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Saturday, April 29, 2017

Review: Compression Leg Sleeves from Zensah

You guys! I found one of my new favorite things. Compression leg sleeves give me the extra circulation I need, while allowing me to wear sandals and other slip on shoes that look weird if you wear full socks. Zensah has a full line of different compression sleeves for runners and other athletes.

zensah compression leg sleeves


Anyone who knows me knows I'm like the opposite of an athlete. I enjoy sitting in a movie theater, eating food at restaurants and checking out museums. The most exercise I get is walking around downtown and climbing steps to monuments. All that aside, I do have bad circulation and I'm also cold a lot of the time. I picked up a pair of leg sleeves from Zensah at the Travel Goods Show earlier this month and was glad to have them when I was walking around all day. I went back to my room after so much exercise and slipped them on for some pretty immediate relief.


As someone who frequently gets swollen legs, ankles, and feet from standing for long periods of time, walking miles, or from my feet dangling on an airplane, this is something that really helps me out. Obviously, I'm not going to get the most benefit from only wearing them after a long day out, but I have found that they do give me a lot of relief anyway. 

This week I've been working a lot and standing for most of the day. While I don't necessarily want to wear socks, I do need some support. I put my compression sleeves on under my jeans and I'm golden. You can feel a tingle in your legs as they hit all the important places and keep your blood circulating . 


Under pants, people can't even tell you're wearing them, though lots of people wear them with shorts while running or doing other exercise. They come in fun colors, so you can totally make them an accessory. They aren't bulky at all and are pretty and useful. Here's another thing: not only do I have bad circulation, but I also have mild arthritis, which is worse when it's rainy and this year it has been rainy. Like, we've had 4 days of no rain in all of April. These compression sleeves give me more coverage and warmth and keep my shins from aching in this neverending Portland winter.


When I'm on the plane, I like to wear slip-on shoes. They are comfortable, they keep my feet warm, but not hot, and socks may or may not be helpful. Socks generally can get sweaty and gross, too. These compression sleeves from Zensah (as with their compression socks) are moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, so even if your travel day is really long or turns into several days, you're legs will be perfectly comfortable and they won't smell like you just came from the gym locker room. 

I find that I have more energy when I wear my compression sleeves, because my legs feel good and not super tired, like when I don't wear them and I've been walking around for hours. Nothing's worse than sightseeing all day and your legs feeling so achy that you don't even want to think about what you have planned for the next day. Each day of my Vegas trip was like a new day, because my legs didn't still hurt from the day before. I have my compression sleeves to thank for that. 

I know the price may seem high for these, but they are really something I've come to rely on and feel like they are worth the price, whether at home or while traveling. If you're prone to swelling, these are a definite must, especially on long flights where blood clots can form easily from your legs staying in the same position for hours at a time.

What are your biggest health concerns when traveling?

Other Specs
Where to buy: On Zensah website or Amazon
How much: $39.99/pair
Colors: Black | White | Blue (shown in title pic) | Heather Gray | Red | Neon Pink | Purple (shown)| | Navy | Aqua | Heather Pink | Army Green | Teal | Neon Green | Neon Yellow | Heather Mint | Tie Dye Neon Pink | Green | Orange | Heather Mint Bunny | Neon Yellow Bunny | Heather Pink Bunny | Neon Orange | Tie Dye Electric Blue | Tie Dye Violet | Carolina Blue | American Flag Print | Tie Dye Neon Green | Heather Silver | Magenta | Beige
Fabric: 90% Nylon / 10% Spandex Solid Colors. 49% Polyester/41% Nylon/10% Spandex Heather Colors

Loving Zensah's sock innovation? Find them online:


Disclosure: I was provided with a pair of Zensah compression leg sleeves for the purposes of this review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Friday, April 28, 2017

My Coffee Tour of Portland - Part 2

My quest continues for some of the best cups of coffee in Portland. Luckily, there isn't a shorted of coffee shops in the city, but it does seem to be a trick to find great ones. I am relying on suggestions from friends, family, Portland Monthly and reviews I see on Google. So far so good.  

Portland coffee tour

If nothing else, I'm having a fun time "working". How can you possibly be sad when part of your job is drinking coffee and eating pastries? Last month I brought you four fabulous coffee shops and this month I have three more for you (as I was in Las Vegas for most of a week early on and have been crazy busy with reviews and other work for the rest of the month).  

