What to Wear on Vacation

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We caught this clip from Kathie Lee and Hoda on the Today Show just in time as we're packing for our trip to Miami tomorrow! The segment features Elle Style Director Joe Zee and his picks for what to wear on vacation. While his fashions are for a more mature JSG, we think the first outfit is perfect for a plane ride to a tropical destination and we love his point about taking lots of accessories (but not shoes!) since they're easy to pack and make a plain outfit special.

Travel Tuesday Links

Looking for some late-night life? (NYMag) The Trilby at the Cooper Square Hotel pictured above.

Fashion gives back to Japan. (InStyle)

Learn how one Paris Perfumer is helping Japanese relief effort at Travel + Leisure.

See how rising oil prices will effect your travel plans. (Seattle Times)

Explore Japanese landmarks and culture in Hawaii with the San Francisco Chronicle.

Travel Tuesday Links

Need a vacation? Enter to win a trip to the Palazzo Las Vegas (Glamour)

East coasters and midwesterners take note: here's how to order an In-N-Out burger like a regular. (A Hamburger Today)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Budget Travel readers share their favorite photos of Ireland. (Budget Travel).

Thinking about opting out of a full body scan at the airport? Find out what happens next. (Wanderlust and Lipstick)

Foodies fare well in Sante Fe! (Boston Herald)

This is for all you droolers out there: Cailin tells us how to look attractive while sleeping on a plane. (Cailin Travels)

Tickets on sale today for the 2012 Olympics in London. Learn about the process. Hint: it's not on a first-come, first-serve basis... (CNN)

Travel Survival Kit

Here's a little something that should be in everyone's carry on: the Ms. and Mrs. Minimergency Travel Kit. It has all those little things you're likely to need—and just as likely to forget to pack. It contains: Hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, sewing kit, double-sided tape, stain remover, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and adhesive bandages. Plus it all comes in an adorable metallic pouch.

The Mr. and Mrs. Minimergency Travel Kit is $12. Available on MsandMrs.com.

Get Dressed With the Help of an App

Now that we finally have our Verizon iPhone, we're on the hunt for the best travel apps. One we love it the Wearcast App. You punch in your location or destination and the app gives you customized outfits for that day's weather and four days ahead. You can even let it know how sensitive to cold you are. The Wearcast App was created with help from our favorite meteorologist, Lonnie Quinn of the CBS Early Show, and Proenza Schouler art director Alejandro Cardenas. It makes packing for your trip a snap!

Find out more about Wearcast.

Happy Lundi Gras!

Got your beads and king cake ready for Mardi Gras? The weeks and especially the days leading up to Tuesday feature their own special fun. Today in New Orleans, Lundi Gras has numerous parades including Zulu (traditonally it never follows the same route), Orpheous (a celebration of the God of Music) and Proteus 9the second oldest krewe in parade history). If you're not in NoLa, watch the parades via Paradecam.

This past Friday's celebration featured the 41st annual Greasing of the Poles ceremony. The poles in the French Quarter are greased with  petroleum jelly to deter over-zealous revelers from scooting up to coveted balcony space during Mardi Gras parades. Today it's a ceremony celebrating the district. Thats Nicondra Norwood and Siemny Chhuon, representing New Orleans’ Fox and NBC broadcast station, above, getting ready to climb.

On Our Radar: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have arrived in New York. The boutique hotel experts with both on-line and 24 hour in-house advisors, lend their advice on over 700 fabulous hotels worldwide. All of their hotspots have been visited and reviewed at least twice- once by a team member and once by a tastemaker (think Stella McCartney, Dita von Teese and Cate Blanchett). Check their site for these in depth and quirky reviews.

You don't have to be a member to book on-line; but members get special perks like money-back and exclusive travel deals. James Lohan and his wife, Tamara, started the company in London in 2003 after an unfortunate travel experience. "We go to extraordinary lengths to select the world’s best boutique hotels, and then we anonymously review all of them so we’re certain it’s the most passionately discerning collection on the planet," said Lohan.

We checked MrandMrsSmith.com for NYC just see to if they're on target with their choices. Sure enough they recommended and insightfully reviewed some of our favorite boutique hotels like the Soho House (pictured above), the Standard NY, the Ace Hotel, the Greenwich Hotel and more.

