The Black Dress Traveler

Ten in My Town: Alva Johnson's Atlanta

From where to buy the perfect little black dress to the best spot for a romantic dinner, reaching out to local ladies with a zest for life is one of the best ways to get the inside scoop on a destination. Ten in My Town asks savvy ladies to name their top ten picks for the places to see and be seen in their hometowns. Our first stop is the land of juicy peaches, sweet tea, spicy reality TV drama queens, and so much more – Atlanta! Glamorous Georgia girl and globetrotter Alva Johnson is our guide to this sexy southern city.

Alva Johnson
Co-Founder, Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational
www.icswi2010.com

Whether staffing 22,000 temporary employees for the Olympic Games, training personal assistants for celebrities such as Vera Wang and The Dave Matthews Band, or planning large scale events in Brazil and Germany; Alva Johnson is the consummate planning professional. As the co-founder of the Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational (ICSWI), which will take place in New Orleans in April 2010, Alva brings the same energy and enthusiasm to bubbles that she’s used to ignite crowds worldwide. Alva passionately believes champagne isn’t just for special occasions – it’s the ultimate celebration of life! Let Alva's Ten in My Town picks inspire you on your next trip to Atlanta.  

1. To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress - I love to shop at Fa'brik in Buckhead or Wish in Little 5 points. Both have sexy yet eclectic styles. Fa'brik is more designer driven while Wish has more fashion-forward options.

2. For a Night Out with the Girls - The St. Regis Hotel Bar- great crowd, cool atmosphere...after that possibly Club Opera or The Cheetah (this IS Atlanta).

3. For a Romantic Dinner - Canoe or Joel. Canoe when I want to see the Chattahootchie River or Joel when I want great French food and sexy atmosphere. 

4. To Take Out of Town Guests - my favorite local place by my home, Bistro VG's (formerly Van Gogh's). I live in the suburbs, 45min from the city, so I take out of towners to my favorite place by my home.

5. For Something Sweet- Bistro VG's again or Krispy Kreme. Bistro VG's for great crepes and homemade sorbets. Krispy Kreme for those days I do not have to fit into my little black dress.

6. For Cocktails - Drinkshop in The W Hotel Downtown or my home is pretty infamous for Champagne gatherings.

7. To Connect with Nature - my backyard...one of the great things about living in the suburbs is having a large backyard, a lake across the street, and a brook flowing in my back yard. My backyard is a haven for butterflies, they congregate in my yard and I love to step out of my stilettos and just be.

8. To Connect with the Past - Auburn Ave. in Atlanta. This is a historical street which has the Martin Luther King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

9. Where I Go to Unwind - to the kitchen. I love to cook and naturally I have lots of great wine and champagne at my home, so my kitchen is a great source of relaxation. I pop a bottle of champagne, and enjoy it while I create a feast. My children love to cook with me so I buy them sparkling grape juice which makes them feel "fancy."

10. To Learn Something New- Easy one- the library, any library, usually the library at Crabapple Middle School (my son's school). I have always been an avid reader, a true lover of books, and any time I can spend in the library is a happy moment for me. I go to my son's school library without him knowing until he sees me in the hallway or the librarian tells him I've been there for hours.

The Ladies Specials: Commuter Trains for Female Passengers in India

The New York Times ran an engrossing article about the Ladies Specials commuter trains in India. These eight trains are reserved exclusively for the use of female passengers in India's largest cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta. According to the article, the number of working women in India has almost doubled in the past 15 years. Along with this increasing economic independence and freedom, women have encountered violence and animosity from men. Getting to work has become such a traumatic ordeal for women that the government has decided that removing men from the trains is the only way to keep women safe. Click here to read the article.

(photo: Chiara Goia for The New York Times)

Cougars Prowl for Cubs at Sea: Seriously, A Cruise Just for Older Women and Younger Men

When I first heard about the World's First International Cougar Cruise, I thought it was a set-up for a skit on Saturday Night Live. Silly me - I should have known that someone always tries to make a profit in matters of the heart and hormones.

The Singles Travel Company, which produces vacations for singles of all ages, is hosting a cruise specifically targeted to older women (cougars) and younger men (cubs). The 3-night cruise departs from San Diego on December 4 to Ensenada, Mexico.  Hey, why not give Madonna, Demi and all aspiring Mrs. Robinsons the vacation of their dreams! Growl!

A Chic Beach Wedding is a Breeze at Casa Marina

Many brides dream of a destination wedding but orchestrating these long-distance fantasy nuptials can be an expensive and logistical nightmare. If your wedding vision includes a venue with history and charm set against a beautiful ocean backdrop, Casa Marina in Jacksonville Beach, Florida merits your serious consideration.

One of Florida's premier wedding venues, Casa Marina offers top notch dining and a staff committed to making your wedding a day to remember.  A member of the Historic Hotels of America, Casa Marina first opened its doors in 1925. Not just for weddings, Casa Marina is great for anyone who wants to pamper themselves with a vacation at Jacksonville Beach's endless expanse of pristine sand.

I am not one of those girls with elaborate wedding fantasies but you can't visit the Casa Marina without getting a little swept away. Certainly, Casa Marina's courtyard that faces the ocean would be the perfect setting for me to say "Indeed, I Do" to (insert groom here). After our pledges of eternal love, photographer Damon would capture our joy with some candid snapshots on the beach.  Sand in our toes, we would head back to the Casa Marina's dining room for a grand meal prepared by Chef Aaron. A decadent buttercream confection by Classic Cakes would be a sweet ending to this perfect day. At the end of the night, I would reluctantly toss my Liz Stewart Floral Design bouquet to the single ladies. Our feet tired from dancing to the sounds of dj's from McGee Entertainment and live music by local lovebirds The Johnston Duo (Debrann & Kurt), me and Mr. Wonderful head back to our ocean view suite and.....

