Caroline’s Favorite Things 2016

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to recommend my favorite travel products for the traveler in your life. I have traveled at least a week out of every month this year so I’ve tested these products firsthand. These are all items that I regularly use and most are no more than $150. 

As with last year’s group, you get what you pay for in terms of quality. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom to win half of these products for yourself! There are also discount codes you can use to save on gifts and treats for yourself.

This post contains affiliate links that can earn this website a small income. They will not cost you anything to use.

Clothing and Accessories

Encircled Revolve Dress, $154 USD

I’ve sung the praises of Encircled before and this year, I got to try out their new Encircled Revolve dress. Made of their same comfortable material, it can be worn as a dress or a top with a cowl neck or boatneck, as I did above. I’ve worn it around town and traveled with it, even wearing it to a friend’s wedding in Wyoming!

While the length doesn’t suit my body type, it could easily be worn with tights or leggings for a cute winter look. Best of all, it can be accessorized many ways to look like multiple outfits, allowing you to pack less. Read my full review on Her Packing List.

Buy your own Revolve dress on Encircled’s website and get $20 off a Revolve dress with code CITYBLOG until December 18th, 2016 at 11:59pm EST.

Pins to Kill Leggings, $75 AUD

I’ve had three pairs of leggings this year and only one has stood the test of time: Pins to Kill. I was sent these funky leggings from an Australian company a few months ago to try out on my travels. Since then I’ve worn them volunteering in the Dominican Republic, mountain biking in Arkansas, on flights to New York City, and to my weekly rowing class here at home. I fell for their unique designs and high waist. You can choose from their geometric and colorful patterns or upload your own design!

Buy your own pair of Pins to Kill leggings on their website and get 10% off your order until November 30 by using the code BROOKEP2K at checkout. Thanks to Her Packing List for this one! 

El Camino Bracelets £21.99+

I’ve admired these bracelets for many years, so I’m excited to now have one of my own. The company started as a way to remember those important places you’ve been and lived. The colored cord bracelets are made in England, which you add with “steps” beads, with country and city names carved into them, as well as regional steps, colorful beads to represent them.

You can even get the steps custom made for especially important destinations or events. I chose Sydney as my destination with Oceania as my country step, places that forever impacted me. It’s a unique way to remember life events without the dangle of a charm bracelet.

Buy your own El Camino bracelet on their website. 

Toms Audrina Sunglasses, $119 USD

Every traveler needs a good pair of sunglasses. My current pair (I go through a lot) are these matte purple Toms sunglasses. I went to a warehouse sale in Atlanta and bought six pairs of shoes and these sunnies, which quickly became my favorite.

The frames themselves are similar to the Wayfarer style, which fits just about everyone’s face. They come with a cute carrying case and you know that your purchase is supporting sight-saving surgeries in developing countries.

Buy your own Toms Audrina Sunglasses on Amazon.

Airportag Airport Code Shirt, $29.90 USD

Before Christmas last year, I first learned about Airportag, so I bought myself a shirt with my hometown’s airport code. It’s now one of my favorite shirts and I wear it proudly in Atlanta and beyond. I’ve even gotten compliments when I wear it to the airport!

Their shirts are made of soft jersey from American Apparel and come in clever designs in addition to every airport code imaginable. The company also sells everything from tote bags to bedspreads to coffee mugs for the travel-obsessed person in your life.

Buy your own shirt on Airportag’s website or enter to win a $50 gift certificate below. 

Turkish Towel, $21.99 USD

My biggest regret after traveling to Turkey was not bringing home a Turkish towel, but thankfully I got one for Christmas last year. Since then, it’s become one of my favorite items to travel with. I’ve used it as a beach towel, a cover up, a scarf, and even balled up into a pillow.

And you don’t have to travel to Turkey to get one! They come in dozens of patterns and colors, but mine was from a brand called Cacia. I’m even considering replacing all the towels in my home with these quick-drying, but super absorbent towels.

Buy your own Turkish towel on Amazon or save 15% off your order through Knotty Towels by using the code HPL16. 

