Purrfect Backpack
Whether or not you've read Kim Parker's book Counting in the Garden, this cheerful kitty-cat backpack will surely bring a smile to your little one's face. It's just right for a holiday road trip or flight; the small pouch in the back can stash a pacifier or a few other small toys. Ages 3 and up, $24.95, www.scholasticstore.com |
Smart Snacks Hide n' Peek Chocolates
Learning is sweet with this matching set that looks just like a box of Valentine's Day candy. Made by Learning Resources, this playful product made of washable plastic parts will help your wee ones with shape and color recognition. We tested it out, and our little girls were thrilled to pieces. What a perfect first box of chocolates!
Ages 2-5, $15.95, www.learningresources.com |
Big Read for the Little Ones
Classic nursery rhymes never go out of style, and your tot will be mesmerized by the lovely illustrations inside this new rendering by Scott Gustafson. Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose will delight, whether it's given at Christmas or any time of year. Available wherever books are sold; $13.57 at www.amazon.com |
Think Pink on the Links
Give yourself the competitive edge and show your foursome you mean business with this Think Pink driver from Sweet Spot Golf. It comes with a 13-degree loft with a custom pink matrix shaft in five flex options. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. $349 at
www.sweetspotgolf.net |
Rooms with a Tune
Small enough to fit in your carry-on case with speakers loud enough to share with everyone in the room, the iPod Nano speaker from Brookstone is a wonderful gift this holiday season or anytime during the year! Running on a couple of batteries, this small speaker is perfect for traveling domestic or international. Now, wherever you go, you can turn your room into a relaxing space with the music you want to hear all without the need for earphones. Only $39 at Brookstone, how can you go wrong? |
Juno Babies Rock!
Moms and dads will actually enjoy listening to this CD from Juno Baby, with songs performed by live orchestral musicians. The Juno Baby site has DVDs as well, starring the Juno Baby cast of puppets. Each DVD has language tracks in English, French, and Spanish along with interactive features and language flash cards. $14.99 www.junobaby.com |
It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That String
We love recycling stories and were charmed by the concept of turning used guitar strings into jewelry. The
original RelixBands were created for the "Wear Your Music" charity campaign last year, with musicians like John
Mayer, Elvis Costello and The Shins donating their old strings. These bracelets just became available for $10 at www.wearyourmusic.org, with a portion of the proceeds going to MusiCares. |
"Lambgirl" for travelgirls!
Whether you're a city girl or a country gal, you gotta love this playful lambsuede bendable brim cowboy hat from Shred Alert. It's the perfect topping to your already cute outfit. Lambsuede is a 100% acrylic animal product alternative and the entire collection from beanies to bags to scarves is worth a look. You can hang this hat on your head for $48, from www.shredalert.com |
Crib-a-Go-Go
Wow! We are duly impressed, not only by the weight of this portable place for baby to rest, but also by the incredibly quick and easy set-up. It's still too big to carry on the plane with ease, but at only 11 pounds, your baby probably weighs more than this convenient snoozing site. $249.95 at www.babybjorn.com |
We Believe in Fairies Too!
