Travel with More Counter Space with ORGO Lite

Have you ever gotten to your hotel or vacation rental and gone to put your stuff in the bathroom only to find there's no place to put it. Like, there's not even any counter space to put your toothbrush? So, maybe you improvise and put your toothbrush and toothpaste in a glass and set it on the back of the toilet. Then you think, that's totally gross. How can there only be a toilet and pedestal sink and no place to put anything, like your blowdryer? Are you supposed to just put it on the floor? The makers of ORGO feel your pain and decided to come up with a solution. ORGO Lite!

This sleek toiletry case holds everything you need in a slim silhouette that slides open to reveal a case that fits easily on top of a normal pedestal sink with a little extra space as well. The case sits on top of an adjustable surface, so when the two parts slide apart, you have a counter/work space that wasn't there before, but means you can use the sink as you would if it had a place to put everything you need in order to get ready in the morning/evening. When you're done, zip close the compartments, slide them back together and stash it anywhere. Even if you drop it and it falls upside down, your contents won't get all broken or jumbled up.

When I first saw the ORGO, I wondered why no one had thought of this before. We've traveled quite a bit in Europe or smaller rentals where the only place to put your toiletries are to hang them on the back of the door, the knob or the towel rack. Not only that, but you can only take one or two items out at a time and then have to put them back as soon as you are done with them. It makes getting ready really annoying and inefficient. 

Just set this baby up on your counter, open it up and have everything you need right at your fingertips. It also works just as good if you have to bring it into another room to do your makeup because someone's in the bathroom (it happens more often than you'd like, I'll wager). The black case makes it easy to find your stuff and has removable organizer sections so you can use them as you need. 

I like to travel with trial size items, because I can take more in a smaller space and also use more space for bigger items, like my glasses and other necessities that you can't make smaller. I pretty much moved everything from my regular toiletry bag into the ORGO and it all fit perfectly with room to spare. The only thing you won't see in here are my solid shampoo and conditioner and my deodorant, because I happened to run out on my last trip. All of them would have fit in here though. You can put smaller things, jewelry or items you like to have close at hand (like eyeliner) in the elastic loops provided on each side or the zipper pockets. I used those for pills, bandaids and lady products.

As you can see, the organizational dividers do a good job of making different sized compartments that fit everything, but you can take them out completely as well, so you have one big compartment if you want. I like that kind of customization when I travel with different things for different destinations or shorter/longer trips. If I'm going away for a weekend, I may only use one side for bathroom things and use the other side for plugs for my electronics or for underwear and socks or for any number of other things.

You don't have to just use this when you travel either. Our smaller bathroom was just remodeled and we put in a smaller sink to make it feel a bit bigger. It works, but there is pretty much just room there for hand soap and a couple of toothbrushes. If anyone comes to visit, this might be an issue for them. As it is, this the bathroom I use to straighten my hair and there's absolutely no place for my flat iron, so I kinda just set in the sink while I'm using it and letting it cool. I don't care, but any guest might love this extra space to be able to do their makeup and fix their hair without juggling everything and having to constantly pick things up that probably rolled onto the floor.

Because the case is nice and rigid, you can also close one side and use the top of it for even more counter space. I love that so much. If you travel with kids, you can put their art supplies in one or small toys or other stuff they must have. Use one side for crayons and coloring books and the other for snacks. Whatever you want! They can use this in the back of the car, at restaurants and even on the plane to keep all their little stuff together while still giving them a place to play with it. 

The slimness of the case makes it easy to pack on top of your clothes in a normal carry-on. In fact, this carry-on is hardside and a bit smaller than my normal one and it fit either way I tried to put it in and wasn't bulky at all. It's a perfect layer that can work with shoes and other random items you don't put in the layer with your rolled clothes. Look at all that extra room!

So, why not use that extra room that ORGO gives your suitcase, too! I tucked my fave cardigan and a pair of fun flats into that space. Because of the ORGO's rigidity, strapping it down with the tie-downs in your bag won't smash any of your stuff inside and it won't lose it's shape at all. Plus, it's totally lightweight and any spills can just be wiped off with a damp cloth. ORGO is like the bathroom version of that large wooden cutting board you can use in a small kitchen to cover your sink to add extra counter space.

Keep everything you need always packed and move it from one bag to the next or from under your bathroom sink to your carry-on easily to make packing way less stressful and more fun. And if you had any other doubts about the coolness of ORGO, buyers, press and other Travel Goods Show attendees (like me!) named it first in Innovative Products for 2016. 

Other specs

Where to buy it: On ORGO's website

How much: $39.99

Size: 15.375” x 10.75" x 2.25" 

Colors it comes in: Black on Black | Paradise Pink | Green with Envy (shown)

If you're into ORGO as much as I am, be friends with them. Find them here:

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Disclaimer: I was provided with the ORGO Lite for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own. 

