When I pack for a two week vacation, I tend to throw ALL my favorite things into my suitcase… That is how I end up with random-looking outfits and a lot of random toiletries I won’t need.

This time I packed WAY more organized and methodical. so here is what I bought for this trip and actually used during my vacation.

Toiletry related items:

These LeakLocks® Toiletry Skins™ were most impressive. I actually didn’t have enough to cover my coconut oil so that came back in a ziploc bag and leaked all over it.

These TSA approved squeeze bottles also worked brilliantly and did not leak at all! I’ve arrived at many holiday destinations with my shampoo and conditioner all over the baggies I put them in. I filled them with shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, sun screen and curly hair gel.

This was a first for me… to wash my curly hair with this shampoo bar. Since I had to wash my hair almost every evening (after either beach and ocean or pool), I really was very impressed with how soft it made my hair feel! It came in an S-shape so I broke a piece off and used that. Obviously from my pic below, it lathered just fine (which was a complaint about other shampoo bars). LOVE LOVE and will continue to use. Double thumbs up on this for sure! 

I cannot say enough good things about my new favorite make-up bag!!   It is SO nice that it is clear, so I can see through it and see exactly where what item is, without having to dig for it. The complimentary pouch for your pencils and mascara is super handy too. It’s a keeper!

Pool and Beach related items:

I personally believe you cannot pack too many cover-ups! It’s what you’ll wear to the beach, to the pool, and to many lunches or dinners that happen straight after pool or beach. This terrycloth cover-up was the most comfortable one to sneak back and forth to the hot tub after dinner  I decorated mine with a Hawaiian iron-on design.

My lavender 32oz Stanley was one of my best travel companions (besides my hubby  ) on this trip! It kept my water ice cold on our 2-4 mile hikes through the lava landscapes. Of course I also HAD to have the carrier strap and the pouch for it so I didn’t even need to take an extra fanny pack anymore.

This was other favorite travel companion: my pineapple beach bag with separate cooler bag (that zips on or off). With all those pockets on the outside for flipflops, sunscreen, headband, snacks, etc and then the huge space on the inside for towels, we could take ALL THE GOODIES for a day at the beach! Then the zip-off can cooler was a great way to keep our sparkling water cans cool all day!

Random vaca items I would no longer go without:

I was impressed with these convenient and “stackable” earring set! It comes as a set of three pairs, which I wore for 2 weeks straight (and am still wearing now )! In the ocean, pool, full of sunscreen and they did not discolor or tarnish and the little gemstones are still in place! #WIN! 

I think I am no longer able to pack my suitcase without these packing cubes. I pack bigger items like sweaters and pants in the bigger cubes. T-shirts and shorts in the medium cubes and then my intimates and bikinis in the smaller cubes. Then when I get to my destination I just put my cubes in the drawers and VOILA! I’m unpacked!

 I bought 2 pair of these SOJOS aviator sunglasses to take with me. The pinkish lens ones are my fave!! These are polarized sunnies that do pull your hair out when you shove them up into your curly hair! And don’t they look adorable???

For My Next Trip

The next time I am packing for my vacation, I will be more honest with myself in what products I will need or use, and I will lay out outfits instead of randomly throwing all my favorite clothing items in my suitcase. If you’re headed out to the sun soon: try some of my picks!!

And if you need any last minute tips for Mother’s Day gifts, check out these amazing Mother’s Day Gift Guides the girls put together for us!!

Happy Travels!

XOXO Eve