Today is the first official day of exhibits for CES 2012. This event is so large that it fills up the entire Las Vegas Convention Center Hall and the conference space at The Venetian Sands Expo Center.So far I’ve only managed to see the South Halls of LVCC.

This morning I opted for the monorail since last year I learned just how long one has to wait for a taxi or official shuttle to LVCC. The line to get into the monorail station was already extremely long and was a good indication of how my day would be. Fortunately, Nokia had a promotional dance crew providing entertainment.

Getting into CES wasn’t as crazy as last year for me and I made my way to the South Halls before heading towards the rest of LVCC. My first stop was the Nokia booth so that I could see the legendary Lumia 900 in real life. It was gorgeous!

Then I set off exploring the rest of the South Halls and these are a few of the travel related finds that caught my eye:

M-edge – Last year I was introduced to m-edge and man have they grown since then. Their previous lineup was ebook reader covers that could be customized. They’ve expanded their line with phone cases, custom ebook cases, and these funky military inspired canvas ebook bags.

Golla – Last year I discovered this brand which introduces a new lineup each year. The new products include iPad cases and bags for all your gadgets.

Zagg – This company offers accessories and protective covers for touchscreen devices. They also offer a line of products to keep those devices powered up when your juice is low.

Samsonite – Most everyone is familiar with this brand, but they’ve introduced a number of new product and showcased some of their classic best selling items. The three-in-one travel pillow is one of their top sellers due to affordability and variety of functions. I was glad to see their new backpack, the Viz Air which provides a number of compartments for electronics, and even provides a layer of cushion at the bottom for safety in transporting a laptop.

Verso – I was drawn to this booth due to the tablet covers in various designs. My favorite is the Vera Bradley collection. I can’t wait until this comes to the market because I’ve been hoping Vera Bradley would release a proper tablet cover. Plus, they also have a line of ebook reader lights in a select few of Vera Bradley patterns.

Jaymo – Jaymo is a mom owned company providing custom phone and iPad cases that allow you to insert a favorite photo to display on the back of your device. It’s a cute way to personalize your phone or iPad and showcase your kids.

iBrag – This mom owned company offers fashionable cases for tablets and phones and also provides compact storage options. The phone case is a practical item to take to the theme parks if you no longer have to worry about a diaper bag. It holds the phone, has a photo and wallet area, and wristband.

These are just a smidgen of the many consumer electronics being showcased at CES 2012 this year. Of course there are home and lifestyle products, a plethora of phone cases, and so much more. I’m heading out again in search of interesting travel gadgets during my CES adventure.

Bold. Beautiful. Balanced.

Today Nokia announced the Lumia 900, one of the most anticipated smartphone debuts at CES 2012. There has been buzz via a few online leaks over the past few weeks and in the even in the press room I overheard a few conversations regarding Nokia’s US announcements. Personally I’m very excited about the Lumia 900. After being introduced to Nokia products last year at CES, I was disappointed that I couldn’t use the Nokia N8 through AT&T.

All the leaks still couldn’t reveal the sleekness of seeing the Nokia Lumia 900 in action. The Nokia Lumia 900 will run on Windows Phone Mango (7.5). The screen is a bit bigger than the Nokia Lumia 800 and will offer an 8 megapixel camera. The smartphone will be about 20 grams heavier than the iPhone 4S, but unless you are an astronaut on a mission to the International Space Station and are worried about load capacity, the you won’t need to worry about this minuscule different in weight.

The Lumia 900 is similar in design as the 800, with a bright color option that I’m fond of. This will be the first Nokia phone in the US to run on Windows OS. Plus it’s LTE (4G).

Some highlights I’m looking forward to with the Nokia Lumia 900 are:

Carl Zeiss Optics – With two cameras (front and back) the Lumia 900 might just be better than The iPhone 4S media capture. The Lumia 900 also offers a wide angle lens, capturing more of subject in your photo. This is great news for those of us looking for a higher quality smartphone camera than what the iPhone 4S offers.

Nokia Drive – This free turn-by-turn voice guided navigation system adds another layer of coolness for the travel aspect of this device. It offers an in-car user interface that turns the Lumia 900 into a GPS navigation device.

Partnership with EA – You won’t be bored if you’re stuck in an airport with the Nokia Lumia 900 which will offer 20 of the world’s top games to the Windows Phone Marketplace with the Lumia first in line to get these games.

ESPN Sports Hub – This pre-loaded application will keep sports fans in the know when having to travel during game time. I’m a big fan of LSU and Saints football, making this handy to have at my fingertips.

