Luggage Point

Knitting has been trendy in Hollywood for years. And now that The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs is a HUGE hit – plus the fact that IMDB is reporting that Julia Roberts will be starring in the film version of the book – it looks like this is one trend that won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

If you want to get in on the action – or you’ve been knitting up a storm for years – and need a great bag to keep your gear in, here are five fabulous knitting bags that are worthy of going everywhere with you.

In an attempt at full-disclosure, I have to admit that I love these bags so much that I actually own a few of them. And when there’s one that’s not housing a project, sometimes I’ll even take it out on the town with me, with just a cardigan, my wallet and lipstick zipped inside. They’re so cute, how could you not?!?

Right on the heels of the newly christened “staycations” (vacations at home), come “man-cations.” I know, I know. It’s a seriously obnoxious term, but women have had much ballyhooed “girls’ getaways” for ages, so if turnabout really is fair play, it looks like the “man-cation” is here to stay.

But I digress…

These “man-cations” are supposed to be bonding experiences for men who, because of their busy schedules and familial obligations, don’t get the kind of “Grizzly Adams” journeys they always dreamed of as kids. But in all honesty, the guys I’ve known who have gone on “man-cations” are more “30-something” (remember the TV show?) than “Man vs. Wild,” so they rarely just toss their old, ragged gear in the backs of their trucks and go. Instead, they carefully plan their “outdoor wear,” neatly tuck their must-have products into their shoes and jet off to places with outdoor adventures and a fantastic wine list. And to get their cargo where they’re going in style, the bags these guys tend to choose are both rugged and elegant.

If you’re planning a “man-cation” of your own, pack your things into a bag like one of these and hit the road for a grand adventure with the guys!

• American West Duffel Bag. Dude ranch-ready, this fantastic leather bag has room for everything and style to spare.
• Clava Racing Duffel. If you’re headed off to the race track for high-performance driving lessons – or just taking in the NASCAR race of the season – this bag is has all the room you need, plus chic track style.
• HideAway Black Forks 36″ Hunting Duffel. Head up to the cabin with a bag that’s rugged and outdoorsy, but still packs plenty of room for your iPod and polar fleece collection.
• Camp Inn 42″ Travel Gear Strata Vinyl Coated Nylon Duffle Bag. Take all your favorite gear (including your prized, hand-tied flies) on a deep-sea or lakeside fishing expedition in this roomy, waterproof bag.
• Kelty Moraine 3-4 Days Pack. Whether you’re camping in a tent or bunking in a cabin, this rugged pack has room for everything you’ll need – including your most comfy down-filled sleeping bag.

Taken a great “man-cation” lately? Share your favorite adventure spot and let others in on the fun.

It’s never ideal to fly when you’re not feeling well, but sometimes it just can’t be avoided. And when the odd summer cold strikes (and you find yourself clad in summer shorts and tees for travel), being trapped on a plane or train for hours can be especially grueling. Fortunately, there are a few provisions you can toss in your bag to help soothe your senses and make the trek just a little more bearable. Some of my long-time favorites include:

Beyond these three little pieces, I love, love, love some of the cough drops fortified with vitamin C and always keep travel-sized tissues in my purse. And instead of sipping caffeinated soda, which just makes me jumpy when I’m sick, I sip club soda throughout the flight (not only does it help soothe an achy stomach, but it also works wonders irritated throats!).

Got any great ideas for happy travel even when you’re under the weather? Tell me about them! Just hit the “comments” link and share your best solutions.

Between security lines, losing time from actual work and the general hassle of traveling halfway across the country and back in 30 hours, I do my best to avoid travel for business. But sometimes, a few hours on a plane and a face-to-face meeting with the people you do business with every day are exactly what you need to keep your business, well, in business.

But instead of packing two changes of clothes into your typical carry-on, you can streamline things a bit – and keep your suit in tip-top shape with a proper suit bag. Some personal favorites include:

If your business trips are longer than a couple of days, be sure to snap up a bigger, wheeled garment bag like the Samsonite Silhouette 10 Soft Spinner Garment Bag or the Delsey Helium 250GX Wheeled Garment Bag — they both hold three or four changes of clothes, are lightweight and can even be matched to other pieces to form a fantastic (and stylish) luggage set.

