Hello from the land of jet lag and bronchitis! I picked up a little chest cold on the trip, and unfortunately it turned into the world’s most annoying persistent cough. Fortunately, I made it through the flight home without Mr. SP smothering me…but I know he thought about it!
We spent the weekend napping and hugging on our babes…and eating tacos. Because two weeks is a long time to go without tacos. #victim I hope your Mother’s Day was grand, and you’re feeling extra loved and adored.
It’s going to take a little time to sort through all the photos and memories from our Scandinavian trip, but as we were packing up to come home, I realized there were 10 essentials that were key to our smooth and successful travel. Some are random and unexpected, some are obvious…but all were our travel VIPs.
Packing Cubes // If you follow my InstaStories, then you saw how I packed using these bags…they truly have revolutionized the way I pack and travel. One of the coolest parts of cruising is you only have to unpack once, but I still relied on these eBags to keep my clothes sorted and unwrinkled, and fully utilize my suitcase space. I believe in the power of these so much I might just do an entire post around them!
Umbrella // Nothing groundbreaking about an umbrella, but this one is compact, fit easily in our day pack, came in handy on multiple occasions, and looked cute in photos! #priorities
Jean Jacket // Obviously I’m a fan, after all, I dedicated all of last week to it…but it was perfect for the airplane, chilly evenings on the ship (even paired with my cocktail dresses!), and slim enough to layer under my bigger coat when I needed an extra layer.
Fuzzy Socks //Â I packed these in my carry-on and wore them for the long flight, and every evening in the cabin. They are unbelievably soft and cushy, and it was nice to have that extra comfort feeling from home.
Shower Cap // I’m fully aware this is a random choice…I mean, a shower cap is a shower cap, right?! Wrong! This one is lined with terrycloth, so it actually absorbs the moisture from the shower, leaving your hair exactly like it was! Which was so time-saving on days we had really early starts, or when I wanted a quick shower before dinner. It folds down small and fits in a toiletry bag, too.
Crossbody Bag // I travel with a larger carry-on bag for long flights (for laptop, books, headphones, etc), but always pack a smaller cross body bag for day use. This one fit all my daily essentials, while leaving my hands free to eat, take pictures, eat, and eat.
Portable Charger // It was impossible not to overshare each glorious city on my social media, but that’s a sure battery-sucker. This portable charger gave me the extra boost I needed to keep posting while out and about.
Slip-On Sneakers // Traveling to European cities means lots of walking. And walking. In fact, we logged 146,967 steps over our two weeks, so while I can appreciate the need to look cute, comfort definitely comes first. In addition to my go-to sneakers, I brought these new-to-me slip-ons, and paired with these socks, they were the dream combination. Not a single blister or sore spot!
Undies // Perhaps this is another random essential, but if you’ve ever worn uncomfortable undies, then you know how quickly they can derail your day! Factor in all those steps, and I’d have been a cranky traveler without these stay-put, super-soft undies. I even stocked up before our trip so I wouldn’t be forced to do laundry.
Beauty Kit // Traveling and dietary changes are hard enough on my skin, so it’s certainly not the time I want to disrupt my skincare routine. This awesome travel kit contains all my beauty favorites, and packs easily.
I’m sure I’ll think of a few more things once I finally start unpacking, but I’m avoiding that as long as possible! What Travel VIPs get you through trips, long and short?! See you back here tomorrow for the full Powder Bath Reveal!
I thought I was the only one who still used a shower cap! I always pack one when I’m on trips, since I don’t wash my hair daily!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Great little round up!!! So happy you’re back!
My portable charger gets me through every trip (and some long work days). I never travel without it.
Also headphones. I never travel without them. Either for the flight/car ride or for times when I have downtime where I am and want to listen to music or watch something on my iPad without bothering everyone. They’re definitely helpful!
http://aneducationindomestication.com
Yes!! I def take my good headphones on long trips…so much more comfortable than earbuds!
Totally random comment here -though I cannot wait to get my ebags (in green). I’m preparing to travel two weeks with family and immediately thought of your favorite racerback dress you love so much. But several feedback comments say it’s kinda sheer. What do you think? I want it in black to wear out at night. Am I safe? Or do I need special under garments? Thanks for this awesome site. I do enjoy it so much.b
Thanks Katherine!! Hmmmm, I have the dress in 3 colors and would never consider it sheer?! It’s in no way see-thru. Depending on how you size it, I suppose it could skim your body in areas that some people may not want skimmed? For me, it hangs straight down, with no figure-hugging. I hope this helps!!
What configuration of ebags do you use for your carry on? We are cruising for two weeks this summer and would like to just bring our carry on, and a tote bag. Did you pack one large, two medium…how many can fit in your suitcase?
I’ve ordered several different sets, since I get more and more reliant (and addicted) to them. How many will fit totally depends on the size of your bag, but you can pack them like blocks…flat on their back, on their sides, etc, filling every nook and cranny of your bag!
Great idea with the Colleen Rothschild travel kit. I actually ordered one to sample/test her products before buying the full sizes. LOVE them!
