{take me away № 03 | tips for buying luggage}

With thanks to a lovely reader for the suggestion, this week’s {take me away} column shares and showcases an array of wonderful luggage options, from inexpensive, yet lovely pieces readily available at Macy’s, to exquisite investment pieces in Louis Vuitton's classic Monogram Etoile.



Whether you are looking to purchase your carry-on with a more conservative budget and splurge on your suitcase, or are looking to build a life-long lasting collection — or perhaps, are looking for the best quality set for a small budget, style and function needn’t be compromised. And so, below are some of our current favorites on the market, in an array of looks, price points, designs and functions, offering features to note and great style . . .





[read sarah's picks & tips for choosing luggage after the jump] x

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{take me away № 02 | luggage to last a lifetime}

As with many things, it is wise to purchase the best quality of luggage and travel accessories that one can afford. Luggage is an investment, and quality pieces will often last for a lifetime.



Well-made and designed luggage is aimed to make the process of your journey easier, and will take you through many years of adventures.



Whether you are beginning to put together your own luggage collection, are a well-seasoned traveler looking to replace the pieces you have, or searching for the perfect gift for someone you love, this guide will assist you in building a quality luggage collection.






No matter if you prefer a sleek, streamlined look with neutral colors, or a colorful, fun look with personalized details . . .



It is imperative to learn some of the basics of what to look for when selecting pieces . . .



[as always, more after the jump] x
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{take me away № 01 | perfectly packed: a list}

A wonderful trip must always begin with preparation and organization. Proper organization defeats any what-ifs and mishaps and can save you from little disasters that may unexpectedly occur.





Now, this certainly does not entail bringing one’s entire home within a suitcase or two, but it does make use of the essentials, as well as many additional small items that can come in handy at the most crucial moment.



Over the years, I have received advice from a lovely neighbour, who often travels the world, speaking at conferences as well as vacationing. Along with some of the wonderful tips she has shared, combined with a few other things learned along the way, I hope to assist you in planning for your next journey.





To be certain that everything is covered, one must make use of a comprehensive list. Attached, you will find a lovely list that I’ve assembled, suitable for all seasons of the year. Please download and print as many as you need, check the boxes and add any additional information that you like . . .




Some additional helpful packing & preparation tips:

01 Keep a copy of your list. There is always the chance that your baggage might be misplaced, and so, with your list, you have evidence of exactly what your luggage contained.

02 Keep in mind that only 100ml of liquid per container is acceptable on a plane. Often your local drug store will carry small, fillable containers that are the perfect size.

03 Download helpful apps ahead of time to assist you in your travels, such as maps, destination information, weather and even common phrases for that specific country (rather than packing physical maps, books and such).

04 Be sure to look into the country of your destination – will you need to pack an adaptor?

05 There are some wonderful tutorials on how to best fold your clothing, including full skirts, for travel.

06 Always keep a little sachet or two of your favorite scent within your luggage. Upon arriving to your
accommodations, you can also refresh your footwear by placing one or two within your shoes.

07 Add a special marker to your luggage so that you might distinguish yours quickly amongst the rest upon picking it up at the airport. I often tie a favorite ribbon of the moment to mine.

08 If you are flying, be sure to visit the airline’s website /airport for specific information on luggage weight limits, size and more.

~ sarah

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the “perfectly packed” list was developed & designed by sarah klassen for {this is glamorous} -- please click here to download


{images: 1, 6, 7 - ceilia lee on flickr ; 2 - tiffany nguyen on flickr; 3 - lipsticks & lightsabers; 4 - La Maison Champs-Elysees by Maison Martin Margiela via another mag via ~laura~; 5 - ; 8 - smythson of bond street}

{favourite five: designer & stylist linda rodin}

It's true: the fountain of youth does exist and it is overflowing with Olio Lusso . . .



Created by famed fashion stylist, Linda Rodin, Olio Lusso, Italian for luxury oil, is the beauty secret that the most glamorous women in the world have been hiding -- a collection of four choice elixirs for the skin, lips, and hair.


Rodin, 63, Vogue US, August 2011

Each chemical-free product is made up of essential oils derived from absolutely the most exquisite and intoxicating of all botanicals -- jasmine, sweet almond, apricot, evening of primrose, sunflower, jojoba, rose hip seed, calendula, neroli, arnica -- all notable for their glow-enhancing, protective, soothing and softening properties.



