Here are some travel tips, tricks, & tools I use to plan for a vacation.
Google Sheets: I use Google Sheets to create a spreadsheet with all my travel information. This is best done through your desktop/browser. If I end up without WiFi or data, I can still access any vital information or make updates on my trip.
U.S. Department of State Website: This website is another excellent resource for travel planning. They indicate the level of safety in each country based on the local political and health situations, including COVID-19, laws, general country information, current COVID-19 restrictions, border closures, and more. It’sIt’s also a good idea to enroll in their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) when you travel, which will notify you of any dangers or exceptional circumstances.
Austin ranks at the top of my list for places to visit. The capital of Texas has all of my favorites including Mexican food, Etsy style boutique shopping and a variety of outdoor activities. Austin is famous for it’s “dive joints” – eclectic, funky, mom and pop businesses that have a one-of-a-kind feel plus some of the best Tex-Mex and Barbecue in the state. Are you getting hungry? The city is a food lover’s paradise with no shortage of dining options. What once was a small hippie city has transformed into something much slicker thanks to big events like the SXSW music festival and celebrity sightings. Continue reading “Austin Travel Guide”→
10. The TSA is also plagued by a “toxic” workplace culture where senior officials’ misconduct goes unpunished and those who threaten to speak out face retaliation, according to a report.
17. An investigation has found that a large number of Trip Advisor reviews on the site seem to have been uploaded by websites which offer glowing praise for a fee.
The latest installment of products I’m currently enjoying or coveting. I hope you find some inspiration for your gift giving and some new things to discover for yourself!
4. SWEET LAUREL: The recipes are grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free. The recipes focus on using a few ingredients to create wholesome and delicious desserts. If you are looking for a simpler way to bake or dealing with food restrictions, this book is for you. The cake recipes are my favorite.
6. MOTHER JEANS: My new go-to denim brand. The high-rise waist is my favorite style.
7. STASHER REUSABLE FOOD STORAGE BAGS: I pack a lot of food to eat when I travel. The Stasher bags do not take up a lot of space and allow me to heat food on the road. Stasher bags are safe for use in the microwave, a standard oven, or a pot of boiling water up to 400F. Stasher can take the heat, the cold, and anything else your kitchen dishes out. Thanks to the patented airtight seal, all of your food’s nutrients, flavors and juices stay locked in.
8. LOVE STAMP: The Love postage stamp for USPS “Love Flourishes” is designed by Anna Rifle Bond. She is the founder of Rifle Paper Company in Orlando, Florida.
9. BISCUIT BEDDING: I love the beautiful floral patterns. The sheets are also very high quality.
10. RESTORE SINUS SPRAY: Since the neti-pot did not work for me, I was happy to find a solution for occasional allergies. Restore Sinus Spray is designed to help you cleanse, soothe, and hydrate the delicate membranes lining your nasal passages.
Start your daily beauty and hygiene regimen by gently flushing your sinuses with Restore’s proprietary blend of trace minerals suspended in purified water. It’s the perfect rinse for the dust, pollen, and other airborne particulates and irritants we are exposed to in our daily environment.
12. QUIP ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH: I like to travel with an electric tooth brush. The Quip design is light weight and battery operated.
What are some of your favorite things? Tell me in the comments.
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9. It is “only a matter of time” until a commercial aircraft is hacked, the Department of Homeland Security and other US government agencies have warned.
19. The murder of Mickey Bryan, a quiet fourth-grade teacher, stunned her small Texas town. Then her husband, a beloved high school principal, was charged with killing her. Did he do it, or had there been a terrible mistake? Part I and Part II is here.
What books are you planning to read this summer? I’m looking forward to reading The Lost Vintage by Anh Mah.
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4. In LA, celebrities and professional athletes are trying exotic, and sometimes unproven, techniques for injury recovery and prevention, such as hyperbaric chambers, cryotherapy, compression therapy and IV drip.
5. How one person dissolved her fibroadenoma without surgery. A fibroadenoma is type of breast cyst.
13. Michelle McNamara wrote the book on the Golden State Killer until she died. Some think her work led to his arrest. Sadly, she didn’t live to see the arrest that took place this week.
Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite beauty products.
1. GRANDE COSMETICS GRANDEBROW FILL: GrandeBrow FILL is a tinted brush-on gel made with fibers and peptides. The gel adheres to even the finest hairs, leaving them fuller and more defined with a single application. This helps to shape and build your brows leaving them looking natural, while filling in thinning areas. Available in Light & Dark Shades. This is my secret to filling in my brows naturally.
