Travel Essentials From Flight 001

From in-flight essentials to fun and games, Flight 001 has something for every traveler. This retro-look site has just about anything you could possibly think of to make your travel easier and more comfortable, from quirky passport covers and luggage tags to collapsible lunch boxes so you can bring your own food on board.

Fill + Fly Bottles

Their tagline reads, “Modern and Innovative Travel Products,” and it’s hard to argue with that. Where else are you going to find Fill n’ Fly bottles, a set of shatterproof, leakproof bottles in a zip-top bag that’s flight ready and carry-on approved? Or The Seat Pak, which lets you stash all your inflight essentials (including credit cards and passports) and hang it conveniently on your tray table for easy access.

Seat Pak

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just a once-a-year passenger, there are items here that will speak to you. Even if you don’t travel much by plane, there are some totally cool organizers and accessories that work perfectly for any type of travel – even just around the block.

From pre-flight to in-flight to arrival, Flight 001 has items that you need—even if you don’t know it right now. In addition to the fun and quirky designs, they also feature practical items like a universal power converter and universal plug adapters so not only can you plug in your hairdryer in Prague, it won’t blow up on you.

Every time I go on this site, I find something that just makes me happy. And makes me want to book the next flight out of town.

Featured photo credit

Posted by Megan G. for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from Megan G. and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

Downy's Unstoppables

Unstoppables is an in-wash scent booster from Downy. Its purpose is to extend the smell of fresh laundry through until the next wash. How would you use it?

• Shake the beads into the cap attached to your bottle.
• Toss the beads into the washing machine BEFORE you add your fabric softener/detergent.
• Drop the clothes in the washing machine and run the cycle
• Dry your clothes accordingly.

Pros

1. Unstoppables works with ANY fabric…and I do mean ANY fabric.
2. The smell works for DAYS, sometimes WEEKS depending on the fabric. I tend to wear my jeans for at least 2-3 times before I wash them (depending on the wash) and you would never know they were dirty.
3. A little goes a long way – the bottle I had lasted me for about 3 months, and I do several loads of laundry a week.
4. It is very easy to use – just set it and forget it.

Cons 

1. A little goes a long way. If you over use the product, it can become VERY overpowering. Depending on one’s perfume sensitivities, it can cause huge headaches.
2. If there is not enough water in the machine, the beads will not dissolve completely and the pellets can temporarily stain your clothes.
3. It does not act as a fabric softener, just a scent booster. You will still have to use a liquid fabric softener in the washing machine or dryer sheets in the dryer.
4. The price point is kind-of high for the amount you get. In the store in my area, Unstoppables starts at $7.99 a bottle.
5. There are only two scents are available for now, which limits your scent choices.

Final Verdict: I think this product is amazing for linens, denim, work uniforms and gym clothes…. clothes that carry a lot of grime and/or “bad” scents that need to be masked. I don’t think it’s worth it for every day laundry – not for the price point and not when you can just pick up a box of fabric softener sheets and throw it in the dryer for 10 minutes, essentially doing the same thing.

Price Tip: Target often has this product on sale for $5.99 a bottle. Try it when it’s on sale.

While Procter and Gamble provided me with a free sample of “Unstoppables” for review, my opinions are my own and have not been influenced. 

Posted by bellaventa for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from bellaventa and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

One-Of-A-Kind Items At Style Outside The Box

I love design of all types: fashion, decor, even Web and print design, so when I heard* about Style Outside The Box, I had to go take a look. I am glad I did. Style Outside The Box is a Web site devoted to giving independent designers a place to showcase their quality goods. Think of it as Etsy with the iffy stuff filtered out.

From their Web site:

Style Outside the Box is the first shopping site where an elite style council juries and selects every product to meet Style Outside the Box’s standards, so customers never have to worry about the quality as well as the uniqueness of every product. We are a website solely for exclusive independent designers who stand behind every one-of-a-kind product made and sold.

Wave Throw Pillow

They sell everything: home decor; clothing and accessories for women, men and babies/kids; jewelry and gifts. My favorites are the home decor items, many of which are made with sustainable, eco-friendly materials. Prices run the gamut, from a selection of gifts under $30, to some pricier jewelry and dresses, although the prices aren’t unreasonable considering that each piece is one-of-a-kind.