Staying Healthy Why You Travel

Between packing, getting to the airport, making it throughthe security line and finding space inthe overhead bin for our carry ons, getting there is definitely not half the fun. But there are things you can do to make the trip less stressful and avoid coming into contact with myriad germs on the plane. Check out JSG Annie's tips on DailyGlow.com for staying healthy and beautiful while traveling.

New Women's Trench from ScotteVest

If you've read our blog long enough, you know what big proponents we are of carrying on your luggage. It saves you checked bag fees, time by avoiding the luggage carrier, and you'll never be without your favorite LBD because the airline lost your luggage.

Scottvest takes it to another extreme by designing clothes that have so many hidden pockets, you can pack your clothes and amenities right in your jacket. Fully packed they are comically bulky; but the airlines don't have a response yet to this crafty way of getting around the luggage issues. Until now we haven't been impressed with the styles of the tops, vests and jackets for women; but their new trench coat is a huge improvement. It's available in four versatile colors: the red is a beaut, the periwinkle great for Spring and Summer and the black and tan good for those of you who don't want your coat making a bright color statement.

Until we have the chance to try one of these jackets ourselves, you can read K.D. Summer's trial as seen in the Washington Post.

Price is $130 at ScotteVest.

Tumi Spring Collection

We love our Tumi carry on bags and though we've only had them a year or so; we've dragged them all over the world already. (That's Hope in Tuscany above.) This spring Tumi is introducing its first line of sunglasses inspired by famous bridges and their balance of form and function using materials including leather, aluminum, titanium and stainless steel.

Tumi also introduced their new Bravo collection of day bags this Spring. Our pick is the unstructured Kessler Large Duffel in Linen which attaches easily to our Tumi system (for extra packing space) or could be used alone for a quick trip.

Looking for more Tumi? Check out the graffic art series of luggage by artist Crash. You wouldn't miss one of these on the luggage carousel!

Concierge Confidential

We've always recommended the hotel concierge as a fantastic resource on your vacation. They can tell you where there best steakhouse is and how to get a table or where the best clubs are in town and how to get your name on a list. New York concierge Michael Fazio divulges plenty of tricks of his trade in his new book Concierge Confidential. Fazio spent years working at the New York InterContinental where he learned how to score the best tickets and reservations in town, filled a tub with hot fudge for a romantically inclined guest (don't try this at home!) and some other NC-17 rated requests. Included are insider tips and entertaining stories he's gathered through years working with the rich and famous. Available on Amazon.com

Special Rates for the Palazzo and Venetian

We had such a great time at the Palazzo for Anne's bachelorette that we're tempted to go back by the special Internet rates starting at only $129/night. Sure there are plenty of new places opening all the time in Vegas; but what we love most about the Palazzo and the Venetian is their location right in the middle of everything on the strip, the Canyon Ranch Spa, the over sized rooms and the great restaurants and clubs like Tao and Lavo on site. Book your room by January 31st and use the code EPOXJAN.
Photo courtesy of The Palazzo.

Girls Getaway Package at the Setai South Beach

This is the time each year when we plan a little trip to Miami. It's just so easy and we always have fun. We're looking at new hotels to check out; but we still wanted to pass on this Girls Getaway package at the Setai. If you haven't been, it's simply one of the most sophisticated, lux property on the beach. We love the asian design influences, the floor to ceiling windows in the rooms, and the proximity to just about all of our favorite spots in SoBe. 

The Girls Getaway Package at the Setai includes:

• A bottle of Taittinger Champagne and Chocolate Truffles in the suite
• Two 60-minute treatments in The Spa at The Setai
• Complimentary Aperitif when dining in The Restaurant at The Setai
• VIP entrance to a South Beach lounge or nightclub
• Complimentary bottle with a VIP table reservation any Opium Group nightclub (like Mokai where Dwayne Wade is having his bday, Mansion and Set among others)
• Champagne makeover and private shopping experience at the Saks Fifth Avenue Club in Bal Harbour with an exclusive fifteen percent off
• The Setai Grand Breakfast each day
• Fifteen percent off the Asprey Boutique, located in the Setai lobby
• Personalized pre-arrival experience by one The Setai’s dedicated concierges (not sure what this is but we're intrigued!)

Dali Museum Opens in St. Petersburg, Florida

The Salvador Dali Museum opens its doors this week, just a block away from its previous home. With the largest collection of Dali outside of Spain, the museum houses more space for the growing numbers of visitors and promises to protect the priceless pieces within from a category 5 hurricane. The building itself is worth exploring with its spiraling staircase and exterior igloo-like structure.

