Tag / luggage

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Amazon Purchases of 2025 to Make Your Holiday Shopping Easier

My favorite Amazon purchases of 2025 to make your holiday shopping easier…

  • Solar Power Bank. I have purchased a lot of power banks over the years, but this one is my favorite of all time for several reasons. You can charge it with solar power (sunlight) or at an electrical outlet. It’s fast-charging, and the charge lasts a long time. It has built-in charging cords for different devices. It also has a wireless charging platform, so you can charge your phone without a cord. I also love that it’s not as heavy as lots of power banks. Added bonus? It’s inexpensive! It makes a great gift for lots of people, including teenagers and college students who might need extra power on their devices. Priced right now (at time of writing) at just $29.59 on Amazon, you can purchase it here.

  • Dyson AirWrap i.d. Multistyler. Dyson AirWrap systems have been popular for a long time, and there’s a reason…they are great products. It’s a gift lots of people would love to receive. I have seen people get more excited about this than anything else. They’re expensive, no doubt, but right now, this one is on sale at Amazon. Regular priced at $649, it’s now priced (at time of writing) at $499! That’s a $150 savings! Get them while they last here.

  • SUNNOW 12 Ounce Multicolor Crystal Wine Glass,for Home Dinning, Bar and Party,Set of 6 I got these for my college daughter, because she is always having friends over. With this multi-colored set, its easy for each person to remember which glass is theirs! And because they are inexpensive, it one gets broken, no one panics! They make a great gift, and these are a popular item on Amazon. I get “fast-selling item” alerts, and this was one of them. Purchase for $32.99 while supplies last here.

  • SHOWKOO Luggage Sets Expandable PC+ABS Durable Suitcase Double Wheels TSA Lock I purchased a set of this luggage for myself and one for our daughter. They are inexpensive but more rugged than I expected, and if you get a cool color, you can spot it easily on an airport carousel! Purchase for someone on your Christmas list here.

  • Trendy 14K Gold Plated Hoop Earrings for Women, Chunky Gold/Silver Earrings for Women Cubic Zirconia Baguette Hoop Earrings Heart Hoops Lightweight Hypoallergenic Jewelry,25mm/35mm/40mm/50mm. I have purchased these inexpensive earrings six times over the past year. They are my favorite grab-n-go earrings for running errands or meeting friends for lunch. I get compliments on them every single time I wear them. You can purchase them in multi-color, single-color, gold, or silver. When I say these earrings are one of my favorite Amazon purchases ever, I mean it. Most colors are $13.99, but some are as low as $13.59, and some colors are $14.99. They’d make a great stocking stuffer for every girl/woman on your list! Get them here.

  • Damero Pill Bottle Organizer Bag, Travel Medicine Bag Organizer, Medicine Organizer and Storage for Pills, Vitamin, Fish Oil, Medical Supplements for Women and Men. Another favorite purchase! I used to just keep my meds in a ziploc bag, but earlier this year, I decided to be more organized, and what a difference! I used this bag when I’m home and take it with me when I travel. It has slots for medicine bottles and pocket for other things like a pill-cutter or anything else. I literally use it every day. It comes in dusty rose or black. It’s great for college students too…for items like Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine, allergy meds, etc. In fact, it could be a great gift for someone you know who is going to college soon…fill it with all those items and wrap it up for a Christmas gift! Purchase from Amazon here.

  • Girafit 3MP 2K Window Camera,2.4GHz&5GHz WiFi Indoor Cameras for Home Security 2 Pack with ChroMax Al Color Night Vision,Person & Motion Detection,24/7 Recording,Easy&Quick Install. I purchased these for our daughter’s college apartment. I had sent her a Ring doorbell, but because of the design of her apartment, installation was complicated. Since their front door has a window, this was super easy to install. The picture quality on it is amazing! She and her roommates thought they had an intruder one night, so the police came, and later, when she showed me the video of the officers arriving, I could read their names on the tiny nameplates on their uniforms. Highly recommend! Purchase here.

  • Protected By Home Security System Signs for Yard – 10″ x 28″ Police Dispatch Connected Warning Sign with Ground Stake, Alarm Signs for Home Security Rust Free 40 mil Reflective Aluminum Composite – UV Protected. I also purchased these for our daughter’s apartment. Her apartment is part of a house, so she put these in the front yard. Purchase here.

  • Makeup Eraser 7-Day Set. If you have never used Makeup Eraser, its time you did! It’s amazing how quickly these remove makeup with just water! My daughter have been using them for a long time and love them. they make a great stocking-stuffer or a great gift! Purchase here.

  • Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi, Matte Black I’m just a regular coffee drinker, but our daughter loves specialty coffees, so we got her this Nespresso Espresso Maker, and she loves it. Someone on your list will love it too! At just under $125, it’s not cheap, but she said it’s worth it! Purchase here.

  • Women’s Sandals Peep Toe Slides. I’ve told y’all about these before…my favorite dupe sandals! I have them in four colors. No, I’m not wearing them in freezing temps, but they’re great in spring and summer…and on tropical vacations! Someone on your list will love these! They’re awesome! I found them to be true-to-size. Purchase here.

  • Favorite Dupe Handbag. Since we are talking about my favorite dupes, let’s look at my fave dupe handbag I purchased from Amazon this year. In fact, I purchased it in three different colors. Is it a perfect dupe? No, but it’s cute! And it’s 1% of the real thing. I have some nicer bags, but I do not like to travel with them, so these are great for that. Purchase here.