It’s a wonderful feeling to get something beautiful that no one else has… it’s especially wonderful when you can give your BFF a great gift that’s as unique and gorgeous as she is. In fact, I have my eye on a nice item for a special someone who has a birthday coming up. I’m not telling who because she reads this blog (at least she better).

Ciao Greeting Card

Beyond the great merchandise and the wonderful venue for up-and-coming independent artists and designers, Style Outside The Box is a woman-powered business, just like Buy-Her. I love the idea of being able to support companies run by women, especially when they’ve got stuff I actually want.

Go there now and see what they’ve got—through the month of December 2011 they’re offering 10% off your purchase when you use code lovesotb.

*I feel compelled to mention that I learned about this site from my mother because her BFF’s daughter works for Style Outside The Box. While that’s what got me to the site, I recommend it because I love their offerings and wanted to share them.

Posted by Megan G. for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from Megan G. and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

Great Cake From A Box. Really.

For me, cooking and baking are like writing or photography: Another way to create. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of time to bake, and usually when I do have time, I don’t want go to too much trouble. I want the rush of creation without the effort. I’m OK with this. What I am not OK with is mediocre cake. If I’m going to ingest those calories, they’d better taste awesome. Enter The Cake Mix Doctor.

I discovered this book years ago and it remains one of my favorites because every cake I’ve made is a winner. And all I need are a box of cake mix and few extra ingredients. Author Anne Byrn adds a little of this and a little of that to help take away that “mix” taste and make your cakes (and cookies and bars) taste like homemade with much less effort. Who knew that a container of sour cream, some vanilla or a bit of instant coffee powder could transform ordinary cake mix into a homemade favorite? Apparently Anne did.

Not only will get recipes, you’ll also get tips and tricks so you go out on your own and improvise. But if you’re like me and aren’t good at improvisational baking, there are more than enough recipes in this book to keep you happy for a long time to come.

Three Of My Favorite Cake Mix Doctor Recipes

1. Lemon Buttermilk Poppy Seed Cake – Lemon juice, buttermilk, yogurt, poppy seeds and lemon zest turn plain white mix into a the perfect springtime cake. You can also get rid of the lemon and the zest and use pure almond extract for a yummy almond poppy seed cake.

2. White Chocolate Pound Cake – Plain white cake meets white chocolate, butter and vanilla to become two loaves of pound cake that will make you forget you ever knew Sara Lee.

3. Incredible Melted Ice Cream Cake – Add the melted ice cream of your choice to white cake mix and top with chocolate marshmallow frosting (recipe included) and you will become an instant rock star to whoever tries a slice.

Ann also includes recipes for wonderful homemade frostings that will put you off the canned stuff for good. Quite a bargain for about $9.00.

Wanna try before you buy? There’s a Cake Mix Doctor Web site that has a few recipes you can dig into.

I love the stuff in this book, but lately I don’t get to make as much of it as I’d like because my husband has a gluten sensitivity. I discovered that Anne has worked her magic on gluten-free cake mix, too. Oh happy day!

Posted by Megan G. for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from Megan G. and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

Poo-Pourri's Shh.... It Happens

A couple weeks ago I was shopping with a girlfriend in one of those kitschy little knick-knack shops that seem to appeal to women. You know the kind – they sell fun wall art with sassy sayings and purple and turquoise boots and candles that smell like amazing baked goods. The one I was in also sold a fun product called Poo-Pourri. I was intrigued.

The product promises to eliminate the unpleasant bathroom odor before it even begins. As a person who has lived as a shy pooper all my life, I had to try it. Also I knew I had a girls’ trip to Vegas coming up, where I’d be sharing a hotel room. And while we all joke about it, I can also tell we’re all a little embarrassed when we have to do the doo.

The one I bought is called Oh! My Goodness – Shh…It Happens. I don’t know why I chose that one. I guess I just liked the name. I smelled it in the bottle and it smelled like grapefruit, which I’m a big fan of. I couldn’t want to bring it to Vegas and show the girls and see how it worked.

