the tip jar ...

total randomness diva in a carry on tips just for you ... a few pennies, a couple of bucks, a subway token or two ... may it all add up and shake out for the bartender at the end of the night.

love and filthy martinis,

your devoted divas

random tippage:

want to keep your makeup to a minimum on the road but you just feel a little ... nekkid? set yourself up for a brow wax two days before you leave for your next trip, and make sure you keep a good non-smudge brow powder-and-wax set like smashbox brow tech handy in your bag. if your brows look groomed and neat, YOU look fabulous no matter what amount of makeup you have on so you can go almost barefaced and still come across like a totally cool confident diva. the other trick? mysterious, dark-lensed, super big sunglasses - everyone wants to know who's behind them!

keep a totally clean (meaning washed with gentle hypoallergenic detergent and NO fabric softeners!) queen-sized white satin pillowcase (like these from vermont country store) neatly folded in your carry on bag. use the pillowcase over a pillow in your hotel room so you're certain what's next to your face and hair is a superclean surface (take it off in the morning and let it air on a hanger in the closet - spray it with a little antimicrobial febreze if you like). satin, by the way, doesn't knot up your hair like cotton if you're tossing and turning. then, as you're packing up, fold and roll all your dirty clothes up in first a plastic bag, and then the pillowcase to make them readily identifiable as well as keeping any odors away from your still-clean things.

put your ice bucket on the night stand, and plunk a bottle of water into it before bed. hotel airconditioning can be really arid and we guarantee you'll get thirsty. no evian? most hotel kitchens have some sort of bottled water secreted away in the fridge for the kitchen staff. if you honestly have no change and cannot stomach tap water, call the kitchen and offer to come pick it up if they'll spot you a bottle (better yet ... order a little something from room service to make it worth their while to deal with you). most people are cool enough to accommodate if you're polite.

pack one multivitamin for each day of your trip + one (just in case you lose one), and take them right before bed. your body's metabolism slows down at night and you're able to absorb more of the good stuff over the course of a good night's sleep. while you're at it, go ahead and take two aspirin with your vitamin. you'll truly feel better in the morning (plus aspirin taken daily has some pretty significant heart benefits ... bonus!). down them with plenty of water or herbal tea.

how to avoid that crazy insane last day in town getting packed like a banshee thing? print your boarding passes out the night before, and check with TSA to see what sort of wait you're going to have the next day. then get to bed EARLY! get up an hour or so earlier than you think you'll need the morning of your departure. order a good breakfast from room service. call the concierge and request your cab for a specific time (if you use cabs). watch a little news. dampen your hair and slather it with conditioner then wrap it up in a towel. smooth on a moisturizing face mask (honey works great on its own!). eat your breakfast slowly, and then pack at a leisurely pace. take a long hot bath, shave your legs (gillette's venus disposable is our editor's favorite travel razor - stay's sharper longer than most), put on a good high SPF sunblock moisturizer like eucerin extra protective moisture lotion SPF 30, a little smith's rosebud minted lip balm, and give your face a day's break from makeup.

buy a tiny spray bottle from your local drugstore and fill it with mineral water and a few drops of your favorite super-serum (we love olay's regenerist daily regenerating serum). shake it up really well, and tuck it in your bag. when your skin feels a little icky dry or tight, give it a mist with the mixture. light, but refreshing and good for your skin as well (just keep your eyes closed).

travel well!