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 traveler’s list.
{Yes, THE Dolly is the group you’re in, because who on earth could possibly travel more - SHE IS EVERYWHERE! She makes you smile! And if we reach 77-years, we’ll want no muss - no fuss travel}
This is also a list for the non-frequent travelers looking for any 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 ever lose or bag gets stolen, you have a quick backup.
{Only put a digital copy on your phone if you have a lock code/Face ID setup on your phone}
2/ Medication::
Any prescriptions you take, but also be prepared for the unexpected illness -
Here are my pill essentials I stuff in my carry-on bag
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 flying to Rome, and get an alert that you’re credit card number has been stolen😱 No, not kidding.
Now we pack 2 credit cards or a credit + debit card on every trip {REEL STORY} so we have a back-up.
4/ Packing Cubes::
Buy a set that comes with a laundry bag included + see-through covers on each bag. Yes, they really do save space, keep you organized, and seperate your clean from dirty 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 in a day of fun.
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 my roller-board and keeps to herself until needed😉
7/ Sunglasses::
I’m definately on the savvy {save} side with sunglasses. I’ve drooled over Dior and Gucci pairs, but mine are stuffed in carry-on bags, forgotten in rental cars, and blown off my face at the beach. Less painful losing a pair of $20 glasses than $500🤦🏽♀️ Cute sunnies on the VERY inexpensive {cat-eye} {round-wire-rim} Target finds {aviator} {round} J Crew {Tortoise}
8/ Foot Cushions::
For all day walking, golfing, skipping, dancing or high-heeling
9/ Crossbody or Belt Bag::
I’m a big fan of sneaking a tiny bag into my bigger carry-on bag. Comparable to 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 the small one for your walk-a-bouts and ditch the big carry-on bag.
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 with extending my lashes with a bit of an eye-pop volumizer mascara.
ALWAYS PACK your favorite moisturizer with sunscreen if you’re shining al’ naturále. As one who’s on a first name basis with my dermatologist with all my recent “spot checks”… WEAR MOISTURIZER WITH SUNSCREEN everywhere {even on that stalagmite sunless cave tour}.
11/ Chapstick::
Dry lips when you travel leaves you chapped all trip long. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve stopped at a Walgreens/CVS for chapstick.🤦🏽♀️ Now I leave one in my carry-on bag, my suitcase and purse at all times.
12/ Olaplex No 6::
Silky smooth hair styling cream for any weather you travel into {or your everyday}.
Vegetables:: We need our veggies–Not 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}
14/ Pen::
Bonus points for cute ones. Adding a new bag tag to your suitcases at the airport. Filling out Custom 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.
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.
17/ Apple Airtag::
If you check bags IT’S A MUST. But I also have one in my carry-on and my key ring. What can I say, except, I’m a little obsessive about not losing things.🤷🏻♀️
18/ THe Airplane Pocket::
Cures ALL FORGETFULNESS and keeps your space clean {or you can try my Pouch Method if you and your seat-pocket share mental telepathy to not forget it on the plane}.
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 😱
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::
Compact and organizes your rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Translation – They don’t end up in a tangled mess when you arrive.
22/ Body Tape::
This Reel gives 3 everyday ideas 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, have t-rex length arms, you won’t be reaching that air vent above middle and window-seat’s head {the air + light controls is the consolation prize for the un-lucky middle-sitter on every flight}.
25/ Readers::
If you need’m give them a cute POP! I left this last because maybe you haven’t reached this phase in life. My readers have 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 is some days.
We’ve made it to the Middle years…MidLife…the Empty Nest…Let’s find our way to no-fuss-no-muss travels.
I’ve collected a lot of travel essential knowledge over the decades. I’m sitting here at the gate writing + video-ing all the ways to KEEP THE JOY IN TRAVELING.
When you’re walking through the airport and see the Mama/Papa with diaper bag, empty stroller, kids backpack, snack bag between their teeth AND racing with a screaming toddler to a gate…Sip your coffee and be thankful you’re past those traveling days.
Tooting my own flute still isn’t natural to this 70’s baby. 🎉
If you have a friend who likes stylish travel shenanigans, I’d be oh so grateful if you’d pass along…
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