Purchasing the original SPIbelt™ at a marathon expo in 2009, the discreet belt/pouch combo has been holding my driverse license, cash, and car keys at athletic events, on trips, and every opportunity to be purse- and pocket-free. Withstanding stretching, sweat, and trips through the washing machine, SPIbelt ranks right up there with a good sports bra and cute new pair of shoes.

Invented in 2006 by Kim Overtron, athlete in Austin, Texas, the SPIbelt has evolved to include a shielded liner to protect users from both electromatic fields (EMF) and identity theft. Marketed as the Shielded SPIbelt™ cellular phones and credit cards can be tucked and wrapped in a built-in ANTI-EMF/RFID liner that bits inside the belt pouch or detached and stored inside a purse or backpack.

Fitting comfortably around your waist and (don’t ask me how) without chafing, bouncing, or sliding around, SPIbelt expands to hold a surprising amount of stuff (my iPhone fits comfortably with room for business cards and a small pack of gum). Ideal for the female traveler and easy to remove at airport security, store your passport, identification, and valuables more securely than in your purse.

For additional storage space and/or storage on a different part of your body, sister product SPIband™ is worn on the wrist or ankle like a sweat band. Without admitting this to my mother, of course, I can see the benefit of keeping emergency information (names, numbers, medial allergies) on your body when you travel or exercise without a companion.

The company also offers other products ranging from messenger bags to water bottle holders and even SPIbelts that accommodate diabetic pumps. Everything comes in a range of sizes and colors.

Disclosure: I purchased a SPIbelt for myself in 2009. I purchased another one for my mom in 2010, and another for a friend in 2011. At my request, SPIbelt recently sent me a Shielded SPIbelt and SPIband for purposes of this review. A opinions contained here are entirely those of yours truly (Julie).

Traveling along a lonely stretch of US Hwy 151, just north of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, you spy an old white house. Intrigued by the unique artistry in the front yard, you pull in and walk the winding ramp to the front door. “You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension – a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into  …”

The Plaid Squirrel? With apologies to Rod Serling, you have not entered the Twilight Zone. Nope, you have crossed the threshold into one of the more eclectic and unique gift/galleries in the area. Having just opened in time for the holidays in 2011, the Plaid Squirrel is kicking off 2012 with work created solely by Wisconsin artists.

Offering what owners and sisters Nancy Kingsley and Susan Schreiber describe as “something for every nut,” the Plaid Squirrel makes excellent use of what had been a derelict old shell of a home. Owning their own shop has long been a dream of the sisters. Now, having recently retired, their dream has come true.The sisters, friends, family and local contractors all contributed to making the house into a true showcase of many lovely and unique things.  Elements of the house still remain to add ambiance and interest, like the old style kitchen sink and glass-front kitchen cabinets now displaying kitchen-related items. Another room maintains elements of the bathroom, and yes, it still works, which can be a great relief for travelers.

Walk in the front door and look up. You will be greeted by Nancy or Susan from the gallery overlooking the first floor. This is where they keep their office and work rooms. Shoppers are not allowed up there, but the open gallery adds a lot to the shop, allowing more light and a sense of space. Hmm, I wonder how much of Lake Winnebago they see from up there?

The art and gifts are impressive. Nancy and Susan are dedicated to offering items made by Wisconsin artists. “Wisconsin has so many talented artists who need a good venue for their work. Why would we NOT show off Wisconsin talent?,”says Nancy. Not only is there something for every nut (the ladies also give you free peanuts), but there is something for every pocketbook, too. From handmade scented soaps in the $2.00 range to stunning yard art in the  5 figure range, you are certain to find something that must go home with you.

If you are hungry for more than a bag of peanuts, go a few miles south of the Plaid Squirrel to the little town of Peebles. Just off Hwy 151, you will find the Gift and Gab, a charming little gift shop/WiFi station and cafe. Did I mention they make a delicious lobster bisque? I have been there twice and each time the food has been delicious and well-presented.  The menu has a nice variety of soups, salads, sandwiches and main courses. Try the quiche of the day. Always a good choice. And the lobster bisque! Good food, good prices and very good service.

