carry on of the week! 18 July 2008

elle essentials kate lunch bag in wasabi green $24.99 USD / givinggallery.com

on my ever continuous quest to loose the last 10 (let's be honest, 15) lbs. and overall eat healthier, i am constantly trying to come up with ways to incorporate the healthy lifestyle with the traveling lifestyle. success is often short lived as soon as i see or smell people around me noshing on all the terminal goodies. it takes shear will power and an act of God to keep me from the bakery case at Starbucks. terminals are often a mosh pit of calorie-horrific foods packed with sodium and goodness knows what else. oh yeah, grab the banana with your scone, that'll help balance it out...right?

travel divas prepare, so prepare i did! elle essentials has a huge selection of lunch bags to take anywhere...but they're super cute and stylish! most look like handbags and all are nicely insulated so, hot or cold, your set.

elle essentials brynn lunch bag in cream $19.99 USD/ givinggallery.com

let's face it: if something is cute, you're more apt to actually use it! sure, you'll have to prepare a lunch and throw in some snacks...but how much time did you spend picking out shoes the last time you traveled? your tummy deserves just as much attention! making sure i have the favorite munchies from home packed with me not only saves money but is eco-friendly and way better for my thighs! these bags can be found at givinggallery.com, which is a great site to get gifts for anyone..the selection is crazy, they have everything! do yourself a huge favor, pick out a cute elle essentials lunch bag and travel with lunch on hand. no brown bag for this diva..well unless it's cute like the brynn bag above!

[photos via givinggallery.com]

kissed by a diva roundup - 17 july 2008

a touch of blusher gives us the low down on the jill stuart fall 2008 makeup collection.

cinnamon kitten gets onboard with the danish and their gosh makeup line.

pink rock candy digs into some lancome goodness.

classic footwear never goes out of style, particularly the lovely stilletto, as displayed by the well-heeled society.

get the 411 on costa rica from two jet set divas.

places to pamper: exhale spa in santa monica, ca

here at diva in a carry on, we know what it’s like to be constantly on the go. whether we're on vacation or trying to recoup after a horrific work week, we all need to pamper ourselves…and on a regular basis, lest we go insane! with so many spas to choose from nowadays, you want to make sure you pick a good one. a spa that has great services is one thing, but one that takes you away from it all while giving you that service…making you feel like the diva you are, that’s fabulous!

a view of the pacific ocean from the fairmont miramar hotel
santa monica, california

i recently traveled to santa monica, california! the pier, the shopping, and of course the ocean are all this native californian needs to feel at home. this trip, i got to unwind, relax and get beautiful at exhale mind body spa in the gorgeous fairmont miramar hotel and bungalows.

the front gate at the fairmont miramar hotel, santa monica california

from the moment you enter the front gates of the fairmont, you feel special. The grandness of the estate-like hotel is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle just outside on the sidewalks around downtown and the third street promenade.

the waiting room at exhale

exhale is nestled within the bungalow style rooms of the hotel, surrounding the pool, croquet lawn and koi pond. it’s all about leisure here, and it’s wonderful! the front desk makes you feel like a celebrity, offering a variety of specialty teas and waters, and showing you back to the lounge area where you’ll change into a robe and slippers in preparation for your star-quality spa treatments. the spa lounge is something to behold: sauna, steam room, lockers, showers, and lounge chairs so you can relax any way you would like before and after your treatment.

the lounge at exhale

i experienced the TRUE facial, exhale’s signature facial treatment ($125 USD / 30 min, $150 USD / 60 min). this facial is great for every skin type and leaves your face glowing and not even slightly red or irritated. the entire facial is a completely relaxing experience, and gets your face in prime condition. the mushroom enzyme mask is the star of the show and leaves your skin remarkably refreshed. my aesthetician, jenelle, was attentive in listening to all my concerns about my skin and offered up some great suggestions.

the menu of services is all encompassing, ranging from manicures and pedicures to top-notch eyebrow sculpting to private mind body sessions where you can enjoy a yoga or core energy flow class. there is truly something for everyone.

the exhale experience was a calming one, both inside and out. i never felt rushed or hurried and, in fact, i was invited to sit by the pool and relax for a while after the treatment! the service was stellar and incredibly accommodating. if you get the chance to travel to santa monica, take in a breath of fresh ocean air, and then, exhale!

