It’s a gorgeous day outside, what better way to celebrate that than to go on a picnic to the park in the neighboring town? Theoretically this seems like a great idea, but in reality, such an event requires planning. What if the food gets spoiled? Will it stay cold? Will it stay hot? Will my liquids spill? And if this picnic is supposed to be anywhere near romantic, will the wine that you bought stay fresh, cold and intact? The list of questions goes on and on…

So let’s say you are on a date with your special someone. You want the picnic to go perfect, right? The food should be delectable and the ambiance should create that “Kodak moment.” The scene would be ruined if you shrieked, “Oh no! The wine bottle broke!”

Freeze the frame. What would your picnic buddies’ reactions be? Most likely, “Oh, I don’t feel like wine anyway…” or “It’s alright, we can do without.” We know that they’re thinking inside, “Why didn’t you watch where you put the wine bottle?! We could have had a great picnic, but no. You had to pull another one of your stunts. I was really looking forward to it too!” Not the greatest reaction…

However, there is a silver lining in even this situation. BottleWise is here to save the day! Our Picnic With Ascot line features the Sunset Wine Carrier, Bahamas Picnic Basket Cooler and more. These are perfect for storing wine and other liquids. Both have several compartments to store wines and other supplies. In addition to that, they’re insulated as well. The Sunset Wine Carrier even has a place to store wine glasses. How convenient for your picnic date!

Are these not enough for you? Then take a look at the BottleWise Picnic Plus line. This takes storing wine to the next level. With 12 more product choices, you won’t have a hard time finding your perfect match at all. Bringing only one or two wine bottles? The Veranda Wine Tote is a perfect fit. Elegantly hand woven and lined with thermal foil, you can be sure to picnic in style. Is two too small of a number for you? Don’t worry, BottleWise offers the Quad Bottle Bag.  This way you’ll be able to give that special someone a choice of wine on his or her special picnic day. It’ll be one that they’ll remember forever.

So the romantic picnic idea went over well. And you know what the plus is? Now that you have the BottleWise supplies to help you out, you can go on as many of these amazing outings as you’d like. Your friends and family won’t be able to stop thanking you for your planning and preparedness.

Be sure to shop the BottleWise catalog for spectacular savings and free shipping on all our picnic accessories through Sept. 13th.  Have a great Labor Day picnic with BottleWise.

Cheers!

Happy Labor Day!

A resplendent sun. Shimmering water. Swim suits. Golden tans. The endless ocean.  Delectable seafood. A snazzy white yacht. The best of friends. Priceless smiles. Seems like a perfect picture, yes? Well of course. It’s seems like a promising afternoon out at sea with friends. Culture these days demands for one more thing to complete this perfect outing: good-tasting wine.

Let’s backtrack to the previous scenario. Brad planned this boat trip for ten of his closest friends. He purchased food, arranged for good music, and made sure they had the boat cleaned and ready. However he kept procrastinating on going out to buy wine. He knew his friends would consider this shindig over the top if they had a few cocktails to accompany them. The only problem is that Brad hates buying, storing, and serving wine. He’s had quite a lot of bad experiences with the whole ordeal.

A few boat trips ago, he ended up with a cooler full of ice, wine, and shards of broken glass. During some water-turbulence, the cooler did a full 360-degree flip and the wine bottles shattered into pieces. Needless to say, everyone was disappointed.

So the last boat trip that Brad and his friends went on, he decided to be a bit smarter. He transferred his wine into non-glass containers this time. However, he forgot that wine can go bad in just 2-8 hours. After driving to the dock, loading the boat and getting out on the waters, the wine was already half spoiled. When Brad made a few drinks for his friends, the taste was…well let’s just say it was less that desired.

After the two fiascos, Brad realized he had to get serious about this wine thing. There had to be something out there that could prevent his precious wine bottles from rolling, breaking and leaking. However, that wouldn’t cut it. He also needed something to preserve that timeless flavor. What to do? But, miracles happen. Only a week before the boat was to set sail, Brad got an email.

His friend Linda had been searching online for some travel-sized containers for her weekly business trips. She came across a company called BottleWise. They had a few TSA approved products, which she had purchased. Along with that she came across Klean Kanteen Wine Karafe and Platy Preserve. She knew Brad was looking for wine solutions so she sent him the link to the BottleWise website.

Brad clicked on the link Linda sent him and the rest is history. He immediately purchased both the Klean Kanteen Wine Karafe and the Platy Preserve. Soon enough his wine worries were gone.

