I’m not feeling particularly prepared for our upcoming trip to Denmark and Belgium. I still have daily itineraries to complete and a packing list to compile, but I do have one thing ready: the contents of my everyday purse while we’re abroad. While I try to pare down to just the essentials, it doesn’t always work out. We rarely stop back at the hotel during the day and I’d hate to find myself without a creature comfort like hand cream or Band-Aids for blisters. Fortunately, the Tory Burch bag I purchased earlier this year (worn here) is spacious enough for just about everything (excluding the case for my sunglasses).
- iPhone (not pictured)
- Camera (not pictured)
- Passport and cover (love this one)
- Journal and pen for jotting down observations, recording what we did each day, and storing reciepts
- A deck of cards or a set of dice for playing Farkle
- Card case for my credit cards (similar)
- Coin purse (mine is an old one from Coach similar to this)
- Sunglasses
- Herban Essentials towelettes for cleaning my hands or sanitizing surfaces on the plane
- Band-Aids
- Hand cream
- Lipstick (a long-wear lipstick and one that’s easier to apply on the go)
- Mirror (mine is by Lauren Merkin and her shop has since closed; here’s a budget-friendly option)
- Brush and hair ties (not pictured)
- Tissues (not pictured)
- Inhaler (not pictured)
- Reusable shopping bag for the grocery store (not pictured, but I purchased this cute Kate Spade one)
- Container with allergy pills and pain medication (These containers are also great for packing tiny items like earrings or bringing just a dab of a special face cream or exfoliator that you don’t use every day. There’s a larger version that’s perfect for packing dry snacks for the plane. I bring almonds to avoid any hangry outbursts.)
I am a huge fan of whats in my bag!!! I am loving this post! Love that card holder!
xoxo,Victoria
http://www.coffeeandablonde.blogspot.com
So much prepping to do, I am only headed to Puerto Rico Friday and all my clothes are packed, I’m so excited for us. Cannot wait to see it all on snapchat.
xo
PinkSole
Oh! Puerto Rico has been on my travel wish list for a couple of years now. I can’t wait to “travel along” and see all of your snaps and photos!
I’ve never heard of those towellettes before. I’m guessing they smell like orange rather than that chemical smell that most have?
Fizz and Frosting
Yeah! I love the orange scented ones. There’s also a lavender one that apparently smells great. They’re kind of expensive, so I only use them when I travel as a little indulgence.
I am loving this post! You are like me – I have to plan everything! Right down to what is in my purse, because obviously that is the most important! I really love the towelettes and the medicine holder you have. I can’t live without my chapstick 🙂
Maggie
http://www.PolishedClosets.com
ahhhh so fun! i realllyyyyy miss traveling! i cant wait to start planning international trips again. xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Yayy! So excited to see all your photos and stuff while you’re there!
I always just throw a ton of stuff into my bag when I travel, haha…should probably start making it more streamlined
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
These are such great packing essentials!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
Those little containers for pills, etc. are genius, and YES for playing cards or dice for Farkle! My husband and do the same thing — especially for those long waits at airports inbetween flights! 😀
Jen @ Librarian for Life + Style, http://librarianforlifestyle.com
Those pill containers are amazing! And bringing little wipes is genius! I should get some of those for my frequent traveling.
Oh my gosh, I’m just jealous that you’re going away! But also because that is the cutest little notebook I ever did see!
Audrey
http://www.lululinden.com
I love posts like this! Thanks for sharing and safe travels!
Carylee | http://morepiecesofme.com
I loved this post! I am heading to Europe for the first time later this spring so I love learning tips like this.
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Cute essentials!
Love that TB bag. My biggest tip for traveling around Europe (I lived in Paris for 6 months and got to do quite a bit of traveling around) is to take a photocopy of your passport and leave the real thing in the hotel safe. This bag is great, as it has a zipper so it’s much less likely you’ll be pick-pocketed, but not carrying your passport unless its absolutely necessary (and having a copy or two) is what I advise all my friends to do while traveling.
That said, love the idea of bringing reusable shopping bags around, I think I’m going to steal that one when I go later this year! Where in Belgium are you headed? I’m jealous about Denmark, I’ve never been!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
Oh, good call on the passport. I’ve always toted it around with me, but you’re right. If I really need it as an I.D., I can always go back to the hotel. Not to mention, one less thing to carry is always a plus in my book. Thanks!
Regarding Belgium: We’re staying in Brussels with plans to day trip to Bruges and Antwerp. We’re also going to the De Dolle brewery in Diksmuide. We were actually in Brussels two years ago and already went to Bruges, but we loved the country so much that we wanted to go back. (We didn’t have a chance to do Antwerp the first time.) We’re also big beer fans, so it’s pretty much heaven. Our last night is going to be spent at a beer festival, which is likely going to make the plane right rough the next day! 😉
If you haven’t tried the Bandaid Friction Block Stick for preventing blisters, I highly recommend it! I love using it on my heels and other spots where my shoes rub (unless I get a blister, at which point I put on an actual bandaid!).
Can’t wait to vicariously live through you! 🙂
cottoncashmerecathair.com
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve spotted it at Walgreens, but wasn’t sure if it would actually help. I’ll give it a whirl!
I can attest that a coin purse is great for traveling in Europe! You do not want a bulky wallet. I’ve never been to Denmark and Belgium … just Spain, France, UK and Italy. I’m excited to see how your adventures go!
Nina
aworldofdresses.com
i think it’s clear to say you’re an expert at traveling!! i need to bookmark this page and come back to it! …at least when i get a day off from work haha
xo
allie
pretaprovost.com
Those pill containers are genius, ordering them right now. Here’s my tip: don’t confuse your allergy medicine (especially if it is benadryl) with your pain relievers. It is especially bad to take a couple of benadryl for a headache just before you go sit in a warm, dark theatre to see a long play.
Also, I’m sure given today’s very sad events your trip will be a bit different than planned — safe travels through Europe and home!