Five ‘Life-Saving’ Items to add to Your Regular Packing List
You’re getting ready for your next trip. The suitcase is open on the bed, and you’re going down the list of everything you’ll need to take with you.
Toothbrush? Check. Walking Shoes? Check. Sunscreen? Check.
Packing Tips!
from Curated Travel
You’re getting ready for your next trip. The suitcase is open on the bed, and you’re going down the list of everything you’ll need to take with you.
Toothbrush? Check. Walking Shoes? Check. Sunscreen? Check.
Duct tape? Wait….what?
You read that correctly. A small roll of duct tape takes up a tiny bit of space, but can save you in tons of different ways. Patch a tear in your shoes, jacket, or trusty bag. Baby proof a hotel room in ten seconds by covering outlets and taping drawers shut. Hem your pants. Use as a bandage in an emergency. The list goes on and on.
Here are four more things that should become part of your regular packing list:
External USB battery charger. Nothing is more exasperating or panic-inducing than finding yourself lost and needing to pull up that email with directions, or that map to your hotel, or make a phone call — and having your smartphone conk out on you. Save outlet space in airports, hotels, train stations, and other oft-traveled places. Always have a way to charge up your phone, tablet, or other USB powered electronic device, even if there are no outlets available. This is a gamechanger!
The humble safety pin can be an amazing asset. Aside from the usual functions — holding your pants or shirt together, for example, when you lose a button — they also can serve to bundle small items like jewelry or keys, to keep everything organized and in one place. Discretely place a pin on the inside hem of a slip or satin jacket lining to eliminate static cling. Use them to attach easily-lost things like mittens to the zipper or hood of your kids’ jackets.
A few strips of chamois (or other absorbent fabric) in different sizes. You can keep them all in a zip-lock bag (along with a couple of other bags for temporarily storing used cloths until you can wash them) — but having different sizes helps for different situations, and it’s best to choose fabrics that are also quick-drying. Small squares for cleaning glasses. A washcloth for bigger spills or for freshening up on a train, plane or automobile. A long, narrower strip can serve as an emergency belt, hair tie, ace bandage, or even a way to tie a bag closed if a zipper breaks. They even make fantastic travel towels, because they roll up into a compact size, suck up the liquid, and dry completely in no time at all.
My contact information. As your travel advisor, my job doesn’t end when your trip starts! It’s not common, but sometimes complications arise while you are traveling, and I am always available to you to assist with sticky situations you might find yourself in. (This is, of course, just one of the many perks of working with a travel advisor!) Before your trip, you can make a “favorites” list in your phone of all trip-related contact info — my number and email address, hotel, car rental, reservations, etc. — for easy access. That way, I’m always just a text or email away. If I have created a UMAPPED itinerary for your trip, you will find all contact information in the app at your fingertips.
For more Tips for preparing for international travel.
Tips for Prepping the House and Packing.
My new Must Have for Long Haul Flights.
To learn more about how I survived in Italy when my luggage was lost.
To learn 5 Easy Ways to Boost the Joy of Every Trip You Take.
To find out more about the benefits of working with me and to plan your next trip, contact me today. Click here now.
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Until Further Notice... Celebrate Everything!
At the risk of sounding downright sappy, I must confess I have romance on my mind today. With several of my client couples traveling to Italy this summer we are feeling the love la dolce vita style around here. This image above was sent to me by a a dear client couple enjoying a fabulous three weeks in Italia.
Clearly, it's a trip of a lifetime and just what I hoped for them. Can you tell I LOVE my career in travel?
Image Credit: Deb G.
At the risk of sounding downright sappy, I must confess I have romance on my mind today. With several of my client couples traveling to Italy this summer we are feeling the love la dolce vita style around here. This image above was sent to me by a a dear client couple enjoying a fabulous three weeks in Italia.
Clearly, it's a trip of a lifetime and just what I hoped for them. Can you tell I LOVE my career in travel?