The concept is pretty simple. The product uses essential oils which are intensely scented. You spray it on the water before you go about 4-6 sprays. The oil creates a film on the water. Then you do your business. The oil creates a barrier and the odors can’t escape. It was fantastic! My Vegas roommate and I were both impressed by its magical powers. This stuff is far better than any air freshener you could ever buy. I am convert.

Poo-Pourri would be perfect to keep in your guest bathroom for visitors, to take to your new beau’s house in your overnight case, or anytime you have to be in close proximity with people and a bathroom – like a hotel room or maybe a family traveling in an RV for a year (I’m looking in your general direction, Britt!). I have to say I might even have carried this in my purse for use at work.

The little shop where I bought it sold it for $10, but the website lists it for $14.95. I think for what it does, and how far a bottle will go (for one person anyway) it’s worth it. The website also sells trial sizes of many of the scents they carry if you don’t want to commit to a full bottle right away.

Poo-Pourri also makes a full line of odor eliminating products including pet odor remover, diaper odor eliminator, and car aromatherapy scent diffusers.

My family better watch out, because I think this is going in everyone’s stockings this Christmas. That wouldn’t offend anyone, right?

{Image from poo-pourri}

Posted by DonnaM for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from DonnaM and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

Spring cleaning for lazy people

I am actually quite possibly the laziest person on the planet. So for me, Spring Cleaning has historically been a phrase that has struck fear in my heart. Don’t get me wrong – I love the IDEA of Spring Cleaning because it’s spring! A fresh start! Vanquishing dust bunnies! It’s just that…. well… it’s hard. And I have episodes of Chelsea Lately to catch up on. But I think I finally got a handle on a way for me to get that new “fresh start” feeling with less stress and anxiety.

My secret is that I don’t even attempt to do it in one day, or even in one weekend. That way the job doesn’t seem soooo big.

Day 1 is De-Clutter Day. I know it sounds bad but it’s not. Put on some good music, grab a box and a trash bag and go through the house starting with the closets. Pull out the clothes that don’t fit, you don’t wear or need to be stored for next year. Use the box for donations and the bag for trash. If you have any teacup humans in the house, this is the time to either go through their toys and donate the ones that don’t get used and trash the ones that are broken or missing pieces that will never be replaced. You can make them do it, but I promise you’ll end up thinning out more if you do it yourself. Look into a self storage unit if you want to clear stuff out but you can’t bear to part with it for good. After closets, move on to dressers, book shelves, linen closets, and then the pantry. Then go drink a margarita. You are done for today.

Day 2 is Cleaning Day. I’m not going to lie. This is my least favorite day. But it can be made better by good music and the promise of a cocktail at the end of the day. I usually start with cleaning the oven. And by that I mean, spray the cleaner in the oven and let it sit while you do the other stuff. I dust the blinds, ceiling fans and other light fixtures, and anything that I typically don’t get to. After all that is done, I get out the vacuum and do the carpets, but I also use the attachments to clean baseboards, door frames and get the cobwebs out of the high ceiling corners. You can also make use of any teacup humans lying around by giving them a damp cloth and asking them to clean baseboards. For some reason, the young ones really like to do that. Now all you have to do is wipe down the inside of the oven. Then you can have a beer while you brag on Facebook about how clean your house is.

The LAST thing I do is get the carpets professionally steam cleaned. This is my favorite part because I don’t have to do anything except write a check. And I can drink a cocktail while someone else does the work. You may have bought a home steam cleaner or carpet shampooer. And those are fine for occasional jobs, but only the professionals can get the water hot enough and generate enough power to really suction out all the yuck. Professional steam cleaning is just something that should be in the budget about twice a year. You want to make sure you are just getting steam cleaned and not shampooed. Steam cleaning uses no chemicals, just hot water. Although if you have stains that you’d like them to deal with, they probably will use some sort of cleaner. However, in almost all big cities there are companies that clean carpets with environmentally friendly products. After the carpet cleaners are done, you can leave the house to let the carpets dry while you go out and shop for new spring clothes. And have a glass of wine.

