Editor's Edition: What's in My Work Commute Handbag?

Essentials I pack for my day commute into NYC.

NYC, NY Ever wonder what us editors pack when we have to cover an event in the city? Well, we've got to be very strategic about space but there are a few things that fill many uses that I take along every time. I will usually take a larger carry all to hold everything and my camera bag is separate but everything fits right in.

My Carry All: Give Love Cycle's Guilden Bag
This carry all is the perfect size to hold everything I need for my commute and a comfortable day away from home. What's really cool is it is made to fit the CityBike's front basket so once I get off the train, I can hop on a CB at one of Kiosks on 7th Ave. Even if I'm not planning to ride the NYC Bike Path, I like having the option to do so and this Guilden Carry All is perfect no matter what. 

The Guilden Carry All by Give Love Cycle

Pack Your Bag!
I'm notorious for taking WAY too much stuff but I've learned over time to pack "modules" of items. I've learned this from backpacking and camping but it works for commuting too. Items that do similar things can be packed in smaller inner bags so it's easier to access on the road. A few examples would be my Minimergency Pouch by Pinch Provisions which has lip balm, breath freshener, clear nail polish, an emery board, tampon, pain reliever, bandage, a sewing kit, etc. all packed in a tiny pouch. Genius!

Minimergency Kit by Pinch Provisions

My Commuter Bag Contents:
Left to Right-
Minimergency Kit, L'Occitane Almond Hand Cream, Physician's Formula Lighted/Mirrored pH Powered Lip Gloss, All Good Coconut Sunstick SPF 30, GM Collin Eye Contour Corrector, Round Makeup Mirror in Green Leather Case, Neocell Beauty Bursts, Visine Eye Drops, Energems, Benefit Watt's Up? Highlighter, Probar Fuel Energy Bar and Whish Deodorant Swipes.

Tea to Go: Eco Vessel's tricked out thermal bottle is amazing.

Eco Vessel for Hot or Cold Drinks
I also keep a container of hot tea or ice cold water with me on my trip. I'm loving the Eco Vessel Boulder right now due to it's sleek design, cool spring colors and leak-proof triple walled technology. Packing this way leaves room for my bicycle helmet and the Eco Vessel. Just the right size and easy to hold, this water bottle goes with me each time I leave the house. This and my Probar means I'll always have food and water available.  See more bottle styles and types at EcoVessel.com:

Featuring our TriMax® triple insulation technology, the BOULDER has been tested to keep water cold for up to 36 hours and hot up to 8 hours. Perfect for water, tea, coffee, soup or just about any drink. Its tight screw on top will keep your drink securely inside, where it belongs. It has a wide mouth to easily accommodate ice cubes and a comfortable, convenient drinking spout. We've also included a removable tea strainer/ice dam. The Boulder is a sturdy, high quality, stylish vacuum insulated steel water bottle for the office, tennis courts, golf course, on the trails... anyplace, anytime. 

• Cold and hot drinks
• Premium #304 stainless steel
• Free of BPA, phthalates, liners
• TriMax® triple insulation for superb performance
• Removable tea strainer/ice dam
• Sturdy carrying handle
• Recyclable
• 17 oz (500 ml)
• 10.75" high; 3.00 diameter; 1 lb

  
Carry All and Water Bottle c/o Give Love Cycle and Eco Vessel respectively.

Gifts We Really Want - L'Occitane en Provence Hand Creams

L'Occitane en Provence - Memoirs of a Hand Cream Holiday Gift Set is the complete holiday package!

Provence, in the South of France: It always seems to be a challenge to choose just the right holiday gifts each year for our friends and family. Then there's all the boxing, wrapping and everything else. Well, not this year! On my last visit to QVC Studios, I heard about QVC Gifts. These are a special collection of holiday gifts that come in beautiful packaging, pretty much ready to set right under the tree.  These are top luxury labels from designers like Issac Mizrahi, Laura Geller, Josie Maran, WEN and Philosophy.

On L'Occitane de Provence's Set at QVC TV Studios.

L'Occitane en Provence
So I was very excited to see L'Occitane included among the QVC Gifts collection as this is a line I've been using for quite some time. In fact I keep a tube of their 20% Shea Butter and Lavender Hand Cremes in my makeup bags. L'Occitane's creams are made in France with real botanicals so you get all the healing benefits inherent to the plant. 

I keep a tin of L'Occitane's 100% Shea Butter in my first-aid kit.

  
L'Occitane's Lavender Hand Creme is so soothing and calming on long flights or car trips. My book, The New Woman's Herbal and Nutritional Guide extols the healing wonders of Lavender for burns, scrapes and irritations. It's like having a first-aid cream that also smells amazing. Just like the finest aromatherapy oils, the essential oils used in L'Occitane's hand creams are harvested from all over the world: Grasse, Turkey, Bulgaria and Morocco to name a few.

I always keep a tube of L'Occitane Lavender or Shea Butter hand cream in my travel bag.

Memoirs of a Hand Creme Set
Now that you know how GOOD L'Occitane Hand Cremes are, let me tell you about the beautiful set of 8 being offered in their Memoirs of a Hand Creme from QVC. Beautifully gift-boxed, it opens like a bed-time story book tied with a satin ribbon. Only it's a TRUE story! It tells the tale of their unrivaled 20% Shea Butter hand creme and all the others made from the most fragrant plants and flowers.

L'Occitane's Story of a Hand Creme opens to hold 8 of their full sized 30 ml hand cremes.

