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.

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5 Gifts For Travelers

The Perfect Gift For The Traveler On Your List

1. Cute Passport Cover- Going through immigration can be a drag, but a whimsical passport cover will bring a smile to her face even while she’s waiting in line. This is not only useful, it’s quirky, colorful and fun. The bonus is that she’ll think of you every time she pulls it out of her bag. Whether or not this will translate into her taking you with on the next trip, I can’t say. But it couldn’t hurt your chances.

2. Standout Luggage Tags – Everyone’s got a lime green or red luggage tag these days, but not everyone has smart-ass luggage tag. She’ll be able to find her hides-marks-really-well-when-you-travel-a-lot black suitcase in a crowd of them. And maybe it will even help her meet that cute guy in seat 12a.

3. Travel Makeup Brushes – The whole makeup thing may be the most irritating part of negotiating travel. What to bring, what to leave home. Hauling a set of expensive makeup brushes may not make the cut. Enter this kit. A great set of brushes in a neat travel pouch that will stand upright on it’s own on a crowded hotel vanity. A great, inexpensive gift that will get used again and again. At least it would if it were mine.

4. Scratch-Off Wall Map – This cool map will help her keep track of where she’s been, even if she can’t remember. This is also a great gift for kids or anyone who’s got a travel wish list. Just scratch the gold coating off the countries you’ve visited, revealing the blue underneath. When the whole map’s blue, you’re done!

5. Go Clean Bag – Dirty, wet, smelly clothes can really stink up a suitcase—and the clean stuff inside of it. Problem solved with one of these clever bags. They’re made of a heavyweight nylon that keeps dirt and odor inside. The drawstring laundry version comes in its own zippered bag, compact and ready to pack. It’s handy to haul to the laundromat when you’re on a long trip, too. Other versions include the wet suit bag, shoe bag and miscellaneous stuff bag. You can also get a set of their most popular bags packed in one kit; you’ll be giving the gift of a clean, fresh, organized suitcase, and nothing says love more than that. Does it?

Featured photo credit

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

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The Garmin nüvi Is A great Inexpensive GPS

I have owned the Garmin nüvi 285W/285WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic for over a year. I bought it when I was frustrated that my old refurbished Garmin couldn’t find an address to a friend’s house and upgrading the map would cost $99, almost the entire cost of the refurbished GPS. I like my GPS, if you’re looking for one that’s fairly inexpensive, super compact, has good maps, has a pleasant computerized voice selection, and is Internet capable if you want to pay for it.
Being the paranoid geek that I am, I have never quite trusted any GPS fully. I will always click forward in the directions to see exactly where it’s taking me. And sometimes even when the GPS seems to be taking me the same way it always takes me to places I go to infrequently enough so I need a GPS, sometimes it plays a dirty, dirty trick on me and takes me through the Lincoln Tunnel during rush hour traffic. Not a happy camper when that happens, I assure you.

So, why does it do that sometimes?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. The device we use to get directions is actually called a GPS receiver, but we all say GPS so let’s keep the trend going. It locates 4 or more of the 24 functional GPS satellites in our orbit then trilaterates with them to determine its own position. Wikipedia explains that “trilateration methods involve the determination of absolute or relative locations of points by measurement of distances, using the geometry of spheres or triangles.” Once it can do that it knows from the maps how to get from here to there, but staying within satellite signal range is super important because loss of satellite signal range means your GPS suddenly doesn’t know where it is anymore and no longer knows how to get where it’s going.

Right now through February 22, 2011 the United States Department of Defense is doing GPS tests in the Atlantic Ocean.

US Department of Defense Is Performing GPS Tests Through February 22, 2011

What kind of GPS tests? The kind that interfere with your GPS. The kind that make the satellites not correctly report how to get to your destination. These tests look to be as far reaching West as Alabama and North as Virginia. That’s no laughing matter. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued flight advisories for pilots, and really this warning goes out to you too: If you’re planning to travel in the southeast portion of the United States between now and February 22 you should have paper maps or other verified direction sources to any destinations you need help arriving to.

Are you wondering why the Department of Defense is allowed to do GPS tests that affect our GPS? Well, I’ll tell you why: It’s because they invented it in 1973 when other navigation systems were lacking. If you invent something and own it and want it to continue to be useful you have to test and improve it, so that’s what they’re doing. Or, at least, I assume that’s what they’re doing, because what they’re doing exactly is confidential.
And I’ll throw in my paranoid 2 cents: You should always have a backup paper map or verified direction source. You never know when technology will blink out or when those crazy people who like to ruin people’s day will get inside your GPS and monkey with it. (Did anyone else see that CSI: Miami episode? That’s no joke, that’s real.)

