Nate Berkus's Great Escape

WHAT'S IN THE BAG

1. SUITCASE

Carry-on only (Intrecciato VN Duffel in cobalt by Bottega Veneta, $3,200)

2. COCKTAIL TO GET THE NIGHT STARTED

Ketel One ($32) and soda, please

3. MUSIC ON MY MP3 PLAYER

I use [boyfriend Brian Atwood's] iPod (iPod touch, starting at $229) -- I'm a terrible DJ.

4. TIP FOR SURVIVING AN UNEXPECTED AIRPORT DELAY

With a good book (David Sedaris's When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Little, Brown, $25.99) you can survive almost any nightmare plane delay.

5. NECESSARY SPLURGE

Stuff for home. I'm always lugging things into the office to use as inspiration for my HSN line. (Nate Berkus Ocean Club Quilt in peacock, $99.95, available at HSN.com)

6. MOST SURPRISING ITEM IN MY SUITCASE

I carry a notebook (Yuzen memo pad, $32) with me wherever I travel.

7. ARTICLE OF CLOTHING I WON'T TRAVEL WITHOUT

My favorite Levi's (Levi's Capital E, $185)

8. FAVORITE VACATION MOVIE

Overboard ($14.98) -- I know it line by line.