I emailed one of my travel clients today to see if they were celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or a special occasion on their upcoming trip to Italy. She responded, "Just celebrating love." She embellished her sentence with a red hot, red heart emoji. Her response made me smile. I know they have so much to look forward to on this very first trip to Italy and with that mindset, it will be celebratory indeed!
One of my favorite things about travel is the ability to leave our cares behind, have a bold adventure, shake up our reality, focus on each other more than real life often allows and let the romance flow.
Until Further Notice Celebrate Everything....
especially LOVE!
A few of my favorite travel moments with Mr. C.T.!
Are you ready? Contact me to get started on your next getaway!
Launching My CURATED TRAVEL Website
There have been some exciting developments behind the scenes lately and I'm happy to announce that I have just launched my new CURATED TRAVEL website. If you have followed Style*Mind*Chic Life blog you know that my Curated Travel/Travel Designer business has been based on the same website. I've had the blog for 6 years and added my Curated Travel business 1 1/2 years ago. I think it's time for my CURATED TRAVEL to finally have its own space, a modern, visual destination on the web.
Launching the CURATED TRAVEL Website
There have been some exciting developments behind the scenes lately and I'm happy to announce that I have just launched my new CURATED TRAVEL website. If you have followed Style*Mind*Chic Life blog you know that my Curated Travel/Travel Designer business has been based on the same website. I've had the blog for 6 years and added my Curated Travel business 1 1/2 years ago. I think it's time for my CURATED TRAVEL to finally have its own space, a modern, visual destination on the web. For the time being, my Style*Mind*Chic blog archive will remain on this website. Both websites will link to each other for easy reference.
I'm excited that my family, friends, clients, and future clients, will now have a dedicated space to discover the latest in travel destinations, inspirations, trends, deals, and travel tips. I also include pages and links on the process of working together to create your unforgettable curated travels. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek. I look forward to connecting with you on the beauty and romance of travel on my new website.
Please bookmark it and feel free to share!
Welcome to your new travel destination on the web:
CURATED TRAVEL
Read all the new blog posts:
CURATED TRAVEL BLOG
Sign up for the CURATED TRAVEL Newsletter
CURATED TRAVEL: Postcard from the Crown Princess on the Eastern Caribbean
This is just a peek of life on the Crown Princess sailing on the Eastern Caribbean. After 8 days floating on this stately cruise ship, I have a new appreciation for the fine art of cruising. The Caribbean is just as beautiful as ever with the shimmering turquoise waters, sugar sand beaches and beguiling breezes.
Postcard from the Crown Princess on the Eastern Caribbean
This is just a peek of life on the Crown Princess sailing on the Eastern Caribbean. After 8 days floating on this stately cruise ship, I have a new appreciation for the fine art of cruising. The Caribbean is just as beautiful as ever with the shimmering turquoise waters, sugar sand beaches and beguiling breezes.
Sending sunshine your way today.
Wish you were here!
Sure Fire Romance Inspiring Hotels to Ignite Your Spark
There is nothing quite like a romantic, or sexy, hotel to ignite the sparks for a romantic getaway. Several of my favorite destinations can be found in the Romance Collection 2018. Enjoy the visual inspiration to set the scene for a fine little romance.
romance-inspiring-hotels-curated-travel
ROMANCE INSPIRING HOTELS TO IGNITE YOUR SPARK
The holidays are packed away for another year and thoughts are turning towards a new month and the romantic promises of Valentine's Day. I can almost hear the champagne corks popping in anticipation. Can you?
There is nothing quite like a romantic, or sexy, hotel to ignite the sparks for a romantic getaway. Several of my favorite destinations can be found in the Romance Collection 2018. Enjoy the visual inspiration to set the scene for a fine little romance.
I'm pleased to see a number of my favorite destinations and resorts in this collection from Classic Vacations. I am also excited to see some destinations I'm currently booking for my clients. Those lucky honeymooners!
