9 Travel Must-Haves
Want to know how to safely pack an entire beauty regimen into a suitcase you can carry? What toiletries and gadgets should you not leave home without? How do you stay chic despite long flights and layovers? Worry not jetsetters, in honor of travel season here are some of my favorite go-to items for seamless and stylish globe trotting. Happy travels!
White + Warren Travel Wrap, BUY NOW, $295
To cozy up and stay chic when traveling, I love the look and quality of the White + Warren cashmere travel wrap. It’s a celebrity favorite of Angelina Jolie, and who better to trust than this jet setting mom of six? Also, this super soft wrap is available in over twenty different colors!
Trish McEvoy Beauty Emergency Card, BUY NOW, $75
The Beauty Emergency Card for eyes is a travel essential because of its slim packaging. With six eyeshadows, two eye definers, nude eye base, High Volume mascara, and Eye Lining and Precision Smudge Deluxe brushes, it’s an entire make-up kit that fits in the palm of your hand. Bring this with you for touch-ups on the go too!
Henri Bendel Dopp Kit Toiletry Bag, BUY NOW, $60
The Henri Bendel Centennial Stripe Dopp Kit is a chic and safe way to tote around your toiletries; special hinged flaps keep your belongings intact. The signature striped style was designed by Mr. Bendel over 100 years ago for clients’ ocean-liner voyages. The bags have a waterproof casing so not only do they look great, but they are practical and easy to clean too. I use this one and a variety of the other cosmetic cases when traveling.
PurseN Vacationer Tiara Jewelry Case, BUY NOW, $54
A great way to travel smart is to bring versatile pieces that you dress up with different accessories including your jewelry. The PurseN Tiara jewelry case is perfect—it has an origami inspired design with multiple pockets and four removable pouches for a tangle free travel. Designed to carry medium to large sized jewelry (great for packing statement pieces), you won’t have to decide between chunky necklaces, cocktail rings or bangles. Just bring them all!
Packing Check List
If you’re traveling this weekend and struggling with what to pack, here are some tips from Lindsay Brooke Weiss:
If you’re anything like me, you start to mentally make packing lists a couple of weeks ahead of your travels, followed by written lists entailing more concrete outfits. If you’re nothing like me, take my advice on how to pack in an organized and timely manner. You’ll never be stressed out from packing again!
* Start to visualize what types of outfits to pack, depending upon the weather where you’ll staying.
* Keep a list in your planner (I still use my Smythson diary to keep me organized) or Blackberry of thoughts on what to pack. This list will be with you at all times, in the event something jars your memory (camera charger?) or you think of a dress in your closet that’s perfect for the dinner you’ll be attending. Write it down.
* A couple of days before your travels, make definitive outfits out of the articles of clothing on the list, marking which outfits are for night and which are for day.
* Don’t forget to include your accessories that will accompany each look (jewelry, heels, bags, etc.). **Note, because heels take up a lot of room in your bag, try to base your outfits around them so you only have to take one or two pair.
* Keep a separate list of what to bring in your carry-on. For me this will include a book (Kitchen House), Jolly Ranchers, Blackberry chargers, camera, socks and a sweatshirt for the plane.
* The night before departing, leave a Post-It on your door of items you can’t leave without. This should include your purse, carry-on and suitcase.
* Go through your lists the day of traveling to guarantee you’ve packed everything on them.
 Lindsay Brooke Weiss (Cohen) is a fashion and accessories editor and on-air style expert. She was previously Haute Living’s editorial director, Niche Media’s fashion and accessories editor and fashion editor for L-Atitude.com. Lindsay has been a frequent contributor at styledon.com and is a regular guest stylist on NBC’s “Gossip Gram.” For more articles from Lindsay, check out her site! |
Image Credit: lambdasigmapsiu.com
Ask Melissa: Greece Getaway
Ask Melissa: I still have not made vacation plans for the summer but would like to take my family somewhere in Europe. What do you recommend?
One of my favorite places to travel in Europe over the summer is Greece. I had my first taste of Greece and its incredible beauty while backpacking as a college graduate through Athens, Corfu, and Crete. Last summer, my family and I were graciously invited by our Greek friends to explore Athens and a few of the most breathtaking Cyclades islands in the world… Sifnos and Santorini.
