a few scenes from my trip...

double click photo to make it larger.

Put me on the next boat outta here...

I opened my Daily Candy this morning and to my delight I found these adorable Steamline luggage pieces. My favorite is the editor series. The yellow and pink you see above (also available in chocolate).

My two trusty pieces of roll-on brilliance are quickly losing their steam... so maybe this is an option? I like that they are on wheels... but I am wondering how the linen will hold up.

What do you think?

Diana

Ben got me the most awesome v-day present EVER!! A Diana camera... and just in time for my Japan trip too!

I have been wanting one of these for years and can't wait to take it out and play with it.

Check out its capabilities here.

Thanks b!

berry pink

Lately I have gravitated towards everything pink... weird if you know me. but i looked around today after recieving my coat from Nordstrom that my mom got me. (thank you!!) and at my iphone case, also pink. and was a little shocked!

I went into Club Monaco and saw all of their delightful berry brights, then found this really cute necklace on etsy. lovely.

We'll see how long this girly phase lasts. But it sure is making me cheerful now!

high point...

Market is next week and we have been working our *** off to get the showroom set. As there is not much to do in High Point North Carolina I have been reading (** finished one of my books, 1 down 9 to go) and doing a little bit of surfing on the net.

While surfing, I found this groovy pouch on etsy. I love little pouches. they are perfect for lipgloss, pencils and organizing in the purse or to pull out and use as a clutch for going out. I love the octopus on it.

fall...

The very last thing in the world I need right now is a new bag. but isn't this Orla pretty? i love the white... even for fall.

travel bottles

I am leaving tomorrow on vaca! whooo who. I am so excited. I am meeting up with one brother and a friend in London then on to Copenhagen to meet the other brother.

I packed on sunday because I was sooo excited. If I had thought about it ahead of time I would have ordered these groovy silicone bottles for traveling. There is nothing worse than using crappy shampoo. Maybe I'll order these for later. It's not like I wont be traveling again soon!! (well not for fun anyway).

maps... (and no im not talking about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

I leant out one of my most prized possesions to Ben last night for his trip this weekend. My NYC pop up map (think joey from friends in London without the 3D landmarks). It is small discreet and even includes a subway map!!

After threatneing him if he lost it, I got to thinking about how I really might have a healthy (or unhealthy) obsession with maps, My 5th year Iarc thesis even included maps as part of the concept! Then I remembered this book I ran accross a while ago via Black eiffel. I think it would be a great addition to my library.

Meanwhile, I am on the lookout for MY upcoming trip to London, Copenhagen and Aarhus! Please let me know if you have any ideas.

rain rain go away!

on a day like today this fun Marimekko umbrella might make it fun to go outside. Buy it here are Finnstyle, also a pretty cool site.

laptop sleeve...check.

3 things off my list!! no buy month isn't that hard with a list. Yesterday my mom graciously gifted me a sewing machine (they are on sale at target right now... so get going!)

This evening after a quick trip to return the first machine (it was missing a foot pedal.) I brought my new toy home and pulled it out to play. Mind you it's been a while since I have sewn anything and I can't do a perfectly straight line... practice makes perfect. But I tackled making a laptop sleeve for my beloved ibook.

It is pretty simple. I sewed on a ribbon first, this is to hold it in the sleeve. Hopefully it will help so I can slip it in and out of my carry-on bag easily at the security line. I took a blanket** (automatic quilted in padding!) and folded it over, sewed up the edges then flipped it inside out. viola!

**extra points for reusing a quilt and finding some old ribbon from a gift.

Now all I need is an iphone. haha. That one will probably be a while.

who needs sleep??

Have you ever had one of those sleepless nights where your mind was completely racing with ideas and craziness? What is even more frustrating is when you have one of those nights and you are seemingly unstressed about anything else! Last night (and I am pretty sure it had little to do with the time change) I could hardly sleep. My mind was racing with ideas as to how to build a cheaper work space for my apartment, and the easiest pattern for me to sew a slipcase for my laptop and then I started thinking about that bed I wanna build by the end of the year.

When I have one of those ideas, laying in bed or not for that matter, I am so thankful for my little moleskin sketchbook. Those things get me through... they all even have a cool little pocket in the back for [flat] treasures. They are the perfect paper weight and are just right. I found this particularly helpful when I was abroad and kept sketches, my journal, postcards, rubbings, photos and cool collections of stuff in there. I wish they made them in colors though so you could distinguish them from one another.

