Flo Travel Nasal Spray Review

When I was told about a non-medicated nasal spray that could protect my immune system against nasty bugs while travelling or in the office at work, I was pretty excited to try it out.

Not only does the spray claim to protect you against catching a cold, it also claims to reduce the length of a cold which is music to my ears! I have travelled across Europe and Scandinavia in the winter and avoiding the common cold is almost impossible! But knowing I can contain it sounds like a dream.

Because the product is natural and derived from red algae it can be used for extended periods of time and by pretty much anyone! It doesn’t have a nasty odour like some nasal sprays and it’s really not hard to use at all.

As someone who suffers from hypothyroidism, I have a pretty weak immune system as it is. I have to rely on medication to keep me healthy on a daily basis so it can be difficult to get comfortable on a plane when there are so many people around and the temperature is pretty low.

Flo Travel kept me healthy and protected against the office cold at work so I’m going to trust it to keep me healthy on my flight to Reykyavik which from Sydney takes around 23 hours.

I give Flo travel nasal spray four stars.

What do you trust to keep you healthy during a flight? Let me know in the comments below!

Ash
xx

Now sold in Australian pharmacies nationally RRP $13.95. 
Website: www.flo.com.au 

 

Caclocreations Clothing

One of the reasons I love to travel is to experience varied landscapes and environments that are amazing and unique. So as a traveller it’s important to do our part for the environment so we can preserve and protect it for future travellers to experience.

That’s not always an easy thing to do. But one Australian company is helping to make it much easier for us to do our part for the world!

CACLOcreations produces sustainable and eco-friendly clothing that doesn’t just protect and preserve the environment, but it also gives back. The eco-friendly clothing is great for children and adults, it’s strong and lightweight because it’s made from hemp fibre and there are no harmful chemicals that go into the making of these clothes. Who would have thought you could save the world by buying more clothes!?

I received a shirt from the sustainable clothing for women line and it felt no different to other shirts I already own. Comfortable, lightweight and printed with a message to save the environment, it makes you question why we haven’t been buying eco-friendly clothes our whole lives!

And before you start thinking that saving the environment must come as a price, the prices are no more expensive than average.

For more information, visit caclocreations.com.au.

How do you give back to the environment? Let me know in the comments below!

Ash
xx

CACLOcreations has been inspired by the connection between Nature & our Kids. In an age in which we live, with chemical infiltration and its detrimental effects, into the many products around us, CACLOcreations wants to be able to provide an eco-friendly alternative. CACLOcreations products are not only eco-friendly but also more gentle to our bodies and our inner health.

Three Wise Mums Lip Balm Review

Fruity, natural and smooth

I never travel without at least three different lip balms. I’m the kind of person who moisturises my lips after every meal or drink and at least every 30 minutes during a flight. I’m always on the lookout for different lip balms to keep my lips as smooth and plump as I can.

I tried Three Wise Mums summer lip balm on a trip to the beach. This is what I consider the ultimate test for lip balms. If there’s one place my lips dry out most, it’s at the beach. Sun, sand, wind and salt water are a bad combination for my lips!

The fruity taste wasn’t as strong as some of the others I’ve tried before, but it was definitely there. The balms are all natural with no added chemicals which explains the lack of sugary taste. The balm was smooth but the little metal tins it is kept in caused it to melt a little at the beach. This doesn’t happen as fast with lip balms in plastic containers or tubes. Another downside to the small metal tins is that you need to use your finger to apply (unless you use the little stick that comes in the pack which I have lost in the black hole which is my bag). You’ll have to keep your hands clean so it isn’t as convenient as a tube or stick.

The balm lasted quite long, despite a bit of melting. And it didn’t wash off as soon as I took a dip in the ocean.

• Taste: 3/5
• Long lasting: 3/5
• Consistency: 3/5
• Ease of use: 2/5 (unless you don’t mind using dirty fingers to apply)
• Would I use it again? Yes, but not while travelling.

Overall I give Three Wise Mums lip balms three stars.

What do you use to keep your lips from drying out?

Ash
xx

Three Wise Mums is a luxurious and indulgent bath, body and skincare range hand-crafted from natural ingredients by way of time honoured methods. Check them out here.

Scratch Map Review

I’ve been after a map to document where I’ve been for years so when my parents bought me a scratch map for Christmas last year I thought it was the perfect gift!

The scratch map is a fun way to keep track of where you’ve been and it really puts into perspective how large the world is and how little of the world you actually see on a single trip. It’s very easy to scratch off a destination and the greens and browns make it easy to tell where you have been and where you haven’t.

The only thing I don’t like about the map is that some of the countries are tiny and hard to scratch off without scratching other neighbouring countries. In some cases, I have had to scratch the whole country, even if I haven’t actually seen the whole country. However, the US and Australia are broken down into states which makes it really easy to scratch off just the states I’ve been to, rather than marking the whole country as “visited” when realistically I haven’t seen the whole country.

The map comes rolled in its own protective cardboard tube with a sheet of parchment paper to stop any of the countries scratching off while in storage. The map is pretty small which makes it perfect to hang up on the wall but if you do keep it stored in the tube you’ll need to roll it up which means it’s always curly.

I think the map makes the perfect gift for someone who loves to travel however I’m still on the lookout for the perfect large canvas map to document all of my trips.

I give the scratch map four stars.

