My travel survival kit (small enough for your purse!)

The first time I went to Europe, I came down with a case of "Mono" (not really, story to come later) that turned out to be just dehyration and probably being extremly exhausted. While snotting and crying around Munich (I cry when I get sick, what a baby) I couldn't seem to communicate the German equivalent to "NyQuil" or "nasal decongestant." Needless to say, I spend the remander of Munich and parts of Switzerland being completly miserable.

While in Switzerland, however, I did get visitors to my room from the Aussie boys trying to make me feel better. "You feelin better ol china?" and the serenade of "No woman no cry" which quickly turned into "No apple no pie, no smoky no high" I'm pretty sure they were drunk...

After three days of filling my stein from Hofbrauhaus (no joke) with ice because it's was the only thing I could eat/drink, I finally felt better.

Seeing as my German stops with the impression of the giant slug, Heimlic, from a bug's life my medicine situation turned a little...inventive. It was salt and water. Yes. I drank salt and water. In fact, I still have the salt shaker that picked me up off death's door and meant I didn't miss out on this:

This little hang out by our cabin in Switzerland quickly took a turn for the better when we realized one important component to this beer fest was missing: "Batman." Batman was a nickname given to this guy Nathan who we all love and loved to serenade him with "Da na na na na na na na BATMAN" who know how this started, we were drunk most of the time.

(Shane, Mr. Bean, Batman, Pickle, Bobbye Jo, and me) - we had nicknames for everyone.

When it was discovered that Batty was gone, sleeping in the bat cave no doubt, something had to be done!

A plan was put into action...

And the poor bat was taken from his warm bed slumber, and thrown into the ice cold Swizz creek.

This to this day is still one of my favorite memories of the whole trip. One day I'll post the video to go with it, you can even hear their cute Aussie accents. If any of my aussie loves are reading this, I miss you! Come visit!

Now, back to where I started, I always seem to get distracted. Because of this horrible cold/disease/lepracy I got on the trip I am determined to not have the same issue this time. I bought a cheap, small make up bag from target for 1.99 that is about the size of a really big bagel.

Inside I have packed: oil blotting sheets, zinc tablets, Emergen-c, advil and tylenol PM (put into the same case), Kleenex, Tums, and hand wipes. (Not to mention I have a years supply of Clorox wipes for the hostel to wipe everything down with.)

Hope this helps with your travels!

Fresh faced and fancy free

I'm not a cute traveler. I usually fall asleep with my head tilted forward, sweating so my hair goes flat, and some how seem to always pick the most uncomfortable outfit for a long flight. It's like not being a cute cryier, some women just don't have that skill. I do love the excitement I feel on a plane ride almost (almost!) keeping me awake the whole time. Since I hate the way my face and skin feel after a flight due to recycled air, and just the fact of running around gate to gate all day I always end up with a nice shiny face and the wish for a shower. So, I came up with the best most simple airplane facial.

If you're like me, you love the typical "Yeah here we go" picture at the beginning of the trip so make up is a total must. While on a long or international flight, I take a ponds/neutrogena/almay make-up remover and moisturizer wipe to cleanse and refresh my skin. I take an aerosol (travel size) can of evian water , spray lightly to gentle wash away any sweat or dirt and then an hour before the plane lands, after apply your favorite moisturizer and allow to sink in for a few minutes. When you're ready you can reapply your make up to look refreshed and ready for the day. You can keep all of these in your carry on and the whole process only takes a couple of minutes. Hope this helps!

These can be found at Sephora, 2 for 12 dollars.

Try Target or any local drug store for the moisturizing wipes, usually about 4-5 dollars and worth every penny. Any infused with cucumber gives the best refreshment.