So.... my advice, never leave home with out a pencil pouch, gluestick and most important, sketchbook [moleskin] love it!

erin's travel bag #4

I am getting my things together for the trek home, and I was going through my purse to slim down the load when I got to my ziploc "airplane bag". I find myself keeping all my lipglosses in a baggie in my purse even after a flight for easy access. Also, I tend to be very forgetful and absent minded with important things (just ask anyone who knows me.)

Three things that are always in my travel bag, and purse for that matter, are lip/face/dryskin remedies. Very important for dehydrating winters, and plane rides.My favorite pick is the Vaseline lip thearapy with aloe, unfortunately you can only buy it in England or online at the Brit store.

A close runner up from the Vaseline lip thearapy is the ever so useful Smith's Rosebud Salve. And it is sold Stateside! My Aunt (actually cousin) Jolynn got me hooked on this stuff when I was a mere teenager and it has been a staple ever since. Both the Vaseline Lip thearapy and the Rosebud Salve are awesome for chapped, lips, cuticles, chapped skin and to put around your chapped noses during flu season. (sorry for the imagery.)

Thirdly, I always have an airplane bottle size of Fresh Rose and Marigold tonic. My coworker and I bought it in Vegas last summer and I must say it is the perfect perk to a dry face. Really good for the dehydration on flights too!! I like it better than the Evian Mineral water spray. (although that stuff is pretty good too.)

the travel bug.

Amanda (my roommate) just got back from a week-long Thanksgiving in Maui, HI- I'm beyond jealous. Looking through her photos I've gotten SO restless.

So: I need help. I need a trip to plan- maybe just an extended weekend. Erin, we need to go to San Fran... I'm serious. I'm DYING to go- or San Diego, you choose. I think next summer would be amazing, and I think we can plan a cheap trip with a cheap flight in a hostel... it's a must.

Any other ideas for those long weekends? Any fun adventures we can plan?? I need some help- I'm going to explode if I don't get to travel soon!

erin's travel bag #4

books... always a necessity in my bag. Last night I went to Half Price books (because I am poor) and snagged 2 to take with me this week on my journey home for Thanksgiving. I got Me Talk Pretty One Day, by: David Sedaris and Zoology, by: Ben Dolnick. We will see how they are! yay!

erin's travel bag #3

photo via ali loves curtis

There are 2 items of make-up that I splurge on, DiorShow mascara and Benefit dandelion. I remember reading an article in Cosmo or Glamour an article about what 2 make-up items are most important if stranded on a desert island (well hello?! i would think water food and shelter were important but if they arn't....) well, these are mine, and ALWAYS make it into the travel bag. There is just something about this happy little box of delightful smelling powder that brightens up your day and your face!

I was also VERY excited to stumble apon the blog ali loves curtis, not only because ali shares my love for this awesome cosmetic, but because her blog is really fun too!! Ali graciously let me use this beautiful photo that she took of dandelion. Thanks ali!

erin's travel bag (literally) #2

I have a few minutes, so I thought it was important to know THE travel bag. This is my carry on bag, (i believe you have the same one) from Milano Series. So you already know how awesome it is. I have it in 2 colors (at this price, why not have a couple?). This berry colored one is the one I am currently carrying.

I think that my favorite part of the bag is the outside pockets. You can stash anything last minute or that you need on a moments notice. I find myself stashing a magazine and book in one, and a pair of shoes, brush, plane tickets in another. Then the zippered part is perfect to holt things that you want a little more secure. It fits my laptop if I need it to, gym clothes for work, or works as a weekend trip bag. All in all it is the greatest carry-on "travel bag".

Leavin on a Jet plane... (erin's travel bag #1)

So I have been out on a bit of a busy hiatus this week not being able to post much. It is about to get waaaay worse. The msrket season is starting and I am hittin the skies and heading out! First stop is Vegas on Monday. So, if I post a ton of things at one time you'll know why.

A thing that I thought would be cool is if I started to post "essentials" I travel with and things I wish I had to take with me while traveling. So I am going to start today.

One very important thing I always like to pack is the "LBD" this one I have picked out is from Forever 21. I thought it was way cute but mainly because I am on slave wages and that's all I can afford. This one is super fun because it is made of a sythetic fabric that will pack well. Since we never know if I've got a special dinner or outing you have to dress up for this is perfect with heels. Also it can be thrown on with some boots, and a cute sweater or coat and you are ready to go!!