What I Packed (and What I Forgot): A Real-Life Vacation Packing Recap
What I Packed (and What I Forgot)
We made it back to one of our favorite places, and while I’d like to think I mostly nailed our packing list, there were definitely a few “ugh, should’ve brought that” moments. In true real-life fashion, here’s what came in clutch, for me and for Conrad, and what I’ll be sure to pack next time.
My Travel MVPs
This trip was a reminder that small comforts go a long way. I leaned hard on my favorite crossbody (in a fresh new color gifted from my mom!) for easy, hands-free travel. My trusty tote carried everything… snacks, toys, sunscreen, you name it. And these flip-flops? Unstoppable. Waterproof, supportive, and practically indestructible.
Other things that made the cut:
My carry-on that fits a surprising amount, expands when needed, and glides like butter through the airport.
A compact pill case stocked with magnesium, multivitamins, ibuprofen, and more.
This tumbler that works with or without a straw (thankfully, since I forgot the straw).
Propel electrolyte packs for long beach days.
Under-eye patches to help with puffiness after travel or nap time.
Spray SPF for quick reapplication.
My roomy, sand-resistant beach bag that’s both cute and practical.
A new swimsuit that felt like a fresh, flattering update.
And my unsung hero: Bite Away, the only thing that actually helps bug bites on contact.
CAKES NIPPLE COVERS (USE CARALYNM)
Toddler Travel Favorites
Packing for a toddler headed to a remote island? A whole thing. But here’s what worked really well this time around:
Our lightweight travel stroller: folds in seconds, fits in the overhead bin, and is essential at the airport.
UPF swim top + bottoms: a must for sun protection without the constant reapplying.
Swim diapers, this reusable swim diaper + inflatable ring = beach bliss.
Toddler sandals that double as water shoes.
Quiet time activity cards for the plane and downtime at the hotel.
Mosquito repellent bracelets that I packed with his clothes for extra scent transfer (bonus: he thought they were a toy).
Spill-resistant cup that kept drinks cold on hot days and bumpy boat rides.
What I Wish I Brought
No matter how much you prep, something always gets left behind. My regrets this time:
My go-to razor. The cheap backup I packed was… not it.
Travel diaper changing pads for public restrooms (how did I forget those?).
A comfy athletic dress for pre/post-beach/pre-dinner situations (use CARALYN15 at Spanx)
My collagen overnight mask and toner (RIP to the one that exploded in my bag).
Clean Skin Club towels (I missed them more than I expected).
And hand sanitizer spray, my favorite, I just ran out of. I don’t know how I didn’t pack five.
Thanks for reading!
I’ll be doing a full outfit recap once we’re home, but I wanted to get this post up while everything was still fresh in my mind. You can check out my in-the-moment looks here.
Packing for a vacation, especially with a toddler, is always a bit of a learning curve. Hopefully, this list helps make your next warm-weather trip feel a little more seamless.
If you’ve been to the BVIs or have any travel MVPs I should know about, drop them in the comments. I’m always down to crowdsource a better packing list! In the meantime, be sure to check out my previous posts on the BVIs in the travel section of my blog!
xx CMK