Guest Author - Kimberly Misra
Are you tired of hunting through stacks of clothes for a tiny pack of dental floss? Weary of shampoo spilling all over the bottom of your suitcase? Invest in a sturdy toiletry bag to help your family stay organized. We have owned several over the years, but by far my favorite is the L.L. Bean personal organizer bag.
The personal organizer bag is made of sturdy nylon, and it really lasts. I’ve had mine for several years and it still looks brand new. The bag comes in four different sizes. The small is a compact size that would be good for a teen who wants their own storage space. The medium size is great for a small family who will only be away one or two nights. The large would work for a small to medium family on an extended trip. I have four children and prefer the largest size which easily holds everything we need for a week (or more) away. You can fit full size shampoo bottles in this size bag, but I usually buy a package of small travel containers for shampoo, conditioner, soap etc. This leaves enough room in the bag to fit a small first aid kit.
The large personal organizer bags take up a lot of room in a suitcase, but they can be checked separately if you arrive at the airport and find that your luggage is overweight. This has happened to us several times and it was convenient to pull out the toiletry bag and check it as a separate item. The organizer has a rust proof hook so you can hang it on the back of the bathroom door. This way the contents are easily visible and if you teach the kids to put items back, your hotel bathroom will stay uncluttered. It also sits nicely on a vanity top.
The organizer cleans fairly well, though the inside might stain if hair conditioner or another oily product gets spilled on it. The top of the bag contains two pockets and a small mirror. The two upper pockets are clear, which is handy for small items that might get lost in the shuffle. The bottom half of the organizer has several mesh pockets to organize your stuff. There’s a removal shower caddy which is useful if you don’t have a private bathroom or if you’re camping. The bag has been redesigned since my purchase and now includes side zip pockets for smaller items that you want to access quickly. The best part about the bag is the nice color selection; the tamer colors (black) are available, as well as more exciting options (blue wave island). It can be monogrammed for a small fee. This bag would also make a great graduation gift for someone leaving for college or a year of traveling.
