Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Gift Guide: The Jetsetter

Flughafen by Ho-Yeol Ryu
Because travel can be both a joy and a pain and having the right gear is more that half the battle. Gift your favorite frequent flier with luxe versions of in flight essentials to elevate her experience on the road.

The most gorgeous set of leather travel bags (featured on this blog before), in an assortment of new hues. Travel Case Set from Cuyana.


Fragrance that travels well from a cult parfumerie. Solid Perfume from Le Labo.


A heavyweight convertible shawl to ward off the chill. Because there's always a chill. Snap infinity scarf from Corner Bungalow on Etsy.




Because it's a far better option than battling it out for the three outlets near her gate.  Power Cell (that promises 12.5 more hours of talk time) from Ventev.
A beautiful calendar from a favorite illustrator. Travel the World calendar from Rifle Paper Co.


A super soft shirt featuring her favorite port of call. Airport tees from Pilot & Captain.


A bag tag that couldn't be clearer. Not Yours Luggage Tag from Make Smith.


A carry-on friendly nerve calmer. For tight connections and middle seats. Stress-fix from Aveda.




A collection of carefully curated weekend adventures. For inspiring wanderlust. The New York Times 36 Hours series from Taschen.


An in flight essential with structured curves to prevent eye squishing. Forty blinks eye mask from Travel Smith



A new take on a travel guide, and a repeat on this blog. Great ideas for creating joy anywhere. Anywhere Travel Guide on ModCloth.

A perfect stocking stuffer that always comes in handy on the road. Yes to Cucumbers Towlettes from 3 FL Oz.


For more questionable accommodations, a lightweight silk sleep sack that ensures a restful night.  Dreamsack from Yala.




Because it's much easier to throw one conglomerate adaptor in your bag and know you'll be covered wherever you go. 4 - in- 1 Adaptor from Flight 001.

Because it is the perfect solution to post-flight flat hair, and it smells amazing. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray in travel size from Birchbox.


Leggings, with pockets, and a wonderfully high waist - comfort that's totally passable for business class. Skinny Will Pant from Lululemon.

Because they're the best you can buy. For tuning out a chatty neighbor. Quiet Comfort 25 Noise Canceling Headphones from Bose.



A sleek and shimmery wallet designed to accommodate passport, cards and assorted currencies. WWT Passport Wallet by This is Ground.


To capture the coordinates of a particularly special place, or a whole armful of adventures. Coordinates Collection.


Because I'm convinced a backpack makes the best carry on. Reverse Denim Twill Snap Backpack from Everlane.


Because you are feeling grand - lounge access for the airline of her choice. Carriers too varied? Try Priority Pass instead.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Gift Guides 2014

Via
I should probably start by apologizing for the lackluster life of this blog over the past 12 months, but statistics show that this is your favorite part anyways so hopefully you'll forgive me.  I've been traveling a lot, had some big highs and a few lows. I've seen some amazing things, met wonderful people and eaten a lot of delicious food, but the holidays always feel like coming home.

It's an opportunity to reflect on the year and re-connect with our closest friends and family - which for me always means gifting.  I hope you'll find some joy this season in picking out the perfect things for the people in your life.

For reference

2010 Guides

2011 Guides

2012 Guides

2013 Guides

Friday, March 7, 2014

Swimming Pool



As another round of winter weather makes its way through town this afternoon, I don't think I've ever been more ready for spring. Argentinean artist, Leandro Erlich's new permanent swimming pool installation at The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa Japan takes me right to the best part of summers - long lazy days in and out of the pool at D's parents' place.


This fascinating installation has all the trappings of a real swimming pool; ladder, deck, lights and drains, but only 10 cm of water suspended on top of clear glass, and a side door to enter the pool from beneath. Visitors to the installation experience the mixed perspectives of looking down on others in the bottom of the pool and then traveling inside to look up from within.


Although not a new piece (it had a lengthy run at MoMA's PS1 in 2008), it has found a permanent home in Kanazawa where the sun light shimmering through the water makes for an even more authentic summer experience.



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Valentines for Her

Photo by Daniel Lebee
Another installment of Valentines. This one goes to the ladies - your sisters, mom, colleagues and girlfriends, let them feel how loved they are.


Because it's cold outside. A cheerful sweatshirt in a cherry color from Hello Merch. 
Because bad hair days happen, a hat full of never-fading flowers Liberty baseball cap from J. Crew


Because it's a valid question. What would Beyonce Do? print from Charm and Gumption on Etsy

Because she needs something to carry that morning coffee in, Cold Hands Warm Heart travel mug by Kate Spade on Swoozies.


Because her coffee needs options, Darling Coffee Mug from Sundance


Because it's a classy way to leave her mark. Custom crossed arrow stamp from Stationary Boutique on Etsy


Because it's romantic, Love Poems by Pablo Neruda from BHLDN


Because this is even more romantic, Elle Mcpherson Windchime set on Journelle.



Because that's one beautiful bottle. Passiflora by Nest Fragrances from Sephora.



Because it's a cheery way to counteract the grey days, heart umbrella from Amazon.


Because nothing could be more true, Shot of Whisky tee from ThugLife Shirts on Etsy


Because it's a subtle way to bling up her daily look, Mae necklace from Stella and Dot.


Because her home is her haven, delicious candles in beautiful packages, Capri Blue Lost and Found series from Anthropologie.


Because she needs a classy carry-all for a night on the town, Cube01 Clutch from Pyrite Sky on Etsy


Finally because she's an Instagram artist, a beautiful softcover book of her greatest pics from Artifact Uprising.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Valentines for Him

Photo by Willy Ronis
Valentine's Day - the holiday of many interweb detractors - is just around the corner. As I have said before, I'm a fan of the day as an opportunity to tell all those you love in your life (and I'm guessing there are many) how much you do. Here are some sweet treats for your brother, your boyfriend, your father, your friends...


Because the groundhog says spring is still a long ways away. Crocheted leather touchscreen gloves from Mujjo.


Because he's been perfecting his Manhattan. A handsome heavy-weight cocktail shaker from Cocktail Kingdom.

Because it's a subtle way to show your love. Heart socks from Banana Republic.


Because it's cozier by the fire. A portable bonfire starter from Terrain.


Because he'd be even cozier in this. Red castine flannel shirt from LL Bean Signature

Because he's such a dapper dresser. Sterling arrow tie clip from J Crew

Because it's true. You're My Person Valentine from Yellow House Homemade on Etsy


Because it's a city he loves. Pin City London (lots of other options available) from Fab


Because see above notes about cozy fires and flannels, this goes with those. Bourbon Tasting Set from Master of Malt


Because it adds a gourmet edge to the lowliest freezer pie. Wooden Pizza Peel from West Elm.

Because they'd look great with jeans. Diesel sneakers from Zappos.


Because he'd like to smell like Hemingway, or Mediterranean top notes of Italian bergamot, juniper, and black pepper blend, with heart notes of orange blossom, Florentine iris, and cinnamon, and a base of vetiver, vanilla, and yellow amber. Histoires de Parfums 1899 Hemingway from Birchbox


Because he never goes anywhere without a pair - the very highly-reviewed Silver Cherry Wood Rain Headphones from Thinksound.


Because he might need some inspiration. Love Letters of Great Men from Amazon. 
Finally, because he's hungry. A box loaded with the best in American artisan food and recipes for what to do with it, buy one month or up to six, Mantry

Need some more inspiration? Here are a few more posts on the holiday I know you all love the most!