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Not only is Sally Bartz, the ever so chic and fabulous wonder woman behind Halsea good at designing fabulous luggage and bags, she is a genius with packing and traveling! Trust me on this, I have traveled with her…it is truly amazing to see someone carry the smallest bags and end up looking amazing for every event with the PERFECT outfit, shoes and accessories! Honestly, she always looks like she stepped out from a magazine shoot!
“Sally’s intent in creating Halsea is to develop a women’s line that is truly Californian, inspired not by the typical images of California filled with Hollywood groupies, hippies and surf punks, but by the easy, relaxed elegance found in California’s beach communities that evolved from weekend getaways into a way of life. The Halsea woman maintains her casual, yet sophisticated style wherever she goes.”
I love that last line….and Sally most certainly
“maintains her casual, yet sophisticated style wherever she goes”!
I’m thinking with the loads of upcoming holiday travel it may benefit us all to get some tips from such a chic and brilliant traveling guru…
Sally’s Carry-On Know How:
Keep it simple, keep it easy. The goal is to be an easy, breezy gal in the airport -
NOT a sweaty pack-mule.
Know that you are allowed one bag that will fit in the over head and one that is at your feet.
Your two essentials for this are a roller suitcase and a tote.
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Tote:
(I personally love this tote! I have 2 of them. Hayden’s is pictured above filled with all our summer pool & beach accessories. It was essential to me with all of our travel this year. It is also listed in my Baby Favorites Gallery. The perimeter of the interior of the bag is lined with pockets that are SOOO helpful for organizing, leaving you with a nice wide open space for anything you want, LOVE IT! Plus he laminated exterior means you can wipe down any spills, airport yuck, whatever!):
1. Start with your quart-size zip baggie with your 3oz liquid essentials. Squeeze your faves into mini-bottles or scour the travel aisle of your drug store. Don’t forget lip gloss! Note: Kai scented oil fits the requirements. Your huge bottle of Poison does NOT! You’ve been meaning to simplify your beauty routine anyway, right?
2. Organization is key — keep a small make-up size bag or another zip baggie that fits your tote filled with “dry” items — keys, pills, phone.  Don’t forget your i-phone/i-pod with new, fresh downloads to help you relax.
3. A light-weight wrap - can be used to tie your tote closed, along with the other obvious uses including not having to use the yucky airplane blanket.
4. A clutch wallet – this will be your handbag when you’re out at night, the tote will be your bag during the day. Traveling light means finding essentials that multi-task as well as you do! (This could single handedly be my favorite bag Halsea makes. I use mine EVERY DAY. In my diaper bag, date nights, lunches, traveling – it can fit all 4 passports + phone +++, it works for everything I do, it’s my go to bag!)
5. Look for a tote that has lots of pockets to keep your printed boarding passes, itinerary, passports, hotel info all in one place. Store a deck of cards in one of the pockets for a bit of fun while you are waiting for the plane.
The Halsea wheelie fits in the overhead, and is easily identified, “Excuse me, could you please grab that blue suitcase with the crab pattern?”
1. Think twice. Pack once. Plan out your outfits – think color coordinated, mix and match and items that do double duty —  so you don’t pack everything but the kitchen sink. Since you aren’t checking and now have to keep your bag with you at all times, make sure it isn’t overloaded with unnecessary items. Who wants to drag 50 pounds behind them, even if it is on wheels?!
2. Lay all the clothes you think you need out on your bed. Remove anything that makes you feel fat, guilty, frumpy or boring. Add a bikini. Add a few bangles. Add your favorite shoes, even if they don’t “match”. Remove your bulky flannel jammies – a t-shirt or simple camisole can always do double duty as PJ’s. If you have time, fold everything nice and flat. If not, just throw everything in – you can iron when you get there if it’s that big of a deal. Remember: when packing, as in life, time-management is key. Do you want to spend your last minutes hugging your BF good bye or folding your blouse in tissue??
3. For guys and girls —  When in doubt, pack by twos – two shirts, two sweaters, two pairs of jeans, two pairs of shoes and two dressier outfits and you are done! And put shoes on the bottom and around the perimeter of the bag.
