We women are amazing, aren’t we? We’ve come a long way in the past 30 years, and we’re confident, smart, and self-reliant. We can do anything! Not that we know HOW to do everything… but there are a number of things we should all know how to do, even if we never have to… here’s my list of the ten things every woman should know how to do… enjoy!

1. Change a flat tire

Photo Credit: K.Johnson Photography

Thankfully, I’ve only had to do this twice. It’s not fun, and it’s not as easy as it looks, but you really ought to know how to do this! First make sure your car or truck is equipped with a spare and a jack. If you have a flat, pull over somewhere safe and turn on your hazard lights. Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Place the jack according to the directions (it’s different for every car), jack the car up, and then remove the loose lug nuts. Take off the flat. Put the spare on, and put the lug nuts on. Don’t tighten them completely yet! Lower the car back down, then tighten the lug nuts. Put the flat tire and the spare away, and voila! You’ve changed a flat!

2. Write a thank you note

Photo Credit: windchains

Sadly, this is becoming a lost art. When someone does a kindness, or gives you a gift, it’s a very good idea to send a thank-you note. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, or over-done. It can be simple, like, “thank you for watering my plants while I was gone.” Or, “Thank you for the beautiful tea-pot… I’d love to have you over next weekend so we can enjoy a cup together.”

3. Take a compliment

Photo Credit: peachknee

This one isn’t easy, but it’s something we all have to learn. When someone compliments you, be gracious and say thank you. Don’t feel you have to explain… if someone compliments your shoes, you don’t have to say where they came from, or how little you paid for them. Just say thank you. And smile. And mean it.

Uh-oh! Your old car is dead, and you’ll be needing a new one. Or maybe you’ve gotten a new job, and can finally afford your first new car! Either way, you’ll need to know how to choose a new car that’s right for you. I can help! Below are my ten tips for choosing a new car…

1. Work your budget

Photo Credit: juanmarketing

The first thing you need to know is how much you can spend.  Have you been saving over the years so that you now have a lump sum in your savings account to pay cash, or will you have to finance a car payment? Be sure to consider insurance costs, and any repairs that might need to be made, and also new tires, just in case. Once you have a budget in mind, you’re ready to move on to step two!

2. Plan your usage

Photo Credit: djwerdna

Will this be a fun, weekend car, or a serious day-to-day commuter? How many miles do you plan to drive per month, or per year? How long must the car last? Who typically drives with you? Will you be car-pooling? Do you need to move a lot of furniture? Depending on how you plan to use the car, you’ll start to narrow down the type of car (or truck!) you’ll need.

3. Prioritize

Photo Credit: Oli Haukur

Next, you need to figure out what’s important to you. Some people want a car for comfort, or for style, others just want a safe, reliable ride. And some others want to go the eco-friendly way and opt for an electric car or a hybrid. Figure out what’s most important to you, so you’ll know in advance what you might consider, and what’s out of the question.

Whether it’s the middle of a freezing cold winter or a piping hot summer, you’ll need a few things in the trunk of your car in case of disaster in the form of an untimely break-down.  So for those “just in case” situations, here is my list of the top ten things you need to stash in your trunk, and keep in your car at all times.

1. Spare tire and jack

Photo Credit: dog byte

Whether there have been signs that you need a new car or tire or even if your car and tires are brand new, it’s very likely that at some point, you’ll get a flat tire, one that you’ll have to change (gasp!) yourself. So make sure there’s a spare tire and a jack in the trunk, and that the spare is viable. Make sure you know how to take the flat tire off and replace it with the spare, too. It’s a lot easier and safer to check before you get stranded in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter…

2. Jumper cables

Photo Credit: .: sandman

You or someone else may also have a dead battery at one time or another. If you leave your dome light on by accident, or if something goes wonky with your battery or alternator, make sure you have a set of working jumper cables, and that you know how to use them properly.

3. Flashlight with batteries

Photo Credit: illum

If your car breaks down or gets a flat at night, you’ll want a flashlight (torch), one that actually works! Make sure you have a good-sized light and that the batteries work, and, just in case, that you even have spare batteries for it.

