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1. A lightweight, 20-liter backpack that folds up into a tiny sandwich-size bag so in the (very) likely chance you buy a bunch of souvenirs that don't fit in your already overpacked carry-on, you'll have somewhere to stow them on the way home.
2. A set of TSA-friendly travel bottles and jars so you can bring your own shampoo and conditioner and not have to worry about your hair waging war on you for using the complimentary stuff in the hotel.
3. And a waterproof makeup bag you can store all your toiletries in so you don't have to worry about them exploding in transit. I'm serious — IDK what it is about hotel shampoo and conditioner, but my hair hatesssss it, so I always have to pack my own!!
4. A memory foam neck pillow that *looks* bulky but you know what they say about looks being deceiving! It actually reduces down 60% in size to pack into a drawstring bag that takes up next to no room.
5. A luggage-mounted cup caddy because if you're anything like me, coffee is HIGH on your list of airport priorities and you could likely use an extra hand to carry it.
6. A lightweight raincoat that packs right into its own pocket when not in use. It's so compact it'll take up less room in your bag than that extra T-shirt you *had* to bring just in case.
7. A dual travel hair straightener/curling iron if you're so dedicated to your 'do, that whether you're at home or on vacation, it gets the same salon treatment.
8. And a silicone travel mat you can wrap your hot tools up in when you're finished so you don't have to pay your hotel a damage fee for accidentally scorching the bathroom counter. 😬
9. A box of individual laundry detergent packets if you'll be on the road for a good amount of time and your clothes have seen better (read: fresher) days.
10. A RFID-blocking travel wallet with slots, pouches, and pockets for every form of currency and identification one would need to keep on their person. This way, you don't freak out when it's time to board and you have to track down your ticket and passport.
11. A set of compression cubes if — despite your best efforts — you're prone to packing everything but the kitchen sink.
12. Or, if that's simply not enough, a set of space-saver bags so you can double down on your overpacking. The compressive storage bags are easy to use; just slide everything in, zip it up, and roll out all the air — no vacuum necessary!
13. A travel umbrella so you don't get soaked while wandering around a city you've never been in because Google Maps has no idea where that restaurant you made a reservation at is...
14. A Hackwith Design House shirt that can be worn ~six~ different ways so you can pack a capsule wardrobe and not have to lug around a large checked bag.
15. A personalized travel bag you can use to store your bathing suit, dirty clothes, or even toiletries if you're afraid of them leaking on your other stuff.
16. A digital luggage scale so you don't have to frantically move items from your checked luggage to your carry-on in a desperate bid to stay under 50 pounds so you don't have to pay an overweight fee.
17. A two-pack of refillable mini perfume atomizers because you spent $100 on your Versace eau de toilette and you're *not* about to have it confiscated by TSA because your forgot to put it into your checked luggage.
18. A mini white noise machine so you can get a good night's sleep on the road instead of being kept up by unfamiliar noises like creaky Airbnb floors or rowdy hotel neighbors.
19. A solid lotion bar you can keep in your purse or even in your pocket because although they're free, those lil' hotel bottles just ain't it.
20. A travel jewelry case because last time you threw all of your necklaces in a sandwich bag and ended up with a giant knot that took hours to undo. Like seriously, you could have solved a Rubik's Cube faster.
21. A BPA-free water bottle that's completely shatterproof and collapsible so it takes up next to no room in your luggage!
22. A waterproof Kindle Paperwhite because stuffing your backpack full of paperbacks definitely isn't the move. Instead, this guy lets you download as many titles as you want and there won't be any regret if you don't make it through them all (or even manage to crack the cover of one...).
23. A pair of Apple AirPods Pro ready to play hours and hours of whatever playlist you're currently digging so you can distract yourself whilst sitting at the airport. The accompanying charging case delivers 24 full hours of playtime, or — if your mind works like mine — enough juice to play the entirety of Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia 38 times.
24. A three-pack of noise-reducing in-flight earplugs that naturally regulate air pressure in your ears so don't have to deal with popping or pain during takeoff and landing.
25. A dress weight because dresses take up like no room in your suitcase, buttttt if the weather takes a turn for the windy, you could be in trouble. With these, you can avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment when a rogue gust or vortex-like subway grate tries to take your skirt for a spin.
26. A portable steamer so it doesn't look like your luggage ate your clothes and threw them up into a wrinkled pile. Regardless of if you folded them nicely, creases and crinkles are inevitable, so it's worth having on hand.
27. A handheld fan to ensure the SPF you so liberally applied doesn't melt off your face the second the sun hits it. Add it to your mental check list before you head out the door — you know, phone, room key, wallet...handheld fan — and you'll be good to go.
28. And a leather cable organizer so your phone charger doesn't get lost in the void that is the bottom of your bucket bag.
You promising yourself you'll pack light this time:
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