Dreaming of a Tropical Destination?

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We've had record cold temperatures here in FL the past two weeks and I'm ready for warmth and sunshine once again! You probably remember reading this post before Christmas. While I didn't get to see any snow (as the weather man seemed to promise), I have  now experienced enough chilliness to last me for the rest of the year! Don't get me wrong, the first few days were an enjoyable, welcome change. I was psyched to pull my scarves and gloves out of the attic and put them to good use. However, after the first week I was wondering how on earth I endured it for so many years before. As you can see, I've turned into a bit of a weather wimp over the past 4 winters. I do realize that some of you experience months of this weather as I used to. God Bless you all and keep warm!

For everyone who is dreaming of pushing past all of this chilly weather and is dying to hop on a plane to somewhere sunny, come enjoy a piece of heaven with me as we mentally transport ourselves to these tropical destinations below. :)

HEAVEN ON EARTH

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Ahhh. So peaceful.

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This reminds me of our last cruise vacation. I *heart* tropical fish!

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Who doesn't love photos from Bora Bora and French Polynesia?

I could lay in this hammock ALL day!

 

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Snorkelling in the sunshine followed by an afternoon nap in the above-water hut sounds perfect!

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OR Strolling along the beach to watch a stunning sunset.

 

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Can you tell I really want to go to Bora Bora?

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Perhaps a romantic dinner on the beach?

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Untouched and beautiful!

Solitude.

Thanks for traveling with me, I hope these photos will add some warmth to your day!

So far Fiji and Santorini, Greece have been our most favorite and memorable destinations. Here are a few pics below from our September 2006 Honeymoon in Fiji :

                                         Heading to Dinner

                  View of Fiji from our tiny plane

How about you? What is your favorite vacation destination?

Etiquette for Hosting House Guests

Do you enjoy hosting guests and entertaining or do you feel like you'd rather chew your own arm off? From anyone I've asked, I find they either love it and cannot wait until their next in-home gathering to show off their skills or they simply dread preparing for and hosting others in their home. Some are excited to see their guests but simply don't enjoy all of the cleaning and tiresome preparations that go into entertaining and hosting, which I can certainly understand. It's no wonder many exhale a big sigh of relief when their guests depart.

Many have voted on our poll and asked for more posts on manners and etiquette, so I wanted to focus on how to be a great host as the holiday season will be filled with these opportunities.

Whenever I do have house guests I like to go out of my way to make sure that their stay will feel like home to them. A place to feel cozy and that they want to return to. I have been a house guest myself many times and it has been rare that I truly feel at home or comfortable. If you are entertaining this holiday season and find yourself putting up family or friends, here are some great tips so that you'll make them feel welcome and shine as a great host:

1. Prepare Them Before They Arrive-If you live in a small home or have limited bedroom space available, don't feel the need to give up your own bed. However, if they'll be sleeping on an airbed or pull-out sofa in the middle of your livingroom without privacy, be sure to mention it to them beforehand so they can pack proper sleep attire and earplugs or an eye mask if necessary. Find out any flight or train details so you can pick them up when they arrive and greet them (if it is possible) which is most preferable or let them know about the nearest rental car agency if they need to grab a car or a cab, etc.

2. Pick Up- If you are picking guests up upon arrival, you'll want to help them with their luggage into the car if you are fit to do so. After a long flight or train ride where travelers are exhausted, this would be a sweet gesture. Greeting guests at an airport gate is a lovely idea but not always practical with airport parking fees and the extra time it takes. If your guests are travelling within the same country, it is perfectly acceptible to drive up to the arrivals baggage claim door. However, if it is a long lost relative, someone elderly or a friend travelling on a long flight halfway around the world, a gate greeting with some flowers would be most appropriate.

