I just took two different trips in less than a month, and while I definitely want to stay home for the foreseeable future, I am feeling a little bit like a travel expert right now! So it seems like a good time to share an update on some of my travel favorites – the things that I absolutely have to bring with me when I travel.
Packing Cubes // Bag // Jewelry Case
ChappyWrap // Cashmere Wrap // Ear Pillow
Makeup Case // Toiletry Case // Suitcase
Compression Packing Cubes
I started using packing cubes a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back – not only can I fit more, but my things are nice and organized! Compression packing cubes are kind of the “level up” version – they zip and compress, so you can squish everything down and really fit more. I always have to bring so much medical/disability related things on every trip, so I will take every extra inch of free space that I can.
MZ Wallace Bag
I love this bag as a carry on – whether on a plane, or just a bag that stays near me in the car. It fits so much and has so many different pockets, plus a sleeve for my laptop and iPad. And it looks so cute, too!
Jewelry Case
I always end up bringing more jewelry than I mean to, so I like something with lots of space. I especially liked this one because it has room for lots of necklaces, and keeps them (relatively) untangled even after being thrown into my bag or suitcase. And it lays flat and doesn’t take up a ton of space, so it’s easy to slip into a bag.
Tech Organizer
I love this tech organizer – it’s so nice to not have to search through all my bags when I’m unpacking at the hotel and need to charge my phone. And there’s really a space for everything – it fits my laptop charger, my iPad charger, phone charger, watch charger, and more. I’ve even squished an extension cord in there before!
Noise Cancelling Headphones
I swear by my noise cancelling headphones when I travel, and I cannot believe that I didn’t get these until 2021. They’re so comfortable – I wear them for hours in the car – and they are really great at cancelling out nearby noise (for example, the 70s music that your dad plays through the car speakers). I love them so much and refuse to travel without them.
ChappyWrap Blanket
I am always cold – I have really bad circulation. And in a hotel, it can be really hard to get the temperature regulated… and to a temperature that everyone agrees on, too! So I always, always bring a blanket with me when I travel. This ChappyWrap midi style is a perfect travel/lap blanket – it fits me perfectly in my wheelchair!
Cashmere Wrap
Cashmere is great for travel – it’s lightweight, but warm. This wrap from J.Crew is just such a classic, versatile piece – you can wear it to stay warm on the plane, but it works over basically any outfit once you get to your destination, too.
Ear Pillow
I have talked about this pillow so many times, but I will never stop because I love it that much. It changed my life and my sleep so much that I actually travel with it! If you are a side sleeper, I think you’ll like this pillow – and if you use any sort of breathing machine at night (even just a CPAP for sleep apnea!), I cannot recommend this more highly. It can be hard for me to get comfy on hotel beds that aren’t “set up” for me, so bringing my own pillow goes a long way.
Makeup Bag
I bought this recently on Grace’s recommendation and was really impressed! It’s inexpensive, and compact but deceiving – it fits so much more than I thought it would. And the different pockets and compartments inside help keep everything organized.
Toiletry Bag
This is my other favorite travel makeup / toiletry bag – I like that it keeps my bottles vertical, so they’re less likely to spill and leak. I try to bring travel sizes of things, but sometimes I can’t find one, and my skin does not like if I change up my routine. Plus, the inside is super easy to just wipe clean if something does end up spilling.
Suitcase
I got a Delsey suitcase right after I graduated college at a Saks Off Fifth and have been using it ever since. I love that it’s hardsided – it’s been through a lot and has never been damaged – it fits so much, and is super lightweight.
And a few disability specific things…
I wanted to share a few more disability-specific things that I travel with – these might not be useful for everyone, but I know there are people who will want to hear these, too! I have to use a toilet seat for extra support, and this one is easy to assemble/dissemble for easy packing. I bring this travel squatty potty with me absolutely everywhere I go. My SMA medication has to stay chilled, and this cooler has kept it cold on 8+ hour card drives. I use a vent overnight, and it has a humidifier that needs distilled water – these are small bottles that are easy to pack. And we always end up with a ton of different luggage and bags, and some big Rubbermaid bins for the larger medical equipment – this little luggage cart folds up but makes it so much easier to get everything from the car to the room and vice versa.
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