Summer is all about easy, breezy style. From the trendy maxi dresses (that also happen to be VERY comfortable) to wide-legged jeans and white camis – the looks of the summer feature simple, comfy styles that everyone loves to live in.

To dress up the simple looks of the season nothing beats a great bag and a fabulous pair of sandals. And while I covet literally thousands of pairs of sandals from all over the world, there are but a few bags that I think deserve a spot in your wardrobe’s repertoire – and those are:

With the high price of gas, airline tickets and all other manner of things, it’s no wonder that the “staycation” (vacation at home) has been all over the news lately. And if you’re on track to be one of the thousands of summer vacationers who are keeping your plans a little closer to home (like at the backyard pool), there are some great items you can pick up that will make your time “away” from it all just as fun and carefree as the beaches of Hawaii (well, almost).

Here’s my list of staycation must-haves:

Got any great staycation tips for your own? Share them with the rest of us by clicking the comments button below!

With all the new fees for checked bags, if you’re flying this summer (or in the foreseeable future) it’s more important than ever to pack only what you need. So to help you pare down and still get all the necessities onboard with you, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite tips and tricks for packing light.

Got any favorite tips of your own? Send them our way by clicking the comments link at the bottom of the page.

With many of the airlines cutting back on the number of flights, you can bet that 1) the trips they are continuing with will be more jam-packed than ever before and 2) if you’re traveling with kids you’d better be prepared.

To help make your trip as pain-free as possible, start by booking a flight during your little one’s usual sleeping schedule – and if you can, book your seats in a place where you won’t have to share the space with a stranger.

Once your seats have been selected, turn your attention to the in-flight entertainment. Now, having traveled with my nieces on numerous occasions, I can tell you that it really pays to fork over the $3 for the in-flight movie, but you can’t always count on the offerings to placate the kids. So be sure to bring hand-held games/entertainment, paper and pen for hangman and tic-tac-toe, coloring books and snacks.

To help keep your kids comfortable on the flight, bring along a kid’s neck pillow, travel blanket, and their iPod wrapped in a case complete with carabiner, which makes it easy to attach to their bags.

As for what to pack your kids clothes and toys in… well, a bag that they can maneuver is ideal. This will not only give them control over their own belongings, but because kids’ bags usually come in fun and funky shades, they’re easy to spot in the overhead bins and keep an eye on as you walk through the airport. Some popular choices include:

Got any great tips for traveling with kids? Click the comments link and share them now!

The Fourth of July is the ultimate American holiday. It’s about country and home, gathering friends and family for a laugh, good food and warm weather. And although red white and blue is a little cliché, there are ways to do it for your party – and your ensemble – that are new and stylish and still portray the feeling of the holiday. Here are five great ways to get your red, white and blue fix that will leave you looking chic and modern – and truly all-American:

I’ve seen t-shirts that read “Green is the New Black,” and seen TV shows about the wonders of eco vacations, so yes – it would seem that going green is a bit trendy these days. But with some of the staggering environmental statistics out there, including U.S. Geological Survey predictions that Glacier National Park will have no glaciers left by the year 2030, and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study that reveals there has been a 100 percent increase in the intensity and duration of hurricanes and tropical storms since the 1970s, which is most likely due to the increased amount of CO2 emissions to our atmosphere, going green and hitting the eco bandwagon really isn’t a bad idea – no matter how trendy it may be.

Of course, many of the products we buy every day aren’t in line with today’s environmentally friendly sensibilities – but small steps can make all the difference. And with many companies making strides in creating more eco-friendly products that are both durable and stylish, buying eco-friendly luggage, handbags, etc. is an easy step to take. So if you’re in the market for eco-friendly bags, consider some of these fantastic product lines and get with the (green) program!

There are, of course, many companies that operate fairly, ethically and with the planet’s best interests in mind. To make sure you’re supporting the companies that match your own values, just do a little research… with the internet, all the information you need is right at your fingertips!

Happy shopping!