Packing has become a little bit of a ritual to me now. I don’t have to think that much, I pack nearly the same thing every time (switching out a new dress here and there). There are some things you shouldn’t travel without, or at least I wouldn’t, which I”ll share here.
I’d also be curious to know what you can’t travel without. Tell me in the comments! Maybe it’s something I need to add to my list.
things you shouldn’t travel without!
Kindle.
I was one of the people who said I needed real books and I could never use a Kindle. I am always on my computer blogging so thought I really shouldn’t get one more device I have to stare at. Ben got me one for Christmas last year (the most [easyazon_link identifier=”B00OQVZDJM” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]basic, no back-light one[/easyazon_link]). I have a little light I attach to the top and it doesn’t have WiFi.
I’m obsessed with it and I can’t imagine traveling without it now. I read so much more than I ever did and stay a lot more organized. When friends or someone on TV mentions a book I want to read I go ahead and find it on my Kindle and add it to my wish list. I never run out of good books that way. I read even on short 10 minute shuttles at the airport. It’s so much better than refreshing your Facebook newsfeed. I also have [easyazon_link identifier=”B007MV4BQY” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Sun Bum[/easyazon_link] sunscreen in this pic, which I am obsessed with.
Headphones.
If I forget my headphones, I buy new ones right away at an airport. I can’t imagine long layovers without them. I usually have my favorite shows on my computer ready to watch during layovers and of course need headphones for that. I also like to listen to music (with my phone on airplane mode) during takeoff and landing on the plane. I have the Spotify app. I keep a list of my “Faves” and download those to be “offline”. It does take space on your phone and unfortunately, you can’t save these to the SD card. (tip, save your images to your SD card instead). I’ve lost my good ones, but want to save up for [easyazon_link identifier=”B00M1NEUA0″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Bose noise canceling[/easyazon_link] ones this summer!
Lightweight breezy dresses.
I pack dresses more than anything else. Instead of mixing and matching shirts with shorts and worrying if I will be looking fat that day and not want to wear such and such outfit, I just take breezy flowy dresses. I think dresses look more put together than shorts and a top anyways.
I shop mostly Free People stuff that’s crazy on sale. I also buy little dresses in Goa or have them made. When I find a dress I love, I get it copied. I can pack my electronics, toiletries, 1 extra pair of shoes (heels for somewhere like Vegas, sneakers for somewhere like Jordan, and boots for London) and 5 favorite dresses of the moment and feel like I’m pretty much done! It keeps things so simple.
Sunglasses.
I didn’t even wear sunglasses until about a year into living in Goa. I have terrible eyesight and really should be wearing them in this kind of sun all the time! I finally started and now can’t imagine not having them on a sunny day or while driving. I used to think they were like the equivalent of wearing red lipstick- totally over the top and diva-like… I have no idea why! I always felt too dressed up or something with them on. I’m a weirdo.
Now, I have a pair of [easyazon_link identifier=”B00D5BPAC4″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]Clubmaster Ray-bans[/easyazon_link] I really love and always take. Sometimes I take another fun pair like oversized Le Specs, or mirrored Sunday Somewhere ones.
Black Sol Sana sandals.
Sol Sana shoes & Sunday Somewhere sunnies in both of these pics!
I got a pair of black Sol Sana sandals about 6 months ago and have taken them on every single trip I’ve gone on. I always travel with just two pairs of shoes and these are always one. I like that my every day shoe isn’t just a plain flip-flop. These can very easily be dressed up or down and are insanely durable soft leather- hence the price tag.
Great list!
Good list! I travel wit all of these things. Just a different brand of sandals. :)
Yep, I switch brands every once and a while too!
I felt the exact same way about my eReader. I owned one for a few years but never used it until we moved to Madrid and English books were harder to come by. Now, I can’t imagine living or travelling without it. I so enjoy filling up those moments in transit with a good (or not-so-good) book as opposed to scrolling social media. Honestly, I kind of kick my past self for letting it sit unused for so long.
I kick myself too! There are so many more books I could have read :)
I can’t go anywhere without headphones. Just like you, if I forgot them I will immediately go and buy another pair. I’ve also started reading books via the kindle app on my iPhone just so I don’t have to carry around yet another device. It’s another screen but it has cut down on the bulk in my carry on :)
That is what I used to do- I just couldn’t read on it in the sun which was a bummer for me since I am at the beach all the time!
I used to be a diehard fan of paperback books and thought that I was contributing to the death of print culture by carrying my Kindle…. and maybe I am, but damn, it’s so convenient and light!!
My musts are sunscreen (I love Neutrogena’s solid ones as they get through airport security, no problem) and dry shampoo. If I forget either I’m going to have a bad time.
Oh I didn’t realize Neutrogena had a solid sunscreen too. I use the sun bum solid but will check that out! Still haven’t done dry shampoo either
Headphones, sunglasses and sandals! Yes yes and yes! My absolute travel essentials too! And I always take a bottle with me, to fill with water wherever I go – take it empty on to the plane (security will have no problem) then fill it up once onboard.
That’s pretty clever – I used to always have a water bottle with me to refill but tend to forget these days!
Thanks for a great list of “Must Haves.” I agree with you on the dress. I never thought I’d travel with one, but I’ve found it’s easy to pack and fun to wear. I also agree with you on sunglasses. It’s always good to have a pair because you never know when you’ll need them!
Dresses make getting ready so much easier! No more matching your outfits :)
I love my kindle and headphones. I also always have a nice dress in case a nice occasion arises. But I don’t have the sol sana sandals. I love my Tevas because they can be used for long walks and even hikes. They aren’t as glam but they get the job done!
Yes I have some tevas as well (3 pairs!) and love them too.. so hard to narrow down a great travel shoe.