[images via flickr, santamonica.com, fairmont.com]

july editor's choice ...

it's been awhile since i posted an "editor's choice", and there are some really fantastic products i'm digging this summer to keep skin looking and feeling its best. so here's a list of what i'm loving as we move into late summer 2008, and reasons why they're at the top. enjoy!

vedaMAMA purify

$75 USD / 3 oz.

summer is a time for indulgences, but sometimes we tend to overindulge. this can lead to elevated levels of toxins in our skin, which can lead to breakouts and premature wrinkling. vedaMAMA purify helps counteract some the bad stuff we do to our skin. with a blend including green tea extract, shea, mango butter, vitamin e, evening primrose, rosemary extract, neem oil, black willow bark, and a proprietary mixture of detoxifying essential oils, you just smooth this lightly-mint-scented cream on at night before bed and it works all night to restore more beautiful skin.

vedaMAMA refresh

$40 USD / 3 oz.

you don't have to be a mother to have stretchmarks, and they can start to appear very early if your weight fluctuates more than 5 pounds either way from your norm. vedaMAMA refresh helps to soothe and invigorate the skin so that it keeps its elasticity (lack of elasticity is one of the causes of stretchmarks) and looks plumper. the ginger/lime scent hits just the right aromatherapy note to perk up your attitude just as the blend of essential oils and other great stuff is evening out your skin.

alo sun after sun restorative creme gel

$5 USD / 1.75 oz.

while we love to enjoy the sun in the summer, it's really easy to overdo it even if you're wearing high SPF sunscreen, a big floppy hat, huge audrey hepburn sunglasses and sitting under the biggest beach umbrella you can find. when you've lingered a little too long, the sun actually starts to damage the skin cells' DNA and at the same time, the cells are becoming severely dehydrated. what results is the red dry irritated skin associated with sunburn. alo sun after sun restorative creme gel is the only product on the market that actually can repair the damage sunburn does by repairing the DNA and pulling moisture into the cells. try it as an everyday hand lotion to help keep your hands from aging before you do. with a light summery floral scent and a rich but nongreasy texture, this product is a must to keep in your carry on bag all the time!

alo sun body bare penetrating emollient

$5 USD / 1.75 oz.

sometimes you just need a really good body cream to put back what wind, sun, sand, sweat and other summer factors take out of your skin. alo sun body bare penetrating emollient does that perfectly with aloe, sunflower oil and vitamin e. perfect for smoothing on legs to keep them supple and glowing without crossing the line to greasy.

alo sun hydrating hair mask

$5 USD / 1.75 oz.

nothing saps the shine out of hair faster than long days in the sun or at the beach. chlorine, too, can make your hair really dull in the summer. it's hard to strike a balance if you love the outdoors but want pretty hair as well. alo sun hydrating hair mask restores hair to a beautiful balance of clean but moisturized silkiness in just 5 minutes in the shower. it's particularly great for a day at the beach! dampen your hair, comb through a dime sized amount of this conditioning mask, then either braid or pop on a headband and use the heat outside to help the conditioner penetrate even further. rinse out at the end of the day and your hair will be remarkably soft. works wonderfully in dry climates as well.

verikira spicy citrus hand & body wash

$26 USD / 12 oz.

there's nothing quite like a cool shower after a hot summer day, and the combination of lemon, lime and ginger in verikira spicy citrus hand & body wash is an awesome pick-me-up at the edn of a hot and sticky day. vitamin b5 and coconut extracts help retain moisture in the skin and keep it soft.

verikira fresh feet foot creme

$18 USD / 4.5 oz.

summer feet can be - there's no easy way to put this - funky. stuffed into closed toe shoes all day, bacteria can cause some really icky odors. additionally, it can cause skin to be even drier and flakier than normal, working your pumice stone overtime. the vinegar (yep ... vinegar!) and tea tree oil in verikira fresh feet foot creme helps to keep bacteria at bay, and the patchoulli, thyme, basil, geranium and cinnamon combine to keep feet fresh smelling and pretty.