A week later, Brad stood on yacht and poured perfectly tasteful wine into a few glasses for his friends.  He screwed the top back onto the Platy Preserve container and placed it into his cooler. The cooler looked a bit different during this trip. The ice was still there, but there were two Klean Kanteen Wine Karafes with a Platy Preserve nestled in between.

Brad glanced at his friends as they took the first sip of wine for the day. They smiled in delight and complimented him on his wine choice. Beaming, Brad thanked them. He was sure this boat trip was going to be his best yet.

Shop now for instant savings and free shipping on the Klean Kanteen Wine Karafes and Platy Preserve products.  Cheers!

Sue Ellen: average height, slender build, simply dressed, frazzled mind, and bloodshot eyes. She’s a smart woman, but let’s face it, she’s been working hard. It’s 11:30 PM and Sue Ellen has yet to pack for her trip to New York City tomorrow at 5:00 AM.

So what results? Sue Ellen grabs an energy shot and begins a whirl of activity. She dumps in three pairs of slacks, a skirt, four blouses, a scarf, three blazers, a jewelry box and her mismatched, dirtied, TSA approved zip-lock bag into an over sized duffel bag. On top of that she throws in her two pairs of bulky high-heeled shoes. Of course, her laptop fits in there….somewhere. Finally the miscellaneous items: a snack bar, her iPod, headphones, portfolios and a few pens. All in all, her bag is a dump yard.

Alright, so we already have a bad feeling about this scenario. Let’s fast-forward and see how it pans out. A tired, sleepy Sue Ellen arrives at the airport and hurries through check-in. She lugs her duffel bag through security but is stopped. Her bag has to go through another security check. The attendant dumps out all her bag’s contents. The zip-lock bag has opened and ruined her good slacks and shoes. Her nice blouses are wrinkled. The security attendant discards her zip-lock and allows her to proceed. Not only do the few minutes cause Sue Ellen to miss her flight, but she has no toiletries and soiled clothing. What a great start to her business trip!

Now if we back track, we can see that the crucial point was Sue Ellen’s hurried packing job. Could she have done things differently? Yes, perhaps she could have. Here are few tips that may have helped her out to pack her carry-on bag:

• Pack in layers and be organized. Rolling clothing helps reduce wrinkles and saves space.
• Don’t over-pack clothes and shoes.  Many outfits can be mixed and matched over a few days.
• Invest in one piece of carry on luggage that is easy to pack and fits nicely in the crowded overhead bins.
• Pack a second carry-on (backpack, handbag or computer case) with your laptop or electronics you need access to easily on your flight.
• Pack items that need to be removed in security (toiletries, computer, etc) in one carry-on. This avoid having to rustle through both of your approved carry-on pieces.
• Use travel-size bottles for cream and liquids that aren’t bigger than 3 oz.
• All liquids should fit into a quart sized, transparent plastic bag
• Declare or discard any liquids that you have (baby formula, juice, medications, bottled water, etc.)before getting into line.  You are not only going to delay yourself, but others behind you.

Most of the above is pretty simple. The only challenge is getting those liquids under control. Who wants to be running around the last minute, tearing the house apart for small containers to put shampoo in? After all that hard work, you won’t even be sure that those liquids won’t leak! As cabin pressure changes, often liquids are caused to leak out of containers. Who wants to deal with that?

This is why BottleWise offers travelers  few alternatives to help make packing your toiletries at various price points. TravelRite Kit comes with TSA approved bottles with tops and a see-through plastic bag. If you’re more of the simple type or just new a few leakproof bottles, Go Toobs are for you. If the cabin pressure has been messing with your plastic bottles, then a great thing to do is check out Pitotubes; they don’t let those liquids leak!

Be sure to check out our great savings on all of our toiletry items to make your next trip mess free!  Safe Travels.

Bottled Water Services comprise a billion dollar industry today which is growing annually. However, there are multiple researches and studies done, questioning the “purity claims” of bottled water. The big question has always been: Is bottled water cleaner and healthier than tap water?

We all know that most of the companies that supply distilled water use city water as their source, which is far from being healthy. Popular companies like “Dasani”, “Aquafina” and “Nestle” are also included in this list. (Reference: www.msnbc.com)

Why is distilled water unhealthy?

There are many reasons. Few are mentioned below

1. The oxidation of water is harmful for human body.

2. It results in improper pH balances and ionization.

3. The ‘plastic’ in which they are packed releases chemicals that are leached into water.

How is Planet Earth affected?

