10 Travel Essentials That Make My Life Easier

[bigletter]The more I travel the wiser I get. I learn about the places I visit, the people, the food…but I also learn so much about myself. I’m a really self-aware person, and I like to really look at what makes me happy when I travel, what makes me feel comfortable, and what makes my life easier. As a journalist, I sometimes travel alone, and I bring gadgets with me that will either be efficient in assisting me with staying organized, will spark joy or will help me reduce my carbon footprint. These are the few that I always make sure I pack with me: [/bigletter]

Phone pocket

I bought my first one at an Accessorize shop in Rome. I had travelled to Italy to spend my first Christmas there, and I had some time to go shopping. Before any judgement is cast upon me, let me disclose that I am well aware that within all the beautiful shops and brands in Italy, Accessorize isn’t something that is on top of anyone’s priorities list, but I was curious to see the difference in the items between the locations in Rome and London. The phone pockets were on sale, so I picked one up and used it to put my train tickets in as well as a few euros folded up.

The phone pocket has become one of my best purchases ever, because it’s where I carry my Oyster card (London underground entrance), and when I travel, it’s where I put all my tickets – whether it be for a show or the movie theater or another transportation system in another country that involves tickets. I have never lost a ticket for anything ever again, because I know that it is behind my phone – which I always have at hand.

Flip Flops

Yes, flip flops are essential! When you bring your flip flops, you avoid needing to use the slippers at the hotel, which diminishes waste – those go in the trash once you leave the hotel, and in this day and age we can’t afford to do things like that anymore – and they’re also useful if you don’t feel comfortable walking around the room barefoot, or going to the bathroom are barefoot, or if you need to run to the lobby for something, as well as go downstairs or to the coffee shop for some drinks. Flip flops are also light weight and just easy to carry.

Speakers

Music is a must for me on every occasion. I like to play it in the bathroom while I shower, when and if I have friends over for a few drinks or food, and if I go on picnics or lunches in the park someplace.  When I travel, this is no different, so I bought a mini portable Bluetooth speaker that is light, easy to use and that played for a long time. Though the Beats ones are beautiful, I have never owned one nor used it, but I did buy ones on Amazon by a brand called Oontz that has worked great for me.

Mini steamer

Wrinkly clothes are a big no for me. I simply don’t like them, and this mini steamer helps me quickly steam my outfits in the evening. I leave them hanging for the next morning, so I find fresh and wrinkle-free clothes at all times. It’s also super small and portable, which makes it easy when it comes to being able to steam my fabrics, regardless of where I am. Whether it’s because I’m in a certain city to cover an award show or I’ve traveled somewhere and will be doing work on camera, the steamer helps me sort that out without adding too much weight to the suitcase.

Nail file

I bite my nails unless they’re cut and filed nicely. When you travel a lot, it’s difficult to maintain a manicure – or at least that is the case for me since I can’t bring along my manicurist yet like I assume a Kardashian can do? – so I usually carry a few things with me to make sure my nails look presentable. I’m also quite weird with my preferences – I love nude, white or clear nail polish overall, and I like to keep them quite short unless I’m wearing acrylics. I’m nobody to tell people what their nails should look like, but if anyone is like me, and they need to have decent-looking nails, that are low maintenance but that require some care in order for them to not bite or ruin them…then a nail file is absolutely essential within items to bring along on every trip. I usually carry a glass nail file, and it comes in a little container like the ones sold on Amazon. It protects the file from breaking, and it’s easier to put inside a purse or luggage.

Reusable cutlery

I am an enemy of plastic cutlery and all single-use items, whether it be straws, forks, spoons and anything else. My life changed when I got a set of bamboo utensils that are super lightweight and that I can carry anywhere. Whether I’m strolling around the city and want to stop somewhere and have yogurt that I can eat with my spoon, or whether I travel somewhere and need to have a meal at a park or on the go, I always have this kit in my bag, and it ends up being useful not only to me but many times to anyone who is with me. I use my utensils every day and then at night I wash and dry them. I HIGHLY recommend this for anyone and their kids!

Universal Adapter

If you travel a lot between America, Europe and Asia, you need one (or a few) of these. A universal adapter is key in not getting to the hotel and saying “oh f*ck, I have a U.S. plug, which is fully useless in Paris!” When you have these and you are like me, where you carry around a video camera, photo camera, computer and iPad. There are various versions to the adapter, but I think this one  – or the similar versions – is more compact and lighter, while also being super versatile. I have a few of these as well as

Reusable bottles

Back to reducing my carbon footprint. Just because I care about the environment, doesn’t mean I don’t like my coffee and water. So I always carry a water bottle with me as well as a coffee cup, and wherever I go for coffee, I ask for a refill of my water bottle and for the drink to be served in my coffee cup. I have yet to use a collapsible travel cup, but it’s also on my list.

Portable charger

I carry around a portable charger that has two ports because if I need to charge two things at a time, I can use the same port. Also, if you travel and gather as much content as I do, your phone battery won’t last, so this is absolutely fundamental. With the number of gadgets that I carry this s 100 percent necessary for me. I do recommend that it’s purchased with a pocked so that it serves as a cushion just in case.

I adore capturing every highlight of my travels and sharing them in hopes of helping a curious traveler with a bit of insight. If you want to see more visit and follow my hashtags #CBtalksTraveling to stay in tune with where I go next. 

With love from Miami…