In these days of long airport lines, increased security and carry-on restrictions, women travelers need be savvy to arrive at their destination ready for business. Pre Nine Eleven travel was already filled with delays, packed airplanes and inefficient and often surly customer service. Over the past five years airline travel has only become more difficult as security breaches, flaws and threats occur on a regular basis.

Now merely packing for a trip whether for a quick meeting or a four-day conference is a constant challenge. Ellen Hart, president of Careerbags shares how to de-stress your travel experience without compromising on style or your personal and professional needs.

Smart traveling begins with a laptop bags or business tote that also functions as a handbag.  Mary Repke, founder of Coakley Business Class and a designer featured on www.careerbags.com designs and manufactures laptop bags and business totes “that have a system including a clutch and easy access from outside the bag when it’s on the body.  I can easily unzip the bag without removing it from my shoulder and get cash to buy coffee, present my ID and tickets.” This removes the frustration of setting your bag down and rifling through it. “Having one bag that you can wear and easily access necessities frees women up to simply feel and look more together,” says Repke. 
Another idea is to try and find the smallest travel bag you can tolerate and challenge your self to pack within that.  You can find many small lightweight travel bags in our luggage and travel bag section. If you’re traveling more than three days consider sending a bag ahead via Federal Express or UPS. It just makes life so much easier to do that. To avoid time in security lanes put as many carry-on items as possible into Zip-lock bags for fast TSA access and scrutiny. 
Take those bulky power cords and chargers and store them in Zip-lock bags in your suitcase and save room for in-flight necessities to carry in your laptop bag. You can’t use them on the plane anyway. Since removing shoes is now standard operating procedure carry thin cotton travel socks in your bag’s side pocket so you won’t have to walk barefoot through grimy security check-points.

Careerbags.com offers a wonderful selection of rolling computer bags and the smartest collection from Clark& Mayfield
Has a “Pass Through Pocket” so it fits over your luggage handle. No need to pull two bags on wheels.  Keeping all of your information in one computer is more important these days and Desk Top computer sales have slowed and more people are using 17″ laptops. They are heavy so we suggest using one of our fashionable rolling computer bags.

Lightening up is what it’s all about. Boarding an aircraft and getting organized prior to taking your seat is always stressful with anxious travelers at your elbow. Organize all your immediate on-board supplies like reading material, glasses, medication, water and food in zippered cases, pouches and Ziplock bags. This way you simply grab the bags, stow your carry-on and slide into your seat in seconds. Since liquids and lotions are currently capped by the TSA at 3 ounces do take hotel amenities home. If you need a camera simply use your cell phone or a disposable.  For that “just in case my checked bag gets lost” scenario a change in underwear and a clean top can easily fit in with your laptop bag. Forget your entire day planner if you don’t use a Blackberry or PDA. Just copy those critical pages containing necessary schedule and contact information.

Consider investing in a great cashmere shawl or pashmina for traveling. It’s the perfect feel and look good travel accessory. Use it as a cozy blanket for an in-flight nap. It adds significant style to your business attire and works as an evening wrap.  Now you’re ready to travel smart.

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Time is ticking to find those all important Mothers Day Gifts, but with so many great gift ideas for women at TreatHer.com, there’s no need to panic.

We’re so excited about mothers day that we can’t wait to show you our fab new selection of gifts for mothers – just in time for the big day. So whether you like to plan in advance or prefer to leave it until the last minute, we have some great new gifts at TreatHer.com this mothers day.

Here are some of our personal favourites, to suit all budgets…

A small Token

-How often do you tell your mum how amazing she is? Maybe it’s time to let her know how you really feel with this Mum You’re Amazing Mini Token.

-Or how about this Love You Mum Funky and Fabulous Key Ring, a reminder that you love her, everytime she looks at her keys!

Something Special

- The Best Things In Life Candle Holder is a completely unique and meaningful gift for mum with a touching message that will make her smile.

– One of our personal favourites is the Woodlands Mum Candle Holder a truly special gift for mum.

Winter Warmer

- Check out our new Luxury Snug Rugs – what a great way to stay warm during the winter weather, such a practical girly gift!

So Unique

- These Biscuits Boxes are absolutely fabulous! A stunning and practical gift and a great way to make tea time a thoroughly glamorous affair! Check out the Georgina Silver Art Deco Biscuits and the
Box Madeleine Silver Art Deco Box

Outdoorsy Mum

– This Herb Scissors Set will come in so handy for mums who love a bit of gardening.

– The Eggling Flower Collection Set is a cracking new gift idea, putting a modern spin on the age old tradition of sending flowers on mothers day!

And if that’s not enough ideas to get you going, have a browse of our New Gifts section. With plenty more great gift ideas for mothers day, you’ll be spoilt for choice this year!