ROMANCE COLLECTION 2018
If you see any destinations that capture your eye, I can make that dream a reality for you.
A few of my favorite romantic destinations:
Tips on Romance:
Travel Mosaic: The Year in Photos 2017
It was a busy travel year around here for 2017 and that's just the way I like it. One thing I appreciate about living in Northern California is how accessible beautiful, and diverse, destinations are within a three-hour drive. This allows for us to easily get away to San Francisco, wine country, the Monterey coast or Lake Tahoe within an easy road trip. We added in a couple of beach trips to Southern California for family events this year. It's always fun to catch up on family time.
TRAVEL MOSAIC
It was a busy travel year around here for 2017 and that's just the way I like it. One thing I appreciate about living in Northern California is how accessible beautiful, and diverse, destinations are within a three-hour drive. This allows for us to easily get away to San Francisco, wine country, the Monterey coast or Lake Tahoe within an easy road trip. We added in a couple of beach trips to Southern California for family events this year. It's always fun to catch up on family time.
I was truly captivated by our time in Costa Rica and living 'pura vida'. These images capture some of the natural beauty bathed in golden light. I only wish I could share the soft breeze we experienced while chilling in that hammock. For more on Costa Rica and Secrets Papagayo.
Another first was the island of Jamaica for us this year. Zoetry Montego Bay was an intimate, luxurious beachside stay and the sunsets from the stately dock were spectacular. I'd head back to these chic digs in a heatbeat!
Finally, the '2017 Best Nine' app crunches the data and creates a collage of your top Instagram photos of the year. My Curated Travel Instagram account is not yet a year old, but I got some very good traction from several of these images. That first one of Positano garnered almost 300 likes which confirms that the Amalfi Coast of Italy remains incredibly popular. I promise to share more dreamy travel photos on Curated Travel Instagram for 2018. Of course, my Style*Mind*Chic Instagram continues to be filled with lifestyle, blog images, family and, my new favorite little man, Baby Charlie! Style*Mind*Chic Life Instagram.
I hope your 2018 is off to a wonderful start!
A Festive Evening with the KNOT Pro on Treasure Island, San Francisco
The KNOT premiere wedding website threw a festive event in San Francisco for members of the KNOT Pro. It was a celebratory evening since I had recently been notified that my Curated Travel won ‘Best of the KNOT’ for romance travel for 2018. Why not attend a stylish, chic, hosted event on Treasure Island, San Francisco? Scott and I packed up and made the quick trip to San Francisco in early December.
A Festive Evening with the KNOT Pro on Treasure Island
The KNOT premiere wedding website threw a festive event in San Francisco for members of the KNOT Pro. It was a celebratory evening since I had recently been notified that my Curated Travel won 'Best of the KNOT' for romance travel for 2018. Why not attend a stylish, chic, hosted event on Treasure Island, San Francisco? Scott and I packed up and made the quick trip to San Francisco in early December. We booked a suite at the perfectly located Hotel Diva, enjoyed tapas and a pre-celebration vino (for me) at my new favorite spot on the corner, The European, before heading across the bridge to the Aracely Cafe on Treasure Island.
The cafe/event center was transformed with sleek lounge areas, bar top tables for cocktails and mingling, tables filled with fresh flowers and stylish details. Inside the floral arrangements were lush, the bar area was well-stocked and an army of servers were generous with hand-served delicacies. Inside the event space, surrounded by walls of billowy ivory panels, the DJ spun beats from ambient chill to techno beats as the evening wore on. My fellow attendees were energetic, entrepreneurial and chic.
I'll be honest, I was on the more mature end of the age range, but I was thrilled to be part of this group of movers and shakers in San Francisco and beyond. My advice for attending an event that represents your new career, a new circle, a new chapter of life and owning it? Put on the outfit that makes you feel your most confident, add a smudge of your favorite lipstick, remember a stash of your business cards (as well as mints!), put on your best smile and take the leap! Scott and I enjoyed a memorable evening and capped it off viewing the city lights from the shore of Treasure Island.