2. Lay Down Some Basic House Rules-If you do not smoke in your home, be sure to let those that do know where they can go to light up-the garage, the front porch, end of the driveway, etc. For those that do not wear shoes in their home (as we do in our home), be sure to communicate that to your guests in a lighthearted way when they arrive. You may want to provide some slippers, especially in the colder months. If there are several people sharing a bathroom, be sure to show each guest which one it is and allow them to work out a schedule for themselves. To make things easier for you, let them know that your house is their house. This way they can take initiative to make their own coffee early in the morning, or make themselves a snack so you don't feel like you are doing everything.

3. Making it Clean and Cozy- This is one of the most important areas I consider when entertaining. While everyone's home is different, there are many little things you can do to make their room feel like home while visiting. Here are a few:

• Clean & Fresh-Be sure that all bedding and sheets are fresh for each house guest you have. I have slept at a home once where the pillowcase didn't smell clean and it was not only gross but I didn't sleep well that night. Needless to say, I now carry my own clean pillowcase when I stay in someone's home. Also make sure the room is clean too, vacuumed and free of dust or dirt of any kind. If the room is rarely used be sure to clean under the bed and also wash any drapery to remove excess dust. Keep a small trash bin inside the room as well as in the bathroom for your guests so they don't have to hunt for one. Likewise, keep some rolled, clean towels and a face cloth for your guests at the foot of the bed and let them know where to locate extras.

• Reading Materials-Many guests don't sleep well in a new place, so to keep an insomniac happy, provide a few magazines and a few books that would be of interest. Keep a stack on top of or on a shelf of the nightstand. Be sure that there is a nightstand lamp so they can actually read without having to get up to turn the light on and off. Nightlights in the halls will help your guest find their way to the bathroom and kitchen at night.

• Midnight Snacks- At our house, I like to provide a little box of sweet treats or gourmet chocolates and bottled water with a glass and place it directly on the nightstand for midnight snacking. If your home is more dry or warm than your guest is used to, this may soothe a dry throat or keep them hydrated after a flight also. It also prevents the clanking of glasses and the sound of cabinet doors closing as they hunt for what hey need while you are trying to sleep.

• Climate Control-If you like to keep the AC to a minimum in the summer months and do not have a ceiling fan installed in the guests room, have a fan on hand to keep their room cool. Likewise, provide extra blankets or possibly a small room heater in cooler months.

• Toiletries-Be sure to keep some extra toiletries on hand for your guests as it's easy to forget something while packing. If you have some travel size bottles of shampoo, conditioner or body wash, lay them out on top of a fresh folded towel for your guest or place them in a little basket with other bath items that may be useful to them. Toothpaste seems to be a common item that gets left at home if they share with a spouse so be sure to keep some extra on hand. Another item to provide is a hair dryer, they are heavy and many people forget them, be sure to provide a regular or travel size dryer for them. Irons and ironing boards may be needed so let your guest know where they can find them.

• A corner of their own- If you know you'll be entertaining and hosting often or the guest bathroom is a shared space in your house with other family members or guests, a really nice touch (and practical necessity really) is a little corner sink with a beautiful mirror hung above it along with a small towel ring and hand towel. It creates a private place for your guests to do a light freshening up before coming out of their room in the morning and can be used for washing their face, applying makeup, putting in or removing contact lenses, brushing their teeth along with taking prescription medication/vitamins. In addition, it's the perfect spot to get a glass of water in the middle of the night without waking others while they roam the halls to find the nearest bathroom or kitchen in the dark. It really makes a guest feel welcomed and as if they truly have their own little oasis away from home. If you have a larger family, it's always nice to have yet one more little sink area for when things become overcrowded even when the guests have long gone.

• Something Special- Do something a little different to make your guests' visit memorable. I always like to write a personal handwritten card welcoming my guests that are staying, noting that I'm looking forward to our time together. It's something a little extra, but it makes people feel welcomed into your home. Another simple touch is to place a photo of you and your guest from years gone by in a frame in the room where they'll be staying. Fresh flowers are also a nice addition. You could buy your guests' favorite flowers or simply buy a mixed bunch and separate each individual smaller grouping of flowers into smaller vases and place some in their bedroom and some in the guest bathroom as well.

