Beach Bags

I recently ran into this article titled ‘Where Have the Good Men Gone?‘ which is basically a critique on how the “men” of today are living an extended adolescence. While women are taking over businesses, establishing careers, and pretty much just wiping the floor with their male counterparts.

And the funny thing is, this is what inspired me to write about singles resorts. I know you’re wondering how can an article saying that the “good man” is slowly fading into obsolescence give me the urge to write about singles resorts? Which is probably the last place you’ll ever hope to find a “good man.”

But I think this is exactly the reason why I’m writing about singles resorts. If you’ve read the article, don’t you get the feeling that the modern woman has been portrayed as an all-business, cut-throat, ice cold thing that rhymes with witch? That they are beyond going to places like singles resorts to have their dose of fun with the not-so-good men?

So this list of singles resorts is for the ladies who can find the not-so-good man and turn him, by love or through other means, into one heck of a good man. Yes, girl you can flirt and save a dying breed at the same time.

Hedonism Resorts

I don’t think I even have to explain what goes on in here. This could be, in a nutshell, what all singles resorts are all about, the pursuit of fun and pleasure. As per their website, nudity is not optional, it is encouraged. Needless to say, the resort is only open to men and women 18 years old and above. Have fun and be safe, I say.

Singles Cruise

Just based on its tagline, (Travel Single, Never Alone!) you already know you’re going to have fun aboard this cruise. What’s good about Singles Cruise is that their cruises are defined by age groups, so you’re sure not to end up with grandma and grandpa on their retirement vacation. However, cruises are kind of tricky, since you’re going to be spending maybe a whole week with the same people aboard the ship. It’s either you’ll be bored out of your wits (if you don’t find any of the other cruise passengers interesting or to your liking) or spend all your time avoiding that guy you met last night at the Congo line instead of enjoying the trip. So sail carefully.

Whistler Black Comb

Sometimes you’ve got to heat things up in the snow. Whistler Black Comb, located in Western Canada which is being dubbed as the “young, fun city for single adults” is just one of the singles resorts that highlight skiing and other winter sports. It’s consistently included in the Top 10 Best Ski Resorts in North America, so expect nothing but the best. Also, being on a snowy peak is a very different atmosphere as compared to a beach setting. Of course, in this temperature and high-altitude you have every excuse to invite someone to join you for a dip at the Jacuzzi.

I knew I wanted to write about small laptops but I didn’t know how to go about it. So like the good writer that I am, I scanned the world wide web for some inspiration and let me tell you it didn’t disappoint because look at what I have here from Offbeatwanders.

Bellarocca, Marinduque, Philippines

Instantly I knew I wasn’t going to a place as beautiful as this lugging around a huge laptop, using space I’m sure I could squeeze in at least two maxi dresses and a pair of wedge flip flops in. But seriously, isn’t this the dream though? Having an exotic beach as your office, a day bed with canopy as your cubicle, and for your lunch break? How about a quick dip into the ocean?

And now for the key piece of equipment to complete your “office” set up, here are some suggestions on which of the available small laptops you should get to make all your dreams exotic-beach-as-office come true.

ASUS Eee PC

These small laptops from ASUS were the first mass-produced small laptops in the market with a tiny 7-inch screen and weighing in at just 2 pounds, these small laptops are ideal for travelling.

I use a first generation ASUS Eee PC that runs in Xandros Linux which is an Operating System that can be quite a drag because of the limited things you can with it. So for those with ASUS EEEPCs for small laptops, I suggest getting a new OS. Try EasyPeasy or Ubuntu Netbook, both of which I have already tried and will highly recommend to anyone.

But if you don’t want to go through the hassle of reinstalling a new OS for your small laptops, don’t worry, the newer models of ASUS Eee PC comes pre-installed with a Windows-based OS already.

HP Mini Netbook

These HP Minis are the cutest small laptops around. Only 1 inch thin and weighing in at only 3.1 pounds and a glass to glass screen it’s definitely great to bring when you’re traveling.

What’s good about these small laptops is that they have a 93% scale keyboard, which is a common critique about small laptops, so that it feels natural when you type using HP Minis. And isn’t just appropriate that it’s called island style keys? Because that is exactly where you’ll going to be typing with these small laptops?

And although the HP Mini is a sweet little thing, it’s capable of playing high definition content. So it’s going to be no problem enjoying movies while lounging at the beach.