The Nokia Lumia 900 has so much more than just these features I’ve highlighted. It will be available through AT&T in the comings months. For more information, visit NokiaUSA.com.

The International Consumer Electronics Show has been around since 1967. It is the largest consumer electronics event in the world. While this event showcases the newest innovations in the industry for all interests, I’m attending CES to find some of the coolest gadgets to make travel easier and fun.

Last night was CES Unveiled, a preview of what’s being shown. While there are 30-50 Ultrabooks that will debut, along with super phones, there are also a large number of health and fitness products and lots of TVs. Buyers are interested in wireless and wireless devices, along with lifestyle electronics.

Some of my favorite travel finds so far include:

House of Marley – These Earth-friendly products invoke the soul of the Marley family with The Marley Movement and their line of portable sound devices. There are a variety of headphones available and portable audio systems soon to be on the market, including the Djembe which is my favorite of them all. It’s the smallest and most portable of their audio systems and can be attached to your backpack with a carabiner. The birch wood and canvas makes me want to sip on some Appleton Rum while chilling in Negril listening to my favorite tunes. Will retail at $59.99

MyCharge Folio – If you are like me, taking photos and video of every moment of your travels, your phone battery can drain quickly. Don’t get stuck in a theme park with a late afternoon princess photo opportunity only to find your battery level at 2 percent. The MyCharge Folio is an iPhone case and battery pack in one. What makes it stand out for me is the slim size and colors that pop. Will retail at $79.99.

SolarKindle – SolarFocus has developed the ultimate cover for the Kindle. Just place your Kindle securely inside, close, and then set it out in the sun for an hour to charge. This device recharges your Kindle on the go, is green, and even provides a reading light. This product will be available online as of January 14 and will retail at $79.99.

Powertech Ultraslim USB Outlet Expander – This slim outlet expander is about a half inch thick with a folding collapsible plug which is fabulous for the traveler needing an extra pair of USB power sockets. No word on a retail price just yet. Check out Powertech Industrial Company Ltd. for product news and future availability.

Velodyn Vpulse earphones – These earphones aren’t just comfortable, they also provide crisp and clear sound. They come with a sturdy compact carry case making them the perfect travel companion when watching movies or listening to tunes inflight on your iPad device. This product retails at $89.99 and is for those who are serious about sound quality with their portable media devices.

To keep up with my live updates from CES 2012, be sure to follow me on Twitter: @CajunMama.

A few weeks ago as I was driving I-10 in Baton Rouge, I noticed on one of the digital road signs an advertisement for a cool looking app — RoadNinja. A few days later I saw it again. Being the road trip and app freak that I am, I decided to download the free app to see what it was all about.

First, I’ll admit, I think the name itself is absolute coolness. Add the little character to the mix along with the useful information provided by RoadNinja, and I’m sold. The app was created by Lamar Advertising and offers much more information for travelers than those official state exit signs. I can’t tell you how frustrated I get when we’re on a road trip, looking for a particular restaurant or gas station, only to have the sign obscured by an 18 wheeler as we pass the sign.

Thanks to Lamar Advertising and their RoadNinja, I no longer have this frustration. I can locate businesses within a three mile radius, along with their specials, Twitter feeds, and share my finds with my social media communities.

Features

• Travel with Ease – Automatically detects your location and displays the nearest upcoming exit.
• Plan Ahead – Plan your trip effectively with a directory of every interstate/exit in the U.S.
• Locate Places – Search by business name or browse through default categories at each exit to locate points of interest.
• Promotions – Save money with promotions displaying deals nearby.
• Customize – Modify categories displayed at each exit on the app (there are over 30 options).
• Notifications – Save your favorite places and receive push notifications when you’re close by.
• Socialize – Share your favorite promos/reviews on Facebook and check-in on Foursquare.
• Interact – Access info and reviews for businesses/points of interest and map your route. Share reviews, ratings and photos of places with others.

RoadNinja is my new must-have app for any road trip. No longer will there be frustration when trying to find some of my favorite places to stop on a trip. You know you’ve been there, looking for YOUR favorite place to stop, not knowing how far you’ll have to go to find the place. The kids are crying (or whining) in the back seat and the hubby just wants you to choose someplace soon so he can get out of the vehicle to stretch his legs, so you end up at McDonald’s or Burger King for lunch. Sadly, as soon as you get back on the highway, you see that your favorite place was at the NEXT exit. RoadNinja takes some of the stress out of the family road trip and helps keep everyone happy.

RoadNinja is currently available on iTunes and soon it will be available for Android. For more information, check out the official site of RoadNinja and follow on Twitter: @Road_Ninja.

Happy Holidays!

