My summer holiday is getting closer, and I thought it would be cute to share with you some of the little things that make my time away feel care-free and extra special. I’m all about making sure I have everything I need with me. No last-minute packing panics here! It’s honestly the only way I can truly relax. And soak up every moment of my dreamy summer holiday. 🏖 ☀
The first thing I do is create a checklist … sometimes just in my head, other times I write it all down.✍ I start with the essentials and carry on from there. In the very same order, I’ll pack my luggage for the heavenly escape that awaits me. This way, I know for sure that nothing will catch me by surprise or spoil the blissful days ahead.
Let’s have a read through together and see if this list might be helpful for you too. Every time you’re packing for your holiday, just pop back here. And let me make sure you’ve got everything you need. Consider this your little travel checklist corner … always here when you need it. 🙂
1. Mini First Aid Kit 🩹
I know … this isn’t the most pleasant thing to think about, or to even prepare for. But the truth is, even on holidays, our bodies can feel a little overwhelmed at times. So, besides making sure I have a travel insurance policy sorted for my trip, I always pack a mini first aid kit. 😷 Just a few bits for a headache, sunburn, or an upset tummy. Trust me! I’ve learned the hard way that eating ‘like I’m on vacation’ can definitely have consequences for the stomach! 😅
And of course, don’t forget any mandatory medicines you might be on. It’s also a good idea to pack something for allergies, insect bites (especially if you’re headed somewhere exotic 🤩). And maybe a couple of blister plasters if we’re planning long walks … or if you’re like me and can’t resist breaking in a new pair of shoes while you’re away. Which, let’s be honest, happens a lot. 🤭
Lastly, I’d definitely recommend travel sickness tablets for those of us who are a bit sensitive to motion. They’re perfect for bumpy plane rides, boats, or those twisty countryside roads. I always carry a small antiseptic cream too … just in case of minor cuts or scrapes. For some reason, I always seem to scratch myself while handling my luggage. Totally unexplainable, but it happens every time!😶 And never, ever forget hand sanitiser. Because, well … you know, it’s necessary and absolutely not up for discussion. We’re about to have contact with a lotttt of unknown territory … which honestly, I can’t wait for! 😋
Skincare Essentials
This is the second thing on my checklist. Skincare is so important, especially after long days under the sun. No matter our age, we need to look after ourselves … our future selves will thank us for it. An SPF 50 cream (with coconut scent) 🥥 is the only sunscreen you’ll find in my luggage these days. When I was younger, I used to think it would somehow get in the way of my tan. Oh, how naive I was! The truth is, my tan actually looks better, lasts longer, and my skin feels so much healthier when I use it. Plus, it protects my skin and stops it from ageing before its time. And it smells delicious! A total win-win. 😉
Next on my checklist, an after-sun soothing cream to keep us hydrated and glowing. Oh … that feeling when we step into a cool, refreshing shower after a whole day under the sun. Beach hair messy, skin sun kissed … and then we smooth that heavenly cream all over your body. It’s one of those ineffable little pleasures that make summer holidays feel so special. Of course, I never skip my face creams … both day and night. A holiday isn’t the time to get careless with skincare. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Our skin needs extra love and attention in the heat of those strong, golden sunshine.🏖
And lastly in this little beauty bag of mine … something most people might see as optional. But for me, it’s a stubborn little necessity: a fresh, shimmering body mist. There’s just something about catching the golden glow of our tan: all sparkly and radiant, especially when we slip into an all-white outfit for a sunset dinner. Just picturing it makes me feel like I’m already there! 🙃 ✨
Tiny Tech Heroes for Carefree Holidays
Okay … it’s not the prettiest or most glamorous part of packing. But trust me … this little bundle of lifesavers is what keeps the holiday magic going smoothly. Nothing ruins a dreamy moment quite like a dead phone when we’re about to snap the prettiest sunset. Or realising our charger doesn’t fit the hotel plug socket. Been there, done that … never again. 😅
