Review and Giveaway: Travelon Anti-Theft React Weekender

So, Travelon told me I could pick which bag from their new Anti-Theft React collection to review next and I thought I would put it to you to see which you were most interested in, since my reviews are for you guys! You answered – choosing the React Weekender – and Travelon came through with yet another amazing travel bag full of useful pockets and details you’re going to love. Not only can you use the React Weekender for travel, but it would make a fantastic gym, diaper, beach or commuter bag. So, let me just tell you that not only did I put this bag to the test, but I also proved to myself, and hopefully will prove to you, how few items can make an entire travel wardrobe. That said, a lot more than I expected fit in the React Weekender.

The Weekender has one main compartment that has 3 mesh pockets in it for your electronics (or snacks), two side pockets that are shallow enough to not lose things you want instant access to, but deep enough to hold bigger items, and a zipper pocket in the front to hold important items like your boarding pass or wallet. There is a huge side stretchy pocket for a bottle of water and the best addition to every travel bag, an add-a-bag strap that slips over your regular wheeled carry-on’s handle. I hate having to struggle with two bags when I can pop my shoulder bag on top of my bigger one and just breeze through the airport that way. It's so much simpler! Travelon really knows what travelers need and want and that comes across in all their products.



Yup! All THIS fit in that little bag!

So, aside from my packing awesomeness, this bag has everything you hope to have in a travel bag, like wide shoulder straps that don't slip down your arm when you're running from one gate to another.

This fabulous zipper stow pocket that I stashed a fun wristlet in for a night out, but also to hold my passport, money and boarding passes while on-the-go, because it's so much easier to have all those necessities in one place.

This huge inner compartment that holds absolutely everything! Seriously. Look at all the stuff I crammed in there. I'm in love with these mesh pockets, too, because you can use them for things you want to have at your fingertips while you're traveling: those little things you don't want to lose, holders for your makeup that doesn't go in a 3-1-1 bag (then you don't have to bring a regular makeup bag) or you electronics and snacks, like I used them for. These might also be the perfect little pockets for underwear and socks or your three favorite apples. You decide. They are multipurpose!

Do you enjoy reading and other activities when you travel? So do I. The front and back Velcro pockets are really convenient for things you want to easily access when it's under your seat or under your desk. Only half the depth of the bag, you won't lose change you tossed in there from your coffee run or bigger things like your iPod or Sudoku book. I was able to get my netbook in one side - without actually securing it closed - but could use it fully for my Kindle and camera accessories that I seem to always lose in the bottom of a regular bag. It's perfect for getting through security though, because I can just whip my netbook out and toss it in the bin without having to open the rest of the bag. This might also be a good place to put your 3-1-1 bag for quickly getting through the line and making others jealous of your organizational and preparedness skills. Take that, lady with lace up knee boots and bag full of fancy lotions!

Afraid someone is going to try to steal your stuff while you're at the airport, grocery store, playground, gym or beach? The ingenious bag engineers at Travelon have installed this discreet carabiner clip. It just looks like any old clip, but you can clip your zippers to it and the bag can't be opened! That's not all though! The bag also offers slash-proof construction with wire mesh lining and wire lined shoulder straps. If you think this adds extra heft to the bag, you'd be wrong. The empty bag is crazy light, but built so ruggedly, you'll have it for decades (if you aren't in the habit of throwing it off cliffs or running it over with your car).

Have I convinced you yet? I mean, look at that pretty color! The one I have is in teal (and matches my fun Lucas floral print carry-on), but it also comes in all grey. Whether you’re going on an overnight trip, need a new gym bag, have a mobile office or just want a new personal-size carry-on bag that will last you forever, then this is a fantastic solution for you.

More information

Where you can buy it: Travelon online

How much it costs: $100.00

Colors it comes in: teal | grey

Other specs: Slash-proof shoulder strap and bag construction, nylon fabric that is easily wiped down if you spill on it, 21" x 11.5" x 8", lightweight design easily folds down flat.

Now you can win your own Travelon Anti-Theft React Weekender Bag!

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Disclosure: I was provided with the Travelon React Weekender for the purpose of this post, but all opinions are my own.

Where Candy Comes From 7.4.12

Happy Fourth of July to everyone in America. For the rest of you, happy Wednesday! When Eric and I took our mini-vacation to Bend last month, we packed a lot of stuff into a short amount of time. It was still pretty relaxing though, which is always key in a getaway. One of the items we ticked off our itinerary was a trip to Goody’s Chocolate and Ice Cream Factory. We are both kids at heart and wondered what a two-dollar tour would consist of. Goody’s supplies candy and ice cream to its “local” stores and also ships chocolates to your home (if you don’t live in a place where it’s super warm). They manufacture 20 tons of chocolate a year, which may seem like a lot, but it’s pretty small compared to the bigger candy brands like Hershey.

Look at all the candy! This isn't even all the varieties.

For our $2, we were given a 15-minute tour and six candy samples as we were learning about each and watching (most of) them being made. Goody’s doesn't add any preservatives to their candies and the chocolate is gluten-free, so it’s a pure treat that you can certainly tell the freshness in.

