Saturday, July 13, 2019
7 Packing Cubes That Make Summer Travel a Breeze
Got a trip coming up? Packing cubes help you make the most of your suitcase space and keep you organized while traveling.
Packing cubes sat in the back of my closet for years before I ever used them. Why do travelers think they’re saving space by lugging along these extra containers?, I wondered. I tried every other alternative packing technique (rolling, bundling, folding), finding them all useless, until I finally dusted off those packing cubes and gave them a whirl. And now I never go on a trip without them.
Packing cubes actually work. They compress all your clothes and accessories into neat modular cubes, allowing you to use every square inch of your suitcase. When you unzip your bag, you can place each cube into your hotel room drawers and know exactly where everything is—no rifling required. And they easily allow you to separate your clean clothes from the dirty laundry. Simply put: Packing cubes are travel magic.
Related Reading: The Best Airplane Snacks for Your Next Flight | How to Get the Best Seat on the Plane
Want to make your summer travel a breeze? Stock up on these seven packing cubes before your next vacation.
Paravel Packing Cube Trio, $55 at Paravel
Paravel
Ever feel nostalgic for the golden age of flying? The days of dressing up for the airport may be over, but you’d never know it by the vintage-inspired designs of the packing cube trio from Paravel. The containers come in four classic colors (green, black, red, and navy), with crisp white trim and upscale leather zipper pulls. Handy viewing windows on the corner of each cube give you a glimpse of what’s inside. Plus, you can get these packing cubes personalized with custom-embroidered initials for an even more stylish look.Buy Now
Peak Design Packing Cube, $29.95 – $39.95 on Amazon
Amazon
Packing cubes from Peak Design are among the most functional travel accessories on the market. The minimalist gray cubes, which come in two handy sizes (small and medium), replace traditional u-zip openings with “tear-away zippers” that let you access your stuff in a flash. Internal dividers in the cubes help keep your clothes organized and compress a large volume of items into a small space. And with their self-healing, weatherproof outer shells, these packing cubes can take some serious abuse. No wonder they’ve earned awards for their smart design.Buy Now
Briggs & Riley Packing Cubes, $49 on Amazon
Amazon
Briggs & Riley has already made a name for itself as a traveler-favorite luggage company. But now the brand is helping jet-setters get organized with its set of large packing cubes (there’s also a smaller set for $44). The trio of containers nestle perfectly into a Briggs & Riley checkable bag, along with just about any other suitcase you already use. Double zippers make it easier to close each cube when you’re squeezing them full. And when you want to slide them out of your suitcase, just yank on the packing cubes’ durable handles. Buy Now
Six Moon Designs Pack Pods, 3 for $30 on Amazon
Amazon
If color-coding your stuff gives you peace of mind, you’ll love the pack pods from Six Moon Designs. The set comes in three random colors (some combo of green, orange, black, and blue) so you can assign one category of items to each hue. Taped seams help the cubes resist moisture, saving travelers the nightmare of messy, wet clothes if their toiletries happen to leak. Weighing in at just about an ounce per pod, Six Moon Designs packing cubes are a backpacker’s best friend. Buy Now
Well Traveled Three-Piece Compression Packing Cube Set, $29.97 at Well Traveled
Well Traveled
Marie Kondo devotees, eat your heart out: Well Traveled’s three-piece compression packing cube set sparks joy every time you set your eyes on the bold designs. From the ocean sunset on the small cube to the snowy peaks on the large one, the original artwork on these containers will perpetually remind you of your favorite adventures. But these packing cubes aren’t mere eye candy—they’re durable, lightweight and functional, as well. You’ll never take to the skies without them. (You can also snag a 4-piece set with slightly different designs for $26.97.)Buy Now
Eagle Creek Pack-It Storage Compression Cubes, $49 at Eagle Creek
Eagle Creek
Designed for National Geographic explorers, Eagle Creek’s Pack-It storage compression cubes are built with a durable coated material that protects gear from rain, sleet, and snow. The two-way zippered opening makes it a breeze to pack every last item. The small cube can also mount to backpacks and suitcases. And since these cubes are backed by a lifetime guarantee, you can feel confident taking them on your most rugged adventures. Buy Now
TravelPro Crew VersaPack Packing Cubes Organizer, $39.99 on Amazon
Amazon
TravelPro, the luggage brand beloved by flight attendants around the world, has just released a new piece of luggage for packing cube fanatics: The Crew VersaPack. Its versatile design allows travelers to zip-in a variety of packing cube organizers, giving travelers more personalization options than ever. The organizers range from smaller mesh containers and laundry sorters to a garment bag-inspired packing cube that will help your clothes stay wrinkle-free. It’s the ultimate way to stay organized and use every nook of your suitcase.Buy Now
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Friday, July 12, 2019
The Best Cookbooks for Feeding Your Family on Busy Weeknights
Oh, the dreaded weeknight dinner. What should be an enjoyable experience with the family often devolves into a major stressfest. You’ve toiled away for hours at work, not to mention all that traffic, and now the last thing you want to worry about is having the time and energy to prepare a meal for your loved ones. It’s understandable that you may be inclined to throw in the towel (or dish cloth, if you will) and take advantage of alternative means to get food on the table.
