A year ago, I had just moved my blog over to Boarding Area, was getting ready for and recovering from my trip to Manila, and preparing for my younger sister’s wedding. It was a busy month! It was also my first month of trying to post every day, so choosing the most important posts from that month is a challenge.  Sorry for the long list, but hopefully you will appreciate some of my early advice….. and rambling.

When reading Long Flight Comfort, it’s not hard to see how anxious I was about the 26 hour flying time to Manila. I tried a lot of things to make the flights bearable, but not all of them were successful. Check out the winners and losers!

I seemed to go through a purse obsession. What am I saying? My life is a purse obsession! Explaining the contents of my purse and what it looks like was a lot of fun. And I am still hunting for my next purse…..

I also went to Chicago for my sister’s bachelorette party and had my most embarrassing travel experience. Sigh. I still cringe when I think about that.

After receiving a question from a reader, I tried broaching the subject of moms who travel for business. That was a hard one!

And finally, one of my favorite topics. I spend a lot of my time here on Road Warriorette coaching people about the best way to get through airport security. Anyone who doesn’t travel often should read this post! Heck, it could be helpful even for those of us who do travel often…..

Thanks for revisiting the past with me!

Right now it feels like winter will. never. end. My poor sisters in Chicago have been dealing with temps in the single digits and below. The East Coast is buried in snow. Even in Texas we are having unusually cold and rainy weather. One thing that brightens my day, even when it’s this dreary, is looking at boots and bags online. (Don’t worry, the bags post is coming next week!!)

I already have black leather boots from Clarks that I love, but I have not been very successful finding brown boots. Success is mine!! These La Canadienne Felicia boots are suede, which I love because it’s different from the boots I already have. They are also very comfortable, waterproof, and walkable, with a rubber sole that gives you good traction on snowy surfaces. Dressy enough to wear to work, but tough enough to use commuting. Brown, black, and gray suede is available, and the price on Amazon starts at $132. I love them!

Recently, a discussion sprang up in the comments of my favorite blog, Corporette. The question was: If you have a job with physical requirements, such as moving boxes, lifting things, standing on step-ladders, etc, is it still possible to dress professionally?

I think it absolutely is possible. Are there challenges? Of course! Can you wear anything you want? Nope. I don’t really have “typical” days at the office–my days are almost always different, depending on if I’m traveling and working on the same day, attending meetings, doing presentations, or attending expo type of events. On days with meetings or presentations, I can pretty much wear what I want, as long as it’s professional. On travel days, I make sure to wear pants in case of additional airport screening or cold airplanes. And on expo days, well, those are the days that I have to plan ahead.

A typical expo day can involve moving, lifting, and opening boxes; crawling under tables to make sure that wires and cables are connected; standing on chairs or stepladders to hang things; moving tables and chairs into position; and then, of course, the actual expo where I have to present to clients. On those days, the optimal outfit would be tennis shoes, yoga pants, and a long sleeve tee-shirt. Except for that whole dressing professionally thing. The next best thing is to wear an outfit made of professional pieces that FEELS like tennis shoes, yoga pants, and a long sleeve tee-shirt.

My typical expo day outfit includes:

• Black slacks with stretch. Black because it will hide any dirt I may have picked up crawling around on the ground. And stretch because with all of the bending and moving I do, I need pants that will move with me and still retain their shape.
• Cute, professional, longer-length knit top. Cute and professional are obvious ones here. I prefer longer length tops for the same reason I want pants with stretch–I move so much I want a top that will move with me, and I prefer not to show any skin when hanging things. Because I am busty, I worry about wearing button down shirts gaping while setting up a room, and knit tops are great because they also have a bit of stretch.
• Comfortable flats. After all of the room setup I often have to do, I have to be on my feet presenting for hours. I need supportive flats, and my sense of style means they have to also be fabulous. Many of my shoes also have gel inserts. Any type of professional-looking flat will work.

Sometimes, it is so tempting to dress too casually. No one will care! I think to myself. They probably won’t even notice what I’m wearing! That may be true. But regardless of whether people notice what I’m wearing or not, I feel more confident and in charge when wearing something professional. If someone did notice that I was wearing tennis shoes, they may not judge me. But I want to make a good impression on my clients, showing that I take them and the job I do for them seriously. So I will wear my nice clothes, making sure that they are comfortable and will move with me. That way I can do the job I came to do and look great doing it.

Secret #1: It’s not glamorous. At all. No matter how much George Clooney makes it seem like it is.

