I looooove water. It is my favorite beverage, hands down. For years I bought cases of bottled water to enjoy. However, several years ago I became cognizant of how wasteful bottled water is, and started using a water filter (my current favorite is by PUR). The next item I needed to find—a refillable water bottle. For the last few years, I’ve used SIGG aluminum water bottles. They are great, except for two things: they need to be handwashed, and they take two hands to open. So I’ve been keeping an eye out for something new.

On recommendation from my sisters, I tried the Contigo Addison water bottle. Y’all, this bottle is amazing. It is made of BPA-free plastic, it’s leak proof, shatter resistant, and is top-rack dishwasher safe. Yes!!! Plus, it is so freaking easy to use with one hand—just push the button and the spout pops up. Drink from it like you would a straw, then press the spout back down. The part you drink from is protected, so it stays clean when the spout is down. This would be great for travel—just drop it in your briefcase or personal item and refill once you go through security.

They are available at lots of places—Target, online and in stores ($12.99), the Contigo website ($12.99), and Amazon (one for $12.22 or 3 for $33.80). I got mine from Costco, and paid $19.99 for three—so if you have a Costco membership, this is clearly the way to go. They are available in a variety of colors (blue, yellow, green, gray, purple, and orange are the ones I saw). So pick one up and stay hydrated on your travels!

Readers, what is your favorite water bottle? Do you take one with you when you travel?

(February is a weird word to write in the plural!)

February 2012:

• I compiled my favorite tips for the plane etiquette round up
• TOMS came out with ballet flats
• The New York Times and I disagreed about the top 5 ways to avoid baggage fees
• A friend got some help about traveling with injectable medicine

February 2011:

• I got some great packing tips for your more delicate items.
• Since missing loved ones is a hard part of business travel, I talked about dealing with homesickness
• The series Building a Business Travel Wardrobe started, with a focus on suits and business casual.

February 2010:

• I learned what to pack for a winter business trip
• After much trial and error, I shared my tips for dealing with swollen ankles
•  Snowmaggedon 2010 happened.

Hope you all have had a fabulous holiday!!

For some reason, I don’t have the patience or temperament for dramas right now. I used to watch Grey’s Anatomy religiously, but have no interest in it now. Maybe it’s because I have less time, or maybe it’s because they killed off a bunch of people I like. Either way, I seem to want to watch happier, shorter shows. The Home Warrior and I have been catching up on past episodes of Parks and Recreation, watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory, and I have found a new show that I love.

In full disclosure, I am a HUGE Friends fan, have seen all the episodes, and can pretty much relate every issue in life to a Friends situation.  Now that that’s all out there, I have to say: I love Go On. Matthew Perry is hilarious, and not in an entirely Chandler-esque way. The story lines are funny, but go a little deeper than your average sitcom. The basic tenet is that Matthew Perry is a sports talk radio host who lost his wife recently. In order to get back to work (which he desperately wants to do) he has to go to a loss support group full of interesting personalities. Shenanigans ensue.

I look forward to the show every week, and caught up on several episodes during my recent trip to El Paso (hooray Hulu Plus!). Hope it stays around for a while!

Here is the beginning of my favorite episode:

The most recent 5 episodes are available on regular Hulu, and the whole season is on Hulu Plus.

Readers, what are you watching these days?

When I was a kid, I spent hours at the library. I read anything I could get my hands on, and there was no where I would rather be. Fast forward about twenty years, and I still love to read. But I don’t ever go to the library anymore. The combination of less time to read, plus buying so many books at the airport, plus using my Kindle for so many years, has led me to not visit a library in longer than I can remember. However (and I may be the last person in the world to know about this) I just found out that you can borrow ebooks from many libraries! It’s free—all you need is a library card. (Pictured: The old school Kindle with the ink display, starting right now at $69!)

I also recently learned that another way to get free books to read on my Kindle is to join Amazon Prime. Of course, you have to pay around $80 per year for the membership, but the ability to borrow one Kindle book for free each month is one of the perks.

There are also frequently ebooks available for free or significantly reduced price on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. But I still think the best way to read books for free is the library. So I will be heading to my local branch this weekend to sign up. Then I will be able to download books to my Kindle any time of day, no matter where I am, for free. Of course I don’t get to keep them forever, but that’s okay. I’m just glad to be able to read a variety of books again!

