Monday

I enjoyed a lovely long weekend and Thanksgiving holiday, but now it's time to get back to work!

(Image via optimism_iskeyxx)

Glass Pavilion

(Photo by semarr)

Yesterday evening we visited the glowing and translucent Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art.  Travel + Leisure named this building of more than 360 glass panels "Best Museum" in 2007 for its innovative design.  I'd never seen glass blowing (live), so watching the artist work from their gallery seating area was a really cool experience.

Holiday Travel Tips

(Photo by Lamusa)

Traveling with millions of other Americans this weekend is unavoidable, especially since I'm going through two major airports.  But, I can offer some tips for making the most of your time in transit:

Pack light, pack smart.  Gate checking bags at the side of the plane (on some smaller, regional flights) is still free, so save your money and use it elsewhere - to buy a book, meal, or even a manicure! (read further for more info)

(Photo by Carol Atlantica)

Pies are permitted through security (yum!) but other items like cranberry sauce, dip, jam, salsa, soup, and maple syrup, are not.

Prepare yourself for long lines and waits, though security, and beyond.  Keep your quart size bag of 3oz or smaller liquids in your purse, along with your laptop if you are carrying one.  Then, you can easily pull them out and place them in separate bins when the time comes to pass through.

Once I'm through security and I still have time to kill, I typically grab a bite to eat, buy a new book to read, or charge my laptop or ipod.  Did you know you can also get a manicure or a quick massage?  To find out if your airport has a spa, try this list by Travel to Wellness.

Be safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Hostess Gift

Wanderlust [noun]

 A strong, innate desire to rove or travel about

A gift for the hostess this Thanksgiving - tea towels from Studiopatro

Tea for Two

(High tea done proper at the Victoria Falls Hotel)

After I returned to the States, I made it my mission to find the delicious tea I sipped long after the breakfast hour was over at the safari lodge in Chobe National Park.  Rooibos or red bush, is an herbal tea that contains no caffeine.  Grown only in the Western Cape province of South Africa, its flavor I find naturally sweet, mild, warm, and calming... as I tell my friends, "it's what Africa tastes like!" :)

Make sure you leave room in your carry-on for my favorite, the Five Roses Honey and Rooibos tea pictured above.  See more Five Roses product here.  I also recommend buying loose leaf Rooibos from a store like Teavana.

Africa Booklet

Continuing my African theme, I love this booklet with logos like postage stamps by Anna Bond of Rifle Design.

Her online store opens this Monday, November 23rd.

Table Mountain

(iKapa Coat Rack from New Moon Africa)

I can't believe around this time last year, I was contorting myself into some really awkward positions, attempting fall asleep (and not disturb my neighbors) on the next 20 or so hours of my flight.  Just me, my ipod, and my one carry-on, ready to discover Southern Africa.

Did I hate every hour of that flight?  Not entirely... especially not once I lay eyes on Table Mountain from the plane windows across the aisle.  No matter how jet-lagged, everyone on that side of the plane had their shade up, and watched it pass by as we fell lower and lower into Cape Town.  And in that instant, I forgot any and all discomfort, and couldn't wait to set foot on a new continent.

(View of Table Mountain from Robben Island)

Weekend Chores

Creative laundry piles via Black*Eiffel here and here

Herkimer Diamonds

A few weeks ago, Mark and I hopped in the car and went on a diamond prospecting adventure.

(Image via Zanastardust)

Okay, maybe not real diamonds... they're Herkimer Diamonds (clear, 6-sided, double terminating quartz crystals, if you want to get technical) and they are located in Herkimer, New York at both Herkimer Diamond Mines or Ace of Diamonds.

Admission at Herkimer included hammers and access to 3 of their quarries.  We didn't have much time, but it was really fun pretend like we could discover some huge treasure by running around breaking rocks :)

If you can't make the trip to upstate NY, then check out a few of the rings that feature Herkimer Diamonds from Erica Weiner Jewelry (what inspired my impromptu road trip!)

Souvenirs

I love Michael Hughes' imaginative "Souvenirs" set on Flickr.

