Phone charger, extra camera battery, underwear… there are some items that we ALL highlight and circle 5 times on our “Don’t Forget to Pack” travel to-do lists. But what about those items that are your must-haves, and yours only? We asked some of our favorite jetsetting digital friends where they’re heading this summer, and for their #1 travel essential. (Some gave us #2 too.) Check out these unique picks – whether you’re traveling with 4 kids or flying solo, something here will surely help make your trip more convenient or glamorous.

WHO: As the community manager at Daily Grommet, which features daily useful items that have yet to hit the big time, we wondered what quirky grommet Tori Tait packs for her summer trips.

SUMMER DESTINATION: Every summer, my family and I set sail on a houseboat for a week-long (technology free!) vacation. Our trip involves endless days of boating, swimming and soaking up the sun.

CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT IT: One of my #1 travel must-haves is the water bobble. Staying hydrated is a must when traveling (and especially for those sun-soaked trips). The bobble is great because it allows you to ditch using those disposable plastic bottles, you just refill this one wherever you happen to be. The built in filter cleans the water as you drink — it’s so convenient and great for the environment which is a plus in my book!

WHO: Formerly known as “have kid will travel,” we wondered what makes Family Rambling editor Jody Halsted‘s family vacations the easiest they can possibly be.

SUMMER DESTINATION: We are looking forward to a trip to Eureka Springs this year. This beautiful town in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas became a resort for ”taking the waters” in the late 19th century. The town is filled with historic hot springs spas and hotels and is also famous for its Passion Play. Nearby a castle is being constructed using a 13th century design, tools and techniques. It will take about 20 years to build.

CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT IT: My #1 travel essential is a pair of cute but comfortable shoes. Or two. I turn to Crocs for this, as the shoes are cute, water resistant and very comfortable. I have walked one end of Walt Disney World to the other in a pair of Crocs wedge heels and never had sore feet!

WHO: Traveling to wellness should be everyone’s travel goal this summer, so we asked Anne Dimon of Travel to Wellness what she can’t live without on her journey.

SUMMER DESTINATION: I’m planning an extended road trip to the province of Quebec to check out spas, fitness adventures, culinary tours and festivals, and beautiful, scenic places to just “be.”

CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT IT: I always pack my running gear, laptop, camera, plus sunscreen – my fav is ColoreScience‘s mineral powder sunscreen.

WHO: Founder and CEO of AHAlife Shauna Mei spends her days curating WOW-products for her website, but how does she curate her suitcase contents for her many getaways?

SUMMER DESTINATION: I’m going to Rio Fashion Week the 1^st week of June to kick off summer, pretty excited for that.

CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT: This Card Speaker couldn’t be tinier for traveling; those  iPod docs in hotels never work with the iPhone. Also, instead of my three step beauty regime, when I travel, I just bring this Argan Oil set - for face, body and hair. And psst, I always bring my leather notebook to write poetry when I fly… my secret hobby. I never share my poems.

WHO: We were curious as to what’s in Erika Johnson‘s suitcase, who blogs her inspirations from interiors to her favorite destinations on Radiant Republic.

SUMMER DESTINATION: This summer, I plan to spend a lot of time on the beach in Cape Cod.

CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT IT: Because I love the smell of salt water and sun tan lotion, I can’t get enough of the Bobbi Brown Beach scent, which seems to capture both. I especially love the oil, which gives my skin an extra glow during summer nights.

WHO: What about someone who’s LIFE is a vacation? We asked Hawaiian Sarah Burns, The Ohana Mama, what she needs on vacations… although why would she ever leave!?

SUMMER DESTINATION: San Diego and and Laguna Beach at the end of July

CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT: This is a must-use for those traveling with kids…the Trunki holds a ton of clothes, locks for safety, and best of all acts as a ride on toy for those long walks in the airport. My three year old sat on it while my 6 year old pulled her. It rocks!  ALSO – when staying at a hotel we all want to reuse our towel, but with them all being white, it’s hard to make sure you aren’t sharing cooties with your family. I’ve created Tag a Towels just for that purpose! You simply choose your tag color, clip it to your towel, then reuse your towel with confidence, not cooties!  I’m launching in July!  Everyone can sign up at to receive 10% off once we launch :)

It’s skin cancer awareness month, and the other week we told you how to detect a bad mole easy as ABCD. To get you ready for the season of sunshine, Allure Magazine is giving away 20 sunscreens and some fashionable, sun-shielding swagger! Click the picture for details.

Play it smart in the sun!

