This is one of my favorite posts to do all year. I get to spend time searching the internet for the most fun, interesting, and useful gifts. And boy did I find some! Bring on the shopping.

Flight Comfort

The Cabin Cuddler is a great gift for anyone who travels long distances! It’s super warm and cozy, is easy to pack, and includes a pillow. Travel slippers would also be great on a long haul trip, plus they would be nice to wear around the hotel room during the winter. Eye masks are great for helping travelers sleep on planes or in a hotel room, and this one is super cute! Finally, compression socks are a must have for long flights. Keep your loved one’s ankles and feet from swelling and reduce their risk of DVT.

Passport cover

Give your favorite road warriorette a passport overhaul. A fun passport cover can liven up boring travel docs. Love this one from Ruche.

Fun travel toiletries

A little pampering makes frequent business travel more bearable, and this Oatmeal Whoopie Pie scented body wash sounds verrry luxurious. And tasty.  Another option is this Travel Spa in a Box. It includes anti-bacterial aroma mist, anti-bacterial hand oil, a lavender flax eye pillow, lip balm, and others. Fabulous. Not only is this little bag from Etsy shop Aunt Meep’s Attic very cute, it’s made of oilcloth so it’s easy to clean, and can be used for makeup or non-liquid toiletries.

Luggage tag

Help your favorite traveler keep track of their bag with these brightly colored, fun luggage tags.

Kindle/iPad case

Seriously I am putting this on my list. I didn’t even know they made Kindle cases this pretty!!! And don’t forget a Kindle or iPad to go inside of it

Travel mug

Travel mugs keep your beverage warm and reduce trash. This clever mug from Mighty Leaf is made specifically for tea drinkers, and would be a great gift for the traveler in your life! (Enter our contest, and you could win one!)

Readers, what are you shopping for this holiday season?

Aliza and Danielle being interviewed for .tv

You guys have heard a lot from my experience at Blog World, but I haven’t shared everything. One of the best workshops I attended was about empowering women to be public speakers, run by Aliza Sherman, Jill Foster, and Danielle Smith. Aliza and Danielle recently wrote MOM, Incorporated, about how to have a family and start your own business (which I bought, am currently in the middle of, and loving. I will review soon!). When I spoke to them, they were wrapping up a six week book tour. Of course I had to take the opportunity to ask these accomplished road warriorettes a few questions!

RW: You’ve been on the road for six weeks. What are your tips for being on the road a long time?

Aliza: I learned that it would be so nice to be independently wealthy. To have an entourage, Sherpa included. (laughs) Here’s a good tip: Amtrak has something called red-cap service. You can call in advance and tell them what train you’re on, and they will wait for you and be there ready to get your stuff.

RW: So it’s like an entourage!

A: Yes!

Danielle: That’s where the joke about having an entourage came from, because we had so much trouble with all of our bags. Our bags were packed with books, so they were extremely heavy. We had a red-cap help us in New York, and when we told him we were going to Philadelphia he called ahead and had someone waiting to help us.

A: He came onto the train and helped us with all of our stuff! It was a great thing that we had no idea existed.

D: Sometimes they don’t wear their red caps, and that can be highly confusing. Go to the information desk if you don’t see one and they will help you find them.

A: Another tip: travel with someone who has a great accessories bag. Then they can decorate with you with bracelets and necklaces and you look totally awesome.

RW: So find a friend with good taste and travel with them.

A: Yes! That’s the best tip ever. Read more of this article »

I have a new obsession, and its name is navy. Beautiful, beautiful navy. Three months ago I would never have believed that the pants I am drawn to all the time are navy pinstripes. Sounds stuffy! Boring! But three months ago I was wrong. Everything changed at a bridal shower for a friend. Now, a navy pencil skirt and navy polka-dotted blouse may not sound like traditional attire for a bride, but she looked amazing–pulled together, chic, and classic. And it started my new-found goal of finding the perfect navy pants. Not only are they gorgeous, but navy pants go with all colors–purple, yellow, turquoise, green….. This weekend I will be checking out a few pairs–the Ann Taylor Curvy Pinstripe Trousers in Navy and the Gap Perfect trouser pants in Navy. Hopefully next week I will sporting a brand new pair! Here is the entire outfit. Love!!

