Bristol Bound....

Image from www.legendarycarygrant.com

My spouse and I are 99% sure we are moving to Bristol in the late summer. As Americans, we are excited for a year abroad in England!

I can't believe I'll be moving to Cary Grant's hometown. I started this blog long before I knew Bristol was in my future. If you're a reader who knows Bristol, comment away about the joys of the town. 

If you're a Cary Grant fan, tell me all the places I should visit! I've already researched that his boyhood house is at 15 Hughenden Road in suburban Bristol. Has any reader seen the Cary Grant statue at Millennium Square?

What other places and people are considered Bristol treasures? 

For The Germaphobe

Ever feel like you need to shower after you've been on a flight? There's something about the recycled air, close quarters and a seat that's been used by countless of strangers that makes it difficult to ever romanticize air travel. I'm hoping to try out this nifty CleanSeat travel seat cover on my next long flight. It folds into a nifty pouch, perfect for those on-the-go!

Photo Album: Take Your Travels to the Presses

Facebook is an easy platform for users to post photos of vacations and create virtual albums. Do you ever create real, hardcopy albums anymore?

I realized how special they truly were after a loved one gifted me a couple of albums of his trips abroad. I got to see the beautiful photos and read captions about the sites' histories and importance. This is an intimate and lovely way to experience the highlights of a journey taken by a family member. Check out album options on Shuttefly, the platform my family used. They are very sleek and professional in their aesthetics!

Call me old-fashioned, but I love a hardcopy photo album - especially one that documents an important trip by someone dear to me! Now I just need to take my own advice and publish my own trips into print!

The Practical & The Fashionable

A couple of other accessories I received over the holidays that fit in with my love of travel fall into the practical and fashionable. I have a small black suitcase just like millions of other travelers, and it's often hard to distinguish which one is mine. But now I have an unmissable Magellan's Easy Spot Handle Wrap (with initials). I'll never overlook my bag again as it circles the carousel! How do you distinguish your luggage from the masses?




My fondness for travel accessory bags continues with this gifted Le Pliage Cosmetic Bag from Longchamp. I'll need to be extra careful that powders and creams do not spill in this bag - it's almost too pretty to use!

What's your favorite travel accessory to gift or receive?

Henri Bendel Travel Set

Welcome to 2013! Thank you to my readers who followed me at the start of this blog last autumn. I apologize for my vacation away from this site. I'll be back more frequently now! Thanks for your patience.

I want to share one of my holiday treasures with you. A family member of mine gave me an Henri Bendel travel bag set. This fashionable and functional Go Anywhere Travel Set divides the bags into three sizes with different storage purposes: jewelry items, gadgets and beauty supplies.

My family member thought of all the whirlwind travel I do - and knew these would be perfect for staying organized and stylish. Do you have any packing tips that help you secure and organize your belongings? Did you receive any fun and/or practical travel gifts this winter? More travel accessory posts coming up this week!

Travel-Sized Beauty Products

Copyright MGM

As the winter holidays approach, so does the travel! With the fees airlines charge for checked baggage, I often try to just bring a carry-on for quick trips. This means I have to pack my entire vanity with me. It's hard to pack up all of my must-have beauty and hygiene products because they are not all available in travel-size. Do you ever have this dilemma? Is there anything you just can't live without?

Thankfully, when it comes to hair products, Aveda sells many trial-sized products at their salons and online. This allows me to have my must-haves in miniature. With airline security restrictions, this also allows me to abide by the 3.4 fl oz rule...and saves room!

I find that bringing this piece of home with me is important. I want to feel my best and that means not changing my beauty routines.

It's really about putting your best foot forward -- for a wedding, business trip or simply a rare trip home to visit family. Below are photos of my Cath Kidston small cosmetic bag and my larger Vera Bradley toiletry bag -- they are toted around for many, many whirlwind weekend trips! What totes do you use?

Share your packing tips here when it comes to your makeup, toiletries and hygiene products.

Cath Kidston Cosmetic Bag

Vera Bradley Beauty Tote

Italy Train Travel

View of Ponte Vecchio from
bedroom window '03

I find myself pining for the trains I took during my study abroad in Florence several years ago. However, now seems to be the time for high-speed train travel in Italy with the recent opening of the first private train company in Europe referred to as the NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori) Italo.

This train offers three class options. Take a tour of the smart, prima and club classes. With 12 stops in Italy on the route, you can get to your destination quickly, comfortably and all on a train system that emphasizes environmental sustainability.

Often, I would take the train between Florence and Rome. How I wish I could have traveled in the luxury of this train! According to the current schedule, it takes only 1 hour and 25 minutes to get from Florence to Rome. One fabulous city to another in no time. 

I can easily picture Cary Grant ordering his Eataly lunchbox in the club class, enjoying the wi-fi on his laptop and gazing out of the oversized windows.

I cannot wait to make it back to Italy and travel on the NTV. Those who have NTV Italo experience, please post your comments!