Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

3 Best Travel Jewelry Cases


Mostly I think it's a bad idea to take your jewelry with you on vacation. Strangers don't care, nor remember how you look and friends don't either, so why worry about valuables in unfamiliar settings with too many competing distractions?

On vacation, my habit is to wear a pair of earrings and a ring I never take off, even when retiring to bed. I don't want to stress about hotel safes or leaving gold and gemstones behind in a hotel room. If staying in the home of family or friends, however, I might bring a little more bling if there's a compelling reason ... although even then I prefer inexpensive pieces that can be lost. Frankly, while on vacation, I have no desire to be a jewelry minder.

Yet, there might be rare occasions where you need to wear something glittery. In such instances, I love the above inexpensive, scratch-resistant (1) CE (Case Elegance) Travel Jewelry Organizer. First of all, it's real leather with a sturdy interior that costs the same as vegan leather.

Inside, there's plenty of room and compartments to separate and protect everything you might wear: necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets. I think you could get away with fitting it inside a tote or large purse, and certainly, it's compact enough to lock inside a suitcase or room safe. It's good value for the money!

I doubt I'd spend double, yet I like the (2) Saffiano Leather Travel Jewelry Wallet even better since it, too, has all the features to separate your necklaces, smaller earrings, rings, and bracelets. It holds less than the structured case and yet folds to fit inside almost any purse. Not the steal in price as the 1st large case, but reasonable enough for real leather.
My next recommendation requires thinking outside of the box ... it's dirt cheap and even more portable. On vacation wear your necklace and watch or bracelet that you never take off and take up to 7 pairs of interchangeable rings and/or earrings with you in a (3) plastic pillbox that you can easily carry inside your handbag. It costs $1 at a dollar store. Brilliant, no?


Without a doubt, Coach has a gorgeous pillbox, but instead of purchasing it, take the money and buy one of Couch's regular handbags. You don't need a $50+ leather case to house a pillbox. We can simply gaze at it as eye candy for a while.
😍 My motto is, "Don't buy pretty." 

Hopefully, you now have 3 useful and inexpensive suggestions to keep jewelry safe while on vacation. Still, I think the best advise of all is to leave the jewelry at home! And yet, worst-case scenario, I suppose if your house is burglarized while out of town, you'll be happy you brought a few pieces with you.🙂


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Tuesday, September 3, 2019

The Convertible Maestra Bag

Senreve's Maestra, an Italian leather bag with a stain resistant suede interior (in 3-sizes) is a fabulous find! The clever bag is an all-in-one satchel with top handle; crossbody bag; and backpack. The transition from one form to another is easy by pulling the straps. It only takes seconds!
Upscale and stylish, the interior holds lots of stuff. A side compartment secures a 10.5 inch iPad, and 7 pockets keep all your belongings organized. What's more, the large convertible Maestra holds a 13 inch laptop; your lunch; and a sweater according to Business Insider.
The gold knobs on the bottom look rich, and the bag comes in 27 colors, as well as, different textures (smooth, pebbled and dragon) in strong cowhide leather, as well as, mixed leather. 

If I had to come up with one improvement, it would be to widen the top flap (or cover), since if you look at the images, there are two openings at the top of the bag on the sides. There is an interior pouch that zips, yet the 2 side comparents are exposed -- and for the price, they shouldn't be, in my opinion. It isn't a dealbreaker, but a detail I noticed in seeing the bag in store.
Not an inexpensive bag, yet well below the exorbitant prices of so many well-known luxury bags. The Maestra is every bit as rich as the exclusive French brands, but costs far less -- all 3 sizes under $1,000 -- and has a lifetime guarantee. Expect the convertible Maestra bag to hold up for decades even with constant use. The purse is carried by Nordstom and resalers like The RealReal, so it's quite possible to catch a reduction.
With its elegance, sturdiness and versatility, the Maestra convertible bag makes a great work, or travel bag. Chiao Bella! The next big thing!! Because ... now, don't we all want one?!!!


