Blog — Trip Styler

Travel Apps :: SitOrSquat

Sit or Squat travel appWhen you gotta go, you gotta go! Now there's an app for that offering map and list-based info on the closest bathroom. The 99,000 worldwide listings are constantly growing given the app's user-generated content. Users can add new listings, review current restrooms and even see a picture of a salle de bain before deciding whether to SitOrSquat. Moms and dads, there's even a search function for bathrooms with changing tables. The fun doesn't stop here: for some bathrooms, you can even find out extra details like if there's condom- or lady product- dispensing machines.

This app works best in major cities like New York with lots of active bathroom users and reviewers. I tried this app for Vancouver and the results are decent. I'm looking forward to trying it out this coming weekend in Portland...if nature calls and there are no facilities in sight.

I like this app as a back-up plan. Being the world's ultimate bathroom finder is a tall order, but I salute the app's creators and Charmin---the app's sponsor, and not surprisingly a toilet paper company---for trying. Finally, if you're really in a #1 or #2 jam, you can text the word "sitorsquat" to DOTCOM (368266) and follow instructions to find the closest bathroom to you.

Details

  • Free
  • Available for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Blackberry

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Other Travel Apps we’ve Reviewed

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Master the Art of Packing

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packing 101Do you have pre-trip packing figured out?

I don't think I'll ever have packing fully figured out. Every trip I take reminds me there's always room for improvement. But I'm up for the challenge, are you?

A Good Packer a) doesn't take much time to pack b) always packs for the climate c) brings the right---and appropriate---amount of clothes

Packing Tips Go Odorless

  • Bring a plastic bag or reusable laundry bag to stuff dirty items into throughout your trip
  • Pack dryer sheets to place between clothes to keep them laundry fresh

Be Efficient

  • Know the weather at your destination, and pack accordingly
  • Write a list before you go (and make a note of what you wear and don't wear for next time)
  • Assemble and keep a travel toiletries kit in a clear plastic case so it's always ready to go...or send toiletries to your destination

Your Right Foot Forward

  • Keep shoes in clear plastic bags so your other items don't get dirtied
  • Slip items like underwear, socks and electronic chargers into shoes

Use Your Suitcases's Real Estate Wisely

  • Wherever possible, unstructured or soft garments should be rolled instead of laid flat
  • Leave out socks, underwear, ties and scarves until the end to fill in packing gaps
  • Place belts around the perimeter or your bag

Preventative Maintenance

  • Wrap items you don't want to wrinkle in a suit bag, dry cleaning bag or tissue paper
  • Don't just throw in combs, brushes or spiky hair dryer attachments, cover them with socks, bags or tissue paper to prevent snags

Related Content High Rolling :: To Roll or Lay Flat? A Summer Weekend Packing List Go-To Carry-On Toiletries Choosing the Best Type of Carry-On Travel iPhone Apps :: PackingPro The Art of Carry-On Travel Going Away? Packing and To Do List

[photo by Drew Coffman]

The Travel Sweet Spot

the late-fall travel sweet spot[trip style = sun]

Amid moving this week, I am drooling over November and early December's sunny getaways. I suppose I want what I can't have. Moving = no big travel. But, for those of you who can get away to far-off lands, the prices and options are FAH-BU-LOUS, and a bunch of my friends and family are taking advantage traveling to Bahamas, Mexico, Arizona, California, Hawaii and New York!

The Sweet Spot Travel between November 15th - December 15th, and the first week of January are what I call the travel sweet spot. Pre-and-post Christmas rush means travelers get: a) a great deal, b) more choice {where to go and resorts}, c) to contend with fewer people {ie - getting the best spot on the beach and best pool chair}, d) a rest before or after a busy christmas season, e) escaping the late-fall's rain and cold! Win, win, win, win and win! {Trip Styler Tip: Mark the travel sweet spot on your calendar for next year! Airlines and resorts offer big sales at the end of October/first few weeks of November for travel during this period. Last week I saw flights to Bermuda from Vancouver for $400(inc taxes) and around the same price for flights to Hawaii.}

The Fun Doesn't Stop Here With fall in full-force and winter looming in the near future, I've had a lot of questions regarding trips to Hawaii. If you can't get away during the travel sweet spot, don't worry. Winter sunscapes can still be reasonable too. Travel suppliers are always offering last-min deals, so if you're inclined, pre-plan a week off and see where {in the Caribbean} the wind takes you!