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If you would have told me in my youth that I would have wound up in Alabama as a senior adult, I would have thought you to be major crazy.  I mean, growing up in Orlando was heaven in the 50’s and 60’s.  Great weather year round…we had a a family tradition of going water skiing on New Year’s day that continued long after my brothers and I graduated high school.  So, here I am now; a Gator Fan right smack dab in the middle of Bama Nation!  Although the Bama fever does wear a little thin sometimes, we do love being right around the corner from our grandkids.

Alabama Football
You have to understand that football is a 12 month sport in Alabama.  There’s the pre-season game where 92,000 people go to the last intra-squad scrimmage, the regular season, and then the daily media reports during the recruiting season.  It’s the same for Auburn too, although I haven’t seen as many where football is a totally consuming topic of interest.  The true Bama fan can tell you who the offensive and defensive starting players are, and their replacements probably down the whole roster.  I’ve never seen anything like it!

When Alabama won the BCS Championship this year, the whole state was euphoric for at least a week.  Now, they’re going to erect a bronze statue of Coach Saban in Tuscaloosa costing a mere $50,000.  The onslaught of championship memorabilia from footballs to highball and decanter sets are everywhere from WalMart to Books-A-Million.  So I wasn’t surprise to see that the Snuggie people put an Alabama Crimson Tide Snuggie on an As Seen On TV commercial.

Bama Snuggie
I’m sure everyone knows what a Snuggie is by now.  However, if you’ve been a cave for the past few months, I’ll clue you in.  It’s a fleece blanket made like a poncho with sleeves.  You just slip it over your head, and you’re warm and snuggly underneath.  It allows you to keep your hands free to do anything you want, and are great for use on the couch while watching TV.  It makes that ratty old blanket or quilt obsolete because you don’t have to fiddle with the Snuggie to keep it in place while you move around.  I have seen them in the stands at college football games too, so they are really good for keeping warm while allowing you to move freely.

The Alabama Crimson Tide Snuggie is going to make a fine birthday gift for our daughter-in-law.  It’s crimson (of course) with all the Bama football logos plus the BCS Championship Logo as well.  For a $21.95 plus S&H investment, I think it may help to change her mind about us Gators…at least until next season starts!

Image taken on 2009-12-31 23:56:26 by Dan Harrelson.

Confusion prevails when you want to stay warm as well as read your favorite book. Though you manage to cover yourself with a blanket you can’t do anything else, like reading the latest bestseller. To make things worse, the blanket keeps slipping. It can be pretty frustrating. Yet, Nebraska Furniture Mart, as usual, has the answer to problem – the Snuggie.

The Snuggie is a snuggle blanket that one can cuddle up in for warmth and yet have your hands free. Innovative isn’t it? This snuggle blanket is made of super soft, thick, luxurious fleece to keep you warm in great luxury. With roomy, oversized sleeves, you can do whatever you want as your hands are completely free. Read or work at your laptop in your couch while being engulfed in the warmth of this useful snuggle blanket!

This pink snuggle fleece blanket can also be carried around easily. So the next time you are traveling and the weather is worrying you, simply pack the Snuggie Pink into your bag and be assured of complete warmth. This snuggle fleece blanket can be used by every member of the family as one size fits all. What’s more, it is machine washable; so no worries about getting it dirty!

We feel that the Snuggie Pink is a fantastic thing to have at home. When you come home after a hard day’s work, all you want is to unwind. That is where this snuggle fleece blanket comes into play. Use it while watching your favorite TV show or even when you are working in the kitchen. When you are done with your chores and want to read your favorite book, you can depend on this blanket to keep you warm.

With the Snuggie Pink from NFM, it’s not difficult anymore to utilize every second of your valuable time on a cold winter day. So, buy the snuggle blanket and treat yourself to cozy comfort.

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People often ask me what the difference is between a baby “comforter” and an “aid” because I recommend using a sleep comforter and I spend lots of time telling parents that sleeping aids are a definite no-no. In reality, they are both aids in essence but the way I see it, there are two types of aids. You have sleeping aids which may become a problem – such as rocking, patting, feeding or giving your baby a dummy to suck on while going to sleep – and then you have good aids which do not require parental participation.

Aids that require your attention are a problem in my opinion. However, something which provides comfort and which the baby can easily find himself when he wakes in the middle of the night or between sleep cycles can be a parent’s best friend.

Every baby finds an aid of some sort to comfort himself with just before he goes to sleep. Unless the parents have introduced the aid themselves, they are usually unaware of just what it is that is comforting their baby at sleep time (with the exception of thumb sucking).

An unintroduced baby comforter could be holding, rubbing or playing peek-a-boo with the sheets or blankets but sometimes it can be a little more complicated. I have seen babies play with the bars on their cots just before falling asleep. That is their comforter and this can cause a problem when you ask one of these babies to fall asleep in a travel cot or anywhere away from their beloved cot bars. If they don’t have the bars to play with, they can’t fall asleep. Another common comforter is playing with labels or tags on bedding or clothing.

