Blog — Trip Styler

Trip Styler Tutorial :: Jet Lag

how to conquer jet lag[trip style = any]

You can't conquer jet lag, but you can commandeer it.

I recently read an article in T+L where the writer took multiple long-haul flights to test various jet lag cures---or so the products promised. He concluded none r-e-a-l-l-y work. Trying multiple methods, products, pills, tinctures {and cocktails of all four}, I'd agree. You can't beat the clock. Eventually, we all need sleep.

My conclusion is there’s no cure for jet lag aside from trying your darndest to get on your new time zone’s clock, ASAP. Going transcontinental in a matter of hours means there'll be moments when you’re operating on empty. Moments when you’re so tired your eyebrows feel like bricks. Moments when your mind is stuck in a pea soup-thick fog. In these moments of head-bobbing exhaustion, remember: this too shall pass sooner than later!

How To Commandeer Jet Lag 1. Mentally prepare to be dog-tired or uber-awake at unfamiliar hours. 2. Push through it as if you’re running a marathon. 3. Get onto the local schedule asap. Ex. If you land at 10pm, go to bed. If you land at 7am, *try* to stay awake until evening. 4. Take 30 min power naps if you need a pick-me-up. Catnaps help a lot.

Trip Styler Tip :: I'm a fan of natural jet lag relief versus downing sleeping pills with chardonnay, so in addition to this four-step process, I take melatonin {and calcium} to help me sleep. For the record, it was a 25-year veteran pilot who suggested it as tried-and-true coping mechanism.

Finally, when you’re in the thick of jet lag know that you’ll have on and off instances. One minute you’ll want to sleep for 24 hrs straight, and the next minute you’ll be as awake as a rooster about to sing at first light. Not even the most seasoned globetrotters can avoid this, and the only way to catch up is through perseverance and sleep.

PS - If you're thinking of knocking back a bubbly or deux on your international flight, it's true what experts say: alcohol does make jet lag worse, while water makes it better.

Related Jet Lag Strategies KinderHop :: Time Zones, Jet Lag & Kids

[photo via @tripstyler]

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Roam+Board :: The Wickaninnish Inn

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Staying at The Wickaninnish Inn[trip style = luxury + beach]

What An iconic, wind-swept inn perched so near the Pacific Ocean that rooms are often splashed in sea spray.

Trip Styler Tip :: Book room 109 in The Pointe building if you want the highest chance of sea foam surging toward your window.

It doesn't really get more wild West Coast than The Wickaninnish Inn, a Relais & Chateaux-member hotel constructed on a rocky outcropping that feels more surf than turf. Straddling the 49th Parallel and the divide between a centuries-old coastal rainforest and the open ocean, the Travel+Leisure hall of famer---the only one of its kind in Canada---delivers low-key luxury on a gold-plated, douglas fir platter.

At once woodsy and radiant, the 75-room retreat is like a billionaire's cabin where highfalutin friends come to unwind for the weekend. Miles from pretence or posh, guests favor jeans and Gore-Tex jackets over leather and Lanvin, while stature and titles are quickly washed away by the multi-meter swells.

Inside, there's not a bad surf-spotting seat in the house. Every room is adorned with a large viewing window, a balcony with Adirondack chairs, a dual soaker tub, a fireplace and a sultry set of Canadian songbirds to sweeten the mood. Wink wink!  {And at the risk of getting too risqué with bedroom talk, the beds are near heavenly---so pillowy-soft you could sleep all day.} Trip Styler approved.

Where Tofino, BC, on Canada's westernmost coast. The best way to reach Tofino is through a combination of car and ferry from Vancouver or Tsawwassen. After taking the 1.5-hour car ferry to Nanaimo, follow the signs for Tofino, a 2.5-hour drive away. Due to the distance, plan to spend at least two nights.

When Tofino's weather is misty, moody and magnificent any time of year. Summer is the destination's high season thanks to warmer temperatures gracing its sprawling beaches, yet people visit year-round to surf {yes, even in winter}, storm-watch and hibernate with a book in front of the fire.

Who/Why You're in the market for a coastal hideaway with all the bells and whistles {from a standout spa to restaurant surrounded by 240 degrees of ocean views}---a place to pen your memoirs, crack open a book or simply rest your mind while aimlessly walking along the multi-kilometer beach.

Cost Rates start at $260 per night and include parking, WiFi and head-to-toe rain gear. Furry fellows can stay with you for $40 per night. There is a $10 fee per guest to use the spa's eucalyptus steam facilities.

More R+B The Burrard – Vancouver Hotel de Glace – Quebec Alcazar Palm Springs – California Jumeirah Zabeel Saray – Dubai Makena Resort – Maui Nita Lake Lodge – Whistler Fairmont Banff Springs – Banff Thompson – Beverly Hills The Sorrento Hotel – Seattle The LIT! Bangkok – Thailand From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos (except for bedroom shot) courtesy of The Wick Inn, assembled while I was hosted as a guest of the hotel.]

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The World's Coolest Carnival

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bonhomme de carnaval[trip style = sightseeing]

Two weeks ago I made the 5000 km, cross-Canada trek to sojourn in an ice castle, chat-up a cool Canadian celeb and slurp icy maple syrup taffy from a wooden stick. I know, right, my Canadiana-quotient is nearing Rick Mercer status. Kidding.

