Blood Moon - September 2015

Enjoying a bit of time at home, I was super-stoked for the Blood Moon this month! The view was pretty great from my own backyard and while I couldn't find my tripod, the rock I used seemed to work out well.

The mystery of space has always appealed to me and I was in hog heaven as I watched the entire eclipse. While it didn't bring the end of the world, the zombie apocalypse, or other prophetic bad news, I did notice my neighbors were a bit weirder than normal. =)

I could post the entire collection and bore you to tears with 100 images that only vary slightly, so here is my favorite of the bunch. Lucky timing, I caught a plane moving through my frame.
(as always, please respect image right. do not use without linking back to me, thanks!)

Packing Tips - You Can Never Be Too Organized!

I love a good travel packing tip and when I find a new one, I feel like Indianan Jones when he found the Ark. This week, Yahoo Travel had a nice little article on some useful tips. A few you may have seen on this blog, but there are a few new ones, too. Enjoy and Happy Packing!

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/youve-been-packing-all-wrong-12-hacks-that-help-070112644.html

Multi Way Garments - Are They Worth It?

As a frequent traveler, I am obsessed with finding the latest and greatest in travel clothing. A quick turnaround the Internet and you will find a multitude of websites devoted to travel separates for women. However, over the past several years, there has been a surge of companies designing multi-way garments. You know, the tube of fabric that can be fashioned in a multitude of ways ostensibly replacing your entire wardrobe.

Well, my little minimalist heart decided to try two such garments and see if they would work for me. I ordered a little red number from www.HipKnoties.com and a gorgeous grey piece from www.Encircled.co. Each is made of a gorgeous fabric with saturated color and arrived with detailed instructions on how to fashion lots of looks. The verdict?

While I wanted to love these items, sadly they're not for me. Both of them require a convertible bra to really get the most versatility, as many of the looks are strapless or one-shouldered. As someone who has a hard enough time finding a 32D bra that fits, the last thing I want to do is have to agonize over finding a specialty bra to wear under these. However, I can report that I have used both items as wraps on airplanes and as sarongs over bathing suits. 

If you are someone who is comfortable going without foundation elements and looking for a multi-way garment, I can heartily recommend items from both companies. For me, I can't get behind adding two items to the suitcase (convertible bra and fabric tube) in order to use a multi way garment. 

The Chrysalis Cardi from Encircled

The HipKnoties

My Grandmother and the Queen

My grandmother was a profound influence on my life. She is largely responsible for instilling me with a love of books, quality shoes, and travel. She was my best friend, confidant, conscience, and barometer of proper behavior. She was beautiful, loved to laugh, and together we had many adventures throughout the years I was fortunate to share with her. In fact, every trip I take, I imagine how I'd describe sights and smells to her. In her age, she loved me to tell her of my travels and even though she couldn't see the photographs, she would make me describe each image in detail. I think that my obsession with seeing the world was born from those adventures with my grandmother. 

She was born in the U.S. In 1917 and was fiercely proud of her English heritage. I grew up hearing stories of 'her people', some who hailed from Cornwall and Northumberland and celebrating every holiday in the most English way possible. Each Christmas, we'd listen to the Queen's address while unwrapping gifts and that tradition continues to this day. Traveling to England every chance she got, my grandmother would spend the days strolling through Kew Gardens, having tea with relatives, or exploring the V&A. 

She would be delighted at the Queens monarchical milestone and we'd have probably celebrated it in some fashion. So, in honor of my beautiful, inspiring, supportive, and loving grandmother here are a few random shots of iconically English things from my most recent trip to London. 

I can often be overheard quoting a Granny-ism, some sage piece of advice or a life lesson. Let me leave you with one related to travel. She always said that a trip is taken three times: once when you plan, next on the actual adventure, and finally when you look at the photographs. She was right.

Granny, your absence is felt daily and you are ever in my heart. Happy birthday!