In my “traveling with a baby” article, I mentioned Luke as a case study. As I seem to be coming across more and more babies like Luke, I thought I would use this article to share with you his story in more detail.

Luke’s parents contacted me when he was 10 months old. Up until this stage, he had always been a good sleeper. His parents had started Luke on my routines when he was five weeks old. At 10 weeks, he had started to sleep all night and had done so nearly every night since. But now, suddenly, at 10 months he was finding it hard to go to sleep and once asleep he was waking up crying several times throughout the night. I consulted with Luke’s parents several times over the phone but we couldn’t work out what the problem was so I decided a house visit was the only option. After putting Luke to bed I decided to sneak into his room on all fours and observe him in an effort to work out what the problem was.

At first, things looked OK. They had put Luke to bed and he was lying down looking ready for sleep. I watched him and saw a funny movement in his wrist. He was pulling his fingers up as though he was trying to scratch his wrist before he became frustrated and started to cry. It was not the cry you hear when a baby is fighting sleep. He seemed genuinely upset and had tears so I picked him up and went to talk to his parents. After a few minutes, we realised he was looking for the sleeves of his pajamas but he couldn’t find them anywhere as he was now in short-sleeves for summer. It was now obvious to us all what Luke’s problem had been. We had spent hours on the phone trying to work out what was different about Luke’s environment and I felt very silly that we had not considered the summer pajamas to be an issue. We put Luke back in long sleeves and he started sleeping through the night again.

This was a clear case of a baby who was comforting himself to sleep using an aid that the parents were totally unaware of. It is also a good example of why it is better for parents to choose their baby’s comforter for them so you know what it is but it can be just about anything so long as it is safe with him in his cot.

View a range of safe Baby Comforters

Tips about baby comforters

There are a few things you really need to be aware of when introducing comforters to your baby.

* Some babies like to sleep with their comforters over their faces. If this is your baby, make sure she can still breathe (this is why we suggest breathable cotton muslin squares).

* Make sure your baby cannot get the comforter tangled around his neck. A good comforter size is about 38cm by 38cm.

* Soft toys are not the same as comforters.

* When choosing a comforter, please avoid ones with bean fillings or long fur that your baby might pull out and accidentally inhale. Pull at the fur a little to see how easily it comes away.

* Some companies specialise in making baby comforters. They have usually conducted a lot of research into the best comforter features for you and your baby. The Save Our Sleep™ online store stocks a large range of some of the world’s most safe and cute comforters. Choose comforters from the SOS store.

* We also recommend that you have more than one comforter, and that they are machine washable. This enables you to rotate and wash them periodically, as well as ensuring you have a back-up comforter in the event that you misplace one.

Tricks of the trade

There are also a few tricks to introducing a comforter to your baby. I believe mum should put it down her top for a few hours to allow her smell to infiltrate it before putting the comforter in the cot near baby’s face so he can turn and snuggle into it. It is amazing to watch a baby take solace from their comforter.
Baby comforters

It is my experience that babies with comforters are much happier and more secure as they progress through certain milestones in their lives. Research has shown that at about nine months babies often become very clingy to mum as they realise they are individuals and not a part of their mothers. A comforter seems to help with this transition.

Meanwhile, in Germany there has been some research published recently which states that slightly older kids feel much more secure if they have a comforter with them for the first few visits at kinder or day-care. I also support this notion but feel you should quickly wean your child off taking it once they are settled. I also firmly recommend that a comforter is only given to a baby at sleep times or on occasions when some additional comfort is required such as a visit to hospital or the doctor. In my opinion, it is not good for children or babies to be carrying their comforter around all day.

One other issue I often get called about is when suddenly, at about 10 months, the baby comforter starts getting thrown out of the cot. The first time it happens it could be an accident, so walk in without making eye contact or talking and very calmly return it to the cot. If this becomes a ritual, the baby is probably game-playing. I suggest parents in these situations explain to their baby that if they throw the comforter out it will stay there and they won’t have it to sleep with. If this continues, don’t go in straight away but instead wait until you feel your baby has realised their comforter might not be coming back. Then walk in without eye contact or talking and give it back. Each time wait considerably longer and the game will soon stop.
Warning

When using comforters or putting cuddly toys in the cot as suggested in some articles, it is important to ensure they are safe for your baby. Soft toys with bean filling could block the air from getting into a baby’s mouth or nose if the baby was to sit it on top of his face. You also need to take care with soft fur covered toys because the fur from a toy could be breathed in by a baby and cause the baby to cough a lot which may not be dangerous but could cause the baby a lot of unnecessary discomfort. To ensure the fur is safe, just pull at it and see if any comes away

View Tizzie’s hand-picked range of safe Baby Comforters

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