The Garmin Carrying Case Is Sleek And Compact

If you’ve gotten all the way to the bottom of this post and still want a GPS recommendation, I definitely do recommend the Garmin nüvi 285W/285WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic. And I definitely also recommend the Garmin 4.3″ Carrying Case to protect it. There are newer models of the nüvi since I bought mine, but the price will definitely be higher so if price is super important consider buying this model over the newest.
Do you own a GPS? Do you rely on it completely for directions to your destination? Or do you travel with backup methods of getting from point A to point B?

Garmin images: Amazon
GPS test are image: Engadget

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You don't have to let your fitness routine go by the wayside when you travel.

Traveling can often throw a giant monkey wrench in your fitness plan.  You are out of your element, your routine is disturbed, and you usually don’t get to cook your own food.  Still, it is possible to travel and stay on top of your fitness game.  It just requires a little creativity.

Six Ways To Stick To Your Fitness Plan While Traveling

1. Running: The only equipment running requires is a pair of shoes, so it’s probably the easiest fitness activity to take on the road, no pun intended.  Talk to the hotel staff about safe routes and stay in well-lit areas, and you can travel for work or play without interrupting your fitness plan at all.
2. Swimming: If your hotel has an indoor swimming pool you can swim regardless of the weather conditions.  You won’t even miss the small amount of space your swimsuit and a pair of goggles will take up in your suitcase, and the bonus? You don’t have to wash all those wet towels!  Lap swimming is a great way to stay in your fitness groove when you’re in an unfamiliar area and the weather is frightful.
3. Hotel Gym: Most hotels now offer fitness rooms.  They range in size from just a treadmill with a TV mounted on the wall to full-sized weight rooms.  Most people don’t take advantage of this amenity, so more often than not you will have the room to yourself.
4. DVDs: There are a lot of fitness DVDs that don’t require extra equipment like dumbbells. Pop one of these in your laptop DVD player and you are good to go in the comfort and privacy of your room.  If you can fit a tightly rolled mat into your suitcase, even better!
5. Stairs: Another fitness option is to run the stairs in the hotel.  Again, all you need for this is a pair of shoes.  Stairs get your heart rate moving in a really short amount of time so you get a lot of bang for your exercise buck with them.  I just wouldn’t do it during sleeping hours or you might have some irritated fellow guests.
6. Affiliate Gyms: Do you have a gym membership at home?  Check with them to see if they have an affiliate program with locations at your travel destination. Often even if they don’t have your gym in that city, they will be a member of a larger collective of fitness centers that allow travel between the different locations.

You might have to do a little advance reconnaissance, but you can absolutely maintain your exercise plan while on the road.  It takes a little more dedication to fit it in a busy schedule, but it can be done.  Coming home from a vacation or business trip without having to dread the scale is totally worth the effort.

Featured Photo: Mamboman1

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Venus Spa Breeze

The bane of my travel existence is the flingin’ flangin’ restriction on liquids in your carry on bag. I feel like everything in my beauty arsenal is a liquid or a gel. Sigh. I always get a bad rap for being high maintenance when I travel because I NEVER carry a bag on. I simply cannot comply with the liquids restriction, and if I’m going to have to pay to check a bag anyway, you bet your ass I’m going to cram that bitch full of everything I could possibly think of needing while I’m away. But the Venus Spa Breeze disposable razor may have changed all that. Well, at least somewhat.

Recently I went on an amazing trip to Italy and Croatia, and I was determined that I was going to carry on my bag. Since we weren’t staying in one spot, I knew I’d be schlepping my bag a lot, and I didn’t want to be schlepping my huge suitcase. And so I found myself on a mission to remove as many liquids from my list of necessities as possible. I was ruthless in the cuts I made. I even bought cheap drugstore makeup that doesn’t require all the liquids and powders I normally use.

In my hunt, I discovered the Venus Spa Breeze. (I found mine at Target, but I am sure you can find it many other places.) And guess what? It has built in shave gel bars, so you don’t need a separate LIQUID shave gel. I had to try that. It was like Gillette had been reading my diary or something. But I knew better than to get my hopes up too much. I had every expectation that I’d be suffering from some pretty bad razor burn on my first attempt.

