travel tips for women Archives - Mother 2 Mother Blog

What to Wear on a Winter Road Trip

March 21, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Are you wondering what to wear on a winter road trip? Well, before you focus on your playlist focus on your winter wardrobe. Also, depending on how many hours you’ll be on the road, your clothing should be warm and stylish. However, flannel pajamas or workout clothes should not be an option. Especially, if you want to save yourself from embarrassment when you’re getting out of the car for a restroom break or to buy snacks. We have a few travel tips to help you pack suitable clothing for a winter road trip:

Ankle Boots

Since you’ll be inside the car for several hours, there’s no need for you to torture your feet with a stylish pair of heels. Comfortable ankle boots are a good option. Most importantly, your feet will stay warm even if you have to step out for a couple of minutes. Don’t forget to add wooly socks to your arsenal.

However, if you absolutely need to wear cute heels, carry them in luggage. You can switch once you have arrived at your destination. Knee-length boots are a good option for a winter road trip too.

Blanket Wrap Scarf

A blanket scarf is a cozy yet stylish way to keep yourself warm throughout the road trip. After all, it’s bound to get chilly as the mercury drops. You can wear this winter accessory any way you want. Either carelessly throw it around your shoulders or wrap it around several times for extra warmth. Furthermore, you can use the scarf as a warm blanket if you want to take a quick nap. Opt for a cozy knitted scarf that’ll act as an extra barrier against the cold.

Layers

Another suggestion on what to wear on a winter road trip is layers. Everybody knows that the winter season is all about layers. If it gets too warm, you can remove a layer or add a sweater if it starts to get chilly. So, divide your outfit into layers. You can wear wooly leggings or jeans as far as the bottoms are concerned.

Throw on a comfortable shirt and wear a sweater over it as an extra layer. If you want your outfit to be more feminine, you can also wear a sweater dress. Keep a spare jacket or coat with you in case it gets too cold. Add a knitted scarf or warm poncho to the equation. You have an effortlessly chic outfit that’s both comfortable without struggling with what to wear on a winter road trip.

Beanie

A bright or neutral colored, soft, knitted beanie will protect your head and ears from the blistering cold. It will also look super-cute with your outfit. When you’re contemplating what to wear on a winter road trip, think about the beanie providing extra warmth. Throw in some earmuffs to protect your ears when you’re outside the car or need to open the windows for fresh air.

Gloves

Don’t forget to put on a warm pair of gloves to protect your hands from the freezing temperatures. While mittens tend to be warmer, they don’t offer the same dexterity as gloves. However, if you won’t be driving opt for a warm pair of mittens instead. Mittens do a better job of trapping body heat and minimizing heat loss.

Moisturizer

You don’t want your skin to get all dull and dry. So, don’t forget to wear moisturizer. Moisturizer will keep your skin soft and supple throughout the road trip. Keeping your skin hydrated during the winter is crucial, especially if your skin is prone to dryness.

Most importantly, how do you plan on carrying your extra clothing and accessories when you’re on a road trip? A canvas bag or stylish week-ender is an excellent choice if you’re packing for the weekend. Don’t forget to carry toiletries, winter emergency supplies, sanitizers, moisturizers and of course snacks. A backpack will be a more convenient option if you plan on hiking afterward since you’ll be able to carry the bags on your shoulders. Remember to only throw in items that you absolutely need since you don’t want your pack to become too heavy.

So, there you have it. Use these tips to stock up on the most-wanted winter essentials. Now that you have our tips, you know what to wear on a winter road trip. Above all, don’t forget to have fun. Enjoy!

About the author: James Smith is a survivalist, who loves to write about survival skills and techniques. You can follow him at @JamesSmith1609.

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: travel, travel accessories, travel tips for women

Olympia Cosmopolitan Rolling Travel Tote Review

January 27, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 10 Comments

Purchasing a weekender or a travel carry on can be overwhelming. So, today I’m sharing my review on the Olympia Cosmopolitan Rolling Travel Tote. Check out my other travel destinations and travel tips too. Especially, one that will uphold the vigor of airport handling and pounding and being pulled in and out of vehicles. Not only should the luggage be durable, but why shouldn’t it be fun. I searched for a weekender that would hold my items, easy to pull through the airport, easy to store, fun, and easy to get in and out of a vehicle. Traveling can be stressful, but I have found fun items can eliminate the stress. When you look good, you feel good.

