The Slumber Party · Travel

What's In My Bag: The Vacation Edit ☀️✈️

By Dale Janée, Founder · July 9, 2026

The summer travel essentials I never leave home without.

Whether you are wandering the sun-warmed streets of Mallorca, chasing little ones down the shoreline, or catching a last-minute flight to somewhere that feels like a dream, the best trips start with a well-packed bag.

With Europe deep in another record heat wave (it is so hot and sweaty), packing light while staying cool, hydrated, and effortlessly put together matters more than ever, especially when you are traveling with kids. These are the small, hardworking essentials that make every summer day easier, and every arrival feel a little more luxe.

01A mini water bottle, because moms know

If you have ever traveled with children, you already know: someone is always thirsty. A slim bottle of water is the easiest thing to tuck into a purse or beach bag, ready for cobblestone strolls, gelato lines, and playground pit stops.

Hydration is not only for the little ones, sometimes I have to sneak a sip myself as you cannot drink from water fountains in many parts of Europe.

02Lip gloss for an instant refresh

After hours of sun, salt air, and warm breezes, one swipe of your favorite gloss brings you right back to polished. It is the fastest beauty pick-me-up in the bag, weightless, takes up no space, and carries you seamlessly from beach to dinner.

Sometimes the smallest essential makes the biggest difference. And I always have colored pencils or this summer Uno has been the game of choice for the kids at resturants.

03Evian facial spray, your portable air conditioner

If one product has earned permanent space in my summer bag, it is a facial mist. A quick spritz of Evian instantly cools overheated skin after a long airport walk, an afternoon of sightseeing, or a day by the water.

In the middle of this year's European heat wave, this little luxury has quietly become a non-negotiable.

04The Savvy Scrunchie you'll wear everywhere

No summer bag is complete without a Savvy Sleepers Satin Scrunchie. Made from our signature silky satin, it is designed to be gentle on your hair while helping reduce breakage, dents, and unnecessary pulling.

Throw your hair up before a swim, twist it into a messy bun for sightseeing, or slip it onto your wrist between adventures. Unlike a traditional hair tie, satin lets your hair glide instead of snag, which makes it the summer accessory that quietly works overtime through every hot, humid day.

Travel light. Travel beautifully.

Our favorite travel rule? Pack pieces that pull double duty. A Savvy Scrunchie keeps your hair healthy all day and doubles as a chic wrist accessory. A facial mist refreshes both your skin and your mood. A mini water bottle keeps everyone hydrated. A swipe of gloss adds an effortless glow in seconds.

Simple essentials. Less stress. More memories.

Slow down, soak it in ✨

There is something about vacation that reminds us to slow down. A staycation close to home, a stretch of beach, or somewhere halfway around the world, the best memories tend to live in the unplanned moments: the afternoon gelato, the sunset stroll, the sight of your kids lost in the sand. I always keep a book in my bag too, because vacation is the perfect excuse to read.

Vacation does not have to be extravagant to be restorative. Sometimes all it takes is slowing down, packing a few thoughtful essentials, and giving yourself permission to enjoy the moment. These are a few of my favorite European travel tips that make every trip feel a little more effortless. Dale Janée, Founder of Savvy Sleepers

From a satin scrunchie that keeps your hair happy in the summer heat, to a cooling facial mist, to a mini water bottle that is always within reach (especially with kids in tow), these are the little things we are loving this season.

P.S. 📚 I am currently reading It Starts With Us and will share my full review soon, plus our hot take on all the recent Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, and Justin Baldoni drama. Stay tuned. 💕

Beauty sleep doesn't stop on vacation

At Savvy Sleepers, we believe self-care should travel with you. An early flight, a slow sunset dinner along the coast, a day of memory-making with your family; it is the little comforts that make every trip feel more luxurious.

Do not forget to tuck your favorite Savvy Sleepers satin pillowcase into your suitcase. Hotel pillows can be unpredictable, but your beauty sleep does not have to be. Sleeping on satin helps reduce friction on your hair and skin, so you wake up looking as refreshed as your vacation feels.

Beauty Sleep. Anywhere.™

Because the best vacations are the ones where you feel as good as you look.
Explore the full collection at SavvySleepers.com.