4. Entertainment- Depending on the nature of your guests' visit, you may or may not be showing them around town or acting as entertainment director. If you are working or not able to show them around and they are simply staying in your home, be sure to find some web links and bookmark them on your computer or print them off some info. If you can get your hands on some tourist info such as maps and activities, that will make their life much easier.

If you are going to be showing them around, be sure to prepare those plans in advance and find out admission times and prices to local venues and plan out which restaurants they may enjoy. Entertaining others can be expensive so keep your budget in mind and give them some options of what is available. If they are interested in some attractions that are outside of your price range, be upfront with them and let them know you'd love to spend time with them and see such attractions but that they aren't financially feasible for you. They'll understand and may even offer to pay for your admission or will agree to something less pricey.

5. Meals- Do not feel that because you are the host that it is your responsibility to cook constantly for everyone. If it is part of your routine and you enjoy it then by all means go for it, however if it isn't perhaps you can cook one meal for everyone on one particular evening or agree to go out to a restaurant. Leave the rest of the time for your guests to figure out meals on their own. Breakfast is generally simple and can easily be provided by having a couple boxes of cereal on hand, juice, fruit and some yogurt or some granola bars for those that are on-the-go. Do make sure your fridge is stocked with necessities so you can pull something together for lunch if you need to or if your guest needs to make a sandwich, but it is not your job to fund all of their meals or groceries unless you so desire.

6. Departure-If you are available to drop guests off at the airport, it is a nice departure and I highly recommend it. If, however, you are working or are not available at the hour they are leaving, just be sure to provide a snack for the road and see them off with a smile and let them know how much you enjoyed their visit. Provide a spare key to be left in the mailbox or under a mat if you will not be around when they leave, so they can lock up.

If your guests are leaving at an unsensible hour such as before 6am or after 11pm, you might want to call a cab for them to the airport or see them off with a hug, wave from the doorstep and then head to bed. It will not at all be considered rude that you are not driving them to the airport an hour from your house at 5am. After all, with so many flight times available those are things for your guest to consider while booking their trip.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post on the do's and dont's of being a house guest. In the meantime, you can read this previous post on how to be a grateful guest.

Do you have any wonderful memories as a guest in a friend's home or have you experienced any faux pas that a host has done while you've stayed with them? Leave a comment and share your experience. What do you do to make your guests feel special?

Thank you for reading!

XO



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Never Underestimate the Power of Persistence!

Many people I've come across often avoid confrontation at all costs. If their meal is less than satisfactory while dining out, they suffer in silence. If they've had poor service at a rental car agency, they vent with their spouse or friend but won't go out of their way to talk to the company in question. Many issues we encounter cost us valuable time and often money too. What's a girl to do? Speak up and when the time comes, negotiate! If you don't first succeed-try again!

You know the saying, "Squeaky wheel get the grease!" It is a saying my mom has always used as she has always diligently fought for what is rightfully hers. I suppose I get a little bit of that from her. I'd like to credit my previous sales career for my level of persistence. My husband is just like me in that regard, so we make a great team!

Our latest pursuit involved travelling home from Europe. Let me set the scene on our last travelling adventure:

We had just dealt with a particular airline (whose name I'll not mention since they were sweet enough to finally compensate us for our expenses) not adequately leaving enough time for us to get from one gate to the next while in Heathrow airport, so we had to stay overnight in London missing our 2-day trip to NYC following our Europe Cruise, without our luggage. That was disappointing and costly and I had wished I had done a better job packing my carry-on bag. Once home, after many calls, emails and a little blogging on my hubby's behalf, we were able to get compensated the full amount for all of our unexpected London expenses. We are very thankful for that considering we wound up getting a free day and night in London! Below is a photo from our trip.

Hubby and I in front of Buckingham Palace

Coming home from the same trip, the airline managed to destroy not only one, but two of our large pieces of rolling luggage! My handle completely snapped off and the wheel and frame were seriously damaged as were my hubby's wheels and frame too. We fought for nearly two months, first reporting it at the airport, then making calls, only to be unanswered. Once again hubby endeavored to blog about it and we finally got someone to return our call. Both of our bags combined were $300 and they are now completely unusable.

They offered to give us free airmiles for a future flight, which was sweet, but heck, we needed new luggage before we were ever getting on another plane. There was a lot of debate about whether a represpentative should come to our home and inspect the bags (even though we showed them to an airline representative at the airport who already documented it all in detail) and after much discussion, they finally agreed to send us a check. Well, that was last week and the check arrived today! Hurray for negotiation, patience, and persistence!  It really did pay off and hubby and I were able to split our $300 smackeroos to put towards some new pieces. Now I just need to be patient again and wait for the right bargain to come along so I can purchase my new luggage.

I've never tried it before, but I've heard many good things about Hey's luggage. It is built to last with a hard case shell vs. a soft case that can easily get damaged, stained and ripped and it's supposed to be the world's lightest luggage, which would be a huge bonus in my opinion! It doesn't end there-they have really pretty colors and fun designs too, including some eco-friendly recycled plastic options. It IS on the pricey side, but I'm only looking to replace one bag and not a 3-piece set, so wish me luck in finding a deal online since they don't seem to sell their larger pieces separately. Oprah even had a set on her highly coveted "O List". Well, if Oprah likes it, then I guess it has to be good. That woman travels!

Have any of you ever purchased Hey's luggage before?

Also, if you've got a great story about getting what was finally owed to you or the power of persistence, leave us a comment! We'd love to hear what you've got to say.

International Etiquette

I was in the library yesterday picking up my weekly round up of books when I stumbled upon a book called, 'Behave Yourself! The Essential Guide to International Etiquette'. I quickly flipped though it and knew I had to check it out. It lists 45 major countries and what each of their individual customs and traditions are for greetings, dress, eating & drinking and conversation.

As someone who loves to travel, I thought this book would be handy for myself and my world-traveler hubby and also entertaining and informative for you too!

Interesting Facts:

~Italy~

• In Italy, chewing gum is considered vulgar however smoking is widespread, even in nonsmoking sections in restaurants.



• When answering the phone, say "Pronto", which means "ready", not "Buon giorno."



• Sitting down for coffee is much more expensive than standing at the bar, which is why you will often see a crowd of Italians crowded at the bar drinking espresso.



• It is polite to stay at the table until the meal is finished, rather than visiting the bathroom during the meal.
  
  

~France~

• Bread and bread sticks are an accompaniment to the main meal, so don't start nibbling until the food arrives!



• Don't use the OK sign, it means 'zero' in France.



• Good posture is very important and a sign of class. Keep your hands out of your pockets, don't slouch or chew gum.



• Only use first names when invited. It is customary to address your elders with Monsieur or Madame.

~Turkey~

• It is normal for people of the same sex to walk hand in hand as a sign of friendship.



• Carry Identification with you at all times-it is required by law.



• Don't cross your arms while facing someone, it is considered rude.



• Shaking your head means "I don't understand"; it doesn't mean no. To say 'NO', raise your eyebrows and make a "tsk' sound, or tilt your head backward slightly. Nod to say yes.



• On public transportation, women should not sit next to male strangers.

~Greece~

• The drinking age in Greece is 16.



• In many restaurants you are allowed (and even encouraged) to visit the kitchen to see how the food id being prepared and to decide what you would like to order.



• Raising an open palm at face level is insulting. The OK sign is considered a rude gesture with obscene connotations.



• When you are invited to a Greek home, make a big fuss over the children. Greece is a very child-oriented culture, so don't exclude them when talking to adults.



• In a Greek home, expect to be offered many seconds and thirds at meals. Eating well is a compliment to your hosts. If you are dining out, your host will usually pay the whole bill.

I thought I'd share with you the last four countries in Europe that I recently visited. They were all so lovely. The photo at the top of this post was taken on our trip in Santorini, Greece which in my opinion is heavenly!

Life's Little Luxuries for Less!

I hope you all have had a fabulous week. I'm finally back from my week in Toronto and had a wonderful time! It's always amazing to me how quickly a week truly flies by when you're having fun.

Last night my hubby picked me up from the airport and had a card waiting for me (a belated b-day card since I wasn't around on the exact day) and inside he wrote a sweet message which included a voucher for a 1-hr massage followed by some cute gifts at home. He is so sweet. The appointment is set for later this afternoon and it is needed for sure! Sitting on planes, pulling luggage behind me and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed has led to some neck and back stiffness. Anyway, the place I am going to is around the corner from our house and it is really inexpensive!

Why am I telling you all of this, you might be wondering? Well, I have found a way to get great massages at a fraction of the price. It is a local University that offers massage courses and upon completion of their program, students must work a set amount of hours to earn their full certification before starting their career as a Massage Therapist. So, the school offers one-hour massages for just $25! During the Christmas season they had a special promo for regulars and it was just $20. You might be thinking they are less qualified or the massage may not be as good as a pro, but I have been satisfied about 98% of the time. In today's case, Paul paid a little extra for me to have one of the instructors, which I haven't tried yet, so it should be wonderful! The environment is very private, complete with soothing music and massage oils and the students are very professional. After your massage is complete you fill out a short feedback and rating form which allows them to identify where to improve, if necessary. Because they are being graded essentially, I find they really try to make it a great experience.

If you've been dreaming of a massage but feel you can't afford one, I highly recommend doing some research on google and looking into the Massage schools in your area to see what they offer. The same holds true for manicures via Esthetician schools and also Hair Salons too. Aveda in particular offers student services through the Aveda Institure for a lot less than their regular salons in select cities. I often pop over for a $15 manicure or $20 pedicure and I receive the same treatment and products used during a service at another Aveda salon.

I encourage you to find a great service online and carve some time out just for YOU and enjoy some of life's little luxuries!

Getting Personal

It just occurred to me that other than my bio, you probably don't know a whole lot about me. I thought I'd share ten things about myself that you probably didn't know. I'd love to hear from you too so feel free to write a comment with some of your own!

1. I'm half Dutch and half Polish. My maiden name was hard for most to both spell and pronounce so thankfully hubby rescued me now that I'm a 'Davis', however I do miss the uniqueness of 'Ruzycki' pronounced 'Roo-zick-ee'. I think it's funny that in Canada a 'z' is a zed and in the U.S. a 'z' is a zee.

2. My husband and I met online at http://www.christiancafe.com/. He lived here in Florida and I in Toronto, Canada. We dated briefly and he proposed in front of the Eiffel tower 3 months later! Less than 4 months after that we were married. It was quite a whirlwind! Some say it was too soon or it was a crazy thing to do, but we knew we were meant to be together.

3. I'm a dessert-a-holic. I wish it was a food group. I basically work out so I can eat dessert! I love lemon bars, lemon tarts, creme brulee, gelato and at the top of the list is CUPCAKES in almost any flavor! I also adore tart yogurt. A local shop called Sweet is my favorite go-to place.

4. I LOVE to travel and have now seen 15 countries. I'm still trying to catch up to my hubby though, he's seen 55 countries and 6 continents, I guess you could say I married to a bit of a world traveller.

5. I have to create at least one thing per day or I don't feel  that my day is complete. It can be writing an article, creating some artwork, completing a scrapbook page or even starting a new garden. I prefer it to be something crafty that I make with my own two hands.

6. I am in love with organizing and storage containers and love to keep things clutter-free. I started my Design business several years ago as a Professional Organizing company and now specialize in Design and Home Staging. From the age of five my Barbie house was turned into a book shelf and everything in my room was always immaculate, complete with made bed. It's no different today. Ironically, I married a disorganized man who loves to hold on to clutter, so I work doubletime trying to keep our house in ship shape.

