The year 2025 was one of my most exciting years of travel.

After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021, I gave up travel to take care of my health. I missed leaving home to explore the world. On my good days after chemotherapy, I would dream of where I could go when my treatments were over.

Prior to my diagnosis, my last vacation was in November 2019. For several years, I’ve used a handy list of items that were always in my carry-on luggage. When I started traveling again in 2024, I used the list to pack, and it did the job. This year brought the need to add some new, helpful travel tools to my list.

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this blog post are my personal recommendations. The links provided are for convenience, and I did not receive *free products or paid endorsements from any brand mentioned.

*SWISSGEAR carry-on luggage was won in a prize drawing on Instagram.

Anti-theft Crossbody

One of the things that I didn’t have on my previous list was an anti-theft crossbody. A trip to Rome had me looking for one that was fashionable. I did a lot of research and found an online woman-owned small business called Arden Cove. I chose the Elise Crossbody with Locking Clasps. The features that drew me to Arden Cove’s line of crossbody purses were:

Another benefit of the Elise Crossbody is that it fits perfectly inside my carry-on. Purses are counted as a personal item, and being able to tuck my crossbody inside my luggage is a win. When I wore it in Rome, I felt that the contents were safe and secure. Even with all the anti-theft features, I kept my eyes on my surroundings, but I wasn’t worried about pickpockets.

Purse-N Beauty Cases

Purse-N’s travel-friendly accessories are no stranger to my list. I’ve owned a beauty case and a jewelry case from their line of products since 2017. These products have stood the test of time and never failed me when I needed to travel with them.

One of my favorite ways to save on travel items is by shopping GMA Deals & Steals. Deals & Steals is a weekly shopping segment on Good Morning America (GMA) that offers products at a discount of 50% or more. Around Mother’s Day, Purse-N was one of the featured businesses on the show, and there were 2 items that I requested and received as Mother’s Day gifts.

• Bombshell Makeup Case – Gold Chevron is a makeup case with a clear view. When I started traveling again, I expanded my line of makeup and skincare products. I needed one small case that would accompany me to the bathroom and accommodate limited counter space in a hotel. This makeup case has a small hand strap and a clutch design that makes it incredibly convenient to carry the case anywhere I need to use my makeup. My favorite feature is being able to see what’s inside the case from every angle.
• Litt Makeup Case – Nude & Gold has deep compartments and interior pockets. The exterior is made from ultra soft vegan leather, and it has a small interior LED light to help make the items inside more visible. This makeup case has been extremely useful as a way to help me carry my vitamins and the medications that have to travel with me. Before I checked into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, my luggage was given to the valet service to take to my room. I was able to quickly identify the case and remove it from my carry-on. Because the case is so stylish, I had no problems carrying it around the resort until I reached my room.

Compression Packing Cubes

For over a decade, packing cubes have been a part of my essential carry-on luggage list. My family didn’t believe that packing cubes were necessary, but after watching me use these space-saving wonders when we traveled, they became believers. My husband started using my packing cubes, and I bought myself a new set. I didn’t know about compression packing cubes until I started shopping Amazon for my new set.

I purchased a 7-piece set with high ratings, and compared to traditional packing cubes, it has increased the amount of space available in my carry-on. They’re machine washable, too!

Carry-On with Spinners

Not knowing that a worldwide pandemic was around the corner, I bought brand new rolling luggage for my entire family in late 2019. Our previous luggage sets were outdated and well-worn after decades of travel. In addition, my kids had outgrown kiddie luggage. Like the previous set, the new set had rolling wheels. There was no need to buy new luggage when I started traveling again in 2024.

On my About Me page, I mention how much I enjoy entering contests and sweepstakes. Over the years, I have won many incredible prizes. I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to win travel or travel gear and accessories. One of the brands I follow on Instagram is SWISSGEAR. In July, one of their posts promoted a summer giveaway, and the prize was a suitcase. The thing that made the giveaway even more exciting was that 2 colors were available to win, but the winner wouldn’t know which color they were going to receive. After the drawing date closed, I was notified that I was one of the giveaway winners.

After the box containing the mystery color suitcase was delivered, I created an IG reel reveal:

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The first time I used my new carry-on was on a vacation to St. Croix. I couldn’t believe what I had been missing! The wheels responded to every direction they were guided in and glided across the airport floor. They also handled textured surfaces with ease. Coupled with my new compression packing cubes, there was plenty of room inside my new carry-on. The SWISSGEAR Checklite II Spinner is a travel winner!

Light Blocking Eye Mask

For many years, I’ve traveled with an eye mask that came with a pair of pajamas I purchased. They did fine for the task of keeping my eyes covered while I slept on the plane. However, they were not light blocking, and the strap was not adjustable. I bought a reasonably priced, highly-rated eye mask from Amazon. Wearing it on my international flight to Rome was an eye-opener (no pun intended) and another “What have I been missing?!” moment. Unlike my previous flat eye mask, it has deep eye sockets and did not press against my eyes. It completely blocked out all light sources. It’s hand washable, too.

