Category — Travel

I miss breakfast in Paris. Everything was covered in cheese and came with coffee.

(And since it’s currently really early in Paris right now, it’s totally justified … my crazy craving for cheese bread + more coffee, at 7pm on the East Coast.)

Ever since traveling 1,000s of miles away to actually get a tan (note: we live in Miami), I realized the hubby and I could stand to, well, stand in the sunshine.  I go from home to car to work to car to home.  Not good.

So I’m going to be industrious, and force our butts outside – Martha Stewart style.  The plan: dining al fresco.  I love the idea of a picnic – they look so lovely in pictures; then again, I’m not exactly “one” with nature, I’m more “allergic” to nature.  So I’m thinking baby steps – -we have this great outdoor set-up on our little deck and we never ever use it.  Operation, dinner outside, in motion.

Do you do dinner outside?  Do you ever just plop down on the grass and enjoy the great outdoors?

I’ve got to get on this, or else we’ll wind up just purchasing one of these crazy picnic table contraptions via Architizer and calling it a success …

Images via: Classy in the City // Pinterest // Architizer

With a big trip only days away, and a to-do list about a mile long, packing seems to have fallen to the wayside.  My mom used to wave a packing checklist, at least ten pages long, around the house weeks in advance of a vacation.  I tend to be more visual (and clearly, last-minute).  So I put together a packing list of summer essentials.

I try to limit myself: one (two) pairs of sandals, one pair of sneakers (in case I get the urge to become athletic overnight), one pair of high heels (though I’m thinking these may be wholly unnecessary for a trip to the desert), a go-anywhere bootie, day purse and night purse, a few essential accessories (need room to buy more during my travels!), and plenty of clothes that layer and mix-n-match well.  (Then I shove the rest of my stuff in hubby’s suitcase and hope he doesn’t notice until we’re at least halfway across the country.)

What’s your go-to travel outfit?  Are you a light packer or an over-packer?

The Accessories: Forever 21 Scarf // Forever 21 Hat // Super Lucia Sunnies // Karen Walker Sunnies // Tory Burch Wrap Bracelets // Michael Kors Chronograph

Under Things: Madewell Bralette // VPL Insertion Bra // Hanky Panky Lace V-Kini // Spanx Leggings

Swim + Sleep: Mara Hoffman Bikini // 3.1 Phillip Lim Bikini Top + Bottom // Sleep Shirt + Tap Pants // T by Alexander Wang Tank // 3.1 Phillip Lim Tap Pants (Similar) // Madewell Crosswalk Cardigan

The Staples: J.Crew Cardigan (Similar) // Madewell Racerback Tank // Winter Kate Tunic (Similar) // Luv Aj Fringe Necklace // True Religion Cameron Boyfriend Jeans // Citizens of Humanity Chloe Floral Shorts // TOPSHOP Button Front Midi Dress // B-Low the Belt Leopard Belt // Lace Tank via Delias (Similar + Awesome Betsey Johnson Skull Lace Tank)

Shoes + Bags: Deux Lux Sequin Duffle // Alexander Wang Diego // Rebecca Minkoff MAC Clutch in Cameo Ostrich // Rag & Bone Harrow Booties // DV by Dolce Vita Ilana Sandals // TOMS Linen Slip-on

Next Sunday, the hubby and I will board a plane for Israel (SO excited.)  For weeks now (months even) I’ve carefully planned what I would bring, what I would need, the outfits I’d wear, and so on.  Trouble is, I haven’t actually organized the things to bring, shopped for the items I want, laid out the picture-perfect outfits; instead, we’re a little over a week away from our 10-day jaunt and I have nada.

Perhaps most importantly, I’m nervous about the right-sized carryall.  I always bring a carry-on that tight-rope-walks the line of being “too big for the overhead compartment” and I usually have to make sad eyes at the flight attendants to allow me to “carry on” my body bag. But I can’t stand a small carry-on.  Truth be told, I don’t even carry all that much on, it’s all of the shopping and bringing-back that requires the extra baggage room.  #necessary

I’ve been in love with the Kate Spade Westward Runaway Duffle* for months now, but it is woefully out of my price range and sold out.  I spotted the Deux Lux sequin-dipped duffel a few months back as well, and I’m admittedly pretty smitten!

1.  Kate Spade Westward Runaway Duffle; marked down from $1,295 to $647

2.  Deux Lux Felix Weekender Duffle; $137 (Medium duffle here)

3.  Deux Lux Ipanema Canvas Large Sequin Duffle; $78 (Ipanema tote here)

I actually have this crazy idea that I could DIY a sparkly duffle with a bit of painter’s tape, lots of glue, a paint brush, and a whole lot of glitter.  Too risky?