Stay Fresh On-The-Go with Savvy Travelers

Sometimes when you travel, you may be on the plane or in the car for many hours and your teeth feel gross and you might feel like your deodorant is failing and whatever else. I hate to feel grungy and I always carry stuff in my purse that helps to make me feel more fresh, whether it's mints, gum or a packet of wet wipes. The problem with some of those is that they don't last long or they dry out. Savvy Travelers knows you are strapped for space when you travel and you also want to feel fresh and clean wherever you go.

No matter where you are or what you're doing, Savvy Travelers single packets can go with you. So, whether you're off camping for the weekend or headed to the amusement park for the week, you're covered. And they don't require water or need to fit in your 3-1-1 bag either. 

There are so many products out there to wash your face with that it can be difficult to pick one that works for your skin type. Of course, you could just be like me and hate all the hullabaloo that goes along with cleansing and just want to it to be quick and painless, but not make your skin dry or cause it to break out. TAKEoffz might be your new best friend at the end of a long day when you just want to climb into bed.

 

I love these. They are oil-free, moisturizing and does the work of a cleanser and toner in one. They're made with natural hydrating ingredients like aloe, chamomile and vitamin E. The wipe is soft and pulled all my makeup off with a few quick swipes, leaving my skin feeling squeaky clean and tingly. It smells nice, too, but not that strong, which is perfect for those with allergies (like me) or for men who might want to use these to just freshen up during the day or at the end, because they need to think about skin care, too.

You ever have that gross teeth feeling like you wish you had a toothbrush? I get that sometimes in the middle of the day, especially when I'm eating random things that I don't usually eat. The theme park is the worst, or that fuzzy feel your mouth gets during a long plane ride. SPEAKeazy is made for you. It's like a mouth wash in a wipe that can clean the surface debris off your teeth and freshen your breath. I waited until the end of the day, when I knew a brushing would do me some good and then I swiped SPEAKeazy over my teeth a few times and asked Eric how my breath was. He said it was minty and worthy of a kiss, so you can definitely talk to strangers from a normal distance without worrying about gross breath or scuzzy-feeling teeth. They are easy to use and have some nice little nubbies on the wipe to get in the crevices and dig out food pieces that might be hiding. You can fit a bunch in your purse, or one in your pocket to use whenever you need it, because you can't always just stop and brush your teeth wherever you are.

Okay, so I've had some iffy experiences with deodorant wipes. Either they are too girly smelling or I use two and the rest dry up or they don't work at all. You could carry a regular deodorant stick with you for reapplication during the day, but it takes up a bunch of room and if it's hot outside, it melts. It's all a big bunch of nope. I wanted to really test this one out. I already know they won't dry out if I just use one and then don't use the others right away. The NOsweat wipes are large (I dare say large enough that you could cut them in half and share them with a friend if you wanted) and have a pleasant mild smell (they aren't flowery or smell like baby powder). Appropriate for anyone who wanted to use them, man or woman. I opted to swipe this under my arms instead of using my normal deodorant stick. I'll tell you what: it was still working at the end of the day and I didn't even catch a little whiff of B.O. These are going to be a staple in my travel bag and my purse, because wow!

Those were my favorites of the sample pack I received, but the other products were just as awesome. IN THE klear wipes are fantastic lens cleaners. I used them on my glasses and they were clearer than they'd been since I got them at the ophthalmologist. I then used the same wipe on my computer screen, because it's a dust and dog hair magnet. They look like those thin alcohol pads you get in packets, but have no smell and aren't watery at all. These are great for cleaning your cell phone face as well. 

Got dry skin or need to wash up without a sink nearby? Use a KLEANupz wipe instead. It's antibacterial, but also hydrating. With ingredients including aloe vera and vitamin E, it moisturizes while killing 99.9% of germs. If you have kids, you need these, and the next one. 

Use the same germ-killing power on other surfaces, too. KLEANoffs are fierce cleansing wipes you can use on that gross hotel room phone and remote, restaurant tables and that germ-covered airplane tray table. It smells citrusy instead of like cleaning product, making your surroundings feel fresh instead of strictly sterile.

photo credit

Now, you're probably worried about all these extra products you're taking with you, but don't, because all Savvy Travelers wipes are biodegradable and compostable and made using solar energy, making them environmentally friendly and convenient. They are also definitely not tested on animals, so they're also ethical. How can you go wrong? Buy each wipe in a set of 6 packets per box or get the travel pack that comes with 4 wipes each of their most popular wipes: NOsweat, IN THE klear, TAKEoffz and SPEAKeazy. 