So the first thing I make sure to pack is my phone charger. Sounds obvious, right? But you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget when we’re rushing around, deciding between swimsuits and sandals. I also bring a couple of spare charging cables, because for some reason one always seems to disappear or fray right when I need it most. And because hotel rooms tend to have just one plug socket in the most inconvenient spot, I throw in a plug extension or a multi-socket adapter too. There’s something oddly satisfying about having everything plugged in, charging away while I’m getting ready for dinner. 💆
Speaking of plug sockets, we absolutely need to pay attention to the country or countries we’re travelling to. No dreamy getaway would be complete without a trusty travel adapter tucked safely in our bag. And if we’re lucky enough to be hopping between different countries on the same trip, we can pack a universal one. Honestly, it’s a total game-changer. No more wasting precious holiday time frantically hunting for a little local shop that might have one. 😉
Every now and then, I like tuck in my Bluetooth headphones as well. Not an essential, but there’s something so lovely about having a little background music. When we’re getting ready for a night out. Or lounging on the beach with a juicy cold drink. 🏖 🤍✨
A Beauty Bag of Travel Size Containers
I can’t even begin to explain how much of a difference this makes for our holiday. Instead of lugging around all the full-size bottles of everything we adore, I’ve learned to just take what’s necessary. A lotion I love, a favourite hair serum, a spritz of my go-to body mist … all decanted into those adorable little travel-sized bottles. Even if we’re travelling with check-in luggage, it keeps everything neat and tidy, and let’s be honest … it saves a lot more space for clothes, shoes, and those cheeky last-minute holiday buys. 😋
When I’m away, I still want to feel like myself. And for me, that means indulging in those little pamper rituals after a long, lazy bath or a refreshing evening shower. There’s nothing better than slathering on a rich, tropical-scented body cream.🍍🥭 Or misting myself with an exotic fragrance that instantly makes me feel fresh after a long beach day. So I always make sure to bring them with me, in those cute little bottles.
Another little trick I absolutely swear by is having all my favourite perfumes with me, without the fuss of packing those bulky full-size bottles. I can never quite decide how I want to smell on my heavenly getaways. Some mornings I crave something light and joyful. Other evenings I feel drawn to something deeper and mysterious. 🩷 🩵
Ever since I discovered those tiny 10ml perfume atomisers, I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been. I fill them up with five or six of my favourite scents and tuck them neatly into my toiletry bag. A new scent for breakfast by the sea, another one for lazy beach days.👒 And something a little seductive for romantic dinners under the stars. You get my gist … smelling lovely and different whenever the mood takes me. 😊
Extra Little Joys
At last, we’ve arrived at my absolute favourite part of packing for a holiday! What would an escape be without all those little things that make us feel radiant, confident, and completely ourselves? For me, it all starts with a beautiful selection of bikinis in vibrant, happy colours.👙Shades that catch the sunlight and make my skin glow. I love having matching beachwear too, those breezy kaftans or wrap skirts that instantly make me feel like a siren gliding along the shore. It’s in those small, playful details where the magic of a holiday lives. 🙃
For those long, soul-soothing walks along the beach, a comfy pair of slippers is an absolute must. And of course, no beach day is complete without a gorgeous, roomy beach bag. I like to fill mine with everything I consider essential.😋 My favourite sunglasses, a chic sun hat for those extra-scorching afternoons, and, naturally, a waterproof phone pouch.🩴🕶 Trust me, it’s a total lifesaver when you want to capture those unforgettable dips in crystal-clear water. There’s something so magical about immortalising those little carefree moments, don’t you think? 😊
P.S. Never, ever forget your travel documents! Passport, travel insurance details, boarding passes, hotel confirmations … I like to keep them all neatly tucked in a little travel wallet so I can reach for them easily when needed. It makes me feel organised and relaxed. And with that, we’re officially holiday-ready! Wishing you the most magical, sun-kissed, carefree escape. 🏖 🙂
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