Beach at Arion
Athens:
We liked the modern Arion Resort & Spa hotel, which is 15 minutes from the airport, located in the Athens Riviera, and about 20 minutes from town. The hotel is one of three gorgeous Starwood Hotels and Resorts properties located in the same area. There are a few nice shops there, including one that sells designer bathing suits for women and men. Our spacious connecting rooms had incredible beach views. Although I did not get a chance to try out the services, the spa and gym also looked incredible.
Parthenon Greece
Sightseeing: Our friends arranged a private tour for us with Helen (Elena in Greek) Soulioti, a member of the License Tourist Guides’ Union, a fantastic organization with over 1,000 multilingual members working throughout Greece.
The van picked us up after lunch and we headed out to the new Acropolis Museum (which cost $200 million to build, headed by NY architect Bernard Tschumi), and sits near the base of the Acropolis with a direct view of the Parthenon. We then walked up to reach the Parthenon, whose views of Athens and the surrounding temples below are magnificent. I recommend going at 6:00 p.m. when the sun is not as strong – it’s perfect after a day at the beach. Also, be sure to pack VERY comfortable walking shoes or flat sandals with straps, like a pair of K.Jacques. You will be walking on rocky ground and lots of stairs! The next day, we went to the Temple of Poseiden’s to watch the sunset. Our tour guide Helen told us so many interesting stories and myths along the way about Greek gods and goddesses. We also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, Olympic Stadium, and the Presidential Mansion.
Sunset in Athens
Dining: At the hotel, we enjoyed lunch right on the beach at Taverna 37, a casual Greek tavern with the best Greek salad and fresh grilled fish. This outdoor restaurant is set into the rocks of the hotel beach area with great views from every table. For a more formal lunch, try ITHAKI, one of the best restaurants in Athens. We indulged in a variety of Greek specialties, as well as grilled calamari, prawns, lobster, branzini, and a variety of salads and dips. For dinner, I recommend trying Matsuhisa Athens, owned by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and perched on top of a rock in the Astir Palace Resort with amazing views of the Saronic Gulf. The quality of the Japanese food here is beyond delicious. My children loved it so much – except they did have to get used to “Greek time” for dinner at 10:00 p.m.!
Sifnos:
After two days in Athens, we took the high-speed hydrofoil to the magical island of Sifnos. The trip from the port of Piraeus took about 2.5 hours – there is a first-class lounge that serves good food and great coffee! This island is a hidden gem, and not well known to American visitors, although I heard that Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks have a place there. We stayed with friends on the beach, but also checked out a nearby hotel that was a hidden paradise, the Elies Resort. The contemporary resort is located on the beach, has a gorgeous infinity pool, and great food. I soon learned that Sifnos is known for some of the best food in the Cyclades, as well as its pottery. An interesting fact… there are over 365 churches on Sifnos and our host, who is an extraordinary photographer, Marina, who plans to photograph every one of them.
Town of Apollinia in Sifnos
Sites, dining, and shopping: One day we took a boat trip to another small island called Kimolos, toured the nearby island Milos, and had lunch on the beach. Our lunch consisted of a variety of Greek appetizers and salads, shrimp, mussels, and the best branzini I have ever tasted. A beautiful butterfly landed on my hand during our visit there! At night we went to the town of Apollonia for dinner at Odos Oneiron (Avenue of Dreams). The food was delicious and a must if you are in town. We also walked around and shopped in some great local boutiques. Another night we went to the historic village of Kastro, a beautiful and fascinating medieval-style village that sits on top of a giant rock-hill with panoramic views of the sea. We walked down lots of steps to a local fresh-fish restaurant and had dinner within a magical setting at the edge of the sea. The children had a blast as the water crashed against the rocks with sea spray flying in front of us. Sifnos is not touristy and is truly a best-kept secret!