  • OCTOBUDDY Classic – Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount – Hands-Free, Strong Grip Holder for Selfies and Videos – iPhone and Android Compatible. My daughter loves this phone case adhesive mount. It’s not the case; its something to mount on the case so the phone will stick with suction to surfaces…window, tables, shower walls, etc. It’s available in lots of colors. Just trust me on this…it’s a great gift for teenagers and college students. At just $14.99, it’s a great stocking stuffer. Purchase here.

  • JBL Vibe Beam – True Wireless JBL Deep Bass Sound Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.2, Water & Dust Resistant, Hands-free call with VoiceAware, Up to 32 hours of battery life Y’all, I’m prone to losing things, so I don’t want to pay a lot of money for wireless earbuds. I just can’t make myself do it. I found these from JBL, and I love them. They’re more comfortable than others to me, and they produce great sound. Starting at just $29.95 right now, they are a steal! This makes a great gift! Get them here.

  • SPOTMINDERS Apple MFi Certified Wallet Tracker Y’all…this is a game-changer. I always used other tracking devices for my luggage/handbags, etc, but they didn’t track in real time. Spotminders are rechargeable and track in real time! I have purchased them for the whole fam! Just link them to your phone’s tracking app. It will make a great gift or stocking stuffer for anyone who has a wallet, handbag, passport, luggage, or anything else they don’t want to lose! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! You can charge them on a wireless charger, and the charge lasts five months! Purchase here.

  • Stitchy. Who knew this tiny gun-shaped item would be such a life-saver? I didn’t know I needed it until someone gave me one, and now I use it all the time…almost daily! I use it to stitch collars with one click, so they will stand. I use it to reinforce buttons. I use it to ruche items. In a fix, I’ve even used it to secure the hem of some pants! At our white elephant Christmas party last year, this was the single hottest item! Purchase it for everyone on your list! Purchase here.

  • Tales Conversation Cards. We have one two different sets of these, and as corny as it sounds, we use them all the time! We use them when our little family is gathered around the table or when friends come over for cocktails. Each card has a question or directive. “Who here is most likely to live off the grid?” (No one named me, for sure.) “What’s something you think everyone should experience at least once.” https://amzn.to/4pUeP6xThere’s a family version, a teen version, and more! Get them. We find them great fun! Purchase here.

  • JBL Flip Portable Speaker. Y’all, I love this little speaker with big sound! I use it by the pool in the summer, in hotel rooms, in the kitchen…or anywhere else I want good sound. With Bluetooth capabilities, it plays straight from my phone. This is a great gift for just about anyone on your list, and it comes in a variety of colors. Purchase here.

  • Matcha Set. Our daughter came home for the summer and wanted to make Matcha at home, so we got her the kit to do it. She made Matcha all summer, and she has been making it all fall in her apartment. If you have someone on your list who loves Matcha, this could be a great gift. Purchase here.

  • Arctic Air Personal Air Conditioner. Y’all, I sleep with this thing pointed at my face every night. Sometimes, I put water in it, and sometimes, I don’t. It also has a light that you can set to one of many colors. I set mine on red, because it seems to give off the least light but just enough for me to make it to the bathroom safely. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! When I say I highly recommend this, I mean it…it’s one of my favorite things ever. Purchase for under $30 here.

  • OtterBox Rugged Tracker 4 Pack for Apple AirTag I got this for our keys…just pop an AirTag in it, and anytime you can’t find your keys, this will help you find them! Purchase here. And if you need AirTags for it, get the four pack here.

  • Ladies’ Wallet with RFID protection. I love this wallet. It makes it easy to find my credit cards when I need them. My ID is in a window pocket. It’s everything I need in a wallet, and it’s cute too! It comes in several colors, so you can get a different color for each person on your list. Plus, it’s priced right at $16.99. Purchase here.

  • 12 Pack Extra Heavy Duty Large Moving Bags with Strong Zipper & Comfortable Handles I purchased these when we were moving our daughter back to college last summer, but now I’m using some of them for storage at home! I love them! And they’re super-sturdy. I’m not sure they’d be a great gift, but maybe they would for the future college student? Purchase here.

  • Little Jesus. Lots of us could use a little Jesus. These pocket Jesus figurines could be fun stocking stuffers or fun to hide around the house. I hid them in our house, and my husband laughed every time he encountered one. Now we have a few strategically placed in cabinets or drawers to remind us that Jesus loves us. Purchase here.

  • A Super Comfy, Cozy Recliner. Y’all are going to think I’m crazy. Yes, I ordered a recliner from Amazon. I had a couple of surgeries earlier this year, and when I found out I needed a second one, I knew I needed a recliner to sleep in when I got home, but I only had a couple of days. I went on Amazon and found this gem. It was delivered two days later, and my husband took it up to the guest room, where I would recover from my surgery. Easy assembly…just slide the backrest into the back of the seat. It rocks, swivels, and reclinesl, and it has storage compartments built in. This has now become my favorite place to be! I call it my “drug chair,” because it just totally relaxes me! I think everyone needs one! If you know someone who could use a super comfortable, cozy recliner, this could be the perfect holiday gift for them. It’s available in gray and cream. I got the cream colored one. Did I mention I love it?!?! One of my best purchases ever, even though it’s not perfectly suited to our decor. Purchase here.

  • Acrylic Clutch Purse for Women Evening Bag This was something my daughter needed for all the cocktail parties in college. She got it in gold, but it’s offered in lots of colors, and it has held up very well for her. Could be a great gift for the college girl or anyone who might need an evening bag. Purchase here.

  • Bedside Lamp with Wireless Speaker and Phone Charger. This lamp/speaker/charger combo is also portable! I keep it on my nightstand and use it every night to charge my phone. I love it and think everyone needs one. Purchase here.