Monday was the first day of the Press Preview (journalists only!) at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, and I just had to be there! This year’s NAIAS is fantastic. Don’t believe the nay-sayers who gloomily predict the demise of the American auto industry based on what they see as a less-than-stellar show floor. They’re Scrooges, the lot of them. The show is great. And here are the coolest cars I saw while I was there, in my super-girlie, completely biased opinion…

1. Daimler/Smart City2Go

Photo Credit: JennKstep

Imagine this: you’re visiting Austin, Texas or Ulm, Germany, and you need a car. Why bother with a rental or a taxi, when you can swipe a membership card and drive off in a Smart Car? Simply unlock the doors by placing your member ID card on a spot on the windshield, hop in, and drive away. Return the car to any available hot-spot when you’re done and pay a nominal mileage fee of only 35 cents per mile. That includes everything, of course. You don’t need to re-fuel or wash the car or anything. More cities will launch later this year or early next year. What a great idea! I think more celebrities should drive around in these cars. It would be inspirational don’t you think?

2. 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

Photo Credit: JennKstep

If you’re into muscle cars, you’re probably already drooling over the new Mustang GT 5.0. It’s HOT HOT HOT, even in this icy blue. I love the lines of it, how muscular and taut it is… It’s been ages since Mustang offered the 5.0 V-8 option, and it seems to have been worth the wait! I can’t decide if I’d rather have one of these, or the new Chevrolet Camaro. God show me a sign that I need a new car please?

3. Slot cars

Photo Credit: JennKstep

I’ve always been a total sucker for cool toys, and who doesn’t love slot cars? I’m not saying I’m good at slot car racing. In fact, I suck. Everyone beat me. But it’s FUN! I know a few male friends who would enjoy this as a gift. And what a great way for Ford to draw attention to their North American Car of the Year Award-winning vehicle, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. So much fun!

It’s the first month of the New Year, and now that we’re done celebrating it’s time to reflect and choose and make resolutions. It’s also time to schedule wellness appointments and make a few purchases. Here’s a list of 10 things you must do at least once a year… why not do them now?

1. Get a physical

Whether you’re 18 or 80, you need to see your family physician once a year for a complete physical exam. And it doesn’t matter how many healthy foods you’ve stuck to all year. Bring a list of questions you might have, so you don’t forget anything, and if your doctor doesn’t offer it, ask for a cholesterol check, blood pressure reading, and also a Pap smear (or at least a pelvic exam). Make sure your prescription medications are still current. It also wouldn’t hurt to talk about your weight, if you think it might be an issue. Maybe he could give you a few tips or rules about weight loss. I tend to put off my annual physical, but it’s important — make sure you do it, and I will too!

Photo Credit: Discoe

2. Get an eye exam

As we grow older, our eyesight begins to fade. I first noticed the change in my late teens, at the Department of Motor Vehicles. By law, your eye doctor must give you a copy of your prescription so you can purchase your glasses or contacts from whomever you choose, but the prescription is only good for one year, so make sure to have your eye exam before you run out of fresh contact lenses!

Photo Credit: thelightgatherer

3. Get a dental cleaning

If you’ve already lost your milk teeth, then the teeth you have now are the last teeth you’ll have… unless you want dentures! So take good care of them by flossing, brushing, and rinsing well (and by not smoking!). Be sure to see your dentist at least once each year for a good cleaning not just for whiter teeth but so that he or she can track and treat any developing problems before they become serious. And this wouldn’t be a bad time to buy a new toothbrush, too!

Photo Credit: radiant guy

Every woman needs to know these 11 signs of cheating. Why? Well, no relationship is foolproof, least of all a marriage. And sometimes, when you’ve been with each other for so long, trouble may show its ugly face in the form of an extramarital affair. And if and when that happens, you need to be prepared…starting off with knowing how to identify signs that your husband may have wandered…

1. His Looks:

So your husband has always been one of those guys who never bothered looking into the mirror more than once, never tucked in his shirt unless he had to, never cared that his socks were smelly, never wore deodorant unless you begged him to but suddenly there’s a metamorphosis. There are new clothes, haircuts, new shoes, maybe even a manicure and pedicure! Now, there’s nothing wrong with taking care of yourself and wanting to look good but when it’s an overnight change….when you literally wake up to realize that your former slob of a husband has suddenly started to make an effort in the looks department, something is definitely brewing.

