Because we’re so nosey, our regular feature delves into the suitcase of a different person each week. This time, it’s the very stylish suitcase belonging to Erica Davies, fashion editor and founder of MMM. Erica lives in London with her four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter, and is forever heading off on jaunts either with her family or on press trips with brands like Accessorize or Olympus.

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I like to think of myself as a seasoned traveller and OBVIOUSLY have all the hand luggage essentials packed in a bag ready to go at any time, right? So wrong. As queen of the last minute.com school of, well, everything, I tend to hurl things in last minute and then pray WH Smith and Boots will sell the things I have undoubtedly forgotten on the other side of security control.

However, I do have a few tried and tested products that HAVE to come with me on every flight. Firstly, my iPad. This is obvious but oh so necessary. I recently posed a question on Twitter asking parents for great apps to entertain the kids on our return flight home from a half term break in Turkey. One sarcastic response was ‘a book?’ which made me inwardly seethe, but also laugh out loud – I mean, let’s try that question again when you’ve got your own kids, pal! Two apps that sensible parent friends suggested that I now thoroughly recommend are Hairy Letters and anything by Toca Boca.

What's in Erica Davies' suitcase

A huge scarf (3) is the perfect comfort blanket for either myself, or one of the kids. My daughter was over tired on a recent flight and fighting having a nap so getting VERY whingey. One soothing rendition of Lavender’s Blue (never sung it to her before in the lullaby capacity but bingo! Who knew?) and a Marks & Spencer cape later, we had peace. Also, it looks very chic thrown over a leather jacket for your travel outfit.

Now that I’m a mother of two, reading a book on a flight isn’t as easy as it once was. But I try. And I have to have a new novel (or five) for holiday – I’m definitely not a Kindle kind of a girl. At the moment I am reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (2), which won a Pulitzer Prize back in 2001. It’s beautifully evocative, I’m really enjoying it.

My Aspinal travel wallet and passport cover (1) have been with me all over the world and I love them – along with stationary and pens, leather accessories make me very happy!

I always carry a spare set of underwear in my hand luggage because – well, you just never know! Now I have kids too, so I have a little Ziploc bag with spare pants for them and a small nylon zip bag for mine from Day Birger et Mikkelsen (5). My underwear choice would the simple but chic styles from Hanro, while for the kids I like Boden’s selection of fun prints (6). Also, add a brand new pack of wet wipes.

There are two very good reasons why a tuck box is essential when travelling with kids. One, they are ALWAYS hungry and two, airport food is rubbish and overpriced. So I take – as much as possible – a selection of snacks (and treats for difficult times!). I love every version of these snack boxes from This Modern Life (4).

A great red lipstick can take you great places – plus it can be used as a make up multi-tasker for cheeks and dabbed on eyelids if necessary. And along with distracting from a hangover, it’s excellent at making you appear fresh after a long, exhausting flight. I also carry lip balm on me at all times, particularly when travelling. My two favourites are Topshop’s Rio Rio lipstick (7) and Kadalys’ Banana Balm for lips.

If you’d like to share what’s in your suitcase, email alison@spaceinyourcase.com