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!

Business Travel - Back in San Antonio

My current project has been in high gear for the past several weeks and I traveled back to San Antonio last weekend. I found myself staying over this weekend so I ventured out to entertain myself this weekend.

I am a sucker for interesting architectural details and the city is full of great examples. From the courtyard at the Menger Hotel to the Mission of San Jose, there is something beautiful around every corner. Here are a few shots for you to enjoy. If you find yourself in San Antonio, take some time to enjoy what this beautiful city has to offer. 

The weather in August is hot and humid but certainly bearable with the right preparations, including sun block, light layers, a hat, and lots of water. Do that and you'll enjoy your visit a lot more.

Until next time,

Peace, love, and travel!

10 day business trip

10 day business trip by mmccown featuring a boyfriend blazer

Business Travel - Accentuate the Positives

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I posted, but hopefully I can remedy that as my professional life slows down a bit (maybe?).

It's not secret that I love to travel. Whether for business or pleasure, I find it fun to plan, pack, and hit the road....or the air. Lately, though, it's been a bit of a chore. I think that's due to the late Summer heat common to the desert Southwest, an enormous project that consumes all my time, and the frequent travel glitches I've recently encountered.

Late flights, cancelled flights, TSA power-trips, rude seat mates, and a lack of healthy food have made things less than awesome. In fact, last Friday's travel day was so bollocksed-up, my dinner was a large order of fries from McDonald's at 11:00pm with a 4am wake-up call. It was rough going.

To combat the negative spiral that wants to claim me, let me list some great things about business travel.

5. The chance to see someplace new or discover something new in a regular destination. For example, I learned all about the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio this last trip and had an amazing dinner at the Zinc Wine Bar. 

4. Meeting new people. Weird, unique, intelligent, or amusing - there is always someone interesting to meet, observe, or avoid when traveling. Great fodder for dinner time stories.

3. Sleeping in the middle of fresh white sheets with marshmallow like pillows. While it's tough to be away from family, it can be great to sprawl in the middle of the bed, crank the a/c as cold as you please and sleep like the dead without being tossed like a salad by kids, dogs, or significant others.

2. Frequent flyer miles and all the related mileage programs that feed into the same airline. This helps me feed my pleasure travel habit and gives me something to focus on when I have an arm-rest hogging, man-spreading, mouth-breather sitting next to me on a Canadair Regional Jet 900.

And the number one great thing about business travel is......

1. Coming home and getting a warm welcome. Such a good thing, whether human or animal greeting. Being met with wine and food is even better. 😀

Sigh, that made me feel better. It's always good to focus on the positives. The next trip is booked and coming up soon, so I will post my best travel tips later this week. Thanks for letting me vent!

Peace, love, and travel!

Home away from home? 

Sunday Business Travel Ensemble

Sunday Business Travel Ensemble by mmccown featuring Tiffany & Co.