Photo Credit: checchi84

As a writer with a background in the automotive sector, I get a lot of questions about electric vehicles. Some of them are legitimate queries like, “Can you really get 50 miles per gallon in that Prius?” Some of the questions, though, are founded in fear, the urban-legend type of questions like, “Will that Prius short out my grandfather’s pacemaker?” So here are the top 13 questions I’ve heard, with no-myth answers.

1. Electric and hybrid vehicles are so quiet… are they a hazard to blind pedestrians?

Yes, hybrid and electric vehicles are very quiet, nearly silent when idling or driving at 20 MPH or less). The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is hoping to avoid injury by asking automakers to create a minimum sound standard for their vehicles, but until the automakers can address this issue with technology, there’s a very low-tech solution that we should all be doing already, whether we’re driving a hybrid or a Harley: pay attention to pedestrians.

2. My cousin’s roommate has a Prius and she says she doesn’t get anything like 50 miles to the gallon when she drives her car. What sort of gas mileage can you really get?

Mile-per-gallon ratings vary wildly from one hybrid to the next, and one driver to the next, but let’s use the third-generation Prius as an example. In my personal, non-hyper-miling driving experience, I was able to get about 46 miles to the gallon in the city. That’s pretty darn close to the EPA estimate of 51 miles per gallon.

3. I have a Pacemaker/defibrillator… is it safe to drive an electric car?

Yes, unless you get too close to the battery pack while it’s in use. How close is too close? According to MedTronic, creators of the Pacemaker, you wouldn’t want your device to be closer than 24” from the source of the AC/DC current (aka, the electric motor). In other words, don’t lay on top of the hood of the car while you’re driving, and you ought to be fine.

4. Can I afford a hybrid, or are they so new they’re still too expensive?

Again, this will vary on which electric vehicle or hybrid you’re considering. But in general, gas-electric non-plug ins are relatively affordable, especially when you consider available tax incentives and the money you won’t be spending at the gas station.

5. I’m a very busy/lazy person and I don’t want the hassle of plugging in an electric car every night. Do they all have to be plugged in to re-charge them?

Not all hybrid vehicles need to be plugged in to re-charge their batteries. In most cases, the batteries re-charge while in use. Automakers have developed very clever technologies to capture energy for re-charging while driving. One such technology is regenerative braking, which reduces vehicle speed by using some of the vehicle’s kinetic energy to re-charge the battery.

6. I’ve seen some of these hybrids and they look weird. Are all electric or hybrid cars funny-looking?

No way! Granted, the iMIEV and even the Prius look a little weird, but check out the soon-to-be-released Chevrolet Volt or the Fisker Karma and you’ll see that you don’t have to sacrifice style to be eco-friendly.

7. I’ve heard that these batteries aren’t safe. If you’re in an accident, will you really have to call a haz-mat team to clean up?

All batteries have the potential to leak battery acid if they’re compromised in an accident. Local law enforcement and fire departments are organizing training to update their staff of first responders on how to handle the materials in hybrid and electric vehicles, but they’re no more or less dangerous than more traditional vehicles, just a little different.

We all know that driving an electric or hybrid car is a great way to go green, but some of them are so… ugly! Do you have to trade style for substance? No way! These electric or gas-electric hybrids are eco-friendly and hot! Some of them are available at dealerships now, and some are just concepts or pre-production ideas, but all of them are so gorgeous, you’ll forget they’re electric.

1. Fisker Karma

karma.fiskerautomotive.com
This car would be hot, even if it wasn’t an electric vehicle. It’s sleek, sumptuous, almost sinful. And it produces zero emissions, never using a single drop of gasoline. It will be available next year, but Fisker is taking online reservations now, if you have to have one!

2. Lexus HS 250h

lexus.com
Toyota loaned me one of these from their press fleet for a week, and I fell in love. It’s everything a Lexus should be, plus eco-friendly. It’s hot… no other word for it. Car and Driver compared it to a Prius, but believe me, this is nothing like the Prius, or any other hybrid car. It’s gorgeous. It’s a Lexus! This hottie is available at Lexus dealerships now.

