Bring It With

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I received a couple items in the past few days that are going to be perfect for our trip.  Even though we’re not leaving for a couple weeks, I have a bag that I am putting trip items into as a “pre-packing” attempt so I don’t forget anything I intended to bring with as the chaos of departure week draws nearer.

First, this Camelbak Groove water bottle that I received is coming with.

Camelbak groove blue water bottle

The tap water in Aruba (and San Diego) is safe to drink but filtering it definitely couldn’t hurt.  Nor can it hurt to have a nice big bottle of water to keep hydrated with.

According to their site the Camelbak bottle has a filter built into the straw “to turn tap water into fresh, great-tasting water anywhere you go.”

Change the way you hydrate: Filters tap water into great-tasting water, Drink up to 24% more with the spill proof bite valve, BPA free bottle is guaranteed for life, Includes 1 Fresh Filter for 3 months of fresh water.

And then I got this Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion and Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion.

Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion and Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion

I do use lotion daily on my body, but I confess, I am not a fan of sunscreen.  I love the sun in all its glory and if I get extra wrinkles because I don’t slather up with sunscreen, it’s a calculated risk I’ve made.

Something about the smell of sunscreen that really bothers me.  I don’t like the way it feels on my skin but it’s the smell that turns me off most.  The Eucerin isn’t branded as a sunscreen per se, and doesn’t smell as sunscreen-ey to me as regular sunscreens do, but I can still smell it to a small degree.

In general, I like Eucerin products because of how moisturizing they are.  I grew up with my mom handing me a tub of Eucerin to combat the effects of long, drying, winters on my skin.

For this precious skin, especially when we’re traveling on the Equator, some sunscreen is a must.

skylar wearing colorful headband

The lotion with SPF 15 & 30 will come in handy.

Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion and Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion

If you would like to try a sample of Eucerin lotion, Like their Facebook Page, fill out the quick form, and enjoy your complimentary sample!

Other things I know I am going to bring with on our trip include:

Stevia & Probiotics.  The same as what I brought with before.

NuNaturals Stevia powder, Jarro-Dophilus EPS probiotics and Sweetleaf english toffee drops
NuNaturals vanilla stevia drops

You can order both the stevia and probiotics from iHerb.com Use code AVE630 to save $5 off your first order.  Both items are about 40% off retail prices through iHerb.

Also bringing my Toiletry Kit that I really like

Blue toiletry kit
Open Blue toiletry kit

Macbook with “Book” Case

White macbook open
book leather computer case
book leather computer caseLooks like a book but it’s really a case.

This Book

Caroline Leavitt Pictures of You book

My Camera

Black Camera

 

And I’m bringing a good, laidback attitude about everything!

Averie and Skylar togetherI did a post on my Top 20 Travel Tips and having a good attitude and letting stress roll off you when traveling is huge!

Thanks for the comments on my last post about what the Easter Bunny brought when he stopped by.  Yes, Skylar is loving her new “phone” and she is so happy about it.

Questions:

1. What did you do over the weekend?  Did you celebrate Easter?  Any great food or stories to share?

As I mentioned last night in my post, all I needed to see was Skylar’s excitement from her Easter Bunny loot and my weekend was complete.

2. What do you bring with on trips?  Any “must haves”?

I have posted before that I do try to enjoy the food that is local at my final destination because I think it’s fun and adventurous to try the local cuisine.  However, common sense prevails and I bring enough portable snacks and fresh fruits and veggies if possible (not always with air travel to bring fresh produce with) but I don’t leave home empty handed.  Never know when hunger is going to strike or what the options en route to one’s destination are going to be.

In addition to some snacks, I never go on trips without a couple bikinis, running shoes and socks, my passport, cash money, one credit card and one debit card, a computer, camera, and whatever shampoo and conditioner I am loving at the moment.  Sorry, no hotel mini bottle samples for me. Chapstick, gum, and a sense of humor about long travel days also make the trip list.

Those are a few must haves of mine.  What are yours?

P.S. If you’re just catching up on posts from the weekend, here are mine since Friday:

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Comments

  1. That Groove sounds awesome… I totally want to look into getting one of those! And Eucerin’s Aquaphor is my go-to healing ointment for tattoos!! :)

  2. A few of my must haves: probiotics, bars, favourite shampoo & conditioner, extra zip lock bags (usually no name brand though), many swim suits, coconut oil, shorts, tank tops, Birks, passport, debit & credit card, small amount of local cash (unless the local bank won’t except my bank card then I get local currency ahead of time), hair clip, books to read on the plane, pens & paper, calling card, and emergency phone list – so far have never needed it.

