What I Packed for a Work Trip in Mississippi

I’m currently in Meridian, Mississippi to attend a training for work. I’m here for 5 days total learning about hydric soils. I’ve only been to Mississippi once, so I’m excited to check out the area again!

The course I’m taking down here will be a mix of classroom work and field work. The weather is going to be almost 90 most days with chances of thunderstorms (read: hot & humid) and we’ll be out in the woods, muck boots on and looking at wetland soils. It’s gonna get sweaty and dirty. And worse yet… 10 minutes into our drive we realized our vehicle for the week doesn’t have AC. Yikes. So I packed all the essentials, and some more to have an outfit change for the days we get really dirty. I definitely overpacked, but I think for this trip it was necessary!

My top 10 essentials for a work trip:

1. My favorite belt bag. I love this bag! It’s the perfect size for a wallet, chapstick, keys, pens & sunglasses with plenty of room left over. When I’m out in the field walking around in the woods for hours I’ll throw in a granola bar or two. The color is pretty (also comes in a bunch of different colors) and transitions perfectly from hiking to walking around downtown.
2. Clear toiletry bags. This comes in a set of 3 and I bring the whole set with me! I’ll use one for makeup, one for skincare and the other for medicine and larger toiletry items.
3. Travel Coffee Tumbler. For taking coffee from hotel breakfast and sipping on it throughout the morning. Save a paper cup and keeps your coffee warmer longer.
4. Gold Earrings. I am not a jewelry girly! I wear my wedding ring and that’s about it. I got these small gold hoops a couple of months ago and I haven’t taken them out since! I tend to have pretty sensitive ears and these don’t bother me at all.
5. Polarized Sunglasses. I run through sunglasses. I’ll lose them or break them within a couple of months. These are cute and polarized.
6. Stanley Water Bottle. My emotional support water bottle. I like the lid of this model of Stanley. It’s still got a straw for convenient sipping but it folds down and is leak proof. It’s also insulated which is great for 90 degree field days.
7. Packing Cubes. Two sets (8 total cubes), and comes in 4 different sizes. We used these when we went to Costa Rica last year. They’re so helpful for organizing your clothes and keeping your luggage tidy. I use the big one for dirty laundry.
8. Sunblock I use this on my face before I apply tinted moisturizer that also has SPF in it. It doesn’t make my face greasy at all!
9. Darn Tough Socks I got these for Christmas and they’re my new favorite socks. They’re made in the USA and guaranteed for life. I’ve worn them out in the field multiple times now in Ohio so they’re definitely coming with me to Mississippi.
10. Mini Vaseline Lip Balm. I mean first of all it’s so mini and cute. Second, I get super dry lips when I travel or spend alot of time outdoors doing field work. A protective lip balm is a must. This comes in a pack of 3.

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