2. BRAVON MAGNETIC EYE PRIMER: I have tried lots of eye primers and this one is my favorite. Sometimes I just apply the eye primer and do not wear any eyeshadow. It makes the eyes look that good. It is the secret to flawless eye makeup application that will last for hours.
Bravon Beauty was founded by Bravon Pascua. He’s also a former model and was the International Makeup Artist and Trainer for Bare Escentuals. This brand has a similar price range but has much higher-quality products.
Bravon’s cosmetics are paraben-free and have been composed using high performance, professional grade formulations.
3. BRAVON BEAUTY PIGMENT EYESHADOWS: The colors are beautiful and stay on all day. I work in an industry that requires makeup for very long days. I need a product that does not crease, flake or irritate my eyes.
Be sure to follow Bravon Beauty on social media for makeup tips.
5. DERMA ROLLER 0.25 MM SKIN PEN: Dermaroller is a hand-held Microneedling roller with a surface of tiny needles. It helps to reduce acne scars and large pores. The Derma Roller is a far less intrusive version of the micro-needling procedure that costs hundreds of dollars for a single treatment. My makeup looks better since I started using the Derma Roller. The Derma Roller 0.25 is for beginners.
You need to replace a Derma Roller used on the face after around ten uses to keep treatment as efficient as possible.
6. STIMULATE HONEYCOMB BATH MITT: I use this bath mitt in the shower. It’s made of thermoplastic urethane, so it’s long lasting, antifungal, antibacterial and quick drying.
7. VANITY GIRL HOLLYWOOD TRAVEL SIZE MAKEUP MIRROR: I use the Vanity Girl Hollywood makeup mirror to apply my makeup in hotel rooms. Since I work early mornings sometimes, natural light is not available so this mirror really helps. It’s about the size of a tablet with soft dimmable lighting.
8. INVISIBOBBLE HAIR TIE: I use these hair ties instead of the ribbon ties that tend to break my hair. The Invisibobble hair ties do not crimp my hair like a regular hair tie would.
9. DYSON HAIR DRYER: I switched to the Dyson hair dryer. I think it’s better than Harry Josh. Dyson’s new model is quieter and less damaging to the hair, thanks to its intelligent heat control system, plus it looks pretty, too. I always travel with my hairdryer. It’s not worth damaging my hair with a cheap hotel version.
10. SHOWER CAP: Yes, this is the chicest shower cap ever. The beautiful designs are an upgrade from the tacky, ruffled, hair protectors of days past.
11. EXTENSIONOLOGY HAIR EXTENSIONS: This line of hair extensions look so natural. They were designed by Anh Co Tran and Johnny Ramirez of the famous Hollywood Ramirez Tran Salon. After dealing with coloring extensions to match their clients’ hair color, Anh and Johnny decided to create their own pre-colored extensions. The extensions come in two different lengths, 18 inches and 20 inches. These extensions aren’t as fine as standard extensions. Instead, they’re a mix of European and Asian hair. The extensions need to be retaped every 2-3 months. The hair itself lasts six months to a year.
12. SHEILA STOTTS WOOD HANDLE APPLICATION BRUSH: This brush was created for people with extensions since extensions tangle so easily, but the secret is that this brush is amazing on all types of hair. Since our hair is the most delicate when it’s wet, using a brush that’s gentle on the follicles and scalp is key. This brush doesn’t pull and break the hair, and it lasts longer than the plastic versions by other brands.
What are some of your favorite beauty products?
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Here are a few fun and informative links from around the web. Hope you enjoy this edition of link love.
1. ‘The Crown’ season 2 syllabus. ‘The Crown’: what to remember before watching Season 2. ‘The Crown’: a look back at Season 1 and the history behind it.
16. Why we need a national conversation about the opioid crisis.
17. The apology critics want to teach you how to say sorry. In apologies, saying “I’m sorry” matters less than taking responsibility: “I know I did something that hurt you” or “This is my problem and I’m going to fix it.”
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I’m sharing some of my favorite things including food, wellness, and travel products I am currently enjoying or coveting. I hope you find some inspiration for your gift giving and some new things to discover for yourself! Continue reading “Flight Chic’s Favorite Things”→
Do you listen to podcasts? If not, you’re missing out on great programming. Read on to find out 12 awesome podcasts and how to get started listening to podcasts. Continue reading “12 Awesome Podcasts”→