Whether you're running into a meeting and keep these in your desk at work or sightseeing your way around Paris, these wipes can work in a pinch. Though the packaging can be more geared toward ladies, men can and do use Savvy Travelers as well, because the smells are unisex and work for everyone, plus they're super convenient and easy to pack (TSA compliant and all that). Who wouldn't want a few of these in their pocket or carry-on...or briefcase, for that matter? 

Other specs:

Where to buy them: On the Savvy Travelers website

How much they cost: $10 for 6-pack or $20 for the JETset package of 16 wipes

Right now, use code SAVVYVIP20 and get 20% off your order.

If you love Savvy Traveler like I do, find them online:

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Disclosure: I was provided with a sample pack of goodies from Savvy Traveler for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Portland Dining Month 2016

It's no secret that Portland is a great dining hub. Our city is full of upscale restaurants (and just as many gourmet food carts) and endless food possibilities. Unfortunately, even as a lover of food, it's not financially possible to hit up all the restaurants I want to try throughout the year, but Portland Dining Month is when to plan to hit up the most coveted on your list. The whole of March is set aside for food, food and more food, and I love it.

Here's why Portland Dining Month is awesome (and those in other cities across the nation, too): You dine at any of the participating restaurants and get three courses for $29 per diner. Now, last year we dined at three restaurants. This year, a lot has been going on and we have only made it to the one so far, but there's still a week to go.

Our choice for dinner this last week was Urban Fondue. We'd been there before, but not for many years. I'm a lover of fondue and this place basically gives you all the fixings to create a filling and relaxing dinner with mix-and-match meals that come with your choice of meats (or veggies), a bunch of awesome sauces and a broth in which to cook said meats and veggies. First course was a choose-your-own cheese fondue in which to dip breads in (though you can add on other dippers, like apples). Two share the starter and dessert, so we compromised on the brie and Gorgonzola fondue that had crunchy hazelnuts in it that made for a fun mix of textures.

In between our first course and second course, the waiter came by to tell us all about the 9 different sauces. Obviously, the meats and veggies have no seasoning on them, so you're getting extra flavor from the broth and sauces. My favorites were the blackberry ketchup and the mushroom demi, and of course Eric loved the peanut sauce. The smoked tomato aioli was also pretty yummy. So, then we ordered:

photo credit: Eric Botteron

I picked the East Meets West, which was basically a twist on surf and turf. It came with chicken, pork, prawns and scallops. Eric ordered the Chef's Cut, which was strictly pork and steak. Each selection comes with other items to mix it up. Ours came with little tortellinis, mushrooms, asparagus, squash, zucchini, carrots and parsnips. We got our foods with beef broth, because that was the chef's suggestion, but there are several others to choose from to go with any of your selections. The waiter gives you a quick low down on how to cook your stuff: 

use your timer to cook everything for 3 minutes

don't put raw meats on your plate

don't use the sauces until after you've cooked your meats

have fun!

click on pic to see the menu larger

You might think that waiting 3 minutes between each bite might be boring and make you twice as hungry, but you can do two fondue forks at a time, plus it allows you to slow down and enjoy each thing you put in your mouth. Also, by the time you've made it through your plate of meats and extras, you find that you're actually full, but hopefully not too full for dessert!

Again, we had to choose a dipping chocolate to share for our dessert. I would have picked tiramisu, Eric probably would have picked peanut butter and chocolate, but we decided to forgo either of our go-tos and went instead with the Heath Bar chocolate fondue. Your dessert plate comes with a variety of yummy options: marshmallows, cream puffs, cheesecake, cookie dough, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, doughnut pieces and pound cake. 

  

There is clearly something for everyone on the dessert plate and we were able to give everything a try and then decide who would eat more of what the other didn't like as much. Case in point: I can't eat pineapple, so Eric ate those bites and I had the strawberries. Of course, if neither of you can eat something, or you have food allergies, the wait staff point blank asks if this is the case before recommending anything or bringing anything to your table. That way they can leave something out and sub in something else or can steer you toward a better option based on your tastes and requirements.

I look forward to trying more restaurants this year, in what is left of March and beyond. Portland has opened quite a few new venues that sound amazing. Look for Dining Month in your own city, or plan your next trip to Portland in March. Our new campaign states "Portland is Happening Now" and it isn't wrong. We are becoming more and more popular every year, especially in the summer. Find more participating restaurants at Travel Portland, and more resources to plan your trip. Make your dining reservations through OpenTable to get points that you can trade in for free dining.

Which restaurants on the list would you be most excited to try?

Disclosure: I received a gift certificate to dine at Urban Fondue from Travel Portland, but all opinions are 100% my own.