First class seats. Expense accounts. Exotic locations. George Clooney. Uh, no. Try cramped coach seats, paying for a pillow and blanket, eating room service at 1am because your flight was delayed, visiting Cornelia, Georgia AGAIN (where they don’t even have room service—if your plane is delayed you get no dinner), and a guy who really doesn’t look like George Clooney (or a lady who doesn’t look like Vera Farmiga) trying to chat you up in transit. Sure, business travelers get the occasional nice dinner out, a chance to visit somewhere interesting, and sometimes meet fun people. But mostly it’s a lot of time away from your family, delayed flights, and realizing you forgot the critical thumb drive, or charger, or jacket, and running to Walgreens in the middle of the night to replace it. All of that being said…..

Secret #2: Sometimes it’s nice to get away.

Yes, I miss my husband and dogs when I’m gone. But honestly, not having to worry about the million things I should be doing around the house, or having to get up in the middle of the night to let our dogs out, plus having someone to make my bed and bring me food…. It can be nice for a little while. Usually about two nights and three days pass before I start getting homesick. Although, there was a period of time last January-March where I was literally gone every week and most weekends. That was way too much away time.

Secret #3: What’s in my contacts case? Not contacts.
Over the years I have picked up many, many packing tricks to maximize the space in my carry-on. I put my face moisturizer in spare contacts cases so that I don’t have to bring the bottle. And this is just one example of hundreds, because a business traveler will never, ever check their bag. Ever.

Secret #4: We deserve our Elite status. Trust me, we have earned it.

I know, I know. You get on a plane and there they are. The business travelers. Sitting smugly in their first class seats, or their exit row seats, or their bulkhead seats. Typing furiously on a laptop, finishing up a phone conversation, their suit jackets folded neatly over their suitcases already in the overhead bins. Yes we get to board first, yes we get the good seats, yes we sometimes get upgraded to first class. But that is because we are on these planes all the time. I have friends who are literally gone Sunday night through Friday afternoon, every week. One time I was on seven different flights in two days. We are there because we have to be there, and it is nice to get a few perks for it.

Secret #5: Almost half of business travelers are women.

In the early seventies, 1% of business travelers were women. Now? Over 40%. This explains the  recent appearance of women’s clothing in airport Brooks Brothers and the “women-only” floor and improved toiletries at many hotels. So just because I’m a woman (and a young woman at that) doesn’t mean I’m not just as serious about that exit row seat as you are.

Readers, what are your “secrets” about business travel?

As we have all probably realized by now, the airlines have figured out how to charge us for just about everything, with no plans to stop. With fewer, but fuller flights, and those a la carte fees, airlines are making more money than they’ve made in a long time, at the travelers’ expense. That makes it even more important to make sure that you are getting the best deal, and doing as much as you can to save money. CNN has a great article right now with suggestions on how to, as they call it, “outsmart” the airlines. The key takeaways:

• Check out Delta’s new Online Auction System. You can sign up ahead of time to get bumped, and it sounds like you can name your own price and see if they take it.
• Buy your tickets on Tuesday afternoon, and fly Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday.
• Take the earliest flight you can. This will minimize delays.
• Travel light. Not checking bags can save you over a hundred dollars round trip.

A few that I would add:

• Bring your own pillow and blanket, if you think you will need to sleep.
• Bring your own non-liquid food items. I have brought tuna kits (to eat in the hotel room, not in the plane, don’t worry!), granola bars, cut-up veggies, a sandwich, and string cheese in the past. Saves money, and helps you eat healthier too!

Good luck!!

My younger sister came to visit us last week. When we picked her up at the airport, our first question, as always, was, “So how was your flight?”

She paused. “Well…… it was fine.”

Hardly a ringing endorsement. When I questioned her further, she said that the person she sat next to was clearly not a frequent flier. She seemed okay, if tense, during most of the flight. But when it was time to get disembark, she started to get agitated. My sister, who was sitting in the aisle, stood up to stretch her legs. But as she was in row 14, she was politely waiting for the people in front of her to leave. But the woman next to her started literally pushing my sister, saying, “Go! Go! Aren’t you going to go??” My sister answered that she was waiting for the people in front of them. The woman responded to this by pushing my sister back against her seat, squeezing in front of her into the aisle, and then shoving her way through the aisle-full of people. Um, wow.

Friends, that is not how to handle things. My opinion is that the only time it is borderline okay to not wait for the people in front of you to de-plane is if you have a connecting flight, and are going to miss your flight if you don’t leave quickly. Or if you have a medical condition. Other than that, you need to wait your turn. Since I usually prefer the window seat, I will just stay seated until it’s my turn–no need to stress myself and the person next to me out! It’s just a few more minutes, so be polite to your fellow travelers and wait your turn.