Olympia Luggage Cosmopolitan Map Rolling Travel Tote – It’s perfect for getting through the airport, hotel or from the car to the house. It opens from the top, which makes it easy to get items in and out of the bag. The handle is retractable, and it has handles. It fits in most overhead bins on airplanes. Additionally, it allows you to carry as a tote if needed. The material is quality, so it will endure the stresses of getting it in and out of the car trunk and rolling it through the airport and hotels.

Furthermore, you can wipe this tote down with soap and water to clean it or use wipes if you’re on the go. The wheels keep things moving, unlike many that I have had where the wheel wobble or get stuck. It’s stylish and fun too. I’ve gotten lots of compliments in the airports and hotels.

I have two drawbacks for the Olympia Cosmopolitan Rolling Travel Tote, this one doesn’t have inside pockets. Usually this would be a deal breaker for me. However, it does have a pocket on the front of the bag. It’s convenient for holding your phone, passport, airline tickets or a bottle of water. Additionally, the tote may tip over if it’s not balanced. So when you pack, may sure you distribute everything evenly. This would never be a problem for me because I will use every inch of space with clothing, my laptop, books, Kindle etc. Furthermore, it’s so cute that I would just pick it up if it tipped over and keep moving.

If you like this Olympia Cosmopolitan Rolling Travel Tote head over and make a purchase. This would make a great gift for the world traveler, teacher or treat yourself. I highly recommend it!

Filed Under: Product Reviews, Travel Tips Tagged With: travel accessories, travel tips, travel tips for women

9 Items You Should Have in Your Travel Carry On

January 24, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Today, I’m giving you travel tips on Items You Should Have in Your Travel Carry On. Packing for a trip can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to over pack, and not plan accordingly. A lack of planning leads to leaving something behind that we need or wished that we had packed. So, getting organization is key, and the travel carry on should be a priority.

Check out our top items for the travel carry on:

Daily Medicines – If you take medicines daily place them in a pill box and carry them with you in you travel carry on. Many travelers make the mistake of placing them in checked baggage. However, if your baggage is lost or delayed you will be without your medicines. Don’t jeopardize your health, plan ahead.

A Shawl or Light Blanket – I haven’t been on a flight yet, that didn’t end up cold. It didn’t matter if it was a long flight or a short one. Years ago, flight attendants gave out pillows and blankets to passengers. But, that luxury is no longer available. As a result, I take a light blanket on my flights. I always purchase a light weight travel blanket that I can fold and easily place back into my carry on.

Flight and Travel Information – I always keep my itinerary and other travel documents in my carry on in a plastic document travel bag. This includes hotel and car reservations, travel agency information and places of interest.

Passport – I keep my passport in a pocket in my carry on. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I don’t include it with my flight or travel information. As a result, I still have my passport if the travel information gets lost. I can always retrieve my travel information from my phone or laptop, but trying to get another passport while in travel status can be a challenge.

Water /Snacks – For some reason, I’m usually asleep when they bring the snack and drink cart through. So, I pack a few snacks or a sandwich from one of the airport shops and a bottle of water in my carry-on. If I have the kids, I also pack snacks in their carry-on as well as drinks.

Phone/Electronics Chargers – I place my phone and other electronic chargers in gallon baggies, and place them in my carry on. If I’m able to find an outlet in the airport, I can charge my phone or use my tablet or laptop without running down the batteries.

Lightweight Change of Clothing and Toiletries – I always pack a sundress, extra pair of underwear, leggings or a pair of shorts & tee in my carry on. Roll them so they don’t take up much room. I also carry a toothbrush and toothpaste. You can purchase travel size toiletries at CVS, Walmart or Walgreens.

Travel Pillow – I sleep on my flights, so I always take a travel pillow. They keep my neck from getting stiff or ending up in an awkward position.

Tissues/Hand Wipes – Personally, I have allergies and tissues are a must. I carry them in my purse as well as my travel carry on. Additionally, I take hand wipes and use them regularly.

We hope that will find our tips for your travel carry on beneficial. You may also like: Using Travel Check Lists to Organize Packing.