Related Reading: 11 Fast & Easy Weeknight Meals
But instead of wasting money on takeout or sacrificing quality by shoving a meal in the trusty old microwave, know that you have plenty of incredible quick and affordable home-cooked options that are sure to make you and the family happy. Just let these indispensable cookbooks below be your guide.
“Weeknights with Giada” by Giada Delaurentiis, $16.75 on Amazon
Amazon
Giada is one of the few chefs who’s earned first-name only recognition and this “New York Times” bestseller which is packed with recipes that are as delicious as they are simple to make perfectly illustrates why she is so beloved. The Food Network star offers a variety of fast and flavorful options sure to satisfy the whole family. No surprise, you’ll find plenty of Italian standouts such as pizza and sweet corn and basil lasagna, but other international options abound from jalapeƱo and cherry tomato gazpacho to Asian quinoa with salmon.Buy Now
“Quick Cooking” by Mary Berry, $25.50 on Amazon
Amazon
The queen of British baking has returned to the telly and this cookbook spinoff highlights her latest obsession—meals that are high on tastiness and low on stress. Featuring over 120 different recipes which tackle appetizers, entrees, and, of course, desserts (upside-down rhubarb pudding, anyone?), “Quick Cooking” provides easy-to-follow blueprints to memorable weeknight dinners that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.Buy Now
“Ottolenghi Simple” by Yotam Ottolenghi, $27.22 on Amazon
Amazon
The latest from noted author and chef Yotam Ottolenghi certainly lives up to its name. While Ottolenghi’s 130 Middle Eastern-inspired options run the gamut from lamb and feta meatballs to fig and thyme clafoutis, each and every dish has three valuable elements in common: They can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, in one pot, and with ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. It’s no wonder the book was a recent James Beard Award finalist.Buy Now
“Dinner in an Instant” by Melissa Clark, $16.83 on Amazon
Amazon
Normally pressure isn’t something you want to incorporate into your weeknight food prep but there is one key exception. Using an Instant Pot (or other similar pressure cookers) will help reduce precious cooking and cleaning time without sacrificing the quality of your family meal. “Dinner in an Instant” will help you make the most of these life-changing gadgets with 75 eclectic recipes courtesy of celebrated “New York Times” food columnist Melissa Clark. If you’ve got an hour or two to spare, the book includes recipes for set-it-and-forget flavor-bombs such as garlicky Cuban pork and coconut curry chicken. But if it’s a late work night, don’t despair. There are plenty of options that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.Buy Now
Related Reading: 10 Things You Have to Try in Your Instant Pot | 15 Quick & Easy Instant Pot Meals
“Every Day is Saturday” by Sarah Copeland, $19.46 on Amazon
Amazon
Wife, mother, and award-winning author Sarah Copeland came to the realization that Saturday didn’t have to be the only stress-free cooking day of the week. Featuring over 100 recipes paired with stunning photographs, Copeland’s latest cookbook will help you keep the fam satisfied will simple, healthy eats every day for every meal whether it’s drinks, snacks (how about lemon and honey tahini toast in only five minutes?), or a no-hassle taco spread.Buy Now
“Feeding a Family” by Sarah Waldman, $14.47 on Amazon
Amazon
Whether you have a hungry baby or a hangry teenager, “Feeding a Family” has you covered with 100 recipes and 40 full meal ideas for weeknight feasting. The emphasis here is on healthy food that is fun, flavorful, and seasonal from make-ahead summer skewers to one-pot slurpee noodle bowls ideal for those cold winter months.Buy Now
“Milk Street: Tuesday Nights” by Christopher Kimball, $23.79 on Amazon
If your family is keen on global eats, let “Milk Street” be your culinary passport. Forget those boring weeknight stalwarts. While Chef Christoper Kimball doesn’t shy away from the familiar favorites, there’s always a twist: Meatballs are of the Vietnamese variety while chocolate pudding is given a nutty kick with the addition of tahini. With a number of options in the 30 minutes or less category, you’re sure to get plenty of mileage out of this James Beard award winner.Buy Now
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