Travel Must Haves

I have been racking up the frequent flyer miles in the past year based on the location of loved ones.  There are a few items which I cannot travel without.  Of course they are all easily found on the internet or in stores.  Plus are light and take up very little space.

If you are like me you cannot keep your eyes open on the plane long enough to get your beverage, and are parched upon waking.   I have a great solution even though we all know that you can't bring a drink into the airport.

The vapor water bottle is one of the best purchases I have ever made.  They typically cost less than $10 for the 0.5L reusable bottle.  It stands up when full and is completely rollable when empty.  It is BPA free which is a plus.  The carabiner makes easy to clip on the outside of your bag.

Many airport now have filling stations when you get past security.  No more carrying a crusty old empty water bottle, to keep hydrated on the long flights.

I love those neck pillows that keep your head from hitting the window or ending up on other people shoulders.  The only draw back to them is they are huge and unwieldily.  Here is a cheap and smaller alternative.

Ikea has developed a travel line.  Go figure, they have everything else.  The neck pillow, Upptacka, is inflatable.  So it rolls up into a mesh bag about the size of a soda can.  The internal bladder can even be removed and the cover washed.  Since you are blowing it up you can make it as firm or soft as you like.  It is a mere $5 if you do not have an Ikea family card and $4 if you don't.  They even come in 5 colors, I have the yellow-orange.

The next two products I will admit I use everyday and not just for travel.

 I like to sleep in complete darkness and we all know that is not possible on a flight.  So an eye mask is a must.  They even provide them on red-eye international flights.  However, most are thin and don't block out enough light.  Not this one, it is actually made for migraine suffers and it the best one I have ever had.

The IMAK face mask is filled with ergonomic beads so it conforms to your face without pressure points.  You can even freeze it for cool comfort when at home.  They run about $15, and can be found at drugstore.com.

My last favorite is a new Burt's Bees invention, tinted lip balm.  I am a lipgloss junkie and hate having to stash it in my checked luggage so as not to loose it to security.  After a flight your lips are often dry from the recycled air, so lip balm is a must.  Of course you want to try and look half human when you meet people on the other side of your travel.

It comes in six sheer shades that will complement most any skin tone.  Of course it nourishes like a Burt's Bees product should.

If you have this products will leave your flight well rested, hydrated and beautiful.

Pocket Screwdriver

Have you ever found yourself in a situation when you need a screwdriver just to tighten something up.  I am constantly annoyed by a loose drawer handle or something else that is just not right.  These are the best invention I have seen in a long time.   

This little gem fits on any key ring and will not let you down. The ring can be rotated to fit flat head screws whose channel is 0.030 to 0.090 inches wide.   

The only unfortunate thing is that they only buy them by the dozen.  Then again you can be like me and give one to everyone you know could appreciate one.  The dozen is only $9.95 at Lee Valley.

Teacher Gifts Part II

Last year around this time I wrote a blog entry about teacher gifts.  Being a teacher we always receive the same things and of course we know we are hard to buy for.  We look forward to the gifts every year.  It makes us feel loved and appreciated in a profession that does not always make us feel that way.

Last year I stated some do's and don'ts which you can read from the above link.  This year I decided to do an Oprah's style favorite things.  These gifts can be used by all and are not necessarily just for teachers.

1. Personalized Stationary - I write so many letters and get just giddy about having personalized stationary. I recently ordered this pattern from Paper Culture.  The cards are on a heavy stock and come so quickly.  For every order they pledge to plant a tree.  Makes me want to order lots more.

2. Reusable Shopping Bags - I know, it sounds like Envirosax is paying me, but I can't get enough of them.  I have 3 regular sax, a sling sax, and a mini sax (I use as a lunch bag).  They weigh about an ounce and can be easily carried every where.  They are sturdy and can hold about 44 pounds, not that you want to carry that much.  I have even gotten the tiniest hole in my original bag and it is still the size of a pin point years later.  Everyone I have given one to has adored them as much as me.

3. Personalized Stamps - I was given a gift certificate to the Three Designing Women website.  I ordered the stamp featured on the side with "This Book Belongs To  ......" instead of the address.  I am actually thinking of ordering an address stamps and a monogram version to use on stationary.  This company offers interchangeable stamps and stationary that is made to have a stamp used with it.  I just love personalization.


Enjoy!

Envirosax Sling

We all know I love my Envirosax.  They are light and easy to carry with you all the time.  Plus are amazingly durable.  Well they came out with a new style.  The Envirosax sling.

This bag has two free straps that you can tie to any length, which means you can make it fit your body perfectly.  It still rolls like the original, however it is a bigger roll and does not roll as neatly.  Because of the design there is a deep pocket on the outside where the fabrics meet.  It is actually the perfect size for a bottle of wine.  If you want to seal the bag when traveling you can tie the bag closed and fit it under the seat in front of you.

I love the bag, but I don't think I will be carrying it at the bottom of my purse like the others.  I don't carry the biggest purses and this one takes up too much room.  I will only have it when I know that I will be using it.