Both places are easy to find and well-worth a stop along the way. You might even consider them your next day-trip destination.

Like many others with cell phones, I occasionally have to deal with a low phone battery when I’m out and about. However, if I’m in my car, I have no problem; I just plug my phone into my car charger, and I’m good. Trouble arises, though, when I’m on the move in other ways than my car. At the airport, traveling in a vehicle not my own or even walking about town. Even if I had my wall charger with me, finding a place to plug in presents a challenge of its own. That’s when I’m grateful for my new iGo Charge Anywhere charger.

About the size of a credit card (and not much thicker!), my iGo charger provides a full charge to my phone in about an hour. Thanks to its small size and light weight, I can tuck the iGo and connection cord into my purse, tote or even my pocket, and my cell phone and I can hit the road without worry of a dead battery.

To use the iGo, you simply plug it into a wall outlet so it can fully charge. This takes a few hours, so I usually charge it at night so it’s fully charged when I’m ready to head out the next day. While the iGo is plugged into the wall, you also can plug in your cell phone to charge so you don’t have to bring your regular phone charger with you, cutting down on extra cords and gadgets when traveling. The iGo Charge Anywhere model also has two outlets, so you can charge two phones (or other electronic devices provided you have the appropriate iGo charging tip) at the same time.

Plus, the charging cord is long enough to use the phone without pulling out the iGo, too. For instance, on a recent trip to Knoxville, Tenn., as I walked around downtown, I plugged my phone into the iGo. I dropped the iGo into my tote, but continued to use my phone as it was charging without the hassle of holding a second device.

All in all, the iGo has made traveling for me much easier and convenient. I don’t worry about my cell phone going dead, and I’m not bogged down by extra cords and devices. If you’re looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use charger for your cell phone, I definitely recommend the iGo. I’ll never leave home without mine again.

To find the right iGo for you, visit www.igo.com.

Disclosure: iGo provided Karon with an iGo for this review. However, all opinions contained here are entirely those of Karon. 

Today’s guest post is from Cassandra Coopman, college senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Cassie and her girlfriends connected with Destin Vacation Boat Rentals on their spring break road trip to Florida last month.

Destin Vacation Boat Rentals is located in Destin, FL right on the Destin Harbor, and offers full service boat and water sports equipment rental. With rentals ranging from pontoons and jet skis to snorkeling equipment and fishing charters, Destin Vacation Boat Rentals is a fantastic idea for a girlfriends getaway.

On our trip to Destin, we spent a great evening out on their Sunset Cruise.  When we arrived, we first met with Heather (co-owner) who gave us a general description and visual tour of the surrounding areas while we were waiting for our boat to dry.  The city is undergoing an exciting project right now of putting in a board walk down the harbor to allow sightseers to walk all along.

As we boarded the boat, we were greeted by additional members of the Destin Vacation Boat Rentals team, who were all amazing and wanted to help make our trip the best possible. Finally we headed out with Captain Chris (owner), and embarked on a trip surely not forget!  His experience in not only the boating industry, but also his knowledge of the area and passion for the beautiful area make the trip all the more amazing.

We started the trip with the hopes of seeing dolphins, as they were spotted for the first time in the harbor that day, and we were not disappointed! Chris was able to navigate and take us right next to the large pod!

There were multiple other large cruise boats out following the dolphins as well, but I must say we were the luckiest and most comfortable, in our private pontoon, sipping mimosas and watching the beautiful creatures swim right by the boat!  Chris’s expertise of the harbor also allowed us to see the bald eagle nests on the other side of the harbor, as well as manta rays swimming right under our boat!

As we continued on our tour of the harbor we cruised over Crab Island, a spot in the middle of the harbor where the water is only three to four feet deep and during the summer, boats dock out there and have a party all their own, as well as floating restaurants and more entertainment.  Something I definitely would like to get back for!