  • Vibration Plate. I know lots of people who swear by vibration plates to stimulate muscles and improve bone density. I don’t claim to be a doctor, but I have friends who swear they feel healthier after regularly using a vibration plate. If you’d like to try it, you can get one at Amazon for $99, and if you like it, purchase a more high-end one later. You can get a bestseller at Amazon here.

Happy Shopping!

*As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission on the items purchased through my links.*

by Kelly Mattei

Away Luggage Amazon Prime Deal!

Away Luggage Amazon Prime Deal!

My family has six pieces of Away luggage in different sizes, and we love every piece! One of our favorites is the carry-on, and right now, you can get a Prime Day Deal on the orange, salt white, red, or cloud gray for 20% off the regular price! Or get the sea green for 15% off. It’s almost unheard of to get this kind of deal on Away Luggage. It’s dependable, lightweight, sturdy, well-crafted, has spinner wheels, and it has been selected as the best hardsided carryon two years in a row by New York Times Wirecutter. I highly recommend! Get them while they last here. Let’s gooooo! ***Makes a great gift for a traveler or college student. Buy early during Prime Days for holidays***

Let’s get ready to travel!

*We receive commission on items purchased through our links.*

by Kelly Mattei

Moms Make Things Happen

Moms make things happen.

I just read an article in Inc. Magazine about how United Airlines lost a teenager’s luggage containing $2000 of lacrosse gear and how her mom took matters into her own hands to get it back. Because her daughter had put an Apple Air Tag tracking device in her bag, Mom could see the bag was at baggage claim in Chicago, even though the airline said it had never left Baltimore. Tired of waiting for the airline to solve the problem, she cashed in some frequent flyer miles to fly from her home in Denver to Chicago, where the bag was sitting in unclaimed baggage area, retrieved the bag, and took the bag home with her. You go, girl! You can read the article here.

I have to tell you: I wasn’t surprised one bit to read that a mother who didn’t trust the airline to get the bag back to her daughter was the one who solved the problem in her own way. Moms make things happen. No, not every mom could or would go to extremes to help their kids, but lots of us would. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean helping them in ways that will hurt them. I don’t mean doing their homework. I don’t mean posting on the college parents’ page asking for tutors for their college student or trying to help them find friends. I don’t mean rescuing them from every bad situation. Kids need to learn to handle things on their own. However, sometimes a teen is not equipped to handle something.

And that’s where Mom comes in.

I truly believe being a mom is the single most important job in the world. Sure, we need a president. We need doctors. We need coaches and teachers, but Mom? A good mom is multi-talented and has knowledge about lots of things. A good mom nurtures, acting as a nurse. A good mom listens, acting as a counselor. A good mom encourages, acting as a coach. A good mom teaches, acting as a teacher. A good mom protects, acting as a security officer. A good mom guides, acting as a captain. A good mom instills morals/beliefs, acting as a spiritual leader. A good mom nourishes, acting as a chef. A good mom puts in the time. A good mom does it all. A good mom makes things happen.

One thing I know for sure: my daughter knows I always have her back. I always have her best interest at heart…just like my mom did before I lost her six years ago. She knows I will hop on a plane to help her. She also knows I will not live her life for her. I wouldn’t dream of calling or emailing a college professor. I won’t try to find friends for her or tutors. She has learned her own problem-solving skills by doing things herself…and by observing over the years.

But would I catch a flight to pick up her bag filled with lacrosse gear that had been abandoned by an airline in an airport? You bet your sweet bippy!

So am I surprised the mom in Denver flew to Chicago to fetch her daughter’s bag? Not one bit.

There are, however, some lessons to be learned here. First, when you fly, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR CHECKED BAG IS TAGGED FOR YOUR FINAL DESTINATION…look at the check bag tag and make sure it has “Los Angeles/LAX” (or your destination) on it before releasing it to an agent. Second lesson? Purchase some Apple Air Tags or Tile Pros to stick in your checked bags, so you know where they are! You won’t be surprised to know that, after reading about the girl’s luggage issues, I’m purchasing some Apple Air Tags and some Tile Pros for our family for Christmas. Purchase Tile Pros here. Purchase Apple Air Tags here. They make great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers!

***As an Amazon associate, I receive commissions on items purchased through the links I provide.

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifts for College Students 2023

Holiday Gifts for College Students 2023.

We have a college student in our family, and she’s pretty easy to buy for at holiday season, mostly because she sends me a list of what she wants/needs. If you have a college student on your Christmas list, you can likely make him/her happy with some of the gifts listed below:

  • Jewelry Stand. College students need items to help keep those tiny rooms organized. A jewelry stand that helps organize necklaces, bracelets, and watches? They can all use it! Get it here. It comes in several colors. For rings? Get the hand-shaped ring holder here. It also comes in several colors.

  • Bronax Cloud Slides. College students like easy-to-use, comfy footwear. Fifteen colors! Slip on. Slip off. Get it here.

