How To Deal With Dirty Bathrooms with FannyPac

It's inevitable. When you travel, you're going to have to visit a bathroom or two, and often, those bathrooms can be less than ideal when it comes to cleanliness. As a lady, I was brought up to use the hover method, but as an adult, I want to feel like a person who doesn't think they're going to get some scrungy disease from a toilet seat. Fanny Pac knows the feeling.

Fanny Pac knows about those questionable bathrooms that you don't have a choice but to use, and the way we feel when we try to figure out if we can make it elsewhere. For the most part, we can't just nope right out of there, even though we see that there aren't any toilet seat covers and we don't want to touch anything at all. Fanny Pac has you covered (literally) with a tiny pack of emergency disposable seat covers. 

Though they come in a little pack that slips easily into your purse or pocket for just when you need them, each seat cover unfolds to a large size to cover any seat you need to use. I also love that instead of ovular, like a lot are, these are rectangular, so you have more coverage and much less chance of them slipping into the bowl before you get to sit down (you know what I mean, because it has happened to us all). The four corners flap over the outside of the seat, meaning more stability. 

Yikes!

When you travel, or go to a lot of festivals, or both, you see a lot of public bathrooms. I have quite a few requirements in what I think constitutes a good restroom, and even though sufficient lighting and convenience is near the top, cleanliness is always top priority. You aren't going to get this when faced with long lines of portable restrooms, places that have way more customers/guests than stalls, a lot of bars, parks, buses, and sometimes even airplanes. In fact, I was at a national chain store the other day and, though the bathroom was sparkling clean, there weren't any seat covers in the stalls. Whaaaaaat?

If you're someone who likes to be prepared for all sorts of situations or is even slightly germophobic, you're going to want to order a pack (or 10) of Fanny Pacs for your day bag, travel bag, purse, car, and coat. You don't want to be caught in the situation where you end up having to line the toilet seat with toilet paper, which does not keep germs out, especially when it's one of those places that you just have to pull out a hundred tiny squares to even have enough coverage for your business. 

Fanny Pac are eco-friendly, flushable, biodegradable, and unscented, so even those who have sensitivie skin and allergies can use them, plus they're not harmful to the environment, so your solution to yucky bathroom nightmares don't turn into any other sort of nightmare. Each pack comes with 10 seat covers, giving you (hopefully) enough for a regular vacation, but you can also buy a 5-package of packs. 

Not only are these great for travel and just normal home situations, but they are can be a lifesaver for those with mobility issues and other people who can't squat/hover, like little kids who are too short to even sit on the toilet without help. Get a bunch for your whole crew. Stuff them in their stockings this Christmas. 

Now, if someone can just think of a solution to finding no toilet paper in the bathroom, we'd be set. (tip: I also carry tissues and napkins at all times.)

More details

Where to buy them: On the Fanny Pac website

Cost: $5.99CAD/10pk

Learn more about Fanny Pac by following them on social media: Facebook | Instagram 

Disclaimer: I was provided with a Fanny Pac for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% mine. 

Review: Arcopedico's Vegas Mary Jane Travel Shoes

It can be difficult to find a good pair of travel shoes, and I often end up buying a new pair (or two) of shoes for travel each year, because they don't last long enough to make it through more than a few trips with constant wear or they didn't look as good with things as I thought. Earlier this year I received pair of Arcopedico boots for review and they are awesome. I have worn them at home, for work, and almost every day of my trip to Edinburgh and London and my feet never hurt. So, when I was offered a pair called Vegas, I immediately said yes.

The Vegas is a slight wedge shoe with cute criss-cross elastic straps that allow you to slip them on and off (perfect for the airport and the rest of your trip), but keep them secure on your feet. If you like a Mary Jane shoe, then this is a fun twist for your shoe collection. 

As with the boots I received, these have excellent dual arch support, meaning you stand the way you should, taking pressure off your back and distributing your weight evenly. Your soles and the balls of your feet feel much better too. 

These shoes go with just about everything. As you can see from my next photos, I wore them with dress pants, jeans, and even my witch costume that I wore to a Halloween themed brunch. I've already gotten so many compliments on them, because they're super cute, which you can't say about most orthopedic shoes. I'll be wearing them a lot more.

One of my favorite features of these are the wide toe box, so you don't find your toes cramped, even at the end of the day. If you have wide feet like I do, this is hard to come by in shoes that aren't specifically wide-width.  The top is non-binding, giving you a feeling of being barefoot. I saw elsewhere that customers thought this shoe ran a bit small, but I wear a true 6.5 and the 37 fit me very well. 

Another favorite is the grip that you get on the bottom. There are so many shoes like this that have no traction at all, and I have slipped more than once and almost hurt myself. My boots held up even over wet cobblestones, and I have no doubt that these would be the same.

The backs of these go slightly up your ankle. On most shoes, this would automatically spell blisters for me, but the Vegas doesn't rub at all for me, so it looks nice and gives a little extra support in the back. I also found that my pants didn't get caught in it. If you have other shoes like this, then you'll know what I mean. 

I wore these with bare feet, but also with tights and they fit well both ways. If you wanted to keep your feet warmer, you could wear these with a nice trouser sock when it's colder out. I took my tights off so you could see the straps and how they would look with a summertime or spring look. Please ignore my ghostly skin, though I think it works with this costume. 

The Vegas has a nice flexibility, so your feet are able to move normally, instead of being cramped while walking all day. I don't know about you, but this can be a problem for me, and contributes to foot pain if you're walking all day. Nobody wants that on vacation.

I'm already excited to pack these for my Spring trip to New Orleans. In fact, I'll probably wear them on the plane, especially since they'll be great for running through the airport. They'll also help me navigate the broken and hilly sidewalks of the city.

