Easy Tips to Make Long Distance Flights More Comfortable

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1. Pack Strategically

Before boarding, take all your in-flight essentials (smartphone, tablet, toothbrush, medication, lotions, etc.) and place them in your personal carry on – the one that goes under the seat. This way you won’t have to grapple with the overhead bins to access the things you need. This is especially handy if you don’t have an aisle seat or you’re on a bumpy flight.

2. Dress for Comfort
The airplane is not a runway and there’s no reason to dress to impress here, unless you happen to be Victoria Beckham. It’s a lot easier to fall asleep in comfier attire than tight jeans and a button-up blouse. To keep things casual-yet-presentable, opt for tights or jogging pants with a sweatshirt. For added comfort, take off your shoes in flight and add an extra pair of socks to stay cozy.

3. Have Teeth Cleaning Gum on Hand
I try and brush my teeth during longer flights, but admittedly, sometimes I’m grossed out by the bathroom on the plane and I just can’t bring myself to do it. Luckily, teeth cleaning gum (e.g. Orbit) acts as a stopgap between trips to hygienic bathrooms and if you can just pop one in after a meal instead of getting up to brush your teeth.

4. Keep a Bottle of Water with You
Either purchase a bottle of water before you board (after you get through security, of course), or ask the flight attendant for a bottle before they dim the cabin lights. Once it’s “lights out”, you won’t have to worry about waking anyone to get a drink.

5. Hydrate – Inside and Out
The dry air on flights can be almost unbearable for some. Unfortunately there’s no quick solution to this other than to keep drinking fluids throughout the flights. Some of us also suffer from dry skin in the air and this is where tip #1 comes in handy. If you’ve packed your lotion(s) into the carry on under your seat, you can moisturize as often as you like, which can mean the difference between tolerance and misery.

6. Avoid Static and Braid your Hair
This probably isn’t an issue for most men, but those of us who suffer from static-charged tangled messes of hair on long flights can avoid this whole fiasco by just braiding it. Braiding your hair keeps it neat and completely out of the way so you won’t have to fight during the whole flight.

7. Nervous Flyer? Sit Closer to the Wing
If turbulence keeps you on edge during long flights, sit closer to the aircraft’s wings. When a plane is in the air, it acts like a fulcrum (not something I want to fully visualize), with the front and back experiencing the most movement. The center of the plane tends to remain the most stable throughout the flight.

A Guide to Summer Holiday Sun Protection

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As we all head out on our respective summer holidays this year, it’s important to remember the importance of sun protection. While a moderate amount of sun exposure can have positive effects, we all know the dangers of overexposure in terms of how it can lead to cancer and age our skin.

Sun protection products have come a long way in the last few decades and extends far beyond the stuff that we grew up with.  Consumer Reports recently rated common sunscreen brands widely available across the country (USA), and surprisingly the more affordable options from big box stores like Target and Walmart were among the highest rated.

Top Rated Sunscreens (by Consumer Reports):

  • UP & UP (Target), Sport SPF 50 ($6.94)
  • Equate (Walmart), Ultra Protection SPF 50 ($7.50)
  • Coppertone Water, Babies SPF 50 ($11)
  • Walgreens Continuous Spray, Sport SPF 50 ($8)
  • Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch, SPF 30 ($11)
  • Coppertone Sport High Performance, SPF 30 ($10)

[SOURCE ARTICLE] 

General Sunscreen Purchasing and Application Tips:

  • Always looks for UVA and UVB on the label
  • Most of us remember the old recommendation of using 30+ SPF if you have fair skin.  This has been amended to 40+ SPF, though even higher (50+ SPF) is recommended.
  • Apply about a shot glass worth of sunscreen on your body 15-20 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun.
  • Re-apply as directed on the bottle.
  • Remember, water-resistant does not mean water-proof.  If you’re going in the water, plan on reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours.

 

Other Ways to Protect Yourself from the Sun:

Sunglasses:

Lenses should block 99% – 100% of UVA and UVB rays.  Look for lenses labeled with UVA 400 and try to choose gray, green or brown lenses.  If you plan on spending a lot of time on the water (or on any other reflective surface), invest in polarized lenses to reduce glare.

 

 

 

 

 

UPF Rated Clothing and Hats:

UPF Clothing [Source: http://www.self.com]

UPF is to clothing what SPF is to sunscreen.  Clothes labeled with a UPF rating block UV rays. Look for a UPF rating of 40 – 50+ when you go shopping to block 97.5%+ of UV rays. These days, you’ll find everything from the usual resort wear to swimsuits and more formal attire from a number of retailers.

 

 

 

Zinc oxide sunscreen:

Zinc Oxide Sunscreen [Source: http://www.perfectskincareforyou.com]

If you are extremely sensitive to the sun, then you might want to consider using zinc oxide sunscreen.  This is a little harder to come by but will protect you from the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays.  The main reason why it’s not popular is that it does not rub into your skin easily and is opaque white.  It can also stain dark clothing.  However, these side effects are a small price to pay if you’re in need of serious sun protection.