These are the same full 1 oz tubes sold at their NYC flagship store. I shop there so I know. This is a great value as each tube of hand creme retails in the store for about $12.  However, some of the cremes in this collection I've not seen in the store such as the: Pivoine Flora Hand Cream, Fleur Cherrie and the Rose 4 Reines Hand Cremes. You can gift the entire set or break it up into individual elegant stocking stuffers. There's plenty to go around, even if you like to save a tube or two for yourself!

The End!

L'Occitane Memoirs of a Hand Creme c/o QVC

TV Time! The Perfect White Shirt by The Field Outfitting

The Field Outfitting's Perfect White Shirt arrival at QVC TV Studios.

What is the Perfect White Shirt and Why You Need One:
I have a very hectic schedule and I'm sure you do too. No matter what your schedule or lifestyle just like that LBD you NEED a Perfect White Shirt. Why? Well, because from business meetings to an evening out, white is always right. Not only does it brighten your face, (I also do television shows and white is recommended for that too), but it looks crisp and fresh for nearly any occasion. Dress it up or down with jewelry and it transitions from day to night seamlessly.

The Field Outfitting's Perfect White Shirt comes elegantly presented.

The Perfect White Shirt Travels Well
One of the things I look for in a garment is design but also comfort. The Field Outfitting's Perfect White Shirt has just a touch of Lycra for a bit of stretch. This makes this shirt wrinkle resistant too so it travels well. A tailored fit, you won't look as if you are wearing a boxy man's shirt.

The Perfect White Shirt is travel-ready: Limo ride to the studio.

Style Points
I always appreciate a garment that gives you a little something extra.  The Perfect White Shirt has lovely accents easily seen in the elongated cuffs and genuine pearl buttons.

Arriving on the set! Here I am with Mary, co-producer and host of QVC TV.

Fresh and Polished
So this is why you need the Perfect White Shirt. I've dressed mine up for the evening with a beautiful Golden Jasper and silver necklace my husband gave me last Christmas. Even after a two hour car ride, my shirt looks fresh and polished doesn't it? That's the sign of a quality garment!

Television Ready: On QVC's set with one of my favorite cosmetic lines, L'Occitane. I'll be featuring QVC Easy Gift - Memoirs of a Hand Cream Set in my Lucky Gift Guide!

 
White Shirt c/o The Field Outfitting

On the Go? Summer Travel Essentials

A trip to the beach or even abroad. Here are some carry on essentials for easy summer travel. Pewter Sand Dollar Woven Handbag by NewportStyle.net, the Newport Mansions Stores.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month - A DAY AT THE BEACH: I really enjoy packing up and taking off for a impromptu trip to the beach, park or anywhere fun during the hot summer. Since July is National Parks and Recreation Month, visiting local spots first is always a good idea. One thing I've learned is to keep a bag packed with a few essentials for each destination.  My beach tote contains Mission Sun Defeated Continuous Spray Sunblock SPF 50 & their Moisturizing Lip Treatment, (SPF 20) as well as Jergens Natural Glow-Protect for a little color + sun block. My sunhat is made of woven raffia and is by Helen Kaminski . It is a tough hat, made in Australia and does an amazing job of blocking the sun.

Transitional Outfit: Horny Toad Dizzie Dress & Earthies Shoes. Knit topper by Cotton On goes from the AC'd office to an early evening picnic date in the park.

Taking a Trip?
If you are doing more than just a day trip, consider keeping a Carry-On bag of your favorite comfort items. These will vary depending on if you are traveling by car, train or plane but they all should be kept close at hand. Here's a few things that I take along that take up less space and do double duty.

All of these items fit easily inside my GLC Guilden Carry All with room for clothes & a pair of shoes.

Packing for a trip should include essentials like these, especially if you are going on a long distance tour. I keep a little bottle of Visine-A for allergy flare ups that can occur when you change climates. Also to stay extra fresh when you might not be able to get to your hotel, take along some baby wipes or Fresh Bath moist towelettes. You can refresh your whole body in the rest room. Speaking of keeping fresh, Secret Clinical Strength is amazing. It will keep you dry and fresh smelling for more than 24 hours even in hot, sticky climates. A clear zippered pouch like this allows you to quickly find what you need while protecting your luggage from product spills.

Embryolisse Hydra Masque and Eye & Lip Contour Cream do double duty.

On the Plane
If you fly, you'll know how important it is to pack your handbag with everything you'll need so as not to have to access your on board luggage in the bin above your head. Here's a situation where you might want to go bigger with your handbag as it can also carry extra clothing and other needed items.

I've found this system to work very well and having essentials like hand cream can work wonders in combating dry cabin air.  

In the Hotel
Likewise Embryolisse Hydro-Masque is a wonderful treat for dried out skin. Pop it on in your hotel room for 15 minutes and you'll be ready for dinner looking plumped and refreshed. I also like their Eye & Lip Contour Cream as it comes in a pump bottle and is both an eye and lip cream. Double duty out of one pump saves space and time switching between products!

Smart Travel First Aid kit has medicines and supplies especially helpful for traveling.

First Aid for Travelers
I keep a Smart Travel from Adventure Medical Kits with me as it is small enough to fit my carry all yet holds A LOT of supplies. Everything from aspirin and anti-nausea medicine to bandages, ointments and other first aid products. I keep a little tube of Topricin Pain Cream in my kit because it can be used for a lot of things like insect bites, bruises and aches. The kit itself is complete though and sectioned into areas depending on the emergency. It also has a little graphic card with pictures to convey your needs in a different language if you are traveling abroad. Everything is well thought out and can help put your traveling mind at ease!


Smart Travel c/o Adventure Medical Kits