Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
JSTD: Family adventures
Your jet-set days don't have to come to a screeching halt because you have kids. Follow the advice of Eileen Ogintz @ TakingTheKids.com and turn your kids into junior jet-setters!Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
Thursday, October 29, 2009
JSTD: Find a room at an inn
Prefer the quaint accommodations of a bed and breakfast over mega chain hotels? Use BedAndBreakfast.com to search and book any of 7,000+ locations around the world.Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
JSTD: Be a weather girl
It doesn't matter the time of year; always check out the weather forecast before you leave. Mother Nature doesn't always abide by seasonal rules. Accuweather is my fave weather site but any will do. Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
A bra that should definitely see daylight
Today's Annoyance: That a bra could cost more than a villaMantra of the Day: A lady is one who never shows her underwear unintentionally. - Lillian Day
A $3 million bra! I know it's art but part of me thinks that if I owned such a thing (which would be a gift to me from someone else, of course), I might just decide not to wear a blouse that day. (What kind of skirt or pants would one wear thought?) The other part of me thinks that I would wear a t-shirt over it, with some jeans and stilettos.
Would you wear it? If so, with what?
[IMAGE: Courtesy of Victoria's Secret]
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
JSTD: Powder alert
Where's the snow? I don't know but SkiReport.com does. Find info on ski conditions, snow forecasts, lodging and equipment rental in cities throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and in the southern hemisphere.Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
A gem of a kiss
Today's Annoyance: That I haven't yet thought of a great product to sell
Mantra of the Day: Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. - Confucious
I like Hershey's kisses (and real kisses, even more) but, a diamond-studded kiss? This necklace was on display at a jewelry store in New York last week:
Not sure that even the diamonds sway me to like it. Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't turn it down if someone gave it to me but, I might just post it on eBay to see what I could get for it. People will buy (and try to sell) anything!
Your thoughts?
[IMAGE: Courtesy of Luxury Launches]
Mantra of the Day: Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. - Confucious
I like Hershey's kisses (and real kisses, even more) but, a diamond-studded kiss? This necklace was on display at a jewelry store in New York last week:
Not sure that even the diamonds sway me to like it. Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't turn it down if someone gave it to me but, I might just post it on eBay to see what I could get for it. People will buy (and try to sell) anything!
Your thoughts?
[IMAGE: Courtesy of Luxury Launches]
Monday, October 26, 2009
JSTD: Follow the film stars
Everyone knows about the Cannes Film Festival but, did you know about the Doha-Tribeca Film Festival in Qtar or the Toronto International Film Festival? Yes indeed, there are amazing film festivals all over our wonderful planet and you can find out about them at FilmFestivals.com. Which ones are on your travel calendar?
Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
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New giveaway: Night + Day Cool Cities Guides
A new city can be a bit intimidating if you don't have fabulous friends and family to tell you about the coolest places to sightsee, eat, and hang out. Not to worry! Pulse Guides has the solution for you: their Night + Day Cool Cities travel guides. These compact travel books are the next best thing to having a cool friend who knows all things fabulous about every amazing city in the world. Priced under $20 each, each guide covers how to get there, how to get around once you're there, the best places to stay, eat, shop and play.
Pulse Guides is kind enough to offer travel guides for Los Angeles and New Orleans. Both guides are jam-packed with everything listed above, and then some. The L.A. guide features places for celebrity spotting and the New Orleans guide includes a pocket-sized map.
Of course, you want to win them!
THE RULES:
You have 3 different ways to enter (max entries = 3):
1. 1 entry for leaving a comment below, naming your preferred Night + Day Cool Cities travel guide.
2. 1 entry for sending a tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to reference my Twitter account - @avapierce - in your announcement so that you receive an entry.
3. 1 entry for leaving a relevant comment on any of my other blog posts. (Spam and single-word comments don't count. As usual, comments posted before today don't count.)
The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends on Friday, October 30, 2009.
One winner will be selected using Random.org and will be announced on my blog and via Twitter on Monday, November 2.
The winner must contact me by e-mail (ava AT avapierce DOT com) within three days of the announcement to claim their prize. If the winner does not claim their prize within that time period, another name will immediately be drawn for the prize.
E-mail me with any questions: ava AT avapierce DOT com.
Pulse Guides is kind enough to offer travel guides for Los Angeles and New Orleans. Both guides are jam-packed with everything listed above, and then some. The L.A. guide features places for celebrity spotting and the New Orleans guide includes a pocket-sized map.
Of course, you want to win them!