  • Samsonite Freeform Spinner Carry-on. I have mentioned this one before in another category (Travel Gifts), but every college student needs a good piece of luggage. They take weekend trips. They go home occasionally. Make it easy for them. Voted “Best Overall Spinner Carry-on” by Travel and Leisure Magazine, the Samsonite spinner is durable, nice looking, and inexpensive. It comes in lots of colors, so you can pick one that’s not just like everyone else’s, making it easy to identify in the overhead bin or in the jetway. Get it here.
  • Travel Bag with Trolley Sleeve. Also mentioned in my Travel Gifts piece. Since I listed the spinner luggage, I’m telling you about a companion piece…a travel bag with a trolley sleeve that sits atop the spinner and doesn’t fall, thanks to the sleeve that goes around the handle of the spinner. I have one, and I love it. Get one for less than $30 here, and pick your color out of several.
  • Hatch Restore 2 Alarm Clock. “No more jarring alarms.” That’s how Hatch markets this product that is a sunrise alarm clock. It’s supposed to support circadian rhythms. Sounds awesome to me! Any college student will love it! It also acts as a sound machine and helps lull the recipient to sleep; that’s what it says! The recipient can also sign up for a Hatch membership that offers meditations, sleep stories, and curated wind-down channels, if desired. This special clock is not cheap, but it gets fantastic reviews. Priced at $199. Get it here.

  • Lap Desk. There’s not much space in dorm rooms or college apartments, so a lap desk comes in handy. College students have been using them for decades; I even used one way back when I was in school! Now, they are new and improved, of course. The best I have found is from LapGear, and it’s priced right at under $40. See it here.

  • Portable Safe/Lock Box. College students get lots of visitors in dorms and apartments. If they have valuables they want to keep secure, this portable safe/lockbox can be a great gift! Even if they just want to lock up their cash or jewelry, this is perfect. With the included cable, they can attach it to a fixed object…like the closet hanging bar. It has a combination lock. Purchase here.

  • Lifestraw Products. I am a big believer in Lifestraw Products. They offer a variety of water-filtering products, including water bottles and pitchers that are great for college students. I have one of the water bottles I purchased when I traveled to Panamá earlier this year, and I love it. See all Lifestraw products here. See their latest filtering water bottles here. And if your college student likes to carry a favorite water cup/bottle, you can get them them the Lifestraw filtering water pitcher for filling the favorite cup/bottles here. Highly recommend.

  • Ugg Slippers. In winter, college students want to stay cozy, and dorm/apartment floors can be cold. My daughter loves her Ugg Coquette slippers. In fact, she likely wears them outside the dorm on occasion. See the women’s Coquette slipper here. Men seem to be a little more picky about their slippers. See the Ugg selection of men’s slippers here.

  • Nestl Reading Pillow. This goes hand-in-hand with the lapdesk we posted above. If they’re going to sit in bed to read or study, they’ll need a good reading pillow. This one gets great reviews. Purchase here.

  • Ninja Portable Blender. College students don’t want appliances that take up a lot of space. Their space is limited, so a portable blender is perfect for those days they want to make a smoothie! I hate seeing coffee shop charges on my credit card, so I told our daughter to get recipes for her favorite smoothies or coffee drinks. The Ninja portable blender is great. My husband uses one regularly. Get it here.
  • Portable Speaker. College students like their tunes. My daughter loves her JBL Flip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. She uses it all the time. Priced at about $90, it provides a big bang for the buck. Everyone knows JBL quality is great. Get it here.

  • Board Games. Sounds silly, I know, but college students love distractions, and they especially love distractions that involve their friends. Yes, people still play board games…especially young people. Some of the old greats are still great. Yahtzee? Click here. Operation? Click here. Uno? Click here. Sorry? Click here. Pictionary? Click here. Scattergories (my personal fave)? Click here.

  • Basketball. Basketball hoops are everywhere on and near college campuses. However, if you don’t have a basketball, it’s a little difficult to start a pick-up game. Give the gift of fun and friendship: a basketball. Get it at Amazon here.

  • Bliss Lights Skylite Projector. College students are under a lot of stress, so they love anything that helps them relax. The Bliss Lights Skylite Projector will do just that! Get it at Amazon here.

  • Jonathan Adler Lollipop Holder. It’s gimmicky. It’s silly. However, friends will think it’s hilarious when they visit your college student, and they’ll love knowing they can grab a lollipop any time! We keep our daughter’s stocked with Tootsie Pops. Get it here.

  • Taco Tuesday Essentials. College students living in apartments love to host friends for Taco Tuesday. Amazon has lots of fun stuff just for that! Your college student will be the host with the most! See a great Taco Tuesday set here. It serves four, but you can purchase more pieces at the link.

Hoping you found some great ideas for the college student on your list. We will likely publish another list for college students in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Travel Stuff

Travel stuff.

I like to travel. That’s no secret. Because of that, I’m always looking for products/items that make travel easier and more enjoyable. Without further ado, I’m going to share some of my recent discoveries:

  • Luggage System. When buzzing through airports or even going from car to hotel, it’s a big help to me that I have a luggage “system,” meaning my smaller bag stacks securely atop my carry-on! I paid too much for mine, but here’s one that is about $100, and it gets great reviews, as you will see! Click here to see it at Amazon.
  • Crockpot Electric Lunch Box. This can be great for road trips, because who doesn’t get tired of grabbing food on the go at fast food joints? I always prefer a real hot meal over that junk, so when I saw this, I had to have it! Priced at around $35, it’s a deal of the day on Amazon! Get it here.
  • Everest Wheeled Backpack. A cool concept when you only need to carry on one bag. Everest makes a wheeled backpack, so you can carry it on your bag or pull it behind you. Whatever works! See it at Amazon here.
  • Luggage Straps Set. If you need to check your bags at the airport, a bright-colored luggage strap set can help you recognize your bags more easily when they arrive at the baggage carousel. These are inexpensive and easy to use. Purchase them here.
  • Rand McNally Road Atlas 100th Anniversary Edition. Nobody loves a road atlas more than I do! Correction: my friend, Mary Ann, loves an atlas as much as I do, and we definitely used one on our big road trips. If you’re planning a big road trip, you need an atlas in advance, because they are not easy to find on the road. I know from experience. This 100th Anniversary Edition is special, featuring the history of the American road trip. You might want to keep this one as a collectible. Get it here. For one to actually take on the road with you, there’s the regular Rand McNally Road Atlas and National Park Guide. You can purchase it here. Sure, you can use GPS on your phone, but you can get a real picture of where you’re going or where you’ve been with an atlas. Highly recommend.
  • Bright Luggage Tags. Don’t want to put a strap on your checked bag? Then put a bright colored luggage tag. See some great ones here. These are great to have on your college student’s bags too. My daughter has a black backpack, but I put a bright-colored luggage tag on it, so she can recognize it quickly when it’s near other black backpacks, which are everywhere.
  • Travel Shoes. You can still dress nicely and wear sneakers. I have found the best ones for travel are from On Cloud. My faves? The Cloud 5. Purchase for women here. Purchase for men here.
  • Portable Charger. You never know when your plans will change or when you will look at your phone and see that it has only 3% charge left! Yikes! Keep a quality portable charger handy for times like that. See a good, inexpensive one at Amazon here.