The Banana Republic Lourdes Pleated Blouse was not at all what I had in mind when I started looking, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was the one. This would be beautiful with navy slacks (as well as gray, brown, or taupe).

Love the cut of these navy Gap Perfect trouser pants. They look comfortable, classic, and best of all the reviews say you can throw them in the washer. Win!

I would finish off the outfit with shoes in a deep plum and a bracelet in a contrasting color, maybe yellow. If you think you’ll get cold, a plum colored cardigan would top it off nicely.

ETA: The comment below makes a good point. I don’t think wearing an entire navy suit is a great idea, as the potential for being mistaken for a flight attendant is pretty high. But navy slacks with a colorful or printed top can work beautifully. The trick, in this instance, is using color to keep your outfit from being too serious.

Safety is so important when traveling alone. As more and more women are traveling for business, some hotels are creating special programs to keep women safe. However, there are a great number of safety precautions we can take, regardless of where we’re staying. I have compiled a list of tips for being safe in a hotel, and will follow it up in the next few weeks with tips for other situations. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if I missed one of your favorites, please put it in the comments! Travel safely, friends.

Before you go:

• If possible, choose national hotel chains with indoor room entrances.
• Don’t put your home address on your luggage tags. Put your business address.
• Make sure you have directions to your hotel. Also have their phone number and address handy. (This sounds obvious, but the last time I went to Salt Lake City I went to the wrong location of Hampton Inn, and then couldn’t find the correct location and drove around lost for thirty minutes. I finally found the phone number on my iPhone and the very nice man stayed on the phone with me until I got there. I should know better than this!!)

When you arrive:

• Use valet parking if it’s available. It may cost more but it’s much safer then wandering around a parking garage
• If the desk person says your room number aloud, ask for a different room.
• Ask for two keys—otherwise people will know you’re traveling alone.
• Avoid staying on the first floor whenever possible, especially if there is outside access to your room.

In your room:

• Make sure you have a deadbolt, and keep your deadbolt locked whenever you’re in the room.
• Make sure there is no door connecting to another room.
• Never put the “Please Clean My Room” sign on the door. It’s an open invitation to thieves! Call housekeeping instead.
• Don’t use the door sign provided for ordering breakfast. This alerts anyone who looks at it that you are ordering for one. When they knock, make sure the person with your food is a hotel employee.
• If someone knocks on your door without you requesting anything, check to see who it is. If it’s a hotel employee, call the front desk to find out if it’s legit. If it’s not, speak through the door without opening it.
• When you leave your hotel for the evening put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. This makes it look like someone is there.

Readers, what are your best hotel safety tips?

Last weekend, yet another friend told me a story about checking a bag that the airline then lost. Of course, this friend was on his way to Mexico for vacation, not on a business trip. When he asked me how to avoid this being a problem in the future, I realized that the principles are the same, no matter the type of trip. So here are my tips for minimizing the impact of the an airline losing your suitcase, regardless of whether you are traveling for work or fun.

1. Pack the necessities in your carry-on. For a work trip, that might be your chargers, files, and laptop. For a vacation, could be your swimsuit and sunscreen. Whatever the most important items are for your trip–make sure you’ve got them with you!
2. Wear work clothes. If you’re traveling on a non-work day and checking your bag, it’s better to wear something work appropriate just in case. Don’t worry, work clothes can be comfortable, so find something you can sit in for hours on a flight.
3. Keep your toiletries with you. Most hotels have basic toiletries in case you forget something. Some don’t, though, and my experience has been those are in the towns where nothing is open past 10pm. And good luck finding contact solution at a gas station! I’ve found it’s just easier to keep my toiletries with me when I check my bag.
4. Clearly label suitcase inside and out. Make sure your name, phone number, and address are on the outside and inside of your suitcase. If you have an unusual or hard to describe suitcase, it may even help to take photos of it on your phone.
5. List of internal contents. Should the worst happen, and the bag is lost forever, it will help you get reimbursed more quickly if you know exactly what was in your bag. If you are carrying something very expensive or unusual, take a photo. Having the original sales receipt is a bonus.

