My Favorite Travel Items

Tomorrow we are off on a little family vacation. I can't wait to get away for a few days. My packing tends to be a bit different when I fly than when I take a road trip. Since airline rules have gotten more stringent, I have reduced my carry on items considerably. If I check my suitcase, I usually only take one bag on the plane with me. My on board bag contains the items I'll need in flight. Everything else gets packed. I thought I'd share a few of my must haves for travel.

Clockwise from the top: Coach Chelsea Shopper, Love Quotes Rayon Scarf, Mary Kay Satin Lips Balm, Fashion Mags, Headphones with retractable cord, iPhone, Bobble, Gum

I have a Coach tote that I purchased at Marshall's more than 15 years ago.  It was a little pricey for me at the time, even though it was a great deal. The bag has paid for itself many times over and it still looks great. I can fit all of my purse essentials as well as my travel items, even my magazines. Because of this awesome tote, I only have one carry on (when I check my suitcase). They no longer make the style I own but the Chelsea Shopper is similar.

Last spring I snagged a Love Quotes scarf during a shopping trip to Loehmann's.  I own quite a few pashmina type scarves that I purchased from street vendors for about $10. I hesitated to buy the Love Quotes scarf because it was $35 (which was a steal, they sell for $70+) and most of my similar scarves cost less that $20. Now I regret not purchasing it in a few other colors. It's the softest and largest pashmina type scarf that I own. It's perfect for travel.  It serves as a regular scarf when it's chilly but also as a blanket or wrap on the plane. I use this scarf constantly and it still looks brand new. If you can find one for that amazing price, good for you!  It would have been a great purchase even if I'd paid full price. I highly recommend purchasing one.

My lips always get so dry on an airplane. As much as I love lipstick, I don't usually wear it on a long flight.  Lip balm is much better for me. Mary Kay Satin Lips, lip balm is my all time favorite.  It's super moisturizing, without being greasy and it lasts.

I can't believe that I've managed to save the March issues of Vogue and Harper's Bazaarfor this trip.  I haven't looked at them at all.  It's an amazing exercise in restraint. I usually open them as soon as they arrive. I've even surprised myself.

A few years ago my sister gave me a pair of headphones with a retractable cord. My headphones always got tangled in my bag before I got this pair. I love them.

Music, videos, audio books, Kindle app, all on my iPhone.  Enough said.

Ear popping is one of my least favorite parts of air travel.  I always carry gum with me and chew during take off.  It helps me tremendously. 

I drink tons of water but hate to purchase bottled water.  Many bottled waters are just filtered tap water.  They charge a fortune for bottles of water at the airport, not to mention the waste of throwing the bottle away when you are done.  The Bobble, is a reusable water bottle with a built in filter.  You fill it with water from a faucet or water fountain and as you drink, the water is filtered. It's a fantastic invention.

I will be traveling until Monday.  I'm going to try to do a few posts from the road about my travels.  You can also follow me on twitter.

Frugal Fashion Friday - Last Minute Gifts for a Bargain

Have you ever gotten a gift from someone you didn't expect and felt the need to return the favor?  Or left someone off your Holiday list? Or just waited until the last minute to buy a gift and had to scramble? I have and it can throw even the most seasoned shopper into a panic. The thought of running to the store at the last minute, giving a terrible gift or going empty handed is the worst.  Gift cards can be a good solution. They are sold in every grocery and drugstore. But I think that with a little creativity a quick trip to the grocery or drugstore can yield a more personal gift. .

Clockwise from Top Left - For the Reader, For the Wine Lover, For the Traveler,  For the Movie Lover, For the Beauty Girl

• For the Reader - A Subscription to a Magazine: Pick up a magazine they will love from the store. Fill out the pre-paid card and drop it in the mailbox.  Wrap the magazine and attach a little card letting them know they will getting a gift subscription.
• For the Wine Lover - A Great Bottle of Wine and a Corkscrew: Pick their favorite bottle, red or white and grab a corkscrew.  Even grocery stores sell corkscrews.  
• For the Traveler - A Travel Case and Travel Size Toiletries:  Every drugstore has a nice selection of travel bags and sample size shampoos, lotions, and fragrances. Pick a pretty bag and pack it with all of their favorite items or new things they could try. Then the next time they hop on a flight, they'll think of you.
• For the Movie Lover - A Bag Filled with a DVD, Popcorn, Candy and Sodas: Grab a container or gift bag and pack it with a fun cult movie, like Rocky Horror, microwave popcorn, their favorite candy, and their favorite sodas.  
• For the Beauty Girl - A Container Filled with Everything they Need for a Manicure: Grab a cute bag or bin and fill it with fun nail polish, nail files, cuticle cream, polish remover, clippers, and any other manicure goodies you can think of. 

All of these items can be found at your corner grocery or drugstore.  With just a little thought, you can come up with a fun gift for anyone.  It will be a personal gift and you won't spend a fortune.

Happy Holidays and Happy Last Minute Shopping

Real Girls!!