25 Travel Essentials for a no muss-no-fuss trip
No Fuss & No Muss Travel Essentials
Happy pre-travel-essentials shopping, my dear Dolly!
A travel essentials list varies by person and habits. But I’m betting my coffee shop spending cash that 20 on this list make the essentials of my frequent Dolly travelers list.
{Yes, THE Dolly is the group you’re in, because who on earth could possibly travel more - SHE IS EVERYWHERE - making people smile😊}
This is also a list for the non-frequent travelers looking for a list to help them travel easier…
I gift this list to you with care and oooodles of travel years on my suitcase💖
Starters:: The “must pack under all circumstances” essentials
1/ Identification in Two Places::
Printed paper copy in your carry-on or Digital copy in your photos/Google docs of your Passport and/or drivers license. If you lose your ID or your bag gets stolen, these back-ups will make it easier to get replacements.
{Only put a digital copy on your phone if you have a lock code/Face ID setup}
2/ Medication::
Any prescriptions you take, but also be prepared for the unexpected illness.
Prescriptions
Vitamins
Cold medicine
Alka-Seltzer / imodium
3/ A Credit and Debit Card with no Foreign transaction fees::
You never think it will happen to you…until you’re standing at the gate, giddy to skip onto the jet-bridge to jet over to Rome, and get an alert that your credit card number has been stolen😱
Nope, not kidding. It happened to us.
Now we pack 2 credit cards or a credit + debit card on every trip so we always have a back-up in case it happens again.
4/ Packing Cubes::
There are so many sets & so many small carry-on suitcases to stuff.
Yes, they really do save space {mine above are also used as compression cubes}, they keep me organized, and separate clean from dirty clothes on the way home.
5/ Foldable Tote::
To use for shopping, beach day, pool day, walk-around-the-ship day. They fold up small enough to pack, but hold plenty for a day of fun.
They also come in handy to avoid the bag fee that stores are charging.
Main Course:: The menu is long, pack what fits your travel style
6/ Hat/Scarf::
Some like the baseball variety, others have their sights on the sun. My foldable sun hat fits in the tiny corner of a roller-board and keeps to herself until needed😉
7/ Sunglasses::
Typically I’m on the savvy {safe} side with sunglasses. But continue to drool over Dior and Gucci pairs.
The sunglasses that catch me spending, the “OHHHH SHINEY” part of sunglasses, are the ones where I can take photos {and video} {and listen to music}😱…
For cute everyday sunnies on the budget side:: {cat-eye} {round-wire-rim} Target finds {aviator} {round} J Crew {Tortoise}
8/ Airport Friendly Sneakers::
or foot cushions, for all-day walking, golfing, skipping, dancing or high-heeling
No-Lace sneakers {great for the airport + all day walking}
9/ Crossbody or Belt Bag::
Flying with 3 instead of 2.
I’m a big fan of sneaking a tiny bag into my bigger carry-on bag. Like motorhome travelers who tow a Civic behind them.
When you get there, you don’t want to drive around the big bus. Same with the bag…pull out a small one for your walkabouts and ditch the big carry-on.
10/ Extension/Volume Mascara::
Nope! No other makeup, NOTHING ELSE.
If you want to wear a full face of makeup - OUTSTANDING. You can SHINE without it too. But even on no-makeup days, I feel more comfortable extending my lashes with a bit of an eye-pop volumizer mascara.
ALWAYS PACK your favorite moisturizer with sunscreen - if you’re shining au naturel!
As one who’s on a first name basis with my dermatologist after recent “spot checks”…
WEAR MOISTURIZER WITH SUNSCREEN everywhere {even on that stalagmite sunless cave tour}.
I don’t work for a dermatologist, just seem to be visiting mine too often.🤦🏻♀️
11/ Chapstick::
Dry lips when I travel leaves me chapped all trip long.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stopped at a Walgreens/CVS for chapstick.🤦🏽♀️ Now I leave one in my carry-on bag, my suitcase, and my purse at all times.
My favorite splurge is Lip Butter Balm {brown sugar or poppy scented}. Their sample Travel Set is perfect to scatter around different places, too {car, purse, carry-on…}.