Readers, have you found ways to get ebooks for super cheap or even free?

This post contains affiliate links.

One of the unfortunate parts of business travel is that you don’t always get to choose when your trips happen. Travel on weekends and holidays are almost inevitable at some point. During the Thanksgiving to New Years holiday block it seems to happen more than ever! Missing parties, concerts, and sometimes actual holidays is super lame. However, if you do have to travel during the season here are some ways to make it less terrible.

Do some holiday shopping. One of the best ways to get me to stop feeling sorry for myself is to buy gifts for my loved ones. When I’ve been on trips around Christmas, it always makes me  feel closer to my family and friends when I’m shopping for them!

Pamper yourself. On the flip side, the holidays can be a super hectic time. Take advantage of being away from the craziness and do something nice for yourself, maybe a massage, some time reading a book you’re excited about, or just eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Exercise if you can! Also, try to eat something tasty with a delicious beverage. Last year during December I went to the Angus Barn in Raleigh and had an amazing steak with a lovely glass of Zinfandel, and enjoyed it A LOT.

Stay in touch with home. Phone calls and text messages help you stay connected. Videos and pictures take it up a notch. Video calls, with Face Time or Skype for example, are great ways to feel close to your loved ones. Make a Skype date! It’s the next best thing to being at home.

Listen to holiday music. I know it’s silly, but a little holiday music is a big part of what makes this time of year special to me. I have a playlist with some of my favorites on my iPhone and hearing them makes me happy.

Enjoy seasonal treats. This time of year I LOVE the Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks. The Home Warrior loves eggnog. When I’m traveling I try to enjoy a little of both (at different times of course!) in order to feel festive, even while I’m not at home.

Work on holiday cards. The Home Warrior suggested this one. (Is he trying to send a message and get me to work on our Christmas cards during my trip next week? Hmmmm.) Regardless of his reasoning, he’s right. Sometimes it’s nice to have chunks of time to get stuff done, like on an airplane. Then when you get home, all you have to do is enjoy being home!

Over the next several days I will be doing some Twitter chats about travel during the holidays (in partnership with National Car Rental) so watch for those and participate if you can! (#RWHolidayTrvl)

Readers, anyone traveling over the holidays this year? Any tips for making it more bearable?

It’s the time of year for giving! In case you are stumped about what to get the Road Warrior and Road Warriorette in your life, I have rounded up a list of great gifts for your traveling loved one.

E-readers. The best gift for someone who is on the road a lot, or who reads a lot. I got my Kindle three years ago and never looked back. Other popular options are the Barnes and Noble Nook and the Sony eReader.

Headphones. Whether they’re earbuds or of the full-on noise canceling variety, headphones are a great gift! I like these J. Fi Natural Accoustic earbuds, and the originals, the Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Canceling Headphones. Of course, you could always get a headset like the awesome Plantronics Voyager Legend too.

Pashmina. Love, love the pashmina. Available everywhere, ranging in price from $10-$100 or so. If you want a good inexpensive version, try this one from Sakkas. For a luxe experience, definitely go cashmere like this one from Nordstrom.

Compression socks. Necessary for anyone who makes long flights! Available for men and women, all over the place. These super cute striped and argyle versions are from TravelSmith.

Travel purse/briefcase. I am totally asking for the awesome
eBags Laptop Collection SOHO Leather Mobile Office this year. It has room for all of my stuff, but won’t take up too much room on a short trip. Plus it’s super cute!

Stocking Stuffers. Travel-friendly items come in small packages too! Travel sized toiletry bottles, luggage tags, and water bottles that pack flat  all make great gifts that will fit in a stocking (and won’t break the bank!). Other options are a nice toiletry set—help pamper your loved one when they’re away from home with this L’Occitane Shea Butter set.

Gift cards! If you don’t have time to shop or your person is super hard to shop for, gift cards are always a winner. ITunes are great, as are Amazon gift cards (especially if your person has a Kindle). Or think about buying airline upgrades as a gift!

Readers, what items are on your gift list this year?

This post contains affiliate links.

Business Travel 101 is a series from a couple of years ago about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. I’ve re-tooled the series, and now it’s more comprehensive than ever! It covers everything a new business traveler needs to know for that initial trip, including essential tips for packing, security, safety, etiquette, and comfort.

