What I Packed in my Con Bag

Okay so first up in my SPNUK series is a good ol’ fashioned, what’s in my bag! This by no means was full proof and I’ll for sure be downsizing for Vancouver but in case you need any tips, inspiration or maybe you’re just nosey like I am, here’s a little peek at what I took.

The reason I took such a big tote bag to begin with was because I took my scrapbook for everyone to sign.  I think having a big bag meant that I felt like I needed to fill it up so I definitely took things I wouldn’t necessary take again, but hey, a learning curve for sure. So obviously, I took my scrapbook. I got all my autographs in it and I’ll be sticking all my tickets and photos in there when I get a chance. I took sharpies with me because I didn’t know what colours the actors would have and I’m very particular about things matching so I wanted everyone to sign in silver. I’ll be doing a completely different post about the autos, because otherwise I’ll ramble on for far too long. I also took a folder with sleeves in which I was told would be a lifesaver and it definitely was! If you’re only going to take one thing with you, make it one of these. It kept all my ticket PDF’s in until I exchanged them for my tickets and wristband. I had my itinerary inside which meant it was super easy to find and see what was happening and where. It was also fantastic for when you got your photo-ops back, it meant I had somewhere safe for them where they wouldn’t be bent or squashed.

While I did take my tiny black rucksack as well, all of my necessities I kept in my tote bag because it just made for easy access. My purse was a given I think because obviously, I needed somewhere for all the cash that would be put towards all the impromptu photo-op! I also took my power bank, which honestly was a life saver. My phone lasted pretty much all day, but it was great to give it a charge during dinner so that I was ready to go for evening activities. Not having time to go back to the hotel, or when we did only having time for a quick outfit change meant having something like this was super handy. Camera is another given I think, although this did start off in my rucksack, I ended up keeping it in my tote because it was a lot easier to get out quickly. Anti-bac and tissues are also just a given if you know me. I actually took another spare anti-bac bottle and I think I had about 12 packs of tissues, how I thought I was gonna run out over the course of a weekend, I’ll never know! In my two glossier bags, I had make up and other little bits I didn’t want to be rummaging for. I took my make-up one with me because I don’t like to do my make up until I’ve had my breakfast, so I ended up having breakfast with the girls in the mornings and then made a quick dash to the loos in Spoons to apply my face, the lighting was actually pretty on point! The other had bits like, paracetamol, blister plasters, face wipe, antibacterial wipes and plasters. Ready for anything I am!

Quite possibly one of the most important things in my bag, snacks and drinks. I took a range of different snacks ranging from sweets to snack bars to crisps. When you’ve got a schedule that’s absolutely brimming with things to be doing, you don’t always have time to eat throughout the day. I did make sure that I had something substantial for breakfast and dinner, so missing lunch didn’t seem too major. To be honest between watching panel, vendors jams, photo ops and autos you don’t even really have time to be hungry. I tended to tuck into my snacks during the auctions or the trivia when everyone was having a breather. The most important thing I would say is to take water or some form kind of drink. I bought one of those water bottles that keeps your drink cold because I’m really fussy about drinking warm juice. I can definitely say that they work and even after taking my water out of the hotel fridge at 7:30am, it was still cold by the time I got back to the hotel which was around 11pm. It’s super important to stay hydrated and to try to eat something during a con weekend, and considering I am the snack queen, it was no hardship for me.
What are your essentials for a convention? Did I overpack? (We all know I did!) Was there something I missed that I should have taken? Let me know in the comments!