TheClick

WHO WEARS SHORT SHORTS?

Remember when there were all kinds of rules about who at what age could and could not wear short skirts? Way back, oh about three years ago, maybe such rules actually existed. But that was before black tights and leggings were perfected, and before the stairmaster, spinning classes and the treadmill became almost every day occurrences. Any forty year old who does pilates three times a week is more than entitled to wear a short skirt even in the summer. Hey, she could probably go bare-legged in the winter.

In fact, could any season be more perfect for short skirts or dresses than right now, mid summer? A million times more comfortable than wearing jeans on a hot day let alone leggings they are always impish and flirty, and you can match them with a t-shirt and flat sandals, pull your hair back, and you've got a low maintenance look that is still a little glam as long as those gams are in shape. And the right hue-- pale white legs in a summery short skirt looks like match sticks poking out from beneath your outfit. Black and blue legs wont cut it either. But a little bit of self tanner (Clinique is the best-- it leaves a bronze hue on right away, then subtly tans your legs in a natural way) and a shine stick  or even body oil can have those gams looking hip-hop dancer-like in no time.

I typed in "Short Skirts" on TheFind's general search, and found some cute summer styles at great prices. Order them now, and pair them with white oxford shirts, a pink t shirt, a mens black vest over a white t, or two t shirts layered together. My advice about footwear with short skirts: NO HIGH HEELS. I mean, do you want to look like Mariah Carey? Perhaps Gwyneth Paltrow can get away with this look as she did to the Iron Man premier but I read she works out three hours a day. Unless you work out three hours a day, stick to gladiator flats, flat boots, flip flops, sneakers, or even low heeled wedges with your short skirts. Otherwise you are going for the Mariah look which might be okay in a video, but not on the street. And Im not even sure about videos . . . .

Time Travel - Home Away from Home

Travel ipod speakers - those might not seem like a necessity when you have an ipod and headphones, but they recharge your ipod and fill a hotel room with music when you take a bath or are working - and can create a fast party anywhere you want.  The Logitech white portable speaker sets is $57.99 at Overstock.com, and the iboom speaker set in black is $92.99 at eCost.com.

A travel candle might seem a rather unnecessary item - but in fact, a nice smell and pretty light can make a trip more romantic and relaxed.  And there are so many good smells and designs:  The Green Tea and Ginger Essential Blend burns for 20 hours - on sale for  $6.13  at Perfume.com.  Paper Source has a peony travel tin candle for $4.50.  Bergdorf Goodman has a basil candle travel collection for $80 that could make an urban trip more garden-like.  I also like the Tea Travel Collection from Jo Malone at Neiman Marcus for $95.

Travel Blow Dryers- sure, you can drag out the giant hair dryer - but chances are, you might need a converter or adaptor for it in another country, and chances are, it's going to take up a whole lot of room.  Small travel hair dryers are a great investment because you can keep them in your suitcase, they fold up, and they're small to begin with.  The BaByliss Pink Turbo Dryer  is $59.95 at Folica.  But if you want one in Europe, go with the Travel Hair Dryer European 1200 watt for $35.00.  If you want a less expesnive one, Revlon has a $14.82 one at Walmart with 1875 watts of power.

Happy Organized Travels!!!

Lingerie holders & Suitcases

Lingerie Bags separate the clean from the not, and you can pack a little handwash kit in them, too.  Elizabeth W Lavendar scented Clean and Dirty Lingerie Travel bag is in off-white, smells so clean, and costs $34 at alamolingerie.com.  Calliope sells a shoe and lingerie bag for $29 that's a pale, pinkish silver color and it can get anything in it.  The FL lingerie and jewelry roll combo is a great deal - matching bags, large and small, for $52 - and jewelry is best traveled when rolled up.  Celadon.com is where to find it.

Of course, you can find a zillion varieties of suitcases on TheFind.com, from Tumi, Samsonite, and a million other brands - but don't wait till the night before your trip.  And if you do, TheFind can tell you which stores near you have what you want before you attempt a whild suitcase-goosechase!

Passport Holders - do you really need one?  Maybe not, but they passport holder will preserve the life of your passport - and they also have room for airline tickets, and make it harder to lose said passport.  Royce makes the best leather ones - the oversized Airline ticket and passport holder in brown or black is $54.99 at ShoeBuy.com. The smaller size by Royce at bagsbuy.com is $28.45.

Cosmetics Travel Cases & Carry on Bags

Cosmetics Cases - not only do I put makeup in there, I fit it with mini versions of my favorite products - in just mini plastic bottles.  This is Toiletry Central, my traveling ladies room, so it's got to be big, sturdy - and attractive.  Type in "cosmetics travel case" on TheFind.com, and the ones from Royce are clearly the best cases, worthy of Grace Kelley in "Rear Window".  The leather case with upper and lower zip compartments come in chic gold tone ($89.95 on Worldtraveler.com), a bright lime color ($79.94 on ShoeBuy.com) and a red leather beauty ($100.00 on ebags.com), or a turquoise leather ($79 at CSN Stores).  However, if you prefer the safety and simplicity of a black cosmetics travel bag, Whiting and Davis has a chic black bag for $60.00 on 6pm.com. 

Carry On Bags - there are all kinds of options here, whether it's a super large handbag or wheelie bag with a metallic protective coating.  The wheelies might seem a bit nerdy or embarrassing - but they save your back and shoulders and a lifetime of cramps.  So only resort to the shoulder bag if you are not carrying ten magazines (like I do) and four books.  The Delsey Silver Helium wheelie carryon is pleasantly expandable (for Christmas in December, on sale at Macys).  The black High Sierra wheeled business tote is perfect for a man or woman who is bringing work home with them - or their computer and books ($119.99 at SportChalet).  By the way, these prices are excellent: the Tumi Tourbach versions are in the four and five hundred dollar range.  And if you're doing a weekend trip, this is all you need.

Travel Pillows

Travel Pillows serve two important purposes:  they comfort you on a plane or train or bus, and then you can use them at any hotel, motel, or friend's crash pad, bringing a little bit of home with you.  Brookstone has an ergonomically shaped travel pillow that will keep your neck from cramping on that long plane ride to Australia or South America (in midnight blue, $25 at Brookstone.com).  Restoration Hardware had a luxury pillow in a more traditional square shape for $18.  TheBedBathStore calls their white, goose down travel pillow the "Toddler", but I know one adult would be happy to cuddle up with it ($49.99 at BedBathStore), even at home.  If you don't want to think about toting around a pilow in an airport, which could make you resemble a character out of "Peanuts", consider the Concierge inflatable travel pillow ($18, in black,  at Macy's).