Cup and Bar

On a previous post on Instagram for my coffee tour, a follower kindly suggested several shops I should try, including the Cup and Bar. She said I should order the Dirty Charlie, so who am I to say no  to a fellow coffee fan's suggestion? I dragged my mom to this shop in NE Portland on our way to a hair appointment. I was surprised to find they had a shared parking lot and didn't have to circle the block to find a spot. The shop is warm and full of wood. I felt welcomed and was able to share a table with some nice other Portlanders. I ordered a Dirty Charlie, which is a messy little drink that is not available to go. It's a shot of espresso with a milk foam on top and 100% chocolate shaved on top of that. You also get a little square of chocolate on the side. It was a perfect little bitter and sweet drink. 




We ordered a Ranger cookie, a healthy-ish soft cookie that has a muffin texture and sort of tastes like a granola bar, as it has oats, nuts and other yummy ingredients. I got a maple brown sugar scone to go with my coffee and it had a lovely flaky texture with a slightly sweet topping from the sugar. The three items came to $11.25 ($4.25 for my coffee, $3 for the cookie and $4 for the scone. I found that pretty reasonable.) I was happy with all of my choices and hope I can return soon. I'd love to try the Cortado, the drinking chocolate flight, and any of the "sandwiches". They also have a chocolate tasting and tour. 

Upper Left Roasters

I've been following Upper Left Roasters on social media for a while now, and their clean, minimalist style draws me in. Well, I was finally over in the neighborhood and could get over there, so I walked a few blocks out of my way to sit down for a cuppa. We had already eaten breakfast, so it was bit of a coffee break and snack. I ordered the Chai Tea Latte and a croissant and Eric asked for something "Instagram-worthy" and got a mocha and added a chocolate chip cookie. 


I'm pretty sure their baked goods come from Little t Bakery, but they do make their own sandwiches and toasts (though the bread comes from Little t as well). Everything looked pretty good, but I wasn't hungry enough to try it, and I was there for the coffee anyway. You get what you pay for and your cup is full to the brim. It makes a pretty picture, though it's a bit hard to carry back to your table. I'll never be sad that my cup is too full though. Unfortunately, I feel like my latte was a bit weak, and it wasn't the hottest, but it was good. Eric's mocha was strong and flavorful, so maybe the chai watered mine down some. I liked it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there again based on my one cup. The cookie and croissant were fresh and delicious though, and I'd make the trip over there to sample some of their food if I was in the area again.


I love the wood and the location in SE Portland, plus their chairs are both comfortable and fun to look at with their geometric patterns. Pricing was pretty good, as my drink was $4 and Eric's was $4.50 (the croissant was $3.25 and the cookie was $2). Our total was just $13.75, which I felt was a decent deal for what we ordered. 


Oui Presse

It's funny how you can find new places near you just by scrolling through Instagram. I don't go over to SE Portland often, but when I do, I try to find different places to eat (it's definitely not in short supply over there). My mom and I were over in the neighborhood, sort of, so we ate at a place I'd been wanting to try for breakfast and then walked four blocks to Oui Presse. The shop front is adorable and the inside even more so. It has the feel of a little French cafe, that also sells magazines. Yup, that's a thing.



I went in to check the menu and ask for their specialty. I saw the pistachio cake on the menu and knew I had to try that. They suggested I try the Café Crème, so I did. They also sell a lot of  mochas, but I can get one of those anywhere. The Café Crème is a double shot of espresso, with a splash of hot water and steamed heavy cream. It gives it a more robust, deep flavor that I loved. I haven't had some a good cup of coffee since I was in France, so I'm saying that my $3.50 was more than well spent and I'll absolutely go back for that. 
   

Now, about that pistachio cake. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I know I thought it was going to be green. I looooove pistachios, so how could it go wrong, even if it was fluorescent green? Well, as you can see above, it was not. It looked much like a hummingbird cake (for those of you on Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen about 938374749309 pictures of them. The texture is like a carrot cake, with creamy frosting and a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. At $5, I wondered if it was going to be worth it. As it was, I had just eaten, so I had to bring it home with me. And oh my! I could see sitting at a table at Oui Presse with a lovely cuppa and sharing a slice of this with my special someone. I could eat it for breakfast. My two items came to just $8.50, which would have been even cheaper if I split my cake with another person.

For those of you who need something less desserty for the morning, Oui Presse has amazing looking open-faced sandwiches, which appear to be all the rage with coffee houses now...or maybe that's just Portland. Either way, I'm not adverse to grabbing a fork and knife and ordering one the next time I'm in. 

