Magical Ostrich Pillow

I saw this on one of the blogs I read.  This puts the pillowig to shame.  This is for a serious napper. So what would you choose?  Between the little neck pillow, the proper pillow from the bed or this guy?  I think I would go with this guy for novelty sake.  I love my sleep, but I don't know that I have ever been so undaunted to think something like this is necessary.  Although, I might have been very useful in college in the library or cafe where I would often find myself napping, nay, sleeping.   So who does this appeal to?  the Midwestern undaunted sleepy traveler, the bi-coastal actor facing the red eye?  I need some one to buy it and report back.

Amazon.com, $49.99

Traveling Pants

You Guys! I have made an amazing discovery.  This little thing will make your traveling so wonderful.   I just purchased several new pairs of pants that I now deem my "traveling pants" (sorry, not the pants from the movie).  I am now teaching a lot of Music Together classes, which basically consists of me sitting on my knees or cross legged on the floor, with a baby or two crawling on me, whilst singing and/or dancing.  Needless to say, jeans or a dress aren't really great ideas for this kind of work, and while I love a yoga pant, I still can't bring myself to "work" in them.  So, I was on the hunt for a comfortable pant, that has some stretch, that has a back pocket so I can slip my pitch pipe in there, that looks like a proper pant but feels like a pajama.  And guess what?  Uniqlo has them! Not only does Uniqlo have them, but they have them for $20. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go buy these pants.  I bought a black pair, a pink pair (see below) a purple pair, a navy corduroy and a red corduroy.  And as a bonus, I can already tell that they are going to be heavenly to travel in.  They don't look fantastic up close - you know like that line in "Clueless" - "She's a full-on Monet.  From far away, it's ok, but up close, it's a big old mess." Yeah that's definitely these pants.   You definitely need to obscure the elastic waistband with a longer shirt, and for the love of God, please hide the fake pockets in the front.  But, there is no zipper and they fit like leggings but are seriously pant.  Get some traveling done in these pants immediately!

Uniqlo Easy Leggings Pants - $19.90.  www.uniqlo.com

Nouveau-hoop: a submission from Jen

You guys. This submission baffles me. I need to know more about this hoop. Is it flexible? After multiple productions of "A Christmas Carol" as well as simply being Southern, I can inform you that a hoop skirt is not and will never be an ideal travel garment. And do I need remind you of the episode of 90210 where Donna wore a big hoop dress to the dance that Steve begrudgingly took her to (not the "Donna Martin graduates" mermaid prom dress with crucifix). Steve was pissed off the whole night, possibly because of the inconvenience of the hoop but also possibly because Kelly asked Brandon to the dance and it was his birthday, everyone forgot and he was adopted. But the hoop didn't help.

Please explain how one would sit for travel in this. She is clearly in Port Authority, thus getting ready to ensure bus travel. I think the leggings are a key piece of this puzzle. I'm betting she pulls the hoop to waist height and then tilts it, so it's high in the back and resting over her knees int the front this necessitating leggings --- please don't flash us.

They have only called zone 1.

...and people are already rushing the gate because the flight attendants have threatened us with the whole "we are definitely going to run out of overhead space" shtick.

Stay tuned for the traveling bag blog.

Best dressed at LGA

Perfect. Wedge. Skinny colored jean. Blazer. Scarf. I love her.

Traveling bag

Let's face it. You overpack. Everyone overpacks, thus causing a rush on the gate because the flight attendants have announced that all the bags won't fit in the overhead bin and you are panicking because you might just have to check your bag. So I have a novel idea. Don't overpack. Just be mindful of your clothing choices/options.

But Liz, you are criticizing me. Are you going to provide a solution? I'm glad you asked. Of course.

Here's what I think you should take pretty much anywhere you go.
1. 1 pair of jeans. You should have a pair that's day to night appropriate.

2. Another pair of pants if necessary. Example, when heading to a tropical clime, you can bring shorts or a light khaki. Sometimes dress pants are necessary. You just don't need 4 pairs of pants.

3. A top/shirt/blouse for each day of your journey...and one to grow on. I also suggest 1 layering tank top and 1 cardigan type thing.

