Sale: Innovative and Creative Products That I Designed - Locally Made

Winter already seems particularly long this year. So I decided to hold a Winter Sale. (Kind of a way of celebrating the days growing longer.) Anyone using this discount code 17F47WX when shopping in my store will get 20% off on any of my products. (The sale is on until the last day of Winter, March 19.) They are all locally made, mostly in the New York/New Jersey area. Shopping locally and favoring small businesses — especially those owned by women — is important to me. That’s why I joined the New York City Fair Trade Coalition. To find out more about my products that I designed and created, click here for my interview with the NYC Fair Trade Coalition. You’ll learn about my 7-in-1 wallet, cross-body bag, fashionable multi-pocket vest for women, any-occasion photo greeting cards and, of course, the quirky AngryJ. Find out why AngryJ is a hit with adults. 

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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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Product Review: Spa Treatment from Northern Europe

Typically, when I choose a product for a gear review, it’s not a skin care product. I’m making an exception this time because it does involve a product I heard about when I had traveled to the Northern European Baltic countries, especially Estonia. Recently, someone sent me a sample of this product, which I admit not having thought about in a long while. This is peat mud, which is sourced from bogs in these countries – though it’s found elsewhere in the world. Peat mud comes from decomposed plant life, typically that means shrubs, mosses and sedges, and it’s long been espoused for its rejuvenating and therapeutic properties. It’s used in Nordic spas who claim it improves metabolism, stimulates blood flow in the skin, smooths wrinkles and much more. While I’m all about scientific-based evidence, when I was sent a sample of a peat mud mask (from Sphagnum Botanicals), I decided to try it as part of a staycation spa treatment that might help my skin condition. (I’ve long been plagued with facial seborrheic dermatitis.) The pitch black mud has a neutral aroma and a thick, creamy texture. I applied it all over my face that I had already rinsed and allowed to remain wet, and then I Ieft the mud on my face for five minutes until it was quite dry, then rinsing it off thoroughly. I was surprised to find my facial itching, scaling and redness was dramatically diminished after even one use and this relief lasted for a few days. Additional skin benefits: my skin felt moist and any blackheads were easily removed. Clearly, this is no scientific study. It’s simply my experience. But I’ve used it once a week since for its moisturizing and skin cleansing properties as well as for some relief from my dermatitis symptoms.

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A Curious Doll For Curious Times

Everything I create is a little bit different from the tried-and-true. And my AngryJ doll is no exception. AngryJ is an especially timely plush doll for the times we live in now. The media is rife with angry goings-on, whether it's news stories that are far afield or on our home turf. Every day, we may be inundated with frustrations that push our anger button. So, I created AngryJ as a way to you to realize that she looks like how you feel as you stew in your own angry ruminations. Just look at her and perhaps, even for a moment, she'll make you laugh and you'll get pulled out of your negative emotions.

AngryJ has a curious history, since I created a sketch of her when I was an angry 10-year-old kid. And many decades later, she became a doll. (I'm very persistent and I continued drawing her my whole life.) Now I'm including her backstory on a tag (below) that's attached to one of her skinny little arms. (She's looking to be adopted.)

Interestingly, I've found that more adults love AngryJ than kids. But anyone can buy AngryJ here. Each is a little different because they are handmade in the U.S. But, though all different, they are all very angry!

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Gear Review: Micro-Sized Toiletries

How much space in your luggage do your toiletries take up? I traveled with someone recently who had full size bottles of shampoo, body wash and conditioner, despite the fact that I told her to take travel sizes because we would be carrying everything on our back as we walked a trail day after day for a week. When I want to significantly cut down on the size of toiletries -- because I'm on a long-distance bike, hike or bike trip --  I can go even more minimal than travel sizes. I use products that fit in the palm of your hand. These are not liquid but rather dry leaves -- like the pages of a book -- and they come as shampoo, laundry wash, body wash, conditioner, and hand wash. I also can pack a small bottle of concentrated liquid soap that does triple duty as a body wash, laundry detergent or dish washing liquid. Trek & Travel or Sea to Summit are some of the brands that you can find on Amazon, REI (including in their stores) or in other outlets that specialize in sporting goods/camping gear.
When I'm on a trail, carrying gear in a backpack for 10 miles or so, every ounce counts.

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My Travel Photo Prints - Now on Sale

I'm offering photo prints from my round the world travels. 

Sizes vary -- and I can arrange custom printing -- but most are approximately 8" x 10" and are printed on foam board. 

And, because the holidays are approaching, anyone who purchases one photo print for $30 will get either a limited edition AngryJ t-shirt (sizes and colors are limited) or my Doc-in-a-Bag first aid kit organizer. Each represents a $25 value. And the offer is in effect until Christmas Eve 2016.

To purchase a photo print of your choice, click here. And, when you place your order, indicate whether you'd like the t-shirt or first-aid kit organizer. 

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My New Product Line: JCreatures® - T-Shirts With Attitude

Anyone you follows me on Twitter or Instagram knows that my handle is JCreature Travel. But the JCreature is not just part of my social media presence. I'm very excited and happy to have found such as awesome actor,India Choquette for my photo shoot featuring my new product line: JCreatures® - T-Shirts With Attitude. These American Apparel silkscreened shirts are oh-so-soft (100% fine Jersey cotton), featuring different colors on each short-sleeve as well as a different colored pocket. Perfect as a Pajama-Tee or Beach Cover-up for kids or adults who are kids at heart. They are available in two color tones: pastel or vibrant + bold. (Notice that little pink creature? She will be go sale later in the year.)

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