Come back soon for more travel “stuff.” It’s one of my favorite topics!

by Kelly Mattei

Some New Clothing Faves

Some new clothing faves…

Yep, this one is all about what I’m finding for myself right now. I appreciate really nice clothes as much as the next person, but I don’t like to travel with all my nicest things. Why? Well, because there are times I have to check a bag on an airline, and I simply don’t trust them with my nicer clothes. I have some trips coming up, and I have added a few things to my wardrobe from Amazon…including something made for men, but women will love it too! See them here:

  • Lightweight “housecoat.” I sound like my mother when I say the word “housecoat,” but sometimes, it’s nice to have something to wear while I get ready. Yes, hotels have robes, and I have robes at home, but it’s not always easy to do hair and makeup in a heavy robe. I tend to get too hot, so I like to keep a lightweight housecoat…one I can pack easily. You can see my latest housecoat purchase here. It has short sleeves and zips up the front, making it easy to put on and off, and the sleeves don’t impair my “getting ready.” Another one I like can be seen here. It’s more like your mother’s housecoat, but it’s great too. Plus, because they’re made from lightweight fabric, they don’t take up much room in luggage. They’re priced under $30. I got a pink one and a peacock blue one.
  • One-shoulder dress. It’s no secret that I don’t love my arms. I’ve never loved my arms. However, it looks like warm weather is here to stay for a while, and I really hate to be hot. I found a cute one-shoulder dress that’s great for hot weather, and it’s also easy to pack. With a trip to Panama City, Panama, coming up in October, I need some things I can pack easily to wear in that tropical climate. This cute dress comes in lots of colors, and I feel like the color-blocking distracts from my one exposed arm. It’s cute…the dress…not my arm. See the dress here.
  • Sorel sneakers. Because I’m still having issues with sciatica, I’m wearing sneakers a lot more than I normally do. I love my On Clouds, and I’m still wearing them, but it’s nice to vary things up a bit. Therefore, I got some sneakers from Sorel, and I love them! In fact, I love them so much that I got two pairs in different colors! You can see my favorite style here. They come in lots of colors, and prices start at just over $50 for some colors. I normally wear a 9, and it worked perfectly. They’re cute and comfy! But if you don’t want to look at anything besides On Clouds, I get it. I love mine too. See them here.
  • White Jeans. I love white jeans, but at 56, it’s a lot more difficult to find jeans I really like than it used to be. A couple of years ago, a friend told me to check out NYDJ (Not Your Daughters Jeans). Let’s face it. I don’t need to be wearing the same style of jeans as my almost-20-yr-old daughter. There are several styles of NYDJ’s white jeans I have and love…wide-leg, fitted, ankle-length…check them all out at the NYDJ store on Amazon here.
  • Romper/dress. Y’all, I saw this romper dress advertised on Instagram for months before I finally decided to try to find it on Amazon. I wasn’t sure about the trustworthiness of the sellers on Insta, but I knew I could trust Amazon to back up any purchase I made. Therefore, I found it on Amazon and placed an order. I love it! I ordered it in several colors! It’s great for everyday wear in this super hot weather we are having these days. It will also be great in Panama. Yes, it’s a little short, but since it has a built-in romper underneath, it doesn’t matter! Keep in mind that it runs a little large. It’s available in lots of colors. I love the black and the brighter colors like hot pink and bright yellow. And it’s made of lightweight eyelet fabric, so it doesn’t take up a lot of room in luggage. Seriously, I have six of them. Purchase here.
  • No show socks. OK, since I’m wearing sneakers more often, I needed to stock up on no-show socks. The best socks I have ever owned are Feetures. I have a few pairs. They feel great and offer a little arch support, but they are pricey. You can see them here. I highly recommend them, but the price point might not be right for everyone. For a better price point on supportive no-show socks, I highly recommend the ones made by Saucony. See them here. I wear them almost every day.
  • Dude Robe. Yep, the last thing I’m listing was made for guys, but I love it! I got to use a Dude Robe at a hotel earlier this year, and wow! Hooded, soft, warm…and cuffed sleeves, so no floppy sleeves…perfect. It’s pricey, but that’s because it’s good. Purchase here.

So there are a few new items I recommend to carry you through the warm days ahead. Finish out the hot months in cute, comfy, inexpensive clothing…or pack it in your luggage! Happy shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

More Great Prime Day Deals!

More great Prime Day deals! Get them now…today!