verikira lip soother & plumper

$7 USD / 0.15 oz.

the great outdoors can take a lot out of the delicate skin of your face, and the lips are some of the most delicate tissues in the body. wear a lip balm with sunscreen while you're outside, but in the evenings try verikira lip soother & plumper. it's chock full of antioxidants to help plump out the tiny lines that the sun's damaging rays can cause around the edges of our lips. the light cinnamon scent is very pleasant, and the texture is substantial without being heavy. perfect for any travel diva's pocket!

it's all about the staycation ...

gas prices got you down? considering the dreaded "staycation" this year instead of going somewhere exotic? staycations don't have to be boring! check out our editor's "jet set" post at m.i.s.s. crew to find out how much fun it can be to become a tourist in your own hometown!

happy travels!

straighten up and fly right ...

corioliss pro 1" flat iron

from misikko / $125 USD

it's summer, and the unthinkable has happened: you're heading out for a vacation in a humid climate and your flat iron has bitten the proverbial dust. ack! what you need is a compact, travel-friendly and dependable flat iron to keep your hair looking smooth and silky at home and away.

misikko has exactly what you need! check out this beautiful and deceptively simple corioliss pro 1" flat iron. the design is sleek and narrow, ensuring it will tuck away neatly in your carry on without any problems. designed for short or medium hair, this handy flat iron works wonders even on long hair. really curly hair? no worries at all - the corioliss pro heats up to 410 degrees F, which means it can straighten even the most problem tresses in a heartbeat.

the extra long cord ensures that you have plenty of options on where to plug it in, and the complimentary carrying case keeps everything tidy while it's not in use. the narrow 1" plate size gives you full control over styling, and the ceramic plates are treated with tourmaline for the smoothest and shiniest hair possible. with no temperature settings to worry about, the corioliss pro is a breeze to use - simply turn it on, it heats up in 6 seconds - really, 6 seconds! - and when you're done, just turn it off. it's that easy. the barrel is curved on the outside so it's great for creating a little bit of curl at the ends as well.

what makes the corioliss pro perfect for travel? it has nano silver technology built into the plates! the silver ions help to kill bacteria, which means it helps to minimize odors in your hair as well. every time you step on a plane, you're exposed to tons of germs and bacteria, and your hair is literally a net catching other peoples' bugs (not to mention the odors of their perfumes, colognes, food and breath!). run the corioliss pro through your hair at the hotel, and you can reduce most of the airborne nastiness of travel while styling and come out with great looking and great smelling hair. genius, no?

misikko carries tons of skin and hair care products, so if the corioliss pro doesn't suit your particular needs, swing by their website and have a look at all the other girlie-goodness they offer. you're bound to find the perfect products for you!

[images via misikko]

carry on of the week! 10 july 2008

victorinox mobilizer nxt® 4.0 bravo 20" carpet bag duffel

$249.99 USD / ebags.com

now if you're like me, the word "duffel" brings bad things to mind: sweaty gym socks, ratty 'ol tee shirts, etc. i never ever equate my travel style with a duffel bag. they're a laundry sack with handles...unrefined...hard to organize...or are they?

the victorinox carpet bag duffel is definitely a reason to re-evaluate what we might think of as a duffel bag! with it's ballistic nylon, leather straps and metal feet it's ready for the rough and tumble of a baggage claim carousel...but doesn't lack any sophistication and is definitely one to take on the plane! vitorinox makes swiss army knives, divas! the bags have to be just as useful to be called vitorinox...and they are!

the main compartment isn't just a cavernous hole either! there are several zippered pockets and mesh storage pockets to keep everything secure and handy, all this with the room you need! the opening is an especially nice feature with the gusseted, extra-wide zippered opening: easy access to what you need on a cramped plane is exactly what we all want! the front zippered pocket holds the electronics we all need to survive...with a magnetic closure that is electronics-safe, of course!

one other thoughtful feature victorinox thought of: a zippered pocket on the back that converts to a sleeve that you can use to fit over the handles of your other rolling luggage! as far as i'm concerned, this should be a standard feature on all travel totes and bags without wheels--fabulous!

the carpet bag duffel comes in black, khaki and the red shown above. with all the features of a favorite backpack, the room of a duffel and the sleekness of handbag or tote, the usefulness of this bag is obvious! just remember: a victorinox bag and a victorinox pocket knife don't go together on a plane! happy travels!

