I've traveled from weekend long trips to month long trips to places to living on a boat for a week to fun luxury hotels. Here's a comprehensive list of what I've packed (I’ll +/- a few items depending on where I'm going & what I'm doing) but all of these items have proved extremely trusty, have lasted the test of time, and most importantly have kept me moving. 

 

My Packing goals

  • Keep everything lightweight— whatever I pack, I have the burden of carrying

  • ONLY CARRY ON — I do not check in bags unless I’m crazy or trying to haul a rug back from Morocco #rip

  • Be prepared for most situations— while carrying the fewest things possible I want to be ready for all types of scenarios— hiking, clubbing, working out, going to church...

  • Have quality stuff that lasts— I don’t want anything that’s going to crap out on me!

  • Carry as few valuable possessions as possible (don't want to be devastated if I lose anything); everything else is negligible

PACK

  • Suitcase (Away, the Larger Carry on with Pocket): I used to shit on this, but then my sister and I both traveled to Peru together: with the Away she was able to fit outfits for three different climates, vs my measly Samsonite could barely carry one. No matter what, recommend a hardshell roller in black (looks better when you bring in for business meetings).

    • *Update: Love Away and their return policy. They mailed me a second one when the zipper broke during Covid.

  • Weekender (Away, OGv1, Black Leather): I use this duffle and I love it. It sits right on top of my away bc it has a trolley sleeve (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) and I use it to wheel everything around.

  • Packing cubes (Yamiu Packing Cubes ). I live by the packing cube method. I use large ones for pants/shirts. medium ones for underwear, and small ones for make up or electronics. I used to own the Eagle Creek ones, but found the Yamiu for double the # of cubes at half the price.

    • *Update: My God, I love these cubes. So much so that I went and bought even more of them to help keep my life together when I moved to Argentina & Beijing, and needed to keep everything organized in my suitcases. It has truly changed the entire way I travel.

  • Toiletry bag (I have one I've used since middle school that's Hello Kitty brand LOL): Get a hanging make up bag -- easy to hang up if you’re staying in a hostel (put on the side of your bed or to one of the inner clips if you’re in a bunk bed) and great to take with you when you go shower. 

  • Travel pack: My go to carry on whenever I’m traveling. Need it to be big enough to carry my DSLR, water bottle, wallet + passport, small enough that it doesn’t feel burdensome, and is theft proof!

    • *Update: Upgraded to a backpack Morris bought me when I was in Argentina in 2019 and I ALWAYS get compliments on it wherever I go. It holds all the same amount of things, but I can wear on my back (which works better bc it never clashes with any outfit! haha) and I have a lock on it to prevent ANY chance of someone stealing from me! I’ve been super happy with having a backpack, especially one that has full enclosure and locks. I’ve used it to hike Patagonia, go clubbing in Yacht Week, see the Bamboo Forest in Japan, and I have taken it to me to every restaurant I go out to in NYC.

       

CLOTHES

  • Lightweight and flexible pants (Lululemon Jet Pants): Lightweight enough for the plane, fancy enough for dinner/to wear to churches/museums when you need to cover up, comfortable enough to fall asleep in, and breathable enough to work out in!

    • Depending on where I’m going, I’ll bring the Lululemon Align Yoga Pants as my airplane pants, but have it double as heat tech and/or my workout pants.

  • Foldable rain jacket (Uniqlo Blocktech Coat:) small enough to easily fold and store inside your bag. I have brought this jacket everywhere I go, and I have a small little Uniqlo jacket baggy I carry it in.

  • Swimsuit: I love OneOne Swim. But I always have a swimsuit just permanently sitting in my suitcase bc you never know.

 

SHOES

  • Waterproof sandals (Birkenstock Eva): I almost always pack this-- no matter what weather I’m going to be in for easy access to showers and to walk around in. I used to have the Nike slides, but the puffy part of the slides makes it super hard to dry. Upgraded to the waterproof Birkenstock Eva in Black and have been super happy with my purchase. Used them all throughout Yacht Week in Croatia, and think they are stylish enough to double as both a walking and beach shoe and shower shoe (vs the Nike Slides were just shower shoes). Pro tip, as with all Birkenstocks makes you break them in first. Because this one is all plastic, it takes a bit longer!