So, that's my round-up for April. Stay tuned for more next month, and if you want more pics or to see what I'm up to at the moment, follow me on Instagram

Do you have a favorite coffee shop in Portland or where you live? Tell me about it!

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Mother's Day Travel Gift List 2017

Mother's Day is coming up pretty fast here. Does your mom (or the mother in your life) like to travel? If so, I've got some great ideas for you for the perfect gift. No matter your budget, or the type of traveler your mom is, there's something for her and you. 

travel gift guide

Budget ($50 or less)

I love a good gift, but I don't always want to spend a ton on one, nor do I always have the funds to buy something expensive. I know you don't either, so here are cool things you can buy for 50 bucks or less:


1. Lewis N. Clark Phone Wallet: This little wallet is just big enough for the essentials and keeps your phone out of your back pocket too. It has a sweet wrist strap and looks great with everything. You can check out my review here. $24.99
2. Travelon Heritage Crossbody: I've basically just adopted this small bag as my new everyday bag, because it's the perfect size, has nifty anti-theft features, and it looks great for all my casual outfits. The more you use it, the more worn it looks, but never in that old way, just that lived-in denim look we all love. See my review here. $39.99+
3. Happyluxe Wayfarer Wrap: Traveling can require a lot of things, but this wrap can keep you warm, looking good, and double as a blanket no matter where you (or your mom) go(es). I take it with me everywhere, because I can use it as a wrap/scarf/blanket all at once on the plane. See my review here. $39.00
4. Battery Back-up: I don't leave home without a battery backup, because what if my phone is dying or I want to read for 6 hours on my iPad or I take a ton of photos? You never know when you'll need extra power for your gadgets, so keep a great power pack with you wherever you go. We have two of these doodads, which can charge two phones twice during the day. $15.99 
5. Travelsox Compression Socks: I have some terrible circulation in my legs, and I know other people do too. Traveling all day on the plane or walking all day can be hard and make your legs/ankles swell. I always keep a good pair of compression socks in my bag, and a review is coming for these from Travelsox. Long story short: They are great for keeping the blood pumping through my legs, even when standing on my feet for 8 hours. Average $20
6. Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves: Sometimes you just don't want to wear full socks. I love these sleeves, because they allow me to wear pants, but also sandals, but do almost the same job as a full sock. Athletes wear them for running and I wear them for traveling. They even come in fun colors. $20+
7. Travelon Boho Slim Crossbody: I'm in love with the new styles and patterns from Travelon and the new boho line is fun and functional, with all the anti-theft features you love. If your mom only wants to carry the essentials, while still being organized and looking good, the slim crossbody is for her. You should buy two, because you'll probably want one when you see it. $45.00
8. Bluetooth Keyboard: So...does your mom take a tablet and/or her phone with her and try to get work done or complain about how hard it is to answer email or do anything else? I bought one of these keyboards for short trips where I don't want to lug my giant laptop and it is awesome. Easy to use and works with pretty much all your devices. $10.99
9. GSI Outdoors Travel Javapress: Do you need a gift for a coffee lover? I've been so disappointed many times by bad coffee. Wouldn't it be awesome to just have a coffeemaker everywhere you went? I thought so, too. This commuter javapress is like a French press in your hand, but with a mesh strainer that does the same job. I have a review coming up for it soon. $22.95

Moderate ($50-100)

So, maybe you have a little bit more money to spend on a gift for the mom in your life. If so, here are ideas for under 100 smackeroos! 

1. Craghoppers Amiee Maxi Dress: So, this was one of the things I saw at the Travel Goods Show and immediately couldn't wait to wear it. This maxi dress is lovely and has a great silhouette. It works for all day sightseeing and then can go directly to dinner. It also has insect shield build in, so your romantic dinner doesn't get ruined by bug bites. Review coming soon. $75