It has been very cold here at home lately, and all I want to do is snuggle up with some cozy sweaters. Macy’s is having a fantastic sale right now, with a lot of cute stuff up to 80% off. You can almost get one in every color!

This adorable swing sweater is on sale for $10.19. That is ridiculous! It will pack well, won’t wrinkle, and will go with a variety of tops and bottoms. It would also be very comfortable to travel in, keeping you warm without inhibiting movement. I would keep what I wear under it a bit sleek, with a long sleeve shirt and slim pants. Style&Co Sweater

Another of my winter favorites is the tunic. The ultimate in cozy! This one is simple enough to wear to work. I would dress it up a bit with a long strand of pearls. Buffalo Jeans Tunic

A story from Yahoo that is very sad, but at least leaves you with hope for humanity.

Recently, a grandfather was trying to make it to Denver to say goodbye to his grandson before they took him off life support. Security delays were going to cause him to miss his connection, and no amount of pleading would make the TSA agent fast track him through. Once he made it through security, finally, he ran in his socks to the gate, even though his plane was supposed to have taken off several minutes ago. When he reached the gate, the pilot and gate agent were waiting for him.

“Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we’re so sorry about the loss of your grandson,” the pilot reportedly said. “They can’t go anywhere without me and I wasn’t going anywhere without you. Now relax. We’ll get you there. And again, I’m so sorry.”

The flight ended up departing 12 minutes late. I’m sure there was a little grumbling, but 12 minutes isn’t really that late in the grand scheme of things. I hope no one missed a flight due to this, but you know what? I think it would have been worth it. I would gladly have missed a connection to allow this man a chance to say goodbye to his grandson. And it’s incredibly touching that this pilot made it possible for him.

In support of the current “Country Means Business” promotion, Road Warriorette will be featuring a weekly sponsored post on behalf of Country Inns & Suites and has been compensated by Country Inns & Suites for her contribution.

When deciding where to stay for a business trip, there are multiple considerations. Sometimes you just feel lucky to get a hotel within 20 miles of the office, as was the case when I was in a tiny town in Georgia last year. But when you have options, sometimes it can get overwhelming. Here are a few things to look for when deciding on your hotel.

Location. Different locations are important for different reasons. Obviously, proximity to the office can make things a lot easier. Commute time is shorter, and possible delays due to traffic are minimized. Sometimes, however, you want to be close to other things, like downtown, shopping, or the airport. This December I went to Pensacola, and the office I was visiting was as far away from the beach as you could get.  But I figured if I’m going to be in Florida, I’m staying at a beach. Even with the thirty minute drive, it was totally worth it.

Food. Will you be working late? Do you need to have room service available? Or is it enough to have good restaurants nearby? And what about breakfast? Do you enjoy the traditional continental option, or will you build-your-own waffle?

Hotel amenities. Do you need a hotel with a gym or a pool? What about a fridge in your room? Will you need to print, copy, or fax anything while you are there? Do you need a universally accessible room? And of course, what about beds? Do you prefer a king, or two queens? Does bedding matter? Other amenities to consider are free breakfast and high speed internet.

Reward programs. I highly, highly encourage you to try to stay at the same family of hotels whenever you can. Free trips are one of the best rewards for all of your business travel. The Home Warrior and I have taken many flights on American Airlines and Southwest from rewards points, and have been able to stay in hotels across the country for free. Another benefit? Once you attain Elite status you will often receive bonuses at check in, such as room upgrades, bottles of water, a free movie, or extra reward points. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up, and most families of hotels have multiple price points. (Check out the Carlson family, which includes Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, Park Inn, and Radisson hotels.)

So, Readers, what is the most important amenity for you?

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Want to continue the conversation? Country Inns & Suites is hosting a Twitter chat every Wednesday as a part of their Country Means Business promotion. Just follow #biztriptip on Twitter to join in!

Every year, I, like many others, spend some time doing some evaluation. Did I complete my goals for the last year? Did I get the major things done? How about resolutions? Did I do those? What do I want to accomplish this year? What are my five- and ten-year-goals? What did I not complete last year that needs to be carried over?

(Earlier this year I discovered Chris Guillabeau and his blog, The Art of Non-conformity. I love the way he writes, and the way he makes you think about what you are doing with your life. He has a great Annual Review process, if you need some assistance.)

When I am planning for the coming year, I break my resolutions into many sections, including work, home, blog, and of course, travel. My travel resolutions for 2010 were fairly specific. How did I do? Let’s look and see.

Travel to Chicago to see my sisters twice. Wow. I actually went to Chicago four times last year! It was great to see them as often as I did.

Travel to South Texas to see my grandmother twice. I actually went to South Texas to see my grandmother four times as well! That is lots o’ driving, but well worth it.

