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My second trip to Long Beach, CA for Midsummer Scream is here, and I couldn't be more excited.
After spending two years on the social media sidelines, I decided 2018 was the year I attend this bucket-list must for any Halloween lover...and the experience did NOT disappoint.
I am SO excited I get to return this year not only to attend the event but to also be a part of it. (If you're coming, I hope you'll join me Sunday, Aug. 4 at 12 p.m. for Orange Alert!, my class on Halloween shopping.)
Of course, in my first year, I learned a LOT about the things you don't see on social media - what the convention center actually looks like, what kind of food options you have access to, plan B for when you phone dies.
All of those lessons have helped me pack smarter for 2019. Last Halloween season, I gave you a peek inside my Halloween purse, and today we're doing another round of #InMyBag...Midsummer Scream edition!
If you're also gearing up for a weekend of spooky fun in Long Beach, here's what I recommend you toss in your bag:
My Must-Haves for Midsummer Scream
A Halloween bag! I'll be carrying my Love Pain and Stitches bag, of course, but you can Halloweenify any purse or tote bag with your favorite enamel pins (see mine) and patches.
I like adding touches that make it my own, like my black bandana and Salem keychain.
As for what goes inside my bag...well, it's a few functional items and a few Halloween treats just for you!
Here are my must-haves...
Snacks! This is something I completely overlooked last year and wish I hadn't. Just because I'm traveling halfway across the country doesn't mean I can't tuck a few small snacks into my suitcase for the trip. Kind bars and nuts are my go-to snacks when I'm on the go, and I'll have both in my purse for those moments when I need a little energy.
(Admittedly, this pick may technically break the fine print rules, but I’ve never had an issue with 1-2 small items tucked away.)
A camera! Of course, we all have these on our phones these days, but just in case you want to take some fun photos using an Instax or higher quality photos on a DSLR (this is the one I use), you'll want to make sure you have space for your camera.
Don't forget the battery!
A hand fan. Oh man, Sarah recommended this last year and I wish I would have listened to her! I tend to get warm easily, esp. when I'm moving around constantly.
Grabbing this spiderweb paper fan from Sourpuss in late May was THE best $5 I have spent this summer.
The Midsummer Scream edition of my Halloween Zine! SURPRISE! I published an exclusive issue of the Halloween Zine JUST for Midsummer Scream.
It includes my lists of everything I think you should see and do...and I'll be handing them out for free. Just say hello when you see me!
A phone charger. That's the pink and wood grain box on the right, which I picked up in the dollar section at Target for $9. This was a lifesaver for me in 2018.
I'm a chronic charger and anytime my battery dips below 50%, I start to get a little nervous it's going to die. Since I want to make sure I can share the fun I'm having all day long, I have a few of these I'm bringing this year.
Halloween swag! I had these stickers in mind last year, but they didn't come together in time.
This year, I'm SO excited to share my pumpkin pail vinyl stickers with you guys. Just say hello, and I'll give you one.
(Also, how adorable is that teal pouch from Em & Sprout? I'm obsessed with the design.)
A few other items to consider:
Sunscreen - The line outside starts early and can get long quickly. Be sure to apply a bit of sunscreen so you don't get burned while waiting!
Cardigan - If you're cold-natured, you might tuck a light cardigan or jacket into your bag just in case.
Cash - I didn't run into any issues using cards last year, but sometimes having a bit of cash on hand for smaller purchases is nice.
What would you add to the list?
I'd love to hear your recommendations! You can also drop by this blog post from The Spooky Vegan for her tips and tricks for surviving the weekend. (I definitely took a few tips from Sarah! She's one smart ghoul.)
Still trying to decide what to do at the convention? Then be sure to drop by this blog post for my must-sees, and don't forget to say hello in person to grab a copy of my Midsummer Scream edition of the Halloween Zine! (They're free.)
