LaLicious Seasonal Travel Sets: Summer Series

Last month, LaLicious sent me one of their Seasonal Travel Sets to review - and they were absolutely perfect for my recent summer sojourns to Miami and Maine.

Each Seasonal Travel Set includes four 2 oz mini LaLicious products (Whipped Soap, Sugar Soufflé Scrub, Body Butter, Body Oil) in a travel friendly bag. And with TSA-approved sizes, you'll fly through the airport security line. Available in 8 irresistible scents (I have/love Tahitian Flower - a soft, tropical gardenia), the sets are available until September 15.

Miami, Mary Kay and Mercedes-Benz - Oh My!

A few weekends ago, I attended Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami, as a correspondent for Mary Kay - and they put me up in a gorgeous room at Fashion Week headquarters, The Raleigh Hotel.

I had the most fabulous time in South Beach, getting acquainted with the Coyne PR beauty girls and the other blogger correspondents, Annie Tomlin from BellaSugar.com and Lizzie Dunlap from RealBeauty.com.

In between makeovers, delish dinners and runway shows, I was also able to schedule some mojito-sipping downtime with one of my BFFs, Aimee.

If you're ever in Miami, I highly recommend the Raleigh Hotel. The rooms, service and ambiance were incredible - and the picturesque pool was just the cherry on top.

I had the time of my life...and I owe it all to you, Mary Kay!

The Raleigh Hotel beach

Me and my homegirl, Aimee

I've been craving Mojitos all summer, so I stocked up in Miami!

Modeling the Carmen Marc Valvo retro swimsuit I bought at Rue La La and the Dolce Vita wedges I bought at Ideeli.

The Cojito (coconut rum mojito) at Ola Miami is the yummiest cocktail I've ever tasted!

This cotton candy dessert at Barton G was, seriously, almost 3 feet tall.

The famous Raleigh Hotel pool

Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer

To get my relaxed hair poker straight after shampooing, I rely on a comb/pik attachment when blow drying. I own a “universal” pik attachment that fits perfectly on my beloved Conair Infiniti Pro, which is fine 99% of the time. But a full-sized dryer is a bit bulky to travel with, especially when you’re a chronic overpacker like myself.

Problem is that most travel hair dryers have a wide barrel that isn’t compatible with pik attachments. For what seems like forever, I’ve searched for a travel dryer that comes with a pik attachment – to no avail. After endlessly searching in stores and trolling the Internet, it got to a point that looking for travel dryer with a comb attachment became – to steal a phrase from Cher Horowitz – "as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie."

But a few weeks ago, my pik attachment prayers were answered. While browsing around Folica.com, I came across the Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer. Folica.com sent me a sample to review and take on my trip to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami this past weekend (more on that later) – and after using it, I can tell you that it is exactly what I’ve been searching for all of this time. In fact, this travel dryer is so fabulous that you could use it as your regular dryer.

Unlike many travel dryers which are just glorified fans blowing hot air on your hair, the Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer has all the power of a full-size dryer but in a lightweight, foldable model complete with concentrator and comb attachments! Two speed and heat settings along with tourmaline conditioning and worldwide dual voltage ensure that you have perfectly styled hair no matter where you travel. And how cute is the giraffe motif on the sides of the dryer?

Whether or not you use a pik attachment, the Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer is an excellent buy. And did I mention that Folica.com has it marked down from $50 to just $29.99? Bottom line: this travel dryer blows the competition away.

Schick Intuition Limited Edition Handles

In a few weeks, I'll be heading to Miami to report from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. And being the Type A personality that I am, I've already started writing a packing list. In fact, I've already started sequestering products in preparation for my travels.

One thing I've already set aside is my beloved Schick Intuition Razor. It's perfect for traveling thanks to its "Skin Moisturizing Solid," which lathers and hydrates while you shave. Since you don't need to take along a separate can of shave gel, this baby takes up minimal real estate in your toiletries bag. And here's the best part: it delivers the closest shave I've ever experienced with a razor - stubbly stems, begone!

