Never underestimate the importance of the perfect travel bag. And I don't mean a hefty suitcase. I mean the carry-on that fits nicely under the seat in front of you. Or in the overhead compartment. It also sits comfortably on your shoulder. And it never has to be checked. Where can you find such a bag? Don't even get me started:

Get the ball rolling at eBags.com. I suggest you click on "Travel Totes" first. The top 10 best sellers include everything from the colorful $40 Sydney Love Vintage Hotel Sleep Over bag to the Bric's Life Pelle 21" Carry-On Rolling Duffle for a whole lot more. You can also click on Backpacks, Messengers, Sports & Duffels and plenty of other styles. You'll earn a 5% ConsumerClub.com rebate on all of the above.

Tumi.com also has a wonderful selection of high-class messenger bags, backpacks, shoulder bags and carry-ones without wheels. My favorites are the striped Mini Weekender and the Alpha Travel & Business Airforce bag. You'll definitely get what you pay for on this top-quality site, in addition to a 5% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.

Don't take off again without also checking out the unexpected bag selection at shoe-happy Zappos.com. You'll find great prices on hot bags from brands like Puma, Diesel, Sally Spicer, D&G, Lacoste, Betseyville, Keen and many, many others. You can also pick up footwear to match your new bag(s). Then take your 6% ConsumerClub.com rebate and put it toward any upcoming summer escapes.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Planning a Mexican escape with friends? A Caribbean adventure for two? A European vacation for the whole family? Now's not only the time to get tickets before prices skyrocket or run out. It's also time to order your passport. And protect it in style.

Where to begin? Visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/ for information on getting, replacing or changing your U.S. passport. This site can tell you the closest passport acceptance facility in your area where you can do all of the above. Right now you'll wait bout a month for your passport, unless you pay extra to expedite the process.

Now comes the fun part. How will you outfit your passport? Flight001.com will make you wish you had a dozen copies to carry around. This site has passport covers made of materials as diverse as leather and duct tape - with imagery ranging from stripes to solids to monsters to a bike rider to escalator schematics. Get free ground shipping with promo code FIRSTCLASSLUXURY when you spend $50 before tax.

LuggageOnline.com has a variety of cases for your passport and boarding pass that you can wear around your neck, in addition to sleek leather passport jackets in a rainbow of colors. You'll also find leather document cases, ticket organizers, undercover security wallets, cases for multiple forms of currency and a whole lot more for your travel needs. And you'll earn a 6% ConsumerClub.com rebate as you fly through this site.

Trouble choosing a destination? Look no further than LonelyPlanet.com for maps, articles and invaluable advice on when and where to go this summer. Happy Travels to you.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One weekend at the local botanical gardens has given me a memorable sunburn already. So in addition to a heaping helping of sunscreen, I'll be sporting a big old sunhat on my next outing. Here's where you can get one of your own:

Gap.com has plenty of summer lids for guys, girls and kids - from solid-colored baseball hats to jungle-print sun hats with will bills and ruffles to camouflage ranger hats to a blue newsboy caps. Look out for the bottom line too as you earn a 2% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.

Good old Target.com has plenty to offer a hot head as well. I fancy the straw cowboy hats with beads, which are just $12.99. But the conductor's hats, newsboy hats, floppy hats and visors aren't far behind in my opinion. And the 4% ConsumerClub.com rebate means I'll be getting myself more than one.

Last but certainly not least is Lids.com, where you'll find hundreds of customizable baseball hats, dozens of other styles, a 6% ConsumerClub.com rebate and a 20% discount when you join the site's Passport Club. Hot brands include Under Armour, Burton, Timberland, DC Shoes and Dakine. You can also shop Lids Private Label, which includes high-fashion Fedoras for men.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Unless you've spent all winter at the indoor community pool (or you live in a tropical haven), your swimsuit is probably looking like a foreign object right now. That's assuming you liked it enough to keep it around for another year. No matter what your swimwear situation, you have new reason to celebrate. I've discovered a few sites where a woman can find a suit that flatters her figure this year:

LandsEnd.com has written the book on covering what needs hiding and flattering what still shows. Shop swimwear by your Anxiety Zones, Body Shape, Control, Bra Style or Collections. You'll find one-pieces, tankinis, skirts and tops, shorts, cover-ups and more on this extremely helpful, reassuring site. The prices are great. The colors and patterns are lovely too. While you're there, Land's End Overstocks to save up to 65% off various fashions and also earn a 3% ConsumerClub.com rebate.

FigLeaves.com starts by having you Shop for Your Shape. You choose the silhouette that looks most like your figure, then learn what options would fit it best and opt to see the styles right for your body. You'll love the beautiful suits on this site. Also enjoy the 4% rebate you earn from ConsumerClub.com while shopping here.

Don't miss the Swim Look Book at Gap.com. Here you can Build Your Perfect Suit piece by piece, shop the Suits for Your Shape section, browse Swim Trends like Natural Prints, Retro Chic and Hardware Details from the folks who know them best. Then walk away with a style you'll be proud to show off all summer long. Earn a 2% ConsumerClub.com rebate shopping here and have cash to spare for sunscreen.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)