3. Tesla Roadster

teslamotors.com
Imagine what would happen if you took a classic Porsche and made it electric. That’s what the Tesla Roadster looks like, exactly. It’s so hot, and completely electric. I love it in red! You can reserve one now, for delivery sometime next year.

4. Fisker Sunset

allcarselectric.com
This coupe version of the already-smokin’ hot Fisker Karma was unveiled at this year’s auto show in Detroit. It’s called the Karma Sunset, and it’s hands-down the hottest electric vehicle I’ve ever seen. It will be going into production, but Fisker is hish-hush on exactly when. I want one!

5. Chevrolet Volt

chevrolet.com
When I first saw the Chevy Volt concept at the Auto Show in Detroit a few years ago, I was stunned. It’s so completely gorgeous! But its beauty goes beyond its sleek styling: this vehicle is 100% electric. It uses a pack of lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor rather than a traditional combustion engine, meaning ZERO emissions. The ultimate in environmental responsibility AND in modern Chevy styling.

Electric cars are cool, hip, interesting, and environmentally-friendly. Automakers old and new are all developing new ways for us to drive, and by far, the most popular hybrid vehicle in the United States is the Toyota Prius. We’re all used to how it looks now, but remember how strange we thought it looked when it first came out? Oh yeah… a lot of these electric cars look weird… no doubt about it… here’s a list of my favorite odd-balls…

1. Aptera 2e

aptera.com
Even if it did have four wheels, instead of only three, the Aptera would still look odd. It looks futuristic, to say the least… like it would hover, rather than actually drive on the street…

Imagine Batman without his Batmobile or James Bond without his Aston Martin….Blasphemy I know! Much like these onscreen characters, celebrities in real life are rather incomplete without their fabulous rides. More often than not, their cars are an extension of their own personality… Ok enough chatter.Go check them out now!

1. Ben Affleck

Actor Ben Affleck leaving his polling station in Santa Monica.

2. Jessica Alba

Driving her new environmentally friendly hybrid SUV, Jessica Alba visits her acting coach in Hancock Park.

3. Lilly Allen

Lily Allen lets the top down on her convertible Mini Cooper as she and a friend drive down Sunset Blvd. Lily then headed to the recording studio to do some work on her upcoming album.

4. David Beckham

David Beckham riding around town.

David Beckham and his son Brooklyn (b. March 4, 1999) leave the Benihana Japanese restaurant in his massive Rolls Royce.

5. Halle Berry

Actress Halle Berry visits a dance and yoga studio in Hollywood and tries to keep a low profile with a hat and sunglasses.

6. Rachel Bilson

Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen drive to Fox Studios. On the way she multi-tasks giving Hayden a quick massage.

7. Lauren Bosworth

Lauren “Lo” Bosworth comes home.

8. Lauren Conrad

“The Hills” star Lauren Conrad films a scene for the show at the People’s Revolution on Melrose Avenue and later stops in at the Wilshire House.

“The Hills” star Lauren Conrad hits up trendy 3rd Street and does a little shopping and grabs a late lunch with some gal pals at Joan’s on Third. Conrad wears a feminine high-waisted red dress and drives a friend around in her black Mercedes Benz.

9. Cindy Crawford

Supermodel Cindy Crawford exiting a SoCal residence.

10. Marcia Cross

“Desperate Housewives” star Marcia Cross returns home .

What will you do with your gown after the wedding is over? A few options that have come to my mind are to keep it well preserved, sell it, cut the fabric to make a short dress, or have fun with it during a trash the dress photo shoot. Trash the Dress photo sessions have become very popular and with these 5 hot ways to accomplish the task I can see why!

5. Take a Spin on the Rides…

If you love the merry-go-round, ferris wheel, roller coasters, and bumper cars like I do take a trip to Six Flags or your local carnival to take whimsical photos in your wedding gown. Play some games and have your groom win the biggest prize for his new wife. Chow down on your favorite carnival foods like corn dogs, funnel cake, and cotton candy to make a tasty photo! Create sweet memories with each other having fun and feeling like a kid all over again!

10+ Most Romantic Date Ideas…

4. Get Messy with Paint…

Maybe the dry cleaners can help this bride get the paint out of her gown! But if your not looking to save your dress and just want to have a messy, crazy photo shoot with your groom get wild with paint and a funky setting like the graffiti background in this photo. Old or used gowns that can be found on ebay or weddingbee classifieds are great finds for trash the dress photo shoots, especially when you want to preserve your own.