You all know that the number one strategy to keep the airline from losing your suitcase is to carry on. But that’s not always an option. With a little preparation, you can keep the damage to a minimum if your bag is misplaced.

Readers, what are your tips for minimizing impact should the airline lose your bag?

Reader M is possibly a genius. She has put together a personal amenities kit that would thrill any frequent flier. When she sent me the incredible list of what is included, I didn’t believe that she could fit it together in a way that was practical for travel. Then she sent me pictures, and I became a believer. While it would take a while to put together, this kit  would make you feel like you’re in first class even in the last row of coach. And it is more compact than you would believe.  She said flight attendants’ eyes “bug out” when she unpacks it, because of the amount of things that come out of this plastic case and because of how cool it is.

M starts with a plastic case, like what you get when you buy a sheet. Then she includes:

1. White linen napkin
2. Silver napkin ring
3. Placemat (made out of lovely cloth so it’s foldable, and altered with elastic to grab the airplane tray)
4. Silver-coated plastic fork, knife and spoon
5. Chopsticks (in case she finds sushi in the airport)
6. Tin of tiger balm
7. Packet of Advil
8. Lip balm
9. Small toothbrush (Colgate wisp)
10. Eyeshades
11. Cucumber eye pads, and fragrant moisturizing face wipes, in a ziplock
12. Eye drops
13. Comb
14. A suction cup clip, for the window ( to hold your reading material - more accessible than the pocket)
15. Earplugs
16. Soft socks (or compression socks)
17. Inflatable pillow
18. Small pashmina
19. Ginger candies/raisins/other dried fruit, in a ziplock
20. Fancy tea bags (ask the flight attendant for hot water only)
21. Energy bar

Here is what it looks like all spread out:

And here it is packed:

So far everything has gotten through TSA just fine, even the eye drops. I can’t imagine what else I would add-maybe gum? or my hydrating face spray? If you add a pashmina, you would be good to go for just about any length of trip. This list is pretty darn comprehensive, and the suction cup for reading material is brilliant.

Readers, what would you add?

ETA: Unfortunately, this kit is not something that M is selling, it is just something she put together for herself. Sorry to get your hopes up! Although I would certainly buy one if it were available….

Wow, July just flew by. Can’t believe it will be August next week! Looking back at posts from a year ago, it’s pretty obvious what was on my mind…..food, etiquette, and clothes!

I was in the middle of my healthy eating “life change” and struggling to figure out how to eat well while traveling. Even though it’s been a year, I’m still working on this…..guess that’s why it’s a “life change”…..

One of my most popular and controversial posts ever asked “Is It Rude to Recline Your Seat While Flying?”

There were a few posts about shoes, clothes, makeup, and bags, including a teeny tiny rant about TSA and how many bags you can take through security.

And from two years ago……

A very important post about travel safety.

My first packing list! Ah, memories……

Last June, I celebrated my first blogiversary, went to Vegas, attended my first blogger conference, and had some crazy flying days. Makes me feel busy just thinking about it!! Here is what I wrote about, as a result of that craziness…..

Lots of etiquette! A list of carry-on etiquette, plus reminding passengers to please not grab the seat in front of them.

With several friends taking long trips, I revived my long flight survival guide.

The summer was HOT, so I tried to figure out how to beat the heat and still look professional.

Finally, I realized that it’s not just me: sitting in the back of the plane is actually worse for motion sickness.

And TWO years ago (it amazes me that I can say that) I wrote about my love affair with the pashmina. And this love  continues today!

Happy Friday everyone! Have a great, safe 4th of July weekend.

That first business trip can be so intimidating! What to wear, how to pack it, what toiletries are necessary, surviving long and uncomfortable flights…. So many potential issues! For first trip, five years ago, I was terrified. Starting a new job at a new company is scary enough, but add traveling cross-country to that and I was a nervous wreck. Did I bring the right clothes? What’s it like, renting a car? What if I get sick? What if I get lonely and depressed because I miss my new husband?

