The days are warmer, the nights are crisp and people everywhere are showing a little more leg. Individually those things mean nothing – but combined, they mean Spring is upon us – and THAT means Spring Break must be here! And whether you’re six or 60, this time of year every girl’s and boy’s fancy turns to long days basking in the sun and dipping your toes in the season’s warming surf.

To help you make a stylish splash at the beach this season, here are five fabulous beach bags you can use to pack your blanket, swimsuit and sunblock in now – and in sunny months to come:

• TIMBUK2 Cargo Tote Bag. In ocean hues that range from Caribbean turquoise to the azure seas of the South of France, this ballistic nylon tote is pretty enough for the girls and rugged enough for the guys.
• Ellington Ladybug Tote. Made from recyclable materials, this waterproof, quick-drying bag comes in a rainbow of brights that are right at home at the beach. And at just $39 each, you can pick up one to match each of your swimsuits!
• Picnic Time Activo Tote. Fully insulated, this masculine tote in shades of red clay, olive green, or black and silver lets you pack your picnic and your beach accessories in the same simple, stylish bag.
• Tommy Hilfiger Crest Logo Tote Bag. Nobody does “beach” like Tommy Hilfiger. In crisp shades of white, navy and red nylon, this bag is clean, easy to care for and perfect for a day spent lounging on the beach or playing in the surf.
• JP Lizzy Ditzy Kiwi Leisure Tote. Sky blue and grass green come together in a big, beautiful beach bag you can sling over your shoulder all summer long (then use for groceries when you’re not at the beach). With a wipeable exterior and liner, it’s also easy to keep this bag looking great all year long!

Whether you dress in basics or your style is anything but, you can give your look a little extra color, style, and functionality with a few fabulous bags in yellow, emerald green and azure blue this Spring.

Here are some gorgeous options that will help transform last year’s Spring ensembles into spectacular looks once again.

Yellow

• Star50 Wisconsin Porter Clutch. In pretty yellow canvas with cognac-colored trim, this amazing clutch is just the thing to pair with your favorite brown espadrille wedge sandals, Bermuda shorts and a flowy tank top.

• Case Closed Bags Laptop Bag. Give your working week a boost of sunshine yellow with a laptop bag designed for Spring. Featuring a large interior pocket and a comfortable shoulder strap, it’s the perfect complement to your “go-to” white linen suit.

• nan handbags Olivia Patent Satchel. In a rich, golden apricot this patent-leather satchel will dress up your Saturday shorts and add a hint of shimmer to your stand-by date-night dress. Wear it with black, beige or a rainbow of brights and watch it bring your wardrobe to life.

Emerald Green

• dizengoff Double Handle Tote Bag. It might be more peridot than emerald, but that doesn’t make the bag any less stunning. Sling it over your shoulder and give your favorite jeans, white shirt and sandals a fresh new look.
• Lazaro Laupe Baguette. The saturated shade of this bag will make your navy suit pop and breathe new life into the beige chinos you turn to on casual Friday. Knot a soft and silky scarf around your neck and you’ll look like you’re ready to spend April in Paris. 
• McKlein Lake Forest Italian Leather Ladies’ Briefcase. A bit more leafy than a true emerald, this gorgeous green briefcase makes carrying your laptop and business supplies fun again. Pair it with black trousers and a pale yellow sweater set and become the embodiment of Spring style.

 Azure Blue

• Lazaro Daisy Baguette. The shade of a stormy ocean, this handy little baguette has room for everything you need and style to spare. Slip into a cream-colored top and a pair of brown wide-leg linen pants and you’ve got the perfect Sunday brunch ensemble.
• Elissa Bloom Clutch. With loads of texture and several shades of blue, this feminine clutch hits all the right notes. Slide it over your shoulder and give your simple navy dress a pop of color or tuck it under your arm and give your favorite black cocktail dress a colorful, flirty hint.
• Mobile Edge Milano Notebook Case. Paired with the gray skirts and deep purples of winter, this stunning blue bag is the perfect bridge between the seasons. Just slip your laptop inside and you’ll be able to take your work anywhere in style.

