This is the busiest time of year for me with travel and writing. Often it feels like I get back from one trip with hardly enough time to unpack and re-pack for the next. One of the tricks I have learned is to keep my Travel Bag replenished. I have my solid favorites, but honestly, I am offered new products to try all the time. Every once in awhile I will pop in a new something or other to try out. For the most part though, I keep a pretty standardized list of packing supplies so I can easily get up and go! My husband and I can be pretty impromptu with our traveling. If an opportunity comes up, we don’t want to miss out!

Easy enough. What I love about summer travel is that, in most cases, the weather is pretty much the same, so the items I pack do not need to change much. For example, last week I was in Florida. This week, heading out to sunny Southern California. Both times I brought along my Vera Bradley Vera Tote in Sun Valley (shown above). So what’s in my travel bag? Take a look:

Yes, I throw a pair of Toms in my bag. They are wonderful to travel with as they are light and fold easily in a bag. Toms are great because sometimes I just don’t want or may not need a tennis shoe, but want something comfy and stylish to slip into if needed at some point throughout my day.

Can’t. Just Cannot live without these IVI Vision sunglasses. Mine are the Daggerwing in black. I have yet to find a pair of specs that are a great price point, stylish and have the no-slip factor. A classic look I can wear in every season.

I absolutely adore the Alba Botanical sunscreen products. They smell great; particularly the Hawaiian fragrance (shown below), reminds me of being on a tropical island somewhere. And, the tanning spray uses coconut oil, which is great for both the dry desert or the humidity of the beach. Plus, because they are all natural, I also use them on my kids.

Having a nourishing body lotion is very important to me. In fact, so important, that I bring along the full-sized container. The products I choose have to have as many natural and eco-friendly ingredients as possible; it’s non-negotiable. I love this new (seed) Grape Seed Enriched Body Cream. When my babies were little, I would massage them with Grape Seed oil, so I know the product well. It applies evenly, smoothly and leaves my skin feeling so yummy. Being in the desert, my skin is addicted to being drenched with lotions that can replenish moisture asap. I slather it on night and day. I also love the container it comes in as it fits easily in my bag and doesn’t weight me down.

Finally- I can’t leave home without these tiny essentials that provide big results:

Shown Above: Advil, Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 in Vanilla, MakeUp Forever compact, Neutrogena Pure and Free Sunblock for Baby, Moo Business Cards, Pevonia Botanica Ligne Soleil, Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Body Scrub, Mascara, Concealer and Foundation Primer.

Let’s not forget the iPad, iPhone and my Brookstone portable charger. Absolute must haves!

Getting ready to get packing for your summer vacation? Remember this simple formula, compliments of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration):

3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure.

Here’s a quick Go-To list of things to remember for your toiletries kit:

• Personal pick of shampoo and conditioner. I love The Body Shop travel containers: clear, under 3.5oz and eco-friendly. 
• Body Gel or Scrub
• Body and Hand Lotion
• Q-tips
• Vaseline
• First-Aid Kit
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Contact Lenses/Glasses and Eye Drops
• Perfume
• Advil

Safe and Happy Travels this summer!

Some of the items above were received as a product review. I was not paid, nor asked to write about the items above.