The cast of the reality show Jersey Shore popularized the motto “gym, tan, laundry” (GTL for those in the know).  While the show places an importance on looking your best (or something like that), the emphasis on tanning can be a dangerous message. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health says that ultraviolet radiation, used in indoor tanning, is a proven human carcinogen. Nearly 30 million people tan indoors every year and they can receive as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose compared to regular sun exposure. In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, this May it’s time to make some changes. If you are tanorexic, make it a point to learn preventative measures against the sun while visiting the spa.

“As a melanoma survivor, I can personally attest to the importance of regular screenings and arming yourself with the tools offered at spas to protect yourself,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “It’s particularly important for teens to hear about the harmful effects of the sun at an early age, and the spa is the perfect place for them to learn how to properly care for their skin.”

Indoor tanning isn’t the only danger; too much time at the beach, pool or anywhere outdoors can lead to dangerous results. More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually making it the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Even more disparaging news – up to 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun. It’s time to be proactive about sun protection, and now more than ever, spas are making it their responsibility to help you with products and treatments aimed to prevent and repair sun damage.

“Skin Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity for everyone to think about their skin and how to protect it,” said Dr. Brent Bauer, director of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at the Mayo Clinic and ISPA’s Medical Advisor. “It’s especially important if you have increased risk factors for skin cancer such as fair skin, a history of sunburns or lots of moles.”

Are you addicted to being tan? You’re not alone, but it doesn’t make it any safer. If you’re going using a a tanning lotion like Maui Babe, always make sure you use SPF protection too. Try Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion with SPF 15 or higher—it’s a dermatologist-recommended, all natural, hydrating sunblock that does the job well. It kept my skin safe for ten straight days in Hawaii over the holidays, and I recommend if if you are looking for a reliable, nice-smelling sunblock that wont clog your pores. Akina Salon & Spa recommends BioElements for the best skin protection.

How did you weigh in? Last night on Facebook we asked what you do to protect your skin; read below for some inspiring stories warnings from your fellow Facebookers who’ve been there. Share your tips and stories in the comments—no matter what it is, May is the month to let others benefit from what you have to say about sun protection!

Image courtesy of kailanibeach.com

You could be using sunscreen wrong!

Spa Week Daily loves learning and sharing all the best products, treatments, news and information that the beauty/skincare industry has to offer. This morning we sent Spa Week staffers Samantha and Kaitlin to meet renowned dermatologist and host of DermTV Dr. Neal Schultz, who shared his very best expert tips on how to take care of your skin… turns out it’s all in the details. Just when you thought you had it down! (Scroll down for video.)

Dr. Neal Schultz’s 5 Skincare Rules:

1. For beautiful, healthy looking skin, you must be using the 3 key products.
- Antioxidants
- Sunscreen
- Exfoliates

2. Use sunscreen… and use it the correct way.
a. Always put it on before any other product; sunscreens are tested as the first product put on the skin so if you put other products on before the sunscreen, the SPF efficacy decreases.
b. Make sure your sunscreen contains UVA protection.

3. When using multiple skincare products make sure to layer properly.
Put lighter materials on before the heavier materials, so they can absorb properly

4. Know your skin type.
Most women don’t know their skin type and are using the wrong products. Learn what type of skin you have and make sure to use products properly. Ask a professional (or at least read the box!) if you’re not sure.

5. Make sure you are treating sun damage and wrinkles starting in your 20s.
Most sun damage has happened by the time you are 25, start treating it early by following rule #1 while you are in your 20s– it is never too early to treat sun damage and wrinkles.

Want to learn more about Dr. Schultz’s theories on skincare and how to treat different skin issues? Check out DermTV.com where Dr. Schultz hosts daily dermatology sessions, it’s like having a personal dermatologist in your home. He covers topics from breaking news in dermatology to preventing and repairing sun damage.

Start here, with this segment of Dr. Shultz’s Skincare Tips for Dry and Itchy Wintertime Skin:

Do you remember your first faux-tan folly? I started donning orange-hued skin in my tween years, and denied all existence of my tan being fraudulent. Thankfully I wasn’t the avid photographer I am now—there’s hardly any evidence of how carrot-like I looked.

Products have improved significantly since then, and while we all love buying gossip magazines and parking our bods in the sun, the safer and smarter thing to do is self tan. Here, self-tanners I love as well as SpaWeek.com’s May spray-tan deals.

Products

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel | $32

DermaQuest Skin Therapy Self Tanner | $39
Sothys Progressive Glow Lotion | $40

Treatments

Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
1328 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, MD | 410.721.3533

Deal: Airbrush Tanning by Bronze Biologic: Full Body including face $40

the face & Body spa
15 South Main St., Yardley, PA | 215.369.0699

Deal:
$35 Full Body Airbrush Tanning