Go to Europe (hopefully Norway) with Home Warrior, and learn some Norwegian. When it came time to plan our vacation, we decided to go lay on a beach in Cozumel. Maybe we can go to Norway in 2011…..

Go to one new place in the US with Home Warrior. Although I managed to make it to a few new places due to work, the Home Warrior and I never got anywhere new this year. We had a great time on the trips we took to Vegas and Cozumel, but didn’t go anywhere new in the US.

Looks like I spent a lot of time with my family this year! Even though I didn’t make it to Europe or to somewhere new in the US, a year spent with family is a year well spent in my opinion.

What would I like to do in 2011? There are so many things! What do I think I can reasonably do? A slightly different story.

My Travel Resolutions for 2011:

1. Take a trip with my paternal grandmother. Even if it’s just a short one, I would like to go to one place with her this year. She is getting up there  in years, and I know she would love to take a trip somewhere.
2. Visit my maternal grandmother in South Texas twice. It was wonderful to be able to spend so much time with my Memaw last year, and I hope to continue that this year.
3. Go to Chicago three times to see my sisters. Maybe I can even get the Home Warrior up there with me!
4. Visit somewhere new. Whether it is in the US or somewhere else, I would really like to vacation somewhere I’ve never been before. New places for work do not count unless I can get a few days for fun afterward.

I guess it looks pretty similar to last year, with a few modifications. I hope to spend lots of time with family and friends, and get to explore somewhere new. I hope that your new year is also filled with love, adventure, and lots of fun.

Why yes, it was quite cold in Chicago

I know that it’s been a month since I actually went to Chicago. That whole Christmas break thing got in the way of a timely post!!

I had an amazing time in Chicago last month for my sister’s bachelorette party. We got facials, did yoga, had our hair done, ate delicious food, and went to an amazing restaurant/club for the actual party. A couple of quick reviews:

Imagine, A Yoga Studio. You may remember when I first discovered these guys over the summer. They play the coolest music, employ knowledgeable instructors, and have challenging yet accessible classes, all in a lovely setting. Highly recommend!!

Continuum. My younger sister managed to snag Groupons for facials at this place, and it was fantastic. My skin felt amazing, and it was great to get pampered before our night on the town!!

Robert Jeffrey Salon. We all got blowouts for our big night, and I have to say we looked pretty darn good. My sister used to be a stylist, and she thought these guys did a great job on us.

Nacional 27. This place was AMAZING. The food is fantastic–a mix of Mexican, Caribbean, and South American. The drinks are delicious. Not only was my caipirinha great, but the margarita was also incredibly good. And I live in Texas, and am a bit of a margarita snob. High praise from me. Then, at 11pm, the music gets louder, the waiters come and move tables out of the way, and it is turned into a Latin dance club!! We had so much fun dancing the night away. If you’re ever in Chicago, you have to go here!! You will not regret it. Make a reservation if you’re going on a Saturday.

You may be wondering how I handled the cold. Well, I’m not going to lie. It was COLD. Super duper cold. I did not end up purchasing a puffy coat (although I am definitely getting one during the end of the season sales). Here is how I survived:

• Layers. I had no less than three layers on at all times. A long sleeve tee-shirt, a sweater, and my wool coat on top with long johns, jeans, and knee-length socks on the bottom. It was a bit cumbersome at times, for sure. And the long johns kept making my jeans slip down. But I was relatively warm!
• Doubling up. At all times I had on two scarves, two hats, two pairs of gloves, and two pairs of socks. That way there was no skin ever exposed to that nasty wind except for my face. Both scarves I wore were knitted, but I had on fleece gloves under my knitted fingerless gloves and a fleece hat under my knitted hat. I was as protected as I could be!
• Cross-body purse. There was no way I could have fit my normal purse over all of my layers, so I traveled light used a small cross body clutch for my phone, keys, chapstick, money, and ID.

Yes, it took me three times to get ready as my sisters. They would have to give me a fifteen minute warning any time we left, because it literally took me that long to prepare myself for the outdoors. But I was reasonably comfortable the entire time, which I was very grateful for. Even though the high on the day that I left was 14. The only time I was every really cold was when we were actually going to bachelorette dinner, and I had on one layer (tights, boots, dress, sweater) plus my coat. The van cab that was supposed to come get us never came (jerks), and we had to walk down to Clark to hail two cabs. But that was not very long, and then I certainly warmed up at Nacional 27. Overall, a great weekend! I can’t wait to go back.

PS: For those of you who have asked what dress I wore to the actual wedding, here it is! Destined for Stardom from ModCloth. It was amazingly beautiful.