THE RULES:
You have 3 different ways to enter (max entries = 3):
1. 1 entry for leaving a comment below, naming your preferred Night + Day Cool Cities travel guide.
2. 1 entry for sending a tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to reference my Twitter account - @avapierce - in your announcement so that you receive an entry.
3. 1 entry for leaving a relevant comment on any of my other blog posts. (Spam and single-word comments don't count. As usual, comments posted before today don't count.)
The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends on Friday, October 30, 2009.
One winner will be selected using Random.org and will be announced on my blog and via Twitter on Monday, November 2.
The winner must contact me by e-mail (ava AT avapierce DOT com) within three days of the announcement to claim their prize. If the winner does not claim their prize within that time period, another name will immediately be drawn for the prize.
E-mail me with any questions: ava AT avapierce DOT com.
Giveaway winner for the TravelSmith Doorstop Alarm
Random.org selected #60 out of a total 61 comments and tweets so, Joanne Schultz (@js22222222), your number's up. In other words, you've won the TravelSmith Doorstop Alarm so send me your contact info (to ava AT avapierce DOT com) by Wednesday, October 28, 2009 @ 11:59 p.m. ET.Thanks to everyone for participating in the giveaway and for your cool comments and tweets. Big thanks to TravelSmith for sponsoring the giveaway!
I hope you have a fantastic week,
Friday, October 23, 2009
JSTD: Theater everywhere
Avid theater-goers will have no problem finding out who and what's on-stage in their travel destination cities by checking Theater Mania. Thankfully, you can also buy tickets on the website.Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
Let "jetiquette" reign
Today's Annoyance: That rudeness sometimes seems contagiousMantra of the Day: Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. - Eric Hoffer
Gailen David, aka The Sky Steward, veteran flight attendant, self-proclaimed "Ambassador of Civilized Traveler", and author of "Jetiquette: The Customer Experience and You" is my new hero!
Commercial travel can be bad enough as a passenger; I can only imagine what he has gone through over the past few decades. If you haven't subscribed to his blog, you definitely should. If nothing else, please read, print and share his Jetiquette Seatback Briefing Card. It is an absolute necessity that should be distributed by EVERY airline! I plan to take a couple of copies on my next flights and pass them out, as needed.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
JSTD: Important phone numbers
Before you go, be sure to add/update these numbers in your cell phone/PDA/computer or other mobile device: your health & travel insurance companies, travel agent, airline reservations, hotel, taxi company (in destination city), emergency contacts, your doctor, the local U.S. embassy and/or consulate, local emergency services, and your bank. Finally, remember that most toll-free numbers are only good within the continental U.S. so you'll need the companies' regular phone numbers.
Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
Eating should not be a sport
Today's Annoyance: Isn't it obvious?
Mantra of the Day: The more you eat, the less flavor; the less you eat, the more flavor. - Chinese proverb
Am I the only one who wants to puke at the idea of eating contests? Or, even worse, restaurants that offer mammoth-sized portions of food. Yes, yes, I know. I don't have to watch the contests or order these mega-sized dishes. However, when our world leaders still can't seem to figure out how to feed every one on the planet, we're in a serious global recession, and obesity is rampant, isn't it just plain disgusting that gorging oneself has become sport?
I'm a foodie so I totally enjoy a great meal but why exactly would someone willingly ingest a portion of food that weighs more than most newborn babies? And why are young children suffering from things like heart disease, diabetes and other ailments that tend to affect people much older? For that matter, why do most 5th graders outweigh me and I'm a few decades older?
"El Nino" taco (featured on the blog "This is why you're fat")
I'm too annoyed to eat.
Mantra of the Day: The more you eat, the less flavor; the less you eat, the more flavor. - Chinese proverb
Am I the only one who wants to puke at the idea of eating contests? Or, even worse, restaurants that offer mammoth-sized portions of food. Yes, yes, I know. I don't have to watch the contests or order these mega-sized dishes. However, when our world leaders still can't seem to figure out how to feed every one on the planet, we're in a serious global recession, and obesity is rampant, isn't it just plain disgusting that gorging oneself has become sport?
I'm a foodie so I totally enjoy a great meal but why exactly would someone willingly ingest a portion of food that weighs more than most newborn babies? And why are young children suffering from things like heart disease, diabetes and other ailments that tend to affect people much older? For that matter, why do most 5th graders outweigh me and I'm a few decades older?
"El Nino" taco (featured on the blog "This is why you're fat")I'm too annoyed to eat.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
JSTD: H1N1 prevention
Whether you're traveling or staying home, it's best to find out as much as you can about the H1N1 flu (formerly known as "swine flu"). Check the CDC's dedicated webpage for information about prevention and treatment.
Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
Adventurous accommodations
Today's Annoyance: Cookie-cutter hotel designs
Mantra of the Day: The great advantage of a hotel is that it's a great refuge from home life. - George Bernard Shaw
I'm surprised that I have yet to invest in hotels because I absolutely love them. The more interesting the design, the better. Here are five interesting hotels that I have read about, a few of which I plan to enjoy in the near future and a few which are cool but definitely not high on my list of places to stay.
Hotel de Glace (Canada)
Burj Al Arab (Dubai)
Jumbo Hostel (Sweden)
Poseidon Undersea Resort (Fiji)
Yunak Cave Hotel (Turkey)
Guess which is which!
[IMAGES: Courtesy of offbeattravel, designgonewild, elitechoice, Poseidon Resorts, Yunak Cave Hotel]
Mantra of the Day: The great advantage of a hotel is that it's a great refuge from home life. - George Bernard Shaw
I'm surprised that I have yet to invest in hotels because I absolutely love them. The more interesting the design, the better. Here are five interesting hotels that I have read about, a few of which I plan to enjoy in the near future and a few which are cool but definitely not high on my list of places to stay.
Hotel de Glace (Canada)
Burj Al Arab (Dubai)
Jumbo Hostel (Sweden)
Poseidon Undersea Resort (Fiji)
Yunak Cave Hotel (Turkey)
Guess which is which![IMAGES: Courtesy of offbeattravel, designgonewild, elitechoice, Poseidon Resorts, Yunak Cave Hotel]
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
JSTD: Escape the burn
Ava's Faves: Sheath dresses
Today's Annoyance: My increasingly small closet
Mantra of the Day: What a strange power there is in clothing. - Isaac Bashevis Singer
Is it possible not to feel like a total girlie girl in a sheath dress?
These dresses look good with flats, strappy sandals, pumps, or wedges. It's about as close to fashion perfection as you can get!
Mantra of the Day: What a strange power there is in clothing. - Isaac Bashevis Singer
Is it possible not to feel like a total girlie girl in a sheath dress?
These dresses look good with flats, strappy sandals, pumps, or wedges. It's about as close to fashion perfection as you can get!
Monday, October 19, 2009
JSTD: Easily locate your hotel
To simplify language issues, cab rides and getting help if you get lost, write down your hotel's address and phone number and keep it in your pocket or shoe. When you check in, it's also a good idea to grab one of the hotel's business cards and keep it with you, separate from your purse, wallet and money.
Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
New giveaway: TravelSmith Doorstop Alarm
A few months ago, I advised you to carry a doorstop as an extra travel insurance policy for potential intruders. TravelSmith has been kind enough to sponsor this week's giveaway and the prize is...you guessed it, a doorstop alarm. Not only will it prevent forced entry, it packs a 100-decibel alarm that sounds off if someone tries to force open your hotel room door. That would definitely make me feel safer.Ready to win it? Here's what you do:
THE RULES:
You have 3 different ways to enter (max entries = 3):
1. 1 entry for leaving a comment below naming your favorite TravelSmith travel accessory.
2. 1 entry for sending a tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to reference my Twitter account - @avapierce - in your announcement so that you receive an entry.
3. 1 entry for leaving a relevant comment on any of my other blog posts. (Spam and single-word comments don't count. As usual, comments posted before today don't count.)
The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends on Friday, October 23, 2009.
One winner will be selected using Random.org and will be announced on my blog and via Twitter on Monday, October 26. You must check the site to see if you've won; all the more reason for you to subscribe via e-mail or RSS! ;o) The winner must contact me by e-mail (ava AT avapierce DOT com) within three days of the announcement to claim their prize. If the winner does not claim their prize within that time period, another name will immediately be drawn for the prize.
E-mail me with any questions: ava AT avapierce DOT com.
Friday, October 16, 2009
JSTD: Find more reasons to go
As if you need more reasons to travel! Just in case you do, or if you want to find more cool stuff to do in your destination city, use Eventful.com.Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:
New giveaway winner for Stephanie Johnson Glitter Bag
Can you believe that Vanessa didn't claim the Stephanie Johnson Glitter Bag? Well, according to Random.org, her loss is #23's gain; so Beth (pbclark@), if you want the prize, you need to send me your contact info (ava AT avapierce DOT com) by Monday, October 19 @ 11:59 p.m. ET.
Stay tuned for another fab giveaway next week!
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