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Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Stay Hydrated with Travelon's Greenlander Insulated Water Bottle Bag

Eric and I are forever trying to stay hydrated when we travel. We quit buying bottles of water everywhere we go forever ago, because it can really add up, and it's a waste of plastic. Of course, carrying around a thermos is annoying and can add too much weight to my already stuffed purse. A water bottle bag is the answer, and Travelon has so many to choose from.

The Greenlander Insulated Water Bottle Bag from Travelon is anti-theft, sporty, and fits most size bottles and thermoses.

This is the third water bottle bag we've gotten from Travelon and it's a big step up from the basic one we have, but still lightweight, and has more features. Eric drinks the most while we're out, so he gets the honor of carrying this bag. He's not asking me constantly for the bottle and it's pretty much impossible for him to set it down and forget it, since he's wearing it.


When I'm just out with the dog or at the beach/pool, and I don't have to take a purse, these bags are perfect for me, too. It's comfortable to wear and fits any bottle I have, including my shorter, wide-mouth 14 oz thermos and a big liter size SodaStream bottle.


The strap is nice and wide, with rounded edges, so it's not digging into your shoulder or neck. It's really comfortable and can be adjusted for whatever your height. We both wear it crossbody, and it's always perfect for us both. 


This new Greenlander water bottle bag is insulated, so even if you aren't walking around with an insulated thermos, you aren't forced to drink gross lukewarm water (or whatever beverage you're drinking) all day. It makes hydrating a little more tolerable, especially when it's hot outside. 


No matter your bottle or thermos size, the Greenlander Water Bottle Bag has a drawstring closure on the top to keep your bag inside and from falling out if it falls over or you bend down. We've had this happen when putting it in the backseat of the car and had to fish under the seats for it.


This cool bottle bag has some neat anti-theft features, too. Instead of a locking zipper, which can be difficult to deal with on a bag like this, it has a zipper that fits through a loop, so it can't slide down if caught on something or if someone tries to unzip it to get at what's in the pocket. 


This zippered pocket is the perfect size for small necessities. Maybe you're taking this on a short flight and don't need much on the plane, or taking it to the pool or beach. Stash your ID, keys, and cash in there. 



This pocket actually stretches across half of the circumference of the bag, which I found surprising. You can get more inside if you aren't carrying a huge bottle and if you put things in it before you put your bottle in. You can't fit your passport in there, unless you do it sideways, and then you risk it bending and getting damaged, so I don't suggest trying it. 

There's also the insulated lining here, too, so if you wanted to store some small snacks in there, or your favorite lipbalm that you don't want to melt, you totally can. 


If you're traveling with your dog and need a place to clip on your potty bag dispenser, or a collapsible bowl, you can use the front loop. 


There's a larger loop on the "back" that can be used for that as well, or your keys or a badge when going to conventions or theme parks. 


The Greenlander Water Bottle Bag also has a slash-resistent body, keeping your items safe from thieves. I love that their bags have this feature. It adds a bit of weight, but it gives me peace of mind. 

Traveling with kids? Get two of these and use one for snacks, like granola bars and fruit. It's a way to store them easily, and it's convenient to just pull something out right away. The drawstring will keep everything in and the insulation will keep things cool and non-melty or non-wilty. It's also great for baby bottles or juice boxes! And if your kids are dogs, throw a little bag of treats underneath your water bottle for them.

Everyone can use this awesome little bag, so keep it in mind for Father's Day, graduations, and birthdays coming up. It's not just for travel, but great for hiking, festivals, hanging out at the park, and taking to the beach.

More details
Where to buy: Travelon website
Cost: $40 - take 20% off with my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%
Colors it is available in: Galaxy Blue with aqua details (shown) | Jet Black with lime details (shown up top) | Diamond Ash with coral details
Other specs: size: 4" x 4" x 8.5", made of sustainable 100% certified recycled rPET material, slash-resistant adjustable strap with 14"-29" drop

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Disclaimer: I was provided with the Greenlander Anti-Theft Insulated Water Bottle Bag for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Monday, May 23, 2022

The Small Coastal Backpack from Travelon

I'm always looking for a bag that can be used as both a personal item on the plane that can also double as my daybag at my destination. Later this year we'll be traveling around Baltimore's Inner Harbor for a day on a long layover to Europe. I'll want something small like a handbag, but with room for my carry-on essentials and possibly small souvenirs. 