Knowing how much I love the Intuition, Schick recently sent me a sample of the razor's latest incarnation. For a limited time, the Intuition is available in three fun designs: Naturals For Sensitive Skin With Aloe and Vitamin E (green); Moisturizing Care Pack Duo (polka-dot pink); and Pomegranate Extract (pink swirl) - which is coming with me to Florida.

The great thing about these handles is their long shelf life. After the Skin Moisturizing Solid has worn away, you keep the handle and just pop on a new blade. I love me some Intuition (if they ever discontinue this razor, I think I might cry). As with most razors, replacement blades can get kinda pricey - so my tip is to stock up when you have a coupon or when they're on sale. Personally, I buy in bulk at Sam's Club.

Schick Intuition Limited Edition designs are available at drugstores and mass market retailers, now through September.

Going Somewhere?

Check out FLIGHT001.COM and receive 20% off your travel purchases. The ideal stop for chic travelers, this retailer satisfies all your jet-setting needs.

Spoiled Pretty Pick: Gloss Travel Faves Kit by Frederic Fekkai includes technician shampoo, conditioner, glossing cream, hairspray, and a comb. All products are under 3oz each, complying with TSA standards. (Price: $32, with discount)

Use promo code INSTYLE08 from January 11th until February 29th.

You Are Now Cleared For Boarding

I’ve always secretly envied those chic women who don’t check bags. While I’m trudging through the airport, dragging luggage that’s bursting at the seams, these low-maintenance ladies breezily float past me, clutching the cutest carryons.

I always find myself marveling at how they manage to fit all of their beauty essentials in such a small bag. And with the current TSA regulations, where are they finding all of their personal care products in three-ounce-or-less sizes?

Well, I think I’ve found the answer to this conundrum – and hit the motherload at the same time. Grab a pen, ladies, and take copious notes. Minimus.biz is the secret to packing light. They offer several hundred travel-size items in stock. Their inventory list continues to grow, with the help of customers' input - and their products are out of this world (some have even gone up to the International Space Station)!

Spoiled Pretty Tip: Minimus has a blog where they post about their products, coupon codes, and stories/photos submitted from customers.

Let It Snow

Spongeables Snowflake is a new foam-release system with aromatherapy that has a week’s (or more) worth of luxurious, skin-pampering cleansing and moisturizing, from neck to toe. The sponge is already infused with shower gel, shea butter, olive oil, and antioxidant Vitamins A & E. With a just-right massaging/exfoliating texture and blizzard of rich, thick suds, the Spongeables Snowflake is the perfect portable shower companion.

For frequent fliers, tuck one into a carry-on or in your checked luggage with no fear of leaks, spills, or the TSA making you put it in a Ziplock bag.

Available in cucumber melon, spicy mango, marine sunrise, sweet jasmine, and tangy grapefruit. Catch a snowflake today at Drugstore.com.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Tomorrow, I’m off to visit my in-laws in my husband’s hometown of Spokane, Washington. As I type this, my luggage is bursting at the seams (I am a repeat offender of over-packing). But while I may not always pack light, I always pack smart.

In the Summer of 2003, while preparing for a backpacking trip across Europe, I discovered a product that has served me well in my travels ever since.

The Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit is an assortment of 8 bottles that is perfect for packing and organizing shampoo, lotions, vitamins and other travel essentials. With the Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit, you don’t have to waste money on trial sizes of toiletries. And you don’t have to worry about the inevitable leaks and spills that often accompany packing full-sized containers of beauty basics – because Nalgene bottles are guaranteed leakproof and break-resistant.

The bottles’ color-coded caps allow for easy identification, and all contents of the kit are dishwasher safe…so you can use them again and again. In 4 years, the Nalgene bottles have never failed me.

So where is my trusty travel bottle kit now? It’s in the bag.