If you're traveling at all this year, or have a traveler on your holiday gift list, this is a must-have shoe. Take a look at some of the other styles Arcopedico makes as well, because if this one doesn't call to you, others certainly might, and will keep your feet happy, even if they are the only shoe you take on vacation. The cost is certainly worth the comfort you get in return.

More details

Where to buy them: On Arcopedico's website and on sites like Amazon

Cost: $145

Colors they come in:  Black lined leather (shown) | Pewter lined leather

More info: Non-metal dual arch support, made in Portugal since 1966, non-removable polyurethane insole, lining contains the antimicrobial Sansmell™ deodorizing system for a fresher foot environment.

Learn more about Arcopedico by following them on social media: Facebook | Instagram 

Disclaimer: I was provided with the Vegas for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% mine. This post contains an affiliate link, and if you make a purchase through it, I'll be monetarily compensated (and eternally grateful). 

Your New England Halloween Vacation

Halloween is possibly my favorite day of the year. I love to decorate and dress up and it’s exciting when other people share my love of the day. This year we aren't throwing our usual party, but instead going to a Witching Hour fundraiser with witches, magic, a 20's vibe, and absinthe. (You can see pics if you follow me on Instagram.) Should be a good time, especially since I get to dress up. It's gonna be a pretty laid-back holiday, where everyone else does the work and I focus on having fun and planning my birthday party instead.

While I was thinking about the cool ways to spend Halloween in the future, I decided to check out what there was to do in New England, because when I think spooky, it conjures up witches and Stephen King, both of which hail from the Northeastern states. Did you know there are crazy amounts of things to do the whole month of October? It’s true! Whether you want to be scared witless or just learn the history behind this fun holiday.

This photo of Lake Compounce is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Connecticut

The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce is Southern New England’s largest Halloween attraction. It has evolved from Ernie and Carol Romegialli’s creative yard decorations 22 years ago. The decorations grew more elaborate and eventually outgrew their yard and they have been occupying a larger area ever since. Donations go towards their upkeep and diabetes research, which is pretty awesome if you ask me. They are open Friday through Sunday, October 4-27.

Witch’s Dungeon Halloween Classic Movies Museum - For just a $6 donation per person, you can visit the longest-running Halloween attraction in the country. Opened in 1966, you can view memorabilia from your favorite classic horror and sci-fi films and also watch them on the silver screen. Open Friday through Sunday until November 2.

photo credit

New Hampshire

Nightmare New England is 40 acres of non-stop scary-thrills, located in Litchfield, NH. Along the Merrimack River, the landscape plays its part in making the six themed areas even spookier. There’s so much to do in this “scream park” including zombie paintball, five haunted attractions, tarot card readings and even a restaurant. I wouldn’t expect normal fare, but this is a place that tries to scare you the moment you step out of your car. Nightmare New England wants to make Halloween a destination. Open selected days and weekends from September 19 - November 9.

Keene Pumpkin Festival - Laconia townsfolk plan all year to break the record for the most jack-o-lanterns in their downtown square. They have done it, too! 8 times! Enjoy food, fun and music during this one-night family-friendly celebration on October 19. The food and craft court sounds like a place I would be happy to lose myself in. Candy apples and handmade Halloween decorations are pretty high on my list of things that make me go “Yes please!”.

photo credit

Massachusetts

Salem – Where better to celebrate Halloween than witch-central? All October long you’ll find themed festivities and attractions including a carnival, haunted house, spooky tours and more.  Every day of the month you’ll find something going on. This is my kind of town.  Where else can you hit the farmers’ market during the day and then see the Crucibal at night and get your palm read and shop witchcraft shop in between? There might be some places, but I doubt many. And there are even fewer places where you can visit the actual places where witch trials took place. This is definitely on my list of must-see places.

Six Flags New England Fright Fest is fun for the whole family, with daytime and nighttime activities to please everyone. During the day, families will be able to fill their bags on the trick or treat trail and then get up close and personal with creepy crawlies like snakes and lizards. Once the sun goes down, the scares come out with a haunted house and scare zones. All rides stay open during Fright Fest, but beware, you might find yourself sitting next to a ghoul. Fright fest runs on weekends from September 21-November 3.

photo credit

Vermont

The Haunted Forest - A more family-friendly Halloween activity, the Haunted Forest takes visitors down a jack-o-lantern-lighted path to view a dozen different scenes presented by community theater performers. It’s just spooky enough for older ones and tame enough for little ones. The “performance” runs on various times October 24 - 26.

Looking for deals to get to and stay in the area? Check out these travel merchants:

• Airbnb - For a great deal on an apartment/condo/house, browse what's available from private renters through Airbnb. I've used them to book my lodgings in London and Paris this fall and I feel like I'm going to be really happy, and not just because I save a bunch of money.
• HomeAway - Not quite brave enough to deal directly with a homeowner? Then go bigger with HomeAway. They also have competitive pricing on private rentals and a really big selection anywhere you want to go.
• Hotels.com - If you want someone to clean up after you and overall feel a bit pampered, then you might be interested in the rebate deal going on at Hotels.com. Earn up to $100 cash back on stays from 3 to 12 nights.
• Expedia - Save big with a package deal where you bundle your airfare and lodging together. Using Expedia, you can save up to $525 when you book this way.
• CheapOair - Save more over their lowest rates with promo code FALL15, which will knock an extra $15 off on hotel and airfare rates.

If New England doesn’t sound in the (tarot) cards for you this year, FareCompare has some ideas for trips to scare you. You can also look back at my post on trips to theme parks that have special celebrations as well as other places around the world you might want to visit (including the Paris catacombs, which I will be venturing into in November). 

What are your favorite fall/Halloween activities?