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Friday, May 4, 2018

Lousiville After The Kentucky Derby

Photo: horseracingnation.com
After watching the Kentucky Derby, a tourist must visit downtown Louisville for a friendly urban vibe. Main Street is lined with vintage, renovated buildings that have been turned into museums, restaurants, a bourbon distillery (offering free tastings!) and small shops.
Photo: Urban Explorer (The photo credit link no longer works. Since it became a broken link, I removed it.)

From Main Street head on over to East Market Street (which realtors have renamed NuLu) to explore the coffee houses, bars (with delicious food!), as well as, the clothing, craft, furniture, antique and 2nd hand shops populating the block.
Garage Bar: Photo on Yelp by Craig C.
Louisvillians are serious about their food, drinks and hospitality among other things. A down-to-earth city with plenty to see and do.
Photo: SkyBluePrint

During Derby Week festivities begin with fireworks (known as Thunder Over Louisville), the Pegaus Parade, the Belle of Louisville boat race and hot air balloon races. Moreover, activities need not conclude with The Kentucky Derby. So if making the trip to see the race, be sure to build in a day or two to linger in town. You'll have a grand ole time with the locals! Oh yeah, put it on your bucket list.🌹


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Thursday, May 18, 2017

What's Your Money Quirk?

Even people who are not tightwads have something they don't like to pay money for because perhaps they feel: If a person applies him/herself, he/she could get "it" for free. My father's money quirk was not wanting to pay for parking. An acquaintance of mine dislikes paying to check her coat at an event. I may have a touch of each since I will drove around a block several times, only pulling into a parking garage if there's no other place to park a car. Ditto with the coat checking. If I can be discreet and the layout of a gala allows it, I prefer holding onto my coat and my $5-$10. Plus at the end of the evening, I can just leave, if I don't have to return to a coat check.

But I'm not going to claim either of these examples as my money quirk. I'm going to list two others. 

1) Makeup bags - Buying cosmetic bags? I mean, what a waste of the green! There are so many promotions that give bags away for free. I keep a few of the freebies in a drawer, using them to organize not only my makeup, but small items while traveling. To boot, there's always inexpensive zip lock bags (get the ones with sliders) to carry articles in a suitcase.
2) Another item I'm too parsimonious ... err sensible to pay good money for are travel bottles. Sure, colorful matching travel containers look snazzy, but frankly I don't value them enough to spend $10-$20 for a set. Instead, what I do is pack a few of the product samples I get (again freebies) of face cream, body lotion, shampoos and conditioners, or sunscreen and use the samples while away from home. A ton of product samples weigh practically nothing, making them a breeze to pack. Once I reach my destination, I can usually stop at a drugstore to buy travel sizes of products if I need more, though usually I don't run out. In buying travel sizes, we get mini containers (free) with product in them!! Once empty refill those if you wish.

I like the ideas of making use of freebies, recycling and saving a few bucks.

So now let me open the discussion to you. Are there product(s) you are simply too frugal to buy because if you apply yourself, you can get "it" for free? Confess!

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Traveler Meet The Barracuda

The swivel handle is attacked to an pull down laptop tray.
The Barracuda -- a collapsible, hard sided, carry-on, suitcase -- is a Kickstarter item, not yet available in stores, but I already want one.

You see, I don't have enough room in my apartment for my luggage. 

Although we have a locked storage room in our building where I have kept three suitcases (of different sizes) since moving into the building, recently when I went with a porter to retrieve the carry-on, it turns out that two of my suitcases -- the said carry-on, as well as, the next size up -- went missing. 

It is disappointing to say the least. Only building staff has keys to unlock the room; and for years the same porter accompanied me to get and return the suitcases from the storage room. It was a system that worked very well (for years) until it didn't. And, it's not like someone took my bags by mistake. Each size was wrapped in a protective plastic bag and double tagged (inside and out) with my identity and apartment number. We always layed them on the same shelf. So where did they go???
And now, I don't know what to do. It's not like I can do without, but where can I put a new carry-on when not in use? 