There may be a few other tasks that you need to get to, but again, I find a system of good music and a reward waiting for me at the end to motivate me to get it done. And nothing compares to the feeling of accomplishment you will have when you sit around and admire your clean house!

Featured image from homerenovation

Posted by DonnaM for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from DonnaM and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

Staging Your House For Sale Can Give You An Edge

We’ve all heard a million things about the sad state of the housing market. But if you have to sell your house, what can you do to compete with the other houses on the market in your area? The answer is staging. You have to put in the work before your house goes on the market but it can be done, and it’s not as hard as you might think.

The first thing you need to do is DE-CLUTTER. You are about to move, so all your stuff is going to have to be packed up anyway. You want each room in your house to have a clear and defined purpose. If there are things in your dining room other than dining room furniture, it needs to go. Box it up and put it in the attic or neatly in a closet, or better yet, in a storage unit. If you have a play room, make it a neat and tidy play room. Clear off your kitchen counters – counter space is a big selling point in a kitchen.  Too much stuff (even furniture) in a room makes it look smaller than it is and distracts potential buyers from picturing their stuff in it. Resist the urge to stash everything in a closet or the garage. Potential buyers are going to be looking in closets and in the garage too, and you want to maximize every single inch of space. If you have to use the closets or the garage for storing extra items, do it neatly in boxes or storage bins.

Then you need to CLEAN. And I mean clean like you’ve never cleaned before. I would highly recommend calling in a cleaning service for a deep clean, and then retain them to come every week to keep up with things. If you can’t afford a cleaning service, you can do it yourself. But you need to clean those baseboards, dust every slat of every set of blinds in the house, every blade of every ceiling fan, and even the tops of your door frames. Clean your oven. Tidy your cabinets. Get the carpet steam cleaned. I would also get your windows professionally cleaned inside and out. You would be amazed at how different the light in your house looks after the windows have been cleaned.

The next step is to DE-PERSONALIZE your house. There should be absolutely NO personal pictures on your walls or shelves. Potential buyers should not be able to discern your race, ethnicity, religion or hobbies. Pack it all up. If your walls look too bare, go to a craft store like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby and buy cheap clearance prints of flowers or landscapes. You don’t have to like it, you don’t even have to worry about them liking it. It just needs to be impersonal. If you have any rooms that are painted outrageous colors that would be very taste-specific, you should probably paint them a generic and boring color. You may love your burnt orange bedroom, but potential buyers will be able to better imagine themselves in a room that is painted in a cream color.

The other part of de-personalizing is hiding away your toiletries and grooming products. I know, I know. It’s hard to live that way, but it’s worth it. Clear out your cabinets under your sink. Find a box or buy a cheap plastic basket and keep your toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, contact solution in them. When it comes time for a showing you can stash it all under the sink, leaving your counters clutter free. You should also get toiletries out of the showers and bathtubs. Use the same strategy – just keep it all in one of those plastic tote things you used in the dorm and stash it when you have a showing.

Do you have pets? You will need to think about what to do with them during the listing process. Pets are great but they make a mess with their hair, muddy paw prints and surprise fur balls on the carpet.  Do you have a friend or family member who can temporarily house your furry friend? That is ideal because it will lessen the mess factor you have to deal with daily. If not, you’ll want to figure out a way to work around it. Dogs in the house when a showing happens should be in a kennel or a crate, not the backyard. Buyers will want to see the backyard too – don’t make it impossible for them to get outside due to a barking dog.

The last thing to do is look at your home’s curb appeal. There is no need to go crazy and landscape the front yard, but make it neat. Have the yard mowed and edged regularly. Trim unruly shrubs so they don’t look overgrown. Pull the obvious weeds in the yard. Plant some seasonal flowers in a pot on the front porch, just to look welcoming. Make sure your front porch and walk are swept neatly.

Alright, now the house is ready to be on the market. You are eagerly awaiting showings. But how do you LIVE like this while your house is on the market? It’s not easy but it can be done.

First, you have to do daily upkeep on everything. Keep the kitchen clean, tidy up small messes as they happen rather than having a huge mess on your hands at the end of the day, and keep the floors vacuumed and swept. Keep the trashcans empty to avoid lingering smells, and deal with mail right away – don’t let it clutter up the counter or your desk.

