Today’s guest post is from Nicky Warner, a young professional who believes in working hard and looking good. She loves writing and blogging, and always has something to say about the latest workwear and fashion trends. Follow Nicky on Twitter @Dressed4Success.

Whether I’m on a business trip or heading to my favourite holiday destination, I love the fun and convenience of air travel; I doubt the novelty of flying will wear off for me anytime soon. I do however have one gripe, and that is the issue of choosing travel shoes.

Sore, stiff feet make the jet-setting experience decidedly less glamorous, and when it comes to travel shoes I often find myself tempted to lace up a sturdy pair of womens safety shoes or Terra footwear boots and leave it at that. Looking into advice on travel shoes however, I’ve picked up some useful tips that will help me make smart choices:

• Flex that Foot. Travel shoes should be lightweight and flexible, allowing you to move your feet freely. This will help prevent cramps and swelling during the flight. I recommend a pair with adjustable straps. Stylish, athletic-style options like the Mephisto Allrounder are a great example of travel shoes that look chic while allowing for maximum comfort.
• Keep your Cool. If you’re feeling hot and bothered in your travel shoes, cooling gel insoles can work wonders. Compression stockings from the local chemist will also aid circulation and reduce swelling.
• Strictly Business. If you’re headed directly to a board meeting and simply have to wear formal shoes, choose something with a low heel and good arch support. Alternatively, wear your comfortable travel shoes and keep the formal pair close at hand in a stylish travel shoe bag.
• Keep Moving. Do regular foot and ankle stretches, especially on longer flights. Take a walk up the aisle if you can, but if you have to remain in your seat, you’ll be thankful you chose good quality travel shoes.

Investing in a good pair of good-looking, versatile travel shoes means you can put your best foot forward the minute you land. Wishing you all happy travels – and happy feet!

I recently got an interesting question from a reader:

I’m going on my first business trip next month. I know I am going to carry-on, and my the first bag is a rollerboard. My question is, what exactly counts as that second, “personal” bag? A laptop bag? A shoulder bag? Or does it have to be purse-sized? Thanks for your help!

Great question, and fun for me because I can talk about bags all day!  The American Airlines baggage information page defines the personal item as:

Personal item – includes: small backpack purse, briefcase, laptop bag OR a similar item such as book bag or tote that does not exceed 36 inches( length+width+height) and must fit under the seat.

So the answer to your question is: the personal bag is anything that can fit under the seat in front of you. It can be a purse, laptop bag, backpack, tote,  or a smaller suitcase.  I have traveled with everything from a backpack to a tiny purse to an Eagle Creek packing cube holding my giant tablecloth that I use for events. As long as it fits under that seat, it counts.

My advice at this point is to figure out which type of bag will serve you best during your trip, make sure it fits the above dimensions, and get it!

During TBEX, one of the fantastic people I met was Sheila Scarborough from Perceptive Travel (among other places). Her vitality and passion for travel are contagious, and I had a great time visiting with her. One of the things she has put together is this fantastic video that shows her packing for a business trip.  If you have ever wondered, “How do you fit all of that stuff into a carry-on?,” this is the video for you. It’s a bit lengthy, but if you have struggled with packing it will help you to no end. Enjoy!!

Yesterday I was researching a blog post I am doing for Via-Her, and I kept getting distracted. Not that surprising, really, since the post was about laptop bags and purses, and many adorable ones abound. One of the examples I found of a great laptop bag is this beautiful yellow one from Kate Spade. It is roomy, has plenty of interior pockets, and the lining makes me SO happy. My main problem with it is that the interior is not divided, but it’s so cute I’m having a hard time remembering that. So if you are in the market for a new bag and you don’t need a divided interior, think about this one! I know I am…..

After a fun-filled three day weekend, it’s a little sad to be back in the work week. I decided I needed something to cheer me up, and nothing makes me happier than……shoe shopping!! If you have been reading this blog for any period of time you know that I have a deep, abiding love for peep-toe flats, especially for travel. They are comfortable enough to walk around an airport in, but cute and summery enough to enjoy. I mean, if every time you look down at your feet you smile, your day will be better! So here are a few great pairs I found at DSW. Cute? Check. Comfy for travel? Check. Perfect!

I love these bright yellow shoes from Steve Madden. They will go with pants of any color, dresses, and skirts, and they add a bright pop that’s perfect to keep an outfit from feeling too serious.

This Blowfish shoe is just serious enough, with its double knot, but has just a hint of sparkle to keep it from edging into boring. It also comes in red patent leather, which I am very. excited. about.

I know these shoes aren’t peep-toe, but I had to list them anyway. Again, you can wear them with anything. Black patent, white flower….Great for summer but will also take you into fall. They are adorable, and I love them, but they may not work for all workplaces.

I learned Saturday that the anniversary for your blog is called a “blogiversary.” Who knew? This weekend, Road Warriorette turned one year old. This past year has been so exciting!! Launching the blog, honing in on my mission, increasing the regularity and frequency of posting, and moving to Boarding Area. I also am excited about the future, looking forward to the upcoming collaborations with The Highway Girl and Via-Her.

One year ago, I decided to start a blog for women about business travel because I felt there was a lack of information. If you are a woman just starting to travel for work, where do you go to find out what to pack, how to pack it, what toiletries you need, how to be comfortable on the plane and still look professional, etc? This is the void I have tried to fill, and will continue to try to answer these questions in the future. Thank you for joining me on the journey!!