*5 Hot Bridal Gown Trends…

3. Walk in a Winter Wonderland…

Winter is a beautiful time with snow on the trees and at your feet. This trash the dress photo would be wonderful for a save the date or an engagement photo as well. The bride’s gown is glowing in the snow as she cuddles up with her groom to stay warm. When you’re finished with the romantic shots start throwing snowballs at each other and build a Mr. and Mrs. snow couple!

*5 Tips for Great Wedding Photography…

2. Hop on a Hot Rod…

Cars and women together have always been sexy. So put your wedding gown on, show some leg, and hop on that hot rod! If you don’t have a mustang like the one in this photo see if there are any classic car shows coming to your area or rent one from your local Hertz. A trolley, bus or truck make for great automobile photos too. Hop in the back of your pick-up or horse, put on your cowboy hat and boots and you’ll be one sexy cowgirl in her wedding dress.

*20 Greatest Romantic Gifts for Men…

1. Rock the Waves…

The beach has become one of the most popular locations for trash the dress photo shoots. How can it not be with romantic photos like this one. Getting wet, playing in the sand, and kissing on the beach brings scenes from movies and romance novels to life. The ocean and the beach is a favorite spot for my fiance and I; he proposed to me on the beach last year! A trash the dress session at the same location would be perfect for us. Let the sand cool your toes, be silly in love in the water, and kiss each other at sunset as your perfect day becomes a perfect night.

 *5 Top US Honeymoon Locations…

How will you trash your dress?

Photo Credit: Everlastingimages.blogspot.com, Whitley-goodman.blogspot.com, Redbubble.com, blog.janaeshields.com, Trashthedressaustralia.com

With the weather getting better and better all I can think these days is how great it could be to get out of work early …

And since I’ve been fantasizing about it quite a bit lately, I made a whole list of 30 most believable and heart-breaking reasons that will allow you (and your humble author) to cut the working hours without getting the paycheck cut. Even if you have the strictest boss on Earth.

Now all you need to do is choose the reason that sounds just right in your working place. And you’ll be free to go in under 10 minutes!

1. Your neighbor called – the water pipes “broke” and your basement is flooding. Got to get home ASAP!

2. If your boss is a pet lover, go with a pet emergency. Animal lovers will let you out of work every time!

3. You’ve got a fake food poisoning… works without fail! Just be sure not to blame it on your boss’s favorite restaurant.

4. You have diarrhea – everybody will be so embarrassed to question you about it that you’ll be out of the office in 5 minutes!

5. Your car broke down on the side of the road, and the tow truck’s taking forever.

6. Your cousin went into labor, and you’re the only person who lives close enough to get her to the hospital in time!

9+ Words Women Use …

7. You chipped a tooth – what a klutz! – and you now have to make an emergency dentist visit.

8. If your boss is a guy, just say you’re having “womanly issues” … no guy has the guts to question it!

9. Lice – yikes! No one wants you coming to work with lice. This might even get you an extra day if you claim to be treating your house, too!

10. Tell your boss that you had annual blood work, and there was an “irregularity”… you’ll have to go in right away for follow-up testing.

Blogger’s Name: Jill Cape aka Mustang Sally
Age: 41
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Her blog: Absurd and Askew

Her personal page: jillcape.cape-designs.com/
Her business: Cape Designs

What type of person do you consider yourself to be?

I’m the oddball creative type who loves Ford Mustangs. I love to express my opinion in a tactful or creative way.

What five things rock your world?

My son, my husband, my dogs, my car and my friends.

What music inspires you the most?

My husband is a rocker, so I have to say 80s and 90s rock.

What are your favorite movies or celebrities?

I’m a huge classic movie buff. Jimmy Stewart is my all-time favorite, but also big favorites of mine are Katherine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe, and Cary Grant. As for newer movies, the Lord of the Rings trilogy is number one on my list.

What is your favorite car?

My Mustang! I’ve always loved Mustangs. I got my first in ’88, it was a convertible. I just bought an ‘05 last year… it’s a yellow convertible.

What are your favorite TV shows?

