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My CLEAR Experience – Let’s Go

January 5, 2018 by robincharmagne 6 Comments

CLEAR-travel-robincharmagne

Image: personal photo

Hello pretties,
Y’all already know that traveling is one of my favorite things to do in the world. But on this recent trip to Dallas, I was a little apprehensive. Real talk, I don’t know what I did to my back but it has been bothering me for a minute. I think I picked up something wrong or something, but any way my back has been hurting. For this trip, I was dreading the long line at security, after all the busiest airport in the world has long security lines 99% of the time (yep The A still holds that title).

CLEAR

On my trip to Seattle, I saw these cute blue signs for CLEAR and the reps were saying get out of that long line and go straight through. I wasn’t sure what it was but I made a mental note to check it out and I was pleased with what I found about this company.

CLEAR is a prescreening system that speeds travelers through the queue line right up to the security area. To accomplish this, the process starts online where you enter basic contact information and pay for the service. You must be age 18 or older and have a valid U.S. ID such as a license or passport, permanent resident card, military ID, etc. Then once you arrive at the airport, CLEAR collects some biometric data, e.g. iris, fingertips, and thumbs to identify you. All this happens in a kiosk.


CLEAR-biometrics-robincharmagne

You’re all set and can head to the security area. In the security area, your identity is verified at the same type of kiosk using any one of the biometrics. I chose the iris verification because it seemed fast and easy. To confirm my identity, I stood in front of the kiosk and looked at a mirror, when the light changed from yellow to green I was identified and CLEARED along with a check of my boarding pass. A CLEAR rep escorted me to the FRONT of the security line and I pulled two of those ugly grey bins and took my shoes off!!! You can imagine the looks on the faces of the folks in that long line. It was so simple, I was in and out of security in seriously 5 to 7 minutes, easy peasy and with no back pain – #winning!

CLEAR vs PreCheck vs Global Entry

CLEAR and PreCheck are two different types of speedy screening. CLEAR and PreCheck gets you through airport security faster, while Global Entry gets you through Customs and Border Protection. If you are flying International, the CLEAR rep will escort you to the Customs and Border Protection area and again, you speed through that process as well. CLEAR and PreCheck work together.

Final Thoughts

Thumbs up for now! I really loved the uncomplicated sign up and of course it was nice to be moved to the front of the line. The downside is that CLEAR is only in 30 airports, such as, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Houston,Washington, D.C. and Orlando to name a few. But it is expected to expand to other airports. And it is pricey at $15 a month, billed annually. American Express/Delta SkyMiles cardholders are eligible for a discounted price of $99.

If you plan to travel a lot domestically, I think it is a good alternative to PreCheck. Conversely, if you are more of an International traveler, I would say Global Entry might be a better choice. I plan to sign up for Global Entry since for $15 more, you get the same benefits as PreCheck! Consider how much and where you travel when deciding which program to use.

CLEAR-NYEtravel-robincharmagne

Happy Traveler, ready for NYE fun!


Airline travel can be stressful, so anything you can do to relieve that stress is worth it and for me CLEAR was a lifesaver, or should I say back saver.

Are you using CLEAR or PreCheck or Global Entry?

robincharmagne

CLEAR images via

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: travel

What A Girl Wants – 2017 Gift Guide

November 20, 2017 by robincharmagne 14 Comments

robincharmagne-gift-guide

Happy Holidays pretties!
It is a three day week and a holiday week with Thanksgiving just a few days away and my other “holiday” Black Friday. As we kick off the holiday shopping season, I thought I would pull together some gifts that I think are pretty cool. There is something in this guide from fashion, home, and travel, in a wide range of price points. Take a peek at these goodies…

Accessories

It may be cliche, but absolutely true, accessories can make or break an outfit. Amp up your holiday outfit with these three on trend accessories – a beret, designer belt, or fur lined slides. Right on time for cooler temps is the fashionable beret. This hat flatters any size head and it does matter if your hair is long or short, you will look uber chic in a beret. We can credit Gucci for the designer belt trend. This option is an affordable alternative, yet still quite stylish. Gucci for the win again with another hot trend, the fur slide. Perfect mix of comfort and style with this casual shoe.