I highly recommend when you list the house, tell your Realtor that you need one hour notice before any showing. There is usually a booking service that realtors use when they want to show a house. That service will call you and request a showing time. When you get the call you need to spring into action. Wipe down counters, stash those bathroom baskets under the sinks, make sure the beds are made. I also love the idea of having a box or basket where you can stash things quickly and shove it under the bed so it’s out of sight. Deal with the pets by either getting them into kennels or in the car if you are taking them with you. And then get out.

This is a big one. You CANNOT be in the house when it’s being shown. It makes people uncomfortable to be looking at a house when the seller is there. They need to feel free to look around at their leisure. If you are there, I guarantee it will make them uncomfortable and they will leave quickly. You want them to spend as much time as they want. The longer they look, the better.

It’s not easy. But it can be done. Staging your house will give you an advantage over the competition and help potential buyers picture your house as their new home.

photo from cutcaster

Posted by DonnaM for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from DonnaM and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

To me, the very word invokes expensive crystal glassware that I was terrified I would break as a child. It didn’t help that my mother reminded each of us repeatedly ” That glass costs $__ !! ” each time we placed our hands on one. Well, maybe not every time. I remember every party, special occasion and holiday the Waterford was always out, ready to sparkle with whatever libation was the flavor of the day. I love a good solid, beautiful piece of glassware. Even now, it seems to dress up any occasion, and may even make whatever I’m drinking seem like it’s own little party in a glass. Geez I’m easily entertained. Anyway….

Waterford Marquis Polka Dot Wine Glasses

Several years ago I received a set of Waterford Marquis Polka Dot wine glasses as a gift, and I used them regularly until one by one, I wore them out. I have been searching for another set for years, and apparently they have come back into production, because I recently stumbled across them and the rest of the line. Each set consists of four glasses in a shade each of purple, blue, green and a pale yellow. They are available in martini, wine, highball and rocks size. I know you’re thinking that a loan will be required to purchase these, but no, surprisingly enough, these are a bargain ! They usually retail for around $39.00 a set, which is extremely reasonable for Waterford.

Highball Glasses

Aren’t they cute? They are hand blown and have a nice weight to them, and are unbelievably sturdy. My first set lasted almost three years with heavy use, and I received many compliments from my guests each time they saw them. They became my go-to gift for weddings, house warmings and generally any occasion, and since we are about to enter weddings season again, I’m tickled Waterford decided to bring them back into production. The glasses are generously cut, and the wine glasses are especially fun to fill with fruit and set on a serving tray with your selection of wines.

Martini Glasses

They are available at several national retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, and the Waterford website.

Cheers !!

Posted by kimt205 for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from kimt205 and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

A Welcoming Guest Room - No Towel Oragami Needed

We’ve all been there. Staying at someone’s house overnight and you can’t sleep. Maybe the room is too cold or too hot. Maybe the bed is lumpy. Either way, you find yourself wishing at 3 am that you’d just made a hotel reservation.

You don’t want your house guests going home with a stiff back and the sniffles. So how can you create a comfortable guest space for your overnight company? It’s easier than you think and it starts with one simple step.

Sleep one night in your own guest room. That is the only way you can know what it’s like to sleep in your guest room. Does the room tend to get hot or cold overnight? Put some extra blankets or a table top fan in the closet. Is the bed comfortable? If not, you need to fix it. It may not make sense to buy a new mattress but think about getting a mattress topper to make the bed more comfortable. How is the lighting? Does the morning sun come in at 5 am and make it impossible to sleep? Put up some better blinds or curtains or a shade.

There are some other basic things you need to do.

CLEAN This is a no-brainer. Vacuum. Make sure the sheets are clean. Dust the joint. No one expects you to have a perfect house, but you can control clean.

PRIVACY If your guest room doubles as another room normally, you need to make other arrangements while your guests are there. Once your guest comes in the house, it should be considered their space until the time they leave. No one should have to worry about someone walking in on them while they are changing clothes. Get supplies or toys out before your guests arrive. If you find that you need something stored in there, ask your guest if it’s OK to go in and get the item.

