BY: Jeannie D
I’m leaving Cape Town soon for another European escapade but as I started packing, it hit me that I’m short a few travel essentials. Cue a minor meltdown. You see, I have a very specific “organised yet stylish globetrotter” vibe to maintain. And when I couldn’t find what I needed locally? Absolute chaos (well, mostly me pacing around acting dramatic).
But fear not, because I’ve got a chef’s kiss shopping hack that never lets me down. I load my Shyft card up with Euros faster than you can say “lululemon” and hit up all my fave international online stores. Why Shyft? Three words: best forex rates. I checked. Twice. This way, I save on those sneaky conversion fees and – drumroll – can buy even more.
Bonus pro tip: Have your shopping delivered straight to your hotel abroad. Why? No scary import duties waiting to ambush you back in SA. It’s what I call a real stroke of #Jeannieous (patent pending). Now, back to packing—and hopefully not forgetting a travel adapter. Again.
Jeannie’s Top 5 Travel Essentials:
1. Portable Clothes Steamer: Who has time for wrinkled clothes? Not me. My Nori Press is the powerhouse MVP of my suitcase – small, lightweight, and ready to steam away even the deepest “packed-in-a-hurry” creases. It’s a lifesaver for keeping me photo-ready and my outfits looking perfectly polished. Bonus: it doubles as a sanitiser for clothes because, you know, airplanes are gross.
2. Smart Eye Mask: My secret to arriving anywhere looking refreshed, even after a 12-hour flight? My #jeannieous Therabody Smart Goggles. They don’t just block light; they sooth tired eyes, massage tense temples, and sync with a playlist to lull me into the kind of sleep that makes jet lag question its existence. This is luxury, portability, and science rolled into one dreamy package.
3. The BEST Travel Leggings: These Lululemon leggings deserve their own passport. They’re ultra-comfy, magically flattering, and come with pockets (yes, POCKETS!). Whether I’m darting through airports, exploring cobblestone streets, or stretching mid-flight, they’ve got me covered – literally. Pair them with an oversized tee and sneakers, and voilà, effortless travel chic.
4. Travel-Sized Makeup Kit: This compact little Charlotte Tilbury travel-sized make-up kit is my beauty BFF. It’s small enough to slide into a carry-on but packed with all the essentials to create everything from a “just landed” glow to a glam evening look. Plus, no need to sacrifice precious liquid allowance – this kit is TSA-approved and Jeannieous-tested.
5. Cashmere Travel Wrap: The ultimate multitasker in my travel arsenal, my Mimi & Thomas cashmere wrap is a blanket, scarf, pillow, and style statement all in one. Made from dreamy cashmere, it keeps me cosy on over-airconned flights and elevates any outfit as I step off the plane. If you’re going to splurge on one travel essential, this is it.
