Travel Essentials: What’s In My Carry-On Bag

Sweatshirt: Mother LA Sweatshirt // Jeans: AG Jeans // Shoes: Frye Ivy Sneaker // Bag: Barrington Gifts St. Anne tote

I travelled more last year than I ever have in my entire life, and what it taught {among many things!} was how to travel smart. I perfected my carry on tote essentials by really learning what items would make my travel experience that much better, and I can’t wait to share those tips & tricks with you.

CARRY ON TOTE

One of the most important things when travelling is having quality luggage. This is your support system – the backbone of a good days travel, and you need to invest. I have two favorite carry on tote bags – a Goyard St. Louis tote and my Barrington Gifts St. Anne Tote {pictured above} The St. Anne is great because it is extremely durable. I have slung this bag across train stations in Europe, stuffed it under plane seats, spilled on it, scuffed it, loved on it, used and abused it in every sense of the word and it still looks like new. It’s a nice large size, without being bulky or overbearing and holds a ton of stuff without getting too heavy or putting too much pressure on the straps. I also love that you can customize it in a million different ways! There are literally thousands of different combinations to choose from. For the price, this bag is my #1 pick for travel.

OSTRICH PILLOW

We all know that sleeping on a plane can be difficult, but with it’s super soft jersey material, and soft, squishy interior, the Ostrich Pillow makes it so much easier.  This O shaped travel pillow lays on top of your eyes and ears, blocking out sound and light, and acts as a rest for the head. I first discovered it’s magic a few years ago when I had to spend a few nights in a hospital with a loved one. My sister-in-law, Katelyn, had an Ostrich pillow with her and let me borrow it when it became clear I would have to spend the night at the hospital in a chair – with machines beeping and nurses and doctors coming and going at all hours, this pillow was crucial in helping me get a few, precious hours of sleep. Ever since, I haven’t travelled without it. In comparison to that chair in the hospital, sleeping on a plane is a breeze!

SILK SLEEP MASK

I used to think I didn’t like sleep masks. Maybe it was the added weight on my eyelids, or the feeling of being ‘blacked out,’ I’m not sure, but what I do know is that last year something  changed and now I love the luxe feeling of slippery silk on my eyelids when I hit the hay. The weight is now a comfort I crave and especially so when I’m traveling – you never know if the place you’ll lay your head at the end of the night will have black out shades or early sunrises, and this little mask is incredible for blocking all that out.

TRUFFLE CLARITY CASES

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love my Truffle clarity cases. They’re stiff and sturdy and come in several different sizes {all of which I own & love}. The sizes shown above are described in detail below:

• Large: Computer charger/portable charger/iPhone charger
• Small: Cosmetics & travel beauty
• Mini: Chapstick, bandaids, hairties, etc.

If you’re looking for a similar case for less, I’ve found these great dupes here for under $15 {here & here} – I own these as well and although they’re less sturdy, they’re still well made & a great bargain!

LAPTOP + CASE

I never travel without my laptop, but because the Macbooks are so light and thin these days that I haven’t found they add much bulk to my bag. With that being said, I knew I wanted a sleek, yet protective slip cover to keep it secure and safe from any tumbles or abuse my bag might take, and this one is perfect. It is thin, with a jelly consistency which protects my laptop quite nicely.

NOTEBOOK

Ideas are always coming to me at the most random times, so I like to keep a notebook with me when I travel. This one is by far my favorite {and trust me, I have tried quite a few} I use it to make to-do lists, jot down notes, or keep track of itineraries or tickets. I like that the cover is hardbound and sturdy, and the cute print on the outside doesn’t hurt either! 🙂

PENS

I discovered these pens while living in Europe and they are my absolute favorite. I love that they have a super fine tip with ink that doesn’t bleed – I also love that they come in tons of colors! I always carry 1 or 2 of them with me whenever I travel!

SNACKS

We’ve all been that person – starving in an airport, staring blankly at a giant wall of potato chips, candy and salted nuts and wonder what on earth you’re going to eat. To avoid that, and to eat a little healthier, I always pack a few rX bars. I love these because they’re healthy, compact and also extremely filling. I can eat one and be good for several hours before I get hungry again.

The below are not pictured above, but are always with me

EARPHONES

This one is obvious, but the important thing to take note of is what kind of earphones. My husband and I are both huge fans of Bose. Although an investment, you are getting the best quality product on the market at this time. My husband swears by these, while I prefer this simpler model.  I also recently acquired these Bose ‘sleepbuds’ – have y’all heard about these? They play soothing sounds that cover up unwanted noise and help you fall asleep and stay asleep. We’ve all had those nights where our husband is snoring too loudly, or the traffic outside is too noisy, and you can’t sleep. These mask those unwanted sounds and give you a peaceful nights rest. Heavenly! Beyond that, they also lay flush with your ear so you can comfortably sleep. Sounds like a win/win/win if you ask me!

KINDLE

I just bought a kindle for my upcoming travel and I could *not* be more excited. I love to read when I’m on vacation or coming/going through airports, and instead of carrying big bulky books, or reading on my tiny iPhone screen, I’m going to have my brand new Kindle Featherweight {I’m seriously squealing with delight!} The Kindle Featherweight lets you download hundreds of books and makes it so you can read in the shade OR in the sun making this such a better option than the iPad. Can’t wait to use it!

EYE GELS AND/OR FACE MASK

Flying can be so harsh on your skin. The high altitude can dry out your skin and leave you feeling dull and tight. I always like to pack an eye gel or two and a face mask to apply once we’ve taken off. My favorite eye gels are these by Skynn Iceland. They feel so cooling when you put them under your eyes and don’t drip all over your face when you put them on. They stay put, and oftentimes I will fall asleep wearing them! This super hydrating mask is currently my favorite mask for travel because it isn’t drippy & wet either – you can actually put it all over your face and let it absorb like lotion. Wash it off in 10 minutes or 10 hours! I oftentimes sleep with mine and rinse right before landing.

SOCKS

I am always cold, but especially so on airplanes. I always pack a pair of socks to slip on once we’ve taken off so I can make sure my feet and ankles stay warm. My favorite socks are these by Falke – I discovered them from my husband who wears them to work under his suits! They’re super lightweight and thin, but made from a high quality nice material. They feel luxe without feeling too heavy, and provide the perfect amount of heat without ever making me feel too hott. I also love that they go all the way up to the knee!

What are you aboslute carry on travel must haves? Let me know in the comments! Bonus points if you share any fun upcoming trips 😉