DIY Day-Saver Travel Bag

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MoreMomentsWithExcedrin #CollectiveBias

Why is it that traveling can almost never go EXACTLY as planned? I’ve talked a bit before about the awful headaches I often get, and how many different things I’ve tried to help, but traveling can be stressful and exhausting and I almost always end up having a bad headache when I’m traveling. Since one awful headache in particular last year while at the airport, I put together one of the easiest DIY travel bags that has everything you need to save the day, including when that awful headache hits. Here's what's inside:

Here's what you'll need:
Bandages: you never know when you’ll need one of these! I usually keep a few standard sized bandages and I always am glad I did.

Hydrating Face Spray: this is great for long plane rides, or just when you need a quick refresher and can’t wash your face at that very moment.

Gum: another essential for long plane rides, or just to feel refreshed throughout your travels!

Nail File: since you can’t take a nail clipper in a carry-on, a nail file is the next best thing!

Excedrin® Migraine: Since I was in 7th grade, I've dealt with headaches. As I've gotten older it's gotten worse and about a year ago, I was dealing with frequent migraine headaches. It's an absolutely miserable feeling and I was always SO sick of suffering and not having any medicine help me. I tried so many things as prescribed by my doctor and it didn't help. Then one day, my mom brought home a bottle of Excedrin® and I will never forget just how quickly it helped me - not only did it dull my headache, it made it completely go away. WHAT?! I was so not used to a headache going away so easily; and to make a super long story a bit shorter, I've been relying on Excedrin® ever since! My headaches have gotten better over time, but I do still suffer from them quite a bit. I swear by Excedrin® and I try and get my friends and family to realize how amazing it is when they're needing to take something for pain. And I am SO glad to have Excedrin® to help on the days I need it most! I always keep a bottle in my purse where ever I go, and most especially when I travel. (If you think you’re suffering from a migraine, definitely consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis!) It’s my #1 addition to my day-saver bag because traveling with a headache is NOT fun!

Eye Drops: I wear contacts, so my re-wetting drops go everywhere with me! It’s rough when you don’t have these with you on a long flight. If you wear contacts, include an extra pair in your day-saver bag, too.

Cotton Swabs: since they're good for almost anything, having a couple of cotton swabs in your day-saver bag is sure to help one way or another!

Bobby Pins: I keep a handful of bobby pins and a butterfly clip in my day-saver travel bag because I have long, thick hair and when I travel the last thing I want to worry about is how my hair looks!

Mini Granola Bar/Energizing Snack: if it’s small, wrapped and sealed, you can take it through airport security! This is a must have – you never know when you’ll need some energy or if you’ve gone a few hours without eating – you’ll be glad you have something to snack on!

You can really fill your day-saver bag with anything you think you’ll need, but these are essentials and basics to add to your bag. Everything here is TSA-approved, too!

The view from a lookout spot driving through Naples on the way to our hotel! Maybe we were so rushed and pressed for time because we kept stopping to take pictures of the beauty that is Napoli… ;)
When I traveled to Italy last summer, we had a long day of travel. We got to the airport around 11 AM for a 3 PM flight, and it was extremely chaotic all the way to the gate. Between the stress of overweight luggage and moving things around (bag to bag – oh what a scene that was!) to get under 50 pounds, to getting to the right place in time, it’s safe to say I was stressed (just a little ;). When we planned our first day arriving in Naples, we planned to tour Capri the same day… All I can ask myself now is why?! Ha! I guess we assumed we’d all sleep on the plane, but I didn’t sleep at ALL. By the time we landed in Naples and got the rental car (you have to take into account that the pace of things in Italy is MUCH slower than in the states…) it was about 9 AM Italy time. Our ferry ride from Naples to Capri was set for noon, and the drive from the airport to the hotel was a little under two hours. It seemed totally do-able, with enough time to shower and get ready – but that quickly became a thing of the past because with normal, everyday traffic, we ended up getting to the hotel around 11 AM. By this point, I had an awful headache (AGAIN!) and got some food in me so I could take my Excedrin®.

Once we were able to check in (and of course take a ton of pictures of the view – couldn’t resist waiting!) we all got ready as fast as we could to make this ferry… I kid you not, the hotel room was a disaster in a matter of seconds! It was hysterical now that I look back at it, but it was so stressful in the moment and having taken my Excedrin® really helped with the entire, hectic day.

Excedrin® has been a blessing in disguise – I only take it when I really need it, but when I do, it helps quicker than I imagine it will and it really makes a difference in my quality of life on days I need it the most!
XOXO -A