Carry On: Samsonite Black Label

The Vintage Spinner from the Samsonite Black Label collection may be what we need to cap off this season's purple fetish. The polyester herringbone fabric is durable and dark enough to ward off travel scars and the black leather trim is chic. The satin striped interior comes with a laundry bag and two shoe bags.

Happy travels!

On Our Radar: Inn and Spa at Loretto

Santa Fe has been top on our list for US cities to visit for a while now--something about the natural beauty, proliferation of top spas, southwestern cuisine and its purported magical, spiritual quality have always piqued our interest. We thought we were close to going this fall, but as it does sometimes, life got in the way.

The Inn and Spa at Loretto has now given us one more reason to try to make that trip happen. In addition to having a top-notch restaurant that features locally grown ingredients, spa treatments like a desert sage massage that use indigenous products, and rooms that are plush and feature Native American style without ever being kistchy, they are featuring a Pink PJ Getaway to promote breast cancer awareness for the month of October.

Included in the package are these adorable silky pink PJ's designed by Juli Lee of Julianna Rae. If Juli's design looks familiar, it's probably because you've seen them before on Desperate Housewives or in In Style. A portion of the proceeds from the $359 one-night package will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Interested in Pink PJ's to benefit breast cancer awareness? Check back on October 14 when JSG will be giving away Sleepyheads.com Think Pink sleepwear collection in conjunction with Total Beauty Total Cure.

Nights in Rodanthe

We grew up vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, first with our own parents then with our BFF Shannon's family. We remember the beautiful remote beaches, the wild horses in our back yard, the sand fleas, and more than a few unfortunate sunburns. For the past two years, we've taken our own motley crew down for fun in the sun. Yes, the years have changed the area mostly by adding many more houses, restaurants, roads, and novelty stores; but the beach still has its same spirit.

Nights in Rodanthe may star Diane Lane and Richard Gere in their first movie since Unfaithful, but we think the true star is the Outer Banks. The movie looks over the top: watching the clip is as emotional and sappy as anything we've seen and we're a little jealous of Diane for getting to hook up with hot guys all the time (of course she's amazing too!).

If you're looking for a great spot for a girls' getaway, try the Outer Banks. This time of year, the weather is beautiful, there are great deals on rentals, and it's much more peaceful than the summer. If you go try the coconut chicken at Tortugas Lie and hit the shops in Manteo or Duck. Our girlfriend, Candi, has been pushing us to make the drive together for a long weekend. You're on notice, Candi, we're ready!

Budget Facial

While we love the $50 offerings of Spa Week (This year’s is Oct 13 to 19. Have you booked your appointment yet?), here’s a $55 treat that’s available 365 days a year or at least when Bergdorf’s is open. (Who knew you could use “budget” and “Bergdorf” in the same sentence? But much like “Chanel” and “free”, we’re not asking any questions.)



Hidden away in the basement level beauty floor is the Elemis Spa Pod, a darling little oasis, safe below the 5th Avenue fray. The treatment starts with a Elemis Facial Mapping Analysis (aka a Visia Skin Analysis), it maps out various elements of your skin through a special camera/computer combo. We were pleased to be told we have close to zero wrinkles (thank you, Botox!) and small pores. We were slightly concerned to hear that we had a fair amount of bacteria on our skin that can lead to acne (We had just come from a yoga class and were a touch sweaty. We’ll never forget our MD Skincare EZ4U wipes again.) and more alarmed to hear we have some sun damage despite our slavish diligence to daily SPF (We can only blame those ill-advised trips to the tanning salon back in our teens.) The fact that these observations came from a machine versus a person somehow took the sting out of the bad news and certainly made it easier to believe.

After our face analysis we followed our lovely aesthetician, Irene, into the Spa Pod. The room was small—about the size of a large closet, which we’re guessing it once was. Irene had us change into a robe and sat us on a large massaging chair. Once the chair started working its magic, it felt so good we were almost embarrassed we weren’t in the room alone. (More about this later.)

