Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for your favorite traveling diva? No worries, The Black Dress Traveler has assembled a great guide of stocking stuffers and statement makers to assist you! Bags, jewelry, gadgets, books, clothing, toiletries and more are all featured in my comprehensive round-up of gifts that are just right for the holiday and everyday. Best of all, most items are under $100 and as low as $7.95. With prices like that, why not spoil yourself too? Happy Holidays!
Gadgets and Gear
RCA Small Wonder EZ209HD Available for $88.35 on Amazon.
Santa baby, please put a snazzy RCA Small Wonder under the tree for me! Add this to your gift list so your favorite traveler won’t have to lug around bulky video equipment to capture precious vacation memories. At about half an inch thick, the RCA Small wonder fits perfectly in a purse but is still big on features, including a two-inch, full color LCD display and direct YouTube uploading. Don’t let the point and shoot simplicity fool you – the RCA Small Wonder records in various modes, including HD. X Shot 2.0
$29.95
Ditch the bulky tripod! The X Shot 2.0 telescopic camera extender collapses to 9 inches and extends to more than 3 feet. Say bye bye to awkward photos from doing the single arm stretch because the X Shot 2.0 attaches to any compact digital camera or hand-held video camera so that the photographer can be in the picture too. The X Shot is a great gift for the solo traveler – no more handing your camera to strangers and asking them to take a picture. Wordlock Luggage Lock
$9.99
These Travel Sentry® Approved locks keep bags secure and eliminate the need to carry a key or memorize a numerical combination. Just pick a four-letter word that’s easy to remember (might I suggest DIVA?), lock your bag, and go!
Train Reaction Device
Two for $19.95
This easy-to-use gadget quickly connects two pieces of wheeled luggage, making it much easier to maneuver bulky bags.
Fab Bags & Cool Cases Port.a.Bra
$54.95
No more crushed bras! Keep your pricey brassieres in mint condition by packing them in the Portabra. Made of fine Thai silk and lined in satin, each case holds up to 6 bras in sizes A-C cups and some D’s. The Portabra folds flat and has two interior pockets for lingerie and hosiery. The Rack Trap
$7.95 - $19.95
The Rack Trap is a one-size-fits-all bra pocket that holds all your essentials safely and conveniently in your bra. The RackTrap makes it easy to keep your license, credit card, boarding pass and cash safe when you are going through airport security or anytime you want to keep these items really close to you. Celebrity fans include Dolly Parton. Need I say more?
TraveLite Tote
$70
Weighing in at only 8 oz. and made of 100% recycled material, the TraveLite Tote is super sturdy and spacious. Fitting virtually everything, including a laptop computer, the TraveLite tote keeps you organized with plenty of pockets and zippers. Locher’s Paris Small Purse
$54
These dainty little purses made from old French fabric look perfectly lady like. Look again. These sweet bags by Lohrer’s Paris can be customized with your choice of nine naughty sayings such as, “Only to be used on shoes, clothes and alcohol”, and “So many boys, so little time.” Locher’s also makes delightful lipstick and Iphone cases. GIVE Train Case
$65 (originally $130)
Made of stain resistant microfiber, this elegant train case by GIVE will keep your favorite jetsetter stylishly organized. GIVE has a strong celebrity following, including Jessica Alba and Sheryl Crow. Fashion forward and altruistic, GIVE annually donates 10% of their net profits to charities. This is a gift that keeps giving! Rojeti Travel Laundry Bag
$19.95. For a limited time, get a set of 2 for $18.49. The Rojeti Laundry Bag is a great and eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic laundry bags. Made of water resistant nylon, this reusable bag is easy to use: just fill it with your dirty clothes, zip it up, and pack it in your suitcase.
Glam & Gorgeous ZULUGRASS Necklaces by the Leakey Collection
$12.95 - $39.95
The Leakey Collection, founded in 2002 by Katy and Philip Leakey, is one of my favorite finds for the holiday season and anytime! Philip is the son of legendary paleo-anthropologists Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey and Katy is an artist and a designer.
Based in The Rift Valley, Kenya, East Africa, The Leakey Collection includes jewelry and home accessories made of natural elements such as fallen wood, grass and porcelain. The items are unique, protect the environment and provide economic opportunity to the local communities.
Zulugrass, the flagship item of the collection, is handcrafted by Masaai women of Kenya. Sold in individual or multistrands, Zulugrass is both earthy and modern. These travel friendly pieces can be combined in endless beautiful combinations. Truly a beautiful gift!
Cambodian Silk Scarf from Global Goods Partners
$44
The lucky recipient of this elegant silk scarf will not only appreciate the subtle Khmer Flower pattern but will feel an extra sense of warmth knowing that your purchase of this gift benefits those living with HIV and AIDS in the Stung Treng Women's Development Center in Cambodia. In fact, all Global Goods products are fair trade, eco-conscious, and help to build sustainable communities.
