Multitasker Monday: Kindle 2

Have you heard of the Kindle? It's an electronic reading device. As a traveler or a person with a mobile lifestyle, why should you get one? The obvious benefit of this device is the fact that it can hold thousands of books, catering to your every literary whim within 60 seconds and preventing boredome for at least another millenium. Did I mention that it only weighs 10 ounces and is less than a half inch thick? The less obvious reasons are where this device shines as my absolute favorite travel companion.

Kindle as guidebook
Have you ever felt awkward walking around a new city with a guidebook in hand? Conceal your tourist status by downloading a guidebook to your Kindle. Guidebooks are available from Lonely Planet, Frommers, and more. They are also far less expensive than a paperback version of the same book.

Kindle as travel insurance
Did you know that your Kindle has an email address? Forward your travel itineraries and confirmation documents to yourname@kindle.com and all of your travel documents will be wirelessly delivered to you Kindle to refer to when the hotel clerk tells you he can't find your reservation.

Kindle as Teacher
Have you ever been standing in front of an interesting building, statue or other potentially significant landmark and wished you knew why this place was so significant? Instead of pretending your are just as interested as all of the other tourists with cameras poised, use Wikipedia on your Kindle to tell you the answer. The experience of viewing the Mona Lisa is much more valuable if you know why it was painted and its affect on the art world.

Kindle as tour guide
The Kindle 2 has a "text-to-speech" feature that will read out loud any book on your Kindle. Plug in some headphones, open up your guidebook, and let the Kindle be your guide as you explore your destination. The bonus: you actually get to see your destination instead of staring down at the pages of a book (or screen).

Post your Kindle tips and questions in the comments.

Travel Gear: Cute Cosmetics Bag

My friend Rachel is off to Disneyland for her honeymoon and she writes, I am looking for a cute, small and functional cosmetic bag to hold basic toiletries for a one week trip. What should I get?
I LOVE this question! I am always on the hunt for the perfect cosmetics bag because having the right products on a trip can help you to feel more comfortable and confident, helping you achieve the goal of this blog: to travel with style, poise, and grace. On the other hand, they can also take up a lot of space and weight, detracting from your stress free trip. It can be difficult to find one bag that meets all of Rachel's criteria but I am up for the challenge. Most "functional" bags are basic black or just plain ugly and the really cute ones are either teeny tiny or enormous (would you want to put your entire shower in a bag?). Rachel is looking for a bag to hold her shower items (shampoo, face wash, etc) but some of these bags could hold some beauty products as well.

Here are a few with varying price points and features to choose from. I really like my cosmetics bags to have a clear panel to view all of my items so it is easy to find what I am looking for, and all of these bags have mostly clear pockets. Each pocket is no more than 1.5-2 in thick to allow for bottles and products to be viewed easily without having to pack bottles in layers.

Jane Marvel Hanging Cosmetics Bag
I love this bag because it is one of the few hanging cosmetics bags that is actually cute! It comes in so many fun colors and patterns! I wish all of my cosmetics bags were hanging bags. When counter space is tight, a hanging bag is a savior. This one also has several smaller pockets for accessories, jewelry, etc. Everything is easily viewed while hanging on the back or your hotel bathroom door. The largest pocket is also removable which would most likely be suitable for carrying your liquid toiletries through airport security. You would have to measure to be sure. At only $42 for this beautiful bag, it is really quite reasonable! This bag is so cute that I think I might buy one and let you know!

Update: I just found this bag on clearance for $8 so I will definitely be ordering it and you should to! They even have matching totes and duffels for 50% off!

Jimeale 704 (shown)
These bags are classy and gorgeous. This one comes with a quart-size clear bag for your liquids and two other removable bags for incidentals. It's lined so it easily wipes clean and prevents leaks from spreading outside the bag into your suitcase.

Sonia Kashuk Foldover Cosmetic Bag
This bag is the smallest and the cheapest of the bunch. It holds bottles about 3 inches tall, when standing up in the bag, and larger ones when turned sideways. I have this bag and with a lot of planning I can get all of my toiletries and beauty items in it for a one week trip. This is quite a feat and will probably be covered in another post. This bag can sometimes be found in Target stores, but ordering online is your best bet to a clean one in the pattern you want.

If you have a question for the Traveling Diva, email thetravelingdiva[at]gmail.com

Multitasker Monday: Resealable Plastic Bags

While you probably know that quart size resealable plastic bags are perfect for carrying 3oz bottles of your favorite toiletry items, did you know that they are useful for many other travel needs? I have a friend who carries a stash of both the quart and gallon size in the front pocket of his carry-on bag, and after reading this post, you might want to also!

Here are just a few of my favorite uses for these wonderful little bags.

• Place shoes inside bags to keep their dirt from from your clothes. Use freezer bags for added durability.
• Store dirty clothes in a bag until you get home.
• Use a gallon size bag as a portable washing machine for dirty clothes. Put undies or tees into a bag. Add a drop or two of laundry soap (or shampoo), fill with water about two-thirds of the way full, seal the bag and shake, shake, shake! Rinse and hang dry on shower rod. If you plan on washing more (or larger) clothing items, be sure to pack a small garbage bag instead. You don't have to worry about your sink not being clean or not sealing off and your clothes get cleaner because they get your own special spin cycle!

What are your favorite uses for resealable bags?

Heading Down Under

I just made arrangements for my next adventure! I am especially excited because this will be a completely new experience for me. I am going to Australia! A friend recently introduced me to TravelZoo, an email newsletter showcasing fabulous travel deals from your city. When I say fabulous, I mean really really fabulous! Through this site, I bought tickets from San Francisco to Sydney for $299! I can't wait! I have no idea what I will do or see in Australia but I have until September to figure that out. I will keep you posted as my plans progress. Have you been to Australia? Post your suggestions in the comments.