As sunset approached, we continued a quiet tour of the area, seeing Garth Brooks’ and Britney Spears’ homes and boats on the Harbor. We also pulled up next to President Roosevelt’s old boat, which Chris had  been on before and was able to give a detailed description of the interior; another cool thing I would like to see someday!

As we finally made our way back to the dock, we experienced one of the most beautiful views with the sun setting over the bridge and boats.  In all, our sunset cruise with Destin Vacation Boat Rentals was an amazing experience that I would recommend to everyone to visit; I will definitely be going back!

Chicago Auto Show

With the Chicago Auto Show in full swing, Road Trips for Girlfriends got in on the action with a “country to city” road trip review of the Buick Regal Hybrid. Road trip divas, high on our list of priorities include safety, fuel efficiency, comfort, and—let’s state the obvious, ladies—looking good behind the wheel.

On the 150 mile drive through farmland, down interstate, and rounding the final bend into a rush hour headwind, feedback for fuel economy and power flow is instantaneously available on the car’s tricked out Infotainment System.

Eco Gauge

Standard with 2013 models, eAssist technology pairs a lithium-ion battery pack with a small electric motor to assist the standard engine during times when fuel conservation is possible (red lights are a good example). Taking care to drive with the needle in the middle of the green zone on the ECO gauge also helps resist the urge to leap out of the starting gate when the light turns green.

On the subject of safety and smart driving, note the ability to pair to a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone makes incoming and outgoing calls hands free. Equipped with OnStar to assist with directions (not to downplay travel emergencies), navigation routes are automatically uploaded to the center panel using voice commands (or speak to an operator if you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed on North Michigan Avenue).

Double rainbow!

Portable devices like iPod and MP3 can also be connected to the vehicle’s audio system for full access to music and photo collections (if you love to geocache, watch why this is a brilliant idea). For those of you living in a temperate climate, this would be a good time to open the sun roof and turn some heads to a backdrop of your favorite road trip soundtrack.

Comfortable and luxurious inside and out, in saving the environment Buick has compromised trunk space with placement of the battery pack. A bit cramped for more than two suitcases, plan to fold down a back seat for weekend shopping or ski trips. OR maybe its time to pack light and breathe some clean air.

When it comes to snow skiing, you automatically think of Vermont, Colorado or Utah, right? Well, push aside any preconceived notions you may have about the South, and re-think your answer. In the high country of North Carolina, three ski destinations offer visitors an experience not unlike that found in the country’s more well-known ski resorts.

What sets these resorts apart is their ability to produce ideal ski conditions without the necessity for natural snow or constant sub-zero temperatures. Each resort is equipped with its own snowmaking technology, which allows each one to create prime ski slopes practically overnight.

Appalachian Ski Mountain

Appalachian Ski Mountain features 12 slopes and three terrain parks, perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels. Photo courtesy of High Country Host.

Located in Blowing Rock, Appalachian Ski Mountain offers skiers and snowboarders 12 slopes and three terrain parks to choose from for testing their skills. The site’s base elevation is 3,635 feet, while the peak elevation tops out at 4,000 feet, with a vertical drop of 365 feet. Slopes open at 9 a.m. and run until 5 p.m., with a night session from 5 to 10 p.m.

Home to the French-Swiss Ski College, Appalachian Ski offers the perfect location to learn how to ski or brush up on your skills, which is exactly what I did. And, I believe, I did quite well. I made it down the small, short hill as instructed. Several times in fact. As a result, I felt pretty good about my progress and was looking forward to my next lesson at my next ski stop. Turns out, that was my first mistake.

Sugar Mountain

A short drive away in Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain features 20 slopes and trails situated on 115 acres. Base elevation is 4,100 feet, while the summit reaches 5,300 feet, with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet. Thanks to such a large vertical drop, Sugar Mountain is home to North Carolina’s only double black diamond trail: Whoopdeedoo.

Snowshoeing is a great alternative to skiing when it comes to exploring the slopes of Sugar Mountain. Photo by www.bushphoto.com.