The Small Backpack from Travelon's Coastal line is one of those great little bags that fits more than you expect, is lightweight, and is anti-theft.

The Small Backpack from Travelon's Coastal line is one of those great little bags that fits more than you expect, is lightweight, and has an important anti-theft feature. It's also got a cool vintage vibe and feels a bit sporty, too. It's a lovely canvas that's only going to look better the more you use it.



I'm in love with the size of this bag and the wide straps are really comfy. The bold Sunflower color is right up my ally and easy to identify as yours. If you tend to dress in neutrals, this gives you a nice pop of color, and your companions can see where you are. 


Unlike many travel bags, this one is pretty simple and straightforward. It has a small zipper pocket on the front where you can keep things you want to keep corralled or easy to get to. I like to make sure my earphones and phone cord don't get tangled up at the bottom of my bag and I also like to have an emergency pack handy.


The main compartment opens wide enough to see everything inside if you like. For such a small backpack, it has quite a lot of room for things you may need. 



The back wall has a large slip pocket for your electronics. Here's my iPad mini, but it would clearly fit a larger tablet if you wanted.

On the front wall, you have multiple slip pockets. On the right you can store your phone, or a small umbrella, or even a small water bottle. I always have a hand sanitizer with me, so that's where I put it. I like to always know where to find it, so I can use it often.

On the left, you have 3 RFID-blocking pockets: 1 for your passport and 2 for credit cards or your ID. These pockets keep your info safe from thieves and organized. If you travel with another person and like to have everything together, you could fit two passports in the passport pocket. This is always a nice feature to me, because I always worry about losing one of ours when traveling through a bunch of airports. I'm sure I'm not the only one, even though it's never happened at all.


Here's everything I was able to pack into the Small Coastal Backpack: A reusable water bottle, my iPad mini, a notebook and pen, a bag of snacks, a battery backup and phone cord, passport, ID, two credit cards, an extra mask, an emergency TP pack, hand sanitizer, and headphones. There would be room for keys, a magazine or puzzle book, and even a lightweight wrap. 


The straps are easily adjustable, and are reinforced and sturdy. I like that they don't have a complicated mechanism to adjust, even while wearing it. 

If you have a stylish dad on your list for Father's Day or a graduate who'll be doing some traveling, or going on a trip yourself, The Coastal Small Backpack could be the ideal companion for them/you. 

More details
Where to buy: Travelon website
Cost: $30 - take 20% off with my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%
Colors it is available in: Sunflower (shown) | Oyster
Other specs: size: 4.5" x 9" x 12.25", 9.5L, abrasion-Resistant Canvas With Droplet Barrier, smooth-glide adjustable shoulder straps

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

Saturday, May 21, 2022

People Are Traveling Again

2022 is the year people are getting back to travel, which is exciting, but also stressful. Between worrying about changing restrictions, high airfare, possible outbreaks, and large crowds, it's hard to be as excited about travel planning as before. You'll definitely be paying more for a lot of things, whether you intend to or not. Here's what else you can look forward to.

2022 is the year people are getting back to travel, which is exciting, but also stressful.

I know a lot of these apply to me, though many applied pre-pandemic. I have always looked for deals and always want a longer vacation. I hope, even if you don't spend longer at your destination, you spend more quality time with your family or other companions. Stop responding to work emails and calls as much as possible, or only reply early morning or in the evening. I also hope more people do more immersive vacations where they seek to learn more about the culture, food, and people. More of you will care about traveling more slowly, instead of cramming everything in in just a few days before hopping to another destination or going home. 
 
How will your travel plans change this year when  you return to traveling?
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