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What. Do. I. Pack? (My Trip Packing Favs) ✈️

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Listen, I am a girl who MOVES. One month I'm in NYC, the next I'm backpacking Europe. Because I basically live out of a few storage units and a few pairs of rotating luggage, I've had to get really creative on space and narrowing down what to take vs...
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Carry-On Luggage Essentials 🎒

Coming from a girl who loves to not have to purchase checked luggage.

 
Laura Ervin profile picture
This bag has gotten me through so many trips. I have the 50L (Small) bag - just the right size at it's max for carry on on MOST (tbh I've never had an issue) flights. I've taken it backpacking through Europe, South / Central America, Camping, etc. It...
North Face Base Camp Duffel 50L
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I couldn't tell you how a $20 backpack has held up for nearly 2 years of consistent travel, but it has. This fits the personal item requirements of most (I want to say all) airlines. I think at one point I've gotten a weeks worth of clothes, a toilet...
Taygeer Backpack
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Laura Ervin profile picture
Ever NOT have enough room in your bags? Pro Tip - if you don't have space in your bags, most airlines are pretty chill about attaching neck pillows to the outsides of carry ons. The game changer move is throwing some of that extra luggage (preferably...
Packing Cube with Neck Pillow - Open Story™ Green: Travel Luggage ...
 
Laura Ervin profile picture
Packing cubes have and will always be that girl for me. I have 100's. Im not even kidding. For my type A brain, these are great for organizing your clothes by shirts, pants, etc. It keeps them clean and organized and above all, compact. Saves me from...
4pc Printed Packing Cube - Open Story™️Pink Stripe
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Laura Ervin profile picture
Just like my packing cubes, I cycle through these vacuum suction bags that literally SNATCH your clothes up. Like mama, you put three sweaters in one bag? No you didn't, you now have a sliver of paper to pack and stack into your packing cubes. These ...
Vacuum Bags For Traveling
 
Laura Ervin profile picture
One time I was gifted one of these gear pockets and I've been using it ever since. If you have tech to pack or like pencils, or literally anything small that you don't want to lose - these are great for that. I usually throw all my cords in here. Sur...
Fjallraven Gear Pocket Bag

Checked Luggage Essentials 🧳

For you know - when you gotta bring a lil extra with you.

 
Laura Ervin profile picture
Back at it with the North Face Base Camp Duffel - this time in a size Medium. The exact model I have I think was a limited edition that I snagged from a Sierra Trading back in 2020. 5 years going strong and great for those who need a little more than...
Base Camp Duffel—M | The North Face
 
Laura Ervin profile picture
Nothing says “peace of mind” like having an added extra line of security in making sure your bags get back to you. I've never had luggage lost - but if I did, I'd hope my penmanship was good enough for others to know where I live. I like the neon tag...
Luggage Tags
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Laura Ervin profile picture
Can't lie - moving to NYC had me slightly worried my checked bag was going to be overweight and that I'd have to cough up an extra $100. This saved me by like half a pound. Super portable and easy to use.
Luggage Scales
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Laura Ervin profile picture
The battery life on these are pretty good - 2 years going strong. Just like a luggage tag, these are just an added level of safety for me. If there's any chance an airline can't get you back your luggage, you'll at least know which airport it's stuck...
AirTag
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Toiletries Essentials 👝

These are the top standouts for traveling - whether it's a short trip, or backpacking Europe. Here's what I'm throwing in my bag! 

 
Laura Ervin profile picture
The quilted makeup bags with the handles are usually made out of soft fabric that can be squished into compact spaces fairly nicely. And they are cute so that's a plus.
Quilted Cosmetic Bags
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I've truthfully taken wayyy to long to get a travel razor. For some reason I was under the impression you couldn't fly with them - which to my surprise, YOU CAN. So, first thing I did? Purchase this cute, compact baddy that takes up essentially NO ro...
Razor Travel Collection - Flamingo
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Laura Ervin profile picture
Okay, so - other than the packaging being seeeewwww cute. This floss is GREAT. It's on the thicker side where traditional floss doesn't get in all of those grooooves. Compact cutie, great for travel. I've heard people say SO many good things (dentist...
Cocofloss Expanding Woven Dental Floss
 