And the very best part, once the easy to use, one-step oils are applied to the face, body, lips and hair, the results are astonishingly immediate, proving that there is such a thing as a magic potion, and all contained in a stylish, art deco meets modern-glam package design.



The magician behind the Olio Lusso line is no stranger to the world of glamour -- Linda Rodin has spent the past forty years in the fashion industry as a designer, a stylist for Henri Bendel and Victoria's Secret, a fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar, the owner of one of the first boutiques in SoHo, and a freelance stylist working for photography icons such as Herb Ritts and Richard Avedon.



Rodin has also dressed many of the world's most stylish women, from supermodels like Helena Christensen, Linda Evangelista, and Gisele Bündchen, to celebrities such as Madonna and Halle Berry, making her matchless in the business.



Building on her past experiences helped Linda, as she ventured into the world of beauty products -- in our interview with the stylist, she told us, "My advice is to just be yourself and follow your instincts. Use your knowledge and history to understand how to use your own story to create something new."


linda's ten things, domino magazine

Her line, which is carried at Barneys NY, Colette in Paris and boutiques around the world, came out of Linda's quest for simplicity in beauty, creating Olio Lusso after two years of trial and error, experimenting with essential oils in her own kitchen. What resulted was a heavenly elixir that mirrored her own classic style.



And that impeccable and peerless signature style that is hers alone had us wondering, in addition to using her own products [which truly make for dreamy skin and hair!], what other secrets she had up her sleeve -- and so, this week, we set out to discover Linda's :

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{top five favourite beauty essentials:}

1. Colbert MD Intensify Facial Disks : I use them once a week to really clean my skin deeply. They are a miracle.

2. Dermalogica SPF : Not greasy, doesn't burn the eyes, and very creamy.

3. Deborah Lippman Nail polish : She always has the best and most wonderful shades -- from classics to the hip & happening.

4. BriteWhite Toothpaste : I think it works :)

5. Rose Marie Swift Lip2Cheek : Gives the most natural and healthy glow.

. . . and the stylist's top beauty secret: "Eating healthy foods, we all know why, and tons and tons of sleep -- I get no fewer than 9 hours a night -- no matter what!"

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Now if you'll excuse me I have some shopping to do -- that is, after I catch up on my beauty sleep!

~ laily

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p r e v i o u s f a v o u r i t e f i v e s :

* food editor & author : donna hay
* photographer : debi treloar
* painter : janet hill
* jewelry designer : suzie gallehugh
* artist: michelle armas
* jewelry designers : megan & moira flynn
* actress & writer : shiva rose
* jeweler : camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse : chloë sevigny
* floral stylist, part 1 : denise porcaro
* floral stylist, part 2 : denise porcaro
* fashion photographer & illustrator : garance doré
* interior designer & architect : nina freudenberger
* entrepreneurs : rent the runway
* designer : rachel ashwell
* interior designer : tricia foley
* photographer : romina shama
* jewelry designer : cc skye
* designer & ceramicist: reiko kaneko
* perfumer : anne mcclain
* model, author & designer : india hicks
* interior designer : kelly wearstler
* fashion designer : tory burch

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{p.s.} a glimpse into linda rodin's manhattan apartment here & here

{images: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight //nine}

{take me away № 04 | vintage & antique luggage}

There is something significantly special about vintage and antique luggage pieces. Unlike the compact pieces that are created out of convenience and necessity today: suitable for planes, trains, ships, and automobile travel—the type of luggage needed from years past is quite different.



For instance, baby strollers today are easy to clean and maintain, can carry a number of children at time, and can fold into a fraction of their size, not unlike an origami piece; whereas in the past, more scalable prams were standard, designed with large, more industrial strength metal parts, and were produced with fine materials—some even included beautiful paintings and special storage compartments, and were often decorative and treasured for many, many years.



The same is with luggage; today, we seek quite different conveniences and scales, and yet can appreciate and enjoy the beauty of pieces from a bygone era.



Proficiently and arduously, “constructed by hand from metal, timber, leather and brass, these trunks were highly sought after and favoured by royal families and international high society alike.”



Traveling in style was considered as important as where one would travel. It’s lovely to imagine the sorts of journeys these pieces went on—exotic trips to Africa, trains through Europe, new homes and lands, discovered . . .




[continue reading sarah's tips for purchasing vintage and antique travel cases below . . .] x


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