Ergonomic Neck Pillow

Anyone who has traveled through an airport is familiar with the brightly-lit store inside that sells the standard U-shaped neck pillow in every color and pattern. I bought my first neck pillow from one of those stores. In the middle of my research for the other travel accessories I was upgrading, I discovered the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow. At a cost of around $70 USD, I considered this an investment in my travel wellness. It has certainly paid for itself in terms of comfort and ease of taking it with me wherever I go. I tested it on a 12-hour road trip to Port Canaveral. It provided full support around my neck and kept my head from falling forward or sideways. I don’t have to wear it around my neck in the airport because it comes with a travel case that fits inside my carry-on. The case has a strong steel hook that can be attached to my luggage.

Travel Blanket

A travel blanket is a necessity for me because there’s always a moment on the plane when it gets too cold. 🥶 Nobody wants to have to resort to pulling their arms into their sleeves to keep warm! 

1. I thought about the weight and fabric of my throws and blankets at home. I needed soft, breathable, lightweight fabric that keeps me warm, but not hot.
2. I considered how I dress for travel. I prepare for temperature changes on airplanes and in airports by wearing layers. A travel blanket with thinner material would do the trick.
3. The blanket needed to be certified OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Products with this certification have been tested against a list of more than 1,000 regulated and unregulated chemicals that may be harmful to human health.
4. Portability and care of the blanket had to be simple. Travel is fast-paced, and I wanted a blanket that I could carry with ease. It had to be packable and machine washable.

A velvet travel blanket on Amazon met all of my criteria. It’s big enough for my husband and I to share, and when the pilot announces the approach to landing, it quickly and neatly folds into the case that comes with it.

CLEAR+

You might not think of a service that expedites time spent in security lines as a travel tool, but it is a valuable part of travel. Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) has been one of my travel tools for over a decade. It has been a time saver on reentry into the US after international trips. Global Entry even came in handy when I cruised out of the Port of Vancouver to Alaska with Disney Cruise Line.

I received a free trial of CLEAR+, and I gave it a try when I traveled to Punta Cana. Online signup was easy, and I was instructed to complete the remainder of the registration process (passport scan, fingerprint ID, and photo) at the airport. I arrive 2-3 hours before my flights and usually have no luggage to check, so I had extra time to complete registration.

The main advantage of CLEAR+ is that it gets members to the front of the security checkpoint faster because you skip the ID check entirely. I enjoyed the VIP feel of being escorted to the front of the security line by a CLEAR+ representative. In addition, the app offers free trials and discounts on products and services that I use. Some credit cards offer a discount or full reimbursement of a CLEAR+ membership, so it may be worth checking it out.

Airport Lounge Access

Access to an airport lounge may be another service that often gets overlooked on the standard travel tool checklist. However, the convenience of having a clean space to relax and have something to eat in between long layovers is a way of reducing stress during travel. I was a Priority Pass member before the pandemic. My first and only airport lounge experience before everything shut down was at the KLM Crown Lounge located inside the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. It is spacious, and the selection of snack and light bites is superb. This was a whole new world for me! I had no idea passengers were enjoying these cozy places away from the crowds in the terminal.

When my opportunity to begin traveling again rolled around, Priority Pass membership was at the top of my travel checklist. I have a credit card that offers lounge access, but the locations are few and limited to US airports. Priority Pass opened the door to a worldwide network of lounges. The app is extremely helpful in locating airport lounges before traveling, and some lounges allow members to join the waitlist (usually for a small fee) before arriving at the airport.

Here’s what I’ve learned about airport lounges: Some are spacious and are designed for ultimate relaxation and comfort, and some have less space and are designed for convenience. The latter is often very crowded. Navigating through the space (with or without luggage) and finding seating is much less relaxing than being in a larger space.

One example of a lounge that offers ultimate relaxation and comfort is the Chase Sapphire Lounge in LaGuardia Airport (LGA). From the moment I navigated the softly lit corridors that led to the entrance, I knew I was in for a luxurious airport lounge experience. The glass doors at the lounge entrance parted, and I was mesmerized by the upscale decor and modern design of the lounge. The first floor has a spacious dining room with tables and comfortable seating. A cocktail bar in the middle of the room added to the ambience. The large multi-stall bathroom was an upgrade from the one-at-a-time restroom in other lounges. Shiny coffee stations offered everything from cappuccino to classic brews. The expansive buffet offered selections to please every palate.

The second floor of the lounge has a forest-retreat motif.

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Whether a lounge is small and crowded or expansive and luxurious, it’s a privilege to have somewhere to catch my breath before or between flights.

Travel Tool Takeaways ☑️

• 💰 Look for deals when you shop for new travel tools. Use the Google ‘track price’ tool and get notifications when prices drop. There’s also a ‘deals’ tab on Google’s shopping pages that features products that are on sale. GMA Deals & Steals has been another way for me to save 50% or more on my purchases.
• 💳 Use credit card perks to offset the cost of memberships. Check the benefits of your credit card. Find out whether lounge memberships are discounted. Check whether frequent travel benefits like CLEAR+ are fully reimbursed.
• ✨ Buy quality items that fit your travel needs. It’s easy to go crazy and buy every travel gadget on the market. It’s important to be budget-conscious and pay attention to craftsmanship and quality when choosing items for your travels. I didn’t own an anti-theft crossbody before my trip to Rome. Before this year, my travels didn’t need one. Having a closet full of poorly-made things that I’ll use once is a waste of money.

Let’s Talk! 🗣️