Packing for Travel

Thirteen years ago I swore I would never pack more than I could carry. Ever.

Back then carry-on guidelines allowed two pieces of carry-on luggage and one personal item. I went on a trip with a girlfriend and brought a garment bag and a duffle bag. It first occured to me that I had too much stuff when I was hustling in O'Hare to make a connection between the B and C gates. The further I went, the heavier that luggage got. The gate closed two minutes before I got there, and I know I could have made it if I hadn't been weighed down by my bags.

On the way home from that trip I thought I had my solution by checking one of my bags. When that was lost for two days I decided I would never struggle with luggage again.

I have only checked a bag once in the past thirteen years (I realize that there are exceptions to every rule and mine was made on the way back from Paris). Here are the guidelines I follow to make sure I've got what I need all in one piece of carry-on luggage.

Two simple words are my guide when packing for a trip: BE PREPARED. This "rule" applies to every tip listed below.

Check the weather forecast for your final destination. You don't want to arrive in Chicago with your favorite cashmere sweaters only to find it's going to be 60 degrees the weekend you're there.

Have a printed itinerary that includes your contacts and any confirmation numbers regarding reservations you've arranged (hotels, airlines, etc.). By having the names of people you spoke with or printed confirmation numbers, you'll be able to resolve any miscommunication.

Make a checklist of essential items. Then use that as your packing guide for every trip. If you travel at least once a month, I suggest a list for cold and warm climates.

Avoid over packing by planning your outfits. It's important here to be honest about what you'll be doing on your trip. If it's a business trip, you won't need three pairs of jeans. Will you really be able to fit a workout in?

No more than three pairs of shoes (total). Wear the heaviest pair, pack the other two. I love shoes, some would say more than most other women. I still stick to this rule (on warm weather vacations I allow a flip flop for a fourth shoe). Again, be honest. Planning on walking a lot? Leave the high heels at home.

Keep a toiletry kit packed and ready to go. When I unpack from a trip, I replenish what I've used so I'm ready for the next trip. Next time you stock up on your skincare, ask for a sample size of the products you're purchasing. Keep up to date with liquid restrictions for carry-on bags by visiting tsa.gov (currently you're allowed up to three ounces of liquids that fit in a quart size Ziploc bag).

diva tip: Invest in a bag that allows you to compress the volume of your clothes. Eagle Creek makes Pack-It Compressor Bags. Zip it up and take out the volume, up to 60%. Your clothes can get wrinkled, so I suggest using it as a laundry bag.

Flight 001 has a great line called Spacepak. There are six different bags: Suitor, Lingerie, Clothes, Underwear, Toiletry and Shoe. All except the Suitor Bag are double sided and labeled clean and dirty on the inside. There are four small vents that allow you to compress and release any air. They also have a suggested system of how to pack the different bags in your suitcase to optimize space. Spacepak is more expensive than some compressor bags but worth it since you won't suffer wrinkly consequences and can pack clean clothes in it.

Eagle Creek is available online at Rei.com and EMS.com. Flight 001 has seven stores and is available online at flight001.com.

Hope you can use some of that information next time you pack for a trip.

Happy Travelling!!

Poppy King

You could perceive naming a lipstick company "Lipstick Queen" as arrogant.

Meet the woman who deserves the title: Poppy King.

Poppy started her first lipstick company in 1991. She couldn't find a good brown or deeper color and felt the lipsticks available were too greasy. She then created what she wanted: rich, opaque, pigment filled lip colors. Her first collection was called "Seven Deadly Sins".

POPPY was a success almost instantly in (her homeland) Australia and then she launched the line in the United States in 1993. She appeared in many top magazines and television programs around the world.

In 2002, after more than 10 years as CEO of Poppy Industries, Poppy King dissolved her company and later that year was named the Color Designer and Vice President, Creative Marketing for Prescriptives.

Poppy never stopped thinking of lipstick and lip products; so in 2006 she returned to having her own business. This time using the nickname friends call her: Lipstick Queen.

I have been wanting to look at Lipstick Queen ever since the product line was released in December (I still have about 20 lipsticks from her Poppy days so I know what a color and texture genius she is). I finally got to check it out at the Barneys New York in Chicago last weekend and I was not disappointed.

Lipstick Queen's first product collection offers 20 lipsticks. 10 shades in two different formulas, Saint or Sinner. Saint has 10% pigment and Sinner has 90% pigment. Sinner is labeled as a matte lipstick. Remember, this is Poppy King, so this matte lipstick is actually very smooth and creamy. The Saint lipsticks are sheer and moist and provide just enough color depth for those who like something a little lighter.

There are beautiful colors (Rust, Wine, Red, Berry and Coral) and gorgeous neutral tones (Rose, Natural, Pink, Nude and Rouge) that will have your friends oohing and aahing every time you wear your shade. I thought I would end up with a Wine or Berry Saint, but after testing a few colors in both formulas I ended up with Wine Sinner. I fell in love with the color and creamy texture.

You've also got to visit the Lipstick Queen website. My favorite section was Shades. After you choose between the Sinner and Saint categories you find yourself looking at the product packaging and all ten shades of lipstick. What makes this section unique is that you click on the shade you're interested in and a larger image of it appears with a description of the color (I compared my lipstick and can say with confidence that the color you're shown is very accurate).

Lipstick Queen is available at barneys.com and select stores.

Welcome Back, Poppy!! I can't wait to see what you do next.