Environmental institutions are struggling to cut down the consumption of fossil fuels. This effort is directly affected by the use of ‘Bottled water’ as ‘Virgin Petroleum.’ Virgin petroleum is the source for manufacturing plastic bottles for bottled water. This means that the more bottles we use, the more virgin petroleum is consumed. This fact is true for other beverages and drinks that are packaged in plastic containers. “According to a study of the Oregon State University, it takes about 273 billion liters of water a year, worldwide, just to make empty bottles” – Valuable water is being wasted for manufacturing bottles which again is wasted after use! – It’s about time to think.

Some facts on Bottled water from the Internet:

“People tout bottled water as this pure substance that’s trickling from clear mountain springs when, in fact, that may not be the case,” said Assemblywoman Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, author of one of the bills.

The Food and Drug Administration needs to tighten its regulations on bottled water after a four-year study by the NRDC found that of 103 brands surveyed, one- third contained levels of contamination.

The NRDC found the contents of one bottle, labeled “Spring Water,” actually came from an industrial parking lot next to a hazardous waste site.

By the end of this year, bottled water will have moved past milk, coffee and beer to become the second most popular beverage behind soft drinks, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp.

Do you want to stop participating in destroying Planet Earth?

Well, you can. Go Green! There are multiple water filtering systems that can be used as an alternative. Tap water does have impurities and contaminants, but filtering them is a healthier option than choosing “Bottled Water”. Once you filter your tap water, avoid using plastic bottles. There are many stainless steel water bottles that are in the market with great quality. One of them is the  Klean Kanteen Classic – Klean Kanteen™, the 27oz stainless steel water bottle is made of 100% recyclable, 18/8, food-grade, stainless steel so it doesn’t need a special lining like aluminum bottles. It’s completely BPA-free and won’t leach toxins or funky flavors into your water, juice, smoothie or drink of choice. Plus weighing in at only 6 ounces, this durable, reusable, BPA free stainless steel water bottle is designed to last for years.  Be sure to check out the special savings through June 7th on all of our Klean Kanteen products, including the Wine Carafe.  All with free shipping!

BottleWise is committed to manufacturing high-quality bags that make life easier for the discriminating culinary traveler and is founded by Amy Dias (adias@bottlewise.com)

Weekends are short-term fun, yes? Well, how about a long weekend. Most “long” weekends are just a day longer than regular weekends, yet that extra day creates an adrenaline rush like no other. While all that is fun, the best vacation starts with good planning.

Often, long weekends mean travel. Everyone wants to spend a few days with loved ones and away from the stresses at home.  So when we think about long weekends, our mind now calculates a laundry list of to-dos like packing food, packing clothes, travel arrangements, making hotel reservations, managing the kids, and locking up the house. Inevitably this list is never ending.

Once we figure out the duration, location and affordability of the trip, things fall into place. Despite all this, regardless of whether you’re a kid or an adult, hunger is always an issue. Though a travel destination might be alluring, tummy growling still takes the first place. Packing food with the tact picnic baskets, coolers and heaters is essential. We can achieve that by opting for the best choice of products, which make our job simpler and easier.

Predict the hassles and avoiding those using wise and simple techniques. You definitely need a wine carrier which would ease your travel much more. BottleWise has been on your side thinking about just fun during travel and vacation whether by plane or car. For a stylish alternative to a big plastic cooler, the Classic picnic basket cooler is fully insulated to keep food and drinks at the perfect temperature. BottleWise is currently offering special pricing on all of their picnic accessories now through May 31st and free shipping.

Magnolia Wine Basket

All we need at the end of the vacation is great memories about the weekend and we can say that that Memorial Day weekend was among the best. Plan for the best and get the best. Have fun!

BottleWise is committed to manufacturing high-quality bags that make life easier for the discriminating culinary traveler and is founded by Amy Dias (adias@bottlewise.com)

Imagine this…you’re planning a trip from your home in the city of Chicago to Washington DC, which would be roughly a two hour journey by flight. But, you’ve got to keep in mind that the security checks prior to the journey will waste two whole hours of your valuable time. No matter frequent of a traveler, there’s no way around the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) rules. You still have to stand in long lines and disrobe yourself multiple times. Doesn’t that become a pain? Of course, but proper planning always helps. Especially in travel nowadays, it really makes much more sense to plan with the increasing rules from the TSA. Let’s see what the travelers have on their mind about the security check…

Can I carry my favorite shampoo and toothpaste?
You can carry limited amounts (3 oz. gel or liquid) in your carry-on. Good news! There are several great products on the market that make packing your favorite shampoos, creams and makeup a breeze.  GoToobs are a compact, reusable and inexpensive solution.

I need my prescription medication and how about food for my baby?
Thank goodness, they are exempt from the rules. However to expedite the process place these items in their original labeled containers.