Since the slopes are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., plus a night session from 6 to 10 p.m., you can work up your courage on the less difficult trails before tackling Whoopdeedoo. For those new to the sport or wanting to tweak their skills, ski and snowboard lessons are offered for all ages.

It is here that I take my next ski lesson. However, unlike my previous lesson, this lesson took an immediate turn for the worst. Unlike at Appalachian Ski, where I donned my skis and walked – yes, walked – up my small, short hill, at Sugar I was quickly directed to the ski lift. I knew this wasn’t going to go well, and I was right. First, I fell trying to get off the ski lift at the top of the mountain – yes, mountain.

Once I regained my footing, a new fear set in: How was I going to get down this mountain? I drew upon my limited ski knowledge obtained in yesterday’s lesson and tried desperately to implement it. Unfortunately, my knees quickly rebelled. Since I was at a much higher elevation, my speed increased much faster than I expected, and my knees were not able to catch up.

In moments I knew I wouldn’t make it down this hill via skiing. Thankfully, my instructor was understanding and did her best to help me get down without ripping my knees apart. Once I was back at the lodge, I traded my skis in for something a little more comfortable: snow shoes. For those without the skiing gene, this is a great way to hit the slopes without fear of running wild into a tree. Trust me! Sugar Mountain offers one-hour snowshoe tours across the mountain four days a week, and I highly recommend it. You get to check out the slopes and see some of the view without risking life or limb.

Beech Mountain Resort

Eastern North America’s highest ski resort, Beech Mountain Resort welcomes skiers and snowboarders to test their prowess on 15 different slopes.

In the town of Beech Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort welcomes visitors to display their skiing and snowboarding prowess on its 16 trails, day or night. The highest ski resort in Eastern North America, base elevation is 4,675 feet, while the peak elevation reaches 5,506 feet, with an 830-foot vertical drop. With seven lifts, including a high-speed quad chair lift, you’ll be back at the top of the slopes ready for more in no time. However, after my experience at Sugar, I decided to forego the skis and see what else the resort had to offer.

For something different or while taking a break from the slopes, take a spin on the ice skating rink located in the middle of Beech Tree Village or peruse through the village’s gift and clothing shops. If you’ve worked up an appetite or simply need to refuel, stop by one of the resort’s four dining destinations for a snack or a meal.

As you can see, there’s no need to head out west or up north for a great winter vacation. So the next time you’re planning a snow ski trip, think outside the norm and consider a visit to North Carolina’s high country.

Disclosure: Karon Warren visited these ski resorts as a guest of High Country Host.

Vitrana by Dominick Labino

Never on my bucket list of road-trip destinations, it wasn’t until I actually went to Toledo, Ohio that I understood why so many Midwesterner’s defend their beloved city. Friendly, affordable, and accessible by plane, train, or automobile, I can’t wait to head back out Toledo way with my estrogen entourage in tow.

The fourth largest city in the state of Ohio, Toledo is a water-loving town. Located at the western end of Lake Erie, downtown Toledo is built along the banks of the Maumee River that spills out into the Great Lake. Fed by the automotive and glass industries, urban Toledo has embraced the brownstone architecture revitalization that cities like Chicago and Milwaukee have done so strategically.

Home to over 600,000 Ohioans, greater Toledo offers many of the cultural venues, sports teams, and educational opportunities that come as a rite-of-passage with this population density. Known as the “glass city,” beaming high rises are constructed of materials melted from the sands of Lake Erie. Ornamental as much as functional, Toledo showcases its glass heritage in galleries, museums, and retail shops. Enough to make you want to carry Windex in a hip holster, here are two “glassy” venues for seeing Toledo clearly.

