Off-Season Travels in Spring Lake, New Jersey

 As I continue my off-season travels, I find myself at the delightful Chateau Inn and Suites in Spring Lake, New Jersey where the vibe is calm, the hospitality is ever present, the views are bucolic and the decor is captivating. (It’s hard to pull away from the sun-fill lounge with its creative holiday blue motif.)

Sipping a glass of pinot noir in the lounge at the Chateau Inn and Suites, I was wrapped in an atmosphere that assured a festive mood.

Spring Lake and the Chateau Inn and Suites that faces the lake have a relaxed vibe with an abundance of holiday cheer.

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Holiday Gift Guide - Sustainable, Local, Women-Owned

 I’m so happy to be part of the NYC Fair Trade Coalition Holiday Gift Guide 2021. 

You’ll find unique gifts from small businesses, women-owned businesses. 

The Gift Guide makes it easy to shop fair, sustainably and local. (My products are in the Give the Gift of Knowledge section.)

I’ll be discussing my products on @nycfairtrade IG Live this Saturday, December 4 at noon. Viewers will be able to get special offers.

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Holiday Gift Guide - Local, Sustainable, Fair Trade

I’m so happy to be part of the New York City Faire Trade Coalition’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide. Here you’ll find gifts that are from small businesses and women-owned businesses that make it easy to shop fair, sustainably and local. (My products are in the Made in New York section.)

Even better, each of the creatives in the Gift Guide is offering a gift card — $25 off — that you can use yourself or you can give it as a gift. https://www.nycfairtradecoalition.org/holiday-shop

In the guide, you’ll find my any-occasion greeting cards, cross-body bag and, of course, my quirky AngryJ plush dolly. (She may be angry but she’ll make you laugh, something we all desperately need now.

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New Collection: Any-Occasion Photo and Art Greeting Cards

 

After so many months of social distancing, giving an any-occasion greeting card with your personal message may be more important than ever before. I’m introducing my new collection of photo and art cards.

Each of my more than 2 dozen different any-occasion notecards (they’re blank inside) features one of my nature/landscape photos or paintings from my around-the-world travels. They are in limited supply — some images only have a quantity of 1 or 2 available so why not make it a surprise gift not knowing which image you’ll receive — and can be purchased singly or as a set of 5 or 12 different images, or as the entire collection. The note cards can be purchased here. 

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Last-Minute Holiday Gifts for the Traveler

Looking for a last minute gift? Something that’s unique by an small, independent, woman-owned business? Gifts that are perfect for the traveler in your family or office or for a friend who already has journeys planned for the New Year? Below are two small products that fit the bill. These are items that I designed, that are Made in America, and that you won’t find in stores. And, though some of you may think you’ve seen these sorts of wallets and bags before, you haven’t.

The cross-body bag (below), like all my bags and clothing, is minimalist. It doesn’t show off that you are carrying your vitals. It opens vertically -- like all my bags -- revealing three deep zippered pockets. These are perfect for carrying everything from a small bottle of sunscreen to sunglasses. There’s also a special section that keeps credit cards secure. The best seller has been the dark camo, so much so that there is only one left!!

This 7-In-1 wallet allows women and men to have easy access to access to heir vitals, whether you wear it cross body, on your belt, over your shoulder or four other ways. Lots of zippered and Velcro pockets.

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Holiday Gift Guide

I'm so excited to be part of the NYC Fair Trade Coalition's holiday gift guide. In case you're not familiar with this group, they promote fair trade businesses and retailers in New York City. They also educate consumers about the importance of fair trade. They partner with ethically-aligned businesses, retailers, NGOs, and NYC residents to host events and engage the public in dialogue.

My products are in the "Give the gift of Activism" Gift Guide section. Below are these products -- my photo note cards, cross body bags and AngryJ plush doll -- and the Fair Trade goals they are associated with.

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Travel Bloggers' Caravan "Stop of the Day": JtheTravelAuthority.com

With the holidays fast approaching, I've banded together with 14 other travel bloggers to celebrate the season and give all of our readers the chance to win some fun prizes, including hotel gift cards, overnight stays, digital cameras, travel guidebooks, DVDs, luggage and camera bags. This 2009 Travel Bloggers' Caravan has been going on since December 1 and will continue through December 15. And today, the caravan stops here at J the Travel Authority.

Those of you who have been following this blog know that I'm a very big fan of Mountainsmith gear which I've been using for 15+ years. In fact, I travel with one of their small backpacks plus their fanny pack as my only two pieces of luggage -- which I carry on and bring on all my trips. Their gear has never let me down. That's why, because the Caravan stops here today, I'm giving away a Mountainsmith Tour FX Camera Bag (a $99 value).

It's made of recycled plastic bottles. And, as usual, Mountainsmith has thought of everything: there's a place for your airline ticket, a water bottle and plenty of room for additional carry-along items, including your iPod, GPS unit and so forth. The bag is a variation on the fanny pack that I have long been using and adore. This camera bag, like their classic fanny pack, can be worn around your waist or on your shoulder, thanks to a removable strap. It's got compression straps to help you carry the load better. And, you'll be able to carry plenty, thanks to the ultra-spacious interior. Plus, a real benefit is that you can open it up and remove camera gear while the pack is still fastened around your waist.

Win a Mountainsmith Tour FX Camera Bag

One lucky reader will be randomly chosen from all eligible entries to win a Mountainsmith Tour FX Camera Bag. The contest starts at midnight on December 10 and ends the same day at 11:59 pm. You must have a mailing address within the United States in order to be eligible to enter and win.

How to Enter

Comment on this post between 12:00 am (midnight) and 11:59 pm on December 10, 2009. You'll need to include your e-mail address so I can get in contact with you if you're the winner. Good luck!

Win More Prizes This Month!

Don't forget to enter the daily Travel Bloggers' Caravan & Giveaway. The Caravan stops at CruiseDiva.com tomorrow. Visit, comment on the post of the day, and win a copy of Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises and a World Grounding Set (courtesy of Magellan's) See the entire Travel Bloggers' Caravan schedule here.

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