I’m on a layover in Salt Lake City as I type this, on my way home from San Diego for the Travel Goods Association (TGA) annual conference, where I got the scoop on all the latest and greatest in luggage and travel accessories. I’m going to share this information with you. Excited? Oh, you should be.

What I learned on my way to the conference: Though one pre-flight martini to calm flying jitters is good; two, on an empty stomach, makes the airport security process feel like Advanced Calculus. In French.

What I learned on the way back: Don’t forget to pack your comfy Bucky shades when you have a 6AM flight. They give you a better shot at a decent nap since they block light well and have earplugs in that little pocket on the nosebridge.

I’ll start peppering posts with my most awesome TGA finds (those currently available, that is) soon. Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

iPods are like travel. Sometimes, best experienced alone. Other times, perfect shared. This cool, totally portable option is a match for my Lego-like usb drive.

Turn your vacation photos into mantle-worthy works of art.

Even quintessential roll-with-the-punches types can be hair dryer dependent. This one’s dual voltage and comes with a travel bag.

A sleek, slim travel compartment to contain all those stationery essentials that end up accompanying us on even pleasure trips these days—CDs, pens, postcards, etc. Just larger than a standard-sized piece of paper. Opens flat.

And so continues my unabashed obsession with all things Hideo Wakamatsu.

The apron is the carrying case, for drama-less grilling on the fly.

Living room rock stars—you can now take your show on the road. Runs on three AAAs, with folding neck for maximum portability.

(via geekytraveller)

Such a personal thing, the laptop bag. Especially when you want it to do overtime as your everyday purse and travel mainstay. You can expect a lot from this option, all classic-looking with its stiff-leather and bright-gold trimmings; laden with compartments, inside and out. Signature Suede isn’t real suede, it’s that sueded fabric that resists stains so well. Also? It has one of these pockets I’m always grateful for, the kind that unzips at the bottom so you can wrangle it around your roller-suitcase handle. A dependable bag investment.

Well. Just received Real Simple’s special travel issue in the mail. Lovely. Lots of nice, practical info. This kit’s one of the great products featured. It’s designed to turn a trip to the beach into what parents like to call “a hands-on learning experience.” Hopefully your kid just calls it fun.

UPDATE: Discovered TrustyPony’s mention in the mag, and on the Real Simple website. If you’re here via either, welcome! Hope you’re finding more items you can use. Feel free to drop me a line with any thoughts or suggestions.

I’m pining for a trip back to Holland right now, even though it’s a touch early for the tulips and would likely rain. In my dreams, I wander the canals under this sweet umbrella with grass green dot-heart pattern. The opposite of compact, true, but sometimes, a crappy-small something isn’t worth the space it saves you. In this case, I vote for style and substance.

Pare has lots of stylish umbrellas, by the way, including a more masculine straight-up black version.