For some people, sitting in a cramped, crowded airplane feels the same as sitting in their office. They are comfortable, can get work done, and reach their destination feeling refreshed and ready-to-go. I am not those people. I have to work at feeling comfortable on a plane, sometimes have to talk myself into working, and more often than I’d like, I arrive feeling exhausted and frazzled. There are tricks I’ve picked up on over the years to make the whole flying process easier, and I hope they help you too.

• Pick your seat online. If it’s possible to pick your seat before you check in, you have a better chance of avoiding the dreaded (and uncomfortable) middle seat. For Southwest, make sure you check in as close to 24 hours before your flight as possible to give yourself an earlier boarding number (or pay the extra $10 for Early Bird check in).
• Wear comfortable, wrinkle resistant clothes. The easiest way to feel good during travel: comfortable clothes.  This is not the time for tight-around-the-midsection pants or a movement-restricting shirt. Make sure that you feel good sitting for long periods of time in whatever you wear. I prefer slacks with a bit of stretch in them and pullover blouses, not button downs, as well as flats.
• Stay hydrated. This is important for comfort, health, and looking good. Drink at least 8 oz of water for every hour you are flying. This will keep you from getting dehydrated, which in turn keeps you feeling more alert and prevents your skin from drying out.
• Bring a pashmina. I know I talk about the wonders of the pashmina often, but when you are freezing on your next flight you will be really glad you brought one. This time of year you can use it as a blanket while flying and then as a scarf once you arrive. It can also work as a pillow if you have a window seat. Hooray multi-taskers! (Pictured: the lovely cashmere blend wrap from Nordstrom)
• Keep your skin hydrated. I always keep lip balm with me when I fly because my lips get super dry. A friend of mine always keeps lotion with her because her hands get really dry. If you tend toward dry, you will feel much better if you can address these issues before they become problems.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Shoes that are too tight can become painful during flights. A few years ago I was flying home from California, and because I was running late to the airport didn’t get to change into my softer, more flexible shoes. That flight was miserable–my feet were cold, sore, and hurt a LOT. My advice is to wear shoes that are flexible, breathable, and even a little bit loose.
• Bring entertainment. Whether it’s work, a book, music, knitting, or something else—you will be happier if you have something to do. If your flight is bumpy and the person next to you is snoring, it’s much easier to block out the annoyance if you are involved in an activity.
• Snacks! It’s always a good idea to carry something to eat. You never know when you’ll be stuck on a tarmac for hours with no food, or when your flight will be delayed and you won’t have time to grab dinner in the airport during your layover. Trust me, a granola bar, piece of fruit, or some nuts won’t take up much room but could save your trip.

Readers, any other tips for being comfortable on the plane?

This post contains affiliate links.

Ah, summer. There are certain things that evoke that summer feeling—the smell of sunscreen, the roar of the ocean, the hot sun….. There are also a ton of songs that I love to listen to, especially in the summer, that remind me of the time of year when time slows down and it feels like the days last forever. Here is my playlist of favorite summertime songs from a recent road trip, along with accompanying stories.

• Beatles LOVE album—we’ve seen the Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE show in Las Vegas three times, always in the summer. I could seriously watch this show every day! This is one of my favorite summer albums.
• Beach Boys—basically any song by the Beach Boys
• Summertime—both the Gershwin song and the Will Smith song. In fact, the Will Smith “Summertime” is what inspired this post. I start listening to it at the beginning of every summer!
• Slow Ride, School’s Out for Summer, Summer Breeze—basically anything from the movie Dazed and Confused will remind me of summer, but these are my favorites.
• Margaritaville—a cliché, I know, but it works so well.
• Eye In the Sky—for years after the Home Warrior and I got married, we heard this Alan Parsons Project song every time we went to the beach, starting with our honeymoon. Now I hear it and think of summer.
• Anything disco—the soundtrack of years of family road trips during the summer was a “Best of” disco cassette tape that included classics like a Fifth of Beethoven, Fly Robin Fly, and The Hustle.
• Sublime—the whole album reminds me of summers during high school at the beach. Love it!

And while it didn’t make it on my road trip play list, “So You Think You Can Dance” is my favorite summer show and the theme song gets me ready for summer every time!

Readers, if you were making a summer road trip list, what songs or albums would be on there? What are your favorite summer songs for travel?