If you are interested in buying this bag or the other bags I have reviewed go to this site.  Now through the 28th of November the original bags are 50% off.  I know they can be hard to find outside of the internet, but they are well worth it.

Kindle vs. Nook

So over the past year my family has been in possession of the Kindle 3g and the Nook Color.  Even though both companies have come out with new versions.  I feel some people may still want to know the differences between the two.

VS. 

We originally had the kindle with the 3g and keyboard.  The keyboard makes typing easy.  However, I find it hard to scroll through websites and lists since you can only use the four directional keys.  The 3g means that internet is always available, which is a plus.  I will admit that when the ink layer changes it makes me feel a little sick to my stomach.  The screen is glare free but you need to buy a light to accompany it to read at night.

I purchased the nook color not long after having the kindle in my life.  It works like a tablet computer.  You can have music, pictures, apps, books and magazines on this device.  The nook even reads children's books out loud.  I prefer the search options on the nook since I am able to see the covers of the books.  I sometime cannot remember the exact name of the book and the cover always helps me find it.  The magazine subscriptions are reasonably priced and are beautiful to look at.  Another advantage is you can download e-pub books for free from you local library and read for free.  The screen can have glare in the sun, but most people like myself will purchase a screen guard for the touch screen.  The major disadvantage is that you must be in range of internet in order to download new books.

Overall, I prefer the nook.  I cannot comment on the new versions of either, but you can look at the lists below and make the decision for yourself.

      Kindle                                                   Nook_______________________________

      Black and White                                   Color

      Keyboard                                              Touch screen keyboard

      Scrolling using directionals                   Touch scrolling

      3g wireless available                             Must be in internet range

      No glare                                                Needs screen/glare protector

      Needs light to read at night                   Back lit

      Cannot download from libraries           Free books from library

                                                                   Magazines

                                                                   Apps

                                                                   Pictures

                                                                   Music

Charms City Company

A friend from college started this jewelry line using reclaimed items.  The items include skeleton keys, key holes, bottle openers (Natty Boh), and scrabble tiles.  The items have a hint of whimsy and a bit of roughness because they are used in their original state.

You can find the jewelry in stores on the East coast but you can also find them on their own site or at their Etsy site.  The items below are the ones I have purchased.

Whenever I wear this key I get tons of compliments.

I purchased this for my mother, it hangs off center when you wear it.

The Wild Unknown

A mysterious tube arrived in the mail for my mother, I am normally notified to watch for packages but not this time.  When she saw the tube she was visibly excited, and opened it up to the most beautiful silk screened print.

This artist creates amazing silk screen prints, but this one is very important.  Her sister and her fiancée's house burned to the ground.  All proceeds of this project are helping to build their life again.  You can buy the print for $50 or choose the $50 print plus a donation.

After purchasing the print my mother received a hand written thank you card for the support and donation.  Please take a look at the link and I am sure you will want to purchase the aptly named "home" print.

http://www.thewildunknown.com/print_details/home_print.html

Eos Lip Sphere

I read about this lip balm in many magazines, but thought is seemed a little weird.  Why would I want my lip balm in the shape of an egg?  Believe it or not it is perfect, you can use it in an direction you want.  The fact that it is 100% natural and 95% organic is always appealing.  The lip balm stays on without being sticky and stays on for an amazing amount of time.  I have the summer fruit flavor and it makes me think of warmer times even though there is about 3 feet of snow and ice outside.

You can find these in many stores or through their website Evolution of Smooth.  

Teacher Gifts

Ok, so it is that time again and I don't want to sound like an ungrateful teacher but I might lose it if I get another mug and/or tote bag.  I know that it can be hard to come up with teacher gifts so I am going to give you a few do's and don'ts for the best teacher gifts.  Well in my humble opinion, anyway.

1. Don't give mugs or tote bags.  You may think they are cute and that we can use them.  We use the numerous mugs to hold pencils, markers, paintbrushes, etc.  There are only so many you can use.  The same with the totes, unless they are like the Envirosax in my earlier posts please think again.

2. Don't give flavored coffee, regular coffee or tea unless you know what the person drinks.  I am a tea drinker only and when I get coffee I have to re-gift it.  Even coffee can be an issue, if it is ground it might not be right for the teacher's machine at home.  Whole bean could be problematic if they don't have a grinder.  Do give a gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, you can always find something with those.

3. Don't give perfume or heavily scented body products, unless you know the teacher's signature scent.  I have two perfumes I have never used.  Do give lightly scented hand sanitizers and hand creams.

4. Don't give bank gift cards.   Believe it or not if you do not use the entire amount the first time, you may not be able to use the rest unless you contact the company.  You always have to know exactly what is on it.  You can give cash.

5. Don't give chocolates unless you know the teacher is a chocoholic.  We get so many boxes that we would go into sugar shock if we attempted to eat them all.  Not to mention if the teacher is diabetic they can't even partake.