Check out these pics from TheSuperficial.com showing the touching reunion of the Hogan siblings: Brooke and Nick.

Brooke greeted her brother outside of the Pinellas County Jail in Florida. The 17-year old son of wrestling star Hulk Hogan was jailed for six months after his no-contest plea to a reckless driving charge.

Nick was involved in a car crash last August 26 where he critically injured his passenger. His alleged speeding caused the car to crash into a palm tree.

Nick only served 166-days out of his 8-month jail sentence. He’s released early for “good behavior”.

Brooke and Nick both starred in their dad’s series “Hogan Knows Best”, a reality show on VH1. And you know what comes after that? Probably another reality show after his being released from prison.

Traveling abroad is always an exciting experience!  But in order to make it a positive one, you will definitely need more than just a great adventurous mood.  Want to know more?  Dig into this Traveling Guide and find out how you can make your trip abroad easy and fun!  

Planning the Trip.  Getting the Tickets.  Drawing a Budget.

I think it becomes pretty obvious when you are planning to travel abroad, you are going to have to take quite a few planning steps.

1. When Planning Decide:

• Where you want to travel and for how long
• What kind of tickets you want  
• Where you are going to stay
• What to take with you
• How much money you can spend
• What places you want to visit
• What you need to know about the country you are going to visit (basic words, the currency rate, transportation, accommodation rates etc.)

2. Getting the Tickets:

• One of the most important factors is your travel tickets as they are often one of the most expensive in any traveling plan
• Ensure that you have planned your trip to and fro before you depart – when traveling abroad things do happen, and planning is essential
• Write down the dates of your flights and the destinations
• Order your airplane tickets in advance, generally, the more in advance, the cheaper. When it gets to less than two weeks before your travel departure date, tickets will be much more expensive. Travel guides always recommend you shop around for air tickets and Expedia.com will allow you to compare prices from various airlines. The more money you save on airfares, the more money you will have for spending. They also have great packages and specials available
• Write your travel budget down
• Make sure your health insurance covers when traveling abroad 

3. Drawing a Budget:

Make a rough lists of the cost for:

• Food
• Accommodation
• Sightseeing
• Internal travel
• Souvenirs
• Entertainment costs

4. Extra Tips:

• It’s crucial to have extra money on you.  When traveling unexpected things can happen – you could miss the flight, lose your credit card, have your wallet stolen, so it’s always better not to keep all the money in one place – make sure you have some extra cash in a different pocket or in the bottom of your backpack.
• You will find a really useful travel budget worksheet on HoneymoonsAbout.com, make use of this, I know it is meant for honeymooning couples, but it works just as well for us, single travelers.
• When you leave for the airport, ensure that you have everything that you need for the trip: passports, tickets, foreign exchange and travelers checks. Oh, yes, don’t forget your luggage. 

And don’t do what a friend of mine did. She had been traveling abroad in India for a year, and on her return back to the land of her birth, she was in a hurry to transfer between flights from New Dehli to Mumbai, and she lost her passport in Mumbai airport. She was stuck in Mumbai for 6 days arranging a new passport, at quite considerable cost I might add. However if you are a stupid as my friend, and you do get stuck in Mumbai without your passport, Mumbai Embassy should be of great assistance to you.

Accommodation and Car Rental

Any responsible travel guide will recommend that you pre-book accommodation and car rental, at least for the first arrival in the country you will be traveling to. So too am I. it is not easy to just arrive in a strange country and have no idea where you will be staying or how to get there so:

1. Accommodation:

• You can book your accommodation online with PriceLine.com - they do have the best prices for all the hotel, so you will definitely find the best offer in your price range 
• If you have booked a travel and accommodation package, research what the place you will be staying in is like
• Give them a call through Skype to ensure they exist. 

There was many a traveler going abroad to Spain during the Spanish tourism boom, who arrived from the airport to find that the hotel had not even been built yet! Of course that was when traveling abroad was done without the assistance of the Internet.  

2. Car Rental:

• Be sure that you credit card will cover insurance for a hired car, if you decided to take a hired car.
• You don’t want to be robbed blind so choose the cheaper companies such as Budget which is luckily represented world-wide
• You might also find that locally situated car rental firms may in actual fact be cheaper – do research it online before your departure
• When in Europe, you might find public transport and walking a better option, check on forums with people who have traveled to that destination

Packing and Traveling Tips

1. Packing:

• Never, and I speak from experience here, never over pack when traveling abroad. If there is one traveling tip I can impart to you it is this one.