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: family travel, travel tips, travel tips for women

VenusCare Travel Pillow and Sleep Mask Set

December 19, 2017 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliates links. If you make a purchase, I may be compensated. However, you will not incur additional fees. You can read my Disclosure Policy here.

I spotted this travel pillow and sleep mask set, and was offered a discount for a review. I jumped on the opportunity to check it out. I’ve been wanting a travel pillow for years, but never took the time to purchase one. Airport prices are always more than I wish to pay. So, I ordered the set and waited for it’s arrival. I’m always anxious to share my travel tips and travel destinations with you. So, let get started with the review.

The set finally arrived. A velour storage bag contained a pillow and sleep mask. It will come in handy while trying to keep it clean and while it’s not in use when I’m traveling. The bag has a drawstring for easy removal and storage. It will fit perfectly in a tote bag or attached to a backpack. When I’m taking a flight, I always carry a tote with a blanket, snacks, and my passport and cellphone. So, I plan to attach the pillow to the handle of my travel tote.

I removed the pillow and mask from the storage bags. The pillow is gray and the eye mask black. I could see myself using it for a car trip, a flight or train trip. I haven’t traveled on a train in years, but I do travel frequently on planes and road trips. The pillow is constructed from memory foam. Another great feature is the gray cover is washable. Simply remove it, and throw it into the washer. To be on the cautious side, I think I’ll let it air dry.

The pillow has a 360 degree design to support the head, neck and chin. This design keeps the neck from getting stiff. I used to be a window person when I was flying, but I prefer the aisle now. The design of the pillow will keep your head from falling sideways or forward. Once I placed the pillow around my neck, I was a little disappointed. The pillow seemed short. As you can see in the picture, it is snug around my neck. I fastened the strap to help keep it in place.

Even so, the pillow was still comfortable. Additionally, I was able to lean back comfortably, which is what I would do on a flight. The pillow stayed in place and supported my neck as I wanted. I fastened the strap on the pillow to see if it would fit better or help keep the pillow in place. It didn’t make a difference. However, the eye mask fits nicely. It’s doubtful that I would use on a short flight, but any long distance flight is fair game. I love to sleep on my flights.

Last, I would recommend the Venus Care Travel Pillow. The pros outweighed the cons. Although I believed the travel pillow was short around my neck, the quality makes up for the flaw. I’m hoping that it was just the pillow that I received. Finally, you may also like Using Travel Checklists to Organize Packing.

Filed Under: Product Reviews, Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: family travel tips, travel aids, travel tips, travel tips for women

Traveling Solo As a Female

July 28, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Today, I’m sharing travel tips for women traveling alone. I’ve traveled solo many times for business and on a much needed vacation. I’ve lost track of the number of times that I’ve been asked throughout my journeys, “Are you going alone?” “Don’t you have a friend to go with you?” or “You aren’t afraid to travel by yourself, I could never do that.” Lets not forget this one, “Do you get lonely?” There’s a difference being lonely and being alone.

females traveling solo, women traveling solo, travel tips for females

I remember the first time I traveled alone for vacation although I was married. At the time my daughter was five years old. So, I decided to head to Los Angeles to visit my sister and her family. It was the first time that my daughter and I had flown. My husband made sure we got on the plane without issues, and the flight to Los Angeles was smooth. The next task was to get our luggage and find my sister.

This too went without incident. I juggled luggage and a 5 year old through a international airport. We had a great time in Los Angles and the surrounding areas. We made our way back to Washington-Dulles, and it was at that point I was bitten by the travel bug. Traveling solo as a female no longer intimidated me.

I started making my way around the country for my job shortly thereafter. Getting in and out of airports became second nature to me as well as either renting cars and driving in strange cities or hailing taxis to get from point A to B. When you have a job that requires you to travel, your company doesn’t pay for another person to accompany you. So, you go alone. You put on your big girl pants and you conduct business.

Vacationing in Savannah, GA

I’m no longer married, so I travel solo as a female. I still love to do personal travel. Yes I have friends that I could travel with. But, trying to coordinate a week’s vacation with a friend or group of people can be taxing. I’ve been through that experience before. And, it was by far worst than anything I’ve encountered while traveling solo.

So, I made a vow to never go there again. I’m not one to sit around and wait for another person to get in a position financially to vacation. Or find the time for a vacation. Most importantly, because a person is alone doesn’t mean they are lonely. There’s a difference. I wish people would understand that.

