I like to travel as much as possible but when I do I’m often on one of those budget airlines where luggage space is a little on the tight side, I stopped taking a full size was bag with me a while back as it just took up too much room, and the products within were all full size as that’s all you can really buy in supermarkets and is really OTT for a few days away.

So a few weeks ago I was packing to go to Philadelphia for a short break and I decided I needed a more compact solution for my toiletries and upon looking came across the VitaMan Skin Pod

Instead of the usual oblong shape of most toiletry bags this is kind of a flat square which is surprisingly usefully for squeezing into the tiniest places in your luggage.

The Skin Pod comes with the following included :

Vita Man Face Scrub 50Ml

Vita Man Face Mud Masque 50ML

Vita Man Face Moistener 50ML

So pretty much all the products you will need for a well balanced skin routine, there’s also a nice bit of space in there where I managed to get in a folding toothbrush and toothpaste which left me pretty much set for my trip, I thoroughly recommend checking out the Skin Pod if you like to keep up a good skin routine like I do.

For more info on the Vita Man Skin Pod and the other great products they have on offer head over to

www.vitamangrooming.co.uk

Northern Gent is back again for another review, this time he takes a look at  a stylish leather piece from Moodys Worldwide

Luckily for me, my real job means I travel quite a bit throughout Europe. This item has proved a travel companion that I wouldn’t be without now, let me explain:
When travelling, there are three things that don’t leave my side from the minute I leave the house until the minute I get back:
• Passport
• Credit Card
• Emergency Worldwide Medical Assistance card
The above can get me out of any unfortunate situation I find myself in, so they don’t leave my side. Walking around a factory, going out for dinner, driving across a foreign land, they’re always in a pocket. Previously, this meant that my wallet was bursting at the seams as not only were my travel essentials tucked away in there, so was the normal everyday stuff. Debit cards, credit cards, various supermarket loyalty cards, receipts for something long broken or assigned to the ignominy of the loft, all of which meant wallets didn’t last long as they struggled under the weight of the task.

That was before I picked up this very stylish and highly useful Passport Holder from Moodys. I was always puzzled by people that had passport holders, why do they need holding? Also, a passport lasts for 10 years, so they are pretty well made and I reckon even Sir Ranulph Fiennes passport is going strong, and I bet he doesn’t have a holder! But this is different; there are enough card holders and pockets to make this a purposeful wallet as well as somewhere to put your passport.
This has now solved the bulging wallet problem as I have two, one for the UK and one for travel with the three essentials having a home of their own. So, the reason for having one has been explained, but what about the item itself? Firstly, I don’t know how they have managed to create such a stylish well packaged and well-made item for £15. I would happily pay double for this. The wallet arrived wrapped in Moodys monogramed tissue paper and a little fabric holder. Distressed real leather has been used, which gives it a “well-travelled” look straight out the box. The leather is of good quality, nice and supple, with very neat stitching. Inside, the lining is again Moodys monogrammed and “Moodys” has been punched into one of the leather holders. There’s provision for 5 cards, a passport and slots for tickets etc. A high attention to detail is demonstrated; the monogram runs through the liner at a perfect 45 degrees, the stitching is all straight and millimetre perfect around the edge and the tricky corner overlaps are stitched, glued and pressed perfectly.
All in all, a stylish, well made and useful accessory that I use frequently, for a bargain price….that keeps Northern Gent happy! All gents, Northern and Southern, should click on the link above and browse their site to accessorise their look.

About Moodys
Founded on the principles of quality, tradition and heritage, Moodys is a classic British style destination that prides itself on creating timeless designs for the most discerning of customers. Focusing primarily on fashion accessories, everything on offer has been created using the finest materials with an unrivalled focus on luxury, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

for more on the travel wallet and to see the other wonderfull products Moodys has for sale head over to

www.moodysworldwide.co.uk

I love traveling and i love an adventure not dissimilar to most men
I’m sure but there are those that take things that little bit further
in search of that adrenalin rush, and I’m very envious of the guys
competing in The Volvo Ocean Race.