My first morning, in a very weird shower in a hotel in Venice, I had to shave under my arms. And that’s when I knew that I’d never buy another travel size can of shave gel again in my life. I was so pleasantly surprised at how it didn’t hurt to shave without a “real” shave gel. The next day, my legs got in on the action, and I was so happy with the results. I even forgot to put lotion on after that shave and my legs felt fine. I was so pleasantly surprised that I knew then and there that when I got home I was going to have to write this review. A good shave, and the elimination of a liquid from my travel supplies? Win-win, in my book!

This product also comes in a non-disposable form – with cartridges that you use I suppose until the shave gel bars run out and then you replace. I actually am thinking of giving those a try the next time I need razor cartridges. Can you imagine? A world without shave gel at all?

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Wm. J. Mills Parachute Bag In Storm Grey

No matter how big our purse is, sometimes it just isn’t big enough. Laptops, cameras, water bottles, planners, and sunglasses are all necessities (or maybe I just carry everything but the kitchen sink around with me) and there’s no reason why we can’t carry everything in style.

The Parachute Bag from Wm. J. Mills & Co. is a chic messenger bag, a sturdy briefcase, and a versatile travel bag that is perfect for weekend adventures and business meetings.

This bag is machine washable and wears like your favorite pair of jeans. Plenty of pockets help keep you organized with room to spare. 20 classic color combination as well as hand and shoulder straps, make the Parachute Bag a wardrobe staple for both its style and versatility.

I love Wm. J. Mills & Co. for the quality of their products and the integrity of their company. Founded in 1880 and still run by the same family, they are the oldest operating sailmaker in America. Lucky for us fashionistas, they branched out and have been using their impeccable craftsmanship with canvas to create timeless bags.

The Parachute Bag is available online, at the Wm. J. Mills & Co. Greenport, NY store and exclusively at Henri Bendel in NYC on 5^th Avenue (how’s that for chi-chi?!).

Now comes the part you’ve all been waiting for (I know I’ve been waiting to tell you!). Wm. J. Mills & Co. has offered a Parachute Bag for one lucky reader! This chic wardrobe staple is worth $225!

All you have to do to enter is answer…

Where would you take your Parachute Bag?

Submit your comment by Monday, November 1^st. We’ll draw a random number on Tuesday, November 2^nd, and the winner will be contacted by email.

Please take a second to like Wm. J. Mills & Co. on Facebook for offering this fantastic giveaway and to keep up to date on all their latest products.

This is a sponsored giveaway. Prize will ship directly from sponsor. Winner will have their choice of colors. All bags are sewn to order, so please allow 1-2 weeks for prize to ship.

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"One Woman's Search For Everything..."

My friend Deanna sent me an instant message last week to see how I was doing.  I assured her that I was, still, doing fantastically awful.

And then she did the most annoying thing that people always do when they know you are feeling awful.

She recommended a book to me.

I don’t know why I didn’t punch Deanna.  Maybe because she was instant messaging me from Canada, and I have yet to figure out the emoticon for “punch in face through computer”.  Maybe because I really kind of love her.  Or maybe because, for some odd reason, my mental response was actually something along the lines of “I think you need this right now.”

Don’t ask me why.

I don’t know why I didn’t roll my eyes or immediately forget the name of that book.

What I do know is that I had $200 in my checking account, 24 hours until pay day, and a weekend conference I was leaving for that was going to require me to feed myself using a good chunk of that $200.

I stopped at Barnes & Noble on my way to the hotel and bought that damn book anyway.

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Read the rest of A Book For Wounded Souls

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I’ve also never attended a birthday party for my kids, stayed home for their first day of school, or gone on a family vacation.

As far as photographic evidence is concerned, I don’t exist.

I am not a neglectful mother.  I do, in fact, relish these memories with my children.  I just happen to be the only one who relishes them enough to take pictures. As the person behind the camera, it’s rare to find me in our family photos.

It’s also rare to find pictures of me traveling.  I have hundreds of pictures of buildings and landscapes and interesting tourist attractions.  But few of those photos feature me in any capacity other than “unseen photographer”.

But all of that is about to change thanks to the XShot.

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Read the rest of The XShot – So Mom Can Be In The Pictures Too

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How can you be good at traveling?

Watch someone who travels for business pack.  They never forget anything, they know what’s essential and what’s dead weight, and they’ve discovered all kinds of tips and tricks for making life out of a suitcase easier.

Whether you’re planning your first vacation in years, or cashing in your frequent flyer miles again, here’s a few things you can’t leave home without.

10 Things To Buy A Woman Who Travels

1. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Baggallini Hanging Cosmetic Bag

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Read the rest of 10 Things Every Woman Needs To Travel

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