What's your favorite souvenir from your travels?  Mine is actually... a chestnut.  I picked it up off the ground and tucked it into my jacket pocket.  I forgot, and carried it home all the way from a tiny town in the Austrian Alps.  Sometimes, it's not the souvenirs you buy, but the souvenirs you find :)

Colorful Cities

©DailyCandy

Colorful watercolor cities from Miss Capricho  

Lazy Weekend

It was a bit gloomy outside this weekend.

I was skeptical at first, but Mark and I actually had a lot of fun Saturday night at Star Wars in Concert. With all the special effects, scenes from the movie on a giant LED screen, and live orchestra, it was hard to pick what to pay attention to.  It definitely exceeded my expectations.

Sunday included brunch at the Beacon Street Tavern, running into friendly neighbors walking down the street, and having a little bit of fun while waiting for a delayed flight at the airport :)

World Air Traffic

Kind of weird to think of all of this traffic in the sky above us, every day, no?

Embrace the Cold

The reality that winter is right around the corner is just starting to set in, and while I feel like I should be planning a beach getaway, I'm drawn to these amazing photos of Iceland from photographer Bob O'Connor.

  

Round-trip fares on Icelandair in January are coming in around $400 (from Boston, including taxes) and Lonely Planet just named Iceland as one of the world's Best Value Destinations in 2010.  Where are you traveling to this winter?

A Friendly PSA

Made me smile: tights are not pants

Walkin' in a WiFi Wonderland

With the holiday season fast approaching, staying in contact while on the go has become a whole lot easier thanks to Google.  47 airports and all Virgin America flights until January 15th will offer free WiFi service.  Below is the list of airports, but check their website for more information.  Thanks Google!

Curious if your airport already offers wireless internet?  Check out the Airport Wireless Internet Access Guide from TravelPost by Kayak.com.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

...and bake, I did :)

I used the recipe for Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting from Real Simple.

(Images: optimism_iskeyxx and John Kernick)

A Fall Weekend

Today was a sunny fall day, so Mark and I walked in the afternoon from my apartment down to Copley Square.  I love the surprise contrast of the modern-looking Hancock building towering over the more traditional brownstones.  We stopped in Best Cellars for a wine tasting, and then walked back home to enjoy the wine we purchased for this evening.  Have a nice weekend!

Jet Set Paper

When I first saw the bright yellow Air Wear messenger bags, I liked their concept, but I couldn't picture myself ever carrying a big bag that screams "this is my home city!"  I do, however, love this hand printed Moleskin journal and 4 area code notecards from Jet Set Paper.  With different airport codes to choose from, I can picture using it for a journal while on the road, or even giving it as a gift to a friend visiting in town.

Lunch in the South End, Boston

Photo by Chow and Suz

One of my favorite stops for lunch when I'm in the city is the South End Buttery.  Its glowing storefront is nestled in a neighborhood of quintessential Boston brownstones, and I couldn't resist the chance to try one of Boston's so-called best cupcakes.  And even though I was rushing lunch to get to my dessert, their Albacore Tuna Sandwich was one of the best tuna sandwiches I have ever had.

Blossoms

I know it's Fall, but I've just about given up on dressing 'seasonal' given the odd weather lately (70 degrees? in October? really Boston?)  So, I don't think its entirely inappropriate to mention the number of flowers I see popping up in unexpected places:

Blossoms to make for your home...

 

blossoms for you to wear...

and blossoms for your hair.

Images:
Giant Magnolia Flower Kit - Paper Source
Textured Jersey Silk Corsage Tee - J. Crew
Thin Floral Headband - F21

Surprise

I came home to a package Friday night, from the boyfriend.  He surprised me with treats from one of my favorite stores - Muji.

  

I can't wait to hang these cute map handkerchiefs in my apartment.  What a thoughtful little gifts, thanks boyfriend!

Hi!

It's November 1st - a new month, an extra hour...  seems like just the right time to take a moment and say hello.

I'm excited to share the sights, inspiration, and the simple things that I come across every day - whether I am walking to work in Boston, browsing the internet in my cozy pajamas, or, out traveling the world.

I believe in enjoying the travel just as much as the destination.  I almost never make important decisions when it is raining.  And, I believe in talking to the guy (or gal) next to you.  So, Hi! I'm Marie :)