2. Craghoppers Cleo Dress: Yes, I loved the dresses from Craghoppers so much that you're getting two on this list. The Cleo is much more casual and has two pockets, one of which has a security zip pocket inside. It also has insect shield and a bit of an athletic look. I can't wait to wear it when it gets here. Review coming soon. It is out of stock at the moment, but you can buy a similar one (The Bailly) on Amazon. $70
3. Lewis N Clark Secura Convertipack: Who doesn't love a bag that can be used multiple ways? I'll tell you who. Nobody. And moms totally appreciate a multipurpose bag, especially if it's super cute like this one. The convertipack can be worn as a shoulder bag, crossbody, or a backpack. See my review here. $69.99
4. Pakems Travel Boots: These are another Travel Goods Show find. The woman who designed these was looking for a less bulky boot for skiing and playing in the snow and made her own. They are lightweight, still warm, they're cute, and they pack down small, so they don't take up your whole carry-on when you're trying to pack light. I got my Pakems and they are so awesome. Review coming soon. $65
5. Kameleon Rose Travel Dress: Okay, so I have rarely spent $65+ on a dress, but I have done it and have been happy every single time. What if you could spend that same money and get over 20 pieces of clothing? Because that's just what the Kameleon Rose dress is. It can be a dress, a skirt, pants, a top, a poncho and more! I'm loving mine that I picked up at the show and can't wait to show you with an upcoming review. $65-80
6. Hedgren S Glitch Shoulder Bag: I just got a box full of awesome Hedgren bags on my doorstep and they are lovely. I can't wait to show them to you. This one isn't among them, but I saw it at the show and adored the look. All the Hedgren bags are beautifully made and look classic, so you can blend right in when you travel. $84
7. Travelon Anti-Theft Tailored Backpack: Love the versatility of your Travelon bags, but wish they were a bit more upscale looking? Well, now Travelon has come out with the Tailored collection. You can get all your favorite silhouettes, including this adorable backpack, which gives you plenty of security and full use of your hands. I can't wait to bring you a review of this and several other pieces coming. $80

Splurge (Over $100)

Have a bit of money saved up just for the occasion? Well, I've got options for that, too. Here are gifts that cost over $100.


















1. Lojel Novigo Carry-on: I bet your mom's been traveling with the same old carry-on she's had for decades. Well, why not upgrade her to a fancy new bag with all the bells and whistles and basically a crush-proof shell? I love the Novigo with its locking wheels, shiny exterior, organized interior and smooth spinner wheels. You can read my review here. $269.99
2. CoolBag: Ever wish you had a beach bag that was also a cooler, that you could also lock and leave at your beach chair while you're out swimming? The CoolBag is that bag. You can affix it to a chair or table, lock your belongings inside it, so nobody steals your stuff, plus it has a zipper compartment on the bottom where you can keep your cans, food or whatever else cold with the included ice pack. I haven't tried mine yet, but I have thoroughly checked it out when it arrived. Use it as a beach bag, carry-on, diaper bag or whatever else you want! Review to come. $130
3. Solite 603 Carry-on: This one may have to wait until next Mother's Day or Christmas, as it's not technically on the market, but this expandable carry-on uses a knob that expands and contracts your bag so you can make it bigger when needed and then compress your clothing, so it takes up as little space as possible. under $200
4. CityPASS: If you're like me, you like to give experiences as well as tangible gifts. The CityPASS works in different cities and lets the user skip the ticket lines and go straight into the city's most popular attractions. I love CityPASS because it saves time and money, making your trip easier and cheaper. $75+ per pass.
5. Popticals: Does your mom ever say she wishes that she could fold up her sunglasses and put them in her pocket? Well, she probably does wish that even if she's never said it. I usually put mine on my head, but then I have to shove them in my purse when I'm at dinner, a movie or on a theme park ride. The last trip I took, I scratched a pair of my favorite sunnies. Sad face. Popticals make this problem non-existent, because your glasses slide closed and the earpieces fold up, then they fit right into a cute little case. I hope to bring you a review of these, because they are super awesome. $199+
6. Airline/Hotel Gift Cards: Buy a gift card that can be used for their favorite airline or hotel chain (or Airbnb) or rental car company. It's nice because you can customize it and make it a bit more personal than a normal gift card. whatever you want to spend

What would be your ideal Mother's Day travel gift?

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Review: Novigo Carry-On from Lojel

I saw a lot of cool stuff at the Travel Goods Show last month, you guys! I was really excited to bring you some new carry-on bags and Lojel did not disappoint with their newest: The Novigo. Their bags are all named in the universal language in Esperanto and Novigo means "innovation". Once you see my review, you'll see why.


I love new innovative products, and this cherry red definitely caught my eye. I love a bright bag, so this one fit all the check marks I had for a new carry-on. Here's why:


First of all, it comes with all these fun accessories: A toiletry bag, a cover, a shoe/laundry bag, and a little separator hammock, which I'll go into in a bit. 


The Novigo doesn't have a zipper. Nope, because that's not secure or innovative. Nope, it has this nice little tongue and groove type closure. The top groove works with this bottom lip.


It fits snugly, so it's waterproof and stronger than your usual zipperedd carry-on. Nobody can force it open with a pen, that's for sure. This means your belongings are safe from those "overhead thieves". The ones who open the bins mid-flight and unzip a bit of your bag to steal your valuables. 