We’ve all had mornings go horribly wrong, whether you’re at home or on the road. Hyatt Place is doing their part to make mornings just a little bit better by introducing their new a.m. Kitchen Skillet. It’s always been free, and now it’s been upgraded! Enjoy breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, fresh fruit, waffles, pastries, juice, toast, and cereal, along with Starbucks coffee.

Signature Sandwich

I went this morning to a local Hyatt Place to check out the new a.m. Kitchen Skillet, and my stomach was very happy. Not only were there many more offerings than in the past, but everything I tried was delicious. My first taste test was the new Hyatt Place Signature Sandwich, a potato roll stuffed with egg, apple wood smoked bacon, and sliced Gouda cheese. It was very, very tasty. I also sampled one of the rotating sandwiches, the Santa Fe Bagel, which is a whole grain bagel thin topped with ham, egg, spinach, tomato, and chipotle mayo. Other rotations include the Classic Muffin (English muffin, egg, ham, cheddar), the Sunrise Croissant (croissant, egg, spinach, mushrooms, and muenster cheese), and the Southwest Biscuit (egg, pepper jack cheese, tomato, turkey, roasted green salsa). I think they all sound pretty darn good! One item they are very excited about is the new steel-cut oatmeal, with multiple

Toppings!

delicious topping options.

Besides the great food, two things stood out. First, the modern yet comfortable décor—it looked fresh without trying too hard, and my poor pregnant body was able to sit for a long time without getting stiff (no easy feat these days!). In addition, the service was incredibly gracious and helpful. Every guest who walked through the main area was greeted personally, and many people were given a quick tour of the breakfast area. One woman came in late, when they were already cleaning up, but the hostess told her to let her know what she wanted and she would go to the back and grab it for her. Great service!

Even with a fantastic breakfast, mornings can still get a little crazy. That is why, in honor of the new a.m. Kitchen Skillet, Hyatt is running a contest on their Facebook page featuring Morning Meltdowns. Share your worst meltdown, and you can win 10 free nights from Hyatt Place!  Click here to check it out.

Readers,  what have your worse travel morning meltdowns been? Has anyone checked out the new Hyatt Place breakfast?

A few years ago, I managed to break both of my feet in the span of about four months. Not the most graceful period of my life. Sigh. Luckily, it wasn’t both feet at the same time, and the left on only required a shoe, not a boot, and not crutches. But the right one, oh, the right one. I was on crutches for three weeks and in a boot up to my knee for a total of six weeks. I was traveling a lot, like normal, and wasn’t able to take a hiatus until my foot healed. So I had to figure out how to get around an airport and other assorted travel related places while on crutches. There wasn’t a lot of info on the internet, so I managed to muddle through on my own. Here are the things I did that made it easier to get around while temporarily handicapped.

1)      One bag packing. The best way to be completely self sufficient is to carry everything in one bag you can wear. For my trips, I pared down to the bare necessities and managed to get everything into my amazing expandable backpack (a Swiss Gear bag similar to this one. It’s not super pretty but it will pack a ton). If you’re going on a trip longer than two nights, this may be one of the few times I will recommend that you check your bag.

2)      Cross-body personal item. I found an inexpensive cross-body purse just for this time period. If a messenger bag works better for you, that’s fine too. A cross-body purse/briefcase/personal item will allow you to move around without banging into your crutches. With my backpack and purse, I was able to crutch around without assistance a lot of the time.

3)      Get direct flights. If at all possible, skip the connection. O’Hare is a huge airport that can be difficult to navigate in the best of times, much less when you’re slowed down.

4)      Keep tip money handy. If you will end up getting assistance from people, be prepared to tip. Have plenty of $1 bills that you can easily access. If you need a wheelchair (which I did a lot of the time, especially in O’Hare), assume you will be wheeled by several different people—one person from the ticket counter to your gate, another wheel you down the ramp to the plane, another to take you from gate to gate if you have a connection, etc. While they wheel you, your backpack and purse can go on your lap, and you can balance your crutches on the footrest of the wheelchair.

5)      Let the airlines know. Most airlines are really good about getting assistance for those who need it. Call your airline and travel agent ahead of time to let them know you will need some extra help. They made sure people met me at each gate and that I got easily accessed seats.

I hope this helps you! Of course, mostly I hope you never break your foot and have to travel, but if it does happen, you’ll be ready to handle it.

Readers, have you ever had to travel injured? What did you do to make it easier?

(And don’t forget about our super exciting contest coming up next week!!!!)