When I was young and dumb, I under took a six week trip to Brazil, I have my husband and seven year old daughter with me and trust me I packed for a year! Perhaps I never realized there were washing machines in Brazil. However I digress and schlepping huge overfilled suitcases the length and breadth of a huge country like Brazil was a nightmare. Besides the shopping was so good, my suitcases were even more of a nightmare on my return. 

• Only take with you what you need for the first few days, bear in mind the non-liquid gel rules for onboard luggage.  And although you are probably not going to be terrorizing fellow passengers with your nail file, there are rules that need to be followed. You shouldn’t take these onboard with you, otherwise they will be tossed away at the security control; all sharp objects and liquids/gels (shampoos, conditioners, body lotions) must be in your check-in luggage.
• Make sure you have all the beauty products you might need in travel size and in your carry-on luggage.  As well as a pair of clean underwear and a spare T-shirt.  Your luggage can arrive one or two days later and you might desperately need your basic things to get through those first days. 

2. Traveling Tips:

• Make sure that you have a warm jacket (or a cashmere wrap/scarf) and a pair of socks when on the airplane.  The blankets they give out are never warm enough
• Whenever you travel, it’s great to wear a pair of flats (you never know how long you might have to stand in lines, wait for your luggage, or even run for your flight)
• A pair of sunglasses are an ultimate travel must-have – it’s the best way to cover your eyes after a long/tiring flight when there is simply no time/energy for makeup
• Check the weather forecast before leaving so that you pack accordingly, this is easy, just Google the name of the City you are traveling abroad to, and the word weather. 
• Travel tips have to include your forex, don’t change a huge amount at the airport, rather do this once you arrive in your destination city, rates are much more favorable.
• Don’t drink tap water, although there are many countries where the water is safe to drink, there are many, many more where it is not and you don’t want to end up with dysentery. Bottle water is much safer, and you can even purchase water purification tablets.
• When traveling abroad, ensure that items of uncooked food such as oysters and national cuisine dishes are safe to eat.

Another travel tip from the horses mouth; Brazil again, I drank the tap water and was fine, but ate an uncooked oyster in Florianopolis and spent the last two weeks of my trip with a really uncomfortable and easily upset stomach. Here is an interesting read on this subject.

• Take cognizance of countries that require malaria or inoculation requirements for people traveling abroad. Have these done, not only will you be putting your life at risk, but you will more than likely not be allowed inside their borders if you don’t meet the necessary requirements.

Conclusion:

Traveling abroad tips are many and you many feel intimidated by the fact that so many things have to be remembered, don’t!

This Travel Guide, is not meant to intimidate you or put you of traveling abroad. Traveling abroad is really great fun and the ultimate educational experience. Just get ready for the greatest adventure of your life, be prepared and have a fantastic time. You will soon catch the travel bug and be champing at the bit to travel abroad again, just as soon as you can.

Just remember, when in Japan, don’t blow your nose, sniff the snot back, it shows great strength of character!

Photo Credit: Flickr.com

Edited by Tania Fedio
When people see your car and begin to reminisce about the “good old days,” you might think it’s time to either trade-up or move out of the neighborhood, but just because your ride may not be the shiniest sportster on the road and has probably seen better days, if it still gets you where you want to go and the only real problem seems to be what you’re friends think, it may be worth hanging on to – especially if you’re strapped for cash or don’t want to take on the burden of monthly payments.

On the flip side though, let’s face it – if the city bus gets you to work faster than your car can, The 15 minute Jiffy Lube needs to keep your car for 3 days or your passengers have to hold on to a toggle strap or bungee cord for dear life just to keep the door shut, it’s probably time for something new.

If you can’t see the road signs because your windshield is cracked, here are ten surefire ways to know when it’s time to buy a new car:

1. If the repair cost is more than you owe

Or more than the car is worth, it’s time to look for a new car – unless you really, really like the car you have – a lot.