So, what keeps your bag closed? The Novigo has two large TSA-approved locks that have combination locks on them, so it makes it twice as difficult for non-TSA agents to get into your bag. While you think this is a minimal security feature, thieves aren't going to mess with a bag that isn't easy to get into. 

The hardside shell is made of a strong polycarbonate, which can really take a beating. How do I know? Because I filled it with all the things I picked up at the show and checked it home. I wasn't smart enough to put the cover on it, plus the bag may have gotten to Portland way before me, as I didn't leave Vegas until 11 hours after I was originally scheduled and from when I checked it through. When I finally made it home, my bag was waiting for me, but it was beat up and that nice sheen was less shiny. Aside from a few scratches and dirt, my Novigo wasn't bent out of shape or anything. 


The inside of this bag is gorgeous. I love it. There are two large compartments (larger than I expected before I opened it). One is your main compartment and the other is a mesh zippered compartment, which is awesome to me. 


Not only can you strap down your clothing in the main compartment, but you also have this removable hammock that can go over the top and hold things you want easy access to. I used it for underwear, but if you're a business traveler, maybe this is where you keep your ties or other things that you'll want to keep flat. It's nice that this also helps your stray clothing pieces from sneaking out and keeping your bag from closing.


It makes closing your bag easier, because it's not all bulgy. The same goes for the top compartment  that zips closed. The mesh is taut and doesn't allow you to overstuff it. I was able to get a lot into this bag when packing for our next trip. We have clothing for a week (4-5 shirts and 3 bottoms each), a pair of flip flops for Eric, a pair of walking shoes for me that I put in the shoe bag, my toiletries (including my 3-1-1 bag), my lint roller, a wrap and our bathing suits. 


Here's most of what I brought home from the show. It all fit (and then some) into the Novigo with no problems. 

See the backpack on top of the Novigo? It's not much bigger than the carry-on is, and fit all that awesome swag.


Okay, so there's more that makes this bag awesome. #1 are these great little feet, so your bag can sit on its side but not get all scraped up on the ground. 
  


#2: The bag's pull-out handle has two locking positions, making it easy for short people (me) and tall people (my husband) to both roll it along. We've had bags that have only had one locking position that was either too long or too short for one or both of us. This was perfectly comfortable for me in the shorter position, so I didn't have to strain to drag it along.


#3, and the thing that made this bag intriguing to me, were the locking wheels. Both sides have this little pedals that allow you to independently lock and unlock your wheels, so your bag doesn't roll away on a slope or the bus. I took it on the monorail with me back to my room from the convention center and it stayed put in front of me. The wheels, when not locked, are really quite smooth and I rolled it over the parking lot to the monorail and then through the carpeted hallway at the MGM and then over the uneven sidewalk 4 blocks to my room. I had no issues at all with it rolling smoothly on all four double spinner wheels, which I've always had with other spinner bags. I was impressed. 


#4 The top handle of the bag is wide and gives you a nice grip. It also has a slow release so it doesn't bang on our suitcase when you let it go. It doesn't seem like much, but I like it. It also allows the handle to lay flatter when not in use, getting in the way. 


I was super impressed with this carry-on. It looks great (even after the airlines scratched it up a bit), is seriously secure, and holds a ton. It's kind of magic. The hardside shell keeps you from overpacking, it's comfortable for almost everyone to roll through the airport (or the streets of your destination) and it's incredibly light for a hardside bag. 

Your bag fits easily in the overhead bin of the airplane and holds everything you need for your travels, so whether you're looking for a new bag for your own trips or looking for a gift for mom, dad or your favorite grad, this carry-on is ideal for anyone who wants to travel in style.

Other specs
Where to buy: On the Lojel website or Amazon
How much it is: $269.99
Colors it comes in: Black | Passion Red (shown) | Steel Blue
Size: 21.6" x 15" x 9.4" (small)
Other stuff: Double spinner wheels, just 8.4 lbs, has a 2319 in³ inside capacity, made of Advance polycarbonate (making it super strong) with a super strength alloy frame, comes with a dust cover for storage at home.

Check out Lojel's other products, which you're going to love, and then follow them online:

Disclosure: I was provided with the Lojel Novigo for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Review: WEA RFID-Blocking Mini Crossbody From Lewis N. Clark

I hope you're looking for a new handbag, either for home or for travel (or both!), because I've got another cool one for you. Lewis N. Clark has a whole new range of bags for your life, which I've been fortunate enough to be able to check out for you. This new WEA RFID-Blocking Mini Crossbody is for those who want a smaller bag, but love a lot of compartments.

