VISITING ONESOLE.COM FOR PACKING LIGHT

WWW.ONESOLE.COM IS A WONDERFUL SITE FOR THE SERIOUS FEMALE TRAVELERS. DEVELOPED BY ENTREPRENEUR DOMINIQUE BARTEET,A PHARMACIST WHO KNEW FOOT PAIN WELL AFTER STANDING ON HER FEET ALL DAY, ONESOLE SHOES ARE NOT ONLY COMFORTABLE BUT STYLISH AS WELL. THE SUPPLY OF TOPS AVAILABLE FOR INTERCHANGING ON THE INDIVIDUALLY SELECTED SOLES IS OUTSTANDING! FROM CASUAL TO FORMAL,SILK SCRRENS OR STRAPPIES, COLLEGE LOGOS OR PICTURES OF ELVIS, ONESOLE TOPS ENHANCE THE WARDROBE AND ARE VERY LIGHT FOR THE PACKER SINCE YOU DON'T NEED TO PACK LOTS OF SHOES. I HAVE WORN THEM FRQUENTLY DURING MY FAIR WEATHER TRIPS AND FIND THEM TO BE SOOTHING AS WELL AS FUN TO WEAR. JUST SNAP ON A TOP TO MATCH YOUR OUTFIT AND YOU ARE GOOD TO GO.

REVERSIBLE CLOTHING FOR TRAVEL

REVERSIBLE CLOTHING CAN REALLY EXTEND THE LOOK OF YOUR TRAVEL WARDROBE BUT IT HAS SOME DRAWBACKS. FOR EXAMPLE, SKIRTS AND TOPS ARE OFTEN AS HEAVY AS PACKING TWO OF EACH. IN THAT CASE YOU ARE BETTER OFF SELECTING TWO LIGHTWEIGHT PIECES THEN BEING RESTRICTED TO ONE BULKY ITEM. ALSO, IF THE REVERSE PATTERN IS TOO CLOSE IN DESIGN AND COLOR TO THE OTHER SIDE THEN THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO IT AS A VISUAL EXTENSION OF YOUR WARDROBE. I PREFER REVERSIBLE HATS AND JACKETS WHEN I TRAVEL SINCE JACKETS AND HATS ARE USUALLY LINED THIS MAKES THEM ABOUT THE SAME WEIGHT AS REVERSIBLE ONES WITH ALL THE ADVANTAGES.

NEW BALANCE ARM WALLET

If you don't want to carry a pocketbook or day bag but feel the need to carry ID, cash and a credit card, consider an arm wallet . The New Balance Sports Arm Wallet is sturdy, lightweight and comfortable. Use it for a jog, walk in the park or whenever you travel.

BERMUDA CRUISE STARTING AT $349

I love Bermuda and I love this incredible cruise bargain. Vacations to go fast deal #11410 from NYC to Bermuda leaves on October 30, 2011 and returns on November 6th. It is on the NCL Gem which is a beautiful ship. The deal gets even better as NCL throws in an onboard credit on select cabins. I really wish my schedule allowed it! Call 800-338-4962 and tell them Mimi sent you. Bon Voyage

INTERCHANGEABLE JEWELRY

I picked up some interchangeable earrings from SnapHappy at an antique mall but was very disappointed to find out that they do not have an internet site. If anyone knows where I can buy more please let me know. Inexpensive interchangeable jewelry is great to have when you travel. I never pack expensive pieces. Buy.com, trendystonejewelry.com and Bling Time interchangeable accessories gives the traveler a wide selection of items that coordinate well with todays style.

PLANNING A ROAD TRIP BY CAR?