We're curious about the Yoga + Dali classes held each Sunday starting January 23rd. Imagine a 75 minute vinyasa class with views overlooking the waterfront and Dali's art surrounding you. Classes are only $10 for members or $15 for non-members.

Learn more at TheDali.org.

On Our Radar: Lady Gaga Monster Ball and the Luxe City Center LA

If you missed Lady Gaga last year, this is a great opportunity to see her. The Luxe City Center in LA adjacent to the Staples Center finished a remodel and is offering a couple of premium Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour packages. Whether you live on the west coast or you need a break from freezing temps elsewhere, the show on March 28th would be blast.

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour "Suite" Platinum Package in a Luxe  Premium Suite

• Two lower level tickets for Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour Concert on March 28;
• Valet parking
• Early 10 a.m. check-in at hotel;
• Get your bubbly on with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne
• Box of Godiva Chocolates
• Dinner for two at Flemings Prime Steakhouse (includes a cocktail, appetizer, entree, and dessert for two)
• $200 Visa gift card so you can shop like a rock star (think leather leggings)
• Lady Gaga Hardcover Monster Ball Program

This package is available for $3,500 for one night (based on two guests) and is exclusive of taxes and tips.

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour "Suite" Diva Package in a Luxe Executive Suite

• Two lower level tickets for Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour Concert on March 28
• Valet parking
• Early guaranteed 12 noon check-in at hotel
• Bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne
• $150 Visa gift card to enjoy a "Diva Dinner" at the restaurant of your choice
• 2 Lady Gaga Monster Sunglasses

This package is available for $1,900 for one night (based on two guests) and is exclusive of taxes and tips.

To make a reservation for these exclusive packages, call 213-748-1291. 

Paris 2Go City Guide

Paris 2Go is an app that you can download for you iPod, iTouch or iPad and access offline- no WiFi or Internet is necessary. We reviewed Paris 2Go and wish we had it on our recent trip there! It has detailed maps of the city with street searching capabilities, a full Metro map including which stop to take for each attraction, details on 4,800 points of interest (everything you need to know about the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and much more), and 600 articles about the city's history, interests and geography. You can find it on iTunes for $0.99.

There are at least 15 other city apps including New York, London, Rome, Chicago, Munich and Prague. Also the City Maps 2Go app has hundreds of maps (over 2,400) that you download and access without further needing WiFi.

Rebecca Minkoff's Cherish Lattice Tote

This tote would be perfect for a beach or cruise vacation. Rebecca Minkoff designed a bag that straddles classy and edgy with the lattice detail in a natural leather that will look great with your bikini and tunic! It has a metallic snap to keep it together, one zip pocket for your valuables, and more open pockets for organizing. It's big enough to carry your necessities on board the airplane and small enough to be considered a purse, which means you can still bring your small wheel suitcase.  The Cherish Lattice Leather Tote is available at Saks for $395. Happy travels!

Top 10 Lists to Help You Keep Your Resolutions

Whether your goal is to save more money, be kinder to the earth or get in shape, we've rounded up top 10 lists from across the web to help you keep them.

If you...
Resolved to go off the beaten path, check out the contestants for America's Coolest Small Town. (Budget Travel)

Resolved to save money, check out the top 10 best value destinations. (Lonely Planet)

Resolved to be more eco-friendly, check out these 10 eco-friendly travel tips. (AOL)

Resolved to challenge yourself on the road, check out these 10 great places to grow. (USA Today)

Resolved to expand your horizons, check out the best places to go 2011. (Frommers)

New Airline Fees

United and American announced new fare increases of $10 on one-way trips and $20 on roundtrips in response to rising fuel prices. Boooo! We're reasonable people; but it's frustrating considering the airlines have made billions on checked bag fees, exit rows fees, and more. The worst part is these fees don't show up on the fare price on most search engines, it's only on checkout that you'll see them. Our best advice is to book your tickets as early as possible- 21 days if you can- and grab a cheap seat as soon as you see it. Because it you go back later, chances are someone will have snatched it.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Really Last Minute Ideas

You still have a day to choose pricey overnight shipping for your gifts (unless you find a free offer); but an easier option is to give an electronic gift certificate. We wish Santa would bring us an airline gift certificate. Virgin America and American, among others, offer gift cards and virtual gift cards via email.