Birkenstock Madrid Sandals, $69.95 USD

My new favorite pair of travel shoes are my Birkenstock Madrid slides, which were perfect for walking the streets of Wynwood in Miami and for early morning bathroom runs with two pairs of socks on when I was camping in Colorado. The foam core supports your feet for optimal comfort. I also chose this style because my feet tend to swell during travel. The Madrids come in a number of different styles and colors.

Buy your own pair of Birkenstock Madrid slides on Amazon.

Luggage and Packing Gear

Longchamp Le Pilage Bag, $110+ USD

You’ve likely seen this bag just about everywhere. I recall it as a favorite of sorority girls when I was in college to carry their books. And I didn’t see the appeal until I got one, albeit in Kuala Lumpur‘s Chinatown. My bag may or may not be real (it’s a really good fake if it is!), but it’s held up for the last two years and countless destinations. I have the large size, which is ideal as an overnight bag.

There’s a small interior pocket for your phone or keys and a flap over the top to help you zip it when you’ve packed full. Best of all, it folds small when it’s not in use, saving you valuable space. The material is also easy to wipe off in case of spills.

Buy your own Longchamp Le Pilage bag on Amazon. 

Origami Unicorn Travel Undergarment Organizer, $49.50 USD

Earlier this year, I was sent an Origami Unicorn travel underwear organizer. Previously, I’d used packing cubes, but this system has three fold-up panels that you can hang or roll out into your drawers. Some sections are best for bras and other items you don’t want squished, while others have small pockets for balled up underwear. They also come with a drawstring laundry bag. You can also choose from a number of different patterns.

Buy your own Origami Unicorn travel underwear organizer on Amazon.

Electronics and Stocking Stuffers

Otterbox uniVERSE Case System & Trail Blazer Armband, $49.95 + $34.95 USD

If you’re as clumsy as I am, it’s important to keep your smartphone protected while you travel. The cost of getting a screen replaced in a foreign country is not pretty. Make sure you have a high-quality case to protect it like this one from Otterbox. This case allows you to swap out and use accessories like the running armband featured, battery pack, camera lens, or card reader.

Buy your own Otterbox case on Amazon or enter to win one for iPhone 6/6S below.

VIP Coloring Exploring Scandinavia Adult Coloring Book, $12.99 USD

I’m a huge fan of adult coloring books as they’re calming when traveling. I can turn my mind off and listen to music as I doodle. So when I found out about these travel-themed coloring books from a fellow travel blogger, I couldn’t wait to test it out!

This one comes with hand-drawn designs from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland to inspire future adventures. The spiral top makes it easy to flip between pages. They also sell a roll of colored pencils, which we’re also giving away!

Buy your own VIP Coloring Exploring Scandinavia Adult Coloring Book on their website or Amazon or enter to win one below.

Vafee Travel-Sized Essential Oil Diffuser, $15.99 USD

While the one I originally bought is no longer being sold, this travel-sized diffuser has become one of my absolute favorite items to travel with. I first bought it a few months ago to deal with my eczema and it was well worth it. It’s not much larger than a smartphone and allows you to put water or essential oils inside to create a vapor. It’s also great for a bit of white noise. I also use it at home!

Buy your own travel diffuser on Amazon. 

Pique Tea Variety Pack, $7.99 USD

As an avid tea drinker, I can’t go anywhere without some to drink. English Breakfast is my style of choice. Pique got in touch for me to try out their crystalized tea, which comes in sachets in Earl Grey, green, and jasmine varieties. They’re made from whole, organic leaves and don’t contain sugar. I now travel with my variety pack so I can have a cuppa, no matter where I go.

Buy your own Pique Tea on their website or enter to win your own variety pack below! 

Giveaway Details

You must be 18 or older to win. Prizes can be won by anyone from any country. Winners are required to respond within 48 hours or forfeit their prize. Prizes will be selected randomly by the Rafflecopter widget below.

• Airportag $50 Gift Certificate
• Pique Tea Variety Pack
• VIP Scandinavia Adult Coloring Book and Colored Pencils
• Otterbox uniVERSE Case System & Trail Blazer Armband

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comment below with what you’re adding to your wish list or what you’d most like to win!

Note that some of these links are affiliate links, which provide a small income to me without costing you extra. The items in the giveaway have been donated by the respective companies and some of the images are used with their permission. Otherwise, all images are my own. All prices are in US dollars and prices were accurate from the date of publication.