  • Ring doorbell. There are some insanely good deals on Ring Doorbells at Prime today! Wow! If you don’t have one, now is the time to get it! One model that’s normally $100 is now $55…that’s 45% off! See it here. Another one, that’s wired with ring chime, is normally $79, but is going for $49.99…that’s 38% off! See it here. And the All-New Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, regularly priced at $ 179.99 is now $129.99, a savings of 28%. See it here. Or see all the Ring doorbell offerings here. The ones marked with red “Prime Day Deal” are the ones on sale.
  • Apple Airpods (2nd gen). Normally $129, these are now $89.99 on Amazon Prime…today only, since it’s a Prime Day Deal! Go get them here.
  • Black and Decker Dustbuster. Save 33% on the Black and Decker Dustbuster today only…marked down from $60 to $40! Have a student going to college? They need this! Or maybe you just need one around the house. Take advantage of this deal here.
  • Ruggable. Y’all have heard of Ruggable rugs…washable rugs with great designs! All their rugs are discounted on Prime Day! Get one or more today for dorm rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways…get them now for discounted prices! Get this deal here.
  • Nordictrack Treadmill. In the market for a quality treadmill at a discounted price? Get a Nordictrack one at Prime Days…that means TODAY! Normally $800, it’s now $600…that’s 25% off. Get it now here.
  • Saucony Sneakers. Need new sneakers or running shoes? Lots of Saucony styles are on sale…some are regularly $130 and are being sold for less that $40!!! This is your chance to get some quality sneaks for a great price! See them here.
  • Luggage. Need new luggage? There are all kinds of crazy deals for Prime Day here. Save money by getting it now and use it on that last trip of the summer! My friend bought some yesterday for a trip next week!

*See my posts from yesterday for more great deals here and here and here.

***Keep checking back! I’ll post more deals as I see them!***

by Kelly Mattei

Summer Travel Necessities

Summer travel necessities.

Our little family got home last night from a sunny vacation. Based on experience, I knew exactly what I needed to make my life easier while traveling, so I’m going to share some ideas. Lots of these items also make great graduation gifts, in case you’re still searching for the perfect gift. Also, some of them make good Father’s Day gifts…that’s coming up…don’t forget!

No matter what, there are some things I like to have when I’m away from home. Here are some suggestions for making your life easier:

  • LeakLocks Toiletry Skins. I found these at Amazon a year or two ago, and now, they are absolute essentials when I travel. They are rubber “skins” that you pull over the top of bottles to keep them from leaking in your luggage. I used them on my shampoo, my self-tanner, and my sunscreens, and I still put them in Ziploc bags for extra protection. There’s nothing worse than arriving at my destination to find my self-tanner has leaked all over the plastic bag it’s in. Secretly, I will tell you I’ve even used this over the top of a plastic flask I was sneaking into a college football game. I didn’t need vodka leaking all over my clothes. LeakLocks are an inexpensive way to save all your stuff, and they stretch to fit different types of bottles. To purchase LeakLocks, click here. And if you’d like to look into a plastic flask before football season starts, you can get one at Amazon. Plastic flasks are great, because metal detectors don’t pick them up. To purchase a Rabbit plastic flask for under $8, click here. *The Rabbit flask says it is leak-proof, but I recommend using the LeakLock with it.*
  • Packing Cubes. Don’t groan. I always thought packing cubes were a waste of time and money until recently, when I tried them at the suggestion of a friend. What did they do for me? They made packing and unpacking a lot easier when I arrived at my destination and again when I returned home. For under $25, you get a set of eight packing accessories, and they come in lots of different colors! Get them at Amazon here. Or check out some others from Olarhike for about $20 here.
  • Travel Adapter. If you’re traveling internationally, it’s possible (likely) you’ll need a travel adapter. Otherwise, you’ll burn up any electrical appliances like hairdryers, curling irons, and straighteners when you plug them into the hotel outlet. Back when I was a flight attendant, I burned up a hairdryer this way, and one of my coworkers burned off her bangs when she used her curling iron in a hotel in another country. Seriously, she burned off her bangs. Even she thought it was funny! Purchase for about $18 here.
  • Laundry bags. It’s a lot easier for me to start laundry when we get home if I have all the dirty laundry in one (or two) bags. I can put one bag in my luggage, and my husband can put one in his, if we have that many dirty items. When we get home, I just grab those two bags out of the suitcases and take them straight to the laundry room…no sorting through the clothes to figure it out. Anything that wasn’t worn can be steamed and put away quickly. To see the laundry bags I use, click here. Or you can get a different type from Miamica on Amazon here.
  • Portable Bluetooth Speaker. If you’re going to be on a beach or in a boat, it’s nice to have a quality portable bluetooth speaker. We love the JBL Clip 3 when we travel. It puts out quality sound and is easy to operate. It’s small and lightweight, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your carry-on or checked baggage. It also comes in a variety of colors. To purchase for under $60 from Amazon, click here. ***This also makes a great graduation gift!!!***
  • Lifestraw products. If you’re traveling somewhere that might not have a clean water supply, you need some Lifestraw products. If you’ve ever had Montezuma’s Revenge in Mexico, you know you need something to purify the water. Lifestraw makes lots of travel products…personal straws and collapsible cups/pitchers. This is a product I highly recommend! Also, they’re great for camping trips and hiking trips, and they make great gifts for someone who might be traveling to a developing country. I gave one to a friend’s daughter as part of her graduation gift when I knew she would be traveling on a mission trip to Cuba. I am traveling to Panama in October, and I will be taking some Lifestraw products with me. See the Lifestraw straws here. And see their whole line of products here. These are products I highly recommend!