Click here to read my first post, Where’s the Help??

Here in Texas it has already reached 100 degrees for a brief, searing moment. What does one wear to work, much less to the airport, when it is so hot? Jackets are (hopefully) out–it’s just too warm. My normal black pants felt very heavy yesterday. And then there is the whole temperature differential–super hot outside, frigid cold inside (thanks summer AC!). There are so many issues! Here are my solutions. (As always, you know the level of formality that you  need for your office.)

• Lighter weight slacks. Try for taupe or gray, maybe even white, unlined if you can handle it. They will typically be a bit thinner, so make sure to watch for “trouble areas” in the rear and thighs when trying them on. I love the “Martin” fit pants from Banana Republic.
• Skirts/dresses.** There are a ton of work appropriate, comfortable, and lightweight skirts and dresses out there right now, and even some that are good for travel. TravelSmith is always a good place to look.
• Short sleeves (or even sleeveless). Cute tops are everywhere right now! Button down, wrap, silk, knit, anything you could want. Make sure that a top isn’t too sheer, and wear a cami under it if you just aren’t sure.
• Keep a cardigan or pashmina in your carry-on. It’s actually a great idea to always have a cardigan or pashmina in your office too, but definitely when you travel. Yesterday on the plane I had to cover up with my pashmina in order to not freeze. Glad I grabbed it on the way out the door! Old Navy has several lightweight, inexpensive cardigans in varying lengths and cuts right now.
• Peep toe flats. These are my favorite! They feel so summery but are great for travel. I LOVE these from Nordstrom.

**I know some people don’t like to wear dresses or skirts to the airport because they don’t like to be barefoot when they remove their shoes at security. I totally get that, but right now I don’t want to put socks on anyway, for any reason. But as always it’s personal preference.

Yesterday to Nashville I wore black slacks and a black lightweight cotton short-sleeve blouse. The top worked out well, but I definitely think I need some new pants for summer. Guess that means it’s time for shopping!

Sometimes I feel like I’ve heard every packing tip or space saving idea there is. And then sometimes I hear one that is surprisingly simple, but brand new.

If you are going on a trip for a few days, don’t pack your whole bottle of eye makeup remover. Instead, dip one end of several q-tips into the liquid and then put them in a ziplock bag. This would also work with cotton balls. It’s like creating your own makeup-remover pads. This will take up way less space then the little bottle (even a 3-oz bottle), plus it doesn’t have to go into your liquids ziplock. Save some space, people!!

In case you haven’t noticed, I am super excited that spring is here. Shedding the dark colors and heavy fabrics of winter in favor of dresses and tops in breezy brights and pastels is a warm-weather treat. And of course, that extends to purses! Time to put away my dark brown bag and get out my DrikaB canvas turquoise tote. Here are a few of my favorite travel-ready purses for the new season:

Yes, this Ann Klein bag from eBags is leather, but the bright colors and fun lining make it a great bag for spring. It has plenty of pockets and compartments for files, laptops, and other travel necessities. And the price isn’t bad, either.

I have this DrikaB bag in turquoise and orange, and I LOVE it. I abuse it, throwing stuff in it, filling it up, and carrying around my laptop. This purse just takes everything I give it and sits there looking cute. I get so many compliments everywhere I go, and the inside pocket and compartments make room for everything.

Hooray for spring!! Now go outside and enjoy yourself.

The business travel post on Corporette yesterday got me thinking…..while I have done a lot of topic-specific posts, I haven’t yet done a general tips post. So, here are my best general travel tips. By topic, because I just can’t help myself.

Clothes:

• Flat, slip on shoes  are best for day of travel. They allow you to move quickly through the airport, go easily through security, and be comfortable on the plane.
• Bring a scarf or pashmina for the plane–as a blanket, a pillow, whatever you need.
• If you can at all avoid it, don’t bring anything that wrinkles or that you have to iron. Ironing will just waste time and stress you out
• Bring clothes that fit into one color scheme, i.e. black or brown. This way they all match, and you have to bring less pairs of shoes.

For the plane:

• Don’t throw your bag in an overhead bin that is way in front of your seat if you can at all help it.
• If it’s a long flight, bring an eye mask and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.

Packing:

• I bring my own shampoo/conditioner, just because I travel so much if I use whatever random products the hotel puts out my hair gets mad; a GREAT source is 3floz.com, as is Sephora
• Eagle Creek packing cubes are so helpful for the small items (underwear, socks, hose, etc); they will help you save a ton of space
• I have three small bags for my toiletries–one for liquids (that gets taken out at security), one for non-liquids (toothbrush, deodorant, etc), and one for make-up. This allows me to fit them in my suitcase wherever they will go instead of taking up a lot of room
• And don’t forget about my new favorite tip! Use spare contact lens cases for small amounts of liquids, such as face soap, moisturizer, eye makeup remover, etc.

General Tips

• Emergen-C! I take it every day when I travel, sometimes twice. I also bring SoyJoy bars with me everywhere in case food is hard to find (or I’m stuck on a plane).
• I use my White Noise iPhone app a lot in hotels, especially when the walls are thin, there is a highway outside nearby, or the air-conditioning unit is super loud off and on.