Travel Essentials: Part 1

Since I've decided that this blog is going to be predominantly about travel, why not start off, seriously, with a post about travel essentials?

1. Headphones. This has got to be the most obvious entry on the list. Headphones are good for drowning out some of the noise that the engines make, and look cool on pretty much anyone. My favourites are the Urbanears Plattan headphones, which are, in my opinion, the most aesthetically-pleasing headphones out there.

2. Moisturiser. During a flight, especially long-haul ones, your skin becomes extremely dry due to the low humidity levels in the cabin. Freshen up with a light moisturiser that'll give your skin a much-needed boost. Lip balm is also a must in this respect. Don't forget to drink plenty of water as well.

3. Neck pillow. These are a godsend for people who just can't sleep with their head upright. Have you ever woken up after sleeping for hours with your head twisted so far on one side that you had a stiff neck for days? Yep. Neck pillows are going to solve that. If you buy an inflatable one, make sure that you don't blow it up to full capacity - you need the pillow to have some flexibility so that it's comfortable. Otherwise, just buy one of the bulky but comfy variety.

4. Passport holder. I'm one of those girls who just needs to bring her whole life with her wherever she goes, and therefore I always have a massive handbag. A brightly-coloured passport holder helps when I need to find my passport quickly in a bag full of stuff. Most holders also have sections for cards, cash and your plane ticket. Fashionable practicality for the chaotically-organised.

5. Hand cream. As with the moisturiser, hand cream helps to keep your hands hydrated and soft. It may seem slightly decadent, but it's one of those little comforts every girl needs. I especially like l'Occitane's hand creams.

6. Cashmere wrap/sweater/cardigan. I hate wearing my heaviest clothes on the plane. I know that it goes against the cardinal rule of travel of wearing your heaviest or most space-consuming clothes in order to save space in your suitcase, but I just find it cumbersome, and I definitely don't need that when travelling in Economy Class, where personal space and movement are limited enough. So, in order to keep warm without sacrificing the above, a cashmere wrap/sweater/cardigan is the answer to my prayers. It is lightweight and convenient, not to mention more stylish than wearing a whole assembly of mismatched bulky clothing.

7. Canvas bag/tote. As per entry no.5, I need a spacious bag, especially when flying. I love canvas bags as they look great and go with pretty much anything.

8. Flip flops or slippers. During a flight, my feet swell up and it's a battle to fit them into my sneakers by the end of the flight. Flips flops hardly take up any space in your carry-on baggage and are a comfortable alternative.

9. Chewing gum. A teacher in high school once told me that it was a shame to see a girl chew gum because it would make her look like a cow munching on grass. Well, sorry above-mentioned high school teacher, but gum helps my ears when the pressure rises and I need them to counter that pressure to ease discomfort.