Pill Spill by Beverly Fishman

Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion

Affiliated with the Toledo Museum of Art, the Glass Pavilion is located in a mostly transparent (no surprises there) 74,000 square foot building across from the main art museum on 2445 Monroe Street. Featuring the works of world-renowned artisans including Dale Chihuly and Dominick Labino, the museum is segmented into galleries, conference space, a coffee bar and gift shop, and two state-of-the-art glassblowing studios. Providing materials, demonstrations, and instruction on glassblowing techniques, class schedules and event information is best found on the Glass Pavilion website. A work-of-art in itself, even the bathroom sinks are hip-and-trendy. Admission to both the Toledo Museum of Art and the Glass Pavilion is free.

Libbey Glass Showroom

Libbey Glass Showroom

With the invention of the world’s first automated bottle-making machine in 1903, Edward Drummond Libbey and Michael J.Owens set the glass industry’s revolution into motion. Significantly contributing to the both the local job market and the studio glass movement, people around the world have been decorating their tables with Libbey Glass for over a century. Located at 205 South Erie Street in Toledo, the 60,000 square foot Libbey Glass Showroom is a bargain-hunters paradise. At prices below suggested retail value, the outlet store features glassware, flatware, candles, dinnerware, decorative glass and porcelain, and gifts including towels, cards, and seasonal tchotchkes. Ideal for special events and celebrations, leave a corner of your trunk unpacked if you plan to stop at Libbey.

For more information on Toledo area glass artists and resources, visit www.ACGT.org or ask for assistance from the friendly folks at the Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau.  For the serious glass enthusiasts, plan to leave your stones at home and take the toddlers just learning to toddle to the Toledo Imagination Station or The Toledo Zoo.

Returning home to Michigan to spend some time with my mom this summer, I noticed a newspaper article she had clipped and tacked on the bulletin board next to her refrigerator. Written in June, the story Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood had published in the Grand Rapids Press featured Lavender Hill Farms in Boyne City. Inspired by the idea of an “Up North” adventure, we packed a picnic basket and set out on a rural road trip.

At the southern tip of picturesque Lake Charlevoix and west of Michigan’s beloved Leelanau peninsula, residents of Boyne City find themselves in a terrain suited to drought-resistant plants or roots that grow deep and determinedly towards the water table. Creating her own purple patch of lavender heaven, farm owner Linda Longworth has been adding to Lavender Hill Farms each year since she and her husband purchased the land on 07534 Horton Bay Road N in 2003.

With over 6500 lavender plants of 30 varieties, Longworth also keeps bees on the farm, processing and selling the honey at the end of the season at the quaint gift shop just to the north of the barn and neatly kept lavender fields. A sign reading, “bees at work,” reminds you to respectfully appreciate nature in harmony (Ackerman-Haywood explains that lavender acts as an antiviral and antibacterial agent for the bees).

A trip to Lavender Hill Farms can be as quick as popping by to purchase tea or essential oil or as long as you need to cut your own bunches of lavender from the fields. Open seasonally from June15 – September 15, the farm offers group events and tours (by appointment), classes (herbal skin care and making lavender wands and wreaths were offered this season), and special events like afternoon tea and book talks. Peaking  in late July, photographers should plan their color tours accordingly.

Accompanied by young children not as impressed (or immediately relaxed) by our destination, rope swings kept them outside while we admired the plants and other hand-made items in the gift shop. A lovely way to boost your immune system or keep your calm during traffic jams, keep some lavender oil handy in your glove box. If you can’t make it to Boyne City by September 15, place an order online and put Michigan on your road trip itinerary next year.

Understandably, I travel a lot, and that travel takes a toll on my cell phone. From numerous runs through airport security to dropping it while trying to carry 10 things at once from the car to the hotel room, my cell phone gets its fair share of hard knocks and scratches. So when the folks at Uncommon asked me if I wanted to try out their case during my trip to the BlogHer ’11 conference, I thought I might do it. When they told me it would be custom decorated with the Road Trips for Girlfriends logo, I knew I couldn’t resist.

It’s a simple process. You select the case you want (currently, it’s only available for iPhone 4 and 3GS and iPod Touch), upload the artwork (a favorite photo or choose from the online image gallery), and position and scale it how you want it on the case. Unlike a decal or sticker, the image itself is actually embedded into the case with what Uncommon calls the “3D TATT™ (Thermo-Active Transdermal Technology)” printing process. Therefore, your image actually wraps around the case if you use the entire print area.