A duffel bag is easier to store, but not the best option to protect my stuff. I always travel with a blow dryer ... and you never know what else. Moreover, I like to organize my clothes; and sometimes on a small aircraft, passengers are asked to place their carry-ons on a cart before boarding. The suitcases are then loaded into the belly of the plane where bags without structure could be crushed by other luggage en route.
Certainly, the Barracuda carry-on would solve my dilemma. It is hard sided, yet fully collapsible for storage under a bed. Other cool features include an ergonomic swivel handle, a built-on tray for a laptop, GPS for location tracking, plus 2 USB ports for recharging your electronic devices.

Practically speaking, such high tech features are more than I really need. I'd be satisfied with a lower priced collapsible bag, lacking the fancy electronics. The Barracuda suitcase will retail for $480. We'll have to wait for an el-cheapo knowoff to hit the market sometime after the Baracuda's launch.

It's about time someone has thought to invent a classic, hard sided, collapsible, carry-on suitcase. If anyone sees my fairy godmother, please ask her to call me!

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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Floyd Country General Store

Photo by Growlerfills
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia sits The Floyd Country General Store. People who pay a visit feel like they have stepped back in time. A real country store serving a rural community, its shelves are stocked with a bounty of quirky and practical goods, including penny candy, books on farming, local arts and crafts, eco-friendly cleaning products, kitchen tools, casual clothing, and old fashioned toys and games.

The store has an inviting cafe. All the food on the menu is fresh, locally-grown and homemade. You will find country favorites like barbequed pulled pork, Chicken Brunswick stew and pinto beans with onions and cast-iron-skillet baked cornbread. Be sure to save room for the hand-dipped ice cream.
All year-around, the general store hosts a popular Friday Night Jamboree of Appalachian music and dance, where some of the most esteemed, old-time musicians take the stage. The evening starts at 6:30, features three bands, and by all accounts, lives up to its repulation of excellence. Live music also plays on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

According to public records, the store has been around since 1910. Continuing with tradition, it strives to be a gathering place for its community to make music, attend agriculture lectures, play a friendly game of checkers, or simply catch-up on local news perched in rocking chairs, while sipping craft beer and rootbeer floats. (You will find award-winning craft beer all over town.)

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a beautiful area to visit, and the The Floyd Country General Store is a charming, lively stop along the way. [Read more on Floyd, VA here.]

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Sunday, July 14, 2013

New York City On A Saturday Night

Pulling into the dock at the North Cove Marina in front of the World Financial Center down in Battery Park City
The best way to see New York City's skyline, as well as, the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island is taking a boat ride on the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan.

The Circle Line offers a number of sightseeing cruises around Manhattan Island, or take the "Admiral's Launch" to the Willy Wall for a glass of wine. Go here for details. It's a lovely way to spend a Saturday night.

Finally, the Staten Island Ferry is free. It serves 60,000 commuters traveling between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan daily. Hop aboard for a prime view of  New York's habor and The Statue of Liberty. 
Emoji
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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Panorama Views: Take A Look At The World

Central Park, New York, Photo: Ed Yourdon
You may have noticed.  THE SAVVY SHOPPER is primarily a writer's blog, not a design/photography blog.  But that doesn't mean I won't share a clever design, or pictures when they come along.  I am always impressed with how technology has opened up the world to us.  These days if you are not well-traveled, you can still experience, or get a feeling for what you will see if you ever go on your dream vacation.  The internet pushes you out of your comfort zone by showing you places on the globe where you may never think to step foot.  And I mean, show you from your eyeball's point of view, as if you were standing there.  Perhaps you'll be inspired to plan a real trip to see the sights one day.  So take a few minutes out of your hustle-bustle, not-enough-hours-in-a-day life to explore these magnificent 360 degree images. The pictures move horizontally and vertically, and with a click, you can travel up and down, plus zoom in and out.  The image of the Sistine Chapel below can be magnified, so you can study Michelangelo's masterpiece in detail.  Get ready to be blown away … and enjoy! 
Camera