TrustyPony » Vacation Memories

Giveaway! HazelMail personalized postcard 12-pack

Berit Thorkelson — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:01:41 +0000

Remember postcards? What a perfect mix of cheap souvenir, thoughtful hello and hand-delivered trip inspiration. HazelMail’s bringing ‘em back, 2000s style, with a website that lets you upload your own digital photo and type in a personal message. The site then turns your info into a physical postcard and it mails for you. The service costs $1.50 per card, including postage to anywhere in the world, but HazelMail recently introduced “HazelBucks,” bundles of 12 postcard credits for 12 bucks. (That’s a 33% savings per card.) To celebrate, HazelMail’s giving 12-pack bundles away to five TrustyPony readers. Comment on this post to win—see specifics below.

Win one of five HazelMail HazelBucks 12-packs by leaving a comment below before 6 PM CST this Monday, May 18th. Anonymous comments and those without a valid email address will be disqualified. The winners will be chosen at random, then contacted via email. If I don’t hear from a winner within five days, a new one will be chosen. Please enter/comment only once. Good luck!

ikimono 110 camera

Berit Thorkelson — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:35:41 +0000

Palm-sized mini-cameras that snap into a cartridge of 110 film, which you probably remember if you were around in the ’70s. (Comes with one roll. Refill two-packs cost $8.) Decorated with cute little creatures including a tadpole, a squirrel or a hedgehog. Of course it’s from Japan.

Video Camera Pen

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:35:57 +0000

A working video camera, with built-in microphone, disguised as a working ballpoint pen. Fulfill the International Spy Fantasy: Just add trenchcoat.

Also: Congrats to the lucky Laurel, winner of the Point It. More giveaways coming your way soon!

Pogo Instant Digital Camera by Polaroid

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:02:34 +0000

Who else was crushed when they quit making instant film for those big old clunky Polaroid cameras? Well, this 5 megapixel digital with zoom, timer and red-eye removal prints 2-inch by 3-inch photo stickers with its integrated inkless printer. Clearly an upgrade. Likely absent: That kachunk-whir sound and anticipation-building processing time your grandkids will never experience.

Water-resistant Travel Journal Kit by Rite in the Rain

Berit Thorkelson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:49:21 +0000

I’ve been neglecting you, and for that, I apologize. But I’m back in time to alert you to the FINAL DAY of the latest gear contest over at The Gear Junkie, where the unstoppable Mr. Regenold is giving away some of his favorite outdoor gear of 2008. Check out the prizes and enter the contest here. Among the goodies: Rite in the Rain pens and notebooks, special rain-defying products that allow you to successfully jot thoughts, plans, sketches and such in inclement weather and adventurous water-oriented situations. The Gear Junkie even ran the paper under a faucet, without so much as a smudge of the ink resulting.

Enter away—good luck!

Budget-friendly gifts for travelers: Create a puzzle in a tin

Berit Thorkelson — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:02:11 +0000

I love the idea of spending a post-holiday winter afternoon snuggled inside, snapping together a puzzle depicting a favorite warm-vacation memory. Does everyone connect the edges first, then fill in? Or are there puzzle renegades who barrel ahead frameless? Anyway, I can say firsthand that at this particular site, it’s a quick and easy process to create an account, then upload a photo for your gift. PhotoWorks’ PR people tell me they’re going to do away with the need to create an account starting next week, making the process even easier.

Budget-friendly gifts for travelers: Chalkboard frame

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:45:09 +0000

I’d gift this containing a shared-vacation photo and scrawled with a personalized note. Because I’m sweet that way.

Digital Camera Swim Mask

Berit Thorkelson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:34:58 +0000

A swim mask with integrated waterproof digital camera, for hands-free snorkeling plus a hard copy of the experience. Makes stills or video.

Mino 60-minute mini camcorder by Flip

Berit Thorkelson — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:20:48 +0000

You know how those huge mobile phones from the 80s look so ridiculous? Bulky camcorders are finally headed the same direction. Flip’s newest pocket version—just three ounces and about a half-inch thick—can hold sixty minutes of digital video. The USB port flips out of the top, so you can connect it directly to your computer for downloading or charging the built-in battery.

Travel Journal by Poketo

Berit Thorkelson — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:24:17 +0000

You should travel more. You should be more organized. This helps with both goals. Handy features include a packing checklist, self-stick tabs, a travel pouch and a built-in envelope where you can stuff ticket stubs, brochures and other road mementos.