  • Travel Door Alarm. If you have ever been awakened in a hotel room by someone coming into your room, you know how important a travel door alarm can be. I had someone walk into my room one time, because a hotel accidentally checked him into my room after I had already been checked in. When I screamed, he left immediately. I called the front desk, and they apologized profusely for the error. There are different types of travel door alarms. One is in a door stopper, and the other is not. If you’re concerned someone wouldn’t be able to get to you in an emergency, don’t get the door stopper one. You can see the door stopper one here. It keeps people from entering the room and emits a siren. For a travel alarm that doesn’t block the door but emits a loud sound, there’s the Lewis and Clark Travel Alarm. You can purchase here.
  • Travel Fan. I love my O2 Cool Travel Fan. It’s small and lightweight, and it doesn’t take up much room in my suitcase. It also puts off way more air than you think it will. I usually plug it in (it’s can be battery-operated or plugged in, which I prefer) on the nightstand right next to my head in any hotel. I turn it on, and I don’t get hot during the night. It’s an inexpensive way to improve your sleep in hotels. Get it at Amazon here. This is another product I highly recommend!
  • Road Trip Games. Interstate driving travel can be boring. If you have a road trip planned, you might benefit from having some road trip games in the car. It can improve the ride and helps keep kids from staring at phones the whole time. I love road trip games. See a selection of them at Amazon here.

There you have some suggestions. Feel free to message me with more ideas for travel necessities, and I will share those too!

by Kelly Mattei

When My Husband Leaves Town

When my husband leaves town.

My husband has been out of town for the past five nights. He is coming home today, and I am looking forward to his return. He will arrive in a couple of hours, and we will catch up on his trip. He will empty his suitcases (yes, plural…he’s a little high maintenance, but that’s a story for another day), and I will start more laundry. He will play with the dogs for a little while, because they will be thrilled that he is home. And then, I’m guessing he will turn on the television to catch up on what’s going on with the stockmarket today.

Yes, he will turn on the TV, because it’s not on. I turned on the TV in the livingroom two times while he was gone, because the dogs were confused at how quiet the house was. The first day I turned it on, I had it on Nickelodeon…yep, Henry Danger reruns all day long! Yesterday, I turned it on to an 80s music station, and I turned it up a little loud, because I was tired of hearing our Doberman whine. She whines, and it drives me insane. She was definitely missing her daddy. When my husband is home, the TVs in the bedroom and livingroom are on for background noise all day. It drives me insane, but it’s what he enjoys. He is definitely a creature of habit, and for a man who claims to like it “quiet” around him, he sure doesn’t mind listening to talking heads on TV all day.

But that’s just one thing that’s different when he’s not home. Another biggie? I leave the curtains closed in our bedroom 24/7, something that would drive him insane. Like I said, he is a creature of habit, and first thing every morning, he gets out of bed and opens all the curtains and shutters throughout the house…starting in our bedroom. In fact, on my side of the bed, there is a small window that faces east, and I have asked him a million times not to open those curtains, because that morning sun heats up the room. It’s like he’s deaf. He simply can’t leave them closed. Or maybe it’s just part of his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and his brain just won’t let him leave them closed. Many mornings, I follow behind him and close the curtains on that window. He even goes upstairs and opens the shutters in the rooms up there…and into the garage to open the shutters there. Whenever he is out of town, in fact, all the drapes and shutters, except the ones in the kitchen and keeping room, remain closed the entire time. It probably confuses the dogs too, now that I think about it, but at least I don’t have to deal with them standing in the bedroom window barking at everything they see outdoors. Plus, when the pool guy comes, I don’t feel like he’s looking in at me. He’s definitely not looking in at me, but I’d prefer to have the world not looking into my bedroom.

Another difference? I stay up as late as I want. My night owl tendencies drive him absolutely insane. I’ve told him many times, “I do my best work after 10pm!” I can clean a closet after 10pm like nobody’s business, but don’t ask me to do it during the day. I’m part vampire, I guess. But when he’s not home? I get to stay up as late as I want…and I do! Every night he was on this trip, I was up well past 1:00am, and several times, I was up past 3:00am. I still got up around 8:00am to feed the dogs and get the day started (with the curtains closed), but I enjoyed staying up late, and I enjoyed watching the movies I wanted to watch! I’m a weirdo (in lots of ways, I’m sure), because I like to watch certain movies on my laptop. I think I pay attention better, because there is nothing between me and the screen to distract my squirrel-chasing brain. He would never watch the movies I watched while he was gone: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park. (All these movies are based on Jane Austen novels and can be watched free with commercials on Amazon Prime or rented without commercials.) It’s a battle that’s simply not worth having. I wouldn’t even enjoy the movies if he were here…in my ear…telling me how boring they were. So I save those movies for when he’s not here.

Also, when he’s not home, I catch up on my phone calls. I was able to sit and talk with my friend, Kristi, in Florida, for hours Saturday. It was awesome! She and I have been friends since college. We have been through a lot together, so it’s always fun to catch up with her, but I can’t stay on the phone for hours when my husband is home! You and I both know husbands are like kids…if we get on the phone, they immediately need our attention!

So now he’s on his way home. He will be here in about an hour. I just finished the laundry, and as soon as he empties his suitcase, I will do his laundry from the trip. He will open all the curtains and shutters. We will sit down and talk. He will play with the dogs and turn on the TV. Life will be “normal” again. And tonight, we will start a fire in the firepit on the back patio and have cocktails while we look for satellites, planets, and constellations in the night sky like the nerds we are. As my friend, Richard, likes to say, “Nerd alert! Nerd alert!”