Other Travel Favorites::
12/ Olaplex Travel Set::
Tiny bottles with all the hair goodness. Silky smooth hair for any weather you travel into {or your everyday}.
Vegetables:: veggies AreN’t glamorous, But do Us good
13/ Cozy Socks::
Keep a thick-ish pair in your carry-on bag for all places {in-flight, in your room, vacation rental, or even walking through security}
Travel Necessities are in the {carry-on} bag
14/ Pen::
Bonus points for cute ones::
Adding a new bag tag to your suitcases at the airport
Filling out customs forms
Or crazy thought…writing a note {that’s not on your phone}
15/ Snack / Protein Bar::
Have you ever tried Bob’s Red Mill Bars or Truvani Bars - like a candy bar, with less guilt? Also way better for us than all the airport food we pass {or run} by to our flight.
Farmer’s Fridge machines are in more and more airports.
16/ Re-useable Water Bottle::
If you’re flying, bring an empty bottle and refill it at the water station on the other side of security. Less expensive then buying in the airport, faster than waiting for the airplane beverage service, and it’s one less plastic bottle in the trash.🗑️
My new GO-TO travel bottle rotation is THIS ONE {insulated + has a COVERED straw} and THIS ONE
Just when I thought all the water bottle ideas had been invented…these appear to prove me happily wrong.🙃
17/ Apple Airtag::
If you check bags, IT’S A MUST. But I also have one in my carry-on, and on my key ring. What can I say, except I set things down and lose track sometimes.🤷🏻♀️
18/ An Airplane Pocket Buddy::
You’ll have everything in your seat-back for easy access all flight long. I use my Pouch Buddy in flight for my most-grabbed things {AirPods, chapstick, snack, eye drops…}
Video of ideas HERE
19/ Alcohol Wipes or Sanitizing Wipes::
What a glamorous finish! But so handy to have when you open the airplane tray table or stop at a rest stop that’s out of soap 😱
The pretty smelling travel wipes are an added bonus!
Dessert:: Don’t need it, but sure is nice to pack along
20/ Refillable Perfume Spray::
{If you’re a perfume gal}:: Easy to refill + protected, so the glass bottle doesn’t break.
A little spritz is nice – your toiletry bag soaked in My Way is an overload on your smells and everyone around you when you open your bag.
21/ Jewelry Organizer::
Have your eyes crossed and blurred while untangling the necklaces you packed?
Compact and organizes your rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Translation – They don’t end up in a tangled mess when you arrive.
HOMEMADE WAY TO BE TANGLE-FREE👉🏼 Use large smoothie straws to string your necklaces through and keep them tangle-free.
22/ Body Tape::
This Reel gives one idea of how handy these clear strips are to have on-hand at home and away.
23/ Portable Charger::
On the plane, in the car, stuck on the freeway waiting for the snow plow to clear the winter pass. Sometimes, you need extra juice {or your children who forgot to pack their chargers need a charge}. A magnetic one for fast-on-the-go days {if you have a MagSafe case}
24/ Mini Fan::
Hot flashes happen, and when you’re sitting in the aisle seat, you won’t be reaching that air vent above the middle- and window-seat’s head. Or possibly I’m built with T-rex-length arms, and you reach the vent just fine.😊 You lucky vixen!😂
{The air + light controls are the consolation prize for the unlucky middle-seater on every flight}.
25/ Readers::
If you need ‘em, give them a cute POP! I left this for last, because maybe you haven’t reached this phase in Mid Life. My readers have been elevated to the MUST PACK section of the menu.
Closing Note
Travel doesn’t need to be stressful – tiresome at times, yes.
That flight with the 3:00am wake-up to make it to {insert familial obligation here} on time is just how travel goes some days.
We’ve made it to the Middle years…MidLife…the Empty Nest…let’s find our way to no-fuss-no-muss travel.
When you’re walking through the airport and see the Mama/Papa with a diaper bag, empty stroller, kiddie backpack, snack bag between their teeth, AND racing with a screaming toddler to a gate…enjoy your stroll to the gate as you sip your coffee and relish being past the Clampett’s travel days.
Tooting my own flute still isn’t natural to this 70’s baby. 🎉
But I’m giving it a go. If you have a friend who likes stylish travel shenanigans, I’d be oh-so-grateful if you’d pass it along…
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