What'd you pack? It's not a question you ask your friends and family when it comes time to zip up the bags and head on out on a trip; it's a question asked by a curious traveling public, of every traveler ever. Yeah, we want to see inside your suitcase or duffel, and though it's true that most of the time it's to compare packing prowess, it's also because the world enjoys stuff.

Without further ado, let us introduce the Air New Zealand-backed photoblog I Am Packed, which has one purpose: to feature the well laid-out contents of a traveler's bag, plus minimal information about the person (name, age, hometown, destination). It's beautifully simple, oddly inspirational and—best of all—'they take submissions.

Their archives only go back as far as August 2011, so you won't while away the entire day scrolling down the site. We had a similar series that started in September 2011, but ended with the year (here's a post from it). This way, the magic of peeking into other people's bags continues.

[Photo: screenshot]]]> JetSetCD 2012-02-09T15:30:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/1/26/85458/9036

The Jaunted Singapore A380 Series:

Reaching the end of our series on flying the Singapore Airlines A380, it's time to look back and well...just look closer.

Paying attention to the design details means that the airlines will have to pay attention to them as well. And, let's face it, when recounting a particularly great flight, you'll utter a sentence something like this: "Oh, it was so nice...I slept and ate well and they had [detail], [detail] and [detail]!" Personally for us—on the SQ A380—we'd fill those spots with "Givenchy linens," "the cutest stackable salt & pepper shakers," and "an onboard sommelier."]]> JetSetCD 2012-01-26T15:15:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/1/2/223029/1952

· Carsten Höller: Experience at the New Museum

Closes; January 22.

Admission: $16 Adults / $14 Seniors / $12 students

Not gonna lie—a few years back when Höller exhibited at the Tate Modern, we nearly flew to London just for the exhibit. Alas he's now finally mounted a grand show in NYC, complete with his famous multi-story flume slides (and yes, you may ride down them). Also to be seen (and experienced) are a sensory-deprivation tank and goggles that turn everything upside-down. The exhibit has been so popular that the museum raised admission, but still—go. ]]> JetSetCD 2012-01-03T14:56:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/20/8351/7523

Tis the season to head for sunnier, warmer climes. For many this means the Caribbean and Mexico while for others, they're keeping it closer to home in Palm Springs, CA. Since we know many who'll head to the desert on Virgin America's new route to Palm Springs, we're thinking it's time to let you in on a few of our own personal favorite PS secrets.

When you're not guzzling all-you-can-drink champagne in Palm Springs, the thing to do is take in the sights. Just be totally sober before hopping behind the wheel, of course. There's no shortage of vistas in this desert valley surrounded by mountains and blue skies, and we confess that our favorite thing to do in Palm Springs is actually just leisurely cruise around.

Driving here (any time other than Coachella) is a breeze. The streets are wide and well maintenanced, traffic is extremely rare, and oftentimes the buildings that line that road are as photo-worthy as the natural scenery. There's just something about that midcentury modern look, and luckily it's something in which Palm Springs specializes.]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-20T16:49:06-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/20/8945/2531
A bike from Scottish brand Paper Bicycles

It's crunch time for holiday presents. This close to the weekend, you're either shelling out for 2-day/overnight shipping or just heading into a store to pick up gifts in person. Still stuck for ideas? Just think about what you wanted as a kid, but updated. Luckily our answer to that is "a bike a bike!" and buying bicycles for your friends or family is luckily something easily done last-minute.

As huge proponents of both bike sharing and cycling wherever possible, we admit that our biggest, big-ticket gift suggestion this year (for anyone, really) is a proper sturdy bike with some style. Fortunately one New York City store specializes in such two-wheelers: Adeline Adeline. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-20T10:03:39-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/12/1408/4018

While we're extolling the virtues of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, we can't neglect to drop a holiday gift suggestion that's both cheap and easy. Yes, cheap and easy can actually be good.

Browsing at Brimfield, we came across a tin brimming with vintage road maps and hotel ads, the sort once handed out by gas stations to motorists on road trips or who were just frequent patrons. This is the 1960s of modernist design and good highways, so the flimsy pamphlets are both gorgeous and entertaining. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-13T15:15:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/8/15537/2340

Sometimes, as lame as it may sound, it's worth it to "go antiquing" because then, while digging through a drawer full of vintage US state postcards, a gem like this emerges from the muck of history. It's a 1954 pamphlet extolling the virtues of GM's XP-21 Firebird car, the first gas turbine auto ever built.

The design of the car is heavily jet-influenced; in addition to the little wings, vertical stabilizer and single cockpit driver's seat, the Firebird even has flaps in the rear to aid in braking after the car would hopefully hit high speeds. Unfortunately the thing has never been driven beyond 100mph because it was just too darn unsafe to do so. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-08T10:10:23-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/