7. I don't have any children yet but have always dreamed of having two girls first then a boy. My brother is 11 years younger than me and I was his constant babysitter and second mother so I'm ready for pink, polka dots, ruffles and everything girly. I am not pregnant right now but I've already started my little girl clothing collection.

8. My dream home is a beach house decorated in a casual and cozy yet sophisticated style which I like to refer to as Beach House Glam. I love whites, creams, pale blues and soft sand. However, with so many great locations, I'm not sure exactly where I would to live just yet.

9. I heart our planet. I've been composting since age ten and recycling for as long as I can remember. I love finding new ways to become more eco-friendly as well as reduce, reuse and re-purpose what I already own. I will have a green book available in 2010 and I even started a green blog so feel free to check it out!

10. One of my favorite snacks needs to be imported from Canada: Lay's Dill pickle potato chips. I love them to pieces and was thrilled when one of my best friends, Charlotte, sent them in a birthday care package last August. Second in line would be ketchup chips. This is the norm for flavors in Canada so I was sad when my chip selections were dramatically reduced upon moving to America. Having said that, I don't eat a lot of chips, but when I do, I really enjoy the tangy taste of dill pickle.

I'd love to hear from you! Tell us about yourself. What do you love to do in your spare time? Where are you from? Do you have any fun quirks you want to share with us?

~Karla

Travel Tips Part 1: Carry-on Bags

As the wife of a world-traveller, I travel quite a bit. I love seeing new places but holiday and summer travel are certainly some of the busiest and therefore some of the most frustrating times to jet set. After my latest trip this past month to Europe for two weeks I broke some of my own 'travelling rules' and watched them backfire on me. Here are some things that you will want to know before travelling this summer:

WHAT TO PACK

1. WHEELS ARE BEST-When purchasing a new carry-on bag or selecting one to pack, be sure to use one with wheels and a handle that extends. This will save your back and shoulders immensely. You can use it to roll around the airport and even down the aisle of the plane until you find your seat. This type also has plenty of room and is a standard size, unlike a duffel bag so there won't be any question as to whether it is suitable for the overhead compartment.

2. FILL IT- These days when it comes to regular luggage, most airlines are ready and willing to gauge you for excess baggage weight as well as extra bags, especially if you are carrying more than one check-in bag. Save yourself the grief by packing as much as you can into your carry-on. This will save you from opening up your luggage and shuffling pieces from one bag to the other at the ticket counter (where they weigh your bags). This may also save you from requiring a second piece of check-in luggage which can cost you more money. Generally the limits are 50lbs per suitcase and one standard size carry-on bag that can range 25-40lbs as well as another personal item such as a purse, umbrella, video camera or a laptop bag. Be sure you check with the airline on dimensions of baggage and weight before flying. Many charge around $25 per for more than 1 check in bag.

Other great things to pack are an ipod, a book or magazine, a neck pillow for long flights and ALL of your valuables like a camera, jewellery, money, a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer or hand wipes and a hair brush or comb. If you carry any supplements or prescription medication, you'll definitely want to pack that as well. You want to make sure there is no potential for theft or loss of any kind. See "Just in Case" below for more tips on what to bring.

3. SMALL LIQUIDS ONLY-There was a time after 9/11 where we were instructed NOT to bring liquids of any kind into a carry-on bag. This resulted in many perfume bottles, makeup, deodorants, water bottles being confiscated. How frustrating and expensive! Today similar rules are in effect, however you are allowed 3oz size bottles. In most airports you're good as long as you can fit all of those into a quart size ziploc bag, which is almost always required at security scans. Double check that any larger liquids or gels are stored in your main luggage. Beware-things can leak and shuffle in transit so do store them in a twist top travel bottle vs. a flip top which almost always leak during the flight. Also be sure to put these items in a a large ziploc freezer bag and then place inside another grocery bag for extra protection against your clothing.


