To guarantee that you can stay in shape no matter where you go, the Aquabells Ankle & Dumbbell set gives you a gym on the go. With these inflatable travel weights, you just fill them with water to adjust the weight. The dumbbell set includes two handgrips and eight water chambers. Each water chamber can hold 4 pounds of water with each handgrip holding up to four chambers. You also get two ankle weights which each hold 8 pounds of water and fasten with a velcro closure. When you are ready to pack, simply drain out the water and you can then easily store the items in your suitcase.

To purchase the Aquabells Ankle & Dumbbell set, go to GoingInStyle.com. With a retail price of $79.99, this is a very good deal for the busy traveler.

Image credit: Going in Style

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Aquabells Ankle & Dumbbell Set

Reading this book will help explain that the very common OK sign (forefinger touching top of thumb to make a circle) and get you in trouble in many parts of the world.  It may be a positive response here in the United States, but means "no good" in other parts of the world (south France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Zimbabwe).  In Japan, it’s a sign meaning money.  In Iran it’s a sign of the evil eye, and in Turkey, Malta and Brazil it suggests a comparison to an unpleasant part of one’s anatomy.  Talk about a sign that covers all ends of the communication spectrum!

Whether you’re traveling the world and have reason to need this information, or just enjoy a good travel read, this book is sure to enlighten and amuse.  Author Mark McCrum writes in an engaging and humorous style, and there were a number of times I had to read sections out loud to friends. 

Going Dutch in Beijing is available at most bookstores ($22), and online from Amazon ($14.96).  It is not yet available as a Kindle download.

And, answering the implied question in the title — you should NEVER go Dutch (offer to split a dinner bill) in China as it can cause your host a loss of face.

Image credit:  Amazon

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Should You Go Dutch in Beijing?

The Periscope Book Light in a Bookcover illuminates both pages at once. You simply slip the bookcover over your favorite paperback, then the arm extends from the spine with two bright wide angled LEDs. The bookcover also offers an attached bookmark and a slip pocket for your magnifier.

You can buy the Periscope Book Light in a Bookcover at Magellans for just $38.95. This light takes 3 AAA batteries, which are not included.

Image credit: Magellans

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Periscope Book Light in a Bookcover

All Lush products are all-natural, with no animal testing.  They are a business with a social conscious, making products that smell good and do the job they are designed to do.

Most of the solid shampoo bars come shaped in a round disk (about 1.9 ounces), with prices starting around $8.  They’ll fit into a tin ($5.25) for mess-free packing.  I’ve tried the Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo, and although I prefer a little more lather, it cleans and washes out nicely.

A few of the shampoos come in a larger brick form, somewhat like a block of cheese, and are sold by the ounce.  Chances are you’ll find a piece cut into the size you’d like, but if not, just ask.  I’ve never had a problem with a special request.  The Trichomania Solid Shampoo (in photo — coconut cream pie moisturizing shampoo for dry, curly hair) sounds like it’s right up my alley.

Lush has stores around the world, so check for a store near you, or order online.

Photo credit:  Lush

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Lush Solid Shampoo Bar Will Help You Get Through Airport Security

Coming from the UK, these shoes are available for worldwide delivery. They are economically priced at £25 pounds plus shipping. They come in cute colors and designs. I have seen foldable shoes before, but these are the most adorable that I’ve seen. Plus each pair comes in a little satin embroidered pouch. The Naomi Red pair is one of my favorites.

Shop online at redfootrevolution.co.uk. Check out more about Redfoot After Party Shoes by watching this video:

Image credit: Redfoot Revolution

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Redfoot After Party Shoes

I love the colorful brocade fabric. You can tuck this silk/rayon bag into your luggage for a trip or put it in your purse or glove box when traveling by car.

I think the Desk-in-a-Bag would make a great gift for your bridesmaids, a good party favor, or a small gift for a lady who loves to travel. You can get it now at Neiman Marcus for $36. Select turquoise, purple or orange.

Image credit: Neiman Marcus

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Desk-in-a-Bag

You can use a splitter to watch movies with a traveling companion, potential saving a little money on your inflight entertainment expense.  If you pack your own movies and music, you can use a splitter to share your entertainment player with someone else.

Don’t be stingy!  Take a splitter along and share!

They’re handy for kids and adults alike, and are cheap enough that I’d suggest buying a couple so that you always have one handy.

Find splitters in most electronic stores.  Also available online at Amazon.  They vary in price, but are pretty cheap.

Image:  Amazon

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Use a Splitter to Share Your Music & Movies

Wow, nice giveaway. My family and I just got back from a trip to NYC. It was our first family trip in a decade and it was a blast.

Congratulations to Teresa, who we will contact via email. Thanks to everyone who participated. Please visit Travel Product Guide often for the latest information on travel products and gear. We hope to have many more great giveaways in the future.

Image credit: Amazon

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And the Winner is …

• Get a Tailgating Book from The Fantasy Kickoff
• Win a Dynamic Duo of beauty products from Glamour Gift Guide
• Get Dermelect skincare products from Just A Formality

Deadline to enter is Friday, August 1st for all these fabulous giveaways. Check them out when you have a chance!

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Giveaways – Last Day to Enter

Amazon’s Kindle

The Kindle is a new kind of electronic reader, and provides a high-resolution paper-like display.  It’s practically like reading a real book, with a few special touches that make it even better than the real thing.

It looks just like it does in the photo, weighing in at 10.3 ounces (lighter and thinner than most paperback books), with a six inch diagonal screen.  It easily fits into my purse, so just like with a paperback, I have something to read handy – where ever I go!

The Kindle is very easy to use (no computer required), even for the non-tech traveler.  You can search for books and download them by accessing the Kindle store using your device.  Downloads take less than a minute.  You don’t need a wi-fi hotspot, as it uses cell phone technology.

There are lots of books to choose from, too!  While all books are not yet available in Kindle format, most of the books on the New York Times Best Seller list are, and I found a good selection from all reading genres.  I like the feature that allows me to download — for FREE — the first chapters of a book to sample.  From there, I can decide if I like the book enough to buy it and download the entire thing.  This feature has saved me from a couple of purchasing mistakes, and also teased me on some titles that I otherwise would have passed by.  Many top US newspapers also also available in Kindle format, as are many top blogs.

I can pack lighter with the Kindle.  Instead of packing a handful of books for a week’s vacation, I can load up my Kindle.  Even if it’s just a quick overnight, I don’t have to pack a second book because I’m nearly done with that first.  I have the choice to pre-load with all the books I can’t wait to read, or I can just wait to download the next book after I finish what I’m reading now.  The Kindle will hold over 200 books, so even voracious readers will never be caught without, and with a SD memory card, it will hold even more.  (A back up of all your book purchases can also be found online.)

As with all electronic gadgets, especially the ones that you travel with, I was concerned about battery life, and the need to pack one more re-charger.  user manual recommends that you re-charge regularly, rather than waiting till you drain the battery.  I turn the wireless feature off, unless I’m actively using it, and have barely made a dent in the battery usage.  I’ll probably adopt the practice of re-charging when I’m at home so I don’t have to worry about that on the road.

I haven’t tried all the cool features yet, but one that I really appreciate is the adjustable text size.  I’m of that age where my reading vision isn’t quite what it used to be, and the selection of larger font sizes helps my old, tired eyes.

The Kindle wireless reader comes with a book cover, power adapter, and USB 2.0 cable, and sells for $359.  Replacement parts and a few accessories are also available.  Exclusively at Amazon.

Photo credit:  Amazon

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Amazon’s Kindle Helps Me Pack Lighter