4. Bras, panties, socks etc...obviously.

5. No more than 2 pairs of shoes. Stop. Don't bring shoes for every outfit. I love shoes more than you do. I promise. I'm here to tell you you don't need them. But Liz, I am so sporty and I must workout while I'm away. Do sneakers count? Yes and no. Would your life be over if you worked out for a week in your Chucks? I guarantee you that it is possible to workout without Sketchers Shape Ups. Giant shoes do not make for a better workout. If you don't believe me, come workout with us at Mark Fisher Fitness. I used to do that entire workout in Chucks. Now I'm a fan of the New Balance Minimus. The 5 finger shoes are still a bit hardcore for me but I applaud those who make that work. And imagine how little space those take up. So 2 pairs of shoes even if you're working out: Chucks and sandals. Chucks and Toms. Chucks and wedges. Chucks and Frye boot. Or heel and sandal. Heel and heel. Whatever two pairs you need. And of course, wear the chunkier shoe on the flight to save space. Oh and flip flops don't count. They can practically fit in your purse.

6. A dress. These days I am a fan of the maxi dress clearly. Use your judgement here but please don't bring a dress that you feel must be on a hanger. Jersey is a great packing material just please for the love of god wear proper undergarments with a jersey dress. You might like awesome from the front but you don't look awesome from the back and you look even less awesome when you are walking. Just be vigilant.

That's the skeleton of any packing job. Of course things are made difficult by winter weather or an excessively long stay somewhere or the need to bring ones dog and/or instrument or 2. But just try this method and see if it works.

Liz, why are you thinking about this today? Glad you asked. 2 things. I am indeed at the airport right now. Sadly, the new fancy Delta terminal isn't laid out well for picture taking and I havent been able to capture any offenders. 2. I finally left my job of almost 8 yeas yesterday and one of the Doctors I've worked for presented me with this nearly perfect traveling bag below.

Let's talk about this new obsession of mine. It is so NYC ready. I love the material they use to make LeSportsacs. You can just wipe subway grime off with a damp cloth. It's waterproof for the occasional monsoon. I always have a soaking wet bag in the rain. My bags are so big that they can't fit under my umbrella and I'm not going to be that asshole who carries around a golf umbrella in the city and hits people like me in the face with the spiky edges just so my bag doesn't get wet. I am well aware that my body would be much happier if I carried a backpack or a wheely suitcase on a day to day basis. I don't think I'm going to be able to do that. Something just feels wrong about it. But this adorable bag might encourage me to be a little kinder to my shoulders and back. There are backpack straps and a wheely handle thing. It has umbrella and water bottle pockets and a deep pocket in the front. I have room leftover when packing for this 4 day weekend. But then again, I'm going to Florida and bikinis don't take up much room.

So this bag could possibly be the solution to all bag dilemmas, plus, you can't overpack if you use it. The good choices start with the bag. Don't tempt yourself with a gigantic impractical bag.

submission from Turner

Yes Turner, you made the cut...

I love traveling in France because it requires looking good. They will straight up throw you off the train for wearing sweatpants. Not a pillow in sight, not even for babies. In fact, I think I saw more designer labels and heels on trains than I did on the ground. Like you, Liz, there's not much I like better than traveling and looking good. The two together? Sublime.

I was glad to have brought my seersucker with me this summer. It's as light as khaki in terms of weight and temperature, but the lines in the fabric disguise the inevitable (for me) "chocolate crumb melting on the seat" situation, or speck of pasta sauce dropped in the lap. Even better than khakis, from a packing perspective, is that you can go from travel comfort to upscale garden party just by throwing on a jacket - neither of which are you required to iron. WINNING!

My outfit for CDG-ATL added some French vocabulary to my otherwise Southern accent. A fashion tee I picked up at a boutique fits well enough, with an interesting enough design, that it kept me both classy and cool. I mean, c'mon, anything with French writing on it is immediately classier. And remember, ain't no A/C in all of Europe, so you want a tee when you're hauling luggage and sitting in a crowd of 400 people for 9 hours. 

The hat, which I brought for the purposes of sunbathing while blonde, had to come with so as not to get squashed in my luggage, and had to go on my head so as not to get squashed in the overhead bin. Except for intense scrutiny at US Customs, it was met with general cheer. I look so anglo, there's no way I could ever pass for French, so why bother trying not to look like a tourist? Which this hat admittedly screams.

Finally, you can't go wrong with old school adidas. No matter what you think or how you feel about them or the Puma war, they say casual, but serious about it. And I am.

Then I went to the airport and stood behind this: An entire FAMILY of fannypacks. In fairness, they were leaving France, and not just arriving.

Note from Liz:  I disagree about the Adidas.  I am not a fan of the Adidas.  This would have been made perfect with a loafer or driving moccasin.