Dell Mini Inspiron

A 10 inch screen and 250 GB hard drive. There’s nothing small about these small laptops from Dell. Although slightly bigger than the previous two laptops, it’s still smaller than your regular laptops.

Dell really designed their small laptops for life on the road with a battery life of more than 7 hours. You can finish all your office requirements and still have enough battery life for a few movies. This is very good news especially for backpackers who are usually on the go.

I have this whole conspiracy theory thing going on with car stickers. Call me crazy, but I’m a great believer that car stickers are the root cause of traffic jams. Because you can’t read all the indispensable words of wisdom printed on those car stickers if there are no traffic jams, right? So, what I think is that the manufacturers of these car stickers devise clever ways to create horrible traffic jams so that we could see the car stickers they make plastered on other vehicles. Now there’s something to think about.

Seriously though, car stickers are a form of identification. An odd little thing on your bumper that broadcasts to the world who you are with a few witty words, a logo or a very badly drawn cartoon. And for free spirits that roam the beaches of the world, here are some car stickers you may want to slap on your vehicle.

Surfing Impaired. Too old. Too fat. Don’t care.

Ah, the proud sand potato. Who would just bake (every pun intended) in the sun all day rather than, well, move.

Dog Beach. Ocean Beach, California… Because they can!

And quite frankly they should. But the reality of the situation is that most beaches in the United States are closing themselves up to our canine buddies. Not because they hate dogs or anything like that, but because there are a lot of irresponsible owners. So if you want an all-access beach, pick up after your pet. Keeping beaches poop-free, will keep it from being pet-free.

Wanna PLAY Me?

This rather provocatively suggestive message is tempered by the crappy cartoon it was paired with. Perfection.

I’d rather be at the beach!

All those in favor raise your surfboard.

Beach Babe.

Ladies, I know we’d all like to lay claim to this title. But the competition for this coveted beach bum title is fierce. So what do you do? Wear the skimpiest of bikinis, have your hair in a corn row like Bo Derek (if you’re not blonde, consider being one), get the most unique beach bags you could find, save the whales, pick up plastic bottles and plastic bags, surf, swim, pig out on beach grub, all while getting an even tan. Easy right?

Happiness is… a day at the beach!

Need I say anything more?

I LOVE SEA ANIMALS

And shouldn’t we all? Which is why we should always be conscious of how we dispose of things we bring into the beach such as plastic. Plastic is one of the top beach pollutants these days together with cigarette butts. And these could harm the animals who mistake it as food. Some of them can choke in plastic caps, or get tangled on floating plastic bags.

I am the Walrus!… and who are you?

Aside from being a very trippy The Beatles song, this is actually a very philosophically inclined car sticker. So the next time you go to the beach, try a few moments of introspection. After all the Walrus knows who he is, and so should you.

YES this journey is absolutely necessary.

You can take two routes with this car sticker message. One is the deep and profound route, in which you can say that this about self-discovery, about stepping out of your comfort zone, of challenging yourself. Second is the not so deep and profound route, in which it only means that you’ve grown so pale even Casper was scared of you and you need to go to the beach to get a tan.

One life. Live it.

Enough said.

I think that if there was ever any inkling of a doubt that slinging on a backpack and stuffing everything you own mindlessly into it means you’re going off on a great adventure, Dora the Explorer has already put to rest.

This tiny adventurer has taught us that all you need to see the world is your imagination, your open heart, and your trusty backpack. The former, I can’t really do anything about, that’s something you have to find for or from within yourself, but what I sure can help you is choosing the best backpack to match your wanderlust.

Tomo backpack from See by Chloe

This leather backpack is showing signs of adventure already, with its country of origin as Mauritius, which Wikipedia defines as “an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres (560 mi) east of Madagascar.” But to me, it can only mean one thing – fabulous beaches.

So pack all your beach accessories – wedge flip flops, organic shampoo, natural sunscreen – into this leather backpack made from soft calfskin, with cotton lining at buckle closure. I suggest getting it in red instead of black for a pop of color.

Studded MAB Backpack by Rebecca Minkoff

It doesn’t matter if you’re in a budget flight, always travel like a rockstar with this leather backpack from Rebecca Minkoff. It’s got custom silver hardware and hand-plated silver studs for that touch of rock and roll. Pair this leather backpack with some leather bracelets, gladiator sandals, Ray-Bans and attitude.

