HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

BEST WISHES ALWAYS

from

MIMI FRANKLIN

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

FOR THOSE LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS, CONSIDER HOPPING ON TO YOUR COMPUTER restaurant.com offers $25.00 gift certificates for as little as $1.00! just put in the code "JOY". vacationstogo.com offers loads of discounted cruises on a very easy to understand site,  Amazon.com offers gift certificates to many of your favorite stores and they can be sent electronically to the recipient.

DON'T FORGET THE LITTLE THINGS

REMEMBER THE LITTLE THINGS WHEN YOU ARE PACKING. IT'S AMAZING HOW FRUSTRATING AND EXPENSIVE THESE ITEMS CAN BE WHEN YOU ARE ON YOUR TRIP AND DON'T HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE STORES THAT SUPPLY THEM. ALWAYS INCLUDE:
BANDAIDS, SAFETY PINS, SEWING KIT, KLEENEX, INEXPENSIVE READERS (IF NEEDED), HAND SANITIZER, STAIN REMOVAL STICK OR SPRAY, ANTIBIOTIC CREAM AND ASPIRIN. I ALSO CARRY SMALL DENTAL AND EYEGLASS REPAIR KITS.

EMBELLISHMENTS EXPAND A TRAVELER'S WARDROBE

WHEN IT COMES TO PACKING LIGHT DON'T FORGET THE POWER OF EMBELLISHMENT. COLORFUL SCARFS HAVE BEEN THE MAINSTAY TO MOST SAVVY TRAVELERS FOR YEARS BUT DON'T LET IT STOP THERE. FUNKY, FUN, LIGHTWEIGHT AND INEXPENSIVE JEWELRY CAN ALSO INCREASE THE LOOK OF YOUR WARDROBE ESPECIALLY WITH SOME OF THE WILD CREATIONS ON THE MARKET TODAY. EVERYONE CARRIES THEM AND YOU CAN FIND THEM FROM THE TOP OF THE LINE DEPARTMENT STORES TO YOUR DISCOUNT SHOPS LIKE ROSS OR MARSHALL'S. EVEN ONLINE AND RETAIL SHOES LIKE THOSE FOUND AT ONESOLE.COM HAVE ADDED EMBELLISHMENTS TO THEIR LINE. ONESOLES OFFER SNAP ON TOPS AND "EMBELLISHMENTS" LIKE FLOWERS OR FAUX FUR PINS.

MY FAVORITE CRUISE WEBSITE IS VACATIONSTOGO

WHEN I DECIDE THAT IT IS TIME FOR A CRUISE I ALWAYS HEAD TO VACATIONSTOGO.COM FIRST. THE SITE IS EXTREMELY EASY TO MANEUVER AND OFTEN HAS THE BEST PRICES. YOU WOULD. THINK THAT THE ACTUAL CRUISE COMPANY LIKE NCL OR CARNIVAL WOULD BE ABLE TO DO BETTER ON PRICE FOR YOU, BUT I FIND FAR MORE OFTEN THEN NOT, THAT THE CRUISE LINE CAN ONLY MATCH THE BEST PRICE THAT VACATIONSTOGO OFFERS. ALSO, VACATIONSTOGO WILL SOMETIMES ADD AN ADDITIONAL PERK LIKE A CREDIT OR WINE TO THEIR PROMOTIONS. SO IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO CHECK OUT THEIR SITE FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE AT SEA.

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.