I’m a photographer, is it safe to have my film rolls in carry-on?
X-Ray machines for carry-on are considered safe. It would be better to carry the rolls in clear plastic bag. Depending on the number of security check points during your travel and minimal exposure is better.

What can I expect in passenger screening?
Unlike your baggage, which undergoes X-Ray exposure, you, as a passenger, don’t have to do the same thing. However, it is mandatory to remove your shoes, place your cell phone and any other metal items like keys along to be screened as well.

I am going on a wine tour in the Fall, how can I bring home a few bottles of wine? Unfortunately, with the new TSA regulations, you must pack any liquids over 3 oz in your checked baggage.    There are a few products on the market that make packing large, fragile bottles of liquid a breeze!  The BottleWise Duo easily packs two bottles of wine or spirits in your luggage.  This bag is reusable and lightweight!

Last but not least, it is always better not to argue with the TSA authorities if they confiscate something from you. Argument never makes the situation better, especially with the security authorities. If they feel that your nail clippers might be a potential danger, just say, “So be it!” and pass the security check. You don’t want to miss your flight with such expensive tickets for something that is worth less than a dollar.

What have you had confiscated by TSA in your journeys recently?

BottleWise is committed to manufacturing high-quality bags that make life easier for the discriminating culinary traveler and is founded by Amy Dias (adias@bottlewise.com)

While electronic gadgets were created for convenience and entertainment, sometimes they can be frustrating at places like airport security checkpoints. This is an alert for our tech junkies with gadgets like laptops, laptop accessories, MP3 players, iPod, pager, cell phone, Kindle, video game consoles, video cameras, DVD players and much, much more.

I can completely understand the fun in listening to your favorite music, watching a movie filled with humor, or playing a thrilling game that makes time fly while on a plane. However, the TSA says Pay now, Play later. If we follow the TSA rules, we can have a fun enjoyable flight. All we need to do as travelers is pay attention to their rules especially for the electronic gadgets and it will make our security process smooth and neat.

Few quick gadget security tips:
Simplify…have only the electronic gadgets, which are crucial on your journey. This can quickly add up though between your laptop, phone, iPod, GPS and Kindle.  Besides the laptop and dvd player, many of your electronics can stay stored in your carry-on while passing through security – even your Kindle!  TSA prefers that you put most of your electronics in your carry-on as it makes it easier to screen the devices.  I once was pulled aside in security for an iPod docking station (last minute purchase).  I didn’t even think it was something that would be a concern…but it was!

Most corporate travelers have their laptops in their carry-on luggage. The best thing to do is to have laptops in checkpoint friendly bags. For more information on the styles, visit http://tinyurl.com/358hojk .  The seasoned business traveler has this process down to a science.  It really is important though for the average traveler to keep all the electronics organized.  Mini, convenient packing cubes are perfect for packing cords and small electronics.

Don’t be surprised if you are requested to switch off all your battery-powered devices. While packing your carry-ons, make sure the electronic gadgets are organized to make the screening process easier. If not, your bags have to undergo additional screening process, which would be more time consuming.

Every airport within U.S and international airports have similar regulations for electronic gadgets. If you are planning for a domestic or international travel, it is highly recommended to check the electronic regulations for the country.  You wouldn’t want your favorite gadget to end up in the hands of TSA in another country…never to be seen again!

What is the ONE gadget you can’t stand to travel without?  Have you ever had electronics confiscated?  Please share your gadget drama.

BottleWise is committed to manufacturing high-quality bags that make life easier for the discriminating culinary traveler and is founded by Amy Dias (adias@bottlewise.com).

Check out all these cool wine gadgets reviewed and featured on NBC NY – Behind the Burner.  You can also win any of these items…especially the BottleWise Duo!

One key item left out on the BottleWise Duo is that you use it to transport wine when you fly!  No Breaks! No Leaks! No Worries!

Watch segment of must have wine products.

With spring break upon us and summer vacations quickly approaching, parents are typically more nervous than excited as they prepare for a vacation with their lively kids in tow. As many know, traveling with kids can be stressful. Fear not, we have a few tips to easily prepare parents to think ahead and get organized for their vacation.  This will transform your vacation with kids into an “expedition of amusement” rather than a bitter experience.

Here are a few things to have prepared when traveling with kids:

1) A detailed agenda and tour plan of the places you are planning to visit.
2) Copies of all schedules and time lines to various places to cover.
3) Kids should be actively involved in certain activities such as:

• Putting together your trip ideas
• Planning out activities to do on vacation
• Making family rules during vacation
• Having a small rewards and penalties if the rule was broken
• Assigning roles based on age group such as food carrier, water carrier, photographer, etc.
• Collecting memorable items like tickets, brochures, pictures, etc.