How do you keep track of where you’ve been? Let me know in the comments below!

Yellow Octopus sell a variety of quirky travel products which make perfect gifts for a traveller you know. Check them out at yellowoctopus.com.au. 

Ash
xx

Nude Bright Eyes Review

I hate feeling and looking tired after a long flight but I don’t like applying makeup right after I land. For a long time I just relied on moisturizers alone to protect my skin so you can imagine my surprise when I stumbled across an eye product that made me look and feel more alive than ever!

The lightweight, oil-free Bright Eyes (14ml) gel contains Aloe Vera and Green Tea to calm and soothe the skin, and Caffeine to energise, stimulate and ease the appearance of fatigue. The native Australian ingredients such as Kakadu Plum, Quandong and Desert Lime also help nourish and protect the delicate eye area from the visible signs of ageing. The roller ball gives a fresh feeling upon application and conveniently delivers just the right amount of product without pulling or pinching the sensitive skin around the eyes. (except from nude by nature)

Nude Bright Eyes promises to brighten the skin around the eyes and make the face appear more awake. I tried out the lightweight and oil-free gel during a flight from Sydney to Copenhagen and I must admit, I’ve never felt so awake after a flight. The roller ball made it easy to apply and the solution really helped calm my skin.

The thing I love most about Nude products is that they’re made from natural products. I’m prone to eczema so it’s nice to find a product that is oil-free so that I don’t break out in a painful rash. Nude bright eyes always makes me feel more refreshed after a flight. It takes a little while before the dark circles start to fade so I usually apply it a couple of times during long-haul flights and again when I get off the plane while I’m waiting in line at customs.

The product is the perfect size for carryon luggage and lasts quite a while. At $19.95 it really is a steal!

I give Nude Bright Eyes five stars.


Ash
xx

Nude Bright Eyes by nude by nature
nudebynature.com.au

 

Antler Airstream Suitcase Review

Light and durable

Picking a suitcase can be tough. You want one that’s going to survive the test of time, survive being dragged around the world and still keep everything inside safe and sound. Then you have to choose between soft and hard case. I went for the soft case because I find that the more flexible the material, the more I’m able to fit inside the case. It’s just a personal preference.

When I was 18 I booked my first international holiday. I was off to Europe for a month with my boyfriend David. I’m not a backpacking person so it was always going to be a suitcase for me. I didn’t want anything too heavy so I was leaning more towards the lightweight cases made by companies like Samsonite and Antler. I wanted something that would last a while (and by a while I mean at least 10 years). So I went to Myer and started testing a couple out.

It wasn’t long before I decided four wheels was the way to go. Being able to drag by suitcase alongside me rather than behind me is so much easier. It makes everything lighter and easier to manage, especially when there are lots of people around. The lightweight Antler suitcase has four wheels and an adjustable handle. It also has an extra handle on the top and the side so I can carry it however I want.

My favourite feature on the Airstream is the built in lock which uses a three-digit passcode. I absolutely love this feature because I don’t have to deal with any mini padlocks or keys. The Airstream also has a number of inside compartments, a bag for shoes so they don’t get my clothes dirty and an extra three pockets on the outside where I can store things I need easy access to.

The size of suitcase to get was the hardest decision for me to make. I ended up going for the biggest case I could get because I was planning a lot of winter travel at the time and that requires a lot of heavy boots and jackets which all take up space. I also love to shop so it means I always have enough room for all of my buys. I also came to the conclusion that if my boyfriend and I are ever going on a smaller trip we could just share the suitcase or use a duffle bag.

I haven’t once regretted my decision to get the Antler Airstream. I absolutely love the suitcase. It has done everything I needed it to and more. The only flaw the suitcase has is that after being dragged around in the snow for two months, it has got a little bit of visible wear and tear. The fabric has faded a bit and is wearing away at the back along the handle rungs. I also went for the charcoal colour which I have found is the most common colour of suitcase along with black and dark blue. It’s a little hard to spot in the baggage claim but I’ve added a colourful tag to avoid any confusion.

My advice would be to take your time and test a couple of suitcases out in the store. You’ll want to like your suitcase if you’re planning on spending some time with it!

I give the Antler Airstream suitcase five stars.

Ash
xx

Antler

Been App Review

The app been created by Martin Johannesson keeps track of the countries and U.S states you visit. The app is incredibly easy to navigate. Once downloaded, simply enter the countries you have visited. The app will show you the percentage of the world you have been to as well as the percentage of the continent you have visited. When it comes to America, you’ll also be able to select the individual states you have been to.

The app presents the data in two ways: as a list of countries and as a coloured world map where the countries you have been to will be highlighted in orange. And that’s it. It’s nothing more than a list of the countries you’ve been to.

Flaws:

• The app doesn’t accurately measure the percentage of the world you’ve seen. You only have to step foot in a country and it will calculate that you’ve been to 100% of it.
• The U.S is the only country you can select individual states in. As an Australian I think the app could benefit from adding the Australian states and territories.
• It’s nothing more than a bragging tool. I don’t travel to brag about how many countries I’ve been to. I travel to experience the world and to learn what life is really about.

But if you’d like a list of countries you’ve been to and you don’t like the thought of using paper and a pen then it’s perfect!

I give the app two stars.

What’s your favourite travel app? Let me know in the comments below!

Ash
xx

Been
Available on Android and Apple devices