(Oops, I am just getting a bit carried away.)

Back to reality.

Seriously, if easy elegance is your style then Casa Marina is a wonderful option for a wedding, a romantic interlude, or a solo excursion. Start your day with yoga on the beach and end it with a martini at Casa Marina's Penthouse Bar with an outdoor terrace that overlooks the beach. Simple perfection.

 Here are a few photos from my recent escape to Casa Marina. (www.casamarinahotel.com)

 

A floral centerpiece by Liz Stewart Floral Design.

Chef Aaron works his magic with a red snapper.

Beautiful cakes by Classic Cakes. (904-246-6408) And, they taste delicious too!

A martini outside at Casa Marina's Penthouse.

Sunrise on Jacksonville Beach. This is the "backyard" at Casa Marina!

Vacation Deprivation Can Lead to Health Problems

I cringe at the thought of hard working people not taking advantage of their earned vacation time but a recent Expedia.com survey reports that more than one third of American workers do not use their entitled time off. Of course, in this climate of economic uncertainty many people simply can't afford to go away but recent studies indicate that, in terms of of our health, as women we can't afford NOT to take a break from the rat race. Look at these sobering facts that appeared in the article, Breaking News: Many Workers Skimp on Vacation - and Pay the Costs (The New York Post).

- "Women who took vacations only once in two years were more likely to experience depression, tension, fatigue and marital dissatisfaction than women who took time off at least twice a year, according to a five-year study of 1,500 women by Cathy McCarty of the Marshfield Clinic."

- Women are twice as likely to have a heart attack - while men are a third more likely - if they don't take regular vacations, according to research by Elaine Eaker of the Framington Heart Study project."

- Women are more likely than men to feel guilty about taking time off from work (40 percent of women vs. 29 percent of men), according to Expedia's Vacation Deprivation Survey.

"The studies that are out there seem to point to a correlation between vacation and long-term physiological and psychological problem," says John de Graff of Take Back Your Time, a vacation and paid leave advocacy group." According to Take Back Your Time, working Americans average a little over 2 weeks vacation per year, while Europeans average five to six weeks.

Ladies, the prescription is simple - pack your little black dress and go!!!!

Five Tips for Writing an Effective Complaint Letter & SuperShuttle Issues Refund to The Black Dress Traveler

I promised to keep you updated on the status of my complaint letter to SuperShuttle. Well, I am happy to report that I received a full refund in the amount of $29.18 for the horrible experience I had using their service home from the airport. 

Bad customer service can ruin the happiest and most well-planned vacation so when something goes awry, take the time to write a complaint letter. Not only will the letter help you let off some steam but it will usually garner you a refund or some other form of compensation. For example, a few years ago I wrote American Airlines to complain about a broken seat on a 9 hour transatlantic flight that made my journey very uncomfortable. They awarded me 15,000 frequent flier miles. 

If I take the time to write a complaint letter it means that my experience was really dreadful. My hope is not only that the company will rectify my situation but also to make sure that other travelers are not impacted in the same way. Here are a few tips to writing a successful complaint letter that will get you the desired response.  

1. Give as many facts as possible. The time the incident happened, your reservation number, flight number, vehicle number, etc. are all key information. Let them know how long you have been a customer - they want first-time customers to give them another chance and want long-time customers to remain loyal.

2. State what you expected.  Remind the company of the service that you paid for and what you were told you would receive. 

3. Detail how the company failed to deliver the service you paid for. Be as clear as possible in showing how the company did not satisfy you as a customer. Show how the service delivered was not the service they promised. Did their bad service cost you time and/or money? Did you feel uncomfortable or unsafe? Was an employee rude to you? Give as many relevant details as possible.

4. Clearly state what you want the company to do in order to resolve your complaint. I asked SuperShuttle to refund my money and they did. In other situations, a voucher or frequent flier miles might be an appropriate form of compensation.

5. Keep it professional. Profanity is never appropriate. If there was one positive moment in your negative experience, let them know. I let SuperShuttle know that I had used them before and that the previous level of service had been acceptable. This made the negative experience stand out even more.

Where the Boys Are: Jacksonville Beach

Go ahead, call me shameless but I couldn't resist taking a photo with these handsome young men during my recent trip to Jacksonville Beach in northeast Florida. Yes, Jon and Tom are over 18 years of age and lest you think that I am a cougar prowling the beach for cubs, they actually work for a great company called Rent Beach Stuff.

So, if you plan on visiting Jacksonville Beach, all you need to bring is your sunscreen and bikini because Rent Beach Stuff has virtually everything you need for a day at the beach. (In addition to Jacksonville Beach, they also serve Ponte Vedra, Neptune, and Atlantic Beaches.) You can place your order online or by telephone for beach cruiser bikes, surf boards, boogie boards, kayaks, fishing poles, umbrellas, jogging strollers, lounge chairs and everything you could possibly need for a day of fun in the sun. Or you could just go and flirt with the very cute attendants!

For more information, visit www.rentbeachstuff.com.

Pack the Perfect Bras & Panties: The Best Lingerie for Travel

Too often our underwear is the very last thing that we toss into our luggage when packing for a getaway. Stop making your undergarments an afterthought! The right bra, underwear, shapewear and layering piece will improve the fit and feel of your sexy little dresses and outfits and help you feel more comfortable and confident.