4. A time saving technique to looking fresh – have your dry-cleaner clean, press and fold your items. That way they will be all ready to pack and look good when you arrive.
5. And as my mom always reminded me, “if you forget something, you can buy it there”. (and then UPS it home!!)
GOOD SOUND ADVICE!
Now onto my 3 Favorite bags and current FAV pattern (although this changes each time a new pattern is launched! I love the Tote, Clutch and Roller Duffle. I’ve already told you above why I love the Clutch and Tote (seriously ESSENTIAL in my life). The Roller Duffle I bought because it had that great vintage luggage style to me. I never imagined I would use it as much as I have! There is SOOO much room inside, plus the interior is lined with pockets on either side. I pack Addie’s clothes in the pockets on one side, and Hayden’s clothes in the pockets on the opposite side…then that leaves the entire center portion for ME! I have never tried to carry this bag on (don’t think it would fit in the overhead). But with clothes for 3 people inside, PRETTY SURE you’ll want to check it anyway! (but no worries, it’s a roller to get to to the ticket counter.)
And although this isn’t a traveling tip, I think it’s also important to mention that Halsea now has KINDLE COVERS!!!
I not-so-secretly covet the Kindle
And now, the best part….Halsea is doing an awesome Giveaway!!!
1 lucky person will win a clutch by the end of the week!!
WHOO-HOOO!! Just in time for the holidays!!
Great gift for YOU, your mom, sister, best friend, YOU (can you tell I’m selfish??)
Here’s the rules:
1. Check out the Halsea site and let us know what your favorite style bag is. (1 entry)
2. Check out the Halsea site and let us know your favorite print (1 entry)
3. Sign up on Halsea’s site for future updates and promotions. (1 entry)
4. Subscribe for daily emails or become a Facebook Fan of My Favorite Everything. (2 entries).
5. Tweet about this giveaway and link back to this post. Be sure to mention @MyFavEverything so that I’ll see the Tweet. (1 entry for each Tweet)
Contest ends at 9:00 PM, PST on Friday, December 4th and will be announced Saturday. Good Luck!!! And Happy Monday!
(I was not paid to do this review, nor given any gifts. As always, these are my personal feelings and opinions on a favorite product that my family uses daily.  I hope they will become a favorite for your family as well).
I have been checking out this stuff and trying to justify a purchase ever since seeing it on your site early on! Here goes:
1) I love the Roller Duffel ( but also love the large tote and weekender).
2) love the little harbor print
3) signed up on the Halsea site
4) already get your daily emails
5) can’t commit to Twitter….sorry. Facebook is enough for me!
Thanks for the post. Love that stuff!
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The large tote bag is my favorite – lots of room for toting toddler stuff in style!
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The China Cove pattern is my favorite.
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I subscribe to the daily emails.
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I love Halsea bags!! My tote has been a colorful and oh so useful addition to my life this summer. I’m already planning a Christmas gift for my MIL from Sally’s store:). My favorite is the roller duffel in brown Little Harbor- so cute!
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1. My favorite is the Roller Duffle
2. Little Harbor Kelp
3. Done
4. Done
Love the bag. I hope to own it one day!!!
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1. i am in LOVE with the tote bag and the weekender bag as well! soo adorable, and perfect for carrying all my books to class in or going home on the weekend!
2. my favorite print is definately a tie between the little harbor print and the sunset pink print!
3. joined their website when i first heard of them through you!
4. obviously already get your emails – #1 fan right here!
5. am a HUGE fan on facebook as well!
okay shanna – my mom got the cookbook so now its my turn! i am in LOVE with these bags, your website…everything! i’ve been getting everyone i know to join! haha. so pick the favorite cousin and i’ll be out there in a second to pick up my prize and watch the kiddies! :)
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1. The roller bag is my favorite…it would be so much easier to keep track of while traveling than your standard black suitcase. Not to mention I would be so proud to be pulling it around the airport with me!
2. Little Harbor is my favorite print.
3. Signed up on the Halsea site.
4. Already a facebook fan! :)
My in-laws travel a TON…my MIL would LOVE these…good idea for the woman who has everything! Thanks for always keeping me up to date on what’s new and in style. :)
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I really like the Little Harbor kelp print Large tote– adorable!
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My favorite bag is the Roller Duffle!
I just recently bought a Kindle and love it!! The Kindle cover looks super nice.
Candy @ SoBella Creations´s last blog ..Twilight Soiree
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My favorite print is Little Harbor.
Candy @ SoBella Creations´s last blog ..Twilight Soiree
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I became a Facebook Fan!
Name Candy Fontenot
Candy @ SoBella Creations´s last blog ..Twilight Soiree
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I gave a tweet on twitter.
http://twitter.com/SoBellaCreation/statuses/6213666346
Candy @ SoBella Creations´s last blog ..Twilight Soiree
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I think the roller suitcase in Little Harbor Coffee is my fav! But the china cove pattern is so cute too!!!
already subscribe to your emails, facebook and halsea!!! and now i’m off to tweet!! Thank you for the awesome giveaways… love them!
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1. my fave is the roller duffle and large tote
2. china cove is super cute
3. already subscribe to daily emails
thanks!
em
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1. Bag:Roller
2. Print: Little Harbor (green if we are being specific)
3. Signed up
4. Have been and LOVIN’ it
5. New tweeter, but I think I did it.
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1. Tote
2. Little Harbor -kelp
3. signed up
4. already a fan and suggested fan-dome to all of my friends
5. I’m a tweetin right now
good luck to me!
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I really like the roller bag. So cute and easy to find at the airport.
Genevieve Larson´s last blog ..Contests from my favorite blogs
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My favorite print is the China Cove.
Genevieve Larson´s last blog ..Contests from my favorite blogs
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Signed up on Halsea’s site
Genevieve Larson´s last blog ..Contests from my favorite blogs
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Just became a facebook fan
extra entry #1
Genevieve Larson´s last blog ..Contests from my favorite blogs
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Just became a facebook fan
extra entry #2
Genevieve Larson´s last blog ..Contests from my favorite blogs
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Twittered here
http://twitter.com/mommyjen99/status/6228669783
Genevieve Larson´s last blog ..Contests from my favorite blogs
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i just wish sally and aaron would finally get a family dog!!! can you imagine how cute the halsea dog beds would be!??!?! my golden beasts are impatiently waiting!!!!!
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1. Lil harbor roller bag
2. Lil harbor
3. Joined
4. Am a subscriber
5. Twitted
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I really LOVE LOVE LOVE these bags! I would have to pick the China Cove Pink Sunset Weekender Bag or Large Tote Bag! I hope I win because I travel a lot and a Halsea would make me a very very Happy Traveler!
Andrea Fellman´s last blog ..“A Very Merry Everything!”
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I’ve been coveting your Halsea collection for so long, I’ve just got to enter. Only problem is picking my favorites…
1. Toss up between the Large Tote Bag and the Clutch. With a new baby, think I need both :).
2. Ditto on the print – love all of them… maybe the Little Harbor Clutch and the Crescent Bay Tote.
3 & 4. Already did these
5. Going to try it. Have an account, but…
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Oohhhwheee! This is a fun one. Alrighty, on to the details-
1. Tote
2. Little Harbor in green- hard to resist
3. Halsea site officially signed up for
4. Already a member
5. Not a twitter-ee
Thanks for the chance at this great giveaway!
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1. I really love the clutch!
2. Kelp
3. joined
4. done
5. no a tweet person.
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1. love the little harbor large tote
2. kelp!
3. I am a fan
4. Just tweeted!
Tiny Oranges´s last blog ..Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train Giveaway
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1. roller duffle and tote (can’t decide…okay both…)
2. china cove
3. doing that right now
4. already a fan
5. not a tweeter…just yet
Good Luck to ME!!!!
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Her products are all so nice!
1. large tote bag – very versatile, especially with a toddler
2. Little Harbor is definitely my favorite print
3. I joined her site
4. I finally joined your site and have been meaning to for weeks!
5. no tweeting for me just yet …
Cheers!
