Friday, July 30, 2010

Travel Tips

green suitcase
green suitcase,
originally uploaded by painting faces.
I have an upcoming trip and wanted to share a few tips that I've acquired in my travels AND in my time in the travel industry.

Airlines have become unpredictable in a few ways. And I've found a few things to counteract their unpredictableness.

As a teenager, I flew for the very first time. As a rookie traveler, I had all my clothes, makeup and even my mothers wedding rings packed into my suitcase. Luckily, when I woke the morning of flight I had an impulse to remove those rings and put them on my finger instead. I say 'luckily' because when I landed at my destination, it turned out that my bag had landed there hours before me. And being that said bag was a standard BLACK piece, someone else walked off with it. And I've still never seen it again, over 10 years later.

From there forward, I've traveled with more recognizable pieces. It's not as easy for a thief to pick up my current lime green with florescent yellow tag and get away with it unnoticed. ...Curling ribbon doesn't always do the trick for setting your black bag apart from the other black bags, either. Get creative! Use an old necktie luggage tag, paint your favorite saying across the front, get a funky design or color as I have.

Avoid some of the baggage blunders that Smart Money has pointed out about baggage handlers!

Statistics show that airlines lose over 10,000 bags every day. Holy Moly, Batman.. That's a LOT of bags. And what happens if yours is one of those? Possibly ending up in Paris, Texas instead of Paris, France? Then what?

Some may argue that travel insurance is a waste, but time and time again, I see an otherwise horrible situation (to the traveler) be corrected in a mere phone call or two. Travel Guard's policies have a delay coverage. Meaning even if it's lost for only a day, you could get compensation on the underwear and toothbrush you needed to purchase to get you through!

I've also learned to not showcase my insurance purchase on the outside of my luggage, but rather tuck the identification card in one of the front pouches. I had a friend who used to throw bags and let me know that if you brag outwardly about your insurance, baggage handlers may be more inclined to open your bag and take something that their wife might like for her birthday. Just sayin'.... be discrete.

If you are unable to get everything you need into a carry-on plus one personal bag (which to me translates to my smaller rolly-luggage plus a REALLY big purse), be sure to not put EVERYTHING into your checked piece. If yours doesn't show up, you don't want to be completely S.O.L. for your entire trip. Throw a 3-1-1 bag into your purse so you at least have something. And if you're like I will soon be and traveling to see clients, travel ready to see clients. You'll be presentable even if your bags don't arrive.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Playing Dirty

I recently chopped my hair.  My hair's usually hovered right around my shoulders, but being completely frustrated, I decided to hack it.  Probably won't maintain the shortness for long, but in the mean time, I must gush about a product that my stylist suggested.  If you've never read my blog before, you must know that I'm all about a cost effective alternative.  I will be searching for one to replace my current Sexy Hair addiction, but for now, check this stuff out!  


Because my hair is short, ranging from about an inch long to about two or three at it's very longest, I needed something virtually weightless to be able to move my hair around and still give it some texture.  As boasted on the website, Play Dirty gives you a 'Second Day' kind of look.  And now that I'm checking out their site, I may have to go back for more of the short hair collection!  

Monday, July 19, 2010

Avoiding Beach Blunders

I'm on vacation today from my real job, about to head to the beach with my best friend and her little one.  And in honor of a day in the sun, I thought I'd share with you some Yay's and Nay's of beach style.  ...and since moving to a small town in the middle of nowhere, I've got quite a list going of the Nay's.


-Although I appreciate a good message T-shirt as much as the next person (in small quantities), please leave your Just Ride Me shirt at home.  Especially if you're going to actually swim in it...and think you'll cut off the sleeves for a little added sumthin'-sumthin'.


-I fully support the Tankini revolution.  Cute designs with a bit more modesty, or forgiveness for those with lovely lady lumps. There are so many ways to flaunt this style at the beach! Be sure to get bottoms that fit, though.  No need to turn a Do into a DON'T! just by having quad-cheeks or the ever dreaded 24hour hang-over.


-Usually not a fan of swimming in actual shorts (only the boy-short bikini bottom kind), the cutest girl on the beach last weekend was a mommy with a turquoise blue bikini top and plaid turquoise blue short cotton shorts.  Running after her kids with her curly hair in a pony, her laid back. yet conscious style made her the one to aspire to be like.  Whether it's a cute pair of shorts or a full dress, cover-ups are a potential make or break.  A cute cotton dress is as good as a marketed-as cover-up!


-Realizing that some have better swimsuit bodies than others, but blinding me with your suit to show off your amazing body is almost rude.  The 80's are over, but if you insist on a bright color, leave the florescent yellow to the highlighter companies and try one of these beautiful suits out.  An even bigger statement would be to find a bold pattern or print than a shocking color.


__

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Skin - your largest organ!

Bottom Line, it's your outer shell, so take care of it!  Most know that smoking, sun and stress are issues for your skin's health.  But did you know that your lip balm could be causing your skin to be losing it's oomph?  Check out things that are deteriorating your skin's health - and of course, the ways you can fix them!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Lipstick Staying Power

red lipstick
red lipstick,
originally uploaded by painting faces.
Ever put on that amazing shade of lipstick and then it only stays around the outer rim of your lips during the day while you have meals and drinks? Here's a quick trick to make it stay for the entire day without the inside wearing off - at least not too badly. I do recommend grabbing the tube of color and keeping it with you in case you need a touch up.


But to avoid too many of those, when you put the initial coat of color on, take your face powder and dip your blusher brush in. Tap off any access powder and gently pat the brush on your lips. this will make the initial coat act like a lip stain.


Be sure not to put too much on as the powder may clump on you. Then, put a second coat of lipstick on and you're set for the day.


Careful with your brush - next time you use it, it may have a bit of your color on it from your lips, so be sure to clean that off. Could even use it as your blush for the day!

___

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Summer Beauty Blunders

Do you find yourself trying to pull off these beauty mistakes when it gets warm outside?  Don't worry, check out how to fix these gaffes!


__

Monday, July 5, 2010

Light looks Dark

For some reason, my legs never get as tan as my upper body in the summer.  To create the illusion of my feet and legs being darker than they really are, I make sure that my toes are painted a light hue.  I have a pale pink on them now, making my feet appear to be as tan as I hoped they actually are.  Try a nude, sand, pearl or peach color this summer.  


__