Travel essentials

Roll out in style
Vera Bradley has designed a new line of luggage that will get your vacation off to a feel-good start. The Ricardo Vera Bradley licensed luggage comes in three signature colors that match the charming line of travel accessories. The 21" WheelAboard is carry-on size and comes with many amenities including a top front pocket to organize cell phone, passport, airline tickets, etc. The luggage is also available in three other sizes at Ricardo retailers or large luggage retailers that carry the Ricardo Beverly Hills line.

Stay organized
You'll actually feel like packing when you pull out these matching organizers from Vera Bradley. The Curling Iron Cover will keep your clothes from getting scorched if you're in a hurry. The Cosmetic Case has 8 dividers for all your needs, and the Hanging Organizer has four pockets and folds flat. All products available at www.verabradley.com.

Bring it on
If you have to lug your laptop, make sure you do it in style. I love this fun faux-croc bag which has a semi-rigid foam construction for great protection. It also has a convenient removable mesh cable pouch, a removable shoulder strap and fits up to 15.4" notebooks. $49.99 available in a variety of colors at www.mobileedge.com.

Look younger by the time you arrive
You'll look like a jet set pro in these beautiful cashmere soybean sweatpants and sweatshirt. The blend is ultra light and will keep you from getting a chill on the plane plus the soybean content has been proven to boost collagen levels in the skin. For more information go to www.piscottacashmere.com.

Smell younger too!
Stash this tiny vial of Timeless View in your carry-on bag and see what happens. The developers of this pink grapefruit scent claim that the smell affects human perception and will take six years off your age. What do you have to lose except a few years? Timeless View $29.95 at www.scienceofsmell.com.

Arrive bright eyed
Dolores Piscotta's clients claim that using this milk spun sleep mask hydrates their eyes while they travel and keeps them from getting irritated, bloodshot eyes. Try one for yourself. Available at www.piscottacashmere.com.

Passport to beauty
This travel kit of preservative-free all-natural skin products for normal to oily complexions comes with a purifying cleansing gel, facial toner, oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15, and a night moisturizer. Conveniently packed in a small hard plastic case that will prevent in-flight spills, it has a small handle that makes it easy to pull out and take to the powder room. Boscia Passport to Beauty $42 at www.sephora.com.

Bring Old School sound
This tiny mp3 player the size of a zippo lighter will keep you busy listening to tunes while you travel. Commodore, the wildly popular brand synonymous with affordable home computing in the late 70s has returned to the 21st century with the Mpet II Data and Music Player. It has a built-in FM radio, voice recorder, external data storage and can play all the songs your heart desires. $139 at www.commodoreshop.com.

Keep your music handy
This beautiful leather case by Acme Made will keep your ipod protected and easy to find. Acme Made has one of the best selections of stylish high tech gear that I've come across. Their iPod Wallet or the iPod Traveller come in a variety of colors custom dyed to go with your iPod of choice. To find the travel accessory of your dreams, go to www.acmemade.com.

Keep it going
There's nothing more frustrating than to see flashing low battery alerts on your electronic devices, especially when you are out of juice but don't have anywhere to plug-in and recharge. The Cellboost instantly restore power to dead or dying cell phones within seconds, without using electrical outlets, battery changes or cords and can be thrown away when the power is exhausted. The product line also including Cellboost for smart phones, camcorders, Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP and DS systems, the new Sony PSP and Apple iPods. It will keep your devices powered for one-to-ten hours for the longest of flights. Available nationwide.

No need to cry about spills
Stash this handy little stain remover in your carry-on bag. It's the size of a magic marker and can eliminate any food or drink stains you might incur on a bumpy flight. Tide To Go is available in most grocery stores nationally.

Speak the language?
Can't speak a word of Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or Turkish? Not to worry. The TG-470 Euro Interpreter translates over 400,000 words and phrases in 12 languages and it's phonetic spell correction allows you to enter words by how they sound. Complete with a world clock, a currency/Metric converter, EURO converter, and databank that stores and retrieves names and numbers, the Euro Interpreter is the ultimate communication device. If Japan is your destination, try the palm size Seiko Kenkyusha English-Japanese Learner's Pocket Dictionary. For more information go to www.franklin.com.

Instant Natural Relief For The Weary Traveler Spray "Jet Set Girl" in your room to replace the "hotel smell" once you arrive. A blend of bergamot and lavender, this wonderful aromatherapy spray helps relieve fatigue, stress, anxiety, helps prevent colds, travel sickness, and insomnia and has great antiseptic properties. $16 at www.funlittlethings.com.

Get in the mood
The JBL "On Tour" portable music box is a compact, lightweight sound system that connects to your MP3 player, iPod, desktop computer, laptop, CD player and will provide you hours of great sound. Best of all, you can fill your room with lovely music as you enjoy the first moments of your vacation. www.jbl.com.

No more bad hair days
Still blaming bad hair days on your shampoo, your hormones, and the weather? "The real culprit is the water!" says New York hair colorist Robert Craig. Water varies widely when you travel. Whether you're traveling for vacation, business, or a big event, don't let a bad hair day add extra stress to your life. Robert Craig's "No More Bad Hair Days Kit" comes with 12 test strips, three shampoos for different water, and a spray-on, leave-in conditioner. Available at www.robertcraig.com.

Travel A Go Go
This breezy, take-anywhere travel leaves skin smooth and firm, gorgeous and glowing. Three simple steps cleanse, tone and moisturize every day plus a mask as a weekly treat for your face. A perfect fit for your suitcase or carry-on bag. Aubrey's Travel A Go Go $14.50 at www.aubrey-organics.com.

Bring your own pillowcase
These lovely silk charmeuse silk ones are gentle on the hair and skin and will remind you of home. $35.99/set at www.feelingpampered.com.

Carry your life in style
If you're planning on bringing back lots of souvenirs, shopping in open air markets, or just hanging out at the beach, the absolute gold standard of totes is Ann Veronica's hand screened version which comes with a handy clip for keys. Julia Roberts, Caroline Rhea, and Katie Couric carry her bags which come in 9 colors and 12 styles. Higgins Beach Bag in Lime Fiddlehead & Cyclamen, $94 at www.annveronica.com.

Jump start a summer romance
Scent of A Woman by Prai is based on the historical meeting of Anthony and Cleopatra. When the two famous lovers met, the ground was sprinkled with Sambac petals, as the scent was known to foster an air of romance. A beautiful mixture of Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Vertiver, Patchouli, Sambac Petals, and Sensuous Musks, you will feel exotic and romantic even before you leave home. $50 at www.praibeauty.com.