6 Things I Never Leave Home Without When I Travel

Jun 8

It’s officially that time of year — summer vacation season! I have several trips planned through the summer and into the fall, and after years of packing (and a few hard-learned lessons), I’ve narrowed down the short list of things I will not leave home without.

These aren’t just packing-list filler. Each one of these has earned its permanent spot in my suitcase because it helps me feel well, look put together, and actually enjoy my trip. Here they are.

1. My BioActive Peptides — Specifically the Breakthrough Bundle

If you’ve been around here a while, you know I don’t get on planes without these. The Breakthrough Bundle helps me curb my appetite, maintain my muscle mass, and get that deep, restorative sleep — which matters more than ever when you’re traveling overseas and fighting a big time difference. Jet lag doesn’t stand a chance when you’re actually sleeping well.

I also pack two supplements from the same line that travel with me everywhere:

Hydrate — electrolytes that keep me hydrated on long flights (planes are so dehydrating, especially for midlife skin and energy).
Calm — it does exactly what the name promises. Flight delays, tight connections, crowded airports… Calm keeps me steady through all of it.

2. My Creatine Gummies

Creatine is one of the most-researched supplements out there, and it’s not just for gym guys. It supports memory and sleep — two things that matter more than ever as I get older.

The catch with creatine (and honestly, any supplement) is that it only works if you’re consistent. That was always my struggle until I found these creatine gummies. No powder, no shaker bottle, no mixing anything in a hotel room. I just toss the bottle in my bag and I never miss a day, even on vacation.

3. My Portable Magnified, Lighted Makeup Mirror

I’ve made this mistake too many times: assuming the hotel would have a decent mirror, only to arrive and find… nothing. Never again.

As I’ve gotten older, a regular mirror just doesn’t cut it anymore. I need the magnification and the light to do my makeup properly — and to catch those pesky little black hairs that love to show up uninvited. This portable mirror folds flat, takes up almost no room in my suitcase, and has saved me on every single trip.

4. A White Button-Down

If I could only pack one top, this would be it. A crisp white button-down is the hardest-working piece in my wardrobe, and it’s even more valuable when I travel because it goes with everything:

Tucked into pants or a skirt for dinner
Left loose and open over a swimsuit as a chic cover-up
With shorts for sightseeing
Layered when the temperature drops

One shirt, a week’s worth of outfits. This is the one I pack.

5. A Great Pair of Jeans

You know how much I love denim — it’s rare that I go anywhere without a pair of jeans. (You can see all of my favorites here.)

This pair I recently got is perfect for hot summer days. They’re lightweight, genuinely comfortable for travel days, and — I mean this — they look great on everyone. If you’ve been waiting for a summer-weight jean, this is it.

6. A Jacket or Sweater (Yes, Even in Summer)

It may be 95 degrees outside, but restaurants, museums, airplanes, and hotel lobbies are freezing. You will always find me with a layer on hand, and right now I’m wearing two on repeat:

This denim sweat jacket — I shared it on Instagram and so many of you bought it and love it as much as I do. It’s casual, flattering, and goes with everything.
This T-shirt sweater — the perfect thing to throw over a sundress. It’s a bit of an investment, but it’s one of those pieces you’ll reach for constantly, so it’s well worth it.

The Bottom Line

After enough trips, you learn that the right handful of essentials makes the difference between surviving a vacation and actually feeling like yourself on one. These six are mine.

What’s the one thing you never travel without? Leave a comment — I’d love to know (and I might need to add it to my list).

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