2. If your car refuses to go in reverse or can’t work its’ way up to the required speed limit

It’s probably time to look for a new car. Problems of this kind generally signal the need for a new transmission, which can set you back anywhere from $1,500.00 to $3,000.00.

3. If you’re close to spending your entire paycheck at the pump

It’s time to consider buying a car that gets better gas mileage. Even if gas prices eventually level off, this is still a decision you won’t regret later.

4. When your youngest child no longer fits in the backseat comfortably

It’s time to start looking for something bigger.

5. If you travel often, are prone to getting lost and your GPS system is a road map and a backseat driver

It’s a good time to be thinking about upgrading to something more current – like a new car with OnStar.

6. If you have children

Buying a vehicle with the newest safety features may be all the motivation you need to trade up.

7. If the vehicle has been in a flood

It’s time to let it go. There’s no way to get the smell of standing water from the upholstery or carpet once the water recedes, and the cost to replace or repair the mechanicals could run into the thousands.

8. If the floor boards are rusting out

Things start to fall off routinely or if your car has been spending more time in the shop than in your driveway, it’s time to move on to something better – and more reliable.

9. Black smoke emitting from the tailpipe

And/or the smell of exhaust fumes signal something is wrong with the exhaust system. This can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to approximately $1,500.00, depending on the age, make and model of the vehicle. If your car is older and parts are more difficult to find, expect to pay somewhere in the high end range for this repair.

10. When you decide the time is right.

FOS Auto – the easiest way to buy a car.

When it comes to cars, I like so many my brain started to hurt once I even considered giving the whole list here! But still, there is this one car that I have a secret lust for. It’s blue, it’s convertable and it’s Bentley…

Right now, I’m driving my good old, trusty though rusty Mitsubishi Lancer which I bought eons ago. I do love my car – it’s been my constant companion on the road for a very long time now.
But I think that this baby deserves a break. And what better replacement is there than the new Boxster S Porsche Design Ed. 2? The luxurious car hasn’t been officially released by Porches yet – but the online reviewers are already raving about the car.

It is a 3.4 liter mid-engine car with an 8 horsepower bump to 303 bhp via a new sports exhaust and 19-inch SportDesign wheels (whatever that means, lol).

I may not know much about engines, but I do know that this dream of a car is really drool-worthy. Just check out those really cool pics! I bet my trusty Lancer wouldn’t mind if I replace her with this new babe of a car from Porsche - if I can afford it, that is!

I haven’t really thought about how I want my wedding to look like – okay, so I may have a few ideas – but they didn’t extend to wedding favors!

There’s this really cute Getaway Car favor box which I saw online. It came complete with an expandable convertible top, a “Just Married” sign and matching tin cans – they’re adorable! They make perfect wedding favors if you and your husband-to-be are car enthusiasts.

Now, I’ve always had this dream of having a beach wedding – complete with a setting-sun ceremony and a single flower on my hair in my really pretty wedding dress (sigh). I guess the perfect wedding favor for my dream wedding is the set of little “Castles in the Sand” tea lights which I found online.

When distributing wedding favors, you should think of items which are a reflection of your personality as a couple – or something which will remind your guests of how beautiful your wedding was, like my castles in the sand wedding favor. =)

If you ask me to describe a Ferrari car, the only words that I can probably come up with are sleek, expensive, low and red. Women like me may aspire to be more knowledgeable about cars, but we all can’t be as cool as Danica Patrick.

However, we do know how to appreciate a great, sleek and ‘stunning car’ when we see it. It’s called the Ferrari California, and here’s where you can read more about it:

Ferrari says the California “is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever.”

This newest prancing horse is not the “baby Ferrari.” It is, in fact, a brand-new model complementing and similar in size to the with more flexibility in packaging.

And although the photos Ferrari released to the world’s press don’t do the car justice, Editor-in-Chief Thos L. Bryant -who recently got a sneak peek at the car at the Ferrari factory -says the California “looks absolutely stunning in person.”

-Yahoo Autos 

Taking the words of the expert at face value, I’m pretty sure that the sight of the Ferrari California in the showroom is absolutely breathtaking.

Based from the pictures alone, the car is breathtakingly sexy!

What do you think, AWT readers? Would you trade the car that you’re driving for this baby when it finally hits the market? I would in an instant!