The Black Dress Traveler reached out to Lingerie Fit Expert, Lisa Cole to get the scoop on the lingerie pieces that should have a featured spot in every woman’s overnight bag. As a Leading Lingerie Expert for over a decade, Lisa has helped thousands of women. Her clients include the NFL Wives, Doncaster Women’s Clothing, Odyssey Medi Spa,The Oaks Spa and Resort, dress designer Kathlin Argiro, and private clients around the country.  Lisa is also passionate about helping breast cancer survivors and devotes a percentage of her business to the cause yearly.

Here are Lisa’s fantastic tips!

• Convertible Bra – A well dressed woman has options! A convertible bra is your friend for evening, day or play time events. Packing tip: You can eliminate having to take multiple bras by owning a convertible.

Camisoles with and without a shelf bra – You can use this in place of a bra or to solve a fashion challenge. A little lace detail is perfect for a dress that is cut too low.

Drawstring Pants – Sometimes you don’t want to get dressed in the morning. Lounge pants are ideal for the run to the coffee shop. You can mix and match these with your camisoles.

•  Boy Shorts – No lines and no seams! Super comfortable for long car or plane trips. A must have!
  
  Mix and Match your Underwear – Bring several different styles of underwear, including stretch mesh bikinis and lace thongs for easy washing in addition to your cotton basics. Packing tip: Always bring more underwear than you need.

Shapewear – This category has changed – get that image of Grandma’s bulletproof girdle out of your head! There are now light weight fabrics to firm your figure for every fashion challenge. There is underwear that doubles as shapewear.  Don’t let a tummy bulge or rolls stop you from wearing that “little black dress”.

Visit Lisa’s site, www.lingeriefitexpert.com ,for more recommendations and fit advice. You can also purchase wonderful undergarments on her site.

Seven Simple Tips for Preparing for Medical Emergencies When Traveling

As the summer winds down, many of us will pack our overnight bags with bathing suits, walking shoes, beach reads, and of, course, a little black dress! But don’t forget to prepare yourself for any medical mishaps that may happen while you’re away from home.

Follow these seven useful tips from The Black Dress Traveler’s favorite medical professional, Mary Stein (RN, NP-C). She is a Nurse Practitioner based in New York City specializing in Primary Care & Travel Medicine. Mary offers more travel medicine advice and complete travel medicine consultations (including yellow fever vaccination) at Plaza East Internal Medicine in Manhattan. Call 212-750-7404 to make an appointment or you can reach Mary at marystein4@gmail.com. 

1.   Before you travel, be honest with yourself about your health status.  Are you well enough to travel? Have you had a recent physical exam or annual check-up?  You may want to talk to your primary care provider before planning your excursion.  

2.  Plan your itinerary.  Then, have other people –friends, family, colleagues, people who’ve been on the vacation that you’re planning - look it over.  An overly-ambitious itinerary can make for a very tired (and thus, accident-prone) traveler. 

3.  See a travel medicine expert for a consultation prior to any foreign travel.  A trained travel medicine expert will prepare you with the immunizations and medications you need to protect you from everything from hepatitis to malaria to altitude sickness.

4.  Find out and take with you: the addresses and phone numbers of the clinics, hospitals, and the U.S. embassy nearest where you are staying, the numbers to call in case your wallet/credit cards get stolen, and the numbers for your insurance company.

5.  Bring your U.S. health insurance card and information with you.  Call your health insurer; find out if they will cover you overseas in the event of an emergency.  Don’t let their answer influence your decision to buy travel insurance.  You should! 

6.  Buy travel insurance.  It may seem like an unnecessary expense.  Again, accidents and emergencies happen (even if you are doing all this preparation to try to prevent them!).  The small amount of extra cash you’ll spend will be so worth it if it means you’ll be reimbursed for a cancelled vacation or if you need medical assistance or evacuation during your trip.

7. Consider sleeping aids.  This may seem a strange thing to put on a list of “how to avoid travel emergencies.”  Here’s why it’s here:  many emergencies occur because of jet-lag or lack of sleep.  Simple use of sleeping aids will assist you to combating jet-lag, getting into the local time rhythm, and beating fatigue.  There are several prescription sleep aids that do not cause morning hangover. In addition, some over-the-counter medicines (like Benadryl) work just fine for many people. I suggest you “test drive” your sleeping medication prior to your excursion.   

Click here to read more of Mary’s tips.

Inn Style in St. Augustine: Easy Elegance at the Inn on Charlotte

It is not surprising that America's oldest city, St. Augustine (Florida), has more than its fair share of quaint inns and bed & breakfasts. How does one choose where to stay with so many options? Well, if your criteria includes a luxurious bed, a well appointed room, gourmet breakfast, and a welcoming innkeeper then the answer is easy: make the simply divine Inn on Charlotte your home away from home while visiting the city of Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth, cobble stone streets, and bay breezes.

Lynne Fairfield, Inn on Charlotte owner, enjoying her oh-so-pretty porch.

Owned by the beautiful and gracious hospitality veteran Lynne Fairfield, the Inn on Charlotte is conveniently located just steps away from St. Augustine's main attractions, including the lovely bayfront. (to learn more about tourist attractions, click here to read about my previous trip to St. Augustine). I have never been much of a bed & breakfast girl but now I realize that those other B&B's were not a good match for my travel style. Staying at a bed & breakfast is almost like staying with a friend and l'll be honest - I love my friends but there are very few that I actually enjoy staying with. A good innkeeper has to possess the right combination of professionalism without being distant and warmth without being clingy. They have perfected this magical formula at the Inn on Charlotte. From the moment I arrived, I felt at home and at peace. When I wanted to chat, Lynne and her fabulous assistant Sharon were charming and a real joy to spend time with. And when I just wanted to relax, they were respectful of my quiet time on the porch.