4) Family games, cards, checkers,art supplies.  Many games come in travel form which are perfect for planes, trains and cars.

5) Electronic devices for kids(big and small) like cameras, laptops, DVD players, hand held games.  Don’t forget extra batteries and chargers.  Taking a GPS along is perfect for exploring your new destination and finding points of interests.

6)  Have a supply of healthy snacks on hand.  Don’t count of the airlines for much more than a drink and a bag of pretzels.
7) Packing your baggage:

• Limit check in luggage. Try to have carry on luggage and have backpacks for each kid and allow them to carry their own stuff. This will save you money and time.
• Pack light clothes, sweaters, jackets, beach wears, shoes.  The more items each individual can wear, the easier it is to pack and keep items to a minimum.  Ideally your destination has laundry facilities to do a quick load if necessary.
• Follow TSA’s 311 rules when are packing the liquids, gels, toothpaste, shampoo and other stuff for your kids. These are all important for your kids, but at the same time are restricted to carry on the planes in great volumes.

Packing the family’s items can sometimes be quite a challenge, one parent commented, “Nowadays opening my baggage after a trip can be full of surprises. I only wish that I don’t end up having a toothpaste stained shirt and shampoo covered pants.” A few great products that will come in handy when packing toiletries are Pitotubes and GoToobs. Often packing many of our daily necessities slips our mind and it is often a pain to carry full size products, make sure you have the TravelRite travel kit, which will make your life so much simpler. All of these items meet TSA 3-1-1 regulations so you can use them in your carry-on luggage.  Shop www.BottleWise.com.

Pitotubes Quart Size

Family vacations can be fun, enjoyable, memorable, cherishing and adventurous. Don’t let the detail of packing and planning ruin a family memory.  It  pays to plan ahead.  Have some planning trips that have worked for you and your family in the past, we would love to hear them!

BottleWise is committed to manufacturing high-quality bags that make life easier for the discriminating culinary traveler and is founded by Amy Dias (adias@bottlewise.com)

Here’s the everlasting question that’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue: What’s the deal with shipping wine?

It’s not that easy (or inexpensive), you have to meet these conditions first:

• the wine was purchased while the purchaser was physically present at the winery
• the purchaser of the wine provided the winery verification of legal age
• the wine is for personal use only and not for resale
• the purchaser can lawfully and personally transport wine into the destination state
• the purchaser is the consignee

How do I pack three bottles of wine? Packing wine requires packaging suitable for numerous low intensity shocks, compressions and vibrations from any direction.  There are three types of containers typically used to ship wine: folded corrugated tray, molded fiber tray or an expanded polystyrene foam mold.  A winery or specialty shop will often offer to ship wine for you, but even at a discounted shipping rate, the costs can add up (especially over time).

Estimated Shipping Rates: To ship 3 bottles of wine (weighing approximately 5lbs) I have done a cost comparison between FedEx and UPS.  Please keep in mind that these are estimated and rates will vary for different zones.  These costs also do not include the cost associated with purchasing the appropriate packaging materials.

FedEx

1. Priority Overnight $94.39
2. Next Day Air $71.00
3. 2nd Day Air $43.54
4. Ground $16.07

UPS

1. Priority Overnight $85.00
2. Next Day Air $60.00
3. 2nd Day Air $30.00
4. Ground $15.00

As many already are aware that if you“are you planning to return to New York from California with your wines after a nice summer vacation, you can’t do that in the cabin anymore,” said an airline industry consultant, based in Port Washington, N.Y. “Instead, travelers will have to place bottles in checked luggage, a practice that is currently still permitted.  The only issue is whether you feel it’s sufficiently well protected – that it’s not going to break.”

Is there a way I can still carry the wine with me? Yes!  You’re in luck, there is the perfect solution on the market that not only will protect your bottles from breaking or leaking in your checked luggage, but over time it will save you money and the environment.    Pack wine, spirits and culinary oils in your checked luggage with the BottleWise Duo or the BottleWise Bot’lPak. In just one use you will recover all your cost for shipping Priority or Next Day Air with UPS or FedEx.  Not only that but other benefits include:

1. One time investment and no recurring charges (BottleWise offers a lifetime warranty!)
2. Your wine or spirits travel with you, safe and secure
3. No additional shipping and handling charges
4. No waste to the environment of collected boxes and polystyrene
5. And  most of all – Peace of Mind!

Learn more about the  BottleWise Duo.

BottleWise is committed to manufacturing high-quality bags that make life easier for the discriminating culinary traveler and is founded by Amy Dias (adias@bottlewise.com).