I'm leaving on a jet plane

If your holiday plans include air travel, this can be a stressful time. Added security and increased regulations severely limit what you can take with you, and downturns in travel have caused cuts in amenities and services such as cabin cleaning. One way to keep germs, spills, or crumbs from the previous passenger off your person is with PlaneSheets, the personal airline seat covers that add style, comfort, and peace of mind to airline travel. These cozy, machine-washable fabric seat covers fit securely over the headrest and cover the entire seat, allowing easy seat belt access.

PlaneSheets ($12.99-$29.99) are available in plush solids and durable designer print fabrics like denim, leopard print, and chenille as well as disposable polypropylene two-packs. They come in coach and first class-business sizes and surely are innovative and practical travel companions that offer an economical way to personalize, and sanitize, your travel space. They work great on trains, buses, and theatre seats, too. Visit www.planesheets.com to learn more.

Okay, so now there are clean, comfortable sheets under you, but what about fighting off the chill of a cold airline cabin or the frigid backseat of a car during a long road trip. Look no further than the Cabin Cuddler if you wish to be cuddled up from head to toe with a travel blanket that comes complete with a special pocket for your feet. Made of super-comfy microfleece materials, the Cabin Cuddler ($35) is anti-pilling, machine washable, and dryer safe. Fitting adults up to six-feet tall while also coming in children's sizes, the Cuddler is available in a variety of colors--blue, cranberry, aquamarine, mint green, and periwinkle blue--and matching carrying case. Visit www.cabincuddler.com for more information.

Meanwhile, from Travelon--the company with the watchwords function, innovation, design, and detail--comes a pair of interesting products; the Envelope Style Wristlet and 2-Piece Slim-Line Waist-Pack. With the Wristlet, women can travel in style while keeping necessities at their fingertips. This slick, slim purse rides neatly on your wrist. Inside, myriad compartments keep travel documents, credit cards, and personal essentials ultra-organized. It includes a removable shoulder strap and is available in ostrich-embossed leather ($29.99) or quilted microfiber ($17.99) in a range of colors.

The Waist-Pack ($24.99), made of quilted micofiber and available in a nice selection of colors, is a definite improvement on the fanny pack which, unfortunately, can't help but scream, "I'm a dorky tourist!" Sleek and futuristic, the Waist-Pack flatters the figure by draping the hips. It has four pockets, including one for your cell phone, and includes a neck wallet for travel papers. Highly adjustable, it even can be worn messenger-style.

For more information, visit www.travelonbags.com.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning