BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

My Heart is With Brussels

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Brussels

I am deeply shocked, saddened, and appalled by the terrorist attack in Brussels yesterday. Many of you know that Dave and I traveled to the Belgian capital two years ago and plan to visit once again in less than four weeks.

I came across a poignant editorial on Travel + Leisure yesterday about the importance of traveling after an attack. Closing borders, minds, and hearts is at the root of terrorism. It’s understandable that we yearn for comfort and safety and after an event so tragic — and it’s something that presidential candidate Donald Trump preys on relentlessly with his own messages of hate — but we can’t let it stop us from being curious and open-minded about the world.

That said, we do plan to be vigilant about watching the news and keeping abreast of travel alerts in the weeks leading up to the trip and while we’re overseas. I suspect that in a month Brussels will be more secure than it has ever been. If something happens, we’ll adjust our plans accordingly and venture to a new city. Taking a financial hit on the hotel and the flight to Brussels from Copenhagen isn’t that big of a deal in the long run. It’s only money. I’m hopeful that our plans will remain in tact and we have the opportunity to once again explore this beautiful part of the world.

In the Bag: Europe Edition

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Inside My Bag: Packing for Europe

I’m not feeling particularly prepared for our upcoming trip to Denmark and Belgium. I still have daily itineraries to complete and a packing list to compile, but I do have one thing ready: the contents of my everyday purse while we’re abroad. While I try to pare down to just the essentials, it doesn’t always work out. We rarely stop back at the hotel during the day and I’d hate to find myself without a creature comfort like hand cream or Band-Aids for blisters. Fortunately, the Tory Burch bag I purchased earlier this year (worn here) is spacious enough for just about everything (excluding the case for my sunglasses).

  • iPhone (not pictured)
  • Camera (not pictured)
  • Passport and cover (love this one)
  • Journal and pen for jotting down observations, recording what we did each day, and storing reciepts
  • A deck of cards or a set of dice for playing Farkle
  • Card case for my credit cards (similar)
  • Coin purse (mine is an old one from Coach similar to this)
  • Sunglasses
  • Herban Essentials towelettes for cleaning my hands or sanitizing surfaces on the plane
  • Band-Aids
  • Hand cream
  • Lipstick (a long-wear lipstick and one that’s easier to apply on the go)
  • Mirror (mine is by Lauren Merkin and her shop has since closed; here’s a budget-friendly option)
  • Brush and hair ties (not pictured)
  • Tissues (not pictured)
  • Inhaler (not pictured)
  • Reusable shopping bag for the grocery store (not pictured, but I purchased this cute Kate Spade one)
  • Container with allergy pills and pain medication (These containers are also great for packing tiny items like earrings or bringing just a dab of a special face cream or exfoliator that you don’t use every day. There’s a larger version that’s perfect for packing dry snacks for the plane. I bring almonds to avoid any hangry outbursts.)

Inside My Bag: Packing for Europe
Inside My Bag: Packing for EuropeInside My Bag: Packing for Europe  Inside My Bag: Packing for Europe
Inside My Bag: Packing for Europe
Inside My Bag: Packing for Europe
Inside My Bag: Packing for Europe

Giveaway! Hole in Wall Subscription Box

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I came across the German word “fernweh” today. While there isn’t a perfect English translation, it basically means a burning desire to visit locations you’ve never experienced before. And that’s exactly how I felt when I cracked the seal of the latest subscription box to capture my fancy: Hole in Wall.

Hole in Wall is a bi-monthly subscription box that features unique, local items from the box’s featured city. These items can range from snacks and condiments to candles and soaps, but they all have one thing in common. They’re from local small businesses. In essence, you feel like you went to the farmers’ market and had inside knowledge of the best booths to visit.

The December box featured San Diego, a city I instantly yearned to visit, thanks to the selection of food items and the candle that bears the city’s name. The scents of surf, sand, and jasmine were just the thing to make me feel like I traveled across the country without having to leave my apartment.

For your own brush with fernweh, scroll down to see what was tucked inside my box and then enter to win the upcoming February box that will make you want to book a flight to Seattle! Good luck!

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Hole In Wall is transparent about the cost of the items inside. You’ll find product descriptions and prices enclosed. Here’s what was included in the San Diego box:

Total value: $43.75
Price: one box = $35; three boxes = $32.50 each; six boxes = $30 each

Even with $7 shipping per box, you’re getting your money’s worth — along with the smug knowledge that you scored some of the city’s best under-the-radar finds.

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Enter to win the February box featuring Seattle!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Good luck!

Mini Moments: November 2015

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Mini Moments: November 2015

I can’t believe there are only 28 days left of the year! It seems like only yesterday that I penning my 2015 New Year’s resolutions (only to cast them aside shortly after), but I’m thrilled that it’s finally the holiday season. We went to Chicago last month for the opening weekend of the Christkindlmarket, which is becoming one of our favorite annual traditions. It was the perfect way to spend time together before the whirlwind of family and travel consume every weekend of December. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots from November:

  • Picked up a pair of furry ear muffs at Uniqlo. They’re ridiculously large, but they are warm. For $13, they were obviously coming home with me.
  • Stopped at a local antique mall and admired the tinsel trees filled with vintage ornaments.
  • Begged Bacon to move away from my photoshoot location for this post.
  • Kicked off the week with coffee and Julie Vos jewels. I’ve been wearing this necklace and ring on repeat. (Find the book here. The “darling” tray is sold out, but I’m also in love with this one.)
  • Stood 1,353 feet above Chicago at the Willis Tower. (Find my beloved loafers on sale here. They’re still full price here, but in more sizes.)
  • Enjoyed cocktails at Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago. I loved the tiki glasses so much that I had to buy the set to bring home with us. (Now, about that bar cart…)
  • Wore fabulous Miu Miu sunglasses. I borrowed them from Ditto, a subscription service to borrow sunglasses. It normally costs $24 per month, but you can sign up for one month free with code BEDKNOBS. Read more about Ditto’s Endless Eyewear.
  • Spent a fair amount of money on Christmas decorations and ornaments at the Christkindlmarket in Chicago.
  • Geared up for an incredible collaboration with Ben-Amun. Isn’t this Roman coin pendant amazing?

Let’s be friends on Instagram @bedknobsandbaubles! 

Holiday Gift Guide for the Frequent Flyer

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ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT | NINE | TEN | ELEVEN | TWELVE | THIRTEEN | FOURTEEN | FIFTEEN | SIXTEEN

Today’s gift guide is one of my favorites: presents for the person who would rather be anywhere but home! Opt for luxe, practical gifts the recipient can use on the road, like an in-flight organizer, travel flats, or a leather duffle bag. (I actually gave a Floto Imports leather weekender bag to Dave our first year together and loved it so much that I bought one for myself. It has held up beautifully over the years.) But, chances are your loved one can’t be on the road all the time and likely has a 9-to-5 to afford it, In that case, surprise her with trinkets to remind her of a special trip. I’m crazy about this book, a coffee table collection of vintage hotel labels amassed by Gaston-Louis Vuitton. There are also mugs with designs inspired by National Park stickers given to visitors in the ’20s for the outdoorsy traveler. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention these incredible cityscape rings by Ola Shekhtman.