The Inn is an elegant brick home that was built in 1918 for a local attorney and was tastefully restored in 2003. Gorgeous antiques and reproductions pay homage to the Inn's past while modern amenities such as whirlpool tubs in every room, cable television and WI-FI accommodate the needs of the modern traveler in each of the Inn's 8 rooms. 

Tiffany's Studio with the fantastic bed - see the step ladder!

The sunny and spacious Tiffany's Studio is where I nestled for two glorious days. The room's decor was inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the legendary artist and designer whose famous stained glass windows can be seen in all their glory at nearby Flagler College.  In fact, all of the rooms at the Inn on Charlotte are named after a prominent person in St. Augustine's history.  My room had tasteful Tiffany inspired accents such as lamps and stained glass panels in the bathroom windows. And the bed, how glorious. Plush and inviting, the little step ladders on each side of the Queen bed made me feel like a princess. Next time, I will pack my tiara to make the experience complete!

Outside of my room, I spent a great deal of time relaxing with a book and a glass of wine or sweet tea on the Inn's shady porch. As visitors walked by, many of them would stop and comment on the loveliness of the Inn on Charlotte. I would raise my glass and smile - that's what you do in the South! The Inn keeps a small refrigerator in the living room stocked with iced tea and lemonade that you can help yourself to during the day. In the evening, red and white wine magically appear in elegant crystal carafes along with fresh baked cookies and savory homemade cheese pennies.

The Inn on Charlotte takes their responsibilities as a bed & breakfast very seriously and realize that where you lay your head at night and what you eat in the morning define the experience. Stepping out of my Princess bed, I was greeted both mornings with breakfasts that were visually appealing and absolutely delicious. Cleaning the elegant China plate of stuffed french toast and quiche with sausage and granny smith apples was a pleasure with every bite.

Breakfast quiche with oven roasted potatoes and fresh banana bread.

I have a very simple test for judging how much I enjoyed my stay at a hotel: do I get up eager to leave or does a bit of melancholy enter me as check-out time approaches?  I handed over the keys to Tiffany's Studio begrudgingly: bye bye Princess bed, farewell sweet porch, adieu delicious breakfast. Maybe I'm still not a bed & breakfast girl, but I am certainly an Inn on Charlotte girl!

(The Inn on Charlotte is currently offering a special rate. Stay any 2 MidWeek (Sunday - Thursday) Nights in August and September 2009 and receive the 2nd night for only $19.18. Applies to rooms $169 and above. Click here for more details.  )

To learn more about the Inn on Charlotte, visit www.innoncharlotte.com.  To learn more about St. Augustine, visit www.getaway4florida.com.

 

SuperShuttle or Super Slow?

I am still reeling from my SuperShuttle ordeal of less than 24 hours ago. In this economy, I was fine with the idea of sharing a ride with other weary travelers if it meant saving about 20+ dollars on cab fare. And I realized that being frugal might add an hour to my travel time. Not a problem.

However, I live only 30 minutes from JFK and I arrived home 2 and 1/2 hours after I boarded the SuperShuttle. For the first hour, I was the only passenger in that darn blue van as my uncommunicative driver hopped in and out of terminals in search of passengers. I understand that the logistics of organizing passenger arrivals is more prone to error than departures but it strikes me as excessive that my SuperShuttle experience was longer than my flight from Florida to New York. Lesson learned: I can always make 20 bucks but I will never get back my valuable time.

I have just e-mailed the following complaint letter to SuperShuttle demanding a full refund. Stay tuned for updates.

To Whom It May Concern:

 

I am writing to express my complete dissatisfaction with my most recent SuperShuttle experience of Saturday, August 15. 2009. My reservation number was 12345678.

 

As indicated in the e-mail confirmation that you sent me, I called SuperShuttle at about 7:35 pm to inform you of my arrival when my flight arrived at JFK. I was told to wait about 20-25 minutes for the driver to come and get me. Around 8:00 pm the driver called my cell phone and instructed me to meet him outside.  So far so good but it all goes downhill from there.

 

I was the only passenger in the van and understood that I would have to wait while the driver collected the other passengers. However, I did not realize that the driver would circle around the airport for an entire hour before he picked up the next passenger.  At several terminals, I was left in the van alone for 10-15 minutes while the driver went to get other passengers and he would then come back empty handed.

 

Long story short,  I reached my home at 10:30 pm.  This was 2 and 1/2 hours after I entered the van and even longer than my flight from Florida.  At no point did the driver ever communicate with the passengers to let us know the itinerary for the drop-offs.  For the record, I live 30 minutes from JFK. Even with a shared ride experience, a 2 and 1/2 hour trip is excessive and unprofessional.

 

As we reached my neighborhood, I told the driver to turn so that I could be dropped off in front of my building. He refused to do so and then made a U-turn on the wrong street. At that point, I was completely frustrated so I asked him to stop so that I could get off the SuperShuttle immediately.  This long, slow, and unpleasant journey ended with me and my luggage being dropped off half a block and across the street from home.

 

I am writing to request a FULL refund for my SuperShuttle trip.  I used your service to take me to the airport and was pleased but the return trip was absolutely horrible.

 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

 

$19 Hotel Room in San Diego If You Bring Everything!

Oh, how I love a great hotel but I always dread getting that big bill slipped under my door at the end of my stay. Now us frugal travelers can only pay for what we actually use at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Spa & Golf Resort in San Diego. The hotel's new Survivor Package cheekily asks potential guests "how low will you go?"