I would love a blog on the packing cubes. My mom was just talking about them yesterday. Thanks
Would LOVE a full post on the packing cubes…I’ve watched the tutorial but would be interested to see how you use them. My 13-year-old just packed for her church retreat putting an outfit for each day in a gallon-ziplock and labeling with a sharpie pen. I think she would be the first I would buy them for. đŸ™‚
Clever girl!! That’s a great idea! xo
My goodness – in the ten-or-so years that I’ve been using packing cubes (eBags are definitely my favourite brand!), I have been extolling their virtues to anyone who would stay still long enough to listen! I love how they make packing for a trip so much easier for no extra effort and would also advise getting a real combination of shapes and sizes to use up every available cubic inch. A nice idea is also to get a selection of colours – either give each traveller their own colour (really handy at your destination if you’re being sensible and sticking to the rule of mixing up everyone’s things in all luggage in case of one piece going astray) or, alternatively, each type of clothing i.e. all underwear is in green cubes; t-shirts in grey etc.
So funny!! I’m passionate about them, too! My mom just went to Ireland for two weeks, and I wouldn’t stop talking about them until she finally ordered her own set. But now she’s totally a believer!!!
Thanks for the post. I love the packing cubes. Definitely getting some of those.
I will have to try those Steve Madden shoes. I have some cute, black tennis shoes but I hate having to tie my shoes.
I’d also be interested to hear about street fashion trends you might have noticed in the many cities you visited.
I love the blog, and generally consult it when I’m thinking of buying a new shirt, etc.
I’ve been wanting to try the underwear but they don’t make them for 00. Do you have any recommendations for smaller sizes?
I typically wear a 0 or XS in clothes, and the smalls fit me great!
I just tried those undies at your recommendation – they are legit!! I am going to stock up too!
I ordered the packing cubes after your last post, but I missed the instastories. So I would love a blog post on how to use them!
Hi Cassie! I wanted to chime in on my love for the cubes as well. We use them daily in our diaper bag and I recommend them for any mom! I use three, one for each kiddo (diapers, change of clothes, etc.) and the smaller one has anything needed for a meal (utensils, bowls, bibs, burp clothes and table covers). It also makes it super easy when you are taking just one kid somewhere. Loved watching your insta-stories each day of your trip!
I couldn’t agree more with your recommendations! I live and mostly travel in northern Europe and never go ANYWHERE without my compact umbrella – better to be save than sorry. My other absolute must have is a good collapsible water bottle, it’s so easy to find free drinking water Europe and I can crumple it up in my handbag when it’s empty . If you’re heading here in the summer it’s a must have.
That’s a great tip!! I’m constantly buying bottled waters when I travel, so a refillable one would be perfect!
This is so timely, thanks! We are heading to Paris and Positano, Italy for 2 weeks and I desperately needed these tips! Thanks, Cassie!
Ahhh, Paris and Positano…two of my favorites for sure!! Take me with you?!?!?
Sure! The more the merrier! It’s our first time…so we plan to do a LOT of eating and shopping.
I also love ebags. I have had my set for 2 years and use they fairly often, even for day trips to my parents. They are perfect for packing diapers, spare clothes and swimsuits in and keeping it all organized. I just ordered the shower cap. Hoping it keeps the frizz away from my curly hair on non wash days. And I need those socks! I have the sweater already.
I’m praying you do a post on the packing cubes! Show us how to fold the clothes so they don’t wrinkle! Have been waiting til you got home to start begging you!!!đŸ¤£đŸ˜³ Thank you!!!!- Sherri
I love the idea of the packing cubes, but the last set I bought (not ebags) smelled very strong, like chemicals and plastic, that I returned them. Do the ebags smell at all? If so, do you have any tips on how to get rid of that? Love the blog!
Eeeeewwwwww, that is no bueno!! These bags definitely do not stink! They are made of mesh and a parachute-type material, and I’ve never smelled anything. And I’ve ordered them several times! As for the ones you already have, I’d suggest leaving them on the porch for a week or so with dryer sheets in them?! Maybe that will help.
Can you do a packing blog? We are heading on a summer cruise and I don’t know what or how to pack effectively and efficiently! Thanks!!
Hi Andrea…check out this post for a good idea of everything I packed!
https://hisugarplum.com/2017/05/sugarplum-style-wore-scandinavian-cruise.html
Hi Cassie! Please please please do a post soon on the packing cubes, leaving in a week to go overseas and just bought some. Would love your tips!!!
This is overdue, but wanted to let you know that based on your glowing recommendation I also bought 2 sets of packing cubes for my husband and myself. We love them! But equally as important is the eBag “pack-it-flat toiletry kit”. Get one and be amazed at how all of your beauty products will fit neatly organized and laying flat in your suitcase. Takes up so much less space in your suitcase than a regular cosmetics bag, I can’t recommend it enough. And yes, please do a post on your tips with packing cubes-anything that worked really well or things you might have changed on your recent trip.