My Spring/Summer 2013 Holiday Beachwear Picks

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Spring is in full swing and the summer is just around the corner.  If you haven’t already purchased this year’s bikini or swimsuit, then chances are you’ve got an eye on a few options.  In celebration of the warmer weather and upcoming summer holidays, I’ve scoured the internet for my top summer vacation fashion picks.

Summer 2013 is all about mid-century retro glam, color blocking, strips and bright and cheery hues.

Starting from the feet up, here are my top picks:

1. Havaianas Top Flip Flops ($18.00 from Zappos)

havaianas

Havaianas has perfected the quitessential flip flop and infused a bright splash of color into their current line. Offering classic style, quality, comfort and a rainbow pack of colors, it’s a must-have for anyone heading to the beach this summer.

2. FitFlop Due Canvas in Sunflower (also available in Hibiscus and Super Navy, 75 GBP from FitFlop)

fitflop

When I saw these cute canvas shoes for sale at the mall I immediately fantasized about where them on a Mediterranean cruise, or a Greek island think.  Just think how nicely these sunflower cuties would look against the white-washed homes on Mykonos. Ideal for a quick jaunt into town or walking along a beach promenade, these FitFlops are ultra comfortable and also come in Hibiscus (red/pink) and Super Navy (dark blue).

3. Antique Embroidered Kaftan ($76.00 from Accessorize)

white_kaftan

This delicate white embroidered kaftan will add a dash a glamour to your summer beach wardrobe. The little white dress is everywhere this year, making this kaftan even more bang on trend. It’s incredibly versatile and would look just as great over a swimsuit as it would for a steamy summer night out.

4. ASOS Stripey Cut About Maxi Beach Dress ($26.60 from ASOS)

striped_maxiASOS is quickly becoming my go-to clothing outlet. The London-based company scours the globe for hot trends and designs its own pieces accordingly. This stripey maxi dress is casual and bright with a hint of shimmer. I’m packing it next to my embroidered kaftan on my next beach vacation.

5. Feather or Not Scarf ($11.99 from ModCloth)

scarfIf there’s any I learned from living in Europe, it’s that scarves are to be worn at all times of the year.  This lightweight offering by ModCloth can add a nice pop of color do a bland outfit and a touch of sophistication for a night out.

6. Oh What a Sight Sunglasses ($11.99 from ModCloth)

sunglasses$11.99 to add some retro glam to my outfit? Yes, please. These super cute, super fun and super mid-century glasses are ueber cool and a great bargain.  Pair with a loose fitting blouse, high waisted short and espadrilles for the ultimate mid-century-on-holiday look.

7. San Diego Hat Company XL Brim Sunhat ($44.00 from Zappos)

summer_hat

When it comes to sunhats, I say go big or go home.  This extra large and floppy offering by San Diego Hat Company is perfect in so many ways.  The ultra wide brim will help protect your face AND shoulders from harmful UV while you look effortless chic.  Perfect for lounging on the beach.

Fried Somtam: Greatest food ever?

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When people ask me about the foods they should try in Thailand, the first thing that pops into my mind is somtam (green papaya salad). There’s something very uniquely Thai about the dish; it, almost like Thailand itself, cobbled together from a myriad of ingredients.  These include green papaya, halved peanuts, Thai fish sauce (nam bpla) tomatoes and dried shrimp.  While the ingredient list admittedly looks less than appetizing, they’re transformed into a flavor sensation in the hands of a good cook. (For a good traditional somtam recipe, try these directions from Thai food blogger SheSimmers)

Because the papaya is green, it’s not sweet, but instead has a really “fresh” and “crisp” flavour.  Saltiness comes from the fish sauce and dried shrimp, while peppers, beans and peanuts add depth and texture to the dish.

On a recent trip to Baan Somtum (House of Somtam) in Bangkok, I had the opportunity to sample a wide array of different somtams.  Amidst the traditional styles and versions incorporating apples (this didn’t quite cut the mustard with me) and coconut, I tried “fried somtam”.  By my great powers of deduction, I presume that the green papaya shavings are deep fried to the point where they resemble shoe string onion rings.  Served on the side of the heaping pile of fried deliciousness was a bowl full of traditional somtam “sauce”.

Fried Somtam from Baan Somtum

I’ve concluded that this is Thailand’s version of ketchup and fries, except fried somtam is much more delicious.  The fried papaya strips were crispy perfection and I think the heat brought out a subtle sweetness in the fruit.  Dipping one delicate fry into the somtam sauce resulted in pure cuilinary bliss in my mouth.  Crispy, sweet, salty and textured, it had all the contrasting dimensions so prevalent in Thai cooking and was totally compatible with my western palette. After trying it I immediately proclaimed that this was the greatest food ever and proceeded to consume many hundreds of calories worth of crispy goodness.

I imagine that fried somtam can be made from an adapted traditional somtam recipe, but I’m no cooking expert.  Instead, I would recommend trying this dish if you ever find yourself in Bangkok.