From August 16-31, you can essentially name your price at the Rancho Bernardo Inn by deducting the services that you don't want. The starting price is $219 for deluxe accommodations for 2 with breakfast. If you don't want breakfast, the cost goes down to $199. Skip the wallet and waist busting honor bar and the room is $179. If you really just want a room and nothing more, you can book the room for only $19 by saying adios to a bed, heat & air conditioning, sheets, pillows, and toiletries. So bring a tent, plug in a fan, pack a roll of Charmin and call it urban camping!

Spa Week is a Great Resource Everyday!

Spa Week is always eagerly anticipated by ladies who want luxurious spa treatments but don't want to go broke for beauty. During Spa Week's special promotions around the country, major spas offer deep discounts on their signature services. But did you know that the Spa Week website is a year-round resource for comprehensive news on everything spa related? From bridal tips to spa etiquette, Spa Week has got you covered. You can even buy gift cards for your stressed out friends!

The travel section of the Spa Week site highlights vacation deals and packages in exclusive spas and resorts around the world.  Their current destination of the month is Starwood Hotels and Resorts which has swanky locations in Florida, Aruba, St. John, Puerto Rico and other coveted destinations. If you book your Starwood vacation through Spa Week, you can get a $100 spa credit for each night's stay. Click here for more details.

So You Think You Know Proactiv? : A Great Skincare Solution at Home & On the Road

Enter to win a Proactiv Solution Mini Maintenance Kit. (retail value $15)

Is there anyone who hasn't been mesmerized by those Proactiv Solution commercials? More than any other skincare line, I credit Proactiv Solution for emphasizing the point that acne does not discriminate and that even rich and beautiful celebrities like Serena Williams, Vanessa Williams, Jessica Simpson, and Jennifer Love Hewitt aren't immune to the frustration and shame that unsightly pimples can cause. These ladies are all proud Proactiv users. If they are bold enough to share their skincare woes, I feel that I can too.

I have had sensitive and acne-prone skin since my pre-teens. I was picked on and teased about my condition - sometimes to the point of tears. From over-the-counter treatments to prescription medications, over the years I have spent a small fortune on my face.  A break-out is a downer anytime but I really remember feeling so angry and embarrassed when my face would betray me on a special occasion or a vacation. As an adult, my skin has vastly improved but I have to remain vigilant.

When I was invited to try Proactiv, I was suprised to learn that their famous 3 step combination therapy system has expanded to include a wonderful array of products, including anti-aging and makeup. The hot and humid weather can even wreak havoc on skin that is generally trouble free so this seemed like the perfect time to give Proactiv a whirl. Here are some of the Proactiv products you may want to try and that have really worked for me. If you are also a ProActiv user, I would love to hear from you!

In case you are not familiar with Proactiv Solution, let me start off by sharing their basic 3-step maintenance system - Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Lotion. If you've never used Proactiv, I suggest starting with this regimen. I began with this and the results were pretty dramatic. In just a few days, my skin was less oily and noticeably clearer. You can order a mini-maintenance kit for $15 at QVC.  This kit is perfect for travel.

After using the standard regimen for about 10 days, I decided to swap out the Renewing Cleanser with the Deep Cleansing Wash. I am crazy about this cleanser and pray they never stop making it. At first, I was a little nervous about using a product that was designed to be used on the face and body. However, the Deep Cleansing Wash is remarkably gentle. Like the Renewing Cleanser, it also has microbeads that give the skin a gentle exfoliation and the salicylic acid has a nice brightening effect on the face. You can get two 8 oz. bottles at QVC for $33.50.

Moisturizing is an absolute MUST when you are using Proactiv because overly dry skin will start to go crazy producing oil and that will lead to the very break-outs you are trying to avoid. Oil free moisture is the solution. For daytime, Proactiv's Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15 is the BEST oil-free moisturizer I have ever used. ($27)  Lightweight and moisturizing, this gem also has also oil absorbing Nylon 12.  My face is visibly less oily and I have to powder my face less frequently.  For night time, try the Green Tea Moisturizer ($24.50) and for extra oil control during the day, you could also put on a sheer layer of the Daily Oil Control ($20).

During the day, I use the Repairing Lotion that is a part of the three step maintenance system but at night time I have quickly become devoted to the Clarifying Night Cream. ($28.75). Addressing adult acne and aging simultaneously can be a real drag but this cream combines retinol, vitamins, and salicylic acid to effectively and gently fight pimples and wrinkles. No zits + a great smooth glow = LOVE IT!

That's all for today. The second part of my review  next week will feature the Proactiv makeup, eye cream and some other treatments. To learn more about Proactiv, visit www.proactiv.com.

Bring Your Own Wine When You Dine: New Website Lists BYO Restaurants

One of the most expensive parts of a restaurant meal can be ordering that fantastic bottle of wine, so I am a big fan of eateries where you can bring your own bottle (byob). GoBYO.com is a great new website where you can search for restaurants in 10 U.S cities that permit patrons to bring their own vino. Featured cities include New York, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago. 

I searched GoBYO.com and was pleasantly surprised to discover the number of well-known restaurants in my town, the Big Apple, that have BYO policies. The site also tells you each restaurant's corkage fee (the fee the restaurant charges you to open and serve your bottle of wine) - if any. GoBY0.com also has wine ratings, wine merchants, and state BYO regulations. Restaurants can get listed on GoBYO.com at no charge.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is visiting local wine shops, so I can't wait to use GoBYO.com to help me find the perfect bottle of wine to eat with my dinner at an out-of-town restaurant.

For more information, visit www.gobyo.com.