Review: WEA RFID-Blocking Mini Crossbody From Lewis N. Clark

Even though it claims to be mini, it's not tiny. It holds everything you need, and then some, all while looking classy and a little sporty. I love the quilted front, which matches the phone wallet and also the tote. The WEA Mini can be used as a regular shoulder bag, or you can lengthen the adjustable strap and make it a crossbody. However you find it most comfortable. 

The front flap actually has two compartments. The front compartment is the easiest to see, but has a great little lip, so it's difficult for thieves to get into, even if they manage to unzip it. Use it for paper money, change and anything else you want to keep a bit secure. I easily got my sunglasses to fit into it with room to spare.


The underside of the flap unzips to carry your things you want to access quickly. I love this for travel docs or your phone. In my case, I used it for both. It's the ideal size for boarding passes or any tickets you may need to have with you and don't want to get lost in other pockets. The flap is held down with a magnetic snap closure. 

The back of your bag, which sits against your body, has a nice little zipper pocket. The position makes the compartment more secure, and when you open it up you find: 

This great little substitution for a wallet. There's room for your ID and credit cards. There are three card slots, but you can probably get one or two more in there. They are RFID protected, so those with electronic devices that steal info off your magnetic strips are out of luck. The larger slot pocket is also protected and made for your passport. Though this zipper compartment is fairly flat, I threw in a few other items I use a lot, like my mints and lip balm. And the interior is a nice light color, making it easy to see what's inside, even if it's dark.
Unlike other bags with a snap flap, it even has a zipper to double protect your stuff. I love the wide zipper pull and the fact that the zipper goes all the way across the bag, so you have maximum access to your belongings. I always find that the worst when I have a purse that I can't open all the way and pretty much can't get my hand inside to get my things.



Unzipped, you will find even more ways to stay organized, with two wall slots and a zipper pocket. I used the large slots for my battery backup and the two cords that I need for both our phones. Maybe you want to keep your phone in one. There's a great key leash inside too, so you'll never lose your keys again. Woo! 


The zipper pocket is large enough for snacks or makeup or lady things. Whatever you want to separate from your other items. 


So, in order to show you how much fits in this bag, I pulled it all out and showed it all next to the bag. If you noticed on the inside, there's still more room inside for snacks or anything else you need to carry instead or in addition to what you normally bring. 

This little crossbody is a powerhouse that's sporty and organized that will love to go on all your adventures, whether it's to work, the farmers' market or the theme park. Need a gift for Mother's Day? Put this on your list. It's right around the corner. Or maybe you're the mom and want it for yourself. That's perfectly okay.

Additional info:
Where can I buy it? On the Lewis N Clark Website or Amazon
How much is it? $39.99
What colours does it come in?  black | teal (shown)
Other specs: 10" x 9.5" x 1.5", dirt-repelling nylon 


Connect with Lewis N Clark and learn about all their great products:


Disclaimer: I was provided with the WEA RFID-Blocking Mini Crossbody for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own. 

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Las Vegas' Neon Museum At Night

In February I went to Vegas with my mom for her birthday. She'd never been to the Neon Museum and had been wanting to for years, so I figured this was the perfect time. If you remember, we went several years ago when we were there in the summer. You can read about it here. That time we visited during the day, so I booked us a night tour so we could see some of the signs lit up. 

The Neon

The "museum" definitely has a whole different vibe in the dark and more like the boneyard they claim it to be. They use external footlights to illuminate most of the signs, but a handful of them are refurbished enough to actually plug in and light up. Here are some of my pics from our visit.





The absence of sunlight can make it a little tough to photograph the signs, especially if you're trying not to blind others on the tour, but they do take on an eerie and magical feel that you don't get in the daytime. It also has the bonus of being cooler at night.




This neon sign from the Liberace museum wasn't here last time I visited, but it's pretty cool, as is the lamp from the old Aladdin. 



Since the Riviera closed a few years ago, they were lucky enough to get a fully-functioning sign that was retired. Because of this, it took a coveted spot in the boneyard and the old Tropicana signed moved to an even better spot on the side of the building, making it easier to see and photograph in its entirety.



Now, I was never fortunate enough to have seen or heard of the La Concha, but their sign is awesome and their matching lobby is as well. It is the same shape as the sign and it comprises the front room of the Neon Museum, making it even more fun and historic.

Have you ever been to the Neon Museum?
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