[image via ebags.com]

kissed by a diva roundup - 9 july 2008

have a look at what the ladies displaying the "kissed by a diva" badge have to say this week!

a touch of blusher strikes gold this week in the cosmetics world ... gorgeous!

cover girl trublend is under the appraising eye of cinnamon kitten.

fashion birdcage takes on vivienne westwood's latest dazed and confused spread.

pink rock candy shows us that cute CAN be comfortable!

find out which brand of razor is best for your shower duty from so frugalicious.

the well-heeled society looks towards fall with a shoe to spice up every wardrobe.

two jet-set divas finds out what body language can say in greece and italy.

enter to win!

marshall's is going above and beyond on the giveaways these days! check out their latest promotion. enter for your chance to win - who can say no to new clothes for your travel wardrobe?

we're posting these fun widgets near the bottom of the page as well, so keep coming back for more chances to win!

lovin' those lips ...

extreme weather (summer and winter) can be especially harsh on lips. the skin there is thin and delicate, and needs a little more attention than the rest of our bodies. it's really a bummer when you plan the perfect vacation, spend a little too much time in the sun, and then realize that your lips have gotten a bit "overdone": dry, flaky and downright miserable. and you can forget about trying your regular old gloss as a repair tool - it disappears on damaged lips like water.

this is definitely the time of year to start tending more carefully to your lips, and sally hansen's lip lab is the perfect place to start!

sally hansen overnight lip recovery

$10 USD

let's start with their overnight products. before bed, smooth on some overnight lip recovery. this rich but light overnight balm works to moisturize damaged lip tissues with vitamins a, c and e, as well as peptides, while you sleep, and creates a barrier against moisture loss. if you're traveling, use a little on the plane as well to combat that notoriously dry airplane air.

sally hansen pm lip plumper

$10 USD

their pm lip plumper is great if you want a full, moist pout the next day. smooth some on overnight and the plumper goes to work with a time-release formula that actually draws in moisture from the air and traps it, giving you fuller looking lips.

sally hansen prep & perfect lipcare

$10 USD

the next morning, try prep & perfect lipcare as a base for your lipstick. it conditions lips and locks in moisture, leaving a smooth surface that your lip color clings to without bleeding.

sally hansen lip blush plumping balm

$10 USD

if you prefer a more natural looking route, try the lip blush plumping balm. this sheer tri-benefit gloss moisturizes lips, plumps them, and the custom color complex turns the gloss the perfect shade of pink for your lips - never too pink, never too glassy, always natural.

sally hansen gentle plumping lip treatment

$9 USD

for day or night, the lip lab has some great glosses for you to try! need a little extra pout? try the gentle lip plumping treatment. its plumping formula is gentle - never harsh or burning - and the colors are beautifully sheer and easy to wear. it comes in 6 sheer shades, and with color names like happy, serene, playful and tease, how could we not love them?

sally hansen satin effects lip gloss

$7 USD

want something with a little more color but very professional looking? try the satin effects lip gloss. the gloss is satiny, not glassy or slick looking, and feels wonderful on the lips. it is long lasting and the colors add just a little more depth than traditional glosses, perfect for the boardroom or a beach side lunch. 10 great shades to choose from.

sally hansen lipnotic gem gloss

$7 USD

going glam tonight? give lipnotic gem gloss a go! intensely saturated colors and tons of shimmer make this gloss the go-to for a special evening going out with your friends or that certain someone. fun and long lasting, you won't have to keep checking to see if its still there. comes in 10 super shiny glamorous shades.

whatever your lip needs, sally hansen lip lab has you covered!

[images via sally hansen]