Daily Dose of Design: DIY Day-Saver Travel Bag

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

DIY Day-Saver Travel Bag

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MoreMomentsWithExcedrin #CollectiveBias


Why is it that traveling can almost never go EXACTLY as planned? I’ve talked a bit before about the awful headaches I often get, and how many different things I’ve tried to help, but traveling can be stressful and exhausting and I almost always end up having a bad headache when I’m traveling. Since one awful headache in particular last year while at the airport, I put together one of the easiest DIY travel bags that has everything you need to save the day, including when that awful headache hits. Here's what's inside:


Here's what you'll need:

Bandages: you never know when you’ll need one of these! I usually keep a few standard sized bandages and I always am glad I did.

Hydrating Face Spray: this is great for long plane rides, or just when you need a quick refresher and can’t wash your face at that very moment.

Gum: another essential for long plane rides, or just to feel refreshed throughout your travels!

Nail File: since you can’t take a nail clipper in a carry-on, a nail file is the next best thing!

Excedrin® Migraine: Since I was in 7th grade, I've dealt with headaches. As I've gotten older it's gotten worse and about a year ago, I was dealing with frequent migraine headaches. It's an absolutely miserable feeling and I was always SO sick of suffering and not having any medicine help me. I tried so many things as prescribed by my doctor and it didn't help. Then one day, my mom brought home a bottle of Excedrin® and I will never forget just how quickly it helped me - not only did it dull my headache, it made it completely go away. WHAT?! I was so not used to a headache going away so easily; and to make a super long story a bit shorter, I've been relying on Excedrin® ever since! My headaches have gotten better over time, but I do still suffer from them quite a bit. I swear by Excedrin® and I try and get my friends and family to realize how amazing it is when they're needing to take something for pain. And I am SO glad to have Excedrin® to help on the days I need it most! I always keep a bottle in my purse where ever I go, and most especially when I travel. (If you think you’re suffering from a migraine, definitely consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis!) It’s my #1 addition to my day-saver bag because traveling with a headache is NOT fun!

Eye Drops: I wear contacts, so my re-wetting drops go everywhere with me! It’s rough when you don’t have these with you on a long flight. If you wear contacts, include an extra pair in your day-saver bag, too.

Cotton Swabs: since they're good for almost anything, having a couple of cotton swabs in your day-saver bag is sure to help one way or another!

Bobby Pins: I keep a handful of bobby pins and a butterfly clip in my day-saver travel bag because I have long, thick hair and when I travel the last thing I want to worry about is how my hair looks!

Mini Granola Bar/Energizing Snack: if it’s small, wrapped and sealed, you can take it through airport security! This is a must have – you never know when you’ll need some energy or if you’ve gone a few hours without eating – you’ll be glad you have something to snack on!

You can really fill your day-saver bag with anything you think you’ll need, but these are essentials and basics to add to your bag. Everything here is TSA-approved, too!


The view from a lookout spot driving through Naples on the way to our hotel! Maybe we were so rushed and pressed for time because we kept stopping to take pictures of the beauty that is Napoli… ;)

When I traveled to Italy last summer, we had a long day of travel. We got to the airport around 11 AM for a 3 PM flight, and it was extremely chaotic all the way to the gate. Between the stress of overweight luggage and moving things around (bag to bag – oh what a scene that was!) to get under 50 pounds, to getting to the right place in time, it’s safe to say I was stressed (just a little ;). When we planned our first day arriving in Naples, we planned to tour Capri the same day… All I can ask myself now is why?! Ha! I guess we assumed we’d all sleep on the plane, but I didn’t sleep at ALL. By the time we landed in Naples and got the rental car (you have to take into account that the pace of things in Italy is MUCH slower than in the states…) it was about 9 AM Italy time. Our ferry ride from Naples to Capri was set for noon, and the drive from the airport to the hotel was a little under two hours. It seemed totally do-able, with enough time to shower and get ready – but that quickly became a thing of the past because with normal, everyday traffic, we ended up getting to the hotel around 11 AM. By this point, I had an awful headache (AGAIN!) and got some food in me so I could take my Excedrin®.


Once we were able to check in (and of course take a ton of pictures of the view – couldn’t resist waiting!) we all got ready as fast as we could to make this ferry… I kid you not, the hotel room was a disaster in a matter of seconds! It was hysterical now that I look back at it, but it was so stressful in the moment and having taken my Excedrin® really helped with the entire, hectic day.


Excedrin® has been a blessing in disguise – I only take it when I really need it, but when I do, it helps quicker than I imagine it will and it really makes a difference in my quality of life on days I need it the most!

XOXO -A

54 comments:

  1. I love this! Having a bag like this would definitely make traveling less stressful. I always tend to forget something when I am packing, so I really appreciate this tutorial. And that bag is too cute!

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  2. Love the views of Naples. It's somewhere I'd really like to visit.

