My Travel Essentials Travel List: 8 Things I Pack For Every Trip

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I travel several times a year – sometimes with my entire family of five, sometimes alone usually for work, occasionally with girlfriends or just me and my husband Brad. Over the years, I’ve learned to travel light and usually only carry-on one bag and a personal item or backpack. But no matter where I’m traveling — a big city, the beach, a small mountain town or to a work conference — in addition to passports, IDs, and electronics, I always check my trip checklist to make sure I have these 8 travel essential items:

1. Yeouth Balancing Facial Toner

I’ve been using Yeouth Cosmetics since January and I’m in love with their products. My travel essentials have always included a facial spray which I use at the beginning and end of a long flight or after a day at the beach and Yeouth has a spray on toner that currently works as my hydrating spray. I love that the toner is a spray and it is so refreshing and I usually follow it up with some Yeouth moisturizer too.

All of Yeouth products are extremely travel friendly and nearly everything is regularly sized at 3 oz. or less if you’re like me and prefer to carry-on for one bag travel! Plus, a little goes a long way and these products last for months.

I first ordered their 40+ anti-aging system which includes the toner along with several other products and I often incorporate new products into my daily skincare routine from time to time too – I’m currently loving the Hydrolic Acid Serum and my older girls use the Vitamin C Facial Cleanser.

2. A Wrap / Scarf

A wrap or scarf is one of the most versatile items I pack in my bag for every trip. With kids, they can be used as a blanket, a nursing cover or for a picnic. At the beach, they can be used as a towel or cover-up. In large cities they can be used for warmth or to cover your shoulders or head when entering a place of worship. I also love buying new scarves when I visit a place.

3. A Hat

I always bring a baseball cap with me on my trips and my favorite is appropriately (for travel) my BNA Aviate hat. If I’m in the city and haven’t washed my hair in a few days, ahem, it is great to throw on my Aviate hat. And the beach requires a hat at all times, in my opinion. I also include a packable straw hat for the beach or sunny spots.

4. A Cotton Dress

I adore Boden dresses and every year during their clearance sale, I buy one or two of their cotton casual jersey dress or their Margot dress (which has pockets!) My solid black Boden dress that can be dressed up or down. I have several fun patterned dresses that are great for the beach or exploring in Europe. They pack easily and are great quality – they last several years and I wear them constantly, year round. Plus, I recently learned that Boden focuses on sustainable fashion which makes me love them even more.

5. Cute Tennis Shoes

Admittedly, I don’t love to exercise on trips aside from some basic yoga and stretching in the room – but I will walk miles and miles exploring cities and towns. Instead of my full-on workout shoes, I like to pack a cute pair of tennis shoes (my current favorites are my slip-on converse and my red-checkered Vans) that look great with my Boden dresses (ha), a pair of jeans, a skirt or travel pants.They especially blend in throughout Europe and in big cities and are great for the beach too.

6. Wet Wipes / Baby Wipes

Even if your kids are out of diapers, wet wipes are a lifesaver for cleaning hands, wiping down tables or in an emergency public bathroom where there may not be toilet paper. I also like to have a small pack when traveling without kids for some of the same uses!

7. A Foldable Extra Bag

I always pack an extra bag in my carry-on and recently discovered a duffle bag that folds up into a small square.  While I’m traveling, I use it to hold my dirty laundry which keeps things a bit more organized and then I have an extra piece of luggage for the return if I have purchased gifts, souvenirs or bring home any conference swag.

8. Socks

No matter where I’m traveling, I pack an extra pair of socks for the airplane, in the hotel / Airbnb or just for an extra layer of warmth when needed. For long flights this includes compression socks, but usually it’s just an extra pair of cotton socks!

What are your travel essentials?