My Travel Essentials: What's in the Bag?

Last post, I talked about my favorite carry-on's. Now I want to talk about what I put in my second carry on. This is usually all of stuff I will need on an airplane, a few toiletries, and a change of clothes in case anything happens to my suitcase.

#1. My Wallet and Passport

I always keep these near the top of my bag with my boarding passes. I like to keep it all where I can get to it easily just in case I need it at a moments notice. I am always shopping for cute passport covers, and currently just go without one. My wallet of choice is a Michael Kors "Jet Set Saffiano Card Holder" in navy ($68, currently not in stock). I got it for Christmas a couple of years ago, and I absolutely love it. It is fairly small, and easy to fit anywhere.

#2. Sunglasses

While maybe not necessary, I don't go anywhere without them. I currently wear a pair of oversized Nine West kitten glasses ($64) in black. They were affordable, and I love oversized glasses so they were perfect for me.

#3. Non-Liquid Makeup

I always keepy my eyeliner, blush, lipstick, chapstick, mascara, and powder in a small bag with me when I fly. It's nice to freshen your look up before you go see relatives or friends (or where ever you are going). I don't keep any of my liquid makeup in my purse so I don't reapply foundation or lipgloss or use any perfume during or right after the flight.

#4. Water Bottle

While you can't bring a full water bottle with you through security, you can fill it up once you get through security and to your gate. I like the CamelBak Eddy, I like having a straw, and it folds down a bit to fit better.

#5. Headphones

Whether it is just my iphone headphones, or noise cancelling headphones, I want to be able to listen to music or watch movies during my wait, flight, or layover. I typically bring my iPhone headphones because they are so compact and fit nicelt in my bag.

#6. Socks

No matter what shoes I am wearing at the airport, I will take my shoes off and wear socks while on the plane. I like to be comfy, and warm so socks are the way to go. I like bringing boot socks, and my current favorites are either a pair of black and pink polka dot Kate Spade socks, or a pair of blue and green Abercrombie socks (I have a thing for polka dots).

#7. All the Extra's

I always have about a million hair ties and bobby pins floating through my bag, and at least two tubes of chapstick. Aside from that, I usually have a notebook and pen, a thing of EOS cucumber lotion, mints (cause no one likes to listen to someone chew gum for hours on end), and an eyemask. My current eye mask is a pink and white striped Victoria's Secret eyemask.

The last thing in my bag is always food. I like gummy candy, Trader Joe's organic fruit bars, and a fruit cup for whichever meal I am stuck at the airport during (usually breakfast or lunch). And I usually include an extra outfit in case something happens to my suitcase. I usually want it to be leggings and a t shirt that will go with whatever shoes I am wearing so that it takes up as little room as possible.

-Lauren Hansen