I love these cute bags made from recycled tire inner tubes. They have the look of leather without the environmental impact. In addition to bags in a variety of sizes, the company also makes wallets and belts. I personally really like the small Beetle, pictured above.

English Retreads

When I received my new passport this month with an RFID chip embedded in it, I immediately started looking for a case with an RFID shield. Pretty quickly, I realized that most of them are ugly. I know it’s just a carrier, but I don’t see why something can’t be practical and cute! Finally I found this sleek, stainless steel version made by Stewart Stand. It’s light, secure, looks great and it works for a man or woman.

$48 CSN Stores

UPDATE: I actually just took a trip with this case for the first time and I wasn’t very happy with it. When I handed my passport to an agent, he bent it when he opened it and it left a permanent crease in the book. Also, if it is held for any amount of time, it quickly gets fingerprints all over it. Given it’s lack of hardiness, I can’t recommend it.

For years I’ve dreamed of owning a map of the world that I could hang on my wall and mark off the places I’ve visited with pins. I looked at many but they were always too small, not detailed enough or too expensive. Lucky for me, Will found exactly what I wanted and gifted it to me for my birthday this year! It’s laminated onto foam backing and has wooden frames on the top and bottom. It even has my name printed on it! It was difficult for me to take a good picture of it because, at 54×34 inches, it’s huge but I think you get the idea and can see at least some of my pins. Looking at it brings back so many great memories of all the places I’ve been and reminds me that there are so many more I have yet to visit!

You can get this map and a wide variety of others at The Map Shop.

Will and I love buying posters at art museums we visit or live shows we attend. Keeping the print intact throughout plane, train and car rides is tough so the first thing we want to do when we arrive home is frame it. This sometimes proves difficult as collectible posters often come in irregular sizes. Fortunately I found a great company a few years ago that hand cuts their frames to fit your needs called Hollywood Poster Frames. The frames are easy to assemble and are equipped with clear or non-glare UV Plexi-Glass to protect your picture for years to come. The best thing about Hollywood Poster Frames is their completely affordable prices that are less than half what you would pay at most art or framing retail stores, even with shipping.

Hollywood Poster Frames

I always get cold on long flights and although most airlines provide blankets, I admit I’m a germ freak and don’t trust their cleanliness. I like this fleece travel blanket from Eagle Creek. It’s large enough to completely cover you and it’s so warm and soft. It also has a zippered lap pocket that you can carry earplugs and eye shades in or keep valuables like your iPod in while you nap. It can supposedly fold into itself and double as a pillow but I haven’t been able to do this successfully. Still, it’s light, easy to carry and can be machine washed after use.

$20.00 Eagle Creek

Sometimes no matter how often you move about the cabin, a flight leaves you with sore, swollen legs. Whenever I fly long distance, I use these Ames Walker Microfiber Travel Socks to improve circulation and help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clots). They are especially helpful when you have to sleep on a flight and don’t stretch as much as you should. I usually put them after boarding and I always cover them with warmer socks as they are thin. They feel a bit tight at first but you quickly get used to them and you’re legs will feel so much better when you arrive at your destination. They are available in men’s and women’s sizes.

For the rest of this month, Ames Walker is offering 10% off all orders and a flat shipping rate of $2.99. Just use coupon code may2008.

$10.79 Ames Walker

We’re used to removing our shoes when we go through airport security but that doesn’t mean we enjoy it. Who knows what germs are lurking on that dirty airport floor? Although most airports don’t provide foot covers, they are allowed. According to TSA rules, disposable booties are legal as long as you throw them away before leaving the security area. Many travel companies have been releasing such products and selling them for around $10 for a pack of 10 but hardware and safety supply stores carry shoe covers for much less. I bought 100 of these covers for just $6.47 and they work great on shoeless feet.

$8.99 Star Safety

I discovered this bed tent while looking for a mosquito net for a trip the Amazon jungle. I like that it is freestanding with nothing to hang and that it has a floor to keep out crawling bugs as well. It’s easy to carry, a snap to put together and it comes in one and two person sizes. We ended up using it not only in the rainforest, but also in a couple of other hotels in Peru where we didn’t feel comfortable sleeping exposed. We used silk travel sheets and the hotel pillows, which we put the tent on top of and laid on through the floor. It may shift a bit as your weight is what holds it on the bed but it worked great and we sure were thankful we brought it.

If you are wondering about cleaning the tent after travel, we shook it out and sealed it in its bag tight after each use. In the jungle, we actually wiped it down with a towel. When we got home, we filled a big bucket with boiling water and disinfecting soap and let it soak.

$89-$109 Long Road Travel Supplies

I always walk for hours on end when I’m exploring a new city. For years, I would end my days taking sleeping pills so I could sleep through the pain of my throbbing feet. Finally, a shoe sales clerk recommended I try Spenco insoles. I figured it was a pitch but I had nothing to lose so I bought a pair. Within a month I had purchased them for every shoe I owned.

I’ve been using Spencos for about 5 years now and I wouldn’t walk without them. I’ve tried a few different models, but I only like the green Polysorb versions and I generally buy new insoles whenever I buy new shoes. Now I walk wherever I want, as long as I want, pain free!

Spenco

Let’s face it, fitting all of your liquids and gels into a quart sized bag when you fly can be tricky. Most travel containers on the market are are a full 3 ounces, the maximum allowed, but often you don’t need that much of a product. Having your precious Ziploc space eaten up by half empty bottles is not cool.

I was so excited when I found this 16 piece carry-on kit with tiny leakproof jars and bottles, particularly the mini spray bottle. The containers range in size from 1/8 to 2 ounces and the kit also includes 36 sticker labels and a quart sized bag so you can just fill and go!

$9.99 Linens ‘n Things