Swimsuit season might still be a few months away, but if you want a beach-ready body by the time the temperatures start to rise, then you’ve got to hit the gym NOW! Unless you have the luxury of an at-home workout space, chances are good that you’re going to have to cart your clothes, shoes and toiletries from work or home to the gym. So to keep you organized and looking stylish on your journey from flab to fab, here are five gym bags that are so chic they might actually inspire you to hit the gym more often:

• Modern Union Metro Yoga Mat Bag. A sophisticated messenger bag with straps that let you store your yoga mat on the bottom, this gym bag gives you all the room you need for clothes, toiletries and even post-workout snacks.
• Eagle Creek ES Cargo Duffel – Small. Rugged and small this duffel is perfectly sized for a quick trip to the gym. And with the reusable “stuff” pouch you can keep your shoes separate from the rest of your gear.
• Omma Yoga Pilates Mat Bag. With separate zippered compartments for your mat and your clothes, this bag gives you a place for everything you’ll need during and after your workout.
• Calpak Proxy Multi-Pocket Duffle. In four energetic colors, this big, 30-inch bag has a u-shaped zippered opening and a detachable non-slip shoulder strap. It’s so roomy and easy to carry, that you might even want to use it for a weekend getaway.
• Clava Racing Duffel. If nylon bags aren’t your thing, this sporty leather duffel with a fun racing stripe and fully lined interior just might be the gym bag of your dreams.

If you’ve got little ones in your midst and want to get them into the action, Wildkin, Like Luggage and Samsonite Sammies all make great duffels kids can use to take them from home or school to dance, sports or even the gym in true kid style.

Spring wedding season is right around the corner – and if you’re a bride- or groom-to-be, now is the perfect time to take care or the small details, like seating arrangements, party favors – and gifts for the men and women who will stand beside you on your big day. And while I can’t help you decide who to place next to your great aunt Edna or wrap the Jordan almonds in silk and ribbon, I can give you a few ideas for your bridal party: Men, women and children. So without further adieu…

The groomsmen 

• Baekgaard Men’s Luggage Riveted Valet and Jeep Key Fob Watch. With a place for everything – and a key fob that doubles as a watch, the men in your party can stay organized and on time.
• Roots Equipment Shoe Shine Kit. Give your groomsmen a practical gift they probably wouldn’t buy for themselves. It will not only help them keep their looks pulled together for your wedding, but help them look “polished” and fantastic every day.
• Andrew Philips Golf Score-Card Holder. Inside, include a gift certificate for a round of golf at his favorite course. (If golf isn’t your game, but poker is, pick up the Royce Leather Sedona Bonded Leather Professional Poker Set.) 

The bridesmaids

• Royce Leather Envelope Photo Holder. Add a few favorite pictures of you and your bridesmaids, leaving spaces for photos of your big day. As an added bonus, these envelopes come in a range of beautiful spring colors, so you might even find one to match your wedding colors.
• A fabulous clutch. Give your bridesmaids the “it bag” of the season – and make it something they can carry on your big day and beyond. Some great options include: Almas Metal Clutch, Tarte Aphrodite Dupioni Silk Clutch, and the Mint Madison Tangy Clutch.
• Soapbox Jewelry Roll. Inside, place a pretty necklace or pair of earrings she can wear to your wedding.

The ring bearer and flower girl

• A great new backpack. Add to it a pair of pajamas they can curl up in after the reception and the kids in your party will drift off to a happy slumber.
• An iPod Case and gift card to their favorite online music store. With a personalized iPod and some great new tunes they can dance to their own beat anytime they want.
• Pacific Design Sony PSP Gaming Case. Include a fun new game or, if they don’t have a PSP, the game system and watch their eyes light up.

From our cell phones and laptops to our digital cameras and handheld gaming devices, chances are most of us travel with at least one thing that requires batteries – and many of us travel with extra batteries and chargers. But before you simply toss your batteries and your backups in your bags, there are a few things you should know that can make getting through security just a bit easier. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) you should:

• Not pack spare lithium batteries in your checked baggage (since January 2008, they are no longer allowed). Instead, pack all of your lithium batteries in your carry-on luggage where they can be inspected by TSA staff at your security checkpoints.
• Keep your spare batteries in their original packaging. If that packaging is not available, isolate the batteries from contact with other batteries and metal, including coins, keys, jewelry, etc.
• Pack your batteries in such a way that they do not run the risk of being crushed, punctured, or having a lot of pressure placed on them – which can cause an internal short-circuit and result in the batteries overheating.

To help keep all of your batteries together, but packed safely, it’s a good idea to pick up some packing cubes. Inside these cases you can alternate your socks, underwear or t-shirts with your batteries. This will help keep your clothes looking great and prevent your batteries from touching.

No matter how often the experts say to get a bag that stands out from the rest on the carousel, chances are you’re still going to choose a black bag to take you away for the weekend, on business trips and cross-continental vacations. And while you can tie a string around the handles or stitch a ribbon onto the front of your bag, there’s nothing quite as simple as strapping a luggage tag to your bag. So in the spirit of individualizing your bags in the easiest way possible, here are some fun, colorful, and personality-laden luggage tags to help you spot your bag in the sea of black you’ll face on the carousel:

• Rocket Luggage Tag. For the adventurer in all of us. This luggage tag might not take you to the moon, but in bright shades of blue and red, it will give your luggage lift-off.
• Bow Wow Luggage Tag. Black pups on a pink tag will help your bag jump off the carousel.
• Golf Luggage Tag. In bright white, green and black, a big golf ball and tiny tees are transformed into modern art you can attach to your bags.
• Vegas Luggage Tag. Don’t leave finding your bag up to Lady Luck. These colorful luggage tags decorated with cards and dice make finding your bags easier than playing the slots.
• Zebra Luggage Tag. Unleash your wild side with zebra-striped tags that do anything but blend in.

Not into statement-making luggage tags? No problem. Samsonite, Royce Leather, and Rick Steves also make some colorful, although more subdued, options that will help you find your bags in a flash.

These days, pets seem to travel nearly as much as their human counterparts. And while when I was younger my pets either hopped in the back of the family truckster or sat curled inside a plastic pet carrier beside me, those modes of transport are now considered either unsafe or déclassé. So what’s a stylish pet owner to do? Get your pet something as pretty to travel in as the bag you carry, of course!

Here are a couple of options you’re sure to love:

• Amberhill Red Label Pet Tote. In stain-resistant Baker tartan, this beautiful, classic bag will let you carry your pup in style.
• Mango Tango Pet Carrier. Chic faux suede in a rich pink hue, comfortable shoulder straps and outside pockets for treats and accessories make this bag easy to carry and ultra-functional. (It also comes in a bright, beautiful turquoise.)

For the ride across town, a trip to the park or a hike up the trail, your pampered pooch will also need some fantastic accessories to get him through. Here are some favorites your dog will adore:

• Chisco Pet Travel Accessory Pak. With an adjustable collar, collapsible travel bowl, ball and two leashes, it’s got everything you need for a dog on the go.
• Mountainsmith Dog Pack (medium). Think of this as a backpack for your dog. Not only is there room enough for his water, food and a collapsible bowl, but there’s even room for your wallet and keys! (Also available sized just small and large dogs.)
• Canine Cooler Pet Bed (large). On a hot day at the beach or your own backyard, this thermo-regulating pet bed will give your dog a cool spot to hang out on no matter where he is. (Also available sized just for smaller dogs.)

From Halle Berry to Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez to Nicole Kidman – Hollywood is booming with babies! And it’s not just a trend that has taken Tinseltown by storm. According to a report by the Council on Contemporary Families, women in the United States are having more babies now than at any time since 1961.

Now – I know I have plenty of showers to attend this spring – and with so many babies preparing to make their big debuts, I’m betting you do too. But honestly, how many packets of onesies and cute little bibs can one family really ooh and aah over? So instead of getting friends something they’ll probably get 18 of, I’m stocking up on these fantastic baby picks and doling them out like candy (along with the cakes I have to bake for the parties):

• Fleurville G Luxe Bag. It looks more like a purse with a rock ‘n’ roll edge, but this diaper bag has a changing pad and all the room she’ll need for diapers, bottles and her wee one’s favorite toys.
• DadGear Center Stripe Messenger Bag. A super-sleek diaper bag for dads, this chic messenger bag gives guys easy access to everything they’ll need to take care of baby.
• GoGo Babyz The Urban Advantage Stroller. With pneumatic 12-inch wheels, a one-handed folding system, adjustable leg rest and a four-position reclining seat, this fantastic baby stroller is something moms- and dads-to-be can use for years.
• Like Luggage Dots Mine Duffle Bag. In fun, fresh colors, I’m filling this great little bag up with pajamas and travel-sized versions of all the necessities.
• Royce Leather Envelope Photo Holders, Amberhill Red Label Picture Frame, and Andrew Philips Mini Photo Key FOB. Parents-to-be can surround themselves with pictures of their newborn while they’re at work, home or on the road. 

Whether you have one friend or 10 friends who are due to deliver, these gifts will be a huge hit! (Trust me, I’ve already used these ideas a half a dozen times and there are always smiles all the way around.)

Mon cheries! The day all lovers anxiously await is nearly upon up. And although some of us have been hoarding gifts for that “special someone” for weeks (after all, Valentine’s Day gifts do start appearing almost in time for the after-Christmas sales), some of us aren’t quite that organized.

If you happen to fall into the former category – relax and sip a glass of wine with your sweetie. If you’re a member of the latter category, it’s time to start shopping already, because the mother of all romantic holidays is knocking at your door!

Instead of the candy and flowers fallback you can buy on virtually any street corner, if you do your shopping now, you still have time to get the guy or girl in your life something great! (Just make sure to expedite the shipping.) Here are some quick, last-minute gift ideas you can have shipped to your door before your honey ever realizes how much you really procrastinate:

• A fully-stocked picnic basket and the promise of a romantic meal under the stars (when the frigid temperatures of February are no longer with us, of course).
• A journal you’ve inscribed with a romantic sentiment.
• His ‘n’ Her golf bags or hydration packs and a plan to spend some quality time together on the course or on the trail.
• A nice version of a favorite game – and a genuine interest in learning to play with him (or her). Think dominoes, poker or a classic board game he (or she) played as a kid.
• An MP3 player loaded with just one song – “your song.”

Don’t forget, procrastinators – with Valentine’s Day so dangerously close, you’ll need to expedite the shipping. But with a thoughtful gift on the way (and a lovely dinner planned), you’ll have everything you need for the ultimate celebration of love.

With the holidays over, daydreaming of spring vacations and summer trips to the beach is in full swing. And although you could just pack your go-to swimsuits and party clothes into the same old bags you’ve been using for years, it’s so much more exciting to place your brand new vacation clothes into bags that are equally crisp (and don’t smell like your old winter ski boots).

So if you’re like me – and looking for the ultimate luggage set to treat yourself to – here are five fantastic options you’re sure to fall in love with:

• The big four-piece set. Wenger Swiss Army Milano 4-piece Luggage Upright Set. With a 29-inch, 25-inch, and 21-inch upright bag, plus the a roomy tote to carry all of your in-flight essentials, this four-piece set is a masterful collection that can take you from a weekend at the beach to a full-fledged European tour with ease. Plus, because it’s made by the original maker of the Swiss Army Knife, it offers legendary quality and durability you really can’t find anywhere else.
• Slightly smaller four-piece set. If those big bags are just too much for you, Wenger also offers the Davos 4-Piece Set. With the same great design and durability, these slightly smaller bags (28-inch and 24-inch expandable vertical pullmans, 21-inch expandable pilot case and 15-inch tote) are roomy enough for business trips and holidays alike.
• Three excellent three-piece luggage sets. Wenger and Samsonite have both developed some exceptional three-piece options, including the Samsonite 275 Series Spinner Luggage Set,  Wenger Swiss Army Lucerne Lite Collection, and the Wenger Swiss Army Milano Series Luggage Set. Each manufacturer uses durable ballistic nylon and wheels designed for maximum maneuverability. (Just choose the one you like, because with these quality bags, you really can’t go wrong).

If a luggage set just isn’t necessary for the way you pack, you should at least invest in one new bag you can be proud to carry. And for that, the Samsonite Luggage F’Lite bags just can’t be beaten. Not only are they lightweight and come with Wide-Track wheel systems for easy maneuverability, but they’re also reasonably priced. Which means these bags are as easy on your shoulders as they are on the wallet!

Best of all, because these bags are sold exclusively at LuggagePoint, you know you’ll get them at great prices and with a few extra perks, like:

·        Free shipping if your order comes to $49 or more

·        Free return shipping if you’re not satisfied with your purchase

·        A convenient 60-day return policy

·        110% price match guarantee

Whether you’re actually jetting off somewhere fabulous – or just daydreaming of the vacation to come, pick up a set (or just one spectacular bag) and pack in style.