[Throw back to 2011 on our way to Antigua!]
Otay, hear me out on this Gift Guide. I went back + forth with myself before finally deciding on the go ahead and making it. I know with everything going on with Covid, espeically right now that travel is the last thing on a lot of people’s mind. If that’s not you, thats okay too. I am not here to tell you what to do or what+ how to think. When it comes to YOU making DECISIONS for YOU + YOUR FAMILY, that is NOT MY business or place to tell you anything. I’ll just support you because you know whats best for you + your family. I’m here to [hopefully] offer inspiration, positivity + beauty in the world and MY PERSONAL journey.
If that inspires you or makes you pause + see something a different way, great. I love reading + hearing other people’s journeys because I learn so much about different ways of doing the same task, and sometimes I find a BETTER way than the way I was doing it. If you totally disagree with me, that’s fine too. I just ask that you be kind if you decided to tell me ha!
My thoughts behind this gift were hope + faith+ diversity. Let me explain.
Hope: I have HOPE that we will travel again like we did in 2019. I have HOPE that we will beat this and come out on the other side stronger. I have hope we can grab a last minute lunch with a friend without worrying about the weather because you can sit inside the crowded restaurant no matter what.
Faith: I have so much FAITH that we well get back to where we were in 2019, in the sense of traveling, being together without face masks or worrying every time you have a fever or cough. I have so much FAITH that will be beat this and come out on the other side stronger.
Diversity: When I say diversity I mean it in a couple ways, and I’m not sure it’s the correct word, but we’re going with it anyway. The way I mean it is there is a diversity among us [as humans] about the right + wrong ways, the do’s + don’t’s of handling Covid. Like I said, this post is NOT about that, and I’m not here to give my opinion.
What I mean is, there is a group of people who will not travel until they feel it’s safe and then there is another group who feels safe to travel, has traveled, or plans to travel. Then there’s a group where they feel comfortable only doing stay cations where they can drive to and either stay at a hotel or Airbnb. All those groups and their differing thoughts + opinions ARE OKAY. If you disagree with one, thats okay too. You have to do what feels right for you + your family just like the people who disagree with you. The one thing WE ALL have to do, no matter our differences is BE KIND TO EACH OTHER. I’m sure that there are more groups but those are the three I focused on when creating this Gift Guide.
Another way I mean diversity is, when I say “traveler”the length that people could travel differs. It could mean a week long trip, a long weekend, an overnight, or even a day trip. It could be a person/family who is fortunate enough to have another home and is traveling there. And I say this because I don’t want to offend anyone and maybe offer another way of looking at the word ‘Traveler’ ya know?
I am a STRONG believer in being well rounded + open to new + different thoughts + experiences. I TRULY don’t and didn’t mean to be insensitive to anyone and their thoughts + feelings on the subject of traveling. I just want to be fair and cover all the bases ya know? Plus I was hoping that maybe it would give people who don’t feel comfortable traveling just yet, [again, which is totally okay] it would give them some hope + faith that they will be able to travel again.
Also, I know that most of the products I picked are more gear for girls but most of the products I picked come in different color schemes for all types of personalities + styles. I also learned through the years watching [and cringing] as my baby brothers haphazardly throw clothes [that they hope are semi clean] in a huge bag with a toothbrush, some shoes, and call it a day. . Can’t say they even pack toothpaste because they are banking on using someone else’s ha! So with that experience I feel that girls are more into the art of packing than boys, but I do know that, that it doesn’t mean EVERY packs like my brothers lol. 
Otay, lets get into the products!
#1. iFLY Hard Sided Fibertech 28″ Checked Luggage– I have this piece of luggage and I LOVE it! It can hold so much, oh so much that when I went to the Florida Keys last year I had to take some of my stuff out and put it in my friend’s luggage because I was WAY lover the weight limit ha! When nothing is in it, it is SUPER light weight which is awesome. It rolls nice, has a two level handle, and comes in a lot of colors + sizes. I will say it does show scratches + marks but that is the only con I have with it. I also have the gold color, so I’m not sure if that makes marks stand out more? I kinda like the marks on it because it shows it was well used + loved which means I’ve traveled ya know?