When I received my case, I immediately loved how the logo looked. The case is in two parts, and after slipping it onto my phone, I did have some concern about it staying on. It seemed at times that the bottom half of the case was sliding off. However, now that it’s been on the phone for a while, it feels more secure.

My only complaint with the case is that it is slippery at times. It’s very smooth and fits the phone snugly, but at times it slides right out of my hands. Thankfully, the phone hasn’t suffered any damage when dropped. Uncommon states the case is constructed of impact-resistant polymers, and so far they are holding up to my abuse.

Overall, I think it’s a great case as well as an affordable one. The price point is, I think, quite reasonable ($39.95 for iPhones, $34.95 for iPod Touch plus shipping), especially compared to ones I saw while shopping that were $60 or more. If you’re looking for a sturdy phone case with a bit of personality to it, I definitely recommend the Uncommon case. You can get your own at getuncommon.com.

Disclosure: Uncommon provided the above pictured case for this product review; however, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely those of the author. 

Located near Tampa, Fla., Innisbrook, a Salamander^® golf and spa resort, welcomes girlfriends to explore its 900 acres situated just a few miles from the Florida coastline and the Gulf of Mexico. From the top-notch spa to the relaxing nature walk to the many swimming pools, this resort provides more than enough offerings to keep you and your girlfriends entertained.

The first, most obvious draw of Innisbrook is the Indaba Spa. Encompassing 18,000 square feet, Indaba embodies all the elements that comprise a pampered experience: a comfortable lounge, a relaxing steam room and plunge pool, and, of course, soothing treatments. During my visit, I enjoyed the Indaba Signature Citrus Massage, a combination of a full body massage and a scalp treatment infused with citrus massage lotion and oils that left me feeling completely at ease. My mother tried the Coco-Luscious Manicure and Pedicure, which includes a warm coconut milk bath, a refining coconut scrub and a massage with a rich tropical butter. She told me she could have endured that treatment all day long.

When not at the spa, you and your gal pals can pass the time lounging at one of the property’s six pools, although I would steer clear of the family favorite, the Loch Ness Monster Pool, if you want a more adults-only experience.

If you want a more active itinerary, Innisbrook delivers. Addressing the obvious, Innisbrook is a golf resort, boasting four courses on the grounds. Perhaps the most well-known, the par-71, 7,340-yard Copperhead Course hosts the annual PGA Tour Transitions Championship. However, the par-72, 7,310-yard Island Course also garners praise from pros and casual golfers alike for its demanding fairways, challenging water hazards and dramatic elevation changes. The North Course and South Course also test players, so if you and your girlfriends enjoy a round on the links, schedule enough days to hit all four courses.

Other activities include biking, tennis, racquetball, volleyball and miniature golf. One of our favorite activities was taking the nature walk, which travels across a boardwalk through a 2-acre nature preserve, ending at a deck overlooking a pond. On the advice of Arica Haro, Innisbrook recreation director, we brought along some bread to feed the turtles.

Innisbrook is just as varied in its accommodations, so regardless of your travel party size, you’ll find rooms that will leave everyone in comfort. For instance, during my trip, I shared a two-bedroom suite with my mother and my daughter that included a full kitchen, a spacious living room and a large balcony. Other accommodations include deluxe guest rooms, executive suites and one-bedroom suites.

Likewise, the property features five dining options that will sate your appetite whether large or small. While I enjoyed everything I sampled, my overall recommendation goes to the flatbread pizzas available at the Market Salamander Grille. If you have any room left over after finishing one of these delectable pies, I suggest filling it with the bread pudding. The patio at the Market Salamander Grille also is a great place to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner cocktail with your best friends.

As you can see, Innisbrook is the perfect choice for your next girlfriend getaway. To add to its appeal, check the website for the most current girlfriend getaway specials.