Sun-starved and shivering, normally in winter I hightail it down South---anywhere with sun will do---but in a nod to my maple leafy roots and French Immersion schooling, I traded my flip-flops for snow boots and my beach cover-up for a parka to attend the world's largest winter carnival, Carnaval de Quebec! Decked out in down and thermals I got a firsthand peek at what a winter version of carnival looks like: ice canoeing, parades and all {sans sparkly headdresses unless you count fur-rimmed toques}.

It's true, willingly wandering into -15 C {4 F} weather in winter's coldest snap isn't most travelers' idea of a balmy escape, but if you're craving a dose of Canada, the 17-day Carnaval is one of your best bets. Plus, you can always keep warm drinking a French Canadian version of mulled wine, aptly called Caribou {more on that below}!

The Fête's Photos hotel de glace quebec

ice hotel indoor fire

ice hotel bartender

ice hotel quebec spa The Ice Hotel {see what it's like to stay there}.

cavanal quebec inner tubes ice slide

carnaval de quebec ice slide {A small slice of Carnaval's main action.}

maple syrup snow taffy {Eating snow-chilled maple syrup, which you tightly wind into a makeshift lollypop. The best part is when the ice particles melt in your mouth and cut the syrup's sweetness.}

bonhomme de carnaval {Bonhomme; Carnaval's spokes-snowman. At seven feet tall and 400 pounds of compact snow, this frosty celeb lives in an ice castle while at Carnaval, then retreats up North, way North, for the rest of the year so he won't melt. He is escorted around town by way of a white Escalade limo and has an entourage. It's highly possible one of the members of his team is his belt stylist.}

carnaval parade {The parade, OBVIOUSLY featuring Bonhomme.}

caribou cane carnaval {Caribou: a French Canadian mixture of cinnamon-dusted red wine, whiskey and maple syrup---think aged mulled wine---served chaud and consumed by way of a hollow, Bonhomme-topped cane, which can be refilled during the frigid festivities.}

canot a glace

ice canoeing race carnaval

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st lawrence rive

canot a glace st laurent

ice canoe racers {The crazy canuck-iest part of the weekend; watching ice canoe teams race across the half-frozen-half-flowing St. Lawrence River. Racers use a combination of scooting with screw-studded shoes and paddling to ply the ice-slash-water.}

Know This 1/ Quebec’s Carnival runs over similar dates each year. This year it ran from February 1 to 17, and next year it'll run from January 31 to February 16. Plan to visit over one of the festival’s three weekends to take in the full scope of the subzero revelry. 2/ For ultimate enjoyment, make sure to bring layers {upon layers} of warm clothes—we’re talking thermals, fleece, snow pants and a down jacket, as well as hand and toe warmers—if you’re prone to shivering. 3/ Admission to Quebec’s Carnival is $15.

[photos by @tripstyler, taken while as a guest of Carnaval de Quebec]

Travel Beauty :: Target Canada Eh!

target comes to canada + travel beauty[trip style = any]

Want more travel beauty? Lauren, our travel beauty expert, is already whipping up her next concoction post!

Well, tickle me pink---make that red!---because Target is finally launching in Canada (and not just in one market, but ALL over the country). Those who already shop at Target stores in the US for clothing and beauty collabs know how fabulous their beauty department is---I could spend hours there. This month I snagged an interview with Joanne Elson from Target Canada about the beauty department in their upcoming Canadian stores.

Which beauty brands will be available at Target Canada? Known for its unique partnerships, Target has worked with more than 100 brands over the years. Each brand partner is known and loved for their expertise, whether in fashion, design, beauty or sport and we are proud to bring such brands to our Canadian shoppers. We will carry a wide variety of both national beauty brands and collections that are exclusive to Target. Two of Target’s popular beauty partnerships include:

Sonia Kashuk Collection Makeup artist Sonia Kashuk is a true talent and innovator in the cosmetics world. She began her career in the 80s working with esteemed photographer Arthur Elgort, collaborating on editorial assignments for Vogue, while also working the shows of high-profile designers. She is recognized as a leader in the beauty industry and in 1999, Sonia Kashuk and Target created an exclusive collection of cosmetics, skin care, tools and bags ranging in price from $1.99 - $39.99.

Pixi Designed by makeup artist Petra Strand 10 years ago, Pixi is about multitasking, flaw-fixing and youth-enhancing products for women on-the-go. The line includes a variety of classics to new multipurpose products infused with botanicals to treat the skin while it’s worn. Pixi is available exclusively at Target with prices ranging from $8.00 - $40.00.

Will Canada be getting any special brands that won't be in the US stores? Our goal is to deliver the true Target brand experience to our Canadian guests, while keeping in mind their unique wants and needs. We are excited to launch a number of brands that are unique to the Canadian market, including products from Annabelle and Marcelle. Canadian brand Cake Beauty has also designed a bath and body line exclusively for Target called 'Be Delectable.’ As seen in the US, we have developed partnerships and relationships with everyone from beauty partners to fashion designers and musicians. We look forward to maintaining and fostering new relationships in Canada.

Spring Beauty Trend: Bright Juicy Lips! We handpicked a few of our Target travel beauty faves and featured them in the photo above. Use them this spring by adding a splash of color to your jetsetting look with bold red and sunny tangerine lip colors. Make sure to tone down your eyes and cheeks as these lips stand out on their own. Also hot for spring are gorgeous pink grapefruit shades for lips. Pair this color with aqua eyeliner, for a fun, on-trend look.

More Travel Beauty LA's Must-Stop Organic Pharmacy Splurge VS Steal {Part 2} Splurge VS Steal {Part 1} Gorgeous Hair In 5 Minutes A Sky-Vival Kit

[collage by @tripstyler with images sourced on target.ca]