Travel Gifts for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is right around the corner and if you haven't come up with a great gift for your mom (or sister, wife, grandma or daughter) who loves to travel, then you still have some time to snap up something good that'll make you look like a hero that knows her so well. No matter what your budget, your gift can be useful, thoughtful and something she'll love. 

Budget

Your mom loves having great hair. You know how I know? Because everyone loves having great hair. Help her get awesome hair while she travels by getting her a fantastic mini hair appliance like Conair's mini flat iron, which I have and works better than my full-size one. Get one for around $15.

Make sure you can follow your mom's travels on Instagram or Facebook by getting her a battery backup for her mobile. When she can keep her phone charged, she can call you to tell you all about the fun she's having and you can call her to check in and tell her you love her. I have this one and it can charge your phone 2 1/2 times before it needs to be recharged. It also has a flashlight and comes in at a cool $16.

Don't you like to chronicle your trips to remember later? I bet your mom would enjoy that, too. Get her a fun and fab travel journal to keep track of all the places she ate, the museums she visited and the people she met along the way. This awesome one is really affordable at under $12.

If your mom loves to lounge by the pool or play on the beach, then you need to get her a waterproof phone pouch. It keeps water and sand out, floats and still lets you talk, text, play games and take pictures. Last time I was using mine in the lazy river, a lady floating by asked me all about it. This would be an excellent gift to go with something else, because it costs just $10.

Give your mom the gift of travel inspiration with a subscription to Travel + Leisure Magazine. She may not have the money to stay at the included hotels, but I find it's a great starting point for planning where I want to go and what I want to do there. Get 12 issues for just $10.

Moderate
Keep your mom safe from pickpockets and other thieves with a great travel purse from Travelon. Look for anti-theft features and slash-proof straps, so she never has to worry about someone stealing her money, passport or other necessities wherever she goes. You'll be looking to spend between $40 and $80.

I bet your mom likes to be organized...especially when she travels. Get her some of Lewis N. Clark's fantastic packing cubes, like the fun new expandable ones, so they fit everything she needs in her carry-on. These can run $10-44, depending on size and set.

Everyone needs a good pair of flats for walking in style. Butterfly Flats makes beautiful ones that are also comfortable and versatile enough to wear with dresses, pants and shorts, plus they fold to take up minimal space in your bag. You know your mom's shoe size, pick her out a pretty pair for around $40.

Purchase some rest and relaxation that your mom can choose herself. There are thousands of B&Bs all across the country that are part of a network. Get a BedandBreakfast gift card so she can find the perfect getaway for herself. Purchase in any denomination.

Splurge

Everyone likes to look fantastic in their vacation pics and also feel comfortable and stylish. Find an upscale piece for your mom at Anatomie, luxury travel clothes for women. Prices are steep and range $100-$300, but they are classy and made really well, so she'll be wearing them for years to come.

Give the gift of experience and save her money with either a CityPASS or a Go Card from Smart Destinations. Both save up to 50% off a city's most popular attractions and saves her from waiting in the ticket line, which is always the worst. They start around $45 and go up from there depending on the city being visited.

Does your mom travel to rainy climates? If so a waterproof carry-on should be something she has. I have the Lojel Nimbus and love it, especially for Oregon. It has double spinner wheels, easy-to-grasp rubber handles, is lightweight and holds quite a bit. It's runs a bit much at $238, but it's guaranteed to last her many years.

You know what's awesome? Having noise-cancelling headphones that are also wireless and can help you sleep on the plane and are adjustable to fit everyone's head. Get her a pair of Sol Republic Air Tracks for around $70 and she will love you (even more than she already does).

Let her go farther for less by gifting her air miles or a gift card to her favorite airline. They come in any denomination you choose (or in quantities of 500 for miles), so you can work with the budget you have and, if you want to gift her your air miles, it's even more affordable.

What are you doing for the mom in your life for Mother's Day on May 8th?

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Review: Cosmetic Organizer from Lewis N. Clark

When I travel, I'm always looking to get more organized and simplify. I mix and match my wardrobe for maximum wear, I take only two pair of shoes, I pare down my toiletries so I only take the necessary items. Lewis N. Clark is helping me organize my toiletries in style and letting me leave the ugly quart zip-top bag at home, too. Their Plaid Cosmetic Organizer is everything you need, especially when traveling solo.

This new toiletry bag is part of a new line they have put out this year and is equal parts classy and convenient. It consists of two parts that zip together. One side has a mesh front and the other has a polyurethane front for your liquids. You can easily see what's inside both compartments when it's opened flat and you can either unzip the liquids side to throw it in the security bin at TSA or just lay it flat in the bin, so security agents can see what's inside quickly. It totally eliminates having to also have that loose bag of liquids in your bag and looks a whole lot prettier.

Okay, so here's what I normally bring when I travel. I try to keep everything to small trial-size items when possible, so I can keep it simple and recycle any items I use up before I head home. It seems like a lot, but it would take up a lot more room in my bag if I brought bigger sizes. I decant my face scrub and moisturizer into smaller containers (like that second contact case), because I don't need a ton of it. Everything up there, except a couple items, is a necessity. Up in the right corner is my solid shampoo and a small sewing kit.