Based off of our facial analysis, Irene decided a Skin Radiance facial would be best for us. After a cleansing, she applied a Papaya Enzyme Peel, which smelled simply delicious. That was followed by the Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask with strawberry and kiwi extracts. It brightens skin and is safe--even recommended, in fact--to use before a night on the town.

Usually we ask many questions during our facial so we can share the deets with you, our readers. But that damn chair just made us so relaxed we couldn’t focus on anything else. If we had lots of money and time, we would invest in these chairs and put them in places like airports or a headhunter’s office for out of work i-bankers and charge $1 a minute. (You're welcome to act on our money-making tip. Just let us sit in a chair for free every once in a while.)

So, as for more particulars on the facial, we’re a little fuzzy. What we do know is that we left with skin that was glowing (we're pretty sure that had more to do with the Elemis products than the chair, but we can’t be 100% positive). Like all the facials at the Elemis Spa Pod, it is safe to put foundation and powder back on (eye makeup isn’t removed to start with). But our skin was SO radiant afterwards, we’re not sure we had anything to cover up.

To book your appointment call 212.872.2821. Elemis Products are available at Bergdorf Goodman or online at Time to Spa.

Pink Ribbon Collection from Bobbi Brown

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we'll be sharing products and services that support the search for a cure for breast cancer. As members of the Total Beauty Blog Community, we're happy to share in this month long campaign to raise awareness and funds for the cause. Read more about Total Beauty Total Cure here and how you can win free goods each day this month.

Bobbi Brown is donating part of the proceeds from the sale of the Pink Ribbon Collection to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It includes the Tulle Lip Color and the Pink Quartz Glitter Lip Gloss, which complement each other; but look flattering worn separately. They are packaged together in a pink box, making this set a natural for gift giving. Shipping is free from Bobbi Brown, if your order includes the Pink Ribbon Collection. Use the code PINK08 until 10/31/2008.

A Peek Inside Manuela Testolini's Carry On

We fell in love with the Altru candle line even before we knew the whole story behind them. The gorgeous packaging, copper containers and eco-friendly soy base are all perks, but a candle is only as good as its scent. Altru's scents are so delicious we would like to bathe in them (and carry around an atomizer for those times when we get a stinky seatmate on a plane or cab driver with questionable hygiene). Our fave is Integrity, a blend of Persian lilac and bamboo.

The line was founded by Manuela Testolini.



A portion of the proceeds support the “In a Perfect World” foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to inspire and empower children to become compassionate, socially conscious, and responsible leaders, which makes us like the candles even more. When we heard that each candle’s fragrance and packaging is inspired by the cultures and people Manuela have met around the world during her travels, we knew we had to find out what is in her carry on bag. Manuela has recently traveled to: Costa Rica, Mexico, Japan and around the States and Canada. Here's what she had with her:

I rotate with big purses --currently the YSL Downtown tote in navy and this vintage looking Miu Miu bag with lots of room and lots of pockets that I've had for a few years--but always have my Tumi laptop case with wheels for my Mac AirBook.



My must-have beauty products when I travel are a travel size Aveda Hand Relief Cream,


MAC improper copper cream blush,



and Chopra Center Rupa Aroma Blends which are great to spray on pillows or seats. Each has a different effect invigorating, relaxing, etc.
For a snack I eat a raw trail mix that I make at home or a Luna Bar (Nuts Over Chocolate)

Movie you've watched on a plane recently: Sex & the City!



Music that's on your iPod:

* lots of r&b/soul music - eric benet’s love & life, donny hathaway greatest hits,
* chill/meditative music – altru meditate cd, altru incandescence cd.
* world music – egyptian/north african, south american


At the moment, I'm wearing either my Chloe wedge boots or my Jimmy Choo purple flats.

And I ALWAYS take EmergenC energy/vitamin packs!

Carry On Burton Luggage

We're always on the look out for a great carry-on bag and we found this Burton Wheelie Flight Deck bag at Athleta . We love that it's soft sided, making it lightweight for hoisting in the overhead bin, it's airline compliant, and it's easy to spot in the Antique Ivory Zebra print. We have at least 3 trips on our horizon in the next month and this would be perfect. What's holding us back is the concern the safari look is over and we'll look like Tarzan's Jane tromping through the airport.