The people that I have met along the way have been insightful. They have impacted my life immensely. On my last trip I met a lady at the airport that I have now become friends with. She called me her angel. I had arrived early at the airport, and the United counter had not opened. Furthermore, they didn’t have a sign posted about their hours.

As a result, I asked if she knew what time the counter opened. She didn’t, but after a small conversation I could clearly see that she was stressed. She was on her way to the states as well; however, she was an inexperienced traveler. We talked and got to know each other and it turns out that she was from South Africa. In fact, not far from where I would like to go on safari.

It’s funny people see women traveling alone as courageous or brave. Why don’t they see men this way? Actually, I see myself as neither. I’m simply doing what I love to do. As a matter of fact, I believe traveling solo has contributed to making me who I am today. I also believe that every woman should travel solo at least once in their life. It’s empowering! If you decide to travel, here’s a few tips for women traveling alone:

1. It Forces You To Step Outside Your Comfort Zone – It requires you to face your fears. I was quite nervous the first time I traveled alone, but I pushed through and marched forward. As a result, I became quite confident in my abilities to reach a destination and enjoy myself. It is definitely a self-esteem boost.

2. It Broadens Your Perspective – Traveling allows you to see that that there is another part of the world. It allows you to interact with people outside of your circle. Furthermore, it allows you to get to know them and a little about their daily life. I have met wonderful people along my journey. Some I have remained in touch with and some I’ve just had a pleasant conversation with. All remain memorable. Why should you miss out, simply because you’re traveling solo as a female.

3. It Allows You to Experience Different Cultures and Foods – One of the things that I love most is experiencing different cultures and treating myself to local dishes. Eating out by myself the first time was a little uncomfortable. However, I decided to take my Kindle and catch up on my reading list. I noticed one lady who was traveling solo doodling. Traveling solo as a female doesn’t have to be difficult.

People find a way to occupy themselves. I’m comfortable enjoying my meals alone and not feeling like an outcast. I’ve had people invite me to join them, but I’ve found I like relaxing and eating alone. Besides, I’m really not into small talk or trying to force a conversation. Getting online and retrieving emails is a much better way for me to occupy my time.

4. It Teaches You To Think About Your Safety – Safety should be a major concern when traveling solo. It forces you to listen to your intuition and to become aware of your surroundings. I always do my homework before traveling. I educate myself on taxi fares so I will have some idea of what I should be buying. If I will be driving, I make sure I arrive during the day so I can reach my destination before night fall.

I make it a habit of checking my surroundings, and never venture too far my hotel at night. I always park under lights and always keep my doors locked when driving or in my hotel room. They make peep holes for a reason, I use it before opening the door for room service, maintenance etc.

5. You Return Feeling Like You Can Conquer The World – Traveling solo as a female makes you stronger as a person. It enhances your leadership, planning and organizational skills. It allows you to get in touch with what you like and do they things you want to do. You get to plan and set your own schedule and not feel obligated to anyone. It’s freeing and totally invigorating!

Furthermore, why can’t women travel alone? Women who are executives in corporations or own their own businesses travel constantly. It seems that traveling for business is acceptable, but there’s still a stigma about a woman traveling alone for a little rest and relaxation. Women want to feel invigorated, and they are refusing to be stifled in any matter. Tips for women traveling alone can be beneficial. Assert your independence, and have a great time!

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: travel tips, travel tips for women, traveling solo

Tips On How To Pack For Vacation

June 10, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Some people think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. I agree, but so is packing for a vacation. In the past, I tried to pack everything that I owned. For some insane reason, I really thought I needed 2 – 3 outfits per day and 10 pair of shoes. I remember when I used to carry a garment bag. Seriously, I had bruises on my shoulders because the bag was so heavy. You think I would have learned, but no I didn’t pack less. I purchased new luggage and filled that to capacity too. Today I have travel tips on how to pack for vacation. Lets get started!

I had the nerve to look at people at the airport and wonder how they traveled with so little. Now I realize that they were probably looking at me and wondering why I was dragging around my closet. Want to know what turned me around? When I traveled for business. I usually drove myself to the airport for business trips. Additionally, I was on per diem when I traveled. As a result, my company would not pay for daily parking. So, I was forced to park in the satellite parking lot. When you park in satellite parking, you have to take a shuttle to the terminal to catch your flight. I soon realized that the world isn’t full of gentlemen who jump up to assist you. No sir, I was on my own getting everything in the car, out the car, on the shuttle, off the shuttle through the airport and back into my car.

