We’re about to leave the drywall dust, One Room Challenge, and construction zone chaos that is currently our home behind, and jet off on a European adventure. Emmett and I have had this trip planned for my birthday since last year and we’re going to do our very best to forget about the stresses of work and reality, and enjoy a much needed vacation. I packed my bags earlier this week and thought you might like to see some of my favorite travel essentials! Click through for a roundup of things that make road trips, getaways, flights, and international travel a lot easier or more enjoyable.
Shop my finds by clicking directly on each item below, or use the numbered links at the bottom of the collage.
01: toiletry bottle set // 02: noise cancelling headphones // 03: body wipes // 04: small travel umbrella // 05: tiny travel hairdryer // 06: head pillow wrap // 07: luggage set (my luggage) // 08: monogrammed water bottle // 09: travel adapters // 10: portable white noise // 11: packing cubes // 12: fly pal // 13: scarf blanket // 14: luggage tags // 15: deodorant // 16: laundry bag // 17: passport holder // 18: portable charger // 19: silk eye mask // 20: calpak luggage set (Emmett’s luggage) // 21: jewelry organizing roll
I own every single one of the products I put together in the roundup, so they’re all vetted by me! My luggage (#7) is pictured above in the intro image, and Emmett’s luggage (#20), which I picked out… is pictured in the last image in this post. From portable chargers to my favorite eye mask and neck “pillow”, these are the things I can’t do without when traveling. I’m the type of person who likes to stay organized and pack exactly what I need, and these things are game changers.
I have so much trouble sleeping when traveling. I’m not that person who can easily fall asleep on a plane, train, or in a car, but I swear by this discreet neck pillow (#6) that looks like a scarf (with TONS of positive Amazon reviews), a dark eye mask (#19), and a cozy scarf blanket (#13). I also have to have my white noise (#10) to sleep once we finally make it to our destination. I take that little thing camping and everywhere with me!
Let me know if you have questions about any of my favorite travel things! Are there any other last minute items I should add to my list before we leave? I wish I could pack the dogs, but they’re staying home with friends. I told Emmett we should’ve hired a contractor to house and dog sit while we’re away and then come home to a magically finished living room. HA! A girl can dream.
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Peggi
October 17, 2019 at 4:35 amA dog-sitting contractor! Good one. I don’t feel like I travel enough to justify new luggage, but every time I have to shlep my overstuffed duffel bag through a terminal, I long for wheels! Your set looks pretty tempting. I will buy that neck scarf-pillow contraption though! Genius! Have the BEST time! French food and wine! Architecture, history, snobbery! Le sigh.
Sarah
October 17, 2019 at 8:19 amWouldn’t that be nice?! Are there any of those out there? Hahah!! That neck pillow is my FAVORITE- well worth it. I use it in the car, on flights, trains, whatever. I’m so excited to getaway and get all the beautiful European inspiration. I’m a BIG art & architecture nerd. Le sigh :)
Marissa
October 17, 2019 at 6:38 amHello 👋
What do you normally take for your carry on ??? I’m actually flying out to Europe in a week for my honeymoon so this post was perfect!!
Thanks
Marissa
Sarah
October 17, 2019 at 8:21 amHi Marissa! Congrats on your wedding & honeymoon- that’s going to be incredible! I normally take the small size roller luggage (#7 in the collage), as well as a backpack purse or a zipper tote. Hope this helps. Have a wonderful time! xox
Michelle
October 17, 2019 at 9:18 amAre those suitcases heavy? We have a large one we call big blue, but the suitcase itself is SO heavy we are always overweight on it. We are going to Germany next year, and a new one would be wonderful. I have a packing cube set I got on Amazon that also compresses (magic!!!), and I can fit even the coziest sweaters in my luggage now, I love them! Do you use the fly-pal? I’m sure your trip will be amazing!
Sarah
October 17, 2019 at 11:09 amBoth my luggage set and Emmett’s are super light. We donated our heavy ones for the same reason! I use fly-pal for long flights- it’s also great for traveling with kids… my sister actually told me about it. I don’t bother with it for shorter flights though.
Colleen
October 17, 2019 at 12:00 pmHi Sarah,
You are definitely way more organized than I when it comes to traveling and I am not a worldly traveler by any means. However, for my 40th birthday my husband took me to France for what I considered a trip of a lifetime and it was amazing but one thing I wished I had packed was face cloth 😂 The hotels we stayed at didn’t have them 😳 I couldn’t believe it. Sometimes the simple things in life are the items we cherish the most. Lol. Have an absolutely awesome, amazing, super and fabulous trip 🥂 xo
Sarah
October 17, 2019 at 12:06 pmI love that!! I bet you guys had an amazing time. We’re celebrating my birthday while we’re there :) I’m frantically running around packing face cloths now. haha! Thanks for the tip Colleen! xo