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  3. Now I want to visit Naples! I don't go anywhere without a bag like this. I call it my walking pharmacy because it has everything I could possibly need. :)

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  4. What a gorgeous place to visit! This is an awesome list for a bag also!

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  5. This is so smart! I never thought of putting together a little bag like this! Also those pictures are beautiful!

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  6. A travel bag like this is always needed!

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  7. That's great Excedrin works for you! I started suffering from migraines my freshman year of college. After a year of bad ones I was thankful for find a prescription that worked well.

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

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  8. Now that is great to have on hand, there is nothing worse then being stressed and having a headache

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  9. What an amazing trip! Travel can really wreak havoc on migraines, that's for sure. I'm glad Excedrin saved the day. {client}

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  10. This sounds so practical!! I can never decide what to put in my carry-on bag so it's almost always a mess.
    I ADORE the view of Naples, I live a few hours away and I can't believe I've never been there! :)

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  11. We will be on a 6 hour flight soon, this is perfect timing.

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  12. I definitely needed that Excedrin on our Disney Trip. We attempted to stay in the park all day and by 8PM my legs were on fire and my head was pounding. I'll definitely have to remember to pack a bottle or two for our next trip!

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  13. Legit love love love Excedrin! It's my go to! It works better than any other headache medication!

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  14. I keep a similar bag with me! It's so important to be prepared!

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  15. What a great idea! I have a little bag in my purse for my lady days but a travel kit is so smart.

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  16. You forgot tissues ;)

    http://thesofieyahdiaries.com/bullet-journal/using-the-bullet-journal-as-a-student

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  17. This is seriously such a good idea! I always carry a bag with essentials and some that you listed I completely forgot about!

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  18. This is such a good idea! I really need to add q-tips to my essentials bag!

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  19. I love seeing what's in other peoples' travel kits! Love the idea of the cotton swabs, and must add those to mine :) Your travel pix are absolutely beautiful!

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  20. I LOVE this idea so much!! My travels NEVER go as planned, so I am definitely saving this for our big summer trip!

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  21. I love using my little travel bag too! I definitely keep pain killers in there (I also get terrible headaches), bandages, and a nail file. My nails drive me crazy if I break/tear them so it's pretty handy to have. I usually always bring dental floss too - aside from flossing, you'd be amazing what floss can tie together!

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  22. Great travel tips. Love the idea of the re-wetting drops, I wear contacts too and have struggled to find a travel size item that works. Great!

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  23. i love the idea! very nice especially for me who are always on the travel! -kelly reci

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  24. I always need to carry a travel bag and excedrin is always my go-to for any sort of headache!

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  25. I can never leave for a trip without ibuprofen or advil! Headaches always hit at the worst times!

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  26. I suffer from migraines too and always carry medicine with me! I'll have to check out Excedrin!

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  27. This is such a well thought out post! I have a random question, and it may sound stupid BUT do you spray your face spray (I use rose water) on even when youre wearing minimal makeup? x, kenz http://sincerelykenz.com

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  28. Excedrin migraine has also been my go-to for when I get a headache. It takes care of it IMMEDIATELY and I move on with my day. There isn't anything else that works as well. I tell everyone to use it if they have a headache.

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  29. Before going for the trips I always prefer putting together a little bag like this!

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  30. All of these are perfect for a long trip! I can't go anywhere without Excedrin. I get headaches a lot when I travel especially long stressful trips, and I have to have it with me at all times. I need to get some of the face hydrating spray too. That would be perfect after a long flight.

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  31. I suffer from mirgaines to and always make sure I have my meds so it doesn't ruin my trip! Excedrin is a life saver.

    Greta | www.gretahollar.com

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  32. Seeing that view of Naples is making me ache for Italy! I was there last summer too. That sounds like good stuff for those who suffer from migraines.

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  33. I make sure that I have everything I need in my hygiene kit or bag. These are definitely must haves. I always tend to forget the q-tips.

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  34. I don't pack meds for migraine and I really should. They definitely help especially when you're jet-lagged.

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  35. this is so nice of you, you know that feeling when we know we just have to make that large bag pack for travels but always want a smaller one, this is so cool, and a perfect fit for that quick trip.

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  36. These are such a great idea!! I'm definitely buying a face mist for my next trip!

    xo // www.thematerialgirl.co

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  37. This is a great travel bag full of useful things. The Excedrin especially helps. I always seem to get headaches when I fly.

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  38. I really like what you packed in your travel bag. Naples looks like a beautiful place to visit. Glad you have Excedrin when you need it.

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  39. I always have a medical emergency kit with me wherever I go. I take medicines, band-aids, my rescue inhaler, etc. It is best to be prepared.

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  40. It certainly helps when you are on the go. Traveling is a must for having a headache remedy nearby!

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  41. I also have a small travel bag that I take with me everywhere. It has two sections - one for my medicines, and the other for girl emergencies - hairpin, hair ties, Q-tips, safety pins, liners, etc. I guess it just makes me feel confident to be prepared for anything.

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