STORAGE Are you guests staying for more than one night? Then they would probably like to take their clothes out of the suitcase. Provide some hangers in the closet. If you can swing it, make some sort of drawer space available. If there is no dresser and one isn’t practical to buy, consider buying a luggage stand like the ones hotels have. You can buy them at stores like Bed Bath and Beyond. It’s nice not to have to kneel down on the floor to get things out of your suitcase.

COMFORT Make sure the pillows are plentiful, put a couple of bottles of water on the night table, and put in a lamp for bedtime reading (must easier on the eyes than a harsh overhead light). Also be sure that a few power outlets or a surge strip are available for charging cell phones and the like. If you have wireless in the house, leave something with the password for your guests if they need it.

BATHROOM Even if your guests have to share with others in the house, you can still make it hospitable. Of course you’ll clean it and make sure that your guests have clean towels. But go the extra mile and clear off some counter space. Give them a place to put their toothbrush and cup to use. Make sure supplies are readily available. You could also make sure that you have some extra toiletry items around, like those free toothbrushes the dentist gives out, hotel soaps and shampoos, samples of different things, etc. Put some of those things in a basket you keep under the sink so if your guests forget something, you have some options to offer them.

It’s not hard to create a space where your guests can feel comfortable and at home. A little thought and a few small touches can turn you into the hostess with the mostest. And just in time for all that crazy President’s Day company. What? Is that not a thing?

Photo by: DonnaM

Posted by DonnaM for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from DonnaM and the rest of the Buy-Her women!

If you're traveling with baby and looking for accessories, the Parent Pod could work.

Oh, yeah, I’m about to get hugely unfashionable and do a review of a diaper bag.

I want you to know, though, that I hate diaper bags, and I rarely carry them.  I’ve somehow gotten through five years and two children by converting oversized handbags into storage for snacks, diapers, wipes, and all the other baby stuff mommies are supposed to be carting around with them at all times.  The makeshift mommying hasn’t spared my friends of having to listen patiently as I grumble about the animal cracker crumbs at the bottom of my handbag or the juice stains on an otherwise rockin’ purse.  I assume that this is what made me a likely candidate for a gift of the Bella Tunno Wee Whimsy Parent Pod which as it turns out is less of a diaper bag and more of a cute travel accessory.

Anyway, I got the bag as a present and you’re going to hear all about it.   

You’re welcome.

Made of a durable fabric in a variety of lovely prints, the Parent Pod comes with a trifold changing pad that fits neatly in the bag, a travel case for wipes and also folds out much like a travel toiletry bag that can be hung up on a hook.  I was excited way beyond the realm of sanity about this “hanging up” option because I loathe fumbling through my bag for diapers and wipes while trying to contain a baby in a public bathroom.  Basically, I loved the idea of being able to hang up the bag and being able to access and see everything right away.

Unfortunately, this version of the Parent Pod only adequately accommodates flat items such as diapers and wipes… and um, well, diapers and wipes.  It absolutely will not hold items such as: sippy cups, small containers of cheerios, juice boxes or my overly huge wallet.  In all fairness, I can fit all of those things in the compartments in the bag, but when I try to fold it back up, it basically looks like a I have all my stuff rolled in a lumpy blanket.  Might as well just carry a diaper bag, right?

I will say that this bag is highly useful if you’re traveling and are staying in a hotel or at someone’s house.  My sister in law has one, and while she was staying with us, she unfolded it, hung it up on a towel rack and placed all of her baby’s stuff in there.  It was a nice, compact portable baby center.  That’s most likely how I’ll end up using it, too.  In the meantime, my purses are just going to have to keep doubling for diaper bags in the day to day.

All that said, Bella Tunno’s main site has some of the cutest baby stuff ever and plenty of excellent options for my sisters in diaper bag denial, so if you’re looking for yourself or a friend, it’s totally worth browsing.

Posted by Faiqa for Buy-Her.com.

Like us on Facebook to get the inside scoop from Faiqa and the rest of the Buy-Her women!