Products/Brands

RECOMMENDED FOR TRAVEL

LUGGAGE:

1) RIMOWA Salsa Air - The lightest luggage made of a strong polycarbonate material;
                                              durable, good quality
         a) Multi-wheel - 29" (Weight: 7.1 lbs.) or 30" (Weight: 7.9 lbs.)

         b) Ultralight Cabin Multi-wheel - 21" (Weight: 4.3 lbs.)
2) IT LUGGAGE World's Lightest*
         a) 29" Packing Case (Weight: 4 lbs., 11oz.)

SHOES:

1) Ballet Flats
         a) TIEKS ballet flats (www.tieks.com)
                  - Made of finest italian leathers; designed to fold & fit in a purse; with thick soles
         b) REPETTO

2) Boots
         a) PIKOLINOS Brujas boots (Zappos, 6pm, Nordstrom, etc.)
                  - Waterproof treated leather upper; generously cushioned insole
         b) MUNRO AMERICAN
                  - Great quality but runs narrow
         c) AETREX
                  - Some are made of waterproof leather or suede upper
                  - Footbed is cushioned for all day comfort

3) Sneakers (Leather or Canvass)
         a) ECCO
                  - Highly Recommended:
                         1) Soft VII - Leather; designed for all-day comfort; available in various colors
         b) GEOX
                  - Recommended:
                         1) Amphibiox (Mayrah Abx) - Made of waterproof & breathable leather
         c) KEDS
                  - Cushioned and more comfortable than other sneakers
                  - Great to wear with casual clothes when it's not raining
         d) SUPERGA*
                  - Reviewers say they're super comfy but runs large and are heavy; smallest size is 5

4) Flipflops
         a) IPANEMA
                  - Cushiony, comfortable, good quality
                  - Can be worn around hotel rooms, on the plane, or on the beach

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES:

1) Outerwear

         a) LONDON FOG hooded raincoat (Macy's, etc.)

                  - Also available in petite sizes

2) Tanks and Tees (Gap, Banana Republic, etc.)
         - Best for layering in cold weather
         - Recommended: Gap - Maximum Heat
                                     Uniqlo - Heat Tech

3) Tights, Thin Leggings, and Shapers (Light support & cropped)
         - Can be worn under pants for more warmth in cold temperature
         - Recommended: Gap - Maximum Heat
                                     Uniqlo - Heat Tech

4) Cardigans - great for layering and easy to take off when it gets warmer -
         a) Cashmere - Recommended: Everlane, Todd & Duncan (Banana Republic)
         b) 100% Cotton - Best if sweater can be washed & dried in a washing machine

5) Scarves - Uses: a) For warmth in-flight and when walking around
                              b) To cover yourself when entering religious sites or buildings

6) Gloves - Recommended: E-Tip, Tech, Texting (No need to take off to use a touchscreen phone)

7) Hats
         a) Fedora (Recommended: Packable)
         b) Beret, Newsboy, Fisherman, or Beanie - Easiest to pack when traveling


TRAVEL ACCESSORIES:

1) Money Belt
         a) EAGLE CREEK Travel Gear Undercover Money Belt De Luxe*
                  - Price: $20 (Amazon)
                  - Comfortable and lightweight
                  - With moisture-wicking and breathable mesh back panel
         b) LEWIS N. CLARK Luggage Rfid Waist Stash (Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.)
                  - Price: $13-15
                  - Comfortable and lightweight
                  - Made of moisture-wicking and breathable fabric
                  - With radio frequency identification data (Rfid) block
                         - Claims to protect against electronic pickpocketing and identity theft
                                (though some reviewers say it doesn't work)

2) Toiletry Bag
         a) TRAVELON Cosmetic Organizer Travel Case (Amazon, eBags, etc.)
                  - Dimensions: 14.25" x 10.75" x 6.25"
                  - PROS: Hanging toiletry kit with zip expansion pocket & removable shoulder strap;      
                                     has strap at the back for suitcase handles; water repellent; easy to clean            
                  - CON: Not that easy to pack in most suitcases
         b) TRAVELON Total Toiletry Kit*
                  - Dimensions: 13.5" x 9.5" x 7.5"
                  - PROS: Hangs for full access to 4 organized sections; with removable shoulder strap;
                                      can be laid flat inside a suitcase at least 20" in height; water repellent;
                                      easy to clean; with removable pouches
                  - CON: No strap at the back for suitcase handles

3) Leakproof Travel Bottles (1-8 oz.)
         - Fill them with your favorite liquid personal care products especially during short trips

4) Shoe Bags (Amazon, eBags, etc.)
         - Keep your clothes clean when packed; washable depending on material

5) Jewelry Organizer - Keeps all your jewelry in one place
         a) Jewelry Roll Travel Organizer (transparent)
                  - PROS: Flat and therefore easier to pack; keeps jewelries separate and easier to locate;
                                  versatile
                  - CON: Bulky jewelries won't fit

6) Travel Umbrella (3- or 4-fold)
         - Tip: Preferably with a unique design, not plain black (it would allow you to tell it apart from
                        umbrellas of other tourists which are mostly black; black is also prone to theft and can
                        easily be mistaken for somebody else's)

7) Packing Cubes (Washable)
         - Make it easier for some people to pack and unpack

8) Luggage Cover (Washable)
         - For protection against airport theft (makes it harder for thieves to open your luggage)
         - To protect luggage (hardside & softside) from scratches, dirt, and damage (ex. luggage zippers
                can sometimes be damaged by rough handling at airports

OTHER BRAND OR PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

1) NUXE Huille Prodigieuse
         - Use on hair, cheeks, lips, & all over the body

2) KERASTASE Nutritive Nectar Thermique
         - Heat protective nourishing leave-in treatment for dry, very dry, or sensitized hair
         - How To Use:
                a) Apply a walnut-sized amount to towel-dried hair
                b) Starting with the ends, spread throughout the lengths of hair
                c) Gently massage the hair and pay particular attention to the driest areas
                d) Comb through hair and style with a blowdryer &/or flat iron

3) CLARISONIC Cleansing Devices
         a) For Travel: Clarisonic Mia

4) BRAUN Silk-epil Epilators (go to braun.com to compare the different types)
         - long term, cheaper than waxing
         - can remove hair shorter than the length required for waxing
         - some are waterproof and washable, rechargeable, and can be used cordless

5) AQUIS Waffle Weave Hair Towel
         - more absorbent than regular bath towels

6) Translucent Stackable Drop-Front Shoe Boxes (Container Store, Amazon, etc.)
         - comes in men's and women's sizes
         - the clear drop-front door allows you to immediately see your shoes inside and not to unstack
                boxes to get the shoes you want


Legend:
     * Have not been tried by author but highly recommended by reviewers