I guess I won't be the one to allow this post to die...

I loove my hanging toiletry bag and all it's compartments too! I keep all my small shower stuff, mini alarm clock and other necessities packed and stored in my 22" bag so at a moment's notice, I can go off on some adventure...ok, so I usually don't but...

I also found the most awesome makeup bag at the Saks Fifth Ave outlet awhile back. It's different than most b/c it has lots of great compartments too. It's best feature is that it has individual holders for eye pencils and brushes so no more digging! I wish I knew who made it and had bought more. When this one bites the dust, I will be very sad! It helps keep me totally organized.

I still haven't found a solution for the bad hair days on vacation though. Different water and humidity makes doing my hair a challenge!! Does anyone else have that problem when they go away, or most of you blessed with cooperative hair folicles?

Thanks to all of you for the belly aching laughs!!

Meesthare, do you have any tips for how to decide which bed to sleep in?

Oooh, oooh, I'll answer that one! In order to decide which bed to sleep in, one must toss a coin. The bed on the right will be deemed heads, the bed on the left, tails. You must use a shiny quarter - a nickel, dime or penny will not do. The coin must be tossed at least 5 feet in the air and a clear announcement of "heads" or "tails" must be called before the coin lands on the opposite hand of the tosser. That is how I ALWAYS decide which of the two beds I will sleep it Matter of fact, I go through life using the coin toss to make all of life's major decision!

What about the travelin man?

I also don't like the thoughts of strangers touching my stuff.
I personally will not invest a minute of time shopping for the perfect cosmetic bag or some such stuff. I would rather shoot my eye out!!!
I use the free ones you get when you buy a certain dollar amount of cosmetics.
HI Marilyn. Are you bringing the "perfect" bag on your upcoming trip?

I am indeed bringing the perfect bag, Anne, and will show it to you if you are nice to me. It has taken me many years to find it, and if I ever see another I will buy it immediately, just for back up.

I don't care if the maid touches my shampoo or hand lotion. Do you think she has cooties? What about the security guys who open your luggage? How do you like them touching your stuff?

When did we get to be such a germphobic, finicky society?

I always pick the bed farthest from the blowing A/C, closest to the bathroom....

I have always been a germaphobic! Even as a little girl.
I forgot about those pesky baggage handlers. Now, I have another thing to worry about!!!!!
Marilyn, I look forwArd to seeing the perfect bag.
I think the A/C blower is great, it lulls me to sleep. White noise.

anne honey, I can make you feel much better Fast!
The baggage handlers that sift through your bags, wear gloves ! I guess they are aware that cooties like to travel too

Seetheworld, I love the coin toss decision maker, I will start using it right away- Sometimes the Yankee does the choosing thing with paper scissor rock and you know I always lose

OneWanderingJew, the water in Portland Oregon is very soft. It felt like I used too much conditioner on my hair every day...I had limp hair so if you go there on a holiday, you will like your hair probably
But if you don't go there, buy some (too $ but it works) Lazartique Shea Butter conditioner..makes everyones hair like silk!

1- Before entering your room, be sure you know where the EXIT is. Do not scour it with your eyeballs, you won't be able to find it later.
2- Upon entering the room, keep your eyeballs in their proper place.
3- That little paper hanging on the doorknob means that you can sleep past 7 am without the maids coming in while knocking to change the bed. Leave it outside the door at night, like the Yankee who put that outside the door and the breakfast room service order inside the room so we sat there the next morning, alone, unmade and hungry.

This has turned into quite a funny post! And we've all learned a lot about selecting the right bag for your toiletries, make-up, etc. I, too, finally found the perfect bag, but it was by mere luck. I bid on it at a fundraiser, and wasn't sure what it was like because it was still in the original bag. Ended up getting it and love it. Once I figured it out!! Zips up in a strange way, but is fantastic and hangs, or I can set it on a counter if I don't open it all the way. Very handy.

On a serious note, though....
One thing I have learned to check in a hotel room is the window or sliding door to the outside. On numerous occassions, I've found they are not locked, or, worse yet, DON'T lock properly. Instead of waiting until maintenance is gone for the evening, this should be checked FIRST. I'll never forget the morning I woke up and went over to open the sliding glass door to the balcony and found it had not been locked all night long... and here I was alone in the room. Horrors!

Oh, another thing to check... make sure you have a bag for the ice bucket...LOL!! Oh, this reminds me to send a message to Budman -- I don't like putting the hairdryer in the shower because I already have curly hair

LOL heartburn, no hairblowers in the shower or tub

bed - I simply sleep on the same side as at home, so I don't get lost.
security - pack in see through bags so they can quickly inspect and re pack. I use both mesh and ziplock. I fear where those gloves have already been.....
don't touch money either and clorox wipe my credit cards after each use.
drinking glasses, can't be sure what was cleaned just before - If no microwave, alcohol wipe and rinse in hottest water, or just drink vodka, the vanilla is my favorite.
housekeeping has already handled the soap and shampoo, but never let them use your toothbrush.
always use a blacklite to inspect the walls, furniture, blankets and spreads, and the sheets, just to be sure.
OH, and bring a zip lock for the ice bucket, and run the coffee maker and they poor the hot water in the tank to set. Then make coffee.
Oh never mind, I think I'll stay home.....

...vanilla vodka...really?

bodi, I like the part about drinking the vodka.

I'm just going to let bodi pack for me next time

Oh Wanderingjew I am so so just like you! I simply adore your suggestion as far as an organizer and the problem with different water affecting your hair..wow! I think we must be twins..smooch..smooch and air kisses to you. I do appreciate the wonderful additions you have all provided regarding traveling and hotel rooms!

Absolut Vanilla Vodka
the men, I forgot to mention, pack cherrios for the 'bowl' so they know where they are supose to aim, and have fun trying
Any time Scarlett!
packing, do you roll, bag or layer?

Wanderingjew as far as my hair behaving badly on vacation well...it is always stressful. I swear I need a sedative not knowing what my naughty hair might do..sometimes stunning sometimes well not so stunning.

LOL bodi, I layer/roll

perpetual bad hair - I have given up 'do s' for clean hair in fabulous hats! and always armed with lethal hatpins.....ya never know.....