Second Image here

*The word “duffle” is driving me crazy … is it “duffle” or “duffel”?  I googled and got both!  Even the brands seem to be having a spelling identity crisis.  Deux Lux on varying websites is sometimes “duffel” and sometimes “duffle.” #EnglishMajorProblems

I’m featuring these jaw-dropping hand-painted cakes over on Glitter Weddings today, but the stunning creations, by the oh-so-talented, Maggie Austin, were too cool not to share here.  Each of the former ballerina’s designs looks like a watercolor work of art; almost too good to eat … almost.  Maggie even offers a two-day intensive flower workshop in D.C. (where I desperately need to be.)

Also, I’ve noticed that the more I blog, i.e., delve into this unbelievably creative world, the more cities I want to visit and re-visit, and the more creative classes I desperately want to take.  In the past week alone I’ve considered pottery, cake painting, wire-wrapping, and novel writing.

Does anyone else have this problem?  Do you take classes “just for fun”?  Do you have the time or do you make the time?

Images Via: Maggie Austin

I was bit by the travel bug a long time ago, and though we’re on a budget now, it certainly doesn’t stop me from dreaming in air travel, brasseries, foreign languages, the ever-popular tourist traps, rows of quaint shopping streets, and marble-lined museums.

I love the idea of incorporating vintage maps – or any maps, really – into home design, especially because the images remind me of where I’ve been and where I most definitely want to go. Plus, maps are inexpensive, but look luxe on your living room and bedroom walls.

Images: 1 // 2 // 3 //4 // 5 // 6

I am a music junkie.  And I dream about attending music festivals.  It’s the season of the music festival.  But I don’t camp.  I consider hotels with a portable air conditioning box (you know, the kind that sits on the window ledge) “camping.”  I cannot fathom a day without toilets; it’s just that simple.

And then Style Swoon introduced me to “glamping.”  You had me at “glam.”  I’m still working on the “ping” part.  But these pretty pretty pictures have me reconsidering.  Sort of.

{images a la Style Swoon}

I can’t lie – I’m still totally partial to indoor tents and forts.

Check out Glitter & Pearls on facebook and twitter!

New to sewing, I am mostly still in the I’m-enamored-with-notions-and-sundries stage.  In Yiddish (impromptu lesson in Judaism), notions and sundries are better known as chachkas, in other words:  knickknacks, dust collectors, bric-a-brac.  In my nerdy world, chachkas are simply:  the best stuff on earth.  And so, when one of my fave blogs, Oh Happy Day, shared these incredible photographs, I had to gush about them.

This is “The Drugstore” or La Droguerie, located in Paris, France.  Filled with ribbon, beads, yarn, feathers and various crafts and sundries, this unexpected little Parisian gem is chock full of chachkas.  I am officially kicking myself for missing this perfect shop during our December Honeymoon.  Apparently, a second trip to Paris is imminent.  I do it for the love of stuff.

La Droguerie | 9 Rue Jour 75001 Paris | Métro : Étienne Marcel

{image a la Could I Have That}

Spring Break here I come.  I have nominated myself the recipient of a much-earned vacation.  I promise to try to blog as much as possible … because let’s face it, I never run out of things to babble on about.  I’m hoping to tan, practice my photography skills (editorial photos of feet and wrists, here I come!), eat, gym, eat again, and all-around-relax.

And while I’m on the subject of vaca [vay-cay? (sp)], I am the world’s worst packer.  I pace my closet – all two-and-a-half feet – and then stuff every single article of clothing into my luggage.  I have three pairs of boots in my suitcase right now … I’m going on a Caribbean cruise.  This may or may not be practical footwear.  I have two ballet flats.  Two sandals – flip flops don’t count as sandals.  Three pairs of heels and I am concerned this is entirely inadequate.  Okay no more listing – this list is making me feel like I should take out a pair of shoes, and I just don’t want to.  I like my shoes, and clutches, and dresses, and tights, and jeans, and stretch pants (when the vacation jeans get too tight), and cardigans, and, and, and.

Practical bloggers lay out perfect outfit combinations and photograph their choices for prosperity and kudos.

I give you Exhibit A (a la Lori’s Shoe Blog):

I’m tired already.  I laid on my luggage and got it closed.  I consider this packing success.  (Organization is overrated.)

Swoon.  How great are these reconstructed canvas bags by Forestbound – these durable tote bags are made exclusively from found and salvaged materials.  They’re utilitarian, masculine, and one-of-a-kind.

New in the shop today (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE) — 1940′s mattress ticking outer, 1940′s work apron outside pockets, beige linen liner, leather shoulder straps. Available HERE.

And now, Forestbound is offering an exclusive line for Anthropologie!  (Leave it to Anthropologie to scour the boho fashion world for such a unique brand.)

The bags created for Anthropologie are constructed of canvas salvaged from farm grain sacks dating between 1910 and 1940.  Extra awesome.

{images a la Unstitched and Forestbound}

Just for fun: Check out this great post on Forestbound’s blog documenting a weekend haul, where the creators hunt and salvage a variety of heavy fabrics/canvases, including striped ticking/shirting from the early 1900′s, a bunch of old work aprons & grain bags, and a pile of WWII era US duffels.