These sterling silver pendants from Baroni Kids feature colorful nylon cords animals, fairies and engravings with "Princess" and "Love, Pray, Dream" that charmed us right away. The collection includes earrings and bracelets as well. There's an extensive collection for grown-up girls, all affordably priced. Visit www.baronidesigns.com for online retailers. |
Makes Me Feel Like a Natural Woman
We found tons of fun things in the prAna accessory collection, including a winter white scarf with pockets on
each end, perfect for stashing mittens or a hat. This environmentally conscious company sources many natural
fibers, including the hemp that is used to make this travel wallet. Now if only the credit cards we put in it
weren't plastic. Scarf is $38; travel wallet is $30 at www.prana.com |
Our Trailblazing Foremothers
Read about the original travelgirls in "Women Travelers: A Century of Trailblazing Adventures 1850-1950", by Alexandra Lapierre, edited by Christel Mouchard. You'll be intrigued and inspired by these women who traveled around the globe, back in the days before it was acceptable for a woman to stray too far past the corner market on her own. $29.70 at amazon.com |
Get a Candle on It
Add some drama and glamour to your gift list with candles from the environmentally friendly collection of former model DayNa Decker. Her candle sculptures are so luxe you will literally ooze over them yourself. For travelgirls who prefer green products, the candles' organic EcoWood™ wick burns cleanly and emits a soft crackling sound. From $49 at www.daynadecker.com for locations. |
It's Hip to Clip
These glamorous jeweled clip-ons are perfect for any travelgirl who already has too much stuff. We love clipping a pair of 22K Gold-plate CECELIA's to everything, from flip-flops to Jimmy Choos. The chic Swarovski-encrusted accessories also look adorable on swimsuits, the back of the Little Black Dress, belts, necklaces, clutches and even on pony tails. Talk about the ultimate travel gift! From $250/pair at www.ceceliashop.com |
In the Clutch
You'll rock any party this season with a PIAF gold metallic python clutch, created by young Atlanta designer Jada Loveless. Sure it's pricey, but you'll be the talk of the town, guaranteed! Designed with refined glamour, this uber-luxurious PIAF has a smoky quartz vermeil kiss lock and is worth holding on to. $3,295; check www.jadaloveless.com for locations. |
Party Ready in a Flash
Good hair days are essential for any travelgirl. But how do you manage your tresses on the road, especially if you're packing light? Considered the Rolls-Royce of flat irons and a favorite of celebrity stylists, CHI's new Wet to Dry Ceramic Flat Iron delivers amazing results in half the time it usually takes us to blow-dry and style our hair. You simply skip the blow-drying and sleek your locks the minute you emerge from the shower. We love the results and no-frizz do, especially after using the company's travel-size Silk Therapy products. $239.95 at www.farouk.com |
Polish Your Image
Forget navy blue nail polish (supposedly the "it" color this season) and go for the yummy palette of vegan lacquers that will re-awaken your senses and make you a SpaRitualist. The creators of 80+ colors at SpaRitual with great names like Air of Confidence, Winds of Change and Love is in the Air, believe that color will alter your mood and uplift your spirit. $9 at www.sparitual.com for locations |
When It's Good to Be Downsized!
A few holiday pounds are no worries for this year's holiday photos with the
HP Photosmart R967 digital camera. In addition to the slimming feature, you can also add borders and zoom up to 30 times. The camera is great for traveling because it has many editing options on the camera so you can edit your photos while you're still on your trip - a great way to pass the time during layovers or lengthy car trips! HP Photosmart R967 Digital Camera, $270 at www.amazon.com |
Twist It Your Way
Make your next trip more comfortable with the Twist Neck pillow, great for traveling in a car or a plane. Twist it into any shape you want and it stays there. Despite the name, it's also great to prop up your legs, for added support behind your back or even as a way to prop up baby. Twist it into a semi-circle and you have a support for your laptop. Comes in navy, ecru or lime. $19.99 at www.contourliving.com |
Capture Your Memories
Okay, so some of us aren't the crafty type and keep our photos jammed in a box that we'll get around to someday. Even those of us who are less than handy with the scissors can create an album suitable for gift giving with these mini Paper Albums from Creative Memories. The kits are available in a variety of patterns and come with stickers, mats and everything you need. Just add your photos and you've got a personalized, customized gift in no time. $15.00 at www.creativememories.com |
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Soften up those tootsies with these scrubs from Farm Fresh. Use the cute little spoon to place a dollop on your shopping- and party-weary feet to smooth out the rough edges and rejuvenate your feet for the next holiday activity. The trio includes jars with scents of Early Apple, Whipped Honey and Sweet Cream. $52 at www.summersoles.com/ |
Keeping Close to the Vest
Want to warm up without bulking up? Try one of these lightweight Peralto vests. And if you're in need of a quick
nap or just need to rest your head for a spell, you can fold the vest into an interior pocket to make a comfy
pillow. $76 at www.royalrobbins.com/ |
Tag, You're It!