Home Decor

During the holidays, we’ll be hanging around the house a lot more. Here are some fun and useful gifts. Make someone’s day and gift them a sprocket, they will love you forever. This is hands down the coolest printer to print photos directly from your phone. The paper has a sticky back for scrapbooking and memory keeping. Leave the paper on the back to add photos to picture frames. If you are like me and need some motivation to meet your water goals, this bottle is the answer. With time reminders, you will easily sip your way to hydration. Gadgets are my thing and this spiralizer is at the top of my list this holiday season. With three blades for a spaghetti cut, fettuccine cut, or a ribbon cut – easily transform fruits and veggies into noodles, ribbons, and chips. Make your meals healthier with this awesome tool that is budget friendly and dishwasher safe.

Travel

Do you have your passport yet? Get it now! See the world with these pretty and functional gifts. Be a stand out traveler with this unique wheeled carry-on in black and white. Snag it for your next weekend getaway. Store all your chargers with these cases in your choice of pretty colors – black, silver, or gold. For your international travel, you will need an adapter for the electrical outlets. This one is heavy duty and comes with a sturdy case.

I have been pretty good this year hoping Santa leaves some of these goodies under my tree. I really like that spiralizer…hint hint. Have a fave from this guide? Already have one of these gifts? Let me know what you think about it!

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

robincharmagne

Filed Under: Holiday, Home, Shopping, Travel Tagged With: Holiday Gift Guide

First Class Dreams – Seattle – Let’s Go

October 6, 2017 by robincharmagne 10 Comments

airline-loyalty-robincharmagne
Hello pretties,
I hope y’all are feeling great and ready to talk travel. So, recently, I was graciously gifted a birthday trip to Seattle, in first class seating (yes my friends rock). Flying first class was on my bucket travel list, but the way my travel deals are setup, I have not been able to live this dream. Today I am sharing bits of the fab plane ride and how to earn miles to increase your chances of getting first class seats on your next flight.

First Class Anyone?

Travel time Atlanta to Seattle is right under 6 hours so the Delta One seating was the most comfortable option. The seats are 21 inches wide, and recline fully to lay flat like a bed. It also has its own power plug and USB port for charging and a personal seat-side reading light.

happy-robincharmagne

What’s wrong with my hair?


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What is she looking at LOL?


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Like being in a restaurant

This was quite an experience and everything I dreamed it would be. It started with priority boarding, yes on the plane first. Upon sitting down, we had water and the flight attendant explained how everything worked. You get your own overhead bin, that was cool. Then she asked if I wanted champagne, um yeah. The amenities were superior quality, a blanket so soft from Westin hotels and those fancy headphones. On to the meals! So before dining, the flight attendants offered everyone a warm towel and laid out our napkin on the tray table. The food was better than main cabin but I wasn’t bowled over. It was served on real dishes and with real silverware that part was special! All throughout the flight we were offered a variety of yummy snacks and whatever we wanted to drink. The Delta One seat did not disappoint, really comfy and reclined 180 degrees all the way to a flat bed. I could have slept the entire flight, just like being at home. The service was amazing – attentive and elegant. I would fly first class every flight if I could, who doesn’t like being pampered?

Tips to Earn Miles

1. Decide what status fits your travel lifestyle based on the airline. For example, Delta has silver, gold, platinum, and diamond. Each one has different perks. I am working towards silver status.
2. Be Loyal! Pick your primary and secondary airlines and enroll in their rewards program including any credit cards aligned with that airline. Remember I said how my travel deals are setup? Well, to earn this status and get all the perks of said status, .i.e. free checked bags for you and your travel buddies, priority check-in and boarding and more, I will be sticking with one or maybe two airlines versus flying with everybody and they mama who has a deal.
3. Use airline rewards credit card for any purchase that will award miles for said purchases. You are going to shop anyway, you might as well earn some miles in the process. But try to pay off at the end of each month to avoid amassing debt.

There are many other ways to earn miles, just schooling y’all like my friend schooled me, sharing is caring… LOL. Once you begin earning your miles in your particular status, then you get complimentary upgrades to first class and with all your miles, you can gift miles! Isn’t that awesome. I am so thankful for having sweet and generous friends, can’t wait to return the gift and make someone else’s travel dreams come true!

See ya’ in first class real soon!