SKINN Face in a Case – The Luxe Collection
$42.50
This ultra portable and elegant collection from SKINN by Dimitri James has everything a traveling lady needs for a complete make-up application. The Face in a Case Luxe Collection includes, blush / translucent powder, concealer, eyeliner, eyeshadows, lip color, and lip gloss. The formulations are all anti-aging and talc-free treatment colors designed to create a beautiful face at any age. Purchased separately these items would cost easily over $200! Neero & Ana Satin Hydration Therapy Pillow Cases
Prices start at $29.99
The Black Dress Traveler almost never lets my face fall asleep on a pillow that is not cloaked in a Neero & Ana case. I use these fantastic cases at home and always pack them when I travel. They really are a beauty treatment because unlike cotton pillowcases that suck the moisture right out of your skin and hair, Neero & Ana cases are made of botanical satin that keep your precious face and tresses hydrated. Crazy Sticks - ShanghaiJava Solid Perfume Gift Set by Crazylibellule & The Poppies
$41.00
Eliminating the need to worry about spillage, breakage, and dreaded confiscation, solid perfume sticks are great for travel. The ShanghaiJava Gift Set from high end Parisian parfumerie Crazylibellule and The Poppies contains 3 solid perfume sticks in the sensual scents of Ananas Impérial, Musc & Patchouli, and Lilas Spiritual. The Jet Setter from Blooming Lotus
$50
This extraordinary hand-dyed silk bag was created exclusively for Blooming Lotus by noted fabric designer Joscelyn Himes. Her designs have been used in the collections of Donna Karan and Vera Wang. Designed using the Shibori dyeing technique, each unique bag is filled with TSA approved travel sizes of aromatherapy mister, body lather, luminous lotion and a full sized lip conditioner. Once you reach your destination, the bag can also be used as an elegant evening purse.
Chic & Comfy Clothes Flingz Thongs
$22.50 for the weekender three pack. Looking for a comfortable pair of travel-friendly dainties that won’t show a pantyline?Just fling a pair of Flingz™ thongs into your bag. Made from 5% elastane and 95% cotton (which is biodegradable), Flingz are packaged in two-by three-inch recyclable bags that tuck discreetly into a clutch, gym bag or carry-on. Flingz make a great stocking stuffer. Available in nude, black or cotton candy pink. NITESWEATZ – Moisture Wicking sleepwear
Pant & tee set is $106
NITESWEATZ sleep apparel is not just for women dealing with biological changes that increase body temperature. Just imagine how great it would be to have on moisture wicking sleepwear if you are spending the night in a room that is hot and sticky. This simple yet stylish pant and tee set can even be worn outside the bedroom and will keep you in chic comfort on a long flight. NITESWEATZ has a great collection of nightgowns, daywear, underwear and more!
Footzyrolls
$25–$30
Rollable and foldable Footzyrolls are a travel must! Stop torturing your feet and ruining your expensive shoes by walking long distances in high heels. The brainchild of sisters Jenifer and Sarah Caplan, Footzyrolls make it easy to always have a comfy pair of shoes with you. Each set of Footzyrolls is comprised of 3 pieces – 1 pair of Footzyrolls, 1 Footzypouch, and 1 Footzybag. Simply pack Footzyrolls (in Footzypouch) in your bag of choice, when your feet start to ache or you need to race to your flight, place your shoes in the Footzybag and put on your comfy and cute Footzyrolls. Footyrolls are available in several colors and are waterproof with a skid proof sole.
MicciMicci Travel Treads
$24.95
Keep a pair of Treads in your purse and slip them on when you want to protect your tootsies on the plane and other dubious surfaces. Treads are foldable, washable, and are made of stretchy, durable spandex with a foam insole and non-slip tread.
Keep Fit City Running Tours
$60 per person for the first six miles and $6 per person for each mile after that. Discounts for groups of four or more.
Keeping up my exercise routine is important to me when I travel but I tend to rush through my workout so I can get out and explore. Thanks to City Running Tours, travelers no longer have to choose between fitness and sightseeing. Buy your favorite fitness minded traveler a City Running Tours gift certificate and they can jog right by the boring treadmill and run outdoors. Available in Austin, Charleston, Chicago, New York and Washington DC., City Running Tours provides travelers with a guide that meets them at the hotel. While running together, the guide gives a tour and shares local history and culture. The guide returns the traveler to the hotel once the run is complete. City Running Tours provides a safe option for women who wish to run in an unfamiliar city. 10% of the total fee is donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Great Reads 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go
by Susan Van Allen
$18.95
A great gift for the armchair traveler or a friend who is Italy bound, Susan Van Allen's book is a girl friendly guide to Italy’s many pleasures. Discover the palace where Audrey Hepburn lived in Roman Holiday, spas for pampering, beaches for relaxing, culinary adventures and more! Paris Movie Walks: Ten Guided Tours Through The City of Lights! Camera! Action!
by Michael Schurmann
$15.95
Francophiles and movie buffs will go gaga for Michael Schurmann's in-depth guide to Paris’s cinematic treasures. From An American in Paris to Amelie, Paris Movie Walks contains 10 different walking tours that offer an intriguing and cost-effective way to explore the City of Lights.
Shopping in Marrakech
by Susan Simon and with photos by Nally Bellati
$18.95 (at press time the book was being offered at a 25% discount for $14.21.)
The girls of Sex and the City have been filming in Marrakech and you just know those divas are shopping up a storm! Susan Simon’s helpful book is a must for any gal planning a trip to this legendary Moroccan city. Learn how to choose among the thousands of shops, stores, and souk stalls and how to even find them in this labyrinthine city, where street names and addresses seldom appear on the city map. Shoo, Jimmy Choo: The Modern Girl's Guide to Spending Less & Saving More
$14.95
Even budget vacations require money! Get your favorite travel dreaming but cash challenged diva on the right financial track with Shoo, Jimmy Choo. Written by Catey Hill, the money editor for the New York Daily News online, Shoo, Jimmy Choo offers great advice that will help ladies get out of debt and on the road to financial prosperity and their dream vacation! The title of the book was inspired by the famous Sex and the City episode where Carrie realizes that she couldn’t afford to buy her apartment because she spent all of her money on designer shoes.
