It’s Tourist Season
Three finds made for busy days full of sightseeing.
There are a lot of things to consider when packing for a trip. You want to make sure you have everything you need to navigate your destination, without being weighed down by stuff. You don’t want to be caught without the documents you need or fall victim to the weather and lose valuable time that could be spent exploring (or shopping). And there are also some tell-tale signs of a tourist (i.e. currency pouches and hiking boots with zip-off trousers in urban environments).
It’s been 224 days since we moved to London and tomorrow we set out for our first big trip within the UK. We’ll be spending the week in Scotland with some family who’ve come to visit and I’m in full-on travel prep mode. The three finds this week will help you streamline your list, stay comfortable and look like a local.
Wishing you a summer of adventure.
1. Living Proof Perfect hair Day™ Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo (£14 and up)
No one wants to waste time on extra grooming when they travel. That’s why I always have a can of dry shampoo with me to prolong my hairstyle (especially if the hotel I’m in has crappy water pressure). I’ve tried a lot of brands over the years and I keep going back to Living Proof, the haircare line started in 2005 by MIT scientists. Their latest dry shampoo really does leave my hair feeling clean and with enough bounce to fool anyone into thinking I’m on day two of my hairstyle instead of day four. Bring along travel bottles of their shampoo and conditioner to stretch your ‘do even longer.
2. Le Specs Air Heart Sunglasses (€65)
A big pair of sunglasses is a must-have for traveling. They’ll keep your eye area protected so you can really take in the sights and great outdoors more comfortably and this jumbo cat eye-style pair from Australia-born eyewear brand Le Specs (founded in 1979) is just the ticket. These sturdy shades come in a range of colors at an excellent price point. They hold up well but if the worst happens and they go missing (or you sit on them), you’re not out hundreds for one pair of shades. I have the tortoise shell pair and now have my eye on this neutral version.
3. Smythson Passport Covers (£140 and up)
My introduction to the British leather goods company Smythson (founded in 1887) came in the form of a diary I received in a swag bag while working at DailyCandy (RIP). As a broke intern, this beautiful planner stamped with my initials in gold was the most luxurious thing I’d ever owned and I made a mental note to check this brand out again someday. They offer a range of chic leather passport holders in different colors and shapes (see here, here and here), so you can not only protect your passport but also store other travel documents with ease.
Something to think about …
I was in junior high when the Columbine massacre happened. We thought that would be a standalone tragedy. More than 20 years later, action is long overdue. Organizations like March For Our Lives support sensible, responsible gun control.
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