Have you flown first class and how was your experience?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

P.S. Seattle was great, more to come on that too!

robincharmagne

Filed Under: Life and Style, Money, Travel Tagged With: travel, travel perks

Airport Style – OOTD #109

June 21, 2017 by robincharmagne 10 Comments

chambray-lace-up-robincharmagne
Hello pretties,
Airport anyone? It’s the first day of Summer and that means vacation season is in full-affect. Kids are out of school and you are putting in time off requests for destinations from Disney to the Dominican. Yes let’s go, but first what are you wearing to the airport? I see women in the airport that are so chic and stylish so I am inspired not to schlepp through the airport in sweats and a tee. I think I found an easy outfit for your next plan ride, take a peek…

… 

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Filed Under: Fashion, Travel Tagged With: airport style, OOTD; plus-size

Architecture – Amsterdam Week – Part 2

May 18, 2017 by robincharmagne 6 Comments

architecture-amsterdam-robincharmagne
Hello pretties,
Another segment of Amsterdam week featuring beautiful architecture. From my first day in Amsterdam, I started snapping photos of buildings. You will find a fantastic mix of old and new buildings all across the city with unique details. These are a few of the beauties I captured…take a peek…
hotel-amsterdam-robincharmagne
central-station-amsterdam-robincharmagne
women-amsterdam-robincharmagne
wall-amsterdam-robincharmagne
flag-amsterdam-robincharmagne
flower-amstedam-robincharmagne
pathe-amsterdam-robincharmagne
homes-amsterdam-robincharmagne

Call me the nerdy diva because it is so interesting to see the architecture of other cities and hear about the history of the buildings and how they shaped the city’s landscape. An interesting tidbit is a lot of the buildings and homes on the canals don’t have elevators so a hoist is used to move furniture and things into the buildings. Can you imagine seeing fridge or a couch being hoisted up to the top of a building? Pretty clever!

What types of photos do you like to capture while vacationing?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

robincharmagne
Images: personal

Filed Under: Photography, Style, Tourism, Travel Tagged With: Amsterdam, Let's Go, travel

5 Facts About Amsterdam – Amsterdam Week – Let’s Go

May 15, 2017 by robincharmagne 8 Comments

amesterdam-clogs-robincharmagne

Hi Pretties,
It’s Amsterdam Week! I was so smitten with this province of The Netherlands, I wanted to share some deets on this fabulous spot! Let’s start with some fun facts about Amsterdam!

5 Amsterdam Facts

1. It is surrounded by 60 miles of water, made up of canals. The residents can walk right out their front door to the canal. What a view!
amsterdam-canals-robincharmagne
2. So I will get this one out of the way now. Yes, marijuana is legal in Amsterdam. No, you can not smoke it anywhere – coffee shops only. You get coffee at cafes. Kinda confusing I know.
amsterdam-coffeeshop-robincharmagne
3. Febo is a popular fast food outlet. These are vending machines that serve hot food on the cheap! I had a kipcorn for 2 euros, can’t beat the value. Yummy!
amsterdam-feb-robincharmagne
4. Bicycles rule in Amsterdam. There are more bikes than people and they are serious about their bikes, very aggressive bikers. Everyone rides!
amsterdam-bikes-robincharmagne
5. So probably could have covered this after #2. Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam, primarily in the Red Light District. When the ladies are on duty, the red light around their window is lit. But don’t take pictures if you want to keep your camera. Real talk, we had the most fun in the Red Light District,very lively, loads of bars and restaurants and people watching.
amsterdam-red-light-district-robincharmagne
Bonus: Everyone speaks English!

Would you visit Amsterdam?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

robincharmagne
Images: personal

Filed Under: Life and Style, Travel Tagged With: Amsterdam, Let's Go, travel

Google Flights – Let’s Go

March 2, 2017 by robincharmagne 10 Comments

google-flights-on-robincharmagne
Hello pretties,
Google it! Yep we google everything, so why not google travel. If you have been around robincharmagne, you know travel is my bae! And, my travel season starts this month, woot-woot! So a couple of days ago, I was looking for a flight and another travel diva suggested Google Flights. So I gave it a whirl, here is how it works.

google-search-flights-robincharmagne

Start with Google, of course

google-search-flights-robincharmagne

First enter a destination

google-flights-orlando-robincharmagne

Orlando is a popular destination, who doesn’t love Disney

google-flights-price-robincharmagne

$57 winner

The key to travel deals — be flexible!

Click To Tweet

google-flight-best-robincharmagne

Flight Options – $57 to $289

Favorite Feature

google-flights-destinations-robincharmagne

For when you need a break, but have no idea where to go

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Suggestions of other cool destinations with prices

Google Flights is lightening fast and populates options super fast. As with most travel search engines, you can use filters to narrow down your preferences, i.e., round-trip, travel times, airlines, etc. The only drawback to this site is that you can not book on the site. You click out to the airline you select to actually book the flight. Use Google Flights as the perfect research tool for your travel needs even if you have no idea of where you are traveling.

