Except for the holidays, summer is when we travel most. My mom always said to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, and that is what having a small carryon bag will do for you. I don’t mean your purse with the cell phone, documents and money, because I can’t imagine any woman hitting the road without it. But when you have the purse ready and most of your luggage is in the suitcases, give yourself ten minutes that can make your day.

First off, remember your bags may get lost, put on a different plane and get to the destination late, or you might be packed in a way that will not allow for easy access. That’s why it’s important to always have with you a change of clothes. Grab one of your non-iron couture dresses and a pair of shoes, so that you’ll be able to go to a meeting, have dinner or drinks at the restaurant, or maybe go shopping.

Another must is a small cosmetic bag with only the basics. For summer it’s enough to have wet naps, toothbrush, moisturizer, mascara, lip gloss and bronzer. With these essentials you’ll be able to freshen up in a minute and you will not look as if you just traveled for six hours. If you’re worried about your hair, toss in a few bobby pins for a quick, intentionally messy up do and you’re done.

If you’re driving, make sure you have a bottle of water handy, because in the heat hydrating is the key. For those flying, you’ll be getting drinks onboard, but pretzels might not be enough, so make sure you have a snack. Whether in a car or on a plane, a quick bite of pita bread with vegetables or nuts mixed with dried fruit will keep your energy up and let you get to your destination without feeling irritating hunger.

For many women their gadgets are of equal necessity as lotion, so if you’re taking palm pilots, laptops, graphic tablets or MP3 players, make sure you pack a charger in your carryon, because nothing can spoil a day like trying to get in touch to let somebody know how your travel went only to find out your battery is dead.