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.

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.

All this walking in Vegas got me like... . . #jetsetter #jetset #ilovetravel #tourist #tourism #tblogger #tbloggers #travelblog #travel #travelblogger #travelgirl #travelgram #instatravel #traveler #traveller #budgettravel #budgettraveler #budgettraveller #zensah #freshlegs #compressionsleeves #spon #travelgoodsshow

A post shared by Shereen Travels Cheap (@srayle) on Apr 7, 2017 at 10:32am PDT

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:

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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.

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.  

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!

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. 

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.