Travel can be stressful, but when you add the aspect of family travel during the busy holiday season and many of us are overwhelmed. We’ve put together our best travel tips and ideas to help you make the most out of this crazy holiday travel season.

• Take a Tip from Santa – Make a packing list (and check it twice).
• Weather Check – Check the weather at your destination and pack accordingly.
• Documents – Make sure to have your passport, ticket information and other photo ID BEFORE leaving home. Keep those documents handy when going through security as well. Place them in an outside pocket of a carry-on.
• Carry-on Gifts – If flying with gifts, place them in a carry-on unwrapped. Bring along wrapping paper and tape to decorate once you reach the final destination.
• Pack an Extra Bag – Pack an extra bag so you can bring back gifts or items purchased while traveling. I like the new Lands’ End FlightWise Carry-on Trip Tote. It is lightweight and easy to shove into a larger bag.
• Ship Ahead – When possible, ship gifts ahead of time or look for a gift retailer that will ship direct. Lands’ End will ship gifts directly to recipients and even wrap them for a small fee.
• TSA Guidelines – Be sure to check with the latest TSA guidelines and pack your carry-ons accordingly. If you plan to carry your bag on rather than incur luggage fees, consider looking for a lightweight bag that will fit in overheads such as the Lands’ End FlightWise Carry-on Upright ($169.50). We’ve reviewed the entire line of this carry-on luggage collection.
• Get Packing – Make the most out of packing your luggage. Pack large items in your suitcase first, and fill gaps with small items such as socks. Soft-sided bags work great to maximize space and packing. We’ve got 10 packing tips for a carry on.
• Toiletry Items – Squeeze excess air out of toiletry items before packing. The air expands during the flight, which can cause items to leak. Better yet, transfer toiletries to small containers when possible. Read about a green way to pack reusable travel containers.
• Stay Charged – Are all of your chargers packed? Batteries? You’ll need these for cameras, computers, phones and handheld games. It’s also a good idea to pack a mini power strip so everything can charge at the same time.
• Calling All Credit Cards – Let credit card companies know you are traveling. Sometimes charges out of the ordinary get flagged and companies may freeze the account.
• Helping Hands – Let the kids get involved by allowing them to pack an activity backpack. Just be sure to check and make sure all items will make it through security.

Here are our holiday travel tip videos to help make your holiday travel easy and stress free. Happy Holidays from all of us at TravelingMamas.com.

CajunMama‘s Holiday Travel Tips

ThemeParkMom‘s Holiday Travel Tips

CarolinaMama‘s Holiday Travel Tips

OneMomsWorld‘s Holiday Travel Tips

This post brought to you by PackIt. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I take a day trip or weekend road trip, I don’t always feel like packing a small ice chest for the ride. Lately I had been packing an insulated lunch box with gel packs. The last time I went to prepare a small bag for a day trip across the river, I pulled the gel pack out the freezer and was totally grossed out. It seems my daughter had used it last and didn’t rinse it off after spilling her lunch in her bag.

A few weeks later, a review item called PackIt arrived in my mailbox. I thought it was cute and the outer decorated pattern was right up my alley. The best part about this item? The entire bag goes in the freezer and keeps my drinks cold for up to 10 hours! That’s longer than I normally drive in a day on a road trip.

I chilled my PackIt and put a few canned drinks and my coffee creamer for a short road trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana. The drive was only a few hours, but it kept my cold drink chilled until later that evening when I got back into my hotel room after a day of touring the area.

The PackIt not only keeps items chilled longer than regular ice packs, but it is super easy to wipe clean. This nifty product was created by two single moms, Jeanette and Melissa, who were tired of trying to hunt down ice packs for their kids’ lunches. These work great for lunches, but they also are a good idea for that road trip so that you don’t get the floorboard of your car wet from ice that sloshes over when you turn too fast.

For a limited time, the PackIt can be purchased for $19.95 with a buy one get one free promotion on the PackIt lunch boxes website.

I’ve tried it and I plan on buying a few more to keep around the house for picnics, school lunches, and the spontaneous road trip. Would you use a PackIt?

This post brought to you by TravelPro. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love finding ways to travel that won’t break the bank, that’s why I scour the web looking for travel sweepstakes and trip giveaways. The TravelPro Sweepstakes is giving readers a chance to win 500,000 Delta SkyMiles and (2) Travelpro Rollaboard bags!

With 500,000 miles, you can go almost anywhere in the work. Take that trip to Europe you’ve been dreaming of, or take a few getaways in the USA. You’ll even have new luggage that durable and stylish. The Rollaboard comes in two styles — The 18 inch Excutive Pro and the 20 inch Walkabout Lite 4. Both styles are convenient for carry on luggage and offer roomy compartments for travelers. It’s no wonder that TravelPro is the top choice for flight crews.

