar shacks also offer activities like horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, and tours to educate visitors about maple syrup production.

#cabaneasucre #tourismequebec #maple #capsulesuitcase #sugarshack #quebec

It wasn’t cheap 🥹

It wasn’t cheap 🥹

It’s February, it’s grey, and the ground is sl

It’s February, it’s grey, and the ground is slushy. Spread some joy with a @keikofuroshiki wrapped gift!

Alternate caption: When you plan a coworking day with a manager from a social media scheduling app, (hi @jesse.luimes and @heyorca), you know you’ve got the perfect partner to shoot a reel. ☺️

You have got to try these sesame Rice Krispie trea

You have got to try these sesame Rice Krispie treats by @ericjoonho ! I made a few modifications to make them vegan and slightly more nutritious. Swapped in @mydandies marshmallows, @love.legrand vegan butter and @naturespathorganic Kamut aka puffed khorasan (I swear I tried to fix the captions a million times). The final element that blew my mind was cutting these into small chunks to make cereal. Full circle for these lil puffs.

That’s a wrap on 2023 and there’s no doubt I’ve been unable to both enjoy my life *and* share it on social media 🙈. But, while I still owe you basically all of my Asia content on here at some point, please enjoy this highlight reel of my last 12 months.

January: We got engaged on January 1st on the lawn of the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City and went for dim sum right after.

February: Spent 3 weeks in Mexico City and absolutely fell in love with that city.

March: My friends throw me the perfect bachelorette in a chalet near Trois-Rivières, Québec.

April: @barrebyradina comes to @movingjust.fine

May: I make my own wedding dress.

June: I quit my job and we get married with just our closest family members in a small ceremony in Powell Gardens, Missouri.

July: We get @keikofuroshiki off the ground in the midsts of a sweltering Kansas summer and make @nostalgia__room our office.

August: Soaking in Montreal’s last few weeks of summer.

September: I turn 32 and we take off for 2 months in Asia.

October/November: We make Hong Kong our home base and visit Shenzhen, Bangkok, and a few more Chinese cities for Tyler, and Macau for me.

December: An incredible first season for Keiko Furoshiki and lots of family time.

I love you all! Cheers to 2024!

All the restaurants at Mong Kok Cooked Food Market

All the restaurants at Mong Kok Cooked Food Market 🍜🥟🦐🇭🇰

📍Mong Kok Complex
2/F, Mong Kok Complex, 557 Shanghai St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Tucked away on the second floor of an unassuming building overlooking Langham Place mall is a great spot to grab a quick, affordable, delicious dinner: Mong Kok Cooked Food Market.

In Hong Kong, Cooked Food Market = Food Court or Food Hall, meaning every stall is an independent restaurant but the eating area is communal. Traditionally, it’s where the average working-class man can get a warm meal at any hour. It’s open early, closes late, and each district has its own Cooked Food Market.

This place isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a very authentic local experience. Few, if any, of the menu items are displayed in English, so this is when your Google Translate app comes in handy and a bit of pointing and hand gesturing may be required.

It can get crowded, so don’t be shy about sharing a table with a stranger or two. You’ll often catch families meeting up at this place, passing around a baby between two bites of wonton soup, Hong Kong-style chow mein, cha siu, beef curry, or a clay pot dish.

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#hongkong🇭🇰 #hkfoodie #travelblogger #canadianabroad #cantonesefood #mongkok

3 things to do in Yuen Long Yuen Long is a town i

3 things to do in Yuen Long

Yuen Long is a town in the western new territories in Hong Kong. To get there, take the Tuen Ma MTR line and get off at Yuen Long or Long Ping station.

📍Tai Kiu Market
G / F, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, Hong Kong

We’re a few weeks after the Mid Autumn festival now but leading up to this holiday, the Tai Kiu market is the best place to buy your mid autumn lanterns. The rest of the market is a pretty typical Hong Kong market, so a great place to buy meat, produce, and dried goods.

📍Old Fung Tea House
66號 Tai Tong Rd, Yuen Long, Hong Kong

I love dim sum and the the cutest place to go in Yuen Long is Old Fung Tea House. It can get busy, so prepare to wait a bit or go at an odd hour. This place has so many charming details from the colour scheme, to the vintage little vignettes throughout the restaurant. Make sure you try the Taro dumplings that are so crispy, and their signature thousand layer cake.

📍Accro Coffee
Yuen Long On Ning Rd, 162-164號, Kam Shing Building, 地下D舖

After your meal, take a stroll and make your way to Accro coffee. This place is for serious coffee lovers. It’s an award-winning coffee shop that specializes in siphon coffee and has a pretty extensive menu for all types of coffee preferences.

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#DiscoverHongKong #YuenLong #TravelHongKong #LocalGems #HongKongDiaries #TravelBlogger #OffTheBeatenPath #CanadianAbroad

Four months married and we’ve quit jobs, started

Four months married and we’ve quit jobs, started a business, relocated to Hong Kong, and spent a week in Bangkok, and every moment is better with you.

How to use a furoshiki when travelling! If you r

How to use a furoshiki when travelling!

If you received a gift wrapped in a @keikofuroshiki or bought one for yourself, here are some ideas on how to re-use it on a trip.

Tip 1: Use a furoshiki as a packing cube to keep your items organized and clean while filling your suitcase for a trip.

Tip 2: If you have a generic-looking suitcase or want to liven it up with a pop of colour, wrap a furoshiki around the handle to personalize it.

Tip 3: Bought some snacks and a book at the airport but don’t have enough room in your bag? With just a few knots, your furoshiki is little tote that you can carry or be tied to your carry on.

Tip 4: Need to protect your hair against the abrasion of the airplane headrest? Wrap your hair in a quick little bonnet of soft satin polyester.

Tip 5: A furoshiki makes a great eye mask if you want to take a nap on your next flight.

#TravelHacks #FuroshikiArt #FuroshikiWrapping #KeikoFuroshiki #traveltheworld #nomadict

Went to @asiaworldexpo Consumer Electronics Expo i

Went to @asiaworldexpo Consumer Electronics Expo in Hong Kong on Friday which was heaven for any mechanical keyboard enthusiast 😅. #asiaworldexpo

Part 3 of how I prepare for an upcoming trip! My f

Part 3 of how I prepare for an upcoming trip! My favourite tip is what I do for my tech gear. It took me one time forgetting an item charging in a corner to learn my lesson: charge all your tech gear leading up to your trip and do it in ONE place! This Always Be Charging (ABC) zone is just a power strip near my open suitcase but it’s allowed me to progressively pack and charge and make sure my final pack isn’t missing anything. #digitalnomadtips #packingtips #packinghacks

This is part 2 of my pre-travel routines! These ar

This is part 2 of my pre-travel routines! These are my little habits I’ve cultivated over the past 10 years that keep me sane and organized in the weeks, days, and hours leading up to a trip. They are rinse and repeat, allowing me to avoid the stressors of the hectic travel lifestyle. #nomad #digitalnomadlife #travelblogging #ldrcouples

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The Capsule Suitcase

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