Laura Ervin profile picture
So this might be one of those more high maintenance things that DONT need to come with me on trips - however, if I CAN, I WILL. And this one is super compact and portable. It just gets you feeling EXTRA clean and as someone who's best friend is a den...
Oclean Water Flossers | Advanced Oral Care for Healthier ...
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Laura Ervin profile picture
My dentist bestie always recommends Phillips… I think the one she recommends is the less portable option - however Phillips as a brand has some great, more travel friendly options. This being one of them. I've found that in past, electric toothbrush'...
Philips Sonicare Electric Toothbrushes
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Laura Ervin profile picture
When they started making the lil travel size versions of these - I was allll over them.
Thera Breath - Travel Size Oral Care | Oral Health On-the-Go
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I've used this for my travel shampoo/conditioner/body wash for a few years. The packaging is super modular and because of that - if you like tetris - it's easy to stack into bags lolol. My go to grab when I know I'm about to leave for vacation.
Monday Shampoo + Conditioner
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Laura Ervin profile picture
For on the go travel friendly makeup removers - these face wipes do the trick. They also double as just something to use if your hands are feeling a lil ehhh. I think when traveling, it's important to find products that are multi-purpose (even if the...
Pacifica Makeup Remover Wipes for All Skin Types
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I've already thrown this into one of my other recommendation lists - but to re-iterate: great for traveling. I think I prefer the shape over other traditional brushes. Something about the versatility of holding it does something to my brain.
Kitsch Detangling Flexi Brush
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I love these lil girlies. I usually will just take one sheet with me and throw them into my bag. Easy when you have a blemish and you'd rather have people stare at a star than a crater.
StarFace Hydro-Stars
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I mean… what can I say. You gotta have this.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer
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Laura Ervin profile picture
As a girl who unfortunately suffers from hormonal hair growth (trust, I've been tested for PCOS) - these are kinda just in my routine every now and then. Like when I'm actually growing a full beard (which somehow is every other week). These are clutc...
Refillable Dermaplane Razor - Flamingo
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I think for those weekend trips, or honestly even when I'm doing the international long trips - I don't love bringing a whole skin routine with me. A product that never fails - Cetaphil Lotion. It's honestly all I need.
Cetaphil Travel Size Essentials in Beauty(7)
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I hate to be one of those people to admit that I forget to put sunscreen most days. This one is so compact and so travel friendly. I prefer the sticks over the squeezy tubes because they don't explode on flights, and they fit better in luggage. 10/10...
Mineral Sunscreen Stick for On-the-Go Protection
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I love this because it's a STICK and is soooo much more portable than the other travel deodorants on the market. I've found that the more traditional shapes are way to bulky, and when you are trying to comply to the 1L TSA required plastic liquids ba...
Dove Beauty Aluminum-Free Mini Deodorant Stick - Coconut and Pink Jasmine - Travel Size - 0.5oz: Underarm, Invisible Solid, Normal Skin
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Laura Ervin profile picture
Loook - traveling with liquids, I try to go with the bare minimum, so that means no make up. BUT if I do bring something and want a little life brought back into my face - LOVE these.
Travel Friendly Bronzing Drops
 
Laura Ervin profile picture
EEEkkk - If I'm not going somewhere tropical where I'll tan, and want a little extra color, I grab these. My mom has been buying them for yearrrrs and I've been sneakily stealing them from her cabinet. They are super portable towels that your just wi...
Sunless Tan Collection

Backpacking Essentials (International) ✈️

Here's the things that saved me on my International Trips that I wish I would have brought every time. 

 
Laura Ervin profile picture
So two use-cases for these baddies. One - they are way better than the flimsy ones airlines give you on long-haul flights. Two - If you plan on backpacking on a budget internationally, these are great to wear in shared hostel rooms. You can't always ...
Eye Mask
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I bring my Looooops everywhere. During international travel and long haul flights, sleep is of the essence. I'm a light sleeper and wearing my Loops literally blocks out so much noise. They are stylish when wearing + non invasive like other foam earp...
Loop Earplugs
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Laura Ervin profile picture
These laundry bags are so compact and so easy to travel with. They expand and surprisingly fit a lot of dirty clothes. I've brought them with me pretty much everywhere.
Packable Laundry Bag
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Laura Ervin profile picture
One time I was in Germany searching for genuinely an hour for a semi portable laundry detergent. Because I was flying every few days to a new location, it didn't make sense for me to get a whole gallon of detergent. Bringing these the next time aroun...
Free & Clear Laundry Detergent Sheets - 64 Loads - Everspring
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Laura Ervin profile picture
One thing that I under estimated needing - a quick dry towel. Specifically quick dry. If you plan on backpacking around, you want something that doesn't stay wet. You also can't trust that every airbnb, hotel, or hostel in other countries have towels...
Quick Dry Towels
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I really like these adaptors because they have multiple plug types for different countries. IF you plan on using a hair dryer or anything with high voltage, I believe these are just adaptors - you'd have to purchase a converter to make sure you don't...
Travel Smart by Conair All-in-One Adapter: Compatible with European Outlets
 
Laura Ervin profile picture
Just because the All-In-One adaptors can be a little clunky for larger chargers and sometimes have a hard time staying in the plug, I prefer being able to just replace my macbook US plug with a European or UK version while traveling internationally.
Apple European Plug Adapter: Electronics
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Laura Ervin profile picture
IF you are planning on staying in Hostels during international travel, usually a lot of the places have lockers that you can store your things. And with a locker - you need a lock. I prefer a key version because ONE time I had a padlock and immediate...
Padlock
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Laura Ervin profile picture
For a girl who writes a LOT when she travels, I go through at least a notebook every month. I LOVE these Moleskin journals. I prefer the unlined versions with the soft covers. Easy to pack, super small, and flexible to throw in bags. They also have a...
Cahier Journals Set of 3 Kraft Brown
 
Laura Ervin profile picture
When you are staying at hostels - or honestly anywhere, it's always nice to have a pair of shoes to just throw on RQ. + Haviannas were having a moooment in Europe last year. Girlies would wear them with everything - dress them up, dress them down. + ...
Havaianas | Flip Flops & Sandals Original From Brazil Since ...
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Laura Ervin profile picture
One thing that strikes the fear of everything in me is realizing that I need to transfer every liquid product I own into a small 1L bag. I've grown smarter in the game of packing internationally, and WHILE not every airport enforces this - some do. I...
SEPHORA COLLECTION Airplane Approved Security Bag
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Laura Ervin profile picture
If you plan on roaming around - I've learned the hard way that apple/google maps takes up a lotttt of phone battery. One thing that I always seem to forget, and never regret having - a portable phone charger. I don't need anything crazy, and these ho...
Cell Phone Portable Power Banks
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Laura Ervin profile picture
I've found that while having a purse is great, sometimes while traveling around, it's nice to have a tote. Especially if you plan on grocery shopping in areas where plastic bags aren't a viable option. These Baggu ones are super tiny and compactable ...
Baggu Reusable Bags