Black Dress Beauty: Christiane Amanpour Trades Her Safari Jacket for a Sexy Dress

CNN's Chief International Correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, has always wowed me with her intellect, fearlessness, and cool demeanor as she delivers hard-hitting reports from war zones around the world. Safari jackets have become Amanpour's trademark and completely make sense in her line of work: she needs to be comfortable and often works in areas where it is not culturally appropriate for women to reveal too much skin.

So I was stunned when I saw  Amanpour in Harper's Bazaar (August 2009) looking absolutely glamourous and sexy in an  elegant Donna Karan dress. Not a safari jacket in sight. You can tell from the big smile on Amanpour's face and her confident stance that she is loving how she feels and looks in her glammed out ensemble. Amanpour said, "[This] is a real luxury for me because it introduces me to clothes and options I would never dream — well, it's not that I would never dream of going and getting in a store, but I would not know where to look," she says. "So it was a real help to put on those clothes and have somebody to pick them out and then say, 'Oh, wow, that looks really good!'"

Score another one for the little black dress!

Click here to read the full article in Harper's Bazaar.

Hotel Safety for Women

Last week I checked into a small Marriott hotel on the outskirts of Boston and for the first time in my life I had to request a new room. There was nothing wrong with the suite itself but if location is everything then this room was an absolute disaster.

Located on the ground level, the room was the very last door in the hallway and right next to the exit door to the parking lot. The room's window also faced the parking lot - not only could a reckless driver crash right into my window but I could just imagine being disturbed by revving engines and glaring headlights. The bottom line is that I did not feel safe in that room. My Mom always told me to follow my intuition so I marched back to the front desk and politely yet firmly requested a new room. Five minutes later I was happily cocooned in a second floor room in the middle of the hallway.

It is easy to let your guard down in a hotel because even the no-frills and budget chains provide some degree of pampering. However, women traveling alone can be easy targets in a hotel. I checked out the Wyndham Women On Their Way website, the hotel industry's first website for women travelers, for some more tips on hotel safety for female travelers. Some of their tips include:

Added Security: A small rubber doorstop is a 'must' in your luggage when traveling. Place it under your hotel room door and it will deter the strongest of unwanted visitors.

Do not use room service breakfast door hangers - they require you to note the number of guests staying in your room. You don't want anyone to know you are alone.

Call the desk to confirm hotel employees claiming work orders for repairs in your room.

Order room service for two, take two keys upon check-in and do not allow room number to be announced.

To ward off unwanted male attention, especially in some foreign countries, single women should wear engagement or wedding rings and make hotel reservations as if married.

When away from your room, leave the radio turned on and the door hanger with the message 'Do Not Disturb'. This may discourage people from entering

Click here to view the complete list of hotel safety tips from Women On Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide.

Take the Bus to Boston: Go Cheap with BoltBus or Chic with LimoLiner

Last weekend I had to travel from my home in Manhattan to Boston. Wishing to avoid the indignity of stuffing my beauty products in a Ziplock bag or paying extra money to check my luggage, I opted to take the bus instead of flying the could-be-friendier skies. Heading up to Beantown I took the bargain BoltBus and cruised back to the Big Apple in the luxurious LimoLiner.

Bolt Bus
A joint venture between GreyHound and Peter Pan bus lines, BoltBus offers express service from NYC to Boston and a few other cities. If you want to travel cheap, BoltBus is a viable option - my one-way ticket to Boston cost $14.50 and their website advertises limited $1 seats. The brightly painted coaches are new and clean but the boast of extra leg room felt a bit exaggerated. For us New Yorkers who detest the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the BoltBus to Boston conveniently departs from the corner of 34th and 8th in front of the Tick Tock Diner. There is no assigned seating but passengers do board in groups. My 10:00 AM bus arrived about 15 minutes late but we still arrived at Boston's South Station as scheduled at 2:00 PM after a bouncy ride. BoltBus does offer WIFI but be sure to charge your battery because there aren't outlets at each seat. Although the bathroom was clean, I was thoroughly grossed out by the fact that there was no sink with water for hand washing - only a hand sanitizer dispenser. YUCK!

LimoLiner

The swanky LimoLiner successfully recreates the best parts of air travel on a luxury coach. My one way ticket cost $89 and departed on-time from the Hilton Back Bay and arrived at the Hilton in midtown Manhattan about 10 minutes late because of traffic in NYC. (LimoLiner passengers can also take advantage of special rates at both Hiltons).  You can select your seat online when you make your reservation.  

One of the smoothest rides I've ever experienced, in addition to the driver, LimoLiner has an on-board attendant who serves refreshments, sandwiches and a snack. You can even request a vegetarian meal. Want to take a nap? They have pillows and blankets too. LimoLiner offers WIFI and power outlets at each seat. Each comfy leather seat has a cupholder, outlet, and a pull-down tray. The attendant even offers you a head set for watching the movie or listening to satellite radio. The bathroom was spacious, had fresh flowers, running water and you could even press a button to adjust the lighting to the "makeup" setting. To end the trip on a sweet note, the gracious LimoLiner attendant handed each passenger a silver-wrapped chocolate when we exited - classy!

Final Verdict:  BoltBus and LimoLiner both met the basic goal of getting me from Point A to Point B. If you prefer to travel cheap but want the peace of mind that comes from riding a bus run by a major operator then give the BoltBus a try. However if you want a bus that feels like a first-class flight and makes the time on the road whiz by, LimoLiner is worth every penny!

