Marimekko Unikko Mini Flat Manual UmbrellaI kept buying these $5 umbrellas from vendors on the street, and they kept falling apart after one or two storms. I recently ponied up for one of these Marimekko mini umbrellas, which I really like. It has a fun poppy pattern, and it folds up super tiny--about six inches long. It's so small that I can keep it in my bag all the time. Plus, it comes with a really nice carrying sleeve.
On sale for $24.00, eBags
Dead Tired Sleep MaskThis satin eye mask is cute and funny with its dead cartoon character eyes. I'm hoping that the fact that it looks a little bit creepy will prevent people from bugging you during your nap (for instance, say, the passenger next you in the airplane who seems to wait until you finally drift off to decide he needs to go to the bathroom).
$12.00, Gama-Go
Tara HatI saw this on InStyle.com the other day. It's the cutest way to protect your 'do from the elements that I've ever seen. It's made of white weather-resistant cotton, with either green or black patent leather trim. Granted, it costs a lot more than a kitschy plastic kerchief, but it's got some serious glam.
$128.00, Coach
Murval Summer Travel ToteThis bag from Murval (the big one shown in the photo) is so chic. I love the brown and turquoise baroque pattern. At 19 inches wide and 11 inches tall, this bag makes a great weekender bag or a carry-on. And it's canvas, so you could even toss a couple of towels in it and take it to the beach.
$38.00, Give Simple
Silicone Travel BottlesThese look more like light bulbs than travel bottles, but they work really well. They're 2 ounces each, small enough to toss in your clear Ziplock bag and throw in your carry-on. And because the bulbs are made of flexible silicone, it's easy to squeeze out the contents. So you won't fling conditioner all over the tub trying to shake it out of the bottle.
$22.00, Flight 001
Minor Emergency KitsI want both of these for my desk drawer. What I like most about this little sewing kit and first aid kit is that they kind of look alike (so don't get confused and sew a button on your boo-boo). They both have little scissors, but the first aid kit has bandages and swabs while the sewing kit has thread and needles.
$5.95 each, See Jane Work
Yeti Icon Luggage TagMaybe this would scare the baggage handlers too much, but I really like this angry yeti luggage tag. I imagine someone taking my bag off the carousel by mistake and then being visibly startled by the sight of this little character. In my imagination, the yeti somehow also violently claws the offender.
$11.95, Gama-Go
Clear Bubble UmbrellaNew York is a rough town for umbrellas. After every storm the street corners and garbage bins are littered with mangled umbrellas that didn't make it. But I think this big retro umbrella has a shot of making it. Plus, because it's clear, you won't accidentally run into anyone as you walk against the crazy winds.
$18.00, Urban Outfitters
Envirosax Reusable Grocery BagsOne thing I find impractical about environmentally-friendly shopping bags is that there aren't enough of them. One of them stuffed into my day bag isn't enough to accomodate a spontaneous shopping spree or even a trip to the grocery store on an empty stomach. This set gives you five big totes, which are a little more than 19 by 16 inches, that fold into a small 9 by 6 inch carrying pouch. Each bag is decorated in a stylish black and white pattern.
$35.00, Wishingfish.com
Urban Decay Urban Survival SetAbout the size of a small notepad, this tiny kit has nearly everything you need to glam up on the go, including four awesome sparkly eye shadows, lip gloss, lip stain, a mini tube of mascara, and a small eyeliner. It's easy to pop into your luggage for trips or keep in your handbag for when you need to quickly transform from work schlub into hot date.
$42.00, Sephora
Heys XcaseThis 20-inch carryon is sooo light. It weighs just 5.4 pounds. (Many bags its size weigh twice that much.) It also has a really comfortable handle for wheeling it through the airport. It's not a bag I'd recommend checking though. It's polycarbonate shell looks sturdy, but feels pretty flimsy.
$74.99, eBags.com
Black & Ivory Nylon Foldable City BagHow many times have you flown to a cool new city and bought so much stuff that you couldn't fit it all into your suitcase? This nylon bag made by Murval in Paris is great for that. It's a little 8-inch by 4-inch bundle that folds out into a sizable (and chic) 15-inch tote to hold all of your purchases.
$12.00, Give Simple
Method Reusable Market ToteHere's another cool reusable shopping bag. I like the '60s flower-child font and the Amy Winehouse-esque rehab theme. You get it free with purchase, but only until December 31. If you're looking for ideas, check out the Peppermint Vanilla Home for the Holidays Kit.
Free with a $20.00 purchase, Method
Kawaii Cute Grocery TotesWho's a cute doggie? Good boy! Help rid the landfills of plastic bags by taking this cool reusable doggy tote bag (or four of them if you shop like I do) with you when you go to the store. Unlike a plastic bag, it has handy pouches for your money and your cell phone.
$30.00, Fred Flare
Ear Muff HeadphonesIf you get the shakes when you go five minutes without listening to your iPod, check these out. These ear muffs with built-in headphones keep your ears warm while you rock out.
$30.00, Urban Outfitters