We started our visit out with some chocolate covered potato chips, because you can’t just wait around for chocolate when you already HAVE ACCESS to chocolate, and wandered around the “museum”. Granted, the museum was the size of my bathroom, but they packed a lot of interesting facts and historical items in that small space. Like did you have any idea what a cacao tree looked like? Did you know a cacao pod is like the size of your head? Me neither!

Working hard to bring you delicious, delicious treats. 

So, Goody’s makes all kinds of candy, from chocolate covered cherries to caramel corn and then also makes delicious ice cream with local ingredients. It was really creamy and made a nice end to our tour. Along the way, you got to peer in the windows at the workers and learn about what they were doing and what each machine did. 

Poor me, having to try out "irregular" minty chocolate.

Candy-making is a lot of hard work and it takes experts to really make each batch perfect. Of course, sometimes mistakes happen or the machine doesn’t do its full job, and then you get discounted “oops” bags of goodies. It’s just as tasty, but not as pretty. For the chocolate lover, I say “who cares?!” We bought a couple bags and munched on them throughout our weekend.

Have you ever visited a candy factory…or any other kind of fun factory?

Money Saving Tips to Travel to Egypt

If you're planning a trip to Egypt, here are some great travel tips and some money saving secrets to help make your Middle East adventure a success.

When it comes to traveling to a foreign country, it pays to partner with the best in the business, people who know where to go, what to see, and what to do in the region. The licensed travel guides at America Israel Travel (AIT) have years of experience operating escorted tours to Egypt which are second to none. Whether you are traveling alone or as part of a group, AIT offers the best value for your money, allowing you to discover the ancient secrets of Egypt at prices you can afford. So fasten your seatbelt as we take off and get an up-close view of what an AIT trip to Egypt entails.

Your first money saving tip begins even before you set foot in the Land of the Pharaohs. To cut costs on your dream trip to Egypt, book your travel dates early with America Israel Travel or take advantage of AIT's reduced combination rates, all-inclusive packages, and the 5% per-person discount offered when you make reservations for six or more passengers. Traveling during the off-season is another great way to save money.

Next, decide which of AIT's many affordable tour packages to the region best suit your budget. Fortunately, you'll have many options to choose from, including:

• 4-Day Cairo Extension Tour
• 8-Day Classical Egypt Tour (including Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan)
• 7-Day Cairo and 3-Night Nile Cruise Tour
• 15-Day Into the Promised Land Tour (taking you through Egypt, Jordan, and Israel)
• 13-Day Egypt Tour including a 7-Night Nile Cruise

So how can you begin to enjoy the best that Egypt has to offer without breaking the bank? A great place to exchange your local currency for Egyptian currency is at the Cairo International Airport where you will be met by an AIT representative. While most major hotels accept credit cards, cash is the preferred mode of payment, and tipping in Egypt is expected by Egyptian waiters, taxi drivers, bellhops, porters, and even the ladies manning the public toilets. If you don't want to be milked for your money on account of looking and sounding like a tourist, it's also a good idea to pick up some basic Egyptian-Arabic language skills. Fortunately, when you travel with AIT you'll be treated not only to first-class accommodations but to first-class transportation, meaning you won't have to worry about hailing a cab or getting lost trying to find your way around the country.

By far one of the greatest benefits of traveling to Egypt with America Israel Travel is that every step of your trip is planned by industry leading experts who are masters at crafting itineraries tailor-made to your interests and needs. No matter which Egyptian attraction you visit, its rich history will be further enhanced by the expert knowledge of your friendly AIT guide, allowing you to intimately connect with the geography, history, and religion of the land. Of course, you'll also receive plenty of personal attention and great tips on where to find the most affordable Egyptian restaurants and where to locate the best Egyptian beaches to work on that beautiful Middle Eastern suntan.

If you are traveling to Egypt alone and are looking for inexpensive ways to experience Egyptian culture, a great money saving ploy is to simply enjoy the sight of the towering Egyptian pyramids from a distance. Fortunately, if you are part of an AIT group, your admission and tour expenses to the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and other famous pyramids are all included.

During your free time, check out Cairo's medieval market, Khan-el-Khalili, where you can find cheap souvenirs, jewelry, spices, and more. Walking through the marketplace is free, and your AIT travel guide is the perfect person to offer you some advice on how to haggle like a local in order to avoid paying exaggerated tourist prices.

For a bite of Middle Eastern cuisine which won't take a bite out of your wallet, try these deliciously inexpensive eating-out options in Egypt:

• Eat falafel for breakfast, lunch, supper, and as a nutritious snack
• Buy cheap locally grown fruit such as heavenly mangos, melons, and guavas
• You can get a great inexpensive seafood meal for the whole family at seafood restaurants located inside the local fish markets

Finally, no trip to Egypt is complete without a cruise down the Nile River, the world's longest river which dates back to Biblical times. For an unforgettable journey into the past while you enjoy all the luxurious amenities of the present and the future, check out AIT Nile cruises today.

This is a sponsored post from America Israel Travel. If an Egyptian vacation is in your future, make sure to check them out. You can also find them on

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