The next day we relished the festive feel of San Francisco at a few of our favorite haunts: the Rotunda at Neiman Marcus for brunch and to view the impressive tree under the stained glass dome, a walk through Union Square with a photo by the tree, purchasing some blooms from the flower stand on the corner, a walk down Maiden Lane and lunch at an old favorite for Mexican fare, Colibri.
My collaboration with the KNOT Throws a Dream Wedding.
Curated Travel Wins Best of the KNOT for Travel Specialists.
Thank you to the KNOT Pro for the invitation to this stylish event!
Blog Post from the KNOT Pro.
Here is a video of the event
The Napa Valley Winery Experience
Napa isn't just known for the winery selection within the valley, but it's definitely one of the drawing points. This area is referenced as one of the top spots to vacation in the country. The weather is generally gorgeous, the small businesses are booming, and the people are friendly! Maybe it's the wine talking, but there's no better place to be a lover of all things vino. It can be a challenge to narrow down the wine community into a manageable list of wineries to visit in one go. We're here with some hidden gems and other popular options for a memorable winery trip in Napa Valley.
The Napa Valley Winery Experience
Napa isn't just known for the winery selection within the valley, but it's definitely one of the drawing points. This area is referenced as one of the top spots to vacation in the country. The weather is generally gorgeous, the small businesses are booming, and the people are friendly! Maybe it's the wine talking, but there's no better place to be a lover of all things vino. It can be a challenge to narrow down the wine community into a manageable list of wineries to visit in one go. We're here with some hidden gems and other popular options for a memorable winery trip in Napa Valley.
This winery is appointment only as far as tastings are concerned. That is interesting considering this estate focuses on a single wine, a Bordeaux style Cabernet Sauvignon. They're definitely experts in this variety! It has more of a formal atmosphere and bookings are often booked solid a month in advance. For those who have high standards, this is a luxurious option to consider checking out.
Here is another winery that requires reservations due to popularity! This facility is newly remodeled, complete with a massive pendulum in the center of the wine caves. This makes it feel like you're in an art museum instead of a wine cellar. The patio outdoors features gorgeous views and comfortable furniture to relax on.
The French architecture of this estate is eye-catching from miles away! They're known for their sparkling wine and Pinot Noir varieties. Their tour ends with samples of each of their wines as well as cheeses, fish, fresh caviar, fruit, and charcuterie meats. All three of their terraces deserve to be viewed when you visit, each offer different views of the estate.
There are over sixty wines available at this Italian style winery! It's open seven days a week and there is no appointment necessary. The grounds are perfect for having a picnic, as there is an onsite deli here with food options including a large variety of gourmet cheeses! It's children and dog-friendly, and the customer service is outstanding. This is a fitting choice whether you're new to the wine tasting process or you're a pro!
This is a smaller estate and vineyard that's extremely close to the downtown area of Napa. The busy atmosphere makes it feel more like a bar than a tasting room. They produce the largest amounts of Pinot Grigio in Napa Valley, so don't leave without trying a glass or two!
Utilizing professional transportation guarantees safety, and it opens up your options. It's a lot easier to visit multiple destinations in one day with a chauffeur who is familiar with the area. Check out Napa Wine Tour Transportation for a well-rounded experience!
For more on Wine Country.
As a travel advisor, I typically design full‑service, door‑to‑door journeys—hotels, transfers, tours, trains, every detail handled. But sometimes you may only need that spectacular hotel you already found, and still want access to those coveted Virtuoso amenities. We get it. When it’s a hotel‑only stay, you may feel it’s simplest to book it yourself, especially knowing you’ll still receive the full Virtuoso benefits and have Curated Travel + Cadence standing behind your reservation with dedicated support for anything you may need along the way.