10 Gifts for the Jetsetter

So, it's that time of year again and you have someone on your holiday shopping list that fancies a trip here and there. You're wondering what to get them because socks or perfume just won't cut it again this year. Well, here are some solid gift ideas for the travel lover in your life that they will be sure to thank you for. (Ahem, husband take note...)

 

For the Accessorizer

Leather Passport Case - There's nothing like traveling in style and a passport case adds just the right bit of flair. Plus, ones like these from Mark & Graham can hold your boarding pass, come in all sorts of colors, and are monogrammable. Not looking to splurge? J Crew Factory has some cute ones that are budget-friendly and get the job done all the same.

 

For the Coffee or Tea Drinker

City Vignette Mug - These mugs from Anthropologie have the cutest little details and come in various cities like Rome, Paris, London and more. Gift just one, their favorite city of course, or gift the entire set. The choice is yours and either way you can't go wrong.

 

For the Home Decorator

London Embroidered Pillow Cover - This pillow cover from Pottery Barn brings all the symbolic icons of old Londontown to your living room. If London is not the city you're looking for there's also Paris and San Fran to choose from. Pillow insert sold separately.

Travel-themed Ornament - Because it's always fun to add a new ornament to the tree.

For the Bartender

City Map Glasses - What better way to enjoy a cocktail than in a glass with your city etched into it! These make both a useful AND a thoughtful gift.

Carry-on Cocktail Kit - We all know those flights that require a strong cocktail. And with this old fashioned kit you don't have to settle for whiskey and ginger. Makes a cute stocking stuffer too!

For the Gadget Holder

Roll-up Travel Charger - Charge multiple devices on the go and minimize clutter with this guy from surprisingly Restoration Hardware. Who knew they sold anything but gorgeous furniture?

Global Universal Charger Kit - With 6 interchangeable tips, there isn't a country you won't be able to plug into.

For the Special Mister

Custom Map Cufflinks - Add a memorable or favorite location to your man's outfit. Wedding or honeymoon location perhaps? The location of your first home together? Here's your chance to get creative and thoughtful!

For the Special Lady

Custom Map Pendant - I love these pieces by A.Jaffe. What a great way to cherish a favorite destination and a diamond marks the spot of a special memory. So cute!

Finally, you could always opt instead for a blanket scarf, a new bag or piece of luggage, some noise-canceling headphones, or a toiletry case filled with travel-size goodies. Those always make great gifts but aren't these way more fun?! Happy shopping ;)

The Best Shoes for Traveling

While many of you are thinking about what sides to serve with your turkey next week, I'm thinking about what to pack for my upcoming trip to Ireland. This year I've opted to trade turkey for travel and I'm quite excited about it. So, appropriately, my next few posts are going to give you some insight on how I prepare for a trip overseas. When it comes to traveling around Europe, there's no denying that it will involve lots and lots of walking. Even my seaside escape to the Amalfi Coast involved some exploring of some sort which wouldn't have happened without happy feet. Finding the right pair of shoes is so important for this type of vacation and every time I'm preparing for some upcoming Euro travel I am faced with the dilemma of finding comfy yet fashionable footwear. I want to be comfortable but at the same time I want to look cute and let's face it, gym sneakers rarely go well with cute. Not to mention, they scream tourist which to me is possibly worse than wearing shoes that dig into the back of your heel.

I've pretty much looked at every Clark's and Merrill shoe out there, but little did I know that these shoes were right beneath my nose. Thanks to a friend who does some modeling for Reebok, I discovered the perfect pair for walking around all day-- the Reebok Skyscape Runaround 2.0. They are super lightweight, offer generous mold-to-your-foot cushioning, and come in all sorts of colors. Best of all they are devoid of any huge logo that screams sneaker. I purchased the black ones and they are exactly what I needed. Thanks, Lauren! BTW, check out her blog for some awesome workouts you can do at home and for some tasty, healthy recipes.

The Reebok Skyscape Runaround 2.0

Knowing Ireland, I am bound to face some wet weather. As if finding one good pair of shoes was hard enough, I needed to find something that would keep my feet dry. I'm a huge fan of Hunter's wellies and have owned some because of their superb durability since before they were trendy. But they take up some prime real estate in my suitcase, are not really plane-friendly, and it's even more frustrating if the weather forecast proves me wrong and I don't end up wearing them. This is where the Tretorn Skymra Mid SL GTX comes in. They might cause a bit of sticker shock to some but they are made of Gore-tex which ensures that no drop of water will find its way to my feet. They easily fit into my suitcase and they look and wear like a fashionable high-top sneaker, which I love.

The Tretorn Skymra Mid GTX

Some other great shoes for traveling include, but are not limited to:

A Chelsea-styled rain boot like the JCrew Chelsea Rain Boot. They look like their stylish all-leather sibling that are super in right now and these ones even come in leopard to add a bit of flair to your outfit.

A slip-on Vans-styled sneaker like the Gap Leather Slip-on. Plain, black leather goes with everything and keeps a low-profile while being a sneaker makes them comfortable too. Not to mention, slip-ons are very TSA and plane-friendly!

Keds. So many fun styles, so much comfort. Love the Kate Spade styles!

So I'd love to know, what is your go-to shoe for traveling?

Note: While this post is all about practicality, I cannot guarantee that my suitcase will not include at least one pair of impractical shoes too, whether that be my Frye boots or a pair of heels. Because sometimes a girl just wants to feel fabulous in a new country too!