Equipped for Aquatic Adventure:

With my upcoming trips to San Antonio, Texas - where we'll be floating the Guadalupe River one afternoon - and Nicaragua - where we plan to lounge on beaches for the majority of our stay - I have an intense desire to purchase this little gadget...

It's a Lifeproof case that can be completely submerged in water up to six feet! My friend Jenn has been taking the coolest underwater Instagram photos at the pool with hers, and I just can't get over how amazing it would be to do the same! Or at least just be able to bring my iPhone along with me without being completely and utterly terrified the entire time we are on the water...

Although pricey, replacing an iPhone is no cheap endeavor itself. See what I did there? It's called "validating unnecessary purchases". I'm quite good at it! Try me!

Journal:

One thing that I wish I would have done during my trip to Europe was journal about our adventures. I should have purchased a little notebook for jotting down quick notes about dishes we ate, the restaurants we loved, and all of the little details that might fade over time...

Next time I want to be better prepared! Here are a few travel journals that I've found around the web:

[This sweet Anthropologie travel journal even has a little envelope for ticket stubs and things!]

[There is this simple and sophisticated one.]

[This one is simply adorable and has nice features like undated calendars.] 

[There is a classic travel-themed Moleskine that makes my heart pitter-patter just a little.]

[And then there is this one, complete with darling illustrations, fun world facts, expense register, packing checklists, and yet still tons of free space for notes! It may be love.]

I have to ask: which one is your style?

Packing for Europe:

With the entirety of my weekend spent at work, I woke up this morning with one main objective: pack!

First and foremost, I need to establish how amazing my best friend here in California is... She showed up last night while I was working with a care package to help get me through the loooong flight to Barcelona! This was truly one of the most thoughtful packages I had ever received...  

[Trashy magazines I'd be embarrassed to purchase myself (bonus points for one with a cover story about The Bachelor!), one of my favorite candies in the world, my guilty pleasure chip-of-choice for snacking, sleeping pills and a mask because I have expressed my complete inability to sleep on planes, and whisps to freshen my breath quickly after catching some zzzz's. Okay, okay, there was more candy involved... It's whereabouts will remain undisclosed.] 

[I always bring disposable razors on trips because I will inevitably forget mine at the hotel if I brought it. It only took me four lost Venus Divines to accept my condition. I also love that I get travel-sized products whenever I purchase my Clinique make-up because I save them for my trips! Don't worry, I've sent the beau out for some miniature toothpaste, too.]

[A light rain jacket. A folded up large Longchamp tote in case my purchases force me to check a bag on my return. Sweaters, scarves, and pants for the chilly weather plus one skirt that's more than likely purely wishful thinking. Not pictured: My underpinnings, a bathing suit for any possible hot tub situation, socks, tights, or the peacoat and boots that I'll be wearing for the entirety of the trip.]

[And then Lily jumped up on my stuff as if to say "Pack me too, Momma!" while I was taking pictures. She has definitely been out of sorts with all of the packing that's occurring, but I am certain that she'll have a good time playing with her dachshund friend, Moopsies, at our friend's home in Long Beach. Although we will miss her immensely...] 

 [The two albums I chose to purchase off iTunes late last night to help pass the time on the plane. JR bought a couple, as well as a documentary for us to watch on his iPad!] 

But, as always, I feel as if I am forgetting something... Why is it that a sinking feeling of unpreparedness always accompanies packing? 

Preparation:

Preparing for a vacation can be ever so exhilarating. You have an excuse to purchase items specifically for the purpose of enjoying your location to the fullest; a new swimsuit for a tropical location, cute yet comfortable walking shoes for new cities, mittens for snowy getaways, and the list goes on and on! With our pending trip to Europe being only 13 days away now, here are a few of the items that are either necessary to our travels or have been justified along the way as somehow being for the betterment of my experience...

[My passport has been collecting dust since I received it almost two years ago... I finally get to validate that purchase!]

[My heavy 1940's Samsonite just was not going to cut it with the train hopping that we plan to do, so I ordered this classic duffel bag from Herschel Supply Co.. Their lovely red pinstriped interiors and specialized shoe compartments are what inevitably won me over.]

[I have finally begun to highlight important tidbits and must-sees in our two travel guides, like how to politely get a waiter's attention in Catalan Spanish and the regional cuisine of the Côte d'Azur.]

[After reading this post I decided that dry shampoo would be a great way to extend the time between having to wash/dry/flat iron and would thus add more time for me to be out exploring Barcelona & the Riviera! I picked up this product per recommendation at Sephora and plan to test it out in the coming days. While there, I also wanted a new long-wear matte lipstick that would be low maintenance during our lengthy days and eventually decided upon NARS Carthage. I tested it yesterday and can officially say that I'm in love.]

[And of course we are bringing along a whole slew of outlet converters for our multiple electronics' charging needs.]

I have stopped myself from making any apparel purchases since the plan is to shop, shop, shop while I am there due to Europeans being notoriously ahead of us on the fashion curve anyways. (Don't fret, I have every intention of sharing the spoils of my shopping endeavors with you all!]

Thirty Thousand:

I just returned this evening from Pennsylvania, and I am spent. With all of the travel that I do, I have learned that a few simple pleasures go a long way on a long bi-coastal flight however... 

In normal life magazines seem frivolous, but flights always seem to be the perfect excuse to indulge in glossy pages, redundant beauty tips, and expensive fashion... I arbitrarily base my decision on my affinity for who is on the cover and don't put much thought into the process to be honest. And I'll often grab a home decor or travel magazine to mix things up. Average cost: $12. Worth it. 

[My first grab en route to Pennsylvania was obviously the one with Zooey.]

Another must for me is to download an album that I have been meaning to purchase anyways from the iTunes store while I wait to board... It's so exciting to browse, decide mere moments before finding my prison seat, and then only listen once we're up in the air! Sometimes it's nice to grab a silly (and often free) game for my iPhone as well. ("Bubble Shooter" has been the go-to for my past two excursions.) Average cost: $9.99. Worth it. 

[Matt Nathanson's "Modern Love" was the soundtrack for this particular trip.]

I usually have a difficult time concentrating while reading actual books during flights since I'm so uncomfortable, but at times I can use this traditional remedy for in-air boredom. Also, I have found that wifi is sub par at best and only results in further frustration, as well as the fact that I am not being too keen on others being able to see every last thing that I am looking at whilst browsing the web... I feel like I'm being watched! 

Oh, and snacks are always a must. Duh. (Prices may vary.) 

Making Old New:

A few months ago I wandered into an antique shop by my house and stumbled upon this beautiful 1940's Samsonite luggage that was simply begging for a makeover. And makeover I did! 

(My advanced apologies for not photographing the "before" of the interior. It was a rookie mistake, indeed.)

[After ripping out the olive-colored insides, I used the pieces as a template for the construction.] 

[Sturdier foam board replaced floppy cardboard.]

[Lilac chevron replaced dingy and stained fabric.]

[The original "Samsonite" tag was restored to its original location, and the old screws were used to authentically secure the side pieces.]

[The finished project!] 

I have used this beauty quite a few times since the restoration and have received many compliments from fellow travelers. It even works wonderfully as a seat while performing the arduous waiting that inevitably accompanies travel. 

The final test? Checking this 70-year-old luggage at the airport. Much to my excitement, it arrived securely at my destination and saved me the shame of my undergarments being strewn about the baggage claim terminal! Whew.