Day Trip to Kimolos
Santorini:
This unique Cyclades island is what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion that occured around 1660 B.C. and that formed the Caldera, a cauldron-like underwater volcanic structure that was created after the enormous blast. We stayed at the beautiful Mystique Hotel, another Starwood Hotels and Resorts where there are 18 gorgeous suites and villas built within the famous cliffs of Oia. The restaurant serves eclectic food made with local ingredients and overlooks the infinity pool and the sea. The hotel offers a wine tasting with rare and indigenous wines in its secret wine cave. I preferred the fresh-squeezed watermelon juice since I am not much of a drinker. Mystique is a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or honeymoon. There are a lot of rocky steps here, so it’s good to be in shape and wear comfortable shoes. Also, this property is not ideal if you are travelling with small children.
Sites, dining, and shopping: We were informed by our Greek friends about an amazing catamaran ride in Santorini to its nearby islands, operated by a company called Santorini Sailing. The trips are run by Ted and Dina Stathis, a couple who started these cruises out of their love for sharing the beauty of the island. They offer private, semi-private, and public tours. You can choose whether you want to do a lunch, dinner, full-day, or overnight tour. Meal options include a steak and seafood barbecue (their signature dishes have been featured on the Food Network). The cruise includes sailing past the Red and White beaches, the hot springs where you stop for a swim, and the volcano. They also stop in private bays for snorkeling. The next evening, we enjoyed walking around the quaint town of Oia, filled with cafés, shops, and places of interest. A few of our favorite restaurants are 1800, and Nectar and Ambrosia.
Boat Trip in Santorini
I plan to return to Greece soon and check out some other islands such as Mykonos, Crete, and to visit some other lesser-known towns, such as Kastoria. My grandparents are from this small town located on a lake north of Athens where it is known for its beautiful furs. I highly recommend this trip to Greece and can’t wait to go back!
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Lonely Planet: More Than Just a Beach Read
Although you may look like a tourist holding this guidebook, the Lonely Planet series is your ticket to the best hotspots and hidden gems for cities, countries and regions around the world. Lonely Planet was my bible when traveling in Europe and Barcelona, because for just a few bucks I felt like I had an insider’s guide to an authentic trip or just the perfect vacation. Each guide comes with comprehensive maps, history of the places, and suggestions for accommodations, transportation, and restaurants. For the spend-conscious traveler, the Lonely Planet “…on a Shoestring travel guide” series, covers locations around the globe, but with advice on where to eat cheap, sleep soundly, and uncover your destination comfortably, without breaking the bank. The Lonely Planet guidebook (paired with lonelyplanet.com) can make you feel like a local even if you only plan on staying for a few days. – Courtney Bannerot
Buy Lonely Planet: Discover Europe, $23.93, at barnesandnoble.com
Watch Hill, Rhode Island: Seaside Paradise
My favorite beach weekend get-away, Watch Hill, Rhode Island, may very well be one of the best-kept secrets on the East Coast. A charming seaside town complete with miles of stunning beaches, chic shops too numerous to mention, and delicious restaurants, Watch Hill is the perfect weekend vacation destination. Not to mention it is home to the newly renovated Ocean House, a resort hotel complete with a private beach, spa, championship croquet course and whose restaurants serve only the freshest local ingredients. Here, New England elegance takes on a whole new meaning.—Caitlin O’Malley
Shop: Christina ltd
Restaurant: Olympia Tea Room
Hotel: Ocean House
The New Hamptons Classics
Think you’ve been there, done that, in the Hamptons? We’ve got news for you—and a list of Best Kept Secrets to try while vacationing on the East End in August. These just may become your favorites. We know they’re ours.
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Set to Jet
Celebs step off planes ready for their close-up. I look, well, not so ready. Why do I need a vacation from my vacation? We’ve all been there. The trip to Paris that turned into the trip from hell! Read more
Suzanne’s Files
Suzanne Aaronson’s Latest Finds
Looking for information about where to travel for a weekend or a long getaway
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STAT Customized Travel for Women
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Sports Travel Adventure Therapy (STAT) is a customized guided travel experience created for small groups of women. Erin Leider-Pariser founded STAT over ten years ago in order to give women the opportunity to take risks and challenge themselves in a safe and caring environment.Through outdoor journeys of self-discovery, each trip nurtures the body and mind. There are four trips planned per year – one for each season. Whether it’s hiking up mountains, canoeing through marshes or meditating at sunrise, these unique trips enrich the lives of participants.
For more information: Erin Leider-Pariser |