#2. Jelly Comb Electronic Travel Cable Storage Bag– With all the technology + various devices at our disposable we seem to collect a lot of cords and accessories for our devices. I feel like this is a great way to organize your cables + cords even when you’re not traveling so you know where everything is. I have been on the hunt for the best way to store my cables+ accessories and I think I finally found it. It has 4.000+ 4.5 star ratings. It comes in different colors + sizes as well. I think this is going on my Christmas list ha! This item ships FREE for PRIME members + has FREE returns as well.
#3. Ellis James Designs Travel Jewelry Organizer– I have this jewelry travel organizer and I have to say I love it! It looks small but it is mighty! This is all I take to hold my jewelry and lemme tell, I take A LOT of my jewelry with me when I travel. It comes in one size but in 3 different colors. I’ve never had an issue with my necklaces getting tangled or anything breaking.I like that you can take parts of it out if you aren’t going to bring much so it is lighter + thiner. It has 470+ 4.5 star ratings and ships FREE for PRIME members + has FREE returns as well.
#4. Target- Square Backpack – A New Day™- I have this backpack and absolutely love it! It holds A LOT and is perfect for on a plane, road trips, walking around sight seeing, etc. Its a nylon material so you can wipe it down easily if it gets dirty. There is a zipper pocket on the right side of the back of it for extra security for your more valuable items like money, wallet, phone etc. It comes in a couple different colors as well. I also like this because it is a little nicer but really, any type of backpack will work + is a great travel staple!
#5. Target- Zip Closure Weekender Bag – A New Day™– This is another bag that I own + LOVE! I use this all the time! It’s great for a carry on when you fly, great for road trips + day trips. I also used this as my beach bag this summer. It’s huge, holds a lot and is of the same nylon material as the backpack above which I love because it can also be wiped down easily. I’ve had both this bag + the backpack for over two years, use them all the time and they still look brand new! I feel that everyone needs a great weekender bag because they are so convient + great for so many things!
#6. Stoney Clover Noir ‘Travel’ Large Pouch– This travel accessories is a splurge for sure! I have heard great things about this brand + their products. I think its pretty cool that you can personalize each piece and make a set to only the pieces you want + use. They have a bunch of sizes + color options for each individual item. I like that the beauty items are made with materials that can be easily cleaned + wiped down so they’ll always stay clean ya know? Again, this one is a splurge and a large pouch will do. I feel that EVERYONE needs one of these to carry all their personal care products like tooth brush + tooth paste, deodorant, and any other products that they use everyday. I personally like separate pouches for my makeup + skincare products because I have so many, but depending on the amount of products you have will depend if you want to combine it or separate them.
#7. CALPAK- 5-Piece Packing Cube Set– I have had my eyes on this set for a while. I’ve heard great things about packing cubes, that they don’t necessarily save space, but they help you stay super organized. I know this one is a little pricey but you get 4 cubes + a large pouch and it comes out to be about $12 per item. For a good quality item that isn’t bad. I like that it came with the matching large pouch so you don’t have to buy a separate one + everything matches. They come in a bunch of different colors as well.
#8. Bag All- My Vanity Travel Case– This case holds SO MUCH! I mean it’s impressive the amount of how many items this thing will hold. I put probably twenty full size items in it including large eye shadow palettes, [three to be exact lol], blushes, a bronzer, high lighters, two full size powders in jars, full size foundation, primer, two full size SPF, etc. I also put a all my brushes in my travel case for them, IN the travel case, and still had room to spare. This can be used for skin care, hair care, personal care products, anything really. I highly recommend!
And thats its! What are some of your favorite products that make traveling easy? Leave them in the comments below! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to come read my words + support my blog! Means so much to me!!
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Always Sparkle and Shine Bright…
xoxo,
Jen