Must Reads in Lucky Magazine April issue

The April issue of Lucky Magazine is filled with so many wonderful pretty pictures I wanted to mention a few articles that deserve your full attention too.

The Beauty Spy section always catches my eye because there's so many new fun beauty products to discuss. Don't miss the "surprise bestseller!" on page 186. I was so intrigued by the cute packaging I couldn't wait to look through the rest of the magazine before checking out the Crazylibellule and the Poppies solid perfume on amazon.com. (I just ordered three of the seven scents and will let you know what I think when I've gotten a chance to try them)

The "Do It Yourself" article that starts on page 212 has four women getting advice from a dermatologist and a makeup artist on choosing sunscreen. All four women have very different lifestyles and there's great advice on how to tackle specific sunscreen issues.

I know you would find the Lucky Spring Bag Guide on your own, but it's so wonderful, I just had to gush a little. The 10 different categories offer such variety, in style and price, that you'll find yourself wanting more than one new handbag this season. Be sure to check out the model (and bag) pictured with each category to see how a specific style would work in real life.

Lucky Breaks (p.281-286) has one big and three smaller giveaways and 15 discount offers worth reviewing. Beautyhabit.com, Tocca and Rafe are just a few of the participants this month. There are also eight exclusive luckybreaksonline.com deals on page 54.

If you don't already have a copy, the April issue of Lucky magazine is in stores now. Visit their website at luckymag.com.

Why I Love Buying Clothes at Target

Yes, that Target. You've seen the great ads. But you're wondering if it's really the store for you. Do yourself a favor, go to your nearest Target when you have an hour (or two) to really explore it. You won't be disappointed.

To keep my focus, I'm just discussing women's clothing and accessories in this post.

I'll start by naming names. Clothing Designers offered: Issac Mizrahi, Mossimo, Liz Lange and their "Go!International" brand that currently features clothing designed by Proenza Schouler. And Target just introduced Handbags and Sandals designed by Rafe.

The Spring tees and shorts they have in store right now are definitely worth a look. Match a cute cap sleeve tee with a fun pair of Madras Plaid shorts and you've got a great outfit for under $30. The graphic tees, both men's and women's, are so cool you'll find yourself wondering if you should by three or four.

Whether it's a dress, blazer, jacket, sweater, tank top, skirt or pants, the clothing assortment is so extensive that you'll be able to find just what you want in no time. And if you're in the market for a new bathing suit, this is the place to go. Plenty of one pieces and lots of bikini options (tops and bottoms are sold separately to ensure a perfect fit).

Make sure you check out shoes. I'm serious. I saw a friend last year in these amazing metallic wedges and was surprised when she said she purchased them at Target. Not so surprised (I just hadn't looked) that I couldn't go out the next day and pick up a pair for myself. And the selection is even better this year. The espadrilles they're offering will keep you in step with 2007 Spring trends.

The belt selection is great too; I learned this from the same friend who brought the shoe selection to my attention. When I'm in the market for a new belt, I look at Target before I go anywhere else. And they haven't let me down yet. What's even better? They're under $20.

I hope you enjoy your Target trip as much as I enjoy mine. If you don't have a Target near you, you can find them through the Internet at target.com.

Stella McCartney and skinCARE

CARE by Stella McCartney, inspired by her personal philosophies, is a line of luxury skincare made with 100% certified, organic active ingredients. While many products in the marketplace throw the word "organic" around like a hot tamale, CARE by Stella McCartney is formulated under the rigorous standards of ECOCERT - an international organic certification mark.

CARE by Stella McCartney's nine products (two cleansers, one toner, three elixirs and two moisturizers) contain NO petrochemicals, silicones, chemical preservatives, endangered plant species and genetically-modified or animal-derived ingredients.

Both cleansers remove makeup and impurities. The Purifying Milk Cleanser, geared for normal to dry or sensitive skin, also soothes and comforts your skin. The Purifying Foaming Cleanser is better for those with combination or normal to oily skin.

The Toning Floral Water, meant to be used between cleansing and moisturizing, will tone, soothe and assist your moisturizer.

The three elixirs, think of these as serums, are designed to meet skin specific needs and compliment the 5 Benefits Moisturizing Lotion/Cream. The Nourishing Elixir helps to firm and revitalize your skin. The Radiance & Youth Elixir stimulates and energizes lackluster skin. The Soothing & Calming Elixir gently soothes and comforts skin that needs a little TLC.

I tried all three elixirs and the texture is different for each. The Nourishing Elixir has the consistency of a lightweight face oil, the Radiance Elixir is a quick drying gel and the Soothing & Calming Elixir is a lightweight lotion.

Both facial moisturizers hydrate and protect your skin. You're supposed to choose either fluid or cream depending on what texture you prefer. I tried the 5 Benefits Moisturizing Cream; it's a lighter weight cream, not thick and heavy at all.

There are couple of things to consider if you're thinking of purchasing any of the CARE by Stella McCartney products. Since CARE by Stella McCartney is made with organic raw materials that are not refined or chemically modified; no two batches will be the same. When you go to replenish an item, the new one may have a variation in color or aroma level. And if you have known skin allergies, pay close attention to the ingredient list. All essential oils (there's quite a few) are listed on the product label so you can avoid any ingredients that cause you irritation.

Best way to try the line? Pick up the Discovery Set. You get a 5ml trial size of each of the three elixirs and the 5 Benefits Moisturizing Cream. CARE by Stella McCartney is available at select Sephora stores and sephora.com.