TravelPro luggage can be found at online and at retail stores around the US, including Macy’s, JC Penny, and most luggage stores.

All you need to do to enter is visit TravelPro sweepstakes and enter! It’s that easy. So what are you waiting for? Go online to check out the TravelPro Rollaboard and enter for your chance to win 500,000 Delta SkyMiles. You just might win, and get to travel in style.

If you’ve seen The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, then you may have noticed Bella’s wedding attire. As she finishes dressing in her Carolina Herrera dress (the dream sequence dress was by Alfred Angelo, according to sources), Bella’s dad gifts her with an heirloom hair comb. It’s a beautiful comb that was designed here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at The Gilded Lily.

Whether you have a large wedding in your hometown, or a destination wedding at an exotic location, if you’re a Twilight fan, then you’ll want to get your hands on Bella’s wedding comb. The Gilded Lily is offering Bella’s hair comb in a range of prices, from $29.99 for a replica, all the way to $3,999 for an heirloom piece.

I’m really proud of the role Baton Rouge played in the production of Breaking Dawn Part 1 and Part 2. As one of the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn film sites, Baton Rouge (specifically Celtic Studios) has truly become a major player in the film industry.

The Gilded Lily offers a wide variety of wedding and heirloom jewelry for that special day or momentous occasion.

I was sipping my morning cup of Community Coffee this morning when this came through my inbox. While I’ve always been a big fan of this Louisiana brand, I also love how they give back to the community, with the Community Cash for Schools and the Military Match program. This news comes just in time for Veteran’s Day.

Children can support our troops through Community Coffee Company’s Military Match program by hand-coloring Community Coffee’s official “Thank You” cards.  One card will be placed inside each Military Match gift set box prior to shipment overseas.  The cards can be downloaded from www.CommunityCoffee.com/ThankYou.

The Military Match program provides an opportunity for friends and family to purchase four bags of traditional Red Bag™ 16-oz. or 13-oz. Community® ground roast coffee, and in turn the company will match the order with four bags free. All completed cards can be mailed to Military Match Thank You Cards, Community Coffee Company, P.O. Box 791, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

“We are grateful to U.S. military service members, at home and abroad, who protect the freedoms and privileges enjoyed by all Americans,” said Matt Saurage, president and fourth-generation family owner of Community Coffee Company. “The Military Match program is our way of demonstrating support for those away from home, family and friends during this time. Since school children have been a part of our company through our Community Cash for Schools Program for over 20 years, we wanted to give them the opportunity to be a part of our Military Match initiative as well.”

“As Veterans Day quickly approaches, we want to share this program with our customers and encourage all children to color something special for soldiers who may need a picture and cup of comfort as a reminder of home,” said Saurage.

“Support of the troops in this fashion is vital to morale. It is always good to see something from home,” said John D. Burke, recent recipient of a Community Coffee Military Match gift set box.

In the past four years, Community Coffee Company has donated over 12,000 pounds of coffee to troops overseas through this program.

Community Coffee Company has sold premium quality coffee in Louisiana since Henry Norman “Cap” Saurage began serving coffee out of his country store in 1919. Made from 100% Arabica coffee beans, Community® coffee can be found in grocery and convenience stores, offices, hotels and many of the best restaurants throughout the South. It is also served daily at CC’s Community Coffee House® locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans, and is available worldwide through CommunityCoffee.com. Community Coffee Company is the largest family owned and operated retail coffee brand in America.

Spending quality time as a family, even when on a vacation can sometimes be hard to manage. If going to theme parks or other lively destinations, sometimes members of a family go off in smaller groups. One fun aspect of travel as a family is staying in a condo or vacation home where there are more opportunities for family bonding.

It’s a good idea to bring along a few games for those evenings sitting around the fire at a ski lodge or when it’s raining at the beach condo. We like to do this and sit around with a cold Coca-Cola or other drink of choice.

Coca-Cola supports Family Game Night and is offering this amazing family game night package through the Coke Rewards Program. Be sure to visit My Coke Rewards to check out the creative ideas and snack tips by Chef G. Garvin that are perfect for spending a quality evening with your loved ones.

This $100 value kit includes:

• (1) $25 Amex Card for snacks and supplies
• (1) Coca-Cola Coupon
• (1) Yatzee Board Game
• (1) Monopoly Board Game
• (1) Coca-Cola Polar Bear Puzzle
• (1) Checkers Mat
• (1) Set of Playing Cards