For women going places

Airplane Air & Your Skin

4/29/11

Don’t you wonder what you’re breathing in when you’re on an airplane? The changes in altitude, the dry air and whatever germs your neighbor might be carrying can have a direct impact on your comfort and your health. There are a few things that I’ve learned over the years to minimize the effects on your skin:

- Wear minimal makeup while in the air (especially foundation)

- Use a water mist and spray it on your face before departure and midway through the flight

- If you wear contact lenses, bring (and use) wetting solution.

- Use lip balm early and often. Some lipsticks contain aloe, which can keep your lips moist. If you use a lipstick that does not contain aloe, apply lip balm on top of your lipstick.

- Drink plenty of water (I can’t stress this enough). The longer the flight, the more important it is to replenish the moisture you will lose. Regardless of what class of service you are in, you can’t be sure you will get the amount of water your body needs. It’s important to bring enough water on board with you (bought after going through security); try to drink a minimum of 8 ounces of water an hour.

- Apply a light moisturizer if your face feels dry during the flight (a heavier one may be needed during winter months).

- Apply an undereye cream. Flight attendants use this trick all the time. Many carry it in their pockets and whenever they remember, they put it on their face (over their makeup). If that’s what the veterans recommend, then that’s good enough for me.

See you on the road!

Kathy Ameche

Traveler-in-Chief

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Readers Offer Hotel Safety Suggestions

4/22/11

We've been getting some great tips and comments from our Woman Road Warrior LinkedIn group and on our Facebook page about my blog post on keeping yourself safe on the road. I wanted to share the responses here for all of our readers.

"Good article Kathy. One item I would add relates to rooms with connecting doors. This is probably due to watching Law & Order and an active imagination. I normally set up the ironing board in front of any connecting door as an extra security measure. It won't stop anyone coming through, but will make noise that would alert me of an intrusion." - Linda Robertson

"Kathy - I think one of the most important is your last point - make sure you are comfortable with the room. The women I traveled with used to laugh when I said my technique on entering a hotel room for the first time was to treat it like a blind date. I didn't sit down (because it's too much energy to get up and go back to the front desk after you get settled) until I had walked the room - do you have all the towels you need, is the room clean, are you comfortable with what's outside the window on a lower floor? If you need something that's missing, get it all done in one call or if too many things are not ready or clean, march back to the front desk.

I also find that some hotel rooms don't have doors that close / lock easily when you enter / exit. Make sure to pull the door closed so it doesn't sit ajar while you are in or out. All too tempting when the slow elevator is finally there to dash for the elevator without physically pulling the door shut." - Beverly Wyckoff

"All of this advice is terrific. I have a couple of additions. I usually put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door and leave the TV on when I'm out of the room (I know the latter isn't green, but there are trade-offs). Also test the deadbolt lock when you first get in the room to make sure it actually unlocks. I have a long story about how I was stuck in the room and the door had to be sledgehammered down. Also from others' experiences - I often take my cellphone into the bathroom if there isn't a phone in there if I plan to close the door (I know people who've been locked in) and cover the peephole." - Celene Peurye-Hissong

"Get a map of the hotel and complex and do a quick run through to the key locations as to not waste time later searching (usually when you don't have time!) ex: front desk, ice, spa, close exits, pool, restaurant. If you are traveling with children, this will also give you and them extra confidence if something were to come up that may separate you." - Danielle Bradley

Thanks for all the fabulous suggestions. We'd love to hear more. Please leave yours in the comments.

Stay safe and see you on the road!

Kathy Ameche
Traveler-in-Chief

Labels: hotel safety, Kathy Ameche, woman road warrior

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Keeping Yourself & Your Possessions Safe

4/15/11

Whether you look at your hotel stay as a necessary evil of business travel - a place to lay your weary head after a long day of meetings. Or an opportunity to enjoy a little time to yourself and get some pampering - the rule remains the same. Don't ever let your guard down.

You may have stayed at a certain hotel many times, but you still need to take precautions to help ensure that you and your belongings stay safe.

1. Avoid getting into an elevator if you are uncomfortable. Don't be embarrassed. The old saying that there is safety in numbers also applies to elevators.

2. Ask room service to call you when your delivery leaves the kitchen. You should never open your hotel room door to an uninvited stranger. If room service notifies you when your food leaves the kitchen, you can expect the delivery. The call also helps make sure you're dressed to receive the delivery.

3. When pre-ordering breakfast, don't identify yourself as a woman alone. When filling out the information on the form you leave on your doorknob, only fill in your initials or your last name. And inflate the number of people being served. The worst that can happen is you'll have silverware and/or coffee or tea service for two.

4. Stand at the door while room service is being delivered. Even when you're expecting room service, you still need to be careful. I always stand at or near the door, leaving the door open, when the server brings in the cart or try. I sign the bill when the server is on his way out the door or in the hall after the delivery.

5. Don't hang the "service please" sign on the door when you leave your room. You're simply telling anyone who cares that the room is empty. Housekeeping will still take care of your room and you can always call and tell them you're leaving.

6. Keep your identification easily accessible. I like to keep my purse, jewelry and room key either on the nightstand or by the front door. This way, I know where things are and can find them automatically if I need them in an emergency.

7. Request that all deliveries be made to the front desk. When you are making the request for delivery, never give out your room number. Give the front desk this simple rule: all deliveries must be screened at the desk; no one may deliver anything directly to your room.

And one more thing ... don't be afraid to ask to change your room if you feel uncomfortable about anything. Remember: You are the one footing the bill and you're entitled to your comfort and rest.

See you on the road!

Kathy Ameche
Traveler-in-Chief

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Caring For Yourself On The Road

4/7/11

If you don't take care of yourself on the road, who will? You can't rely on your colleagues, clients or hotel staff to make sure you're eating right, getting a good night's sleep and staying safe. So here's a Woman Road Warrior Checklist to put in your phone or your bag to help keep your well-being front and center on the road.

1. Always carry identification.

2. Look for meal alternatives to room service.

3. Take something to read or work on when eating alone.

4. Don't limit yourself to food choices listed on the menu.

5. Use the hotel concierge for advice and reservations.

6. Take proper steps to get a good night's sleep in the hotel.

7. Don't limit your exercise options to the hotel health club.

8. Don't leave credit card receipts or anything else with personal identification in the hotel room trashcans.

9. Leave copies (front and back) of all credit cards, identification and other important documents at home.

10. Use your time at home to keep up your relationships.

11. Develop systems for managing your family responsibilities while you're on the road.

See you on the road!

Kathy Ameche
Traveler-in-Chief

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For women going places

Airplane Air & Your Skin

Readers Offer Hotel Safety Suggestions

Keeping Yourself & Your Possessions Safe

Caring For Yourself On The Road