MICHAELANGELO WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS PHONE CHARGER

I must admit, I am a lover of all things Italian…from cuisine to clothing to home décor.

I probably speak for many of us who are really tired of having black plastic devices litter our desks, with no regard for aesthetics and design. That’s why my eyes lit up when I learned about Eggtronic’s wireless charging stones, made out of handcrafted Italian marble. The high-powered chargers work with all Qi-enabled devices and provide fast charging up to 10W for compatible devices.

I selected a classic white marble charger, but they also come in black marble, travertine, lava and sandstone. True to its promise, my Samsung Note 9 charged quickly (even through a leather case) and without a glitch.

If you need a touch of class to embellish your desktop, this is definitely the way to go. They make practical and unique gifts, too.

GOING SOLO

…well, maybe not literally, as I usually travel with my husband and fellow photographer, Tony.

What I am referring to is the company, SOLO NEW YORK, which makes affordable and stylish bags for everyone (which gets them consistent top-rated reviews on Amazon.com).

Just to clarify, I never leave home on travel with anything but a backpack and carry-on roller (read my article on Traveling Carry-On Only to see why).  That being said, it stands to reason that the backpack has to be stylish, as well as practical, to cover both business and travel needs.

This Parker Hybrid Tote exceeded my expectations.  It looks like a designer bag, with its sleek form, gold zippers, and lovely black fabric. But where this bag really shines is its versatility, especially for someone on the go. I can’t travel anywhere without my  15.6” laptop and it slides perfectly into its own compartment in this tote. I’m also able to accommodate my huge make up bag, cell phone, reading glasses, and much more in the many convenient compartments this backpack offers.

AND, it is super comfortable with its fully padded back and shoulder straps. It even features a back strap to slide over your luggage handle to make your sprints through the airport and along city sidewalks so much easier.

Going SOLO was never so much fun!

NAILIN’ IT

Although I love the look of well-manicured nails, I am also very conscious about the purity of any cosmetic I use. Up until now, I’ve found it difficult to find chemical-free nail polish (let alone sealer and remover), so I’ve pretty much given up on having lovely manicured nails.

Then I learned about the SOPHi line of nail products—and was immediately sold. Free of all harsh chemicals, the water-based formula leaves nails healthy and doesn’t cause them to yellow or become brittle. As an added plus, SOPHi is vegan and cruelty free.

The system is easy to follow. First apply the primer and sealer, then 2 to 3 coats of nail polish (they have a wide spectrum of cool colors to choose from) followed by a shine topcoat and another coat of primer and sealer for extended wear. Blow dry on warm between applications—and enjoy a manicure that looks as if you just emerged from a high-end salon.

The product is endorsed by EWG (Environmental Working Group), which for years has been my source of information about the toxicity of not only cosmetics, but cleaning products we use and the food we consume in our daily lives.

MYCHELLE, MYCHOICE

And while we’re on the subject of cosmetics that rank high on EWG’s purity list, I should mention one of my favorite rejuvenating treatments, MyChelle’s G2 Instant Firming serum. I can see it plump up my skin almost immediately, especially after a long plane trip or working all day on the computer.  It contains wholesome ingredients such as Goji berries and fermented pomegranate extract that seem to do the trick, with no parabens or any other toxic ingredients.

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite travel tips with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel experience for us all.