In the next few weeks I plan to take another long road trip by car. So now it is up to me to make a few preparations. About.com cars gives some excellent tips including:

1.  Check your tires, tread and pressure. Don't forget the spare!

2.  Check the coolant

3.  Make sure any scheduled maintenance has been done

4.  Check the air filter. Clean it or change it after 10,000 miles

5.  Clean out your car. The weight of your car can effect the fuel use

6.  Join AAA. Roadside assistance is always a plus when needed.

Some of the things I keep packed in my trunk include:

1.  Fix-a-Flat. It is easy to use, just connect it to tire and inflate it.

2.  An Ikea tool kit with hammer, wrench, pliers and screwdriver

3.  A couple old rags

4.  A blanket

5.  A couple bungee cords

6. AAA's roadside kit that includes among other things, jumper cables, flares, shovel, emergency care guide, flash light and first-aid kit.  All the items fit neatly into a small, compact carrying case.

  

CHANGE YOUR LOOK WITH SCRUNCHIES

You can change the look of your outfit by adding scrunchies to the sleeves of your sweater or blouse. They can be secured with velcro dots, safety pins or a few quick stitches. Use the same color as your top or coordinate with another color from your pants or skirt. 

BUDGET TRAVEL MOBILE REPORTS 12.07 BAGS PER 1000 PASSENGERS ARE MISHANDLED

In a Budget Travel mobile article that I recently received online, 12.07 bags per 1000 passengers were mishandled by the airline industry last year. That's scary. Topping the list of reasons are: Forgetting to pick up your luggage in baggage claim or just leaving your carry-on bag in the overhead compartment by accident, if the routing label gets damaged or if the attendant types in the wrong destination code or if your bag is loaded onto the wrong plane. These reasons alone should make you consider packing lighter and carrying-on if possible. It is hard for me to think you will forget your carry-on if it is the only bag you travel with!

LIGHTWEIGHT DRESSES ARE A BIG HIT WITH TRAVELERS

Lightweight dresses like this one made by Sunny Leigh are perfect for the female traveler with an eye for style and a desire to pack smarter. It is made of 92% polyester and 8% spandex. That means it shouldn't need ironing and when it is worn with a complimenting pullover it looks like a skirt and sweater set too. It can be machine washed in cold water and tumble dried in a dryer or left to air-dry on a hanger. (I prefer the latter) This week it is on sale at Macy's for 1/2 of $69.00. We are talking $34.50 ladies!

AIRLINES MISHANDLE AND LOSE BAGS

According to LearnVest, American Eagle Airlines mishandled bags for 7.18 passengers out of every 1000. The average for all airlines is 3.49 per 1000. This can be a nightmare for travelers. Last year I was on a transatlantic cruise where two couples were stranded on a cruise ship with only what they had on their backs. They had to purchase clothes from the cruise ship but were certainly limited on selection. They spent their port stop entertainment searching out department and specialty stores. If possible, it is always best to pack everything you need in a carry-on. If, however, this is not an option, then pack a carry-on with at least one change of clothes, extra shoes, underwear, toiletries, jewelry and all medications needed for your trip. 

If you need tips on how to pack, please go to mimipackslight.com

PACK LIGHTER TO OFFSET HIGH CHECKED BAG FEES

To avoid the high cost of checked baggage consider carry-on luggage. Here I am with an under the seat bag from Solo that is packed for a two week cruise. Go to my sight mimipackslight.com to find out how.

PACKING LIGHT BECOMES A "LIFE PHILOSOPHY"

The more I learn about packing and how to manage my travel with fewer things, the more I learn about doing the same with my everyday life. When I ask myself, "What do I really need to survive yet still maintain a good life?" I find that the list gets smaller and smaller. As most homeowners insurance companies will tell you, family photos are usually the most personally valued. They are for me too so I shall put them up near the top of my list. I need a home of some sort to live in, a bed, and a table and chairs. A sofa would be nice and a flat screen TV across from it would be even better. An iPhone dock for music, some pots, pans, dishes, flatware, glasses, a couple rugs, lamps, towels, blankets, sheets and clothing should round it off.  Oh yes, A blow-dryer and a few toiletries would be needed along with the basic appliances (refrigerator, stove, sink, etc.) that we have all grown accustom to. Well, thats it for now as my goal to pack light morphs into one that lives light.