The Jet-lagged Journalist

As a flight attendant and frequent traveler, I have a good idea of what I need and don’t need when going on a trip.

Of course, some details may change depending on where I’m going and for how long!

First and foremost, I have a few products that make the biggest difference; however, everything needs to be 3.4 oz or less and able to fit into a gallon zip lock bag to pass through TSA.

-Small perfume: I prefer roll-on perfumes when traveling because they are less likely to spill/make a mess. I love having signature scents and feel put together once I have one on. I tend to switch them up frequently.

-Mini dry shampoo: I always need a refresher after flying, before going out, and especially when my hair looks extra flat or greasy. These tiny dry shampoos last longer than you would expect and bring the volume when needed.

If I’m going international, I ensure I have these next two things!

-Plug adapter: the last thing you want is to be in a foreign country with a dead phone.

-Filtered water bottle: the water in other countries could give you a stomach bug, and although getting plastic water bottles does provide “clean” drinking water, it’s no friend to the environment, and drinking out of a plastic bottle does mean consuming microplastics.

These other ones seem obvious but sometimes can be easy to forget.

-A bathing suit: you may forget this one if you’re not going to a beach, but it’s never fun missing out on hot tubs or pools. If you’re flying, there’s always a chance you will divert or have to do an emergency landing somewhere tropical.

-Tylenol & tums: traveling can be stressful, so headaches and stomach aches can happen. It’s always better to be prepared!

-Cash: once again just a precaution in case something happens to your card(s).

-A fanny pack/frontal body bag: if you’re going somewhere new, it’s best to have a bag that is fully closed and in front of you at all times. There are tons of people who pickpocket, even if you have a backpack on, people will unzip and dig in there. I have friends who have had their wallets, phones, and even passports stolen.

This is just a preference I have.

-A camera: I have both a wind-up and a small digital camera. I have a photo book I’m working on placing photos in. I have this irrational fear that one day all my photos on my phone will be wiped haha; if that were to happen, I’d be extra thankful for these photos, and I think photo books are a fun thing to look at with friends.

Here are some of my favorites/recommendations:

Perfumes: sand and fog (they’re oils so they last longer). Valentino born in Roma and YSL Mon Paris.

Dry shampoo: Batiste smells amazing, lasts a long time, and doesn’t give a white cast (at least it doesn’t on me; however, I am blonde so that may change if you have darker hair). Amika and Evanyc are better for your hair and also smell fantastic, but can be harder to find in a travel size.

Filtered water bottle: Grayl Geopress, this water bottle is on the expensive side, but I think it is absolutely worth it. I was lucky enough to have this gifted to me by my wonderful boyfriend. This award-winning water bottle holds the strongest filter on the market right now, filtering out hormones, diseases, plastics, and so much more. The filter is strong enough to turn tap water in Mexico clean.

Fanny pack: any fanny pack will do; I like it when they have a few different sections and an easily adjustable strap.

Cameras:  I always have a Fuji wind-up with me, and recently have had a small Kodak with me as well, that my grandparents gifted me. I think there’s something special about capturing moments on a camera versus a phone.