That sounds like a lot of don'ts but, I promise there are some good do's coming up.

1. Do give stationary.  We go through so much stationary.  Thank yous and blank cards are perfect.  If you can get the stationary personalized even better.  I love the personalized stationary I have, and use it all the time

2. Do give monogrammed post-its.  We use post-its on everything.  Post-it makes letter stationary in various different sizes.

3. Do give gifts cards.

• Target is always a winner since you can get anything.
• Barnes & Noble carries books, dvds and cds
• Teacher stores (find them locally)
• Scholastic gift cards
• Staples are always useful when we run out of classroom supplies and are purchasing out of our pockets.
• Local restaurants the teachers frequent.
• Shops you know they frequent.  Two parents were very in tune with my clothes and accessories and got me gift cards to my favorite stores.  If you are very attentive you can make a teacher's day by getting that thoughtful gift card.

4. Do give cash, it is always good.

5. Do make sure to include a thoughtful card or letter explaining your appreciation and/or the growth you have seen in your child.  Those are the things we keep and cherish.

The best and most inexpensive gift you can give a teacher is a letter to their principal or district explaining what a great job they are doing.  Those letters actually get put in a file and are considered for tenure and teacher of the year awards.  Make sure you send the teacher a copy.  These mean the world to us.

Teaching is all about giving everything to the children you are teaching, so above all make sure the teacher knows you appreciate them.  

Netflix

I don't know why I haven't reviewed this before, since I have been addicted since I gave it to my brother as a gift last christmas.  Netflix is amazing!!!

I purchased the two disc at a time program and cannot be happier.  By having the two disc option you can always have a disc if you time your returns right.  When I am done the new disc usually arrives in two days. If you ever encounter a scratched or skipping disc you report it online and a new disc will be mailed instantly, without the original needing to arrive first.

I will admit the discs are not what makes me love netflix.

Instant play is the best decision ever made.  I bought a Roku which streams the video into  my HD tv.  Instant play has allowed me to catch up on tv that I have missed and see movies on a whim.  It is perfect for people with ADD.  You know the "Did you see ...., lets see if its on instant play?"

The price seems high but if you use the system the way we do it is totally worth it.  Everyday my netflix account is used.

If you are a movie lover you need to try this. http://www.netflix.com/FreeTrialInfo

Flip Camera

My mother decided to buy the Flip Camera for my brother's trip to the Dominican Republic.  He and I used it on our vacations.  The Flip Camera is easy to use and produces amazing HD video.  I will admit I was a little quick with the panning and my brother was a little jumpy.  I think that all cameras take some getting used to, but the results are amazing.

You can check it out on their home page.

My only complaints are that the camera only charges through your laptop.   As well as every time you erase what is in the camera it starts naming the videos with 00001 again.  Therefore as soon as you download the videos you must name them, otherwise they will be replaced by the new one each time.

J2 Jewelry

I am in love with J2 Jewelry, I have purchased two necklaces for myself and one as a gift.  I was playing on Etsy one day when I can across a honeycomb necklace.  I thought about it and searched for it months later.  The honey omb necklace was being made by J2 Jewelry.  I only wear silver and almost all of the products are silver.  Items are made to order and can be customized.

Here are the items that I have ordered:

Podling

The podling is about the size of a dime and sits in the perfect spot on your neck.  It is wonderfully sparkling on the inside and gives a little hint  fun.

Button

The button is just as tiny but with amazing detail.  It has been cast from an antique button the artist found.

Honeycomb

The necklace that started it all is the honeycomb.  It is big enough to make an impact and intrigues others to look at the intricate details.

Every time I have ordered I have received the jewelry in 3 days.  They come in a cute little box with an adorable handmade tag.  The artist always writes a little note that gives you a connection J2 and their jewelry.

Please check out her home page on Etsy and look at these wonderful little treasures.J2 Jewelry

Envirosax

I don't proclaim to be the greenest person, but there are things that I do that are green.  I have many different reusable bags, ones that stand on their own but can't be rolled up. Bags that are kept in pouches when not in use, that always have shoulder straps that seem long enough until filled with groceries. They each have their flaws. I LOVE envirosax. www.envirosax.com

I cannot find one flaw with the envirosax bags. The bag rolls up to about 4 inches by 1.5 inches.

 

When open it is 19.5 x 16.5 inches. Believe it or not this bag can hold 44 lbs and only weighs 1.4 oz.

 I have tested it over the past three years and it has never failed. I have carried anything from groceries to library books. They are completely washable!!!

The best part about these bags is you can have a collection in your purse at all times. Which means you never forget to bring them. I usually have three on me at all times. That 5 additional ounces is never noticed in the purse. So whether you know you are going to need them, or you just happen to need one you are always ready.

They come in all sorts of colors and patterns. There are collections but I purchased all of mine at different times so they don't match. There are bags for kids too, even Sesame Street themed.

Give these bags a try and you will never go back.