These clever luggage tags from Mud Pie bring a little humor to that often tedious trip to the airport, with these
sayings: "At my age getting lucky is finding my car at the airport," "Looking fabulous on the runway" and "I was
never meant to fly coach." $4.95 each at www.store.christalaccents.com |
It's Tea Time
Perfect for neighbors or friends who are tea lovers, these teas are packed into adorable silk Chinese pockets and
placed in a Chinese take-out box from Todd & Holland Tea Merchants. $30 at www.store.christalaccents.com |
The Well-Dressed Foot
Maybe leaving your shoe size on a Post-it note on the mirror along with a link could score you these precious
Carly sandals from Angela Moore. The sandals come in fuchsia, turquoise and bone and you can interchange the beads
for a new look. Carly sandals are $130 and the extra bead strands are $40. www.angelamoore.com |
The Perfect Daypack
Although we admire his travel sense, we don't exactly aspire to the fashion sense of Rick Steves. But we love his
line of Civita daypacks that are made out of super soft microfiber. When it's empty you can fold it into nothing,
but it expands to hold all you need for a lengthy day of sightseeing. Available in black, blue, spruce, merlot,
evergreen and even a 100% hemp version. $24.95 at www.ricksteves.com |
Visions of Sugarplums
Hartmann just introduced a new color to its Luxe Collection, appropriately named Sugarplum for the holiday season.
We love this fun collection, which comes with eight pieces, from a 22" expandable traveler to a retro carry on and
is available in Apple as well. All pieces are trimmed in leather and are priced from $350 to $795.
www.hartmann.com |
In the Pink
It's a towel, it's a blanket, it's a sarong! This handy microfiber item, designed by travel expert Anne McAlpin,
is all three and it comes with a handy multiuse microfiber pouch. Anne donates 30% of her profits to The Breast
Cancer Research Foundation. $29.95 at www.annemcalpin.com |
Have Laptop, Will Travel
We've declared this backpack way cool, and if we gave it to our boyfriends/husbands/sons, would probably
borrow it back. A rear compartment holds your laptop, the main compartment holds the big stuff, while the bottom compartment holds camera and
equipment, or even a six-pack of beer or Cokes.
$99.99. Check www.lowepro.com for locations. |
The Perfect Shower Gift
Just close your eyes and you're back in the rainforest in St. Lucia with this delightful rainshower attachment for your shower. It's stress relief in a box, a perfect gift for anyone. Available at The Home Depot and other locations nationwide for around $120. www.moen.com |
A Fairy Ride
For those long travels with the kids, take along this audio book of What the Dickens, The Story of a
Rogue Tooth Fairy. From the author of Wicked, the title is the name of the main character, a newly hatched orphan
creature. Although geared towards children ages 9-12, this is one tale that will have you engrossed as well.
Available November 1 for $19.97 at www.amazon.com |
Light Up Your Life
Your nights don't have to be dark and stormy with this light-up umbrella.
You can't help the rain, but you can at least find your way with this LED umbrella that lights up with the touch of a button. The light is a great safety feature as well. $24.99 at www.thinkgeek.com |
Sweet Slumbers
"May shooting stars carry your hopes and dreams far." This thought and others are available on these
inspirational pillowcases that let you go to sleep with your final thought being a sweet one. There is a large
selection of sayings with ones for lovers, friends and children. $24 at www.dreamaidproducts.com |
The Grape Escape
Fans of food and wine guru and savior of cooking-challenged straight men on Queer Eye Ted Allen will enjoy this
three-box DVD series called Uncorked! The six episodes take viewers on tours through the wine countries of
California and France, with interviews with wine personalities. Box set available for $44.99 at www.amazon.com |
Wrapped in Style
We've found a perfect case for your iPod video. Wouldn't that next flight be oh so much more fun watching downloaded episodes of The Office in this cute retro case? And with its fun colors, it will be easy to spot in our bottomless pit of a tote bag. $19.99 www.pacificdesign.com |
A String and a Prayer
Inspired by her pastor, jewelry designer Laura Krämer of Laura K Designs created jewelry that reflects Bible
verses. The Psalm 23 bracelet is designed to bring hope, comfort, courage and faith to its wearer. It comes with
an inspirational CD, along with a cross charm and prayer box charm. Available in several styles, this classic
style is $84.99 at www.psalm23bracelet.com/ |