Now that I’ve been on the road for five years, I am rarely anxious before a trip. But others are going on their first trip all the time! My goal is to help those people have smooth, efficient, and productive trips. Due to numerous requests, I have put together a page full of tips for the first time business traveler. It is a work in progress, so I will continue to add to it. Check it out, and if you see something that I need to add, please let me know!!

Readers, what were you the most anxious about for your first business trip?

So many people liked hearing about my favorite travel sites and blogs, I wanted to continue the trend. These are four business-related websites that I check daily, whether traveling or at home. After reading their words for so long, I feel like I know these people! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Corporette. If you’ve read my blog for any period of time, you know that Corporette is my favorite blog. I check it religiously every morning to see what fabulous clothing item Kat has found for us, and then throughout the day for her business-related posts. She discusses everything from how to effectively search for a job to how to interact with coworkers to software to make you more efficient. A great resource!

Wall Street Journal’s The Juggle. Trying to figure out how to balance career and home life? The Juggle talks about it all, examining the choices and tradeoffs people make juggling work and family. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only person who can’t quite seem to get it all together, this site will make you feel less alone.

Daily Worth. Started by Amanda Steinberg and MP Dunleavey in 2009, their goal is to increase the net worth of women. The sad fact is, women still make 30% less than men. Daily Worth aims to simplify complicated financial concepts to make them more accessible, as well as give women a forum to discuss them. I only discovered this site recently, but I already feel better prepared to increase my net worth.

The Art of Non Conformity. This site is part travel, part lifestyle, and part business. But man, can Chris Guillebeau write. And more than that, he makes you feel inspired. He believes that you don’t have to follow the traditional path to happiness, and that your path may in fact be very different from everyone you know. And that’s okay! Every time I read his column I feel ready to go out and follow my dreams. What more can you ask for?

Readers, what are your favorite business/career/money sites?

Building a Business Travel Wardrobe is a new series here on Road Warriorette. The focus will be on the key pieces a woman needs to build a wardrobe that is ideal for travel. Based on the “capsule” wardrobe model, each week will feature an item that is professional, stylish, and that travels well.

A dress is a beautiful thing to own because it makes getting ready in the morning so easy. You don’t have to worry about coordinating skirt to blouse and sweater, or pants and belt and jacket. You just have to accessorize it, pick shoes, and voila. An outfit that is ready to go. The best dresses are even very easy to pack, taking up little room and not wrinkling. And there are so many to choose from!

Some of the same things are important when shopping for dresses that are important when shopping for other travel wardrobe necessities:

• Fit. Because there is little to no layering with a dress, it is important to make sure that it highlights your attributes. Make sure it fits you impeccably.  Have it tailored if it fits well in one place but is too big in another.
• Comfort. Depending on the material, a dress can be the most comfortable clothing item that you own. It can also be the most restrictive. So make sure that when you’re shopping for travel dresses you choose the former.
• Anti-wrinkle. Some dresses won’t wrinkle no matter what you do to them. Those are the best!
• Coordinates with shoes. Dresses are one item that don’t have to be neutral (unless you want them to). But make sure they match with whatever shoes you pack.

If you need a suiting dress, Talbots is my favorite place. In fact, they have a ton of work dresses, period. One of my favorites right now is the Sash Wrap Dress in Navy.

TravelSmith also has some great dresses designed specifically for travel. I really like the Women’s JetSet Twist Dress and the Voyager Knit Faux Wrap Dress.

Banana Republic has some great work dresses, including the 3/4 Faux Wrap Dress.

Other great places for business travel dresses include Ann Taylor, Saks, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and J. Crew.

One caveat about dresses: I don’t recommend that you wear them on actual travel days right now. Due to the TSA security screenings and potential pat downs, wearing a dress could lead to a very uncomfortable situation. But they are still great for travel! They pack small and make getting dressed in the morning easy. What else could you want?