Do you have someone on your shopping list who loves to travel or is always on the go? Or maybe you're just at a loss of what to buy that person who seems to have everything. Over the years I've acquired a list of go-to items which make traveling SO much easier and I'm excited to share them with you. Many of the items on this list I personally own and have used on my own trips - except for a few that ended up on my wish list this year!

From travel gear, to accessories, and even some go to travel OOTD I hope you find something on this list that will make the adventurer in your life very happy this holiday season. I'd also love to hear your suggestions for travel items you can't live without in the comments below.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Since we're all dreaming of the places we'd like to travel right now, I thought I'd also share what's currently on my travel wish list. I love to keep a running list of items I want to purchase and will usually splurge on one or two as I'm preparing for a big trip. Most of the items on my current list are go to travel essentials as well as some bigger purchases that I've been saving up for. This list would also make great gift ideas for a frequent traveler in your life. Or you can view my complete traveler's gift guide here. 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

I never really understood the "dog mom" craze until we welcomed Wrigley into our lives and I immediately fell in love. Not long after bringing him home, he quickly became our newest adventure buddy. We had a summer full of road trips, breweries, beaches, and hikes. Along the way we definitely learned a thing or two about being first time puppy parents and the best way to travel with your four legged friend.

In this post I'm sharing all my recommended products and accessories to make life on the road easier as well as some important considerations to have in mind when heading to a new destination. We haven't flown with Wrigs (yet) so this post is focused on road trips or local day trips with your pup. 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Ahhh Amazon...is there anything you can't find here?! Now don't get me wrong, I don't claim to be a fashion blogger or on top of the latest trends. But I do know a thing or two about trying to cram as much as possible into a carry on suitcase and of course wanting to look cute on your travels. That's what led me to create a travel capsule wardrobe which allows you to mix and match staple pieces into multiple different outfits so you can pack less and still have all your basics no matter what your trip may bring. In fact, this packing list allows you to create 18 different outfits! Most of the items on this list are also some of my personal Amazon fashion favorites - meaning I own them already, recently ordered, or have them on my wish list. 

Keep in mind, this wardrobe is designed for spring/summer travel in a warmer climate. If you're planning to travel somewhere with cooler temps you might need to adjust things a bit. I also packed this "suitcase" for less adventure although there is an outfit for hiking and a beach day. But if you plan to do a lot of physical activity or strenuous hiking you may need to swap out some dressy pieces for additional activewear. I also didn't include other staples you'll need to pack such as pajamas, undergarments, toiletries, etc. so you'll want to allot additional room in your suitcase for those items. 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

When it comes to packing for a trip - you either love it or hate it. Some people thrive on trying to cram as many perfectly folded outfits into their suitcase, all of which have been planned out for the corresponding days of their trip. While others find themselves throwing whatever is clean into a bag last minute. Whichever side of the spectrum you fall on, I am so excited to share one of my new favorite travel products that will help you pack smarter and make the most of any size space. 

Tripped Travel Gear compression packing cubes are especially useful for organizing outfits in a suitcase and minimizing your clothes to fit inside a backpack. You can separate the cubes by different outfits or easily pack away bulky clothing like raincoats/heavier jackets that are not used as often. Take advantage of empty cubes to pack dirty laundry in and keep your suitcase or backpack organized.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Tripped Travel Gear. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Not only do I love telling you about the places I love to travel, I also love introducing you to products that help make those travels easier and more enjoyable. That's why I was so excited to partner with Chagrin Valley Soap on my recent trip to Nashville to try out their shampoo bars. They are a Midwest family-owned company, located in Cleveland, Ohio that got their start in the kitchen while trying to find a more natural solution for how many chemicals were present in their family's skin care products. Today, they offer a wide range of products including handmade soap, shampoo bars, lotion bars, and more. All of their bars are made with natural and organic ingredients and contain no artificial fragrance, color, preservatives, or detergents. They are also scented with natural essential oils and are very fragrant - I could smell them before I even opened the box that came in the mail! 

So let's face it, there's no easy way to travel with shampoo and conditioner - or any liquid for that matter. Even with the convenient travel bottles you're still faced with the hassle of removing them from your luggage to go through TSA security. And I can't be the only one whose had the dreaded bottle open or explode all over everything?! Seriously my purple shampoo for color-treated hair once leaked all over my duffle bag on our anniversary trip to northern Michigan - talk about a mess! 

Shampoo bars eliminate both of those problems and instead, everything you need is right there in one solid bar. The bars are also a more environmentally friendly option as there is no plastic bottle to throw away when you're done. How long the bars last will depend on how often you wash your hair, but on average, since they are so concentrated, shampoo bar can do the job of 4 to 5 bottles of your typical commercial shampoo.

After I graduated college I sort of gave up reading. I think I was so burnt out by all the articles, papers, and text books we were forced to read that it just didn't seem fun to me anymore. It wasn't until last year when my coworkers and I decided to start a book club that I really fell back in love with reading just for fun. I remember when they suggested the idea of meeting monthly I thought there was no way I would be able to read a book that fast...I was done in like two weeks. And then I was hooked! I got my own library card (you know you're an adult when this excites you) and in four months I think I had read almost 20 books. 

One of my favorite times to read is while I'm traveling! It's a great way to pass the time on those long plane rides and layovers in airports. I'm also one of those weird people who can read in the car without wanting to puke. So while the hubby drives and listens to sports radio (quite possibly my least favorite thing on earth) I crack open a good book. I went ahead and put together a list of some of my recent favorites for you. And I would love to hear your suggestions! I keep a running list of must reads in my phone at all times. 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.