    • I prefer Birkenstock Eva’s over Rainbows bc while Rainbows are great for the beach, the leather makes it hard to take in all water settings. Also the leather tends to bleed if you take it in a shower.

  • Black ankle boots (Dr Marten Jadon Platform Lace Up Boots in Black): Easy to transition to clubs, dinners, etc. This is my favorite shoe to bring around with me… waterproof, versatile, really cute, and SUPER heavy. I haven worn them to Coachella, through the streets and snow of Boston, gone clubbing with them but can also wear them out to fun dinners.

  • Hiking shoes (Teva Arrowood): so comfortable and sturdy. Great to hike in, walk around in, and waterproof for cold/rainy weather. Purchased in Black with my REI dividend Summer 2018 and I love them. Light weight hiking shoes (1 lb 4 oz), that are waterproof-- sleek enough for urban settings and also enough support for working out (I broke them in by using them for Barry's classes a few times before I traveled). No ankle support though.

 

TOILETRIES

  • Travel Towel (eco-towel): Get one with a hidden pocket inside! It’s great to put your phone, key card, etc in and the micro-fiber materials makes SUCH a difference by how fast it dries

  • Skincare: Alright lmfao my sister (who is legit 5+ years older than me) got me super into skincare and trust me…she knows her stuff (!!!) Much to my chagrin, people consistently think she’s the younger sibling so here’s the learnings I took from her that have now converted to my favorite skin care products that I use while traveling (and at home)

    • Face Masks: I always bring a few for the long plane rides / to use at night. My favorite sheet masks are Etude in Manuka Honey or Hyaluronic Acid. Most recently I have been trying to avoid sheet masks and use jar ones instead (easier to carry and better for the environment)! I love Chantecaille Bio-Lifting Mask (my current favorite / go to)

    • M61 PowerPeel: I swear by this! It’s kind of pricey but it is so gentle on the skin and really easy to use. I will pack a handful of it whenever I’m on the go

  • Lip mask: (Laneige in Berry) Doubles as my chapstick (haha), and found it great for dry weather

  • Bug spray: Seriously, my friends think I’m crazy but I will legit get the one with the most deet possible (at least 40%+)!!!

    • Deet: This is my favorite and I swear by it. Make sure to think about travel requirements (IE, get the 1oz one for flights)

  • Sunscreen (La Roche): My absolute favorite sunscreen. I carry this around everywhere I go.

 

ELECTRONICS

  • DSLR (Sony A6000): I’ve tested through a bunch of different cameras and am SO happy I bought this. It’s very light weight, portable, and powerful.From being able to bring it with me to clubs, hiking, scenic shots– it’s truly the perfect camera that I can fit in my purse and bring on the go.

  • GoPro Hero Black: I got it after my shitty cheap one crapped out on me during my dive in Tulum. I was hesitant to drop $400+ on yet another camera but quality is unreal, and I’m happy to have it to capture memories in more “adventurous” places I’d normally be more hesitant to bring my DLSR around to (kayaking in Patagonia, swimming in Yacht Week, sambadrones in Brazil… etc)

  • Universal Wall Port (MOCREO Travel Adapter) works for me in Europe, Asia, Africa...

  • Portable charger (Anker 20100mAh): Charges the iPhone X 7 times.

  • Tablet (iPad)

    • Update: I lost my Paperwhite in a move in 2018 and started using my dad’s old iPad instead. and now I’m a convert!!!!

    • Pros of Ipad: Reading quality isn’t as great as Kindle BUT the iPad has proved to be really versatile, and a great place to watch Netflix while I do work on my laptop. You can also AirPlay on a iPad and that allows for screen sharing / dual monitor.

  • Headphones (Bose QuietComfort 35): Super happy with this purchase. I can fall asleep like a baby on the plane or at night. Even used these during Yacht Week when I slept in the living room! (I’ll put in ear plugs, and turn on the QC Headphones). For quicker trips, Airpods will do.

 

OTHER

  • Notebook (Moleskine): This helps keep my life together! As I'm planning out places to go, thoughts I have, or just want to write down exciting things that happened. This helps keep me organized.