Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 99

Review: The Kameleon Ultimate Travel Dress

Don't you wish you had a piece of clothing that could morph into other things? Like one top that was actually 10 or more? Think of how much room you'll save in your luggage! I'm all about traveling light and an item like that would go above and beyond in helping me save space in my bag and maybe even let me take a smaller one.
Well Kameleon Rose has come up with your new favorite thing. It's the Ultimate Travel Dress. It's a great strapless dress, but you can flip it around and make it a bunch...

Easy Ways to Save For Travel

What's your number one problem with traveling more? Well, I'm going to guess that it's money, otherwise you probably wouldn't be here. I'm just like you guys. I have to pay for my own travel. We don't have unlimited funds. I rarely get "paid" to travel, though I know people think that, because I get asked about it a lot. I wish I got paid to travel, but then again, you probably wouldn't trust anything I said if I did, right? I know I wouldn't. So, how can you save for travel when it...

Review: The GSI Outdoors' Commuter Javapress

I’m a coffee snob. I fully admit it. You know this by now if you’ve seen my coffee series here on the blog. I love my coffee. I have three different coffee machines at my house. It’s true. Depending on how much work I’m willing to do to get a good cup of java, that’s the machine I’ll use. I’ve stayed in a bunch of places on my travels with horrible coffeemakers. It makes me sad.

If you’re a coffee lover like I am, a morning can be ruined by a terrible cup of coffee, or worse, no coffee at all...

Summer Packing Tips

Do you ever see those travelers who have one bag – that’s not even bulging! – that look super put-together and get right off the plane and into a cab and you wish you could be more like them? So often I’m walking through a hotel lobby or past the check-in desks at the airport and watch families that seem to bring everything they own on vacation with them, and I wonder how much they paid in baggage fees and chiropractor visits. It was not all that long ago that I thought I couldn’t live withou...

Review: Stash Collapsible Bottle from HydraPak

I know I’m not the only one who travels with a water bottle. We’ve been through a lot of trips in the past where we went and purchased a case of water at the start of our vacation so we would have water on hand the whole time we were there. Not only does this get old, but a bottle of water can be unwieldy and inconvenient, not to mention terrible for the environment. I can’t tell you the amount of places we’ve been that don’t have recycling bins available.

We’ve taken to bringing a reusable b...

Review: FaceCradle Travel Pillow

Okay, I know there are tons of travel pillows on the market. You know that I don't just bring you any old thing, because I need to believe in it. When I first saw the FaceCradle before the Travel Goods Show I was intrigued, because while I don't have issues sleeping just about anywhere, I'd love to sleep on the plane without getting an ache in my neck, shoulders or back. I can sleep on Eric's shoulder, but that's not comfortable for him, plus I can't just sleep on a stranger when traveli...

Review: Lewis N Clark Secura Satchel

Depending on where I go, I feel like different purses can make the experience better or worse. I often carry a smaller bag with me when I travel, but winter trips call for a handbag that can carry a bit more (in my opinion). If I'm looking for a larger bag, it needs to do a lot. On my last trip to Vegas, I took Lewis N. Clark's Secura Satchel as my personal size item on the plane, because it had room for everything I needed and kept it all organized and secure.

The Secura Satchel can be worn a...

Review: Compression Leg Sleeves from Zensah

You guys! I found one of my new favorite things. Compression leg sleeves give me the extra circulation I need, while allowing me to wear sandals and other slip on shoes that look weird if you wear full socks. Zensah has a full line of different compression sleeves for runners and other athletes.


Anyone who knows me knows I'm like the opposite of an athlete. I enjoy sitting in a movie theater, eating food at restaurants and checking out museums. The most exercise I get is walking around downtow...

My Coffee Tour of Portland - Part 2

My quest continues for some of the best cups of coffee in Portland. Luckily, there isn't a shorted of coffee shops in the city, but it does seem to be a trick to find great ones. I am relying on suggestions from friends, family, Portland Monthly and reviews I see on Google. So far so good.  

If nothing else, I'm having a fun time "working". How can you possibly be sad when part of your job is drinking coffee and eating pastries? Last month I brought you four fabulous coffee shops and...

Mother's Day Travel Gift List 2017

Mother's Day is coming up pretty fast here. Does your mom (or the mother in your life) like to travel? If so, I've got some great ideas for you for the perfect gift. No matter your budget, or the type of traveler your mom is, there's something for her and you. 

Budget ($50 or less)I love a good gift, but I don't always want to spend a ton on one, nor do I always have the funds to buy something expensive. I know you don't either, so here are cool things you can buy for 50 bucks or les...