  3. I totally have to bring snacks, especially if I’m traveling somewhere where there isn’t going to be a lot of good food. I do like to indulge a bit while on vacation, but so many things upset my stomach that I can’t eat anyway. I also have to bring reading material. Books, magazines, vacation is all about relaxing. Ahhhh :)

  4. There are a lot of great sunscreens out there that don’t smell. I love the Aveno spray on lotions. Teach that gorgeous little daughter of yours that skin cancer isn’t cool when 5 seconds to apply a product can prevent it! Too many cases of skin cancer that I know of that could have been prevented – people think it’s all wrinkles but it’s your life in your hands! I’ll end my PSA now ;).

  5. I am jealous of your vacation!! Bring me in the suitcase?? :) I have to bring a million clothes because I never know what mood I am in and what I will want to wear..my husband hates it because I will overpack a TAD :) to say the least!

  6. I love the Camelbak bite-and-suck bottles! However, the cap does get moldy quite often and I found myself cleaning it every day out of fear. So, I ended up just removing the cap completely – just something to keep in mind.

    Instead of Easter, I celebrated Passover – although it was only the tail end…
    I MUST have my camera, water bottle and sunscreen. I wish I could be more carefree about wearing/not wearing sunscreen, but my skin is too sensitive!

  7. I am a terrible packer. I usually have great intentions of packing ahead of time, but it rarely works out. I do make lists though, so at least when I settle in to finally pack, I just look over the list. I haven’t really forgotten anything major ever. Seasoned traveller, I suppose. :)

    I love Eucerin too. my sister got severe burns over 50% of her body when she was 2 and spent all of her life getting surgery and the doctors always told her to use that stuff over anything else. It is a little too think for everyday use, but I love it.

  8. Averie,
    Thanks for visiting my blog! I am so intrigued about stevia. Are you off sugar completely? Is it a sugar substitute?

  9. All I need on my trips are:

    Clothes
    Camera

    Anything else I can find at the vacation spot.

  10. Hi! Never commented before but I enjoy reading your blog! Just had to say I feel the same way about sunscreen- I use California Baby products which are free of harsh chemicals on my girls (one and three years old) and have started using on myself as well!! A little pricier, but worth it to me. :) Hope you have a great trip!

  11. Look at you with all your amazing products! I want it ALL! I’ve never thought of bringing stevia with me on a trip! My essentials: my vitamix… yes, you read that right! my supplements… mini cans of tuna, larabars, nuts + seeds + dried fruit, microwave rice packs, protein powder.

  12. Ill have to get one of those bottles, so perfect for travel! Im beyond jealous of your trip
    :) enjoy every second!

    1. was trying to comment on your site today but kept getting a random linksys error and then you popped over :) so hi!

  13. i love my camelpack too!! or back hahahaha anyways i think that reusable water bottles are super underrated! i love mine and fill it up like 4,000 times at work.

  14. I always am overly prepared when I go on vacation! Mainly with food… I make sure I pack a bunch of snacks so that I am not left without anything to eat. It usually works out well!

    Easter was fantastic – in fact, this entire weekend was.

  15. Hey Averie!
    I hate to admit it, but I totally am catching up! Between work and helping my dad through chemo and radiation, blog reading has taken a bit of a back seat.

    Anyhow, I’m glad you got the iPhone! You’ll have it glued to your hand….sigh. And I’m happy to hear your off on a trip again. I’m hoping to do some traveling with my papa soon…I know there are many places he wants to see before he goes. I tend to over pack even though I think i actually pack light. Well, for a girl that is!
    And as you know, I’m a Jew, so the Easter bunny leaves my half price peeps!

    1. clearly…you have WAY more important life stuff going on than blog reading.

      i am honored you even have time to read/comment at all.

      major hugs & prayers to your dad and you
      xoxo

  16. Yeah, I wish I could get my husband to understand that prepacking actually is beneficial. Not just me nit picking!!

    1. my hubs is THE WORST! i do it all other than literally his clothes b/c he sucks at being proactive and it drives me nuts so I just do it all…at my time/pace :)