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LOVE,LOVE,LOVE the weekender and the roller duffle! They are the best! I also love the little harbor design. It’s my fav!
1. picked my fav style and print
2. signed up on Halsea’s websight!
3. Wish me luck!!!!
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In love with the China Cove Large Tote…love the sunglass case too.
What a great collection of luggage.
Now I’m going to TWEET everyone!!
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Another great one Shanna!!! I do like the Large tote (Little Harbor pattern). I am going to put this on my wish list….I have been looking for a bag that I can use everyday & has lots of pockets to keep organized – usually the big bags turn into a “bottom-less pit” which I can never find anything. Hope this one will solve the problem.
1- tote
2-Little Harbor
3 – signed up on Halsea
4- already fan & email
5- I will twitter right now
Looking forward to the big WIN!!!!
xoxo – your fav cousin!! (no name needed)
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Twittered again
Genevieve Larson´s last blog ..Contests from my favorite blogs
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I love ANYTHING
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I have been checking out this stuff and trying to justify a purchase ever since seeing it on your site early on! Here goes:
ooh fun and cute!
1) <3 the large tote and roller duffel …
2) <3 the seahorses and crabs! (sorry couldn't pick one) … ;)
3) just signed up on the site …
4) i'm a fan now …
5) sorry, i just don't get tweeting??
yeay! thanks for the fun giveaway!
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1. Fave bag – Large toe
2. Fave print – Little Harbor in Kelp or Coffee – love both
3. Already signed up for Halsea emails
4. Signed up for your site!
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1. Love the roller duffle and own it in Little Harbor
2. Love the Boat Canyon print, and have a tote in it
3. Already get Sally’s emails
4. Just became a Facebook fan
5. Don’t tweet
6. Am getting a “Nook” (Barnes & Noble Kindle) for Christmas, does the Halsea cover still fit?
7. Would LOVE a clutch to match my travelling pieces from Halsea!!
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I asked Halsea your question, here is the response, “We don’t officially recommend it as the Nook is smaller than the Kindle 2. I have one in the shop if you would like to try it when you get your Nook.” Not sure where you are located??? Hope this helps! Let me know if I can help any further.
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My favorite bag is the weekend bag.
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My favorite print is the China Cove in Sunset pink.
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1. I LOVE my Roller Bag – own it in Boat Canyon
2. Which of course makes my favorite pattern Boat Canyon altho China Cove is close to <3 too
3. Joined a long time ago!
4. About to subscribe.
5. Tweet? whatsatweet?
Need a clutch! Please for me?
<3<3<3<3
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1) Favorite Style is the Roller Duffle
2) Favorite Print is Boat Canyon-Teal
3) already signed up on Halsea site
4) Facebook fan
5) Just had to cancel Twitter—facebook is enough..
I bought the boat canyon roller duffle about 2 years ago, and I love it!!!—(it goes on every vacation in the car, I have not brought it on a plane yet, I don’t want it to get ruined) as does everyone else that sees it. It was $$$ but well worth every penny, I would say the price is the only hold up, when people ask where I got it and how much it cost.
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Hi – I have loved Halsea ever since I saw it featured in Coastal Living many months ago!
1)My favorite style is the Large Tote.
2)My favorite print is the Little Harbor – Kelp.
3)I am already on Halsea’s email distribution list:).
4)I just signed up to receive your emails:).
5)Can’t handle twitter right now:)!
Thanks so much!
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1. My Favorite style is the weekender
2. My favorite print is crescent bay in the blue
3. I signed up for emails
4. i do not have a facebook
5. I do not twitter.
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1. Fav style is the weekender
2. Fav print is little harbor
3. Signed up!
4. Subscribing and “fanning” now
5. Tweeted!
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I love the large tote
the boat canyon is my favorite print
already on the email list
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1. Roller Duffle!
2. Boat Canyon!
3. Done!
4. Done!
5. Tweet not so much.
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1. Love the Roller Bag
2. Boat Canyon is toooooo cute
3. Already there, hence knowing about this ;)
4. Getting the emails =)
5. Not Twitter savvy =/
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