We will go to bed at a “reasonable” hour, and tomorrow, he will bring me coffee in bed. I’ve missed him.

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifting 2021 (Part 1): Give the Gift of Travel

It’s time for Holiday Gifting! This year, our first segment is travel gifts! Give the gift of travel.

There are so many ways to gift travel to your friends and family. No, you can’t necessarily buy a vacation for everyone, but there are other things you can do to contribute to their travels.

If you have someone on your list who likes to travel, here are some ideas. Some of them are based on things we have purchased for our own family, and some are just ideas that sound fun to me.

  • Away Luggage. I have recommended this before. It is something we have purchased for our whole family. After lengthy waits for checked bags at Los Angeles International Airport and our home airport in Charlotte, we purchased Away’s original sized carry-on bags with built-in portable chargers…one piece of luggage for each of us…because we had heard great things about the quality. And we were not disappointed when they arrived. We ordered a pink (for me), a blue (for my husband), and a white (for our daughter). They are hard-side bags that roll smoothly and live up to their excellent reputation. At $245 for the original carry-on suitcase with the charger, they’re not cheap, but with outstanding construction and a lifetime limited warranty, they’re worth it. They’ll even let you use one for 100 days, and if you don’t like it, return it for your money back! Away also offers a “bigger” carry-on, expandable carry-ons, and an aluminum edition…plus some soft-side handbags. Highly recommend. To see their offerings, check the Away website here.
Away Carry-On
  • Airline Gift Cards. Yes, many airlines offer gift cards. I know American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Air Lines all offer gift cards that you can purchase through their respective websites. Have a family member in another city, and you’d like for him/her to visit you? This could be the perfect gift! It would be a gift that would make the giver and the receiver happy! Or maybe you’re just trying to get your parents or someone else to take an overdue vacation. Receiving an airline gift card could be the perfect gift to motivate them! Make sure the airline you choose is convenient for them, though. If the recipient lives in Charlotte, you might want to use American Airlines, since they have a massive hub in Charlotte. If they fly out of Atlanta, try Delta. If they don’t live in a hub city, check their local airport to see what airlines offer the most flight options.
American Airlines Gift Cards
  • Baboon to the Moon. Silly name, yes. Quality bags… you bet. I ordered two of their mini go-bags…one for me in bright blue, and one for our daughter in bright pink. Also carrying a lifetime warranty, these bags are well-constructed and can be carried as a backpack, a handbag, or a shoulder bag. We got the mini go-bag, priced at $139 each, because it fits the size requirements to be a “personal item” on flights. The colors they offer are super bright, which makes me happy. In addition to the mini go-bags like the ones we got, they also offer larger versions of the go-bags, but we ordered the “small,” and it was too big for us to use in addition to a carry-on bag on airlines. The bags are waterproof and sturdy with strong zippers. The mini we ordered has a 1-3 day packing volume, which is perfect in conjunction with our Away carry-ons. It’s lightweight, yet durable. If you’re in the market for multiple bags, they offer “adventure sets” that come with considerable discounts on their bags. And if you’re into fanny packs or crossbody bags, they have some cute ones! We love Baboon to the Moon, and with a name like that, we’ll never forget them! See their offerings on their website here.
Baboon to the Moon Go Bags
  • Hotel gift cards. Lots of people don’t know hotels offer gifts cards, but it’s pretty commonplace. My daughter and I have a favorite hotel we visit in the Los Angeles area a few times a year, and my husband has given us a gift card from there before, as a way of telling us to go enjoy ourselves. Even hotel chains offer gift cards. Marriott and Hilton both sell gift cards through their websites at Marriott.com and Hilton.com.
Hilton Gift Card from hilton.com
  • Micro Steam Iron. I purchased one of these through Amazon, because I always need an iron. Yes, I can always get a hotel to iron my clothes or even bring me an iron and ironing board if there’s not one in the room, but sometimes I just need a quick refresh on my clothes before I go out to dinner. And sometimes, I’m pressed for time. This works perfectly! Plus, it’s lightweight and doesn’t take up a lot of space in my carry-on bag. It’s perfect for any traveler on your list. Check it out at Amazon here.
Micro Steam Iron, photo from Amazon.com
  • Vagabond Life. Vagabond Life is a company that sells travel bracelet cuffs and travel rings for necklaces. Someone told me about it earlier this year, and I love the site and their products. Travel rings are small stainless steel rings engraved with the names of state, national parks, and countries. The rings can be added to necklaces, and travelers can accumulate quite a collection. It’s a fun way to remember places someone on your list has visited. I’m getting a necklace for our daughter this year…along with rings engraved with the states and countries she has visited. We will be able to add to the collection any time she adds a new state, country, or even a national park! The necklace chains are $18, and each ring is $4.50, but I have found they discount when you purchase multiples. Right now, if you purchase 25 rings, you get 25 percent off, and if you purchase 3 rings, you get 30 percent off. Check out their website here.
  • Travel journal. Travel journals are a great way for travelers to document their adventures. They make great gifts for the wanderers in our lives. There are so many great travel journals out there. My personal favorites have envelopes in the pages for photos and/or mementos. Travel and Leisure Magazine has a great list of journals on their website in a range of prices. Check them out here.
Photo from Travel + Leisure
  • Things every traveler needs. There just some things every traveler needs, and any of these would make great gifts: personalized luggage tags, Dopp kit, packing cubes, and portable chargers. All of these make great gifts.

So get busy shopping for the people on your list who have wanderlust…or maybe even for yourself, if you fall into that category!

Give the gift of travel!