**I used a flip-top shampoo bottle during my last trip (as I ran out of the twist on type at the last minute) only to find out upon arriving that it had leaked inside my suitcase and coated some shoes and other items with soap. Luckily I had some wipes and kleenex on hand to help clean it up at the airport and I aired out the bag in the hotel as well as washed all the toiletries that had become soapy and gooey. Not a fun way to begin any trip, I assure you!

4. JUST IN CASE-We all want to believe that our luggage will make it to its intended destination, but the reality is that it sometimes does not. I've heard many horror stories of those ready to board a week-long cruise with *gasp* NO LUGGAGE! Even if it is delayed by a day or so while you're travelling, that is still a really big inconvenience usually involving you washing your underwear and hitting a store for a toothbrush and paste or worse-having to buy all new toiletries, clothing, shoes and more. No fun!

I would strongly recommend packing two days worth of clothes in your carry-on bag. Try to pack in such a way that the shoes you wear on the day of your flight will also work with the next two outfits, eliminating the need for extra shoes. Try to make everything lightweight so it all fits and be sure to roll clothes tightly vs. folding which created more room and less wrinkles. Summer is the easiest time to pack a carry-on bag but perhaps for winter you can pack one pair of pants but two different tops. It's also a good idea to pack a long sleeved top (preferably zippered or botton-down) for the plane ride as it often gets cool and it's good for layering when needed.

This is where carrying small travel size toiletries comes in handy. Never be without a bottle of face wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, flushable wipes and some face moisturizer. You can bring some makeup too. If you get delayed and are stuck in the airport you won't be able to shower but at least you can freshen up. If you are forced into a hotel they'll always have the soap, shampoo and conditioner but it never leaves your hair feeling the same as your own, so be sure to pack some of your own. Just pack as if you really will be without your luggage for a couple days and you'll be ready for anything!

**I'm generally pretty good about packing 'just in case' but on my flight home from Rome I was dead tired and pressed for time to pack that particular morning. I was so concerned with my liquids and making sure hubby had enough room in his bags (he packs more than I do) that I totally forgot to pack some clothing. Well, wouldn't you know it-the airline messed our flight up and we had to stay in London for an evening and full day as well as another 6 hours overnight in a NY airport. Needless to say I was washing undies in the hotel sink, pressing my clothes in the morning and I had to buy a new deodorant (mine was a liquid and was an ounce too large for carry on). I will NEVER break this rule again! The airport did give us the option to pick up our bags if we wanted but I was too exhausted to lug my 2 heavy bags, carry-on bag and purse. We were not allowed to simply open our bags and take a few things or just take one bag. Thankfully the bags were at least available to us!

5. TAG IT- Although you'll likely have your carry-on bag with you at all times, it is a good idea to put a name tag on it. Since most bags look alike and are generally black in color it could easily be picked up by another traveller. Just this past month I was picking up some goodies at Starbucks and sat next to a woman on a bench while I waited for my hubby to pay for his food at another shop. It was early and I was tired-I reached down and rolled away with my bag when a lady said "Miss. You have my bag!" thankfully I was only about 10ft away. She laughed about how her clothes wouldn't fit me anyway since she'd gained 20lbs. For the first time I was able to see how this could easily happen to someone else too. I always have pretty monogrammed tags on my regular luggage and now I'll be adding one to my carry-on bag too.


**If I could add one final tip it would be on buying a new carry-on bag. In these economic times it's wonderful to get a great deal so I highly recommend shopping in discount stores such as Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, Walmart and the like. They are far less than luggage stores and if you don't travel frequently, the quality of these bags will be fine for what you need. As with items such as mattresses, try to avoid the urge to pick up a carry-on bag or luggage for free or minimal cost from craigslist or a yard sale. While it may be in good condition, you never know what has been inside, spilled in or on it and what it has come in contact with.

Happy and Safe Travels!