I realized that it was unnecessary for me to take so much. I realized that I had to learn how to pack for vacation and business trips like a pro. Have you noticed that we’re the cause of the majority of our own problems? The light bulb finally came on and I accepted that I didn’t need half of what I packed. I don’t know what took me so long, but I’m glad I arrived.

Here’s a few of my packing tips and tricks on how to pack for vacation:

1. Make a list with 4 columns – One column is for what I have to take like medicines, phone charger, tickets, address for the hotel/resort and confirmation numbers. Another column is for things that I would like to take like my laptop, Kindle, camera, additional batteries etc. The third column is for activities that I have planned and the fourth column is for clothing, shoes and accessories based on what I have planned. If I’m on vacation, I check out sights that I would like to see prior to my trip so I can plan accordingly.

2. Assess your luggage – Most airlines will allow 2 bags on the plane. So, I will have my tote with my laptop and another carry on. The tip here is to place your small purse into your tote. I use a cross body bag. It holds the essentials: money, hairbrush, keys, lipstick, a credit card, drivers licence and money. I pack a larger bag in my suitcase if needed. If you’re checking your bag, remember the weight limit so you don’t incur additional expense.

3. Decide on a color theme – I lay everything that I want to take based on the activities on my list. I cut everything down to half and place the excess back into my closet and drawers. Mixing and matching pieces has become second nature for me. Using the same shoes, but different accessories will give you the change you need with your outfits. For example, I take a black skirt that I can wear with 2 different blouses. I just use different accessories.

I also pack sundresses that I can wear casually or dress up with a necklace, scarf, and cute sandals or pumps. They’re light and don’t take up much space. Leggings are great too. You can wear them under a casual dress or skirt from the above group, pair with a shirt or wear with a tee to lounge around in for the day. Throw in a few pair of shorts and tees. You can pair these with sandals.

4. Pack toiletries in zip lock bags – Pack body wash, hand wipes, toothbrushes, shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, tanning lotion etc. in gallon zip lock bags. Take extra bags with you too. I always have one handy for my wet loofah after showering the morning on my return trip. It’s never dry enough to just toss in the luggage. Additionally, zip lock bags are great for your lotions and wipes on the beach or by the pool.

5. Shoes – I take a pair of black pumps to wear if I want to dress up, a pair of walking shoes for sight seeing, and a few pair of sandals or two that will go with my final selection of clothing.

6. Neutral hat – When I’m heading to the beach or a tropical location, I always take a neutral hat that’s made specifically for travel. I can pack it and not worry about it losing its shape or getting damaged. Make sure that it will give you UV protection that you will need as well.

7. Pack neutral custom jewelry – Learning how to pack for vacation includes zip lock bags. Using zip lock bags to pack my custom jewelry allows me to see what I have. I place the zip lock bag in a cosmetic bag for extra protection. With the exception of my rings, I do not take my gold jewelry with me. I also don’t remove my rings when I’m traveling.

8. Take 2 swimsuits and a plastic tote – How to pack for vacation includes a tote, which I place the tote on the bottom of my suitcase. I use the plastic tote as my beach bag. I’ve been carrying the same plastic tote for years. It can withstand the sand and I can wash it off to repack on the return trip.

9. Pack a wrap or blanket – I always pack a wrap or light weight blanket in my carry on. I don’t like to be cold on my flights, so I just fold it and place it back in the bag after I land.

10. Roll your clothes – Roll your clothes instead of folding them. It give you more room and less wrinkles. Rolling your items in tissue paper keeps down the wrinkles too. If you don’t want to deal with tissue paper. Get a travel spray bottle, and fill it with Downy Wrinkle Releaser. This stuff is great.

11. Buy sturdy luggage – Purchase or use luggage that can endure your flight. Make sure your address and cell phone number are on your luggage tag. I also tie a piece of red ribbon on the handle of my luggage. The ribbon helps me to identify it on the carousal.

I hope these tips on how to pack for vacation will help you pack more efficiently too. They certainly have helped me to keep it simple when I travel now.

You may also like: Traveling Solo As A Female