A collection of my favorite things. From gadgets for DIYs to things to pack when we travel to my everyday go-tos (like socks and supplements). The little things I order on repeat when traveling to and from the States.
Hello – little side note:
Some of these links are affiliate links ⎯ I only ever recommend things I use myself, (would/do) purchase again and again, and have had a good experience with. Please read my disclaimer if you have any questions.
Travel necessities
I don’t care if we’re heading off to the jungles of Perú or a California camping trip – these are my go-to travel necessities that I’m packing every time.
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Pimple patches – for bug bites and on-the-go pimple treatment
- Copper Serum – skincare, plus this stuff is magic on bug bites too!
- Converter – if overseas traveling
- Backpack
- Suitcase
- Battery pack
DIYs and all that jazz
Sewing is a huge part of what makes me who I am – whether I’m living abroad or in the US, I always find a way to bring this hobby with me.
- Fabric tape measure in CM & IN – because I want to be able to understand and use the two interchangeably.
- I prefer a pair of sewing snips to a seam ripper any day
- My favorite rotary cutter, mat, and ruler come in an all-in-one kit. Because it’s super flat I was able to carry it with me to Perú in the bottom of my suitcase.
Work from home
If you’re working from home, abroad or in the US, here are some of the things I recommend.
- Noise-canceling headphones – because chickens and street vendors. 😩
- Lap desk – I am one of those fidgety, criss-cross applesauce girlies who can’t comfortably sit in a desk chair all day. I’m constantly moving around and switching between my real desk and my lap desk.
The world’s best socks
Whether you’re looking for socks to hike in all day while on vacation or your new daily sock, Feetures is my favorite brand.
I love the variety of therapeutic socks, running socks, and my everyday go-to comfy cozies.
Supplements
Constantly traveling and being on the go means I really need to keep my immune system strong. Here are some of my fav vitamins/supplements.
*Please talk to your doctor to determine what’s best for you.*
Moving abroad
Life in another country can be tough. Here are some things that have helped improve my life in Perú.
- Portable Printer – in Perú, getting pictures or having photo albums on hand is less common. I love being able to gift pictures instead of just texting them at the end of a hangout.
- Bed sheet straps – because for some reason no matter what sheets I buy, they never stay on the bed here
Money saving tips
Because I live abroad, I mostly shop online when I need to restock things. Here are some things that help me save money
- Rakuten – Rakuten is a Chrome extension that helps you save money online by finding coupons and giving you cashback. They actually pay you, + you can earn $$ for referring friends!
- Beni – Another Chrome extension that helps you find secondhand options for clothes, accessories, and more. It helped me get a brand-new pair of pants (w/ tags) for about half off!
Miscellaneous
Some other faves that don’t fit into any of the other categories.
- Custom-made crochet pieces
- Sparkly purse strap
- Glasses/Laptop screen cleaner – they come in tiny, individual packages that travel really well. We love them for everyday use!
- Silk Pillow Case – I love this for my skin and hair! I even pack it with me when I travel.
Language learning essentials
I’m 3.5 years into my Spanish learning journey, here are a few things that have helped (and continue to help) along the way.
- Spanish Bible – I like to use this side by side with my English Bible to help me study/learn. It also has lots of writing space.
- Spanish Weekly Planner – helps me in my day-to-day practice.
- Spot It! – this is a super easy/fun game that I travel with and play with both Spanish and English-speaking friends. When we play in Spanish I make a point to say the images in Spanish. It really helps me to practice!
