These Things Will Instantly Elevate Your Next Staycation

2020, amiright?! *Sob-laughs maniacally* In March, the thought of a tropical vacation in winter 2020 was something to look forward to (LOL). Now, with the pandemic raging on, we have to look for rest and relaxation a little closer to home. Does that mean I don’t long to wait in a three-hour customs line like the good old days? Would I WEEP at the sight of the Porter flight attendants in their little pillbox hats? Do I want to pay $22 for a mediocre glass of tepid airport wine just to feel something? Most definitely! But you know what? It’s fine. We’re good. We stay the heck home. We wear masks. We wash our hands. We support local businesses. And until we can hop on a plane without worrying, I’m sticking to short, safe weekend trips (with my stash of non-medical face masks and hand sani, of course) and staycations in my own city instead. And TBH, playing tourist in and around your home base is actually pretty fun.

Here, we round up items that will make your next road trip or staycation feel elevated, including the best weekend bag, silk eye mask, luxe beauty minis and, duh, loungewear. Room service, anyone?

Staycation items

1/13 The Weekend Bag

Away The Large Everywhere Bag (Limited Edition), $365, awaytravel.com This limited edition carryall is the larger version of the brand’s beloved weekender, made extra-special by the clamshell opening (!) of the large main compartment. That means you get the blessing of accessing your stuff like you would in a suitcase, in the compact convenience of a weekender. No more digging blindly for that other sock! It’s also crafted out of water-resistant nylon with leather panelling and features a padded 15” laptop pocket.

2/13 The Silk Sleep Mask

Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask, $64 USD, lunya.co This cushy, washable (yes, like in your machine) silk mask might be the comfiest sleep mask in existence. Hot tip: Spritz some lavender pillow spray and slide on this light-blocking mask at home to trick yourself into thinking you’re at a far-flung spa weekend.

3/13 The Jewellery Case

Mejuri Daily Case, $65, mejuri.com This dainty version of the Canadian brand’s oft-sold out jewellery cases is perfect for stashing your everyday jewels for an overnight trip now and toting your evening earring and necklace swap to work for a quick after-work dinner change later.

4/13 The Cashmere Robe

Miiyu Elegant pure cashmere robe, $350, simons.ca Who among us doesn’t want to be swaddled like a baby in cashmere?

5/13 The Deluxe Skincare Minis 

Dewy: The Polypeptide Kit, $98, sephora.com This adorable value set (worth $141) has everything you need to hydrate skin, handle the appearance of fine lines and leave you looking dewier than a glazed donut. Plus, along with a travel-size cleanser, serum and retinol cream, the set includes a full size Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer to strengthen and moisturize skin. If I can’t be sipping a marg down south, at least I can be impossibly hydrated!

6/13 The Soft Sweats 

Knixwear Cozzzy Crew Top, $74, and Cozzzy Track Pant, $74, knix.ca The Canadian brand behind your favourite period panties and wireless bra is coming for your sweats drawer with their new, ridiculously soft Cozzzy Collection. If 2020 has taught us something it’s that you can honestly never have too many matching loungewear sets.

7/13 The Silk Face Mask

Silk Laundry Silk Face Mask French Flowers, $40, silklaundry.ca You can’t upgrade your seat on a plane right now so why not splurge on a special silk face mask instead?  

8/13 The Perfect Leggings

LOLA The Body High-Waisted Leggings, $118, lolaactivewear.com (Available for buy one, get one pre-sale now, while supplies last. Shipping in early 2021.)  These brand-new leggings are the brainchild of the former lead designer at Lululemon and women’s activewear at Nike and it shows. They’re so high-waisted, they basically graze your nips (this is a good thing) and the material is so soft, slinky and comfortable, yet somehow holds everything in, it defies logic. Plus, they’re available in sizes 0 to 24.

9/13 The Toiletry Bag

Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag, $95, awaytravel.com Made with water-resistant nylon and a spill-proof interior, this hard-working cosmetics bag has a hook so you can hang it when you’re settled into your local inn, plus it comes with a transparent, removable pouch for storing liquids.

10/13 The Lush Lip Mask 

Laneige Limited Edition Lip Sleeping Mask in Lemon Sorbet, $26, sephora.com Slather this hydrating lip mask on with your favourite sheet mask and soak in the bath for maximum treat-yourself vibes.

11/13 The Slinky Lounge Set 

In Soft Focus The Silky Set – Black Leopard, $315, insoftfocus.com This silken set pairs extremely well with a room service cheeseburger and glass of Champagne now and, I suspect, will look smashing with heels, great earrings and a bold lip when we can gallivant at parties again.

12/13 The Travel Fragrance Wardrobe

Mini Perfume Wardrobe Set, $74, sephora.com Don’t cry because you can’t hop on a long-haul flight to a dream destination, spritz one of these travel-inspired scents instead. I’m partial to Clémentine California which is the next best thing right now to enjoying a smoothie bowl in Malibu.

13/13 The Fluffy Slippers

Indigo Love and Lore Faux Fur Slipper Rose, $29.50, chapters.indigo.ca Ridiculously soft fuzzy slippers are a no-brainer.