I fly home for the holidays every single year, which means I've become painfully familiar with all the classic carry-on mistakes travelers tend to make - mostly because I've made every one of them myself. From overstuffing my bag until the zipper begs for mercy to forgetting essential travel accessories that would've saved me from airport mishaps, I've learned exactly what works and what absolutely doesn't.
I've spent countless hours in airports, on red-eyes, and circling the globe, which means I know a thing or two about what deserves a permanent spot in your suitcase. When I asked myself what travel essentials I'd want if I didn't already own them, the choices were clear: high-quality packing cubes, a neck pillow that actually works, and Away luggage -all products that have earned their places through years of constant travel.
As a shopping editor, my ultimate test for how much I love a product is if I ask myself: What did I ever do before this? My latest can't-live-without-it travel accessory is this new extra large toiletry bag from Parallelle. It's called The Kit, and I promise I love it for more than just its good looks. I've been reaching for it nonstop over the past month to carry my very extensive skincare routine with me wherever I go-and it's made packing easier than ever.