I put my liquids in one side and all the other items, like my toothbrush, in the mesh side and everything fit inside with room to spare. This is great, because sometimes I add things last-minute or I find items on my trip to take home that needs to go in a 3-1-1 (liquids) bag. When you're getting ready in the morning, you can quickly find the things you need.

Only need your brush or medication? Unzip the organizer and just take the half you need. You don't have to use it just for makeup or toiletries either. Often, I carry a bag with my cords and adapters. This would be a perfect way to organize those things and keep them together. You can also keep small travel necessities inside, such as your passport, eye mask, pen and other things you'll use on your flight. Got kids? Store small toys, crayons, snacks or their electronics in this. It really has endless uses and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

The two halves are held together at the top by a magnetic closure. Each side is wider at the bottom than at the top, so it's difficult to pack it so much that the magnets don't catch. This makes it easy to hold onto as well. The fabric on the outside is a subtle plaid that is soft to the touch. You'll definitely get some compliments from other travelers. I also love the top zippers of the organizer. It doesn't just zip across the top, but starts and ends a little bit around the sides, meaning you can open it wide to get at things even in the bottom. Other similar bags make it difficult to get your hand inside the bag and you end up having to dump everything out to reach all the items packed into it.

I'm really excited for my next trip to be able to take this fantastic little bag set with me and use it for different things. It's classic looking and will serve many uses on my future trips, including a toiletry bag when I travel on my own (which is becoming more frequent). Of course, if you travel as a couple and need a little more room, having two of these probably won't take up much more space in your bag than your traditional toiletry kit.

Want to pick up one of your own? Of course you do. I love that these are not girly, so they are perfect for a man or a woman (and don't forget that Mother's Day is just next week!). 

Other specs

Where to buy it: On Lewis N. Clark website

How much it costs: $24.99

Size: 7.5in x 8.5in x 3.5in

Colors it comes in: Beige/Mint

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Disclaimer: I was provided with the Lewis N. Clark Cosmetic Organizer for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own. 

Real Vacations for Green Budget Travelers

For some, when they hear the words budget travel they wrinkle their nose thinking they have limited options and that there’s no way they are going to sleep on some stranger’s couch with their spouse and kids or stay in a hostel. Throw into the mix the words “green travel” and they immediately picture pitching a tent in the woods and eating granola and living without a shower for a week. While a lot of budget travelers like to backpack and couchsurf, there are other ways of doing it that can fit everyone’s taste and are also convenient for families, as well as those who like a little more comfort. You don’t have to give up everything to be an eco-friendly budget traveler. In fact, by just changing a few things you do, you can save a buck and help Mother Earth.

Shop at farmers’ markets – Support local farmers, butchers, florists and artisans by shopping at open-air markets. Not only will you be putting money back into a community to help it thrive, you’re also keeping small businesses alive. By purchasing fresh ingredients that you can eat right away or do a little preparation with back at your lodging, you’re saving money over a traditional sit-down meal.

Eat at food carts – Another way to save on meals is to eat at food carts. They are the ultimate in budget dining, because they are basically a mobile kitchen. With their low overhead, (no seating, waiters, busboys, etc.) those savings are passed on to you. You also get to try local cuisine for less, and normally, where there is one food cart, there are many. If your kids are picky, there is bound to be something they find appetizing within reasonable walking distance from your current cart.

Ebooks and apps – Guidebooks are awesome, but not only do they take up room in your luggage, what do you do with them when your vacation is over? Probably you recycle them, but what if you didn’t have to? You can pretty much get any book you want in digital format for your e-reader or smartphone. You can even “bookmark” important pages you know you’ll need. And there are many apps that can give you directions, city tours, maps and even help you find attractions nearby. Many are even free! Going paperless can really make you feel lighter on your trips and allow you to feel better about all the information you’re toting around.

Walk or take public transportation – Many travelers rely on renting cars or taking cabs when on vacation, but that’s not always economical. In most big cities, taxis are really expensive and just a few trips could add up to hundreds of dollars. Why waste all that money (and gas!) when you can just as easily walk to your desired destinations or take public transportation? If either of these options are feasible, then take the time to slow down and smell the roses. You never know what you’re missing until you get out and see things from the point of view of a local. You’ll get some fresh air, exercise and even find a hidden shop or café that you can come back to. This is also a great time to let your kids take the reins and learn to navigate the subway map or figure out the best walking route from your hotel to wherever it is you planned on going.

Stay in an eco-lodge – If you’re looking for alternative accommodations from your typical hotel, consider staying in an eco-lodge. They come in many different types, but strive to do their best to impact the environment as little as possible, with low-flow toilets, use of sustainable materials, farm-to-table programs and more. You will find that many are a lot more luxurious than expected and even more affordable. Be careful, though, as some offer electricity, while others do not. If lights after sundown are important to you, then make sure you confirm that it is included before you book.

As a budget traveler that tries to do my part for the environment as much as possible, I’m always looking for new ways to save on my whole vacation. By just making the effort to get out and see your destination from a new perspective, you find different ways to experience your trips and change up your travel style a bit to make it more affordable and green at the same time. 

How do you travel green?