The Volvo Ocean Race is not a race as such, but recording the fastest time between ports. This event pays tribute to the commercial sailors that many years ago battled to get their cargo to its destination on time battling the same fierce difficult conditions those sailors faced those competing have to trust their vessel and the skill of their crew to command it. This contest is now seen as the pinnacle of achievement in the sport. During the nine months of the Volvo Ocean Race, which started in Alicante, Spain in October 2011 and concludes in Galway, Ireland, during early July 2012, the teams will sail over 39,000 nautical miles of the world’s most treacherous seas via Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, around Cape Horn to Itajaí, Miami, Lisbon, and Lorient. The race is the ultimate mix of world class sporting competition and on the edge adventure, a unique blend of onshore glamour with offshore drama and endurance. It is undeniably the world’s premier global race and one of the most demanding team sporting events in the world.

Sponsored by Volvo

Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by English author James Hilton.  Hilton describes Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a Monastery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise, I often wonder what or where is my Shangri-La?

The new video from Shangri-La Hotels shows a wolf running , heading off on its own and I think the message is clear,  don’t follow the pack choose a different kind of holiday, away from the package holidays, crowded streets, tacky souvenirs, 2for1 drinks  and pounding music. Choose somewhere you want to go and do it

Don’t follow the crowd , I certainly won’t be this year and I hope you follow your heart too and head to that destination you have always dreamed of, let’s  make 2012 the year dreams become reality.

Sponsored by Shangri-La

With that early glimmer of British sun we had fading away its time to start thinking about jetting away, here’s some essential kit for looking sharp while away

luxury travel pillow by Otis Batterbee – from £40

The Otis Batterbee luxury travel pillow arrives in three deluxe fabrics that are backed with burgundy velvet making them super stylish and effortlessly practical. The pillow features a concealed zip that allows the inflatable inner to be inflated and deflated effortlessly. This  inflatable travel pillow is a must for the modern traveler.

Buy online at www.otisbatterbee.com

Oiler & Boiler Swim Shorts – from £30

Heavily inspired by the preppy, classic look of the Hamptons, Oiler & Boiler captures the essence of Long Island style, providing stylish swimwear with a affordable price tag. Buy online at www.rockundies.com

The Travel Essentials Gift Set  by The Gentry Grooming Company

This lightweight wash bag complete with Face Wash, Shave Cream and Face Balm is ideal for an on- the-go business man or a frequent flyer. Also the products meet airline carry-on regulations so this set can even fit in any hand luggage so perfect for a weekend break.   £39.00

www.gentrygrooming.com

Short Sleeve Shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren

Keep cool but stay looking stylish in this Short sleeve shirt from Ralph Lauren, perfect for relaxing outside with a few drinks  £75.00

www.johnlewis.com

649 sunglasses by Persol

This tried-and-true glasses brand has taken the classic 649 and given it a twist for the spring/summer lineup.

From £148

The Tan Safe – a Stealth safe for your valuables

As you can see this clever receptacle looks just like a regular bottle of suntan lotion. Simply pop off its watertight lid, bung in your bits and relax, safe in the knowledge thieves will be unlikely to want to slather on the SPF25 after a hard day’s pilferage. Clever, eh!

£6.99 from FireBox

Before

Now I’m mostly more traditional when it comes to styling products for men and tend to subscribe to the less is more school of thought but occasionally I am tempted to change my mind and this very well could be one of those occasions.

We were very kindly sent the new Cloud Nine Micro Iron hair straighteners and asked to give them a go. While these straighteners can of course be used by both men and women it would seem they have been designed with us men in mind.  Now to give this product a proper review I have enlisted the help of my housemate Don, as I didn’t feel I had adequate hair length to put them to good use, and well he’s a scruffy so and so and could do with a tidy up….

Firstly I asked Don if he had used hair straighteners before which he had so I asked him for his initial thoughts on the look and size of the product.

“the most noticeable thing is the size, I love the fact they are small enough to stick in my wash bag which is great news when I’m travelling as size is a premium”

After

The irons are actually only 6inches long and according to the instructions use universal high voltage which means they will work flawlessly abroad without losing essential power. Also while reading the instructions I noticed they automatically power off after ten minutes which is a nice safety feature

Well all agree in the house it’s a big improvement but would Don buy them?  “ I do currently have a pair of straighteners but they are massive, I love the fact these are so small and do the job just as well as my full size set so I would definitely consider picking a pair of the New Clouds up purely from the portability point of view”