Travel RX: First Aid Kits, Medications and More

Even the most perfectly planned vacation can be derailed by a medical emergency. Having personally experienced the stress of requiring unexpected medical attention away from home, I reached out to my favorite health care provider, Mary Stein (RN, NP-C), for some tips on how to better prepare for these scenarios. A Nurse Practitioner based in New York City, Mary specializes in Primary Care & Travel Medicine. 

In addition to the fabulous tips listed below, Mary offers more travel medicine advice and complete travel medicine consultations (including yellow fever vaccination) at Plaza East Internal Medicine in Manhattan. Call  212-750-7404 to make an appointment or you can reach Mary at marystein4@gmail.com.  She will usually see you within 24 hours for a travel medicine consultation. Happy Venturing!

Why does the Black Dress Traveler need a first aid kit?  Because it’s about being prepared while traveling: in case of a new minor health issue or an upswing in an already existing one. An example of the first would be a minor scrape you get because of being in an unfamiliar environment while on vacation. The second would be treating a bee sting when you already know that you’re allergic. What goes into the traveler’s first aid kit depends on the state of the traveler’s health going into the trip, the destination, the duration and type of excursion. Your first aid kit will look different if you are going on a business trip to Chicago for two days or if you’re going trekking in Nepal for several weeks.  There are commercially-prepared first aid kits in travel stores and on the Internet – just check carefully that the kit is appropriate to your needs.  You may need to take out some bits and add others;  again, depending on where you’re going and what your trip is about.

What should be included in a traveler’s first aid kit?

When you check out our suggestions below, the list may seem lengthy or unwieldy. Again, tailor the list to your needs;  you may not need all of the items listed. More importantly, of those that you DO need, you don’t need to bring many of each (i.e., you only need to bring a few Band-Aid adhesive bandages, not the whole box). 

First, consider packing a card that contains your demographics, allergies and medication information.  In addition, names and phone numbers of local hospitals and clinics put you in the “extremely prepared” traveler category. To really cover all bases, pack a copy of this card in EACH PIECE of luggage!

Your daily medications  (may be hard to believe, but travelers are often so preoccupied they forget about these).  If you are traveling domestically, forgetting any or all of your daily medications is usually not an issue.  A quick phone call to your health care provider and those medications can be called to a nearby pharmacy. Although it’s usually possible to reach your health care provider from anywhere in the world, it may pose a hassle if you are overseas.  If you are traveling overseas, we suggest you bring each of your prescriptions in the original containers.  If possible, obtain copies of the prescriptions from your provider or the pharmacy. Have your health care provider write a short note if you are carrying unusual amounts of narcotic medications, injectable medications (except for insulin if you’re diabetic) or syringes. It’s also a good idea to have someone back home have copies of each of your prescriptions. 

The medications you were prescribed for this trip.  This list includes medications like:  antimalarial medication, antibiotics in case of diarrhea or respiratory infection, sleeping aids, altitude-sickness medication, medications for anxiety of flying, or Epipens for known allergies. 

Other medications you might consider bringing with you:

Antihistamine (nonsedating type like Claritin/loratadine or Zyrtec/sertraline, or Benadryl/diphenhydramine)

Decongestant (Sudafed, but be aware of side effects)

Analgesics for simple pain or fever (Advil/Motrin/ibuprofen or Alleve/naproxen or Tylenol/acetaminophen)

Mild laxative  (senna or Swiss Kriss)

Antacid

Antibacterial or antifungal cream or a combination cream

Hydrocortisone 1 % cream

Water purification tablets

First-Aid Items:

Adhesive bandages of different sizes

Gauze (a few 4 x4 gauzes and a small roll of 2 - inch gauze)

First aid tape

ACE- type bandage

Hot/cold pack

Tweezers/small scissors

Antiseptic lotion

Non-latex gloves (2 pair)

Antibacterial hand wipes

Hand sanitizer

Moleskin (for blisters)

Thermometer (digital)

Other items to consider:

Condoms

Plan B

Extra pack(s) of oral contraceptives

Tampons/sanitary pads

Hope this makes your excursion safer and more fun!

Nextstop: Travel Guides Written by Real People

Sometimes the major travel guides, written by a collection of knowledgeable but anonymous travel writers, are great at giving you the facts about a destination but don't really capture the spirit of a place. That is not the case with Nextstop - a new website that features destination guides written by regular people who are passionate about where they live.  Featuring short and positive recommendations from people all over the world, Nextstop makes it possible for everyone to indulge their inner travel writer. Their most popular locations include New York, San Francisco, Hawaii, Paris, and Tokyo.

I checked out some of the guides for my hometown of New York and while some of the recommendations were pretty obvious (please, no more posts about Magnolia Cupcakes or frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity) there were also some off-the-beaten path picks. My favorite Nextstop guide so far is A Park Bench with a View - a compilation of lesser known Big Apple parks and piers.

Overall, I think Nextstop is a nice way to supplement your research about a destination you plan on visiting or to show off your hometown favorites.

Shoofly Pie and Wine: Five Things I Just Learned About Pennsylvania

It all started with a slice of pie. Shoofly pie to be exact. Apparently, I am the only person on the planet who had never tasted this sticky sweet confection of molasses and brown sugar with a crumb crust.

A Pennsylvania Dutch staple, each bite of Shoofly pie made me realize how very little I know about the Keystone State (aka the Quaker State or the State of Independence). Sure, I can rattle off some Philly trivia (Benjamin Franklin, Brotherly Love, cheese steaks, the Liberty Bell, Patti LaBelle) but Philly is just one city in a state of more than 12,000,000 people. Energized by the sugary goodness of the Shoofly pie, I was determined to learn more about Pennsylvania. If my list below inspires you to visit PA, log on to www.PAStories.com to enter a sweepstakes to win one of 12 fantastic Pennsylvania vacation packages.