[photo: my own]

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Travel Trends :: Larger than Life {@ sea}

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cruising travel trends[trip style = cruising] The Titanic was impressive (as were Leo and Kate in the movie). Ninety-eight years later, we have ships with ice rinks, climbing walls, skeet shooting, cantilevered hot tubs and surf simulators. And that's not even the latest and greatest. Wow. Now there's vodka ice lounges, the first Starbucks at sea, aqua theaters, zip lines and Central Park-like promenades. This week's travel trend explores the zany and fabulous of larger than life ocean liners.

My First My first cruise experience was a short child care contract with Celebrity cruise lines. I worked on the Century taking care of children by day and going to shows by night. Days off in St. Marten weren't half bad either! Fast forward 5 years. Enamored and intrigued by a ship with an ice rink, surf simulator and mini-golf, my husband and I decided to try out the latest and greatest at the time: Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. We kept ourselves so busy on the ship---surfing in the morning, sunning in the afternoon, dining and show-ing in the evening---we didn't even want to get off at port.

Freedom of the SeasThe Rumors were True Five years ago we heard rumors of a ship even bigger and more impressive than the Freedom (biggest in the world at the time), and couldn't conceive of it. But that ship, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is not only in service, but its sister, the Allure of the Seas, is just about to start passenger service! {For a sneak peak, see videos like the making of "Central Park" here.}

Along Came the Epic In between the launch of the Oasis in Dec of 2009 and the Allure, Norwegian had a go at its version of a mega ship. The aptly named Epic has the first big-top circus tent at sea, a comedy club, a Blue Man Group headliner show, a vodka ice bar, a members-only day to night luxury club, an art deco-inspired supper club and the list goes on.

Verdict Cruising is not a trip style I indulge in regularly, but I'd love to try the Allure, Oasis and Epic in that order, not to mention some small luxury liners like one of the Yatchs of Seabourn. When I was on the Freedom I was worried I'd have nowhere to escape sun-tanners-who-are-loud-talkers, or 50-people-strong family reunion crews, but we always found peaceful places to relax after mangling our bodies on the 30-mile per hour water rushing at us from the flowrider surf simulator.

What customer-dazzling cruising features are next? A lazy river meandering around the entire ship, bungee jumping, downhill skiing, Cirque de Soleil vegas-style shows? I guess we'll have to wait and see...

Would you ever indulge in cruising as a trip style?  Why or why not?

Related Content Travel Trappings :: Cruising Essentials Reposition Me Royal Caribbean + DreamWorks = Smart Cruisin’ with the Fam

[photos: my own]

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Travel Beauty :: The Beauty of Arcona

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arcona travel kit + travel beauty[trip style = spa]

TLC I was recently lucky enough to experience a facial at the Arcona Studio in Santa Monica, CA. I have to admit, I’m one of those people who starts a different skin care regimen every week. But my skin had been acting out and was in need of some TLC, so after hearing about Arcona from several friends, I decided to give it a try.

Radiant Complexion The studio itself is very intimate and tranquil with dim lighting, eggshell-hued walls, classical music, and with talking only at whisper-level---it’s no wonder celebs like Natalie Portman, Vera Farmiga, and Katherine Heigl are fans. The studio is more about serious skincare than ultimate relaxation, so if you’re expecting lots of bells and whistles, this place isn’t for you. But if you want a glowing, radiant complexion, don’t walk…run fly!

No Overcooking Arcona products are made without parabens, petrochemicals, binders or fillers, sodium lauryl sulphates, perfumes, or dyes, and are infused with healthy ingredients like enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, plant lipids, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals. The key to their unique formulas is the ingredients are cold-processed in small batches at low temperatures, keeping them effective and active. They compare this process to how most nutrients are lost when overcooking vegetables.

Basic 5 arcona basic 5Arcona is based on 5 simple products. You use 3 steps in the morning and 2 at night. The Basic Five Program aims to speed up, strengthen and enhance the skin’s renewal process. My Basic Five was for Normal Skin and included Cranberry Gommage---a morning exfoliant, Magic White Ice----a daytime hydrator, Desert Mist---a protective spray that shields skin from environmental damage, Toner Tea Bar---a nighttime cleanser, and The Solution---a lactic and hyaluronic acid-filled nighttime treatment. The Basic Five comes in a set for normal, sensitive, oily, dry, or aging skin and is available in full and travel sizes. I recommend the travel kits which are a great way to try the brand, and to take on vacation.

If you are in search of an eco-friendly skincare line that actually works, try Arcona. I am now a convert.

Editor's Note: I'm heading to LA in a few weeks and even though I have a love/hate relationship with facials, a trip to Arcona might be in order! Thanks Lauren.

PS - Men, there's also a specially formulated men's line.

{Want more travel beauty? Get your fill the third Wednesday of every month. Lauren, our travel beauty expert is already whipping up her next concoction post!}

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