What travel search engines do you use to plan and research flights?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

robincharmagne

Filed Under: Money, Travel Tagged With: Let's Go

5 Tips For A West Coast Tour – Let’s Go

September 29, 2016 by robincharmagne 2 Comments

sandiego-zoo-robincharmagne

Hello pretties,
Wrapping up summer this week and heading into a new quarter, but looking back on good travel memories. Y’all know my birthday = a trip somewhere and this year it was a West Coast Tour from The A to San Diego and Los Angeles. So me and my travel sister Tanishame over @glamcury, go check her out, split up these two fab Cali towns – I planned SD and she planned LA. Too much fun, for real! Now from The A to the West Coast isn’t too bad but if you are coming from someplace further away, here are a few tips to help on a coast to coast flight.

West Coast Tour

1 – Before and during your trip – hydrate, hydrate, and more hydration. Airplanes are dry as heck so drink up and avoid alcohol.
2 – Splurge and get some good noise cancelling headphones to drown out the talking and general airplane sounds. Those free earbuds the airlines passes out are a hot mess. On a longer flight, the airlines offer some form of entertainment, good headphones make the experience so much more enjoyable. When you are ready to nap, good headphones are a lifesaver.
3 – So we got a super good deal to Cali, but it included a 3 hour layover in San Francisco. If you have a longer layover, use the airlines lounge. At the United Airlines lounge, we enjoyed WiFi, outlets for charging and a nice buffet – the mimosas were not bad either! You’ll have to be a member to visit, spoil yourself!
unitedairlines-lounge-roincharmagne
4 – Once you land and check-in at your hotel, skip the nap and hit the streets, grab a meal at a popular spot. We hit Sweetie Pies in LA, too dang good – was Mama back there cooking? Then come back to the room to rest and refresh!
harbor1
5 – Who cares what time it is at home!!?? Get on West Coast time girl, after all you are on vacay.
venice-beach1

Oh and did I tell you me and my twin hit Vegas on our birthday? Our first trip, just the twins and we had a ball! I hit it big a few times too!
vegas1
vegas2

Images: Personal

The end of summer doesn’t signal the end of travel season, more posts to come!!

What’s your tip for jet lag or for longer flights?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

robincharmagne

Filed Under: Life and Style, Travel Tagged With: Let's Go

Blog Anniversary – Kate Spade Giveaway

September 23, 2016 by robincharmagne 34 Comments

4th-blogaversary
Happy Friday!
Blog Anniversary week is ending with a giveaway. THANK YOU for supporting robincharmagne these past four years. Sharing my travel adventures is one of my favorite features on the blog so I picked up a few travel goodies from one of our favorite designers kate spade – passport case, card case, and zippered case. It is so simple to enter, just use the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and happy travels.

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

robincharmagne
binc

Filed Under: Blogging, Giveaway, Travel Tagged With: giveaway, travel

4th Blog Anniversary – OOTD #92

September 21, 2016 by robincharmagne 4 Comments

4th-blogaversary-robincharmagne
Hey Pretties,
Four years of all this fun! I can’t believe today is the four-year anniversary of robincharmagne!!

I have always said blogging is a journey – it does not end. It is my absolute joy to find ways to make this journey fun while bringing you valuable and useful content. Every outfit, DIY, or picture is designed to be of some help to you, my lovely readers. Maybe you learn how to wear stripes, or how to pick a new sofa, or even how to plan a budget vacation. That is why robincharmagne is here, to educate, elevate, and entertain you!

What really motivates me is engaging with my tribe. So many strong, smart, fashionable, and inspiring women from East coast to West coast. Y’all are the absolute best readers that have become my friends.

In this fourth year, look for some nip and tucks on the site, fun DIY projects, new partnerships and so much more.

I cannot thank you enough for stopping by every day!

OOTD

Now of course, it’s Wednesday, OOTD day! Let’s keep the fashion show going. Today’s outfit is in a word – whimsical. Patches are all the rage now, you betta getchu some! I jumped in with this look, take a peek…

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Filed Under: Blogging, Decor, DIY, Fashion, Home, Travel Tagged With: blog anniversary, OOTD; plus-size

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