1. Wine - Who knew that Pennsylvania had more than 100 wineries? With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, Pennsylvania ranks 8th nationally in the production of wine. There are several wine trails you can visit, including the Groundhog Wine Trail, Brandywine Wine Trail, and the UnCork York Wine Trail.

2. Beer - Not only is Pennsylvania home to Yuengling,the oldest brewery in the United States but it also has six breweries that pre-date prohibition - more than any other state. Today there are more than 50 brew pubs and small breweries in Pennsylvania.

3. Art - The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is the largest museum in the world dedicated to the work of one artist. Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, is located in the Laurel Highlands just an hour away from downtown Pittsburgh.

4. Snacks- Being the home of iconic brands like Hershey's, Heinz, Frito-Lay, Herr's and UTZ have secured Pennsylvania's position as the "Snack Food Capital of the World." Klondike Bars, Whoopie Pies and Shoofly Pie were all invented in Pennsylvania.

  5. Scenery - Pennsylvania has 17 million acres of forest and 83,000 miles of rivers and streams. National Geographic named Route 6 as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the country.

To learn more about Pennsylvania, visit www.VisitPA.com.

Pack with Style: Luggage Trends and Deals

Are you packing your favorite frocks in a beat up old suitcase? Doesn’t your dream vacation or weekend getaway deserve luggage as stylish as you are? Some of the biggest names in fashion, including Diane von Furstenberg and Nicole Miller, have luggage lines that are colorful and stylish. Best of all, if you do your research, you can get these bags at a fraction of the price at discount retailers. This great DVF Marlene 21” Rolling City Bag is currently available at E-Bags for $89.99 and I found the same bag at Marshalls for $65. Considering that the suggested retail price is $200, both of these are great deals.

For more tips on finding the hottest new luggage, I reached out to Pamela Pekerman, BagTrends.com founder and handbag expert. Pamela says, “For playful designs, vegan style and beyond affordable prices I'm hooked on Jane Marvel. I can't live without her Puddle Jumper bag in stars/sky print.”  (Retail:$118)

Pamela also has rave reviews for Kipling. “Kipling's Madison 22 Wheeled Duffel in Georgia Peach is such a fresh color to see at the airport. The best part is that it collapses flat - perfect for storage in a 300 sq ft Manhattan apartment!” (Retail: $235)

For more handbag and luggage scoop, check out www.BagTrends.com.

Four Tips for Traveling with Jewelry

Diamond in the Rough Solitaire Stack Rings

Just because you are going on vacation, doesn’t mean that you have to leave your fine jewelry locked in a safe at home and jet-set with fakes. 

Anjanette Clisura, President and Co-Creative Director of Diamond in the Rough says, “Jewelry is given to be worn. I’ve heard so many women say they travel with “fakes” – why? If you’re careful and traveling somewhere safe bring some of your beautiful baubles with you on vacation, especially if you have plans to go out.  Unless you’re going somewhere on a peace mission or yoga retreat - then it might be best left at home!” 

Their innovative use of natural, uncut and unpolished diamonds has made Diamond in the Rough a favorite of celebrities, socialites, and fashionistas so they understand that women want to wear their treasures, not leave them behind. Ms. Clisura offers these helpful tips for traveling with jewelry. 

1. Decide on the pieces you’re taking and take inventory. A simple way to do this is to make copies on the photocopy machine so that you remember exactly what you took. Keep a copy at home and a copy somewhere in your luggage. Check the photocopy to make sure that you return home with all of your treasures.

2. Travel with a jewelry roll which will separate your jewelry into sections – earrings, rings, etc. and rolls up for compact, safe packing. 

3. Don’t pack your jewelry in your checked luggage -  keep it in your purse, or carry on. 

4. To keep your jewelry clean, carry a little polishing cloth with you. You can use also use regular old toothpaste, yes ladies, its better than soap. Use Windex if you have it handy. It has ammonia in it – dab on an old toothbrush and clean away! 

Free Zen with Check-In at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Toronto

How often have you arrived at your hotel exhausted and stressed-out after a long flight? Instead of immediately reaching for a mini-bar libation, guests at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Toronto can unwind with tea at check-in and complimentary meditation classes.

Offered every evening at 8:30 pm in the Cosmopolitan’s Solarium, the classes are taught by an expert meditation instructor with the goal of helping guests to reduce stress and increase relaxation. “We, at the Cosmopolitan, know the stresses of business and leisure travel and believe that everyone should take some time out of each day to unwind and reflect,” said David Zaltzman, CEO of Skyline Boutique Hotels and Resorts. “Our guests have come to appreciate the Hotel’s focus on wellness and we’re excited to take this to another level by offering free meditation classes to end their day on a peaceful note,” he added.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel’s focus on serenity and tranquility doesn’t stop with the meditation classes. Surrounded by design concepts taken from the ancient art of Feng Shui, Cosmopolitan guests slumber on 400 threat-count Egyptian cotton linens and can get pampered at the on-site Shizen Spa (Toronto’s only five star spa). In 2006, Conde Nast Traveller selected the Cosmopolitan as one of the world’s hottest new hotels. Hot and zen - the Black Dress Traveler is intrigued!

 

For more information, visit www.cosmotoronto.com.

Black Dress Traveler Quoted in How to Blend in When Traveling (NY Daily News)

The New York Daily News recently ran a great article on how to NOT stand out from the crowd when traveling. The Black Dress Traveler was honored to be quoted in this fun and very useful story. 

Click here to read the article and get some great tips on everything from what to wear and how to get better service when dining out.