Fiorelli Hayworth Backpack Hobo Bag

Doesn’t it just scream safari? This leather backpack from Fiorelli Hayworth welcomes you to the fashion jungle. The flap-over design of this leather backpack is a throwback to vintage 1940s backpack, during a time when world exploration was gaining momentum. This leather backpack is a multi-strap bag which means you can also turn it into a shoulder bag. And based on design alone, this leather backpack makes you want to learn how to read a map and a compass.

Brown Leather Backpack – Travel by Grafea

What more can you ask from a leather backpack that is the epitome of your adventurous spirit? This leather backpack named Travel from Grafea is a medium sized calfskin leather backpack, that can go with you to the farthest regions of the earth. It has one front pocket, two side pockets and a large inside compartment that can fit all your essentials such as beach accessories, travel books, maps, and your camera.

Chloe Charlie Large Perforated Leather Backpack

Here’s another great leather backpack from Chloe. The Charlie Large Perforated Leather Backpack pays homage to the military style decoy bags with its design. It has a protective metal feet which allows it to keep its shape which is is balanced by the soft top with a drawstring closure. You can be ready for anything and you can go anywhere with this leather backpack just like a real fashion trooper.

Ah Rome. The land of amazing architecture, mythical Gods and Goddesses, and half-naked men fighting to the death. And now, Rome is back in the headlines with Italian luxury footwear brand Tod’s  – lead by Italy’s King of Shoes, Diego Dela Valle – at the helm of the restoration of one of its world famous landmarks, the Colosseum. An ambitious endeavor that reportedly costs €25 million.

I don’t know about you, but with this news, I just can’t help but go all Ancient Rome on a fashion trend that is returning to the spotlight. Enter the gladiator sandals. It was the reigning trend in footwear a few summers back and is now back in everyone’s fashion radar. But just like in the Colosseum where buff, testosterone warriors are pitted against each other, with the emperor deciding their fate, with just a thumbs up or thumbs down, we too shall determine the gladiator sandals’ fashion fate. Are you not entertained? Sorry, I just had to squeeze that one in there.

Thumbs Up: Long Live the Mighty Gladiator Sandals

Many a fashion warrior have worn gladiator sandals to up the ante in their outfits. Hollywood celebrities and trendmakers like the always fabulously disheveled Olsen Twins, Country superstar Taylor Swift and A-Lister Gwyneth Paltrow have been spotted rocking gladiator sandals whether in red carpet events or when they’re getting their lattes on downtown. These serious puppies have also graced the runways of fashion greats like Chanel and Alexander McQueen as modeled by supermodel Kate Moss. Cementing their status as one of fashion’s most coveted footwear.

Admittedly, gladiator sandals are a little tricky to wear and may not always go together with what you have in your closet. So here are a few tips on how to wear these showstoppers.

Bring on the attitude. Gladiator sandals are somewhat unconventional and like I said won’t necessarily go with everything that you have. So bring a lot of self-confidence with you when in a pair.

Keep your outfit simple. Gladiator sandals are drama, drama, drama. There are a lot of details happening in this sandals, especially if you have knee-high gladiator sandals like the one Chanel offers. So the trick is to keep your outfit and accessories to a minimum. Let the shoe do the talking for you.

If you’re wearing it with a dress, may I suggest an all black, body conscious ensemble with short helm and long sleeves. Perfect for a night out. And if you’re going to the beach and you want to still be all glammed up, trade your wedge flip flops for a pair of low gladiator sandals. Use it with a flowy or fringed white shirt, designer beach bags on your shoulders, a sterling silver charm bracelet or cape cod bracelet and oversized sunnies. Don’t forget your natural sunscreen too.

Thumbs Down: Feed the Gladiator Sandals to the Lions

Of course the gladiator sandals has its share of haters too. And after seeing the Nike Gladiateur 2 (Yes, there is a Nike Gladiateur 1), I can’t say I blame them. Priced at $80, this part shoe, part sandals is Nike’s offering for Spring 2011. According to their website, and I quote, “The design pays tribute to the very first marathon shoe, which chartered a new path in 776 B.C.”

Wouldn’t you just get a thumbs down from the emperor, get fed to the lions, than go a minute more wearing this?