Tales of a Ryan Air Backpack

Over the past year, I feel like I have perfected the art of packing a carry-on backpack for Ryan Air.  I have managed to fit up to 6 days of clothes and all of the other essentials for our trips. For our longer trips (Germany + Turkey), we have purchased a single checked bag, so even for those trips, I have tried to pack light!  Below are my tips on things not to miss packing...no matter how small your bag!

• Two Pairs of Shoes: Even on the shortest two day trips, I always bring two pairs of shoes.  You never know if it might rain and your shoes will be soaked...or....somehow it's hot and your feet sweat to the point of blisters.  In any case, always good to have a back up pair.  As my primary pair, my go-to walking shoes are Sketcher's Go Walks.  They are not the  most fashionable, but they are seriously the most comfortable.  And...after many city death marches...they are well tested.  I have a black pair and a gray pair.  I highly recommend.  I usually bring a nice pair of walking flats for my second pair.  I just bought my second pair of Clark's Clovely Flats.  They can be dressed up with a dress, but have a rubber bottom which makes them great for walking too. Hint: they are on super sale right now.  
• Umbrella (If It Might Rain): After too many trips getting caught in the rain...with over-priced, poor quality umbrellas...we always check the weather.  If there is any chance of rain, we pack our umbrellas.  The ones we have at home are always better quality and we avoid crazy price gouging!
• Rollerball Perfume: Even if the limit is 100 ml, most perfume bottles are way too big to travel with ( and risk breaking!)  I have been able to get one of my favorite perfumes in a rollerball format.  It makes it very easy to travel with and as a bonus...is easy to throw in a purse. 
• Creme Compact Foundation: Another trick to save space in your quart-sized bag!  I have the creme compact version of my foundation.  So far, this has not been required to be in my quart sized bag, it just goes through with the rest of my non-liquid make up.  It works well and is easy to carry.
• Mini Conditioner: So every hotel we have been to has shampoo...even if it's the dreaded hair/body combined gel - it works!  What is almost always lacking in European hotels (